The Connection

Artist Suzanne Dutcher displays her hand-painted antique tea set, clock, and child’s tea set. Article and photos byElizabeth Wood West Colorado native and Castle Pines North resident Suzanne Dutcher has turned her love of tea sets and antiques into a unique art form. Dutcher transforms every day and heirloom-quality serving pieces into one-of-a-kind functional art…

Tris and Vickie Bars recently became owners of Fish Window Cleaning® in Castle Pines and are new members of the Castle Pines North Chamber of Commerce. The Bars also own a business that installs interlocking concrete pavers for businesses and residences, and have owned that business for 13 years. Currently this company is the largest…

by Carin R. Kirkegaard This Thanksgiving, plan to attend the Turkey Rock Trot and work up an appetite for the big holiday meal. The proceeds from the event will benefit the Douglas/Elbert County Task Force. The event takes place at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Race day registration for $30 per runner begins at 8:30 a.m.…

The RHMS gang gathered around the firepit to start day three. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Steve Green What is the sixth grade experience? Three cheers for outdoor ed! Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) newbies got the chance for some mountain fun with a three day, two night stay at YMCA of the…

The final prize, CPN II resident, Mike Dunker, bags a cow elk on October 24. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Mike Dunker October and November ‘tis the season in Colorado; big game hunting season, that is. Many Castle Pines residents are heading to the mountains this fall as big game season switched into…

Owner Paige Corbett, MSN, CNM, NP-C by Elizabeth Wood West with photo provided by Paige Corbett Family Health Matters (FHM) will open its doors soon, offering a broad range of medical services to the Castle Pines community. FHM will provide walk-in care for non-life threatening illnesses and emergencies, routine lab tests, immunizations, women’s health, and…

Pictured (left) is Garret Durie with his viola and McGregor (right) Durie with his cello. The boys recently auditioned and were accepted to the Arapahoe Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Here, they had just finished their first performance. by Carin R. Kirkegaard with photos by Steve Durie In June, Garret Durie, an eighth grader at Rocky Heights…

Information provided by Douglas County The Douglas County Government Partnership represents 290,311 Douglas County citizens in the unincorporated and incorporated areas of the county. Almost 90 percent of the population lives in urban designated areas of the county. In one-on-one conversations, service transactions, and community meetings, Partnership members are face-to-face, listening and responding to constituent…

Clark on her horse, “Duncans Dun It” at the Mountain Affiliate Finals, Utah, in September of this year. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Judson Crossland and courtesy of Stuart Clark Emily Clark, a 13-year-old seventh grader at Denver Christian in Highlands Ranch, has had a very impressive year as a young equestrian. A…

The Thomases gave a very informative and entertaining presentation to the Castle Pines Rotary Club on October 14. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Kathy Dunker and courtesy of Huw Thomas Castle Pines Rotary had two special guests at their October meeting. British cyclists, Huw and Carolyn Thomas, from the ShelterBox disaster relief charity,…

This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. In a collaborative effort with the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority, the City of Castle Pines North is submitting an application for Community Wildfire Protection Plan assistance and funding from the Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP). CUSP provides financial assistance to…

Information submitted by South Suburban Parks and Recreation During November, South Suburban Parks and Recreation will celebrate Great Skate Month with FREE skating classes at both ice arena facilities, South Suburban Ice Arena, 6580 S. Vine St., Centennial, and Family Sports Center, 6901 S. Peoria St., Centennial. A free 30-minute skating class will be offered…

BRE second graders show school spirit at the Rock Slide Fun Run. The entire second grade class was recognized for having the most class participation in the event. (Photo by Cari Ogg) Rock Slide returns to BRE Article and photos by Carin R. Kirkegaard Saturday October 2 found Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) buzzing with community…

Column by Anthonette Klinkerman Lasagna has a time and a place, and according to my Rulebook of Life, it’s not at Thanksgiving. Now before I inadvertently offend a bunch of pasta lovers, Italians, and Garfield the cat, I will reiterate: lasagna is NOT the main course at Thanksgiving. It is fine for some families, but…

This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. The City of Castle Pines North’s financial position continues to be positive when compared to budget and forecast thru the first eight months of the year. The latest fiscal updates include: Actual Compared to Budget: The City is in a favorable position to…

Heat is On enforcement begins Tuesday as holiday travelers hit the road Motorists across Colorado have a lot to be thankful for this holiday week, as hundreds of law enforcement officers hit the road to protect them from the threat of impaired drivers. The Colorado State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies statewide are participating…

By The BRE Ridgeline Staff What is character? Ask the kids here at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) and they will tell you that character includes doing the right thing, being kind, looking out for others, knowing right from wrong, using great manners, having a positive attitude, knowing how to build friendships, being unique, having perseverance,…

Cherokee Ranch and Castle Events Assistant Tanya Baldwin stands in the dining room with afternoon tea. Article and photo by Elizabeth Wood West If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind holiday event, set in a magnificent castle with breathtaking views of Pikes Peak, Devil’s Head, the Front Range, and downtown Denver, then consider attending one…

Information submitted by Lane Roberts, Castle Pines Athletics Castle Pines Athletics is set to host a new basketball program in Castle Pines North. Registration is now underway for a new recreational basketball program for children ages preschool to fourth grade. It ends November 5. Castle Pines Athletics will be hosting a basketball program at the…

RHMS eighth graders visited the Federal Reserve Bank during their field trip to Denver. Pictured from left to right: Devin Hartwig, Julia Seifert, Sydney Hairgrove, Bryan Andrews, Alex Kane, Kyle Gross, Ross Macdonald. Article by Kathy Dunker with photo courtesy of Amy Shanahan When was gold discovered in Colorado? Why was the Denver Omelet developed?…

BRE Dream Team’s Salvation Army food drive Fifth grade Dream Team members at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) are gearing up to support the Salvation Army. Throughout the month of November, students, parents, friends and neighbors are invited to help by donating non-perishable food items. Drop boxes are located near the front office as well as…

by Lisa Crockett With leaves falling and a hint of cool in the air, snow season will soon be here. All communities follow similar protocols when prioritizing the order in which streets are plowed: main arterial roads first, then collector roads and school bus routes, local roads, and finally, cul-de-sacs. Snow removal services in Castle…

November 20 The Town of Castle Rock will kick-off the holiday season on Saturday, November 20, by lighting the star atop the historic rock. This town tradition is planned from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wilcox Square in downtown Castle Rock. Enjoy festivities such as carolers, a live nativity, a chili cook-off, horse drawn…

The RHMS choir led by Susie Ritter. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Amy Shanahan The Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) band, orchestra and choir put on its first show at the end of September, and it was an enormous success! The sixth, seventh and eighth grade strings performed jazz and fiddle pieces, with…

Zoe Ruppe about to test her MAGLEV’s performance. Article and photos by Kathy Dunker American Academy’s (AA) Science Department Chair, Warren Aster, kept his fifth grade class busy this October. While studying the principles of magnetic levitation (MAGLEV), students applied the engineering design process in the development of a MAGLEV vehicle as part of the…

Article by Kathy Dunker The $20 on the 20th economic stimulus boost, sponsored by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with The Castle Pines Connection, is back! Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 20 for some great deals from Castle Pines North (CPN) merchants. As a way of encouraging residents to spend an…

Pictured above are members from the Cerney Circle Cleavage Conservation group who ran and walked in Denver’s Race for the Cure October 3. Back row: (from left to right) Beth England, Theresa McDowell, Jill Johnson, Christi Johnson, and Amy Patterson. Front row: (from left to right) Jen Krumenauer, Sheila Fuselier, Abigail Fuselier, and Heather Griffin.…

By Patte Smith As the holidays roll around, the Douglas/Elbert Task Force is hard at work organizing two 9Cares Colorado Shares food drives and the Santa Sharing program. “We have seen a rise in individuals and families needing assistance, and are reaching out to the community for help,” notes Suzanne Greene, executive director of the…

Information provided by Douglas County When seconds count, do you have a plan for how you would evacuate your home during an emergency? Take the first step in emergency preparedness by watching a new informational video, “Evacuation Planning in Douglas County Colorado.” The video can be found at www.dcsheriff.net/emergencymanagement/. Produced following the multi-agency April wildland…

By Liane M. Davis A professional airline pilot, who happens to be one of the owners of Lavishea lotion bars, was not a fan of lotions. The lotions always left a greasy feel. Because of airline restrictions or handling procedures on most lotion products, it made it difficult to use any type of lotion. Looking…

Information provided by City of CPN The Castle Pines North (CPN) City Council will host a community meeting on Wednesday, October 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the CPN community center on the subjects of fire mitigation, wildfire preparedness and evacuation procedures. Einar Jensen, life safety educator with South Metro Fire Rescue Authority,…

by Chris Bonham, intern writer Everyone has heard the clichéd question, “Is the glass half full or half empty” at least once in their lives. Because we’ve heard it so often, we tend to brush it aside. But have you ever wondered if a person’s outlook on life really makes that much of a difference?…

by Lisa Crockett with information provided by Douglas County and contributions by Linda Nuzum Colorado voters have big decisions to make. The new governor will take office next year in Colorado, and that’s just the beginning of a long list of decisions voters will make this fall. Seats in the U.S. House and Senate are…

  The One-Kick Wonders, winners of Timber Trail Elementary’s annual Mother-Son Kickball tournament. Left to right (front row): Gabe Ziegler (K), Ryan Lenke (5th), Luke Ziegler (5th), Kaden Armbrecht (1st), Adam Wilmsen (4th), Kyle Woods (1st), Nathan Hoggard (3rd), Makayla Hoggard (1st), Ty Hall – (2nd) (back row): Renee Ziegler, Tammi Lencke, Shannon Armbrecht, Tammie…

Pictured above: Mrs. Phelan’s fifth grade class works on a writing lesson with one of the two SMARTboards purchased last year. The five new SMARTboards will beinstalled later this fall. The installation process will be completed with funds provided by the Buffalo Ridge Education Alliance, the school’s parent-teacher organization. Submitted by Buffalo Ridge Elementary Thanks…

Sierra Dunbar on her horse, Grace, during a dressage test at Colorado Horse Park in Parker this summer. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Jennifer Dunbar Castle Pines North orthodontist and Forest Park resident, Andrew Dunbar, and his wife, Jennifer, have a lot to brag about with two talented young equestrians in their family.…

Photo of a grass fire on September 16 in west Douglas County, approximately one mile southwest of the Shoppes at Castle Pines Village. This photo illustrates how quickly fire spreads and how hot it burns. Information provided by Douglas County On September 14, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners reinstated an ordinance restricting open fires…

by Lisa Crockett 5280 Magazine has named a Castle Pines area school as one of the best in the Denver area. Twenty-five public elementary schools in a one-county radius of Denver were chosen based on levels of academic proficiency in math, reading, writing and “growth.” Growth is defined as helping students catch up with, keep…

RHMS students sing Katy Perry’s “Hot N Cold.” Left to right: Haley S., Michelle D., Brooke J., McKinsey A., Kristina V., and Sydney D. Article and photos by Kathy Dunker Weekly middle school karaoke night started off with a bang on September 17 at Dazbog Coffee in Castle Pines North (CPN). Boys and girls alike…

By Lisa Crockett with photos and illustration courtesy of Real Colorado Real Colorado, a Douglas County non-profit that sponsors more than 450 youth and adult soccer teams, has made its first steps towards having its own playing facility. The organization has signed a contract to purchase 22 acres of land in Parker east of I-25.…

Jason, wife Deena, son and first year t-Baller Anthony, and daughter Grace. Article by Tracy Dudley with photo by Tim Gamble This past summer, former major league baseball player Jason Woodring decided to get back into the sport by coaching a Castle Pines Athletics kindergarten t-ball team in Castle Pines North (CPN). Though Jason has…

Article by Kathy Dunker with photo by Eric Carlson The Carlson family, 12-year residents of Forest Park in Castle Pines North, are beside themselves with excitement. Their two sons, Nathan (17) and Alex (12) each got a hole in one while golfing on September 7 and September 8 respectively. Nathan, a senior at Regis Jesuit…

Fifth and sixth grade ski incentive programs By Terri Wiebold with photo by Colorado Ski Country USA Colorado unquestionably has the landscape for some amazing outdoor sports, especially in the winter months. Colorado Ski Country USA offers fifth and sixth graders incentive to learn to ski or snowboard through free and reduced-rate programs each season.…

Elementary and middle school girls taken with the silicone craze. Trading, stacking, mixing and matching .. the possibilities are endless with these silicone bracelets and rings. Article and pictures by Kathy Dunker What comes in numerous colors and shapes and has quickly become the next overnight sensation for boys and girls of all ages? Call…

The Halvas family at the Highlands Ranch Out of the Darkness walk for suicide prevention and awareness. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of Jenn Halvas Losing a loved one is devastating. Losing a loved one to suicide is all the more traumatic since the grief is often combined with feelings of guilt, anger,…

The 2010-2011 Ridgeline Staff: Front Row – Ashley, Logan, Cody, Bryce, Travis and Xander; Second Row – Patrick, Simon, Trent, Pacey, Molly, Caroline, Mara, Emily, Casidee and Darren; Third Row – Maddie, Ashley, Sophie and Katie; Back Row Standing – Shannon Herzog, Felicia Phelan, Jason, Isaac, Brie, Nicholas, Aubrey, Oliver, Thomas, Josh, Ava, Monica Harmon…

Article and photos by Tracy Dudley DCS Montessori students and other community members enjoy hands-on experience with a red-tailed boa constrictor. Canyon Critters, one of the many presenters at the Fall Festival, brought several reptiles for kids to interact with and learn about during the fun-filled afternoon outside the school. For the past six years,…

Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network (ADMHN) will host its Sixth Annual “Raising Spirits Wine Tasting and Auction” on October 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Sanctuary Golf Course. Proceeds from the event provide critically needed mental health and substance abuse treatment to low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals in Arapahoe and Douglas counties. A hallmark…

Article and photo by Kathy Dunker American Academy (AA) recently had three young trees planted in front of its cafeteria. The ornamental pear trees were donated by Alameda Wholesale, owned by AA parents Steve and Jackie Brown, and planted by AA parent John Gibson of Swingle Tree, Lawn and Landscape Care. The trees were in…

Students enjoy the new court and turf areas adjacent to the existing playground equipment at DCS Montessori Article and picture by Tracy Dudley After two years of planning, Castle Pines North’s expanding and flourishing DCS Montessori School has added more opportunity for fun to the school’s upper elementary playground. While the board of Directors had…

Information provided by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce The success of the August $20 on the 20th promotion, sponsored by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with The Castle Pines Connection, was just the beginning for boosting the economy in Castle Pines North (CPN). The goal of this program is to encourage…

Eagle scout candidate Kelby Gatrell and his dog Duke stand by his project for the Glendale Farm Open Space off-leash dog area. Article by Elizabeth Wood West with photo provided by the Gatrell family If you were to ask the average teenage boy how he spent his summer, you probably wouldn’t hear the words, “I…

BRE third grade teacher, Mrs. Brester squirts some students in retaliation for the dunking she just received. Article and photos by Carin R. Kirkegaard The Second Annual Buffalo Ridge Stampede proved to be another huge success for the local elementary school, raising more than $3,500 for the school’s parent-teacher organization, the Buffalo Ridge Education Alliance…

Submitted by Castle Pines Athletics Working to meet the needs of its growing children, Castle Pines Athletics is adding two new sports programs in 2011. Starting this spring, third and fourth graders can play competitive/developmental boys baseball and girls soccer in CPN. Registration for baseball for third and fourth grade boys will begin in January.…

Student count day is Friday, October 1. Final funding for schools is contingent upon actual student attendance. The attendance recorded that day will be used to reconcile per pupil funding compared to earlier enrollment projections. What does this mean for your student and your school? Students should make every effort to be at school on…

Magestic Mushroom Rock on the southern cliffs of Spruce Mountain, just east of Windy Point. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Douglas County ranks among the nation’s top 10 counties for income and growth. We know why we are here; it’s a quality of life thing. Since 1995, our county has acquired or protected $161…

Pictured above are ladies from the September gathering of Womenade of Castle Rock held at Castle Pines North resident, Mary Williams home. To date, the gathering has raised $1060. The quarter’s recipient is a family of four with two children ages five and nine. Both parents are unemployed and the father is legally blind. By…

Local sculptor Rhonda Vickers stands by her bronze of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron White, commissioned by the University of Colorado. Article and photos by Elizabeth Wood West “I believe you are born with it, but you have to learn and work at it,” said sculptor and Castle Pines Village resident Rhonda Vickers with a…

Article by Tracy Dudley with photo provided by the Westen family In September, the Athletics Department at Western Illinois University (WIU) selected local resident, Curt Westen, for induction into the school’s Hall of Fame. Westen played football for Western Illinois from 1978 to 1982 as an offensive lineman, at center. In addition to earning a…

This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. The City of Castle Pines North financial position continues to remain strong thru the first seven months of the year. The latest fiscal updates include: Actual Compared to Budget – The City is in a favorable position to budget both at the revenue…

Information provided by Derek Kliner Derek Kliner, with RE/MAX Professionals, Inc., has been presented with the RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors highly successful agents who have earned more than $3 million in commissions and have completed seven years of service with the company. Kliner has been working in the real estate industry for more…

by Patte Smith Go green, reduce, reuse, recycle, save the planet, hug a tree, waste not…want, not — these clichés, mottos and slogans are catchy, but truly actions speak louder than words. In Douglas County, residents have plenty of opportunity to put freecycling and recycling into action. Freecycling is exactly what it sounds like; people…

Article by Lisa Crocket with photo collage by Tim Gamble The community turned out in force for the annual OctoberFest celebration, sponsored by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office sponsored several hours of safety-related presentations, locals and visitors alike participated in a “Volksmarch” fun run/walk event through the community, and…

Information provided by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office – A personal message from Sheriff Weaver October is national crime prevention month. Even though we need to practice good crime prevention common sense all year round, take the time this month to really think about what you can do personally to help prevent crime. If you haven’t…

Buffalo Ridge fourth grader, Josh Harmon participates in reading assessments with the Reading Plus Program using the Visigraph goggles. Article and photos by Carin R. Kirkegaard Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) started the school year with a new reading software program called Reading Plus. The program is designed to help students achieve a higher fluency rate…

A new Sprouts Farmers Market joins other merchants at Lincoln Commons shopping area. By Elizabeth Wood West with photos courtesy of Darryl Jones, Development Manager for RidgeGate Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for the grand opening of the new Lincoln Commons retail stores. Lincoln Commons is part…

Dr. Jason Ortman, Castle Pines Eye Care CASTLE PINES EYE CARE GIVES GIFT OF VISION TO PEOPLE IN NEED Castle Pines Optometrist, Dr. Jason Ortman of Castle Pines Eye Care, is joining the World Sight Day Challenge to help give sight to people in developing countries. On World Sight Day, Tuesday, October 12, 2010, Dr.…

This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. City Public Works crews are busy wrapping up summer maintenance projects and getting ready to outfit the dump trucks with snow plows and sanders. But before the winter snow, there are many fall projects to complete: Concrete Maintenance – In early October, City…

Pictured above is Buffalo Ridge Dream Team teacher sponsors, Jennifer Jacoway and Jolie Pinkie with members from the 2010-2011 Dream Team. The group raised $350 running Alex’s Lemonade Stand at the Second Annual Buffalo Stampede. Article and photo by Carin R. Kirkegaard The Buffalo Ridge Dream Team, the elementary school’s student council, raised $350 with…