The Connection

By Daniel Williams; Photo renderings courtesy of the City of Castle Pines Earlier this year, Atlanta-based Davis Development submitted a land use application to develop a 200-unit multi-family project on the 10.4-acre property located on the southwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Lagae Road in the City of Castle Pines. As submitted, the project…

After three years of exemplary service, Castle Pines City Council says goodbye and thank you to City Clerk Sharon Washington. “Sharon has been the welcoming smile and the friendly voice that anyone who has dealings with the city first comes into contact with,” said Mayor Tera Radloff. “We wish her all the best on her…

People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. – Simon Sinek By Michelle Post What seems to be a simple question sometimes turns out to be a difficult one. I discovered Simon Sinek’s Ted Talk many years ago on how great leaders inspire. And the answer is, they know their why.…

Mary and Vern Harris chose the ViewHouse as their gift card and are looking forward to using it. By Terri Wiebold; courtesy photos Last month we invited readers to sign up to receive The Castle Pines Connection monthly e-subscription free of charge. Congratulations to the following readers who all received a $50 gift card to…

Imelda Franklin Bogue is an opera singer who enjoys collaborating with conductors on new music and loves singing oratorio, such as Handel’s “Messiah” and Vivaldi’s “Gloria.” Bogue’s current major projects are a reduction of “Carmen” and her one-woman operatic sketch comedy “The Secret Life of Opera Singers,” which premiered in Denver in June and plays…

The first location offers a beautiful view across Douglas County and well beyond. Article and photo by Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Savannah Brassell Sometimes it seems as if there are so many wild, scenic and beautiful places in Colorado, that you could explore for years and still not see them all. Douglas County recently…

Article and photo by Catalin Varela The summer months invite the farmers market season, but what is intended to be a delicious adventure can easily turn into a daunting slew of confusing terminology. What the heck is the difference between “free range” and “cage free” anyway? Let’s chat about it. When buying food locally, the…

Caption and photo by Elizabeth Wood West Tim and Jennilyn Biery celebrated the grand opening of their new store, Big Frog Custom T-shirts in June. The Bierys invited the public to enjoy refreshments, special promotions and music as part of their celebration. Big Frog Custom T-shirts is located at 4714 Milestone Lane in Castle Rock,…

Sandra Ozolinsh hand tailors each one-of- a-kind handbag using genuine leather and exotic skins for her collection of unique women’s purses. By Patte Smith, photos courtesy of Sandra Ozolinsh Castle Pines resident Sandra Ozolinsh had a lifelong dream of designing and creating all types of art and hand crafts since she was a little girl…

2017 winner 11-year-old Isabella Bird (above left) went all out on her landscape featuring elk and mountains and trees. Bird presented Harmony Equine Center (lower right) with a donation check for $3,314.69. Above right, Connection staff members enjoyed handing out the baskets filled with goodies for participants. By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Zoë Zizzo…

By Amanda Merriman Connection writer Amanda Merriman admits she is hopelessly addicted to books. It has been this way nearly all her life. Every month she shares what she has been reading with the hope that others will share in the obsession too. I dug into Paula McLain’s 2011 bestseller, “The Paris Wife,” as I…

Parking lot and traffic flow improvements at RHMS were designed to decrease congestion and improve safety. Article and photos by Elise Brassell It’s already time! After a short summer break, it is time for families with school-aged children to start the school year with new teachers, new schedules and also for families at Rocky Heights…

Information provided by the City of Castle Pines Castle Pines City Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 18-06 and Resolution No. 18-24, setting into motion the first steps needed to transition the City from statutory rule to home rule. The July 24 decisions call for a special election to be held in coordination with the Douglas…

Pictured left: Director Thomas A. Blomster (left), DCYO Student Composer in Residence Emma Spears (center) and composer and former Colorado Chamber Orchestra President DR. C. Howard Treibitz. By Catalin Varela; photo courtesy of Mary Carter Since she was a little girl, Emma Spears has always been fascinated with music in many different capacities. She took…

By Lisa Crockett; courtesy photo A traditional bento box is a treasure trove of Japanese treats, a lovely mid-day container of surprises, with separate compartments for meat or fish, rice, and vegetables. Often, these mainstays are arranged in the shapes of fish or flowers. While few American parents go to that kind of trouble to…

Caption and photo by Lynn Zahorik Local members of the Castle Rock Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) gathered for a summer picnic in Larkspur on July 7. Pictured left to right are Castle Pines DAR members Janice Baker, Debbie Mulvey, Kathy Erdman and Regent Cindy Cole. Erdman was one of four…

By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Lisa Hunsicker Next time you’re stuck in a line of cars driving 35 mph on Monarch, know you’re not the only one wishing you could go faster. For Lisa Hunsicker of Castle Pines, going faster is what it’s all about – she drives speeds up to 140 mph in…

In early July, Rachel and Kirsten Buhay competed at the fencing National Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. Rachel, 13 years old, has competed nationally for four years. Two years ago, she took fifth place and a bronze medal in Y10 at nationals. Ten-year-old Kirsten has competed nationally for two years. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy…

The Pine Canyon proposed annexation in Castle Rock could add more than 1,300 homes to the area. By Daniel Williams; graphic courtesy of Town of Castle Rock A substantial mixed-use development that could bring as many as 1,320 new homes to Castle Rock continues to go through an extended planning process, though a new round…

By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Lynn Zahorik Driving through the community on July 4, it was inspiring to see so many houses proudly displaying the American flag. There were a few, however, that caught our eye. If either of these two houses is yours, you are the winner of a $50 gift card! Email…

By Catalin Varela, photos courtesy of DCSM While most schools are taking a break for the summer, the fun has continued at DCS Montessori with even more outdoor camps. Students have gone geocaching in Castlewood Canyon, mountain biking in Daniels Gate Park, rock climbing at ROCK’n & JAM’n and beachcombing at Cherry Creek State Park…

Caption and photos submitted by DCS Montessori DCS Montessori students have been spending their summer experimenting like scientists in “Mad Scientist Camp” and crocheting up a storm in “Crochet Camp.” Other camps the students have been enjoying this summer include “Adventure Camp” and “Harry Potter Academy.” Needless to say, DCS Montessori students are having a…

C shift crew members of the Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department enjoyed a change of pace – working WITH fire in the kitchen as part of a charity dinner. Pictured left to right: Lieutenant Adam Gallegos, Battalion Chief Rich Martin, Paramedic Jason Norris and Engineer Matt Osborn. Article and photos by Elizabeth Wood West…

Ella Miller (left), Sophia McHenry (center) and Sadie Rowe (right) took their National History Day website project “444 Days in Captivity: Iran Hostage Crisis” all the way to nationals, taking first in state for group website, junior division, along the way. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Richard Diehl What a grand culmination of their…

Michael Padilla, goatherd for Goat Green, smiles as he shares his experiences tending weed-controlling goats. Article and photos by Barbara Neff Though Michael Padilla, age 32, grew up in the tiny community of Mora, New Mexico, his ties to Colorado are strong. For nearly three years, he has worked for Cheyenne company Goat Green, the…

Lemonade stand girls from left to right: Izzy Kliner, Alexa Benda, Zoey Benda and Clara Geuzaine. By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Kali Benda It is said that when kids host a street-corner lemonade stand, it teaches them valuable lessons like economics, supply and demand, sales and customer service. Profit and loss. Sweating on the…

By Catalin Varela In recent years the gluten-free diet has gone from being a medical necessity for many individuals to a trend diet that has caught lots of media attention. You wouldn’t be hard pressed to open a magazine and find an article about celebrities who eat gluten free because it’s “trendy.” But the media…

By Kathy Fallert; photo by Bob Wiebold and courtesy of Legacy Village of Castle Pines This aerial photograph shows the magnitude of the Legacy Village of Castle Pines complex, located on the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard. The senior living facility opened May 19 and will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on…

Addy M. (pictured above with Principal Veit) was the only student at BRE who earned the perfect attendance award for the 2017-18 school year. Caption and photo by Kathy FallertFirst-grader Each year, Buffalo Ridge Elementary recognizes students who have achieved perfect attendance for the school year. The students cannot have missed a single minute of…

Retired Castle Pines resident Rita Shiell chose to become a dog mom again after a few years without pets. Article and photo by Barbara Neff An old joke goes like this: Three religious people are debating when life begins. The first one states that life begins at conception. The second one states that life begins…

By Lisa Crockett When the weather heats up, the season’s fresh produce is a great way to keep your cool. Cucumbers are a prime candidate for refreshing and soothing an overheated palate, whether you’re simply floating a sliced cuke in your ice water or trying out something a little fancier like some of the ideas…

The RHMS travelers marveled at the lost city of the Incas at Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage site. “It was awesome!” stated Kay Kaul. “An experience the kids will remember for the rest of their lives!” By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson and Kay Kaul In early June, 12 Rocky Heights Middle…

By Amanda Merriman Connection writer Amanda Merriman admits she is hopelessly addicted to books. It has been this way nearly all her life. Every month she shares what she has been reading with the hope that others will share in the obsession too. Fantasy lovers unite! “The Night Circus” is in town and will surely…

Article and photos by Terri Wiebold Roughly 35 wine enthusiasts gathered on a gorgeous June evening to learn about the formation and launch of the South Metro Denver South chapter of the American Wine Society. Castle Pines Village resident David DeFore, local realtor Wanda Ford and long-time wine club board member Tonia Oliver organized the…

Brenda Bushey of Hidden Pointe volunteering at Impact Humanity, a new free retail store that opened in Denver’s Five Points district to serve the needs of the homeless community. Impact Humanity is one of nine programs in the Impact Locally nonprofit. Bushey said, “It’s amazing to feel a part of a collective group working together.”…

Caption and photos by Daniel Williams The goats have returned to Castle Pines. Five local neighborhoods – PineRidge, HOA1, The Estates at Buffalo Ridge, The Retreat and Glen Oaks – have partnered with South Metro Fire Rescue and local businesses to use more than 300 goats from Goat Green, Inc. as part of an energy-efficient…

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I am an ambivalent visitor to the social media site Pinterest. On one hand, it’s a great place to find ideas for food that looks cute and follows some sort of theme. I also once found an entry on how to craft Christmas ornaments out of Tic Tacs and…

By Terri Wiebold Fans of The Castle Pines Connection are exploring new ways to enjoy the stories, photos and information in the newspaper, while at the same time winning gift cards, free venue tickets, and much more through our e-subscription.  This year, we have already given away free tickets to the U.S. Senior Open Championship…

By Terri Wiebold; courtesy photo Castle Pines Golf Club, Inc. has submitted a Planned Development (PD) amendment that would establish a GCCH Planning Area over the existing clubhouse and parking area. The amendment proposes to replace the existing observation tower (approximately 78 feet in height) at the clubhouse adjacent to Hummingbird Drive, with a new…

By Daniel Williams; graphic courtesy of the City of Castle Pines As local governance goes, the City of Castle Pines remains something of an anomaly in the metro Denver area, as it’s the only statutory community in all of Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties. But that distinction could be going away, as initial steps have…

Caption and photos by Daniel Williams Until August 26, Inner Connections Yoga is offering free Yoga in the Park classes every Sunday from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. at the amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, located at 1375 W Plum Creek Parkway in Castle Rock.  Yogis and yoginis of all ages and levels are…

By Michelle Post; photos by Lynn Zahorik and courtesy of Megan Hassler and Maddie Provost This was my first year to attend the Food Truck Frenzy in Castle Pines. Wow, what an experience. The many mouth-watering smells beckoned me to try one of everything. People everywhere, enjoying the food and fun. The live band, vendor…

Castle Rock Rotary Club member Gordon Allott (left) and Ducky Derby visitor Richard West (right). Article and photo by Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Rich Bangs There were three cash prize winners at the 22nd Annual Rotary Club Ducky Derby event in June. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Castle Rock, High Noon Rotary…

By Amanda Merriman My oldest child will be heading off to college in two short years. My husband and I have come up with a way to deal with this reality. Forced family time! In all seriousness, we thought about taking a fun trip together to try and squeeze in more memories. Thus, the idea…

Photographer Joe McDaniel captured the contrast between the rare leucistic deer and her brown sibling. By Barbara Neff; photos by Joe McDaniel When Douglas County resident, travel writer and wildlife photographer Joe McDaniel heard murmurs among neighbors this past fall that they had spotted a white mule deer fawn in the area of Tallman Gulch…

Christian Brothers owners Steve and Andrea Peterson (center) host a lunch every Friday for their employees. Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik Every now and then you come across business owners who truly have their heart in their business and are equally as invested in their employees. On Friday afternoons, Christian Brothers Automotive owners Steve…

Castle Rock Adventist Hospital opened its Healing Garden in June for patients and visitors. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of CRAH Castle Rock Adventist Hospital (CRAH) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 19 in celebration of the opening of its new Healing Garden, located between the Alexander and Briscoe Buildings on the hospital’s medical…

By Terri Wiebold Vacationing this summer? While Colorado has some amazing adventures that are drivable, many of us take to the skies and travel by plane to our summer destinations. Security lines have become less-than-predictable and there is little worse than not clearing security in time to make your flight. There are lots of options…

Article and photo by Catalin Varela   With summer break upon us, teens in the 80108 area have buckled up and hit the road for summer fun activities. As the adult ultimately responsible for their actions, make sure you and your teen drivers are informed on the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws in Colorado. Though…

Information and photo provided by Castle Pines Athletics Kids participating in the Castle Pines Athletics NFL flag football program wrapped up the spring season in May with playoffs at Elk Ridge Park. The top two teams in each age group advanced to Super Bowl VI. Congratulations to the winning teams: Green Bay Packers (1st-2nd grades)…

Gathered together at the Crowder home for their weekly bridge group are, left to right: Kate Riess, Carol Kingery, Jan Jacob, Jane Johnson, Mary Jo Rodeno, Eileen Gass, Angie Crowder, Sandy Harden and Ellen Dugan. This collection of ladies has been together for 16 years. Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik Every Monday morning, eight…

By Catalin Varela On Tuesday, August 7 the community is invited to connect with the Castle Rock Police Department and ask any questions they may have at Philip S. Miller Park from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This event, National Night Out, has historically been a night where residents can host a block party and…

A great workout can now be found at Cyclebar indoor cycling studio, which rode into Castle Pines on May 24. Located in the former Safeway shopping center, Castle Pines Cyclebar offers energizing rides tailored to all fitness and experience levels. Owner Scott Marshall and instructor Jacove Snapp-Cook inspire, motivate and pump up riders starting at…

Rea Williamson enjoying a gentle breeze and the blooming flowers at her new home at Legacy Village of Castle Pines. Article and photo by Daniel Williams Although Rea Williamson grew up in the Chicago area, Colorado has always held a special place in her heart. After college, she traveled west for a teaching job, and…

Taylor Wiebold at a college tour at the University of Texas in July. By Terri Wiebold High school students who are entering their senior year are likely starting to think about what college or university they would like to attend, if they are planning on pursuing higher education following graduation. With a college sophomore and…

Article and photos by Patte Smith Whittling a stick is one of my fondest memories growing up when my family went camping.  My brother, sister and I would sit on a rock and “being very careful” would create a work of art – funny, our handiwork always turned into a pointed stick.  Well folks, another…

Caption and photo by Lynn Zahorik Car Wash Express celebrated its grand opening in Promenade at Castle Rock on June 14. The Colorado-based company started in 2001 and now has nine locations throughout the Denver area. During their first two weeks of business, customers received their car wash for free, and Car Wash Express has…

COPS Camp teens work together to complete team building challenges. Article and photo by Catalin Varela Leadership and teamwork are the most important qualities to foster in the teens who are pioneering the future. This is what Commander Sam Varela of the Castle Rock Police Department thought when he started COPS Camp almost nine years…

Caption and photos by Nancy Koontz The Castle Pines Village Annual Father’s Day Cookout and Pool Party took place at the Canyon Club on Sunday, June 16 starting at noon. Hamburgers, brats, and hot dogs were grilled up throughout the day along with sides, watermelon, desserts, and beverages. Fun activities such as the cannonball splash…

By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Groundspeak Inc. (dba Geocaching) One of the many great things about living in Castle Pines is the easy access to multi-use trails. But, did you know that if you’ve used these trails, or even walked through local neighborhoods, you’ve probably passed hidden treasure many times and didn’t even know…

By Terri Wiebold; photo by Bob Wiebold Construction is well underway and two model homes are now open at Prato at Castle Pines Village, located just north of Santa Fe Drive and east of Daniels Park Road in Castle Pines Village. According to Infinity Homes Collection Community Sales Manager Matt Cassidy, the development is comprised…

Krysta Parr, The Connection’s very own Wonder Woman (or design goddess as we refer to her), “geeked out” and made the rounds at the Denver Comic Con convention last month on June 15-16. She is pictured here with actor Jason Momoa who played Aquaman in Marvel’s “Justice League.” Comic Con is a celebration of many…