Read the stories from the latest issue:
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 Joe Gschwendtner; courtesy photo In 2003, Castle Pines Village excavations gave rise to a Nancy Drew-style mystery. While digging utility trenches for Hidden Pond Road, construction workers uncovered the grave of a young woman, most likely buried before the Homestead Act of 1862 opened these lands up to private ownership. Unidentified bodies are a…
Information and photo provided by Douglas County What if your smartphone was also your gateway to the real-time waiting room experience at Douglas County’s Motor Vehicle, Driver License, or Recording offices – before making the destination decision to renew your vehicle registration, your license, or your passport? With more than one million total customer transactions…
By Patte Smith Attention older adults and families with seniors … Get your party hats on to celebrate the accomplishments and positive impacts older adults have contributed to our community on National Senior Citizens Day (NSCD). This little-known holiday and world-wide celebration is observed on Tuesday, August 21. NSCD is a day to celebrate the…
The Connection account manager Lynn Zahorik and her husband, Steve, celebrated their wedding anniversary at Sierra in Lone Tree. We invite you to share your celebration pics with us, too!
Douglas County residents Tom Compher and Debbie MacCary are retirees who have structured retirement differently. Article and photo by Barbara Neff As the retirement option presents itself, some embrace it fully, some embrace it with modifications, and some avoid it altogether. Castle Pines resident Donna Wolf could be retired. However, she continues her career as…
Article and photo by Daniel Williams; photo courtesy of Douglas County As hikers, cyclists and tourists may have noticed this summer, much of Daniels Park, including the roadway between Daniels Park Road and Grigs Road, has been closed for improvements. According to Douglas County officials, the $3.6 million project includes “1.7 miles of realigned paved…
The Castle Pines Connection owner and publisher, Terri Wiebold (left), accepted the 2018 City of Castle Pines Partnership Award from Mayor Tera Radloff (right) at the July 24 City Council Meeting. Information and photo provided by the City of Castle Pines The City of Castle Pines presented The Castle Pines Connection with the 2018 City…
As part of their physical education, six-year-old Dominic (red shirt) and eight-year-old James Bogue enjoy climbing on rocks. By Susan Helton; photo courtesy of Imelda Franklin Bogue Home education has existed throughout history. Many well-known people were homeschooled, including John Quincy Adams, Louisa May Alcott, Venus and Serena Williams and Tim Tebow. Douglas County School…
Information and graphic provided by Susan Lee Susan Lee Resident Susan Lee (creator of the Sock it to ‘Em sock campaign) has again partnered with MiYO Cafe in Castle Pines Village to do great things and give away free stuff. For the first 40 families who have a preschooler age 2-5 that come into MiYO…
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…
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…
RCHS students beamed with pride as they presented their $3,000 “giant” check. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Janna Robinett Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students created Canyon Clothing (see related story in February 2018 issue of The Connection) as part of a business strategies class to learn about creating and running a business. The…
Article and photo by Terri Wiebold Residents joined Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) Parks & Open Space Manager Craig Miller at Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines for part four of a six-part series on the principles of xeriscape. Miller has been presenting classes on xeriscape and landscape maintenance for the last 15 years…
Jack Gebhardt (left) and Maria Pangolos (right) both earned top honors at the DECA world championship. Rock Canyon High School students at the DECA world championship in Atlanta, Georgia. From left to right, back row: Maria Pangalos (CP), Sydney Nation (CP), Zander Robinett, Nidhi Unnikrishnan (Air Academy High School), Derek Chen (CP), Neeraj Dodda, Jack…
This aerial photo taken looking west shows the development progess happening in the City of Castle Pines on the east side of I-25. The grading is initial infrastructure for the first residential component of The Canyons, being developed by Shea Homes. By Daniel Williams; photo by Bob Wiebold Motorists roaring along I-25 might not have…
Explore scenic Rueter-Hess Reservoir from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 2. The reservoir will be open for hiking and paddling recreational opportunities. Guided hikes will be taking place every 60 minutes from 9 to 11 a.m. The hikes will be between 1 mile and 3 miles round trip. The guided hikes will be limited…
On a coastal night wade, DCSM eighth-graders used cast nets to pull some marine life from the Gulf. They pulled sand crabs, hermit crabs and ghost crabs to take a closer look. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Rebecca Jones At the end of April and beginning of May, DCS Montessori (DCSM) seventh-grade and eighth-grade…
Caption and photo by Terri Wiebold Boy Scout Troop 826 led the Castle Pines City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance at the council meeting on May 8. Pictured left to right: Nathan Fields, Aiden Dexter and Quinn Polk. The boys stayed for part of the meeting to see “what these people do.”
Derek Chen and Charlie Fu sharing their knowledge with fellow students in a tutoring environment. By Catalin Varela; photos courtesy of Derek Chen Think back to your time in high school. Does it make your skin crawl with stress? Today, high schoolers have so many academic responsibilities it can be overwhelming to handle alone. Derek…
The Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum is looking for a few good people to join its board. If you can help in any of the areas, please consider joining this dynamic and important team. The board meets on the first Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge on Wilcox Street.…
Chelsea Gause Cheer, University of Colorado, Boulder Coach Amanda Mundaca said, “Chelsea is a competitive gymnast who made the switch to cheerleading this season, and we could not have been happier to have her. Her fun personality and exquisite tumbling will be an amazing addition to the University of Colorado Boulder all-girl cheer team!” Avery…
RHMS debaters at the national tournament (left to right): Carter McDonald (CP), debate coach Lynn Legg, Morgan Brent (CP), Frankie Stroud, Andrew Dupper (CP), Emma Kate Squires (CP), Mahika Anand, Allison Willner (CP), and Krish Kumar. Not pictured: Landon Hoffmeister. By Kira Zizzo, RHMS intern writer; photo courtesy of Megan McDonald Words roll off tongues,…