Read the stories from the latest issue:
As part of their Project Based Learning unit “Putting the Pieces Together,” TTE third-grade students became playground engineers tasked with modifying a play space to meet the needs of children with autism. Students presented their findings and suggestions to the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District and the Castle Pines Parks Authority in October.| By Lynne…
Respecting and honoring the sacrifices of many, the Conley family has four members whose love for our country has led them to serve in the U.S. military. They recently gathered in San Diego to witness and celebrate their youngest son Ryan receiving the title of United States Marine. Pictured left to right: Monique Conley, Lance…
By Lynne Marsala Basche You may be struggling. Someone you know could be suffering. In fact, one in five adults and adolescents will be diagnosed with a mental health issue in their lifetime. In 2014, after seeing a spike of various mental health issues in Douglas County, officials recognized the need to increase community mental…
By Lisa Crockett A special meal here and there should fit comfortably into almost everyone’s lifestyle. This time of year, though, it seems that there are special occasions several times a week. Here are some ideas for keeping holiday treats from derailing good health: Very veggie: Roasted veggies (think Brussels sprouts with pecans) need just…
Information and photos submitted by Beverly Coggins After more than a decade of hosting (and two years off due to health issues), Becky Cohen (pictured far left) and her den of friendly witches gathered back at Cohen’s home to usher in the Halloween season. Lively spirits (boos) were enjoyed by all. Becky Cohen in her…
A very cheerful Karen Weber, a public service technician for Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines sat in one of her favorite spots at the library, the upstairs patio on a sunny and breezy day. Article and photo by Patte Smith Karen Weber’s enthusiasm overflows when she talks about growing up in Douglas County and…
Information provided by Douglas County Are you a veteran enrolled in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system who still has not received your flu shot? The cold and flu season is upon us and the Department of Veterans Affairs has once again teamed up with Walgreens pharmacies nationwide to allow all veterans who are currently…
By Lynne Marsala Basche The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and the Douglas County Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition have teamed up to ask for help preventing teen substance use and the potential for teen-related DUI crashes and deaths. The Party Patrol will be in force during breaks and holidays when the likelihood of kids…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Laurie Jacobs Fall could not be ushered in without football games, pumpkin-flavored everything, colorful trees and, of course, the annual Turweston Lane Chili Cook Off. The eighth annual event was held September 24, and despite cold, rainy weather that forced participants to relocate to the HOA2 clubhouse, the…
Information provided by the Douglas/Elbert Task Force and the Crisis Center Sponsorship for the Douglas/Elbert Task Force (Task Force) Santa’s Sharing holiday adopt-a-family program has declined over the past few years, and the Task Force is asking the community for much-needed help. “Our sponsor numbers have decreased every year for the last five years,” said…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson Each year, Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) has a fundraising event, and this year, students and teachers participated in a move-a-thon in late September. Students spent time outside rotating through a series of stations, including jump ropes, step ups, tire rolling, as well as the much anticipated…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Last year, my family and I went out for Thanksgiving dinner. There, I said it. As a dedicated home cook, I feel a little like a traitor to the cause, but going out for Thanksgiving was, in a word, awesome. No prep work, no piles of dishes, no mess.…
Deputy Jason Blanchard (left) and Sergeant Jeff Miller (right) with Castle Pines residents during the October 4 Coffee with a Cop. The event provided the opportunity for the DCSO and residents to get together outside of emergency situations By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Lauren Lekander The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has been…
By Amanda Merriman Ever since the world was introduced to the Weasley family’s magical clock in “Harry Potter,” I thought it would be so convenient to be able to locate your family members like that in everyday life. Of course, with smartphones there are many iterations of this available today. Life360 is a free app…
By John Basche Officially November 11 this year, veterans organizations around Douglas County and the Denver metro area are hosting a number of events in observance and remembrance to honor those who have served in our armed forces. While for many of us Veterans Day has always been marked by a parade in our local…
By Daniel Williams; photo courtesy of Nanowrimo.org There’s an old saying, “Everyone has a novel in them.” In July 1999, Chris Baty and 20 friends decided to make that idea a reality when they sat down in coffee shops around San Francisco and attempted to write a novel in a month. Only a few of…
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Information provided by the Castle Pines Arts & Cultural Foundation The Castle Pines Arts & Cultural Foundation is excited to present a multi-media slide show presentation for the holidays by John Fielder on December 1 at 7 p.m. at the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District building, located at 7404 Yorkshire Drive, Castle Pines. “A Colorado…
A great place to unplug and unwind Article and photos by Susan Helton From Panorama Point Scenic Overlook, visitors have a spectacular view of 100 miles of the Continental Divide. The overlook is also a popular location for weddings. Just 30 miles west of Denver, off Highway 93 on Golden Gate Canyon Road, lies Golden…
Take a trip back in time to The Buckhorn Exchange, Denver’s Oldest Restaurant The Buckhorn Exchange opened its doors a few years back; 124 to be exact! Colorado’s most historic steakhouse, with the state’s very first liquor license, was established in 1893 by Henry H. “Shorty Scout” Zietz. Zietz was no stranger to some of…
Information provided by South Metro Fire Rescue Adult/Senior Driving Skills is a hands-on driving class, for senior citizens, and all other adults 21 and older who would like to improve their ability to handle challenging driving situations. Defensive driving skills and crash avoidance techniques will be taught. Students must have a personal vehicle to drive…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Rock Canyon High School Congratulations to Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) National Merit semifinalist scholars. From left to right: Castle Pines resident Olivia Voss, Nicole Wilking and Karen Yi are in the top scoring 16,000 out of 1.6 million students who took the PSAT NMSQT last year. (Dhivya…
Sphero is a robotic toy whose path and color can be altered by kids using the accompanying app, block-based drag and drop, or programming and writing their own code. Article and photos by Liz Rector Coding was once reserved for the technological elite. In the past, becoming successful at coding required extensive studying at higher…
The BRE Green Team recently received a partial grant from DCSD for its environmental efforts. The money will be used to purchase new automatic water sensors for all of BRE’s faucets. By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Corin Meibos The Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) Green Team was one of a small group of finalists to…
By Susan Helton Throughout the school year, Douglas County schools offer various opportunities for volunteering and otherwise helping out. Opportunities exist for those with a lot of time to give, smaller bits of time now and then, or donations, monetary or otherwise. For those who delight in coordinating fundraising or collection activities to support the…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of Amy and Dave Flanagan Last month, The Connection left readers with Arthur (Art) Ceresa and his wife Mary, “a gracious woman,” who slowly, shrewdly gained control of today’s Surrey Ridge area from the Schweigers and brothers Joseph and Alois Kroll at the astounding per acre price of $6.25. The…
Information provided by Douglas County Long-awaited improvements to Daniels Park Road began the week of October 23. A portion of the existing stretch of gravel within Daniels Park between Grigs Road and Castle Pines Parkway will be closed for the remainder of the year. Motorists will be redirected to Monarch Boulevard. When the project is…
Information provided by Douglas County Note that Colorado Elections are administered by mail only. Instead of casting your vote on equipment at a polling place, you will receive and vote your ballot at your convenience. You may choose to deliver your voted ballot by mail or save on postage and use one of ten convenient…
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. Taking a deep dive into the dark side of Manifest Destiny, I…
Information provided by TRICARE One of the ways we as a country take care of our retired military personnel is through continued health coverage and medical benefits, including TRICARE and TRICARE For Life. One of the often overlooked benefits of TRICARE for Life is the free delivery of medications to the address of your choosing.…
Castle Pines resident Lisa Voss caught one of the many rainbows that appeared on October 5 courtesy of the afternoon storms. This shot was taken from the 11th fairway at The Ridge at Castle Pines North. By Terri Wiebold; photo courtesy of Lisa Voss to those affected by suicide, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Superlatives today are not lacking. Everything is amazing, incredible, awesome, special or very unique, the latter actually impossible. But how about “paradise” as perfection, a place against which all other places on earth are measured …? Check your world map, and travel 900 miles east of Zanzibar and 600…
By John Basche For many of us, pumpkins on the stoop and falling leaves mark our transition to our holiday season preparations. However, for many Coloradans the start of November marks an opportunity to pause and reflect on loved ones lost. Officially November 1 and 2, Day of the Dead or “Día de Muertos” is…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Rock Canyon High School Castle Pines resident and Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) student Kylie Hutchison was selected to receive the prestigious Award of Excellence from the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. The award identifies high-achieving high school students with “outstanding academic achievement, leadership potential…
By Patte Smith; courtesy photo We all get caught up in the holidays – making recipe lists, deciding who is hosting Thanksgiving, cleaning the house, thinking ahead to Christmas and stressing out about who gets what – the list is never-ending. How about we put all of that aside for a few hours or a…
By Michelle Post; graphic by Libraryguides.mdc.edu With so much talk about “fake news” I thought it would be appropriate to write about a resource evaluation method, CRAAP, which stands for Currency (timeliness), Relevance (importance), Authority (source), Accuracy (reliability) and Purpose (reason). The method helps learners sort out relevant information from the sea of data on…
By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Corin Meibos Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) had some fun celebrating spirit week during the last week of September. Dress like your favorite teacher on Tuesday, September 26, had students and staff doing double takes as the dopplegangers came out of the woodwork. Second-grade teacher Terra Shaffner had her fair…
Information provided by Douglas County The Senior Property Tax Exemption for senior citizens was created for qualifying seniors and the surviving spouses of seniors who previously qualified for the exemption. Taxpayers 65 years and older as of January 1 of the year of application who have owned and occupied the property as their primary residence…
Pino’s Italian Kitchen and Bar owner and September 11 first responder Joe Sabia (left) with Corbin Wagoner (right) at the “Eat for a Cause” fundraiser. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Joseph Sabia On September 11, 2001, current Castle Pines resident Joe Sabia was then a Commack Fire Department firefighter in New York. On…
Will Owen, graduate of Valor Christian High School, is in his fourth season of professional racing, now with United Autosports in Europe. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Will Owen Will Owen, former resident of Castle Pines Village, has been showing his speed in the Le Mans racing series (ELMS). Owen is a member of…
By Daniel Williams If you are currently receiving Social Security, you are about to get a raise. According to the Senior Citizens League, the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2018 is forecasted to be about 2 percent, the biggest increase since 2012. Unfortunately, for many seniors, a significant portion of that increase will be eaten up…
By Patte Smith; courtesy photos Trick or Treat Street(s) will be on October 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the shops and businesses along Castle Pines Parkway and also at The Village at Castle Pines shopping center, 858 West Happy Canyon Road. Kids dress in sassy, sporty or scary Halloween costumes and have…
Information provided by the City of Castle Pines The Castle Pines City Council has done extensive outreach to residents over the last several months on the subject of road maintenance and repair. At a special meeting held in early September, Council voted on whether or not to place a question on the November ballot, allowing…
Valley of the Moon, Atacama Desert; inset Perito Moreno Glacier, Los Glacieres National Park Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Mature Americans seldom consider South America for independent travel. Currency devaluations, revolutions and erratic creature comforts lead most travelers to tours and cruises. Chile is decidedly different. Discoverable along a 2,700-mile axis, she offers epic…
Residents can take steps to protect their homes and property against the threat of wildfires, including having a Douglas County fire mitigation expert assess specific property’s needs. Information provided by Douglas County Besides Broncos football and the start of a new school year, fall often means two things in Colorado – yard work and the…
Red Rocks Amphitheatre was the perfect backdrop for the Rock Canyon High School Fire Science class participation in the in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on September 11. Article and photos by Lisa Nicklanovich The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) Fire Science (FS) class does not just take place in a classroom; students learn about…
Andy Amick proudly displays his newly published memoir “A Dream Worth Living,” which is available on Amazon Prime and will be available shortly from the Douglas County Libraries. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Andy Amick In 2014, The Connection introduced readers to resident Andy Amick after he conquered the Tour Divide, an ultra-cycling challenge…
Adventure Club International members Shreya Sundaresh (left) and Shreya Naik (right) at the Forced From Home interactive exhibit in Boulder. By Sarah Bermingham, RCHS intern writer; photos courtesy of Maria Pangalos and Shreya Naik Students at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) are lucky to have hundreds of clubs available to join, and anyone can start…
Benefiting those who suffer from domestic abuse Information submitted by the Crisis Center Abigail G. Manning, Colorado resident and domestic violence survivor, will be the keynote speaker for Crisis Center’s 10th annual Future for Families Gala event. The gala will be held on Friday, November 10 from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. at the Hilton…
Garrett Duman, the new head baseball coach at Rock Canyon High School. By Jack Hibbett, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Makenna Allen Moving from Cherry Creek High School (CCHS) to Rock Canyon High School (RCHS), Garrett Duman was not expecting a warm welcome when he entered his former rival school to start coaching baseball.…
With bagpipe music playing, participants of the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Red Rocks walked nine laps around the amphitheater which is the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers. Article and photos by Lisa Nicklanovich The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Red Rocks Amphitheatre brought approximately 2,000 firefighters and…
Information provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Each year, there are new health plans and prescription drug coverage choices. For individuals who currently have a Medicare plan, it is important to review your current health and prescription drug coverage each fall, and make sure that your plan is still right for you.…
By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Stephen Bosco Oak Hills resident Stephen Bosco, owner and club director of Panther Volleyball Club, started the club five years ago when his stepdaughter was looking for an alternative to other club volleyball organizations. Panther practices are at American Academy in Castle Pines, and the organization supports multi-sport athletes,…
Cutline and photos by Kathy Fallert A great time was had by all at the annual Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) back-to-school carnival on Friday, August 25. A dessert walk, jumpy castles, food trucks, a dunk tank and more were on hand for everyone to enjoy.
A Community Cafe reaches out to help others Opened in May 2016, GraceFull Community Cafe is a very unique eatery located in a renovated 1900s house near the corner of South Curtice Street and Main Street in Historic Downtown Littleton. Co-owners Heather Greenwood and her husband Troy Greenwood have a passion to build community through…
Mark Edson, MD, Castle Pines resident and winner of this year’s nine-mile Run Wild race, donated his $500 proceeds to the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) to plant trees in Coyote Ridge Park. The race was part of the three-day Party in the Pines event in late August (see pages 14-15) that was hosted…
Almost 50 DCSM students spent five days at the YMCA of the Rockies and learned leadership and team building skills, as well as general outdoor education. Article and photo submitted by Jodi Anderson, DCS Montessori For more than a decade, sixth-graders at DCS Montessori (DCSM) have looked forward to this rite of passage. For five…
When you hold your local newspaper in your hands – whether in print or on a mobile device – you hold a powerful tool to inform and inspire. For centuries in towns and cities across North America, local newspapers have served as the voice for the public good and as a powerful connection between citizens…
Elly Harper, 80108 resident, is a volunteer at the Crisis Center and has volunteered for nonprofits for many years. Harper said, “There’s always a need for volunteers, and it can be whatever you have the time and commitment for. Why not now?” By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Elly Harper Elly Harper of Timber Canyon…
Cutline and photos by Kathy Fallert Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) fifth-graders learned some financial planning skills on Wednesday, September 6, as the students took on rolls from mayor to banker to operating their own businesses at Young AmeriTowne in Denver.
Information provided by Douglas County The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is asking drivers to ‘Mind the Gap’ as part of a new safety campaign. The Gap is an 18-mile stretch of I-25 between Monument and C-470 and is known for a higher than average number of accidents. There were 5,537 crashes between C-470 and…
By Michelle Post Performing research on Google used to suck hours out of my life, but that was before I learned about various Google search tricks (proper name is site operators), but tricks sounds easier. Using some or a combination of the below tricks will decrease research time and increase the richness of the information.…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of NASA Traditionally, the Angels Among Us segment features a different local nonprofit each month. With the many recent natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, as well as the wildfires in California, Montana and Oregon and the earthquakes in Mexico, The Connection is featuring national nonprofit…
The four DCSD principals who attended the Tointon Institute for Educational Change in Vail, left to right: Steve Getchell from Copper Mesa Elementary, Erin Carlson from South Ridge Elementary, Jennifer Malouff from Saddle Ranch Elementary and John Veit from Buffalo Ridge Elementary. By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Janet Alcorn Principal John Veit of Buffalo…
By Amanda Merriman It has been a while since I downloaded a game app to my phone. Usually, I am reviewing requests to add games to my children’s devices. Yet, when I came across a game called Device 6, I had to get it. Device 6 is a unique and beautifully designed game. In overly…
By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Brad Mahoney Dr. John Vickers cut the celebratory ribbon on September 14 for the Castle Pines Veterinary Hospital’s grand opening of its new location at 363 Village Square Lane, Suite 115 in Castle Pines. The (formerly named) Castle Pines Veterinary Clinic moved from its previous 2,000-square-foot space in Suite…
Sharon Lewis at an IFBB professional bodybuilding competition. By Daniel Williams; photo courtesy of Sharon Lewis In late 2012, Sharon Lewis found herself in a time of transition. She had quit a sales job to become a stay-at-home mom, and, along with her husband and two young sons, was planning a 2013 move from Chicago…
Team Pitch Perfect won the ninth annual TTE mother/son kickball tournament on September 8 at Coyote Ridge Park. By Lynne Marsala Basche; courtesy photos The ninth annual Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) mother/son kickball tournament took place on Friday, September 8 at Coyote Ridge Park and proved that the game is not just for kids at…
Air Force Academy visit provides soaring day trip options Article and photos by John Basche World-renowned Cadet Chapel is an example of the “brutalist” style of architecture. Less than 40 miles south of Castle Pines Parkway lies one of our nation’s most treasured learning institutions, the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). Steeped in…
Article and photos by John Basche; photos courtesy of Zoë Zizzo and Megan Hassler With Party in the Park providing the inspirational backdrop, 100 Castle Pines budding artists crafted their sidewalk chalk interpretations of “What I love about Castle Pines” as part of the Chalk It Up 4 Charity event and contest on Saturday, August…