Read the stories from the latest issue:
By Elizabeth Wood West According to Douglas County School District’s (District) spokesperson, Randy Barber, letters of understanding have been sent out to all District teachers in advance of the upcoming 2012-2013 contracts. Representatives from the District and the Douglas County Federation of Teachers are currently engaged in annual collective bargaining negotiations. The Castle Pines Connection…
Submitted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce Castle Rock EyeWear is very pleased to welcome Dr. Chris Thomas to its office. Come by Saturday June 18 to meet this father of three teenagers who lives in Castle Rock and ask him some questions about his work. Dr. Thomas is a 2002 graduate of Southern…
Contributed by the City of Lone Tree Grab your putter and neon colored golf ball for a chance to win great prizes during the Go Putt for Wellspring charity miniature golf tournament. On Saturday, June 2nd, the Lone Tree Youth Commission will host this fun, family-friendly tournament to raise money for the non-profit Wellspring Community,…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett (actual cake too!) Summer is here, and with it comes the patriotic holidays of summer – Memorial Day, Flag Day and Independence Day. Summer is also a great time to take advantage of the abundance of delicious summer fruit. Combine these two things and you get a nostalgic, sweet…
Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski Part of Colorado’s beauty lies only thirty minutes away from the city of Castle Pines. Waterton Canyon meanders into the foothills along the South Platte River, eventually joining the Colorado Trail. The canyon has a terrific trail that stretches through some beautiful scenery. It is suitable for walkers, hikers,…
Article by Elean Gersack Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) students and teachers enjoyed the last weeks of school with plenty of learning and lots of fun. Here’s a look at the last weeks of the school year and some of the great memories that were made. Fittin’ It In 5K in-house winners BRE celebrated two…
Article by Julie Montoya with photos submitted by Nick Loritsch They say, if you can make it in Hollywood, you can make it anywhere. No one knows that better than former Castle Pines resident, Nick Loritsch. For as long as he can remember, Loritsch has wanted to be a filmmaker. “Born and Raised” is Loritsch’s…
Article by Kathy Dunker with photo by Imagetek Photography Sunday, May 20, at Butterfield Park was no ordinary day. A whopping 484 kids participated in the seventh annual Tri the Rock Kid’s Triathlon, which adds up to 108 more kids than last year’s tri! The event raised nearly $5,000 for area physical education programs, as…
Article and photos by Birgit Moran Thinking of a trip? There are some basics to score great experiences and memories. No matter the type of trip; family, couple, adventure, rest and relaxation, or educational, research impacts results. For those who don’t mind surprises and missteps – a self planned itinerary can lend itself to wonderful…
Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Desi Lederman Thanks to a committed director, Sierra Middlebrooks, production manager Benji Billman, many dedicated students, and even more supportive musical parents, American Academy (AA) thrilled its audience last month with the school’s performance of Beauty and the Beast Junior on May 4 and 5 at Front Range…
Article by Syd Charvat, as published in The Rock newspaper Throughout high school, students spend hours pouring over their textbooks to find the answer to a discussion question, scavenging across search engines for Sparknotes, and flipping through the pages of their chicken scratch notebooks, all in the hopes of seeing a hard earned letter “A”…
Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Stacia Wilkins On Sunday, May 6, approximately 20 girls from Starstruck Academy of Dance put their dancing hearts to work. After a grueling weekend of late nights at the Tribute Dance Competition in Colorado Springs, the girls, ranging in age from 10 to 18, enthusiastically got up and…
By Elizabeth Wood West “In 2005, the Castle Pines Metropolitan District (CPMD) began working with Douglas County Engineering (DCE) consultants to address road safety and speeding concerns at the gated intersections on Happy Canyon Road in Castle Pines Village. At the request of DCE staff member Robert Kenny, roundabouts were added to the plan. According…
Contributed by Douglas County Libraries It’s no secret that kids who read during the summer months fare better on fall reading tests than kids who don’t. A great way to keep them reading is to participate in the Summer Reading Program at Douglas County Libraries. Beginning June 1, register the whole family online at DouglasCountyLibraries.org…
By Amy Shanahan, photo courtesy of BrynMaRae Photography The Castle Pines Connection covered a story in the December 2011 issue about “Homes for Our Troops,” and the recipient of a new home, retired Corporal Nick Orchowski. “Homes for Our Troops” is a nationwide, non-profit organization, which builds specially adapted homes for post-9/11 veterans with disabilities.…
Article and photos by Kathy Dunker Sunday, May 20, was the annual Castle Crocs summer swim team kick-off party at Coyote Ridge Park. The team moved up to the A Division this year in the Mountain High Swim League and look forward to some great competition at the upcoming meets. The Crocs, in its seventh…
Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski For those of you who have not yet discovered Elk Ridge Park, once you do, it may become your family’s go-to park of the summer. It has state-of-the art play areas, a multipurpose turf sport field, a water feature, as well as a rock climbing wall and picnic pavilions.…
Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Pennies, dimes and nickels. They’re worth so little that most of us let them sit around the house gathering dust in an old jar or lining the underside of the couch cushions. But students in Castle Pines recently went on a mission to recover small change around their homes.…
By Jodi Anderson with photos courtesy of DCSM What an exhilarating, energizing time of year for DCS Montessori (DCSM)! This Spring has been filled with so much activity as we wrap up the school year. Our DCSM music teacher, Lorraine Cooper, and our fifth graders, presented a musical extravaganza for the school that was designed…
By Lisa Crockett, courtesy photos Colorado isn’t often known for high-fashion exclusives, but this spring the Denver Art Museum (DAM) is temporary home to a special retrospective collection of fashion design by iconic designer Yves Saint Laurent. The DAM is the only United States venue for the collection. Bringing the excitement of the exhibit even…
Submitted by Lane Roberts Castle Pines Athletics is hosting a summer basketball skills camp July 23 to July 27 at the DCS Montessori School in Castle Pines. The camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, and is open to children of all skill levels who are entering Kindergarten through fifth grade. Children will…
Earl Jackson (center right with tan shirt and black pants) is pictured surrounded by Castle Pines Village neighbors who came out to show him their support on his final day of work. “I’m going to miss Mr. Jackson so much! He had such a great attitude, and always made people feel welcome. I loved talking…
By Patte Smith, illustration from South Metro Fire Authority publication Seeing plumes of smoke not far from homes in the Castle Pines and surrounding area definitely puts residents on edge and worried about their properties. With fire season here, firefighters and residents need to be on alert for the possibility of a fire. Homeowners need…
By Elizabeth Wood-West According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments respond to more than 60,000 home structure fires that involve home heating equipment each year. Annually, these fires cause an average of more than 550 deaths, 1,600 civilian fire injuries, and approximately $900 million in direct property damage. What exactly is…
Article by Chris Bonham Summer is almost upon us, and, as the school year ends, many students are caught up in the thrill of graduation, prom activities, and all the fun with friends and family that is associated with the upcoming months. However, as summer approaches, some students may be looking ahead towards college and…
By order of Sheriff David A. Weaver, stage two fire restrictions have been rescinded. Stage one fire restrictions are still in effect. General guidance on stage one restrictions: Prohibited activities include open burning of any kind, and the use and sale of fireworks; Allowable activities include: Fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, fireplaces within buildings,…
Contributed by South Suburban Parks and Recreation District South Suburban Park and Recreation District is offering a specially priced summer pass from May 26 – September 3 at its four recreation centers and four outdoor pools. Unlimited fun all summer long at Goodson, Buck, Sheridan, and Lone Tree recreation centers and at Harlow, Franklin, Holly,…
Article by Julie Montoya, with photo submitted by Rick Rivers For more then 10 years, Castle Pines Village resident Rick Rivers has been committed to the fight against breast cancer. Rivers’ mother is a breast cancer survivor, and being a father of four daughters, including two granddaughters, breast cancer awareness is a subject that is…
By Elizabeth Wood West; photo provided by Dave Roberts After working in large veterinarian practices for decades, long-time veterinarian Dr. Dave Roberts of Plum Creek Veterinary Services has downsized his practice into a clinic on wheels – an actual mobile van featuring a full laboratory and surgical facilities. Roberts explained, “The mobile allows me to…
Article and photo by Liz Jurkowski What kid does not like a sweet treat after school on a hot and sunny day? Twice in recent weeks, students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) were greeted out the walker door by the cherished Kona Ice Truck. Kona Ice of Castle Rock serves cones of shaved ice with…
Article by Amy Shanahan Castle Pines Jewelers owner and designer Jeffrey Rein and his daughter Lacee feel strongly about giving back to their community. Several years ago, they began donating the money they charged to change watch batteries to non-profit organizations. “We charge $10 to change watch batteries, and that full amount is passed on,”…
Rocky Heights Middle School was pleased to induct 48 incoming eighth grade students into the National Junior Honor Society. These students all achieved a GPA of 3.75 or higher and are active in school activities and community service projects. Congratulations to these outstanding students!
Article and photo by Amy Shanahan The story of “High School Musical” revolves around a star basketball player and a math genius who share a secret love for performing, but struggle with breaking out of their designated roles. This story came to life at Rocky Heights Middle School as 125 kids came together to tell…
The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce is hosting a golf tournament on Thursday, July 26 at Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course in Castle Rock. Shotgun start begins at 8 a.m., so don’t be late! Cost is $120 per person, which includes green fees, cart, range balls, lunch buffet, free drink ticket, and an opportunity to…
Article by Lisa Crockett, courtesy photos The Douglas County Federation of Teachers (DCF) awarded outstanding students from throughout the district for their achievements this school year. Castle Pines-area schools were well represented with students who display academic prowess as well as good citizenship. Students were honored at a banquet in May, and a tribute written…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett “I matter.” This statement echoed through the halls of Timber Trail Elementary School (TTE) during a week-long series of events designed to get students thinking about the feelings of others and strategies for engendering community and good feelings. “We wanted to take a proactive stance against bullying in our…
By Chris Bonham In May, the Castle Pines City Council decided to have all future city council meetings recorded on video. This step makes it much easier for interested citizens to get updates on what’s happening in Castle Pines. Before the council made its decision to have meetings recorded, the only way for someone to…
By Elizabeth Wood West with photos by Cindy Lantz Hard work, commitment, team spirit, and being able to perform well in Colorado’s unpredictable spring weather is the best way to describe the Rock Canyon High School Jaguars track team performance this season. Once again, the Jaguars earned the privilege of being able to compete at…
By Liz Jurkowski with photo provided by Cherie VanHorn At first glance, it is obvious that Josiah is special. He has a walker, seems delicate, and is small for his age. But at second glance, it is clear he is just like the other three-year-olds on the soccer field; happy to be on a team,…
Information from the USDA Farmers markets are an integral part of the urban/farm linkage and have continued to rise in popularity, mostly due to the growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products directly from the farm. They allow consumers to have access to locally-grown, farm fresh produce, enables farmers the opportunity to develop a…
By Amy Shanahan with photos courtesy of Tim Zandee A very fun and worthwhile event is taking place in the Village Shops at Castle Pines during the weekend of June 15, 16 and 17. The venue will be hosting an extraordinary art event, featuring more than 20 artists and their unique creations. This top quality,…
Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski It just seems like the perfect way to end an outstanding year of scouting is to have a big bonfire and campout. That is just what Pack 856 did on May 11. Of course, after a week of hot and sunny weather, the rain arrived right in the middle…
By Elean Gersack Golf is in full swing at The Ridge at Castle Pines North, and Director of Golf Instruction Dennis Murray has his 2012 program set. Offerings include on-course playing lessons for kids and adults, such as junior play lessons Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.; junior clinics at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays; junior…
By Elizabeth Wood West with photo by Lucas West Beginning in June, Castle Pines Community Church (CPCC) will be hosting a special teaching series, called “Marriage 2.0.” The series will be held Sundays during both the 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services, starting June 3 through June 24. As a complement to the series,…
By Elizabeth Wood West with aerial map provided by Town of Castle Rock The Town of Castle Rock’s council members voted unanimously to adopt an overpass option that will provide a second access for northbound traffic from The Meadows development onto U.S. Highway 85 in Castle Rock. The overpass option is part of the Town’s…
By Lisa Crockett, courtesy photo Rugby is a growing sport here in the United States. Fielding a whole team at a single school isn’t something that happens here, at least not yet. But after this season, all that may change. The “Harlequins,” a team housed at Rock Canyon High School and comprised of players from…
By Amy Shanahan, photos courtesy of Laura Zeh and Christopher Cooke “Smile for the cameras!”, “What are you wearing tonight?” and “Would you like any popcorn?” were just a few of the remarks overheard at the premiere of “The Rock Crew” movie at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) on Friday, May 11. The premiere of…
By Amy Shanahan with photo by Julie Montoya The Castle Pines Connection’s “search for ABC scavenger hunt” continues with the letter “B” this month! See if you can find the hidden “B” using the following GPS coordinates: Longitude and latitude 39.472634 – 104.890644 Here is a hint: “To ‘B’ or not to ‘B’ to see…
RHMS students were happy to share “hugs” with those in need. “It was so easy for us to collect these stuffed animals, and great to know that they will be sent to children who need them,” remarked an NJHS student. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan During the week of April 2, Rocky Heights Middle…
Holding their “pieces of pi” are (left to right) Grant Hengsteler, Nicholas Pacheco, Amanda Scholz, Sarah Cree, Lauren Lee, Meredith Ham, and middle school math teacher, Benji Billman. Article by Katie Williams with photos courtesy of AA American Academy (AA) students love Pi. We’re talking about the number kind of Pi here, not the pastry,…
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…