Read the stories from the latest issue:
Information provided by the Castle Pines North Master Association The CPN Master Homeowners Association is hosting a CPN Metro District board candidate forum on Monday, April 9 at 6 p.m. at the Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines, located at 360 Village Square Lane. There are ten candidates vying for four positions on the board…
By Lisa Crockett Spring is finally here, bringing with it a fresh crop of veggies and fruits just perfect for healthy, seasonal eating. Summer’s overflowing bounty isn’t here yet, but there are treasures to be found in the springtime, including a few that even adventurous eaters sometimes overlook. Here are a few of April’s best,…
By Terri Wiebold Join Denver metro area running enthusiasts for the annual Cherry Creek Sneak in the heart of Denver’s Cherry Creek district on Sunday, April 22 at 7 a.m. Runners and walkers participate in the10-mile, 5-mile, and 3.1-mile (5K). There’s even a half-mile Kids’ Fun Run for kids ages 8 and younger, and Diaper…
So far in 2018, 32 animals from Colorado have tested positive for rabies – mostly in skunks. Information and photo provided by Tri-County Health Department The Colorado Department of Agriculture and Tri-County Health Department have confirmed that an alpaca in Douglas County has died due to a rabies infection. Pet owners are urged to check…
Pictured left to right, Elizabeth Metz of Forest Park, Patty Trombley, Eleanor Baribault and Cindy Keller of Rochester, New York. Through a genealogy website, Metz learned that Patty and Cindy are her third cousins and that Patty also owns Rhoda spoons. Article and photos by Lisa Nicklanovich Elizabeth Metz of Forest Park was recently going…
By Daniel Williams; photos by Terri Wiebold and courtesy of John Basche and Hutch Tibbetts In February, the City of Castle Pines celebrated its tenth birthday old school-style with a party hosted by the Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines. Complete with pin the city on the state, an “original businesses” cake walk, a community…
Article by Kathy Fallert with courtesy photos Friday, January 26 was a wild and crazy night at Buffalo Ridge Elementary as the school hosted its annual mother and son Nerf wars at the school. Cardboard barricades, safety goggles and lots of foam bullets were provided for the evening’s entertainment. Numerous participants brought their weapons of…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Lisa Storey Lisa Storey opened Little Italy’s dining room on January 31 to volunteers from the Gameday 14 U Angels Baseball team. The group put together 3,000 goodie bags for the Zackari Parrish 5K Run/Walk #BackTheBlue event. The sold-out February 3 race at the Douglas County Event…
Article and photo by Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of Latvia.eu Sandwiched between Estonia and Lithuania, Latvia accommodates some 2 million people. Like Estonia, her terrain is rich in natural beauty, thickly forested with rolling plains. But for capital Riga with a million inhabitants, Latvia is otherwise a country of small towns and villages. In a…
By Daniel Williams Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home in 80108 this year, you are likely to find an interesting dynamic at play – a historically low inventory in the metro Denver area that is impacting housing sales throughout the region. How tight is the housing crunch? Consider in the past…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson On a chilly January evening, Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students braved the weather at Rink at the Rock to help raise money to purchase playground items and gym equipment. A portion of all ticket sales and skate rentals were given back to TTE.
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori Courtesy of the Google Expeditions Virtual Reality program, DCS Montessori (DCSM) students had a unique opportunity to have several field trips brought to their classroom as opposed to having to venture outside of Castle Pines. The virtual reality tools took students around the world, including visits…
BRE’s top 15 spellers (pictured from left to right) Palmer W., Joey S., Colton R., Lana C., Katherine S., Mia L., Lila O., winner Emily R., Simon H., Riley C., Kyle D., runner up Gavin R., Milena A., Kasen L. and Isaac H. battled it out in the school’s gym on January 26. Article and…
Troop 91 (left to right) back row: Amelia S., Izze P., Tori G., Morgan M., Sophie A., Natalie X., Lillian F. and Kate S.; front row: Aimee B. and Chloe F. (Not pictured: Sienna D. and Taylor D.) By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Jennifer Greer American Academy (AA) Girl Scout Junior Troop 91 braved…
The map shows the proposed Amendment 5 planned usage areas in the RidgeGate Development District. Amendment 5 has not yet been approved. By Patte Smith Construction of the end-of-line RTD light rail station parking garage and rail tracks continues to move forward with completion planned for early 2019. Currently, new water main lines are being…
Michael Penny Information provided by the City of Castle Pines The City of Castle Pines is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Penny as interim city manager. City council approved a city management agreement with Penny during a special meeting on Friday, February 16 and his first day with the organization was Tuesday, February…
Canyons Community Church 4825 North Crowfoot Valley Road, Castle Rockwww.canyonscc.org Easter services: April 1 at 9:30 a.m. (traditional) and 11:00 a.m. (contemporary), with nursery and Canyons Kidz Sunday School offered during the 11:00 a.m. hour. Castle Oaks Covenant Church 826 Park Street, Castle Rockwww.castleoaks.org Easter Sunday worship services: April 1 at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Amy Shanahan Community residents gathered on January 31 along with Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce members and representatives from Lennar for the official ribbon cutting of the Lennar at Castle Valley development at the southwest corner of Lagae Road and Castle Pines Parkway. Guests toured the new model…
Rock Canyon High School biotech research students Kylie Hutchison (left) and Madison Dittmer (right) study cancer cells using the new EVOS FL microscope, which is a cell imaging system that combines precision optics, high resolution display and a highly sensitive monochrome camera. Article and photo by RCHS intern writer Sarah Bermingham Rock Canyon High School…
By Lynne Marsala Basche If you are a person who does not use glasses or wear contact lenses, you may not think about getting yearly eye exams. However, eyes can begin to experience age-related changes in our early 40s, and as we continue to age, the possibility of developing eye disease increases, which is why…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson The American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart event has become a much-loved tradition at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE), and once again, this past February, students participated in the campaign to raise money and awareness for heart health. February is American Heart Month, and TTE students…
Castle Pines residents Molly Tanaka (pictured above center) and Zach Shadwick (pictured below) find the program a great opportunity to learn and enjoy playing music with friends. The Castle Pines Arts & Cultural Foundation was pleased to host the “Save the Music!” event on February 9. In conjunction with the Colorado Chamber Orchestra’s Early Instrumental…
The Rock Canyon High School girls swim and dive team won the continental A-league championship for the third consecutive year and went on to come in 6th place at the 5A state competition. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Nicole Vanderpoel For the third year in a row, the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) girls…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) kindergarten and first-grade students celebrated the 100th day of the 2017-2018 school year in a variety of fun and engaging ways. Students built castles with 100 cups, made necklaces with 100 Fruit Loops and beads and had a challenging time transferring 100…
Information provided by Douglas County While the more than 243,000 registered voters in Douglas County will not notice a difference in their vote-by-mail experience, beginning with this year’s 2018 Primary Election, County officials responsible for conducting and delivering the election will recognize the County’s investment in the new ClearVote™ ballot processing software as an improvement…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos High school student-athletes all over the country signed letters of intent to play their sport at the collegiate level on Wednesday, February 7. åOf the 1000 or so athletes who signed letters of intent in Colorado, approximately 125 are Douglas County School District students. We commend all the student-athletes and…
There is an ever-aging yet very active population of individuals in Douglas County entering the next chapter of their lives. Whether transitioning to empty nesters, retiring from the corporate world, caring for elderly family members, or just turning the page to see what is to come in their life’s journey, readers are asking for more…
AA Boys and girls show off their shoes, sans socks, for the final day of the “Sock it to ‘em” sock drive on January 26. By Liz Rector; photo courtesy of American Academy Many would be surprised to learn that the most requested item of clothing from the nearly 45,000 homeless children in Colorado is…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of DCS Montessori Upper Elementary students at DCS Montessori (DCSM) took part in a chilly adventure in February. The fourth through sixth-grade classes visited the U.S. National Ice Core Laboratory (NICL) in Lakewood. The NICL is a facility for storing, curating and studying ice core samples from around the…
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. It is always a delight when I get to read works from…
By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Corin Meibos Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) Principal John Veit made some meeting time with Terra Shaffner’s second-grade class on Monday, February 5. Veit happened to be in Schaffner’s classroom when the students were working on a writing piece about birthdays and talked to some of the kids about their…
Part one of three By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of John Lake and Meg Anderson Were there a Colorado Mt. Rushmore, Tweet Kimball’s profile might well be chiseled there. Born in 1914 Tennessee, where women wielded limited political power, Bryn Mawr-educated Mildred Genevieve Montague “Tweet” Kimball never got the message. After acquiring Charlford Castle in…
Caucus meetings for Republicans and Democrats will be held Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. at various locations throughout Douglas County. Visit www.dcgop.org or www.douglasdemocrats.org for locations and additional information.
Avid book reader and local resident Suzi Scott poses for a picture with Cynthia Swanson at a release party on Feb 6 for Swanson’s new book, “The Glass Forest.” Scott presented Swanson with a copy of The Connection that includes the review of Swanson’s newest work. By Amanda Merriman; photo courtesy of Suzi Scott Suzi…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Crock-Pots, generally a pretty ho-hum kitchen tool, have been making headlines lately due to their involvement in the (fictional) tragedy that took the life of a (fictional) popular family man on NBC’s hit drama series “This is Us.” For their part, the Crock-Pot company seems to have taken the…
Information provided by Douglas County Libraries Brought to you by Page to Stage productions, this year’s opening performance of “Peter Pan,” the classic fantasy tale of a faraway land, pirates, and a boy unwilling to grow up, will be hosted by Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines in partnership with the Front Range Theater Company.…
Cultivating future leaders By Lynne Marsala Basche During her high school years in South Dakota, YouthRoots founder Lacey Books participated in a basic leadership program. When Books was out of school and looked back on the experience, she realized how beneficial it would be to have been able to apply those lessons and skills right…
A sweeping view of Sandstone Ranch, the 2,038 acre, newly acquired, Douglas County Open Space property featuring scenic red rock formations, rocky ridges, forested hillsides and meandering creeks and ponds. Information provided by Douglas County One of the largest and most historic properties in Colorado, located along the foothills between Denver and Colorado Springs, is…
By Kira Zizzo, RHMS intern writer; photos courtesy of Camille Leach At Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS), the seventh-grade Adventurers team learned the ins and outs of first aid and how to apply their newfound knowledge in case of an emergency. The skills the students learned are crucial in that they could save someone’s life…
By Lisa Crockett Proponents of vegetarianism often tout “Meatless Monday” as a way to get a proverbial “taste” of what a vegetarian lifestyle might feel like. Whether or not you’re looking to make a switch to vegetarianism, however, the occasional meatless meal is a great way to make meals healthier and more interesting. Here are…
Information provided by the CPACF The Castle Pines Arts and Cultural Foundation is looking for volunteer board members to work in helping bring art and cultural opportunities to the greater Castle Pines community. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) that sponsors events like authors and art presentations, musical performances, scholarships and summer children’s theatre. If you…
By Amanda Merriman The Castle Pines community certainly has a lot of talent within the city. One such talent is resident E. B. Mann, author of a young adult novel named “Karina.” (Read a review of “Karina” on page 21.) I recently had the opportunity to speak with Mann, which is a pseudonym, and learned…
By Michelle Post I know what you’re thinking, “What the heckfire! I don’t even want to think about being hit by a bus.” Me neither; however, I learned about this concept from a colleague. She told me that everyone in her department was so specialized if anyone were sick it would affect the day’s productivity…
Information courtesy of Tri-County Health Department Tri-County Health Department has opened a new birth and death certificates office in Castle Rock at 410 South Wilcox Street, located one block south of the Wilcox and Plum Creek Parkway. A certified copy of a birth certificate is needed for passport applications, many school activities, and to apply…
By Amanda Merriman My seven-year-old daughter and I were looking for a way to pass the time during my 10-year-old’s soccer practice. An hour can feel like an eternity to a seven-year-old. Luckily, I remembered I downloaded an app called Sandbox to try. Sandbox is a color by numbers game that will entertain people of…
A Western Bluebird. Western Bluebirds perch or flutter among branches to take berries. By Susan Helton; Mountain Bluebird photo by Dick Vogel, courtesy of the Colorado Bluebird Project; Western Bluebird photo courtesy of Barbara Spagnuolo. Returning bluebirds are one sure sign of spring. In the Castle Pines and Castle Rock areas, birders have even spotted…
Information provided by the National Institute on Aging and Douglas County With winter’s return, the colder temperatures in Colorado bring some particular risks for older adults and people with chronic conditions. Older adults can lose body heat faster than when they were younger, and changes in their bodies can make it more difficult to be…
Information provided by Douglas County As we head into the height of flu season, the health department is reminding residents that it is not too late to get a flu shot. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu spreads through our community. “Flu activity increased sharply recently in Colorado, with more than…
Article and photos by Daniel Williams For many in the 80108 ZIP code, hiking means getting in a car and hopping on I-70 or I-25 and driving an hour or more to a rugged trailhead for a day of gut-busting, adrenaline-pumping exercise. But most people do not have the time nor the inclination to make…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson On January 17, Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) opened its doors to family, friends and the community for a showcase to highlight what the students have been doing the first half of the year. The event was a school-wide opportunity for students to display and present their…
Homes in the Cherokee Castle story, from hardscrabble homesteads to castles for society minions. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner In 1879, the Kansas Hansborough clan settled on East Plum Creek near Sedalia. John Blunt, husband of Mary Hansborough, sent his family to await him in Colorado while he drove cattle from Kansas. When reunited…
Information provided by CDOT Car Seats Colorado is reminding parents and caregivers that bulky winter coats pose a danger to children riding in car seats and should not be worn underneath the harness. While it may seem counterintuitive (who wouldn’t bundle their child up when it is freezing outside?), strapping your child into his…
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. When I read second novels of authors I admire, I often do…
Congratulations once again to Bruce Cochrane for being selected as The Connection’s Cutest Pet in the Pines for 2017. Bruce was happy to receive his gift basket containing treats, toys and gift certificates to Happy Tails, The Pet Stuff Place and As You Wish Pet Sitters. Runners up Carmel Calfee and Abby Maday also each…
Information provided by the Douglas County School District The Douglas County School District (DCSD) is seeking its next permanent superintendent. The DCSD Board of Education has selected Ray and Associates (no relation to DCSD Board Director, David Ray) to conduct the search for the next superintendent, following a thorough vetting of potential search firms. In order to…
Do you know someone who deserves to be included on the Douglas County Fair Foundation’s Wall of Honor? The Wall of Honor is reserved for distinguished citizens of Douglas County who are dedicated to preserving the rural heritage of the County and have demonstrated a high level of service and long-standing commitment to the operation,…
This photo is taken looking east on Happy Canyon Road at the intersection of the newly-constructed Lagae Road, expected to open by the end of February. The inset photo is taken from Lagae Road looking south toward Happy Canyon Road. As of press time, the roadway was not yet open for public traffic. Update and…
By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Amy Shanahan Entrepreneurs, freelancers and remote workers gathered January 8 at Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines for an informal morning of coworking: a gathering of people who are working independently, but with opportunities to collaborate and share ideas. Sponsored by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce and The…
The RCHS poms team recently won the Varsity Brands 2018 American Spirit Leader Award with an approximate retail value of $8,000. The program supports RCHS athletic events and programs at all levels. The varsity team has been named as a CHSAA Academic State Champ for three consecutive years, participates in a multitude of community events…
Andrea and Steve Peterson own the Castle Rock Christian Brothers Automotive franchise and just opened their new Lone Tree location in January. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Andrea Peterson When Steve and Andrea Peterson entered their “empty nest” phase of life, they decided to leave their home in Texas and relocate to Colorado,…
RHMS eighth-graders were honored at the National Girls and Women in Sports Luncheon. From left to right: Sarah Kendall, Kaley Nolte, Naomi Hawkins, Sophia McHenry, Campbell Coddington and Samantha Crispe. Not pictured, Rylee Tinney. By Kira Zizzo, RHMS intern writer; photo courtesy of Elizabeth Duffie At Chaparral High School on Friday, January 12, the National…
Rock Canyon High School Business students, from left to right, Ann Gibson, Thomas Kerker and Jack Gebhardt outside King Soopers selling their product, Canyon Clothing. The company was created to learn more about owning and managing a small business. By Sarah Bermingham, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Gisselle Moreno and Kevin Huang Rock Canyon…
Former mayor Jeff Huff took a moment to smile for the camera with his daughter Elena (right) and John Beckwith (left), a board of trustees member with the Douglas County Libraries, at Huff’s farewell gathering at Pino’s Italian Kitchen in Castle Pines last month. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo by Terri Wiebold January 8 saw…
Information provided by Douglas County Are you a sculptor with a desire to have your work on public display? Have you considered submitting your artwork to the Douglas County Art Encounters (www.douglas.co.us/artencounters/) public art program? Founded in 2007, Art Encounters is a year-long, outdoor sculpture exhibit that showcases a number of sculptures, in various media…
By Patte Smith The Village Idiots Cycling Club is holding their Annual Membership Meeting, Tuesday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. For current members and anyone who is interested in learning about the club, meet at MIYO Café at the Village Shops, 858 West Happy Canyon Road. The cycling club organized by John Rehl, president of…
Information provided by the Colorado Press Association Inspiring creativity and a passion for writing is at the heart of journalism. Programs at the elementary, middle and high school levels of education in Douglas County allow students to explore journalism as a career choice for the future. Our very own intern writers at The Connection come…
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in old town Tallinn, Estonia. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner While Europe struggles with politics and copes with a mass influx of not-always-welcomed migrants, three small Baltic States offer fresh adventures: well-preserved cities, idyllic lakes, sand dunes and enchanted forests – what travel guide “Lonely Planet” calls the super-nature experience. Many…
Information provided by the USPS; photo courtesy of Terri Wiebold The U.S. Postal Service implemented new postage rates on January 21. Listed below are the highlights of the 2018 USPS rate increase for customers buying postage: First Class Mail Letters The rate for a first class mail letter (1 oz.) for postage purchased at the…
Information provided by Douglas County Government Taxpayers 65 years and older as of January 1, who have owned and occupied their property as their primary residence for at least 10 consecutive years, may qualify for the Senior Property Tax Exemption. The exemption reduces the actual taxable value of a qualified residential property by 50 percent…
For 15 years, Felicity Thompson of Forest Park has been traveling to Guatemala as a volunteer with Faith in Practice. Pictured with her husband Richard, who has volunteered for the last 11 years, Thompson and a team of medical personnel, including volunteers from the United States and many Guatemalans, work together to provide cancer screenings,…