The Castle Pines Connection

Fifteen talented seniors from Regis Jesuit confirmed their commitment to play their respective sports at the college level. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan On Wednesday, February 6, fifteen senior boys from Regis Jesuit High School (RJ) signed letters of intent to play sports at the college level. Among this group of gifted athletes was…

Article contributed by IREA The board of Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA) voted to approve the retirement of $3.65 million worth of capital credit checks at its February board meeting on February 5. Board President Tim White said it was the sign of a financially healthy electric cooperative. “I can’t tell you the number of…

This historic landmark, easily visible from I-25 and surrounding communities, is maintained by the Keepers of the Rock. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of POST Partners When driving through Castle Rock, it is impossible to miss the town’s namesake jutting majestically into the sky. Whether you have gazed at the lighted star atop the…

Castle Pines Village resident Teresa Vidger is unassuming in person, but is highly successful in her professional life. Her passion for real estate and relocation services led her to create her own company, which has received national recognition. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Teresa Vidger Teresa Vidger is a wife, a wonderful mom to…

Nancy Brown is the owner of Sparkles Bead Company in downtown Castle Rock. The shop hosts classes, birthday parties for kids, and girl’s night out. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Nancy Brown loves beads and she loves people. That much is clear. This past December, she opened Sparkles Bead Company (Sparkles) in downtown Castle…

Sixth grade REMS students about to leave for an adventure at Cameron Pass. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Rita Klement The Klement, Goodman, Lewis and Kadlacek families of Castle Pines all have children attending The Renaissance Expeditionary Learning and Outward Bound Magnet School (REMS) in Castle Rock. Rita Klement of BriarCliff has two children…

 Article contributed by South Metro Fire Rescue Authority The South Metro Fire Rescue Authority is accepting applications for its citizen academy. The academy will run from April 10 through May 29 on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The deadline to apply for this opportunity is March 4. This will be the fourth…

Castle Pines Community Church Meets at 7280 Lagae Road, Suite O (King Soopers Plaza); www.castlepineschurch.org Good Friday service: March 29 at 7 p.m. Easter Sunday services: March 31 at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.; children’s programming available for both services Cherry Hills Community Church Meets at 3900 Grace Boulevard, Highlands Ranch; www.chcc.org Holy Week communion…

Clark Wilhelm, an exemplary leader and educator. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Clark Wilhelm In today’s 21st –century learning environment, an outstanding educator is someone who is creative, empowering, collaborative, and a visionary. Clark Wilhelm, a counselor at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) for seven years, has been recognized by his peers as an…

Haselden Construction began drilling for caissons last month for the new AA facility in Parker. The school is slated to open in the fall of this year. Information provided by American Academy After a full year of planning and hard work, the new American Academy (AA) Parker building is going up, right on schedule. Located…

CDOT Mobile provides travelers with real-time information such as highway conditions and traffic information, allowing users to make better decisions about travel mode and route. “We first launched CDOT Mobile in September 2012 for the I-70 corridor and have experienced great success with 50,000 users to-date,” said Ryan Rice, CDOT Director of Operations. “By adding…

BRE Battle of the Books students get ready to take part in their second battle on February 12 against Flagstone Elementary. By Sean W., BRE Ridgeline staff reporter; photo courtesy of Laurie Jacobs Battle of the Books is a national reading program to inspire kids to read and have fun while competing against other kids. …

Above: Bryce Stutler visiting CU Boulder; Inset: Maddie Landis visiting California Polytechnic University. Article and photos by Lisa Nicklanovich Planning a college visit over the upcoming break to determine if the school is the right fit for your student? Make the most of your visit by following these tips: Be an Anthropologist: On campus, record…

By Kathy Dunker with photo courtesy of the Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance It’s that time of year again. Tax season is in our midst and Checkoff Colorado makes it super easy to contribute to numerous charitable organizations with a simple check mark on your tax return. Checkoff contributions are voluntary donations from your tax refund…

Rock Canyon High School senior Coleman Squalls and Rocky Heights Middle School eighth grader, JT Snowden volunteer each week for BRE first grade teachers Terra Shaffner, Jennifer Miller, and Jennifer Murdock. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Classrooms at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) are full of busy little students. The younger ones are learning…

Article by Robin D., BRE Ridgeline Staff Reporter “Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’d like to thank…” is what our staff and students said here at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE). We have won the Colorado Department of Education’s John Irwin Award two years in a row. But it’s not like only one award is…

Vail celebrates its fiftieth season this year and has plenty of birthday surprises for visitors to its world-renowned slopes. But Vail offers more than skiing to visitors. Snowshoeing and other outdoor adventures, as well as great restaurants, and spa services round out the experience. By Lisa Crockett; photos by Lisa Crockett; Jack Affleck, Vail Resorts;…

Dr. Emily Hoard and Dr. Molly Miller with a couple of their favorite friends. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Animal Care Center of Castle Pines (ACCCP) has welcomed two new veterinarians to the practice, Dr. Molly Miller and Dr. Emily Hoard. They join a devoted and dedicated group of animal loving veterinarians and staff…

By Elean Gersack Denver Restaurant Week is upon us and is celebrating its ninth year. Make reservations now at your favorite restaurants or use the opportunity to try a new hot spot. More than 300 restaurants are already slated to participate this year with more signing up daily. The event will run from Saturday, February…

By Liz Jurkowski In some ways, the junior year of high school can be the most fun. The eleventh grader already knows the ins and outs of high school culture, has figured out how to manipulate the system a bit, and has the ability to pick and choose classes and electives he or she is…

Coming soon! After receiving more than 9,000 nominations for teachers and employees across the school district, finalists for the 2013 Apple Awards have been announced. Finalists and winners will be announced at the annual Apple Awards Celebration on February 23. The Apple Awards are sponsored by the Douglas County Educational Foundation. To read about nominees…

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) participants (left to right) Joe Clements, Jenny Fortenberry, and Al Dugan. OLLI offers learning opportunities without grading for seniors 50 and better. Special to The Connection; by Ellen Sloan Three Castle Pines residents – Jenny Fortenberry, Al Dugan, and Joe Clements – have found a rewarding second chance at classroom…

By Chris Bonham On February 14th, people all across the world will take part in Valentine’s Day, a day predicated on the celebration of romantic love. This holiday is celebrated in the Americas, Europe, and even some parts of eastern Asia. In the United States alone, it’s estimated that more than 200 million people exchange…

Carrie Rotherham is the interim principal for BRE for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Carrie Rotherham has joined Buffalo Ridge Elementary School as interim principal for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year. After the departure of former principal Ally Berggren in December, the district named Rotherham…

Douglas County’s new commissioner, Roger Partridge, was sworn into office on January 8 by 18th Judicial District Judge Paul King at the Philip S. Miller Building in Castle Rock. Partridge will serve the citizens of District II during his four-year elected term. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Chris Vodnik for Douglas County 

  Girl Scout Troop 4486 helps to feed pets of needy and disabled people By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Christy McDonald For more than 100 years, girl scouting has taught girls, in part, about making the world a better place. Under the guidance of co-leaders Brenda Ferguson and Trina Wegner, and assistant leader…

Regis Jesuit juniors Tim Shanahan, Jake Ciafone and Collin Stover spent two weeks working with abused and neglected children for their service project. Knowing what the kids have gone through and what they still face has definitely been the hardest part,” stated Ciafone. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan “Men and Women With and For…

Kindergarten registration for the 2013-2014 school year has begun. Eligible children must be five years of age by October 1, 2013. For registration, you will need to provide your child’s certificate of birth, immunization records, and your proof of residence (warranty deed, deed of trust, tax notice, lease agreement, assessor page, notarized letter from the…

Philip and Camille Moore, owners of the new Papa Murphy’s Pizza in Castle Pines, celebrated their store’s official grand opening weekend with friends, Mayor Jeff Huff, Sheriff Dave Weaver, and members of the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce. Papa Murphy’s Pizza offers a wide variety of freshly-made take-and-bake pizza, salads, and take-and-bake chocolate chip cookie…

     By Lynne Marsala Basche Local teens, do you want a fun, friendly, creative way to get involved in your neighborhood and earn school community service hours? If so, the Teen Library Council (TLC) is looking for volunteers like you! Created in 2008, the TLC encourages teens to get involved in their community through the…

The pastry case at The Cakery in downtown Castle Rock is close to home and full of wonderful, homemade donuts and other tasty treats thanks to owner Tiffany Johnson. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan If you are a fan of freshly-made donuts, you need to make a stop at The Cakery in downtown Castle…

iGrow’s solar panel converts the sun’s energy into negative ions that help plants absorb minerals from the soil more effectively. by Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of iGrow Gretta Hawkins of Castle Pines is carrying out a vision she and her late husband Victor had of bringing innovative, green technologies to revolutionize the home gardening market.…

The Town of Castle Rock is hosting an open house for the public to review the overpass design for The Meadows at U.S. Highway 85, as part of the Town’s North Meadows Extension roadway project. By Elizabeth Wood West; Vicinity Map provided by Town of Castle Rock The Town of Castle Rock (Town) will be…

The Pet Stuff Place owner Mike Froelich is pictured here with his knowledgeable staff, mother and daughter, Michele and Allana Kephart. Froelich’s dog “Bob” insisted on being a part of the picture as well. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan The Pet Stuff Place, located in The Village at Castle Pines, is much more than…

Contributed by the DC Rotary Youth Expo public relations committee Fun for the whole family and good information will be on tap for free at the Douglas County Rotary Youth Expo, February 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Douglas County Event Center in Castle Rock. The Expo’s goal is to connect families…

Amelia Salsbury has three full notebooks of original songs that she has been writing and performing since the age of seven.     By Amy Shanahan, photo courtesy of Marian Salsbury Amelia Salsbury is an accomplished singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitar player, and she is only 13 years old. Salsbury, a resident of Castle Pines Village,…

School spirit is on display every Friday when the staff at RHMS wears their purple and black football jerseys. “Our students, our community, our staff, and the partnership all three of those groups create, make our learning environment a cut above the rest!” remarked Principal Mike Loitz. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Rocky Heights…

Press release provided by Park Meadows Mall Park Meadows has partnered with the American Heart Association and Macy’s in the fight against heart disease with Go Red for Women and Girls Night Out on February 2, from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. During February, American Heart Month, the American Heart Association asks women in particular…

Information provided by the City of Castle Pines Castle Pines City Council is seeking to fill a vacancy in the city clerk position. The term of office will commence upon appointment by city council and will continue until November, 2013. Any registered elector of the city who is at least 18 years of age is…

By Elizabeth Wood West Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) recently launched a new program for students interested in pursuing college majors in general business, marketing, management, finance, economics, accounting, and real estate upon graduation. The RCHS School of Business is designed to introduce students to many areas within the world of business and provide hands-on…

David Miller, M.D. is a top-ranked Denver-area pediatric cardiologist. He sees patients at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree and at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children in Denver (rockymountain.pediatrix.com). The Heart Institute at Children’s Hospital Colorado is among the top pediatric heart programs in the nation, with nearly 250 cardiac experts working together to…

Neighborhood kids enjoy a great day on the soccer field in Castle Pines. Information submitted by Castle Pines Athletics; photo courtesy of Jen Kliewer This year, Castle Pines Athletics will kick off its fifth year of bringing sports to local families. “We are so excited about this year,” said Castle Pines Athletics manager, Shannon Terry.…

The RCHS Jazz Choir performed for orientation night welcoming the soon-to-be Freshman class of 2017 and their parents on January 16 in the school’s gym.

Members of the fundraising committee who helped raise more than $100,000 in just 15 months to benefit the Castle Pines Library were honored at a celebration last month. Thank you to the committee and to the hundreds of other volunteers! Article and photos by Lisa Crockett A campaign to raise $90,000 for the Castle Pines…

Boy Scout Troop 637 presented retired Corporal Nick Orchowski with the flag that now flies over his specially-adapted home in Parker. The ceremony was inspirational for all who attended. By Amy Shanahan, photo courtesy of Lisa Bartmann In December of 2011, The Castle Pines Connection ran a cover story featuring the work of the organization…

by Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Lin Giampietro You may enjoy Valentine’s Day at a candlelit table for two and give or receive chocolates, roses, and a heartfelt card, but consider the month of February an opportunity to add a new tradition to this month that celebrates love. Here are a few ideas: Everyone loves…

Seventeen-year-old Addison is surrounded by her brother and sister heroes, Quinn and Sophia, while she holds her family’s personal Automated External Defibrillator (AED). By Elean Gersack; courtesy photo Most of us think of adults when we think of heart disease, but kids have heart problems, too. Several kids in the Castle Pines community were diagnosed…

  By Julie Montoya A new standard in education has been set with the opening of the Arma Dei Academy in Highlands Ranch. This classical, Christian school is the passion of four Douglas County families who were looking for more when it came to the education of their children. The Vigil and Nossaman families of…

Left: Mr. Digit, who got his name for having more than the usual number of toes, is one of many cats in need of a loving home at CCS. Right: Kittens are also available for adoption at CCS off and on throughout the year. By Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of CCS On Thursday, February…

Our local Walgreens is now offering City of Castle Pines merchandise for sale. Please stop by Walgreens and show your support for a local business and the City of Castle Pines. Walgreens has a variety of t-shirts and sweatshirts to choose from: long sleeves, short sleeves, and hoodies. Walgreens is marketing the shirts with permission…

By Terri Wiebold As reported in the January issue of the paper, The Castle Pines Connection is in the process of becoming certified as a paper of record for the community. A special thank you to the hundreds of readers who have already returned their voluntary subscription pledges. We must receive forms from at least…

Castle Pines jewelry designer Tracy Graef at work in her home studio. Graef’s work is featured in Handmade Colorado at DIA through March 31. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Tracy Graef, a jewelry designer who works out of her Castle Pines home, is featured in Handmade Colorado, a special exhibit at Denver International Airport…

By Lisa Crockett Castle Pines Academy (CPA), a private preschool, kindergarten and childcare center in Castle Pines, started with just 15 students when it opened three years ago. Today, roughly ten times that number of children attend classes in nine classrooms and the school has earned a “Best of the Best Preschool” award in Douglas…

The Impact edVenture “Ski ‘n’ Serve” group pose with Elliot, who won everyones’ hearts with his spirit and courage. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Impact edVentures Three Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students – Joe Giampietro, Ethan Thompson, and Christian Herman – along with other students from Highlands Ranch, spent part of their holiday…

Left to Right: Landon Holderness, Tanner Hickman, Audrey Myers, Samuel Hilgendorf By Liz Jurkowski In honor of President’s Day this month, a few of our young residents were asked to choose who ranks best as our country’s top executive. With much insight, Audrey Myers said, “One thing Americans are so consumed by today is the…

Fifth grader Kylee Ingram puts the finishing touches on her portrait of Richard Nixon. Ingram’s work was part of Timber Trail’s “Wall of Presidents” exhibit, which combined art with historical research. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Abraham Lincoln was the tallest president. John F. Kennedy could read and comprehend 2,000 words per minute. Grover…

By Lisa Nicklanovich The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) Annual Fashion Show will take place on February 10 at the DTC Marriot. The theme this year is “Rock the Runway” and celebrates the school’s 10-year anniversary. The show is the primary fundraiser for the RCHS after prom party on April 13, which ensures that students…

   Castle Pines author Teresa Travous Hull has written and published “Love’s Complete: A Russian Adoption Journey” based on her own experience in adopting her daughter. By Lisa Crockett; photo and book cover courtesy of Teresa Travous Hull “Love’s Complete: A Russian Adoption Journey” is a children’s book that tells the story of a baby…

The staff at BRE embraces the power of giving during the holidays. Article and photos by Elean Gersack One of the things that makes Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) so special is the caring and compassion embodied throughout the school. Each year at this time for the past thirteen years, classrooms and hallways have bustled…

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Timber Team, the student council at Timber Trail Elementary, headed up a food and supplies drive for the Douglas/Elbert task force in December. They collected food, diapers and even food and supplies for pets whose families are in a tight spot. Here, Timber Team members (from left) Ethan Fraser,…

Sheriff David A. Weaver (pictured far left) with his command staff proudly pose in front of the Justice Center in Castle Rock after receiving national recognition for program excellence. By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of the DCSO Few people in Douglas County doubt the steely efficiency of the sheriff’s office; just ask the bad guys…

The two-time state champion varsity volleyball team from LHSP won its second title on November 10 at the Denver Coliseum. Pictured from left to right, back row: Alison Kjergaard, Chandler Sturms, Madi Arnell, Nikki Ball, Laura Beach, Michelle Cattau, Whitney Dettmering, Connie Olson and Jordyn Sturms; front row, left to right: Sarah Mayhall, Michala Saenz,…