Read the stories from the latest issue:
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…
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…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of The Bureau of Land Reclamation (U.S. Government) William Headland was an early homesteader in the Castle Pines Village area. Having paid $200 cash for his 160 acres in 1870, his holdings centered on Saxon Place. By 1880 he had comfortably settled in on his ranch and found himself a…
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…
By Michelle Post Start with what you have. This saying reminds me of the movie, “Apollo 13,” based on the true story of the 1970 Apollo 13 mission to the moon. The rocket carrying astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert encountered a critical failure en route to the moon. As the crew systematically…
Information and photo provided by the National Institute on Aging With summer here and the temperatures rising, it is important to understand the health risks that excessive heat can bring and know the signs of heat-related illnesses. Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible to hyperthermia and other heat-related illnesses. The…
Building youth leadership skills through acts of service By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Eden Mendrala It is often said that leaders aren’t born, they’re made, and many great leaders are being made right here in Douglas County and throughout our state as a result of the innovative programs at Colorado Young Leaders (CYL). CYL…
Rock Canyon varsity baseball players charge the mound after a come-from-behind victory against Cherry Creek High School to reach the Elite Eight By RCHS intern writer Alec Sutula; photo courtesy of Josh Terry The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) baseball team had a very successful season this year under first-year head coach, Garrett Duman. The…
For three years, Greg Sherwood has been on a quest to unearth the author of a book from 1657, an English lord and an extraordinary man who had been lost to history. Sherwood’s quest has taken him to the island of Jersey near France to meet with colleagues at the Société Jersiaise (bottom, right), as…
Information and photo provided by Douglas County An 18-mile segment of I-25 from Monument to Castle Rock referred to as the “gap” is now fully funded and, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), is on track to begin construction by late summer of this year. CDOT Executive Director Michael Lewis made the announcement…
Cindy Berndt represented TTE at the staff challenge race. Evelyn Ball, Ethan Berndt and Weston Nielson were among the TTE students who came out to support her. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Nicole Avis, Anna Miner and Amy Ball Beginning after spring break, Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students joined in on Bandimere Speedway’s Race…
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…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Portugal was on top of the world in the 16th century. Capitalizing on the skill of her navigators, their discoveries and trade routes, untold wealth flowed into the national treasury. It was a golden age in which (King) Manuel I and his explorers set the pace for all of…
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…
A tale of adversity turned into a vision, then action By Patte Smith, courtesy photos Several years ago, Susan and Pat Mooney jumped in “boots” first to establish a safe and supportive community for adults challenged with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thus began the story and growing reality of Tall Tales Ranch (TTR). Their son,…
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…
Fun with a taste of another time Article and photos by Susan Helton Costumed “royalty” and other characters entertain the festival visitors who eagerly await the opening of the gates. For a day trip that offers a taste of another time, a visit to the Colorado Renaissance Festival in Larkspur is just the…
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…
Adventure high on the mountain By Michelle Post; courtesy photos Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park offers thrills, chills, oohs, ahhs and fun for all. Colorado has so much to offer, I never get bored living here. An excellent adventure for the whole family is the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs. It is 157.4…
Guest panelists at the Douglas County Community Foundation Focus Forward breakfast this year included, pictured left to right: Pamela Schenck-Kelly – Park Meadows Retail Resort, Michael Dunlap – Schomp Automotive, Karen “Casey” Cortese – Charles Schwab, and moderator Amber DeBerry – Douglas County Libraries. By Terri Wiebold; photo courtesy of DCCF On May 10, The…
Article and photos by Michelle Post I did not think I would ever say those words, “I inherited a dog,” but I do now. Tuffy Newman is his name, and he is a 12-year-old Pomeranian. He was the beloved companion of my Aunt Jean and Uncle Bob. It was not in my aunt’s final will…
By Michelle Post Social media must be strategic and tactical; however, over the last decade the mantra has been “be everywhere and post a lot.” This is not the case any longer. Instead, social media is an integral part of a business’ identity. It is a digital representation of its physical representation, both internal and…
Article and photo by Catalin Varela No ideas for Father’s Day? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Give dad a day he will remember with one of the following activity ideas: Pack a Picnic – If you have never explored Daniels Park, it is a piece of paradise right in our own backyard and one…
Pamela Hansum works with her miniature horse, Duke, to offer therapy and support to children. Article and photo by Barbara Neff I did a double take. Did I really just see a miniature horse standing at the Daniels Park trail head on the west end of Castle Pines Parkway? I whipped through the roundabout and…
Giving locally matters By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of the Douglas/Elbert Task Force When donating to a nonprofit organization, sometimes it can be hard to know whether the help is applied locally. But when someone donates food or other necessities to the Douglas/Elbert Task Force (Task Force), it means giving back to those in our…
Information and photo provided by the American Automobile Association CarFit is an educational program sponsored by the American Automobile Association that offers older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles “fit” them. The CarFit program also provides information and materials on community-specific resources that could enhance their safety as drivers, and/or increase…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of the Castle Rock Journal John B. Karcher of Sedalia was a Frenchman by birth. A large landholder in Alsace Lorraine, he was politically and socially active and a 32nd degree Mason. In his late 30s he was expelled from France because of his anti-Napoleonic tirades. His property was seized…
Information and photo provided by the Town of Castle Rock After nearly 40 years of firefighting, Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Chief Art Morales is retiring. Morales said he was blessed by his time in the Town of Castle Rock (Town) and has many memories to cherish as he enjoys retirement. Chief Morales was…
The Rock newspaper staff (top) and the Black and Gold yearbook staff (bottom) at Rock Canyon High School. The teams earned multiple awards from the Colorado Student Media Association’s Best of Colorado awards. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Kristi Rathbun Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students on the staff of The Rock newspaper and…
Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik; photos courtesy of MidiCi Friends and family enjoyed the MidiCi Neapolitan Pizza VIP pre-opening tasting event on April 27. Guests were greeted by the entire staff who served up a sampling of MidiCi menu items, including a variety of wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, appetizers and house salads. Local owners Kelly…
Information and photos provided by the Castle Pines Metropolitan District As it does every two years, Castle Pines Village conducted an election for board members to serve its metropolitan district for a period of four years. Three of five board seats were up for election. Winners included Craig Sundquist and Richard Munday, both being returned…
The fourth-graders were not slackers in this year’s Math Olympiad. The following are fourth-grade students in the top 50 percent: Luke Houston, Selah Brown, Cooper Hibbett, Kailash Shenoy, Kiefer Duval, Sarah Jun, Lila Obrien, Emily Ruegge and Anderson Romero, pictured with Principal Veit. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Lisa Conner Buffalo Ridge Elementary began…
By Susan Helton; courtesy photo Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) choir members joined 10 other Colorado school choirs to sing the national anthem for “Choir Day” at the Colorado Rockies versus Milwaukee Brewers game on May 12 at Coors Field. This marked the second year in a row that the TTE choir sang at a Rockies…
Local residents in support of “the reform team,” as they called themselves, showing support in the days leading up to the recent Castle Pines North Metropolitan District regular election. By Daniel Williams; courtesy photo Residents of the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) voted down a ballot measure last month that would have authorized the…
The inaugural gathering of the Castle Pines Pistons in the Pines Car Show was snowed out on April 21 (Colorado you know), but the next day, with the sun shining, 60 awesome dream machines rallied for an impromptu car show in the Safeway parking lot. May’s Pistons in the Pines event was rainy, but it…
The whole fifth grade performed. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Wendy Wilson With the student-selected theme of “Time Travel,” the Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) fifth-grade dance tradition continued this year, serving as the grand finale for the annual variety show in early May. “This was one of my most favorite parts of my fifth-grade…
Pictured above left are first-graders Leyna S. and Abby M., and above right are Kendall and Kayley McClarran with their mom, Michelle, all made sure to get their donuts before they were gone. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson On a chilly April morning, TTE students and moms gathered for the Donuts with…
Above left: The Peru Enrichment class (clockwise from top center): Oskar Trueman (grey CK shirt with blue and green hoodie), Victoria Mallinson, Karmel Behboodi, Jamie Horan, Keira Ruys, Savannah Hilgendorf, Cassidy Dobler, Connor Brown, Kayden Ozdemir, Cade Miller, Ty Sloan and Ryan Carlson. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson Early June sees 12…
Ellen Pals of Happy Canyon, local author and expert in creating celebrations. By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Michele Hafey Wondering what to do with bored kids on summer break, when family comes to town, or when friends visit? Local author Ellen Pals said, “Take time to celebrate!” She may just make you question all…