Read the stories from the latest issue:
Positions are open on the Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation Board of Directors. Members are required to attend weekly, one-hour board meetings and participate in planning and implementing various Foundation events and fundraising activities. Board position applicants are asked to submit a summary of their qualifications for board appointment. For more information, call Henry Bohne…
Stacy Gaines (right) coordinated the efforts of the many volunteers and items provided to put together the 450 Easter baskets given to those in need. By Amy Shanahan with photo courtesy of Stacy Gaines The “Easter Giving Project” was a huge success this year, thanks to many Castle Pines Connection readers. Organizer Stacy Gaines worked…
Aubrey Eggett was thrilled to be the recipient of such a prestigious honor. “I just thought, Oh my gosh, my hard work paid off! I was happily in shock. It’s hard to explain just how blessed I felt and still feel. This is a dream come true and I couldn’t be more grateful and ecstatic.…
A fundraising event for the Douglas County Veterans Monument initiative Polish that motocycle, grab your gear and get ready to ride in support of the Douglas County Veterans Monument. The 2012 DC Veterans Monument Poker Run and Harley Raffle will be on June 24. The poker run starts at the Castle Rock Bar & Grill…
By Patte Smith with contributed information from the Denver Dumb Friends League The Denver Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Center located near Franktown Colorado is now open. One of only a handful of equine centers throughout the county, Harmony offers a safe haven for Colorado horses, ponies, donkeys and mules that have suffered from abuse…
The Easter bunny hopped all the way to the Surrey Ridge neighborhood park in April. Mr., or is it Mrs., Bunny hid eggs for the kids all through the park so when the kiddos arrived the hunt was on. They filled baskets, bags, and pockets with colorful plastic eggs full of goodies. There were coloring…
Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Farm to table dining was once available to most diners only at upscale restaurants. But this food philosophy that embraces all things fresh and locally-grown, is a passion at a new market in Greenwood Village, which supplies home cooks with tasty foods at competitive prices. Two Mile Ranch…
Submitted by Leadership Douglas County alum Carla Kenny with photos courtesy of Chamber of Commerce In April, the community partnered with the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Douglas County to participate in the Giving Tree Food Drive. Volunteers in Castle Pines staffed a donation station at King Soopers and collected 488 pounds of…
A Castle Pines resident flashes some cash she earned at a previous annual garage. By Kathy Dunker with photo by Tim Gamble Be sure to mark your calendar for the 22nd Annual Castle Pines North Master Association community-wide garage sale. The sale will run Friday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday,…
Timber Trail Education Association Co-President Jill Cook prepares gifts for faculty and staff at Timber Trail Elementary. The gifts were given during a week-long teacher appreciation event designed to honor educators at the school. The theme for the week was “Best in the West” and featured all things cowboy and western. Throughout the week, teachers…
By Patte Smith South Metro Fire Rescue Authority’s Life Safety Educator, Einar Jensen and Surrey Ridge HOA board member Jack LaPorte were interviewed by KDVR’s Hendrick Sybrandy about fire mitigation in Douglas County. The news story was aired on Tuesday, April 24 by Comcast Channel 13. “We discussed the important role that homeowners have in…
Liane Davis wears her symbolic crown necklaceas a reminder of her role in a unique ministry, Crowned by the King. By Liane Marette Davis Crowned by the King was founded in Conway, Arkansas by Judi James in 2007 after she received a crown necklace as a gift. As time passed, she realized that the necklace…
Douglas County invites residents to pick up free mulch – whiles supplies last – on Saturday, May 12 and on Saturday, May 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Castle Rock Water Treatment Plant, 1400 Caprice Dr. in Castle Rock. The County will provide a front-end loader to help load mulch into pickups…
Samuel and Savannah Hilgendorf in the Domincan Republic By Liz Jurkowski with photos courtesy of the Hilgendorf family It takes a couple of special kids to devote their spring break to helping others. Most relish the opportunity to sleep in, watch their favorite morning shows or go skiing over the break from school. Samuel and…
Students from Mexico wowed the audience at DCSM with their fancy dance in multi-colored dresses. Article by Jodi Anderson with photos courtesy of DCSM For twenty years, a private elementary school in Mexico has sent a group of six and seven year old students to Colorado. DCS Montessori (DCSM) is fortunate to have helped host…
Article by Kathy Dunker; photo by Tim Gamble “Eat chocolate every day, maintain a positive attitude and always keep your sense of humor!” Words to live by? Yes, and they seem to be working for Mary Cole, mother of Castle Pines resident, Toby Cole, from Topaz Vista. Mary Cole celebrated her birthday with a brunch…
Steve Cooke and Robyn Kuhlmann are excited to support schools in the Castle Rock & Castle Pines area with their new yogurt shop – Smart Cow Yogurt Bar. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Smart Cow Yogurt Bar (Smart Cow) joins several new eateries calling Castle Rock home. Located just east of I-25 and Founders…
New Head Coach, Christina Kwon (right), and new Head Assistant Coach, Kate Burns, both from Colorado Athletic Club are excited to be part of Storm swimming this summer. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of Storm Swim Team Castle Pines Storm Swim Team is brewing as it make its way into summer with two…
Left: Eliot Nelson (left) who lives in Castle Pines Village, hanging out with his friend, Rhett, of King’s Crossing Right: Little Wade, trying out the monkey bars by Liz Jurkowski Hidden behind the Turquoise Terrace neighborhood on Daniel’s Gate Road is a quiet and delightful park. Daniel’s Gate Park was built in 2001, and includes…
Jacob Santos, Thomas Moran and Kyle Huebsh, from Castle Pines are assisting Clare Bridge Residents with fun activities. By Birgit Moran Douglas County high school students are required to complete 20 hours of community service to graduate. Teens and their families scramble to find the right place to volunteer. One place that attracts many different…
By Elizabeth Wood West with Sketch Plan provided by Northstar Development, LLC After two public hearings, the first of which was filled with several hours of opposing public testimony from Castle Pines Village and area residents, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted two to one to approve a revised version of Castle Pines Village…
Article by Elean Gersack with photos courtesy of Cari Ogg On Friday, April 13, more than 200 fathers and daughters filled the Buffalo Ridge Elementary School gymnasium for the school’s first Pops & Lollies daddy-daughter dance. David Bowman, director of the school’s before and after school enrichment program (B.A.S.E.) organized the event, which turned out…
Contributed by Sky Ridge Medical Center Sky Ridge Medical Center will start a $107 million dollar expansion that will add 90 beds, a women’s center, a new medical office building, additional spine/ortho operating rooms, and a parking structure. “As the first hospital to open in Douglas County, this expansion solidifies our original vision to become…
Future Academy Award hopefuls kick off the Buffalo Ridge fifth grade show “Cinemagic”on April 5. Article by Eli Smith, BRE Ridgeline Staff Reporter Lights, camera, action! On Thursday, April 5, fifth graders at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) performed an incredibly amazing show. The show was called “Cinemagic,” and it included songs and dances from…
by Patte Smith Grab the family, your friends, the picnic basket, the lawn chairs and blankets and head out to one of the many awesome outdoor concerts this summer featuring music and fun. Whether its jazz, rock, bluegrass or classical, there is something for everyone. The following list features the concert lineups for the Denver…
Fifth grader Meghan Hassler, one of twelve honor singers from Timber Trail Elementary, participated in a special daylong program at Legend High School in Parker that included rehearsal and a special performance. Article by Lisa Crockett, courtesy photos A dozen singers from Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) participated in a special day of rehearsal and performance…
A place close by to hike and play Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski Only twenty miles from Castle Pines lays a true gem of Colorado nature. Castlewood Canyon State Park offers families a day of hiking, playing, sightseeing and fun. Nestled in more than two thousand acres of the Black Forest, the park provides…
By Terri Wiebold John Denver is about as iconic a musician to Colorado as there has ever been. His passion and love for the outdoors and his respect for nature can be felt in the lyrics of the many songs he wrote. Most notibly, “Rocky Mountain High,” which became an official Colorado state song in…
Syra Taub was thrilled to attend Tourney Town and see her winning essay on display. By Amy Shanahan, photos courtesy of Dena Taub and Erin Millage Students at Rocky Heights recently participated in the Middle School Madness program, which encouraged the kids to learn from the positive examples set by women’s basketball athletes. The program…
By Patte Smith Surrey Ridge resident Jean Griswold is recruiting neighbors, friends and families in the Castle Pines and surrounding area to join “Team Zonta” to run or walk at the 8th Annual Miles for Moms Run/Walk to benefit Florence Crittenton Services. This event will be held at Sloan’s Lake Park in Denver at 8…
Robyn Appel in her Greenwood Village boutique, Rebel. Bright colors and funky belts and jewelry are what’s hot for spring. Article and photos by Amy Shanahan Light, casual, friendly and warm are words you might use to describe Robyn Appel upon meeting her. These happen to be the same things you feel when walking into…
Castle Pines resident Travis Grafitti and his partner Devin Lindsey (not pictured) won a Silver medal. By Amy Shanahan, photo courtesy of Brian Hall Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) had two teams participate in the state Science Olympiad tournament on April 21, and one of the teams placed 10th in the state! Science Olympiad is…
Many Castle Pines area ‘tweens and teens are taking part in Douglas County Cotillion held at the Wildlife Experience this Spring. This group of young ladies and gentlemen took time to pose after their Dining Etiquette program on Sunday, April 22. (photo by Elean Gersack)
Shown here are the individual fourth and fifth grade winners along side Science Fair Coordinator, Kristi Feret. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Congratulations to all of the participants of the first-ever Buffalo Ridge Elementary School Science Fair, Mission Green. The fair, held on Thursday, April 26, focused on environmentally conscious experiments and materials and…
By Lisa Crockett A Castle Pines church with deep roots in the community is moving just a few miles up the road to Lone Tree to spread its branches. Solid Life Church, which began eight years ago in the Castle Pines Community Center and then moved to Timber Trail Elementary School will begin holding Sunday…
These Castle Pines youngsters are ready and waiting … Submitted by Scott and Kelsey Lasher A crowd of approximately 1,000 Castle Pines residents filled their colorful baskets to the brim with eggs and prizes at Coyote Ridge Park on Saturday, March 31. The annual event was sponsored by Solid Life Church. More than 16,000 candy-filled…
Information provided by Douglas County; photo courtesy of the Larkspur Historical Society Recognizing and celebrating the month of May as Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month, Douglas County will offer a rare glimpse into the operation of one-room schools of the early 1900s with tours and an Open House of the historic Greenland School on Saturday,…
By Karissa Kelly If you are wondering how late minors can stay out, or all you teenagers need a refresher, listen up so you can be informed of the curfew time. Currently in the City of Castle Pines, the curfew for those under the age of eighteen is 11 p.m. on weekdays and 12 p.m.…
The seminar is sponsored by the Rural Water Authority of Douglas County. Wednesday May 2, 2012 Douglas County Events Center Conference Room 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Preregistration is required. The presentations will address: Groundwater Availability of the Denver Basin Aquifer System Water Law Adjudication What it Is and Isn’t Well…
A taste of…The Wooden Table By Liane Marette Davis Just a few miles south of Denver, tucked away in the Greenwood Village neighborhood is The Wooden Table. Owner Jane Duncan Knauf and chef Brett Shaheen partnered to bring you an Italian restaurant with modern decor, inviting ambiance, and tantalizing cuisine which offers seasonal fresh ingredients.…
DCSO offering awareness classes for parents Article by Elean Gersack Taking a picture or video and pressing send – or even just opening a text or an e-mail. It’s that easy for a child’s life to change forever. The high tech trend is called “sexting” and many seemingly innocent kids do not realize the consequences…
Information provided by The City of Castle Pines City council has commissioned National Research Center, a research firm specializing in performance measurement and evaluation, to perform a public opinion survey of residents in Castle Pines. To minimize costs and to maximize resident participation, the survey will be conducted online and will cover a variety of…
Article by Elean Gersack with logo provided by The Dumb Friends League There will be plenty of wagging tails and wet noses at the Denver Dumb Friend League’s (DDL) Furry Scurry on Saturday, May 5, at 9 a.m. More than 12,000 people and 5,000 canines are expected for this 19th annual doggie celebration held at…
Dorri and Dawn Langford Article by Birgit Moran and photo provided by Dawn Langford The phone call any parent fears came true for Ronn Langford in 1986. It was the middle of the night and news came that his youngest daughter, Dorri, 19 years old was dead; killed by a drunk driver. Langford’s experiences and…
Information from the American Heartworm Society The American Heartworm Society reminds dog owners to remain vigilant against heartworm disease Heartworm, a serious and often fatal disease of dogs, cats, and other species of mammals, is preventable. And, with the beginning of the mosquito season, to help raise public awareness, April is recognized as Heartworm Prevention…
Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce members welcome Castle Pines Urgent Care staff with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the clinic’s recent open house. (From left to right) Kevin Jinkerson, Mel Wilner, Anita Holland and daughters Elise and Addison, Monica Wilner and son Chase, Dr. Larry Wilner, Brittany Urban, M.A., Paige Corbett, N.P., and Castle Pines Mayor…
Mr. Lee presents Ms. Wanda Castleman, a representive from Children’s Hospital a check of the money raised from the the 2012 board break-a-thon. Submitted by Grandmaster Han Lee The annual Han Lee Taekwondo Academy Board Break-A-Thon raised more than $12,000 for the Children’s Hospital in March at the event held at Douglas County High School.…
Castle Pines resident Doctor David Goodrich opened a new psychotherapy practice on Village Square Drive. Square Drive. By Lisa Crockett Dr. David Goodrich, PsyD, MFT, a family therapist who has been in practice for more than 20 years, has found a new home in Castle Pines. He now lives and works here, and has opened…
Batter Up! Don’t miss summer T-ball and baseball for children ages 4 to 4th grade, offered by Castle Pines Athletics. Registration ends May 1, so sign up today to secure you child’s spot in the program. Provided by Lane Roberts, Castle Pines Athletics Summer just wouldn’t be summer in Castle Pines without baseball! For the…
Information provided by The City of Castle Pines The city communications committee has an opportunity for a college student or young adult during the next four to six months. The city is looking for someone with an interest/experience in journalism, public relations, electronic/print/social media, or photography. The individual will collaborate with committee members and city…
Verebelyi and wife, Tasha, on the top of Mount Bierstadt. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of Dr. David Verebelyi Dr. David Verebelyi, seven year resident of Glen Oaks and father of three young children, is an engineer by trade who graduated with a Bachelors of Science from the Missouri School of Mines and…
Graduating seniors Camille Prusse, Aubrey Eggett, and Matt Hopkins starred in this popular and amusing musical comedy. Article by RCHS drama student Rachel Zetwick, photo by Amy Shanahan Rock Canyon High School’s (RCHS) Performing Arts Department presented the musical comedy, “Once Upon a Mattress” March 8 – 10. The musical, with music by Mary Rodgers…
Couples can enjoy messages at the spa together. By Lisa Crockett A truly relaxing day includes a gentle but sumptuous feast for the senses: soothing sounds, tempting smells, delicious tastes and a feeling of tranquility and peace. For those of us who’ve endured the cold, dry conditions of a Colorado winter, a chance to rejuvenate…
Article by Lisa Crockett with sketch plan provided by A & A Investments, LLC At a public hearing held in late March the Castle Pines City Council approved an annexation petition from A&A Investments, LLC to annex property known as the Castle Pines Town Center into the City. City Council also approved the initial zoning…
From left to right) New Eagle Scouts Ethan Johnson, Alex Schmoker, Mitch Steinberg, and Zach Zahorik celebrate with friends and family of Castle Pines Boy Scout Troop 316. By Elizabeth Wood West with photo by Lynn Zahorik Dozens of fellow boy scouts, leaders, family members, and friends from Castle Pines Boy Scout Troop 316 gathered…
AA students, Kimberly Shelton and Jack Wilson, with their science displays that made them Science Fair Finalists. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of American Academy American Academy (AA) seventh graders made a great showing at the Denver Regional Science and Engineering Fair on February 23. Displaying great professionalism and integrity, the kids worked…
Personal Trainer Andrew Goodnow coaches Chelsea Woolen, a member at The Gym of Castle Rock. The Gym recently added a 3,000 square foot workout space. By Lisa Crockett Membership at The Gym of Castle Rock (The Gym) is growing, and the workout space and hours of operation are growing along with it. Last month, The…
Connor Jones with his flashlight display discovered which battery lasted the longest at the DCSM Science Fair. Article by Jodi Anderson with photos courtesy of DCSM What happens when you get a large group of preteens excited about science and turn them loose with a hypothesis to prove? You get the recent DCS Montessori (DCSM)…
Dr. Peter Thompson has a Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization and dissertation in school neuropsychology. His dedication to the study of the brain has helped the Douglas County School District lead the way in establishing protocols for handling concussions and other head injuries to student athletes. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Dr. Peter…
Article and photos by Elean Gersack It will be a year to remember! During the month of March, students, staff and families celebrated fifteen years of the first Castle Pines neighborhood school, Buffalo Ridge Elementary. On Friday, March 9, the entire school got in the spirit by wearing “15”. There were 15 bracelets; 15 necklaces;…
By Liz Jurkowski With warm weather approaching, families are preparing for some serious travel. Whether by car or plane, here are some tips to make the journey easier. Pack in advance of your trip. Do not leave loading your bags into the car to the night before the journey. Rather than staying up late, pack…
By Elizabeth Wood West Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) will be holding its regular election on Tuesday, May 8, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This election will be a mail ballot election. Mail ballots will be mailed out to all eligible electors in the City of Castle Pines the week of April 16,…
CSU freshman Ali Will is honored for her achievements in academics, leadership and service to others. Article by Amy Shanahan with photo courtesy of Audrey Will Castle Pines Village resident Ali Will is a high achiever in all aspects of her life. A freshman at Colorado State University (CSU), Will was recently accepted into the…
By Lisa Crockett Menus this time of year are chock full of things that are young, tender and fresh. A tasty reminder of the annual renewal that accompanies spring: young asparagus, tender lamb, juicy strawberries. Many households also have an abundance of another young food: eggs. Specifically the hard-boiled, heavily decorated variety. A symbol of…
Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Spirit Week at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) was a great way for students to have some fun and show their school pride at the same time. The event, which was sponsored by the Timber Team – TTE’s version of a student council – featured dress-up days with the following…
Information from the Douglas County Educational Foundation website The 2nd Annual Fittin’ It In 5k race will take place on April 28 at 9 a.m. at Highlands Ranch High School. The Douglas County School District, in partnership with the Douglas County Educational Foundation (DCEF), the Douglas County Federation and the Boulder Running Company are sponsoring…
RCHS Varsity Cheer seniors, mostly Castle Pines (CP) residents, arrived at their banquet on March 21 in a pink Hummer limo. Pictured from left to right, back row: Captain Kelsey Karst, Captain (CP), Alexis Hutchings, Captain Madelyn Falk (Oak Hills), Hope Lytle, Rachel Branson (CP), Captain Lily Sumners, Rahea Miersch (CP), Nicolle Turnock (CP), and…
The Retreat Park is located in the Retreat neighborhood in The City of Castle Pines. By Liz Jurkowski Warm weather in mid-March brought droves of children to the parks of The City Castle Pines. The Retreat Park, normally quiet and secluded, was busy with activity. It was developed in the 1980s with the original plan…
The RCHS Mock Trial team took first place in the state at the annual tournament held at the Boulder County Justice Center. Article by Kathy Dunker with photo courtesy of the Colorado Bar Association Students from Rock Canyon High School (RCHS), took first in state at the Colorado Bar Association State Mock Trial Tournament…
One of Matzat’s morning classes enjoying their baby chicks (pictured from left to right) back row: Matzat and Dylan; front row: Riley, Maddie, Adison, Skylar, Teddy, and Kyle. Article and photos by Kathy Dunker Terry Matzat, 17 year resident of HOA I, was an elementary school teacher when she left to raise her own two…