The Connection

Article and photo by Patte Smith Neighbors in the 80108 ZIP code decided to handle fire mitigation around their property with three cashmere goats.  Mommy goat Katie, little goat Troubles, and leader of the pack Fluffy have successfully trimmed many scrub oaks and munched oodles of weeds.   “We are getting attached to the goats,”…

The Castle Pines City Council approved annexation of Sage Village Properties at the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and I-25 at the July 26 meeting.  These graphics show possible gateway improvements that Council is considering at the location. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of the City of Castle Pines On July 26, the City…

A selfie of Gene and Cindy Wenninger, Sturgis bound on their Harley. Article and photos by Cindy Kessinger-Wenninger Every August, motorcycle enthusiasts attend the popular Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, named for the town near the prairie in South Dakota.  This year, my husband Gene and I, along with our friends decided to join a half-million motorcycle…

By Patte Smith Yikes! Is it already time to apply for Medicare?  Believe me, as soon as you turn 63 you will receive numerous phone calls from health insurance companies, insurance agents and brokers soliciting the Medicare plans they offer.  Even if you are on the “do not call” list, these companies or individuals are…

Article and photos by Elizabeth Wood West This year’s Taste of Douglas County provided an outstanding food sampling line-up from some of the very best local and area restaurants.  A longtime favorite with food fans, the Taste of Douglas County was launched 14 years ago by Mike Boyle, the host of the “Restaurant Show” on…

By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo Jump into the back-to-school spirit by taking advantage of some of these free and low-cost ways to continue your education beyond the classroom.  Not only will you learn something new, but you will expand your skills, discover new talents and get inspired!   Technology allows you to access the world…

By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Julie Lamb Castle Pines photographer Julie Lamb won six out of seven entries at the Douglas County Fair photography contest last month.  Lamb’s entry, The Sanctuary, won the award for Best of Show.  The magnificent photograph was taken on a foggy morning and showcases the beauty of our community.

Above American Academy students Drew Cooke , Brendan Goodfellow and below, Cooper Dozois were top scorers in Colorado for third graders on tests in math, reading, language arts and science through the Western Academic Talent Search. By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos   Of all the third graders in Colorado, three American Academy (AA) students were…

Information provided by Douglas County Libraries Douglas County Libraries is seeking volunteers to bridge the generation gap by helping children learn through oral storytelling. Spellbinders are seasoned volunteers ages 50 and older who stay young at heart by telling stories to children in Douglas County schools. A four-session Spellbinders training will be held at Douglas…

Teachers and staff from The Joshua School surround Kari and Matt Ansay in this sweet photo at the XDrive Classic on August 1.  Also pictured is Kari’s mom, Karen Armato, (back left).  Armato watches over Jessica and the entire Ansay family and creates the most fabulous silent auction for the XDrive, too! By Elean Gersack;…

The annual Buffalo Ridge Elementary school carnival on Friday, August 19 was set up outdoors but was quickly moved inside due to wind and pounding rain.  Games and activities were carried into the school’s main entryway except for the dunk tank and multiple jump castles.  Burger and hot dog catering provided by Duke’s Steakhouse of…

  By Elean Gersack; photo courtesy of Wes Schuneman Becker was a charter member of the RCCP and humbly prides herself on her service work that started many years ago in the Peace Corps.  After a lengthy career in telecommunications, Becker served in Bulgaria for three years doing local government administration and small business development…

Bushey (in orange at right) volunteers with Front Range Angel Gowns, which transforms donated wedding dresses into burial gowns for babies lost too soon. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Brenda Bushey Want to learn new skills, make new friends, strengthen our community and bolster your resume?  Then consider volunteering.  Whether you have a few…

Article and photo by Patte Smith Bank of America is moving into the office space east of Dazbog at the northwest corner of the King Soopers parking lot.  The office will have one ATM for its customers to do their banking.  No personnel will be on hand to manage the office.  The Bank of America…

The 2016 Rock Canyon High School poms staff (left to right): Christina Leone, Paige Hesen, Amanda Gesell and Erin Marken at nationals this past year. Article by Riley Busch, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Christina Leone In addition to having an extremely successful poms season and a great score at the National Dance Team…

Information provided by the City of Castle Pines Castle Pines is fortunate to have several different organizations that provide vital services to its residents.  However, sometimes it can be difficult to remember who provides what. The map pictured below provides a quick reference to help residents better understand what organizations provide what services, and  it…

RCHS graduate and 2012 Paralympic athlete Brickelle Bro preparing for the “Road to Rio.” By Riley Busch, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Joe Kusumoto With the recent action of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, all of the world has been cheering on their fellow countrymen and women.  This year at the…

The Miller family with their dogs Cadence (left) and Cora, a Golden Retriever/Border Collie mix that was fostered and adopted by them.  They also have an adopted cat, Ninja. By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Valerie Miller Brian and Valerie Miller have no boundaries when it comes to helping people, getting involved in the Surrey…

Scholarship recipients included: (left to right) Matt Hoffman, Sam Kahn, Blake Follansbee, Ryan Hough, Mackenzie Maslowski, Reese Hummel, Bailey McCue, Danielle Compton, Taylor Kelley, Abby Buretz, Paul Dugan, Ryan Simpson, Ben McGraw, John Wood, Morgan Adams, Tanner DeBoer, Blake Mounts, Jennifer Leonard and Kristen Thomlinson. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Since 2007, members of…

Information provided by the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (District) ramps up water conservation efforts with free sprinkler inspections for thousands of gallons of savings for qualifying homes. As the hottest summer days bake Front Range yards, the District is offering free sprinkler inspections to homes in their service…

Peg Ellefson (left) was congratulated by Susan G. Komen Colorado CEO Keri Kallaway (right) at the annual Stars in Pink luncheon. The luncheon, hosted by the Denver ChopHouse & Brewery, honored the top 100 individual fundraisers for the Komen Colorado Race for the Cure.  Ellefson and the other Stars in Pink raised a combined total…

Nine-year-old Gavin Ross took second place at his very first tennis tournament in Bison Park this summer. By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of the Ross family July 22 -24 was the start of an annual tradition – the Castle Rock Tennis Tournament played at Bison Park in The Meadows.  Out of eight kids in the…

Partners in the Northwest Douglas County Water Project celebrate the project groundbreaking. (L to R) Roger Partridge, Douglas County Commissioner; Barbara Biggs, Chair, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Metro Roundtable; Jill Repella, Douglas County Commissioner; David Weaver, Douglas County Commissioner; Lisa Darling, Aurora Water; and Larry Moore, General Manager, Roxborough Water and Sanitation District. Article and…

Information provided by BREA Delicious Jonathan apples will be delivered to the Castle Pines area on or around September 14.  The Buffalo Ridge Education Alliance (BREA) is selling full bushels – perfect for canning and dehydrating (approximately 85-100 apples) for $35 a bushel or $20 for a half bushel. Colorado apple farmer John McCallister, the…

MDA summer camp gives kids with limited muscle strength and mobility a life changing experience in an environment without barriers.    By Lynn Zahorik; photos courtesy of MDA Rocky Mountain  As we escort in the month of September, we are greeted by the annual International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA)…

The Rockyard Brewing crew welcomed beer lovers to a day of tasty food and beer sampling.   Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik Blue skies and warm temperatures welcomed beer enthusiasts to the fourth annual Rendezvous at the Rock Beer Fest on Saturday August 13.  Twenty-five Colorado craft breweries from around the state converged on…

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Early fall is apple season.  One of my favorite treats is an apple picked in the wee hours on the Western Slope, then delivered to the farmers market, and then my kitchen in time for dinner.  You can buy decent apples nearly year-round, but the apples available this time…

Information provided by DCCF The Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) together will be combining music from the 80s mix of high energy music and fun with local philanthropy at this year’s Colorado ArtFest After Party on Saturday, September 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 pm in downtown Castle…

From left to right:  Douglas County Commissioner Roger Partridge, former Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas, Park Meadows’ Santa Larry, and Castle Pines resident and Park Meadows Senior General Manager Pam Kelly. Information provided by Park Meadows Retail Resort; photos by Laura Gooding As part of the 20-year anniversary celebration, Park Meadows hosted its annual pancake…

By Amanda Merriman There are some great tools out there to help track your finances.  My family has been using Mint.com for years now and we have been extremely pleased with it.  Mint is a free app that tracks and organizes your spending all in one user-friendly space.   It is available to Android and iOS…

Effective July 11, Sheriff Tony Spurlock has enacted Ordinance O-012-004 restricting open fires, open burning and the use of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County (until further notice).

The Global Leaders and Learners group in Dresden, Germany on their way to Berlin. The group studied the human rights of democracy while traveling. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Kate Hartline Roughly 60 Douglas County students and chaperones travelled to Prague, Czech Republic and Berlin, Germany for ten days in June to focus on…

Information provided by Denver Dumb Friends League Join us from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, September 1 at Glendale Farm Open Space Trail, located east of I-25 between RidgeGate Parkway and Castle Pines Parkway.  Hike the beautiful 1.6-mile trail with your dog, shop for pet-friendly merchandise and enjoy demonstrations and food trucks.  All proceeds…

Information provided by Tri-County Health Department Many common products found in your home, such as oil-based paint, mercury, gasoline, degreasers, cleaning compounds and garden chemicals may be hazardous to your family and the environment if used or disposed of improperly.  It is important to read the product labels to safely store, use and dispose of…

Special thanks to the Castle Pines Arts and Cultural Foundation for bringing Aladdin to the community this year. By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Dave Tweed A magic carpet arrived in Castle Pines on July 11 and took kids on a week-long journey.  Starting with auditions and ending with two full-scale musical productions, more than…

By Amanda Merriman I downloaded Pokémon Go to experience what has been occupying the rest of the world recently.  Pokémon Go, a game by Niantic, is the latest app to go viral.  It is actually projected to surpass Twitter in daily active users if it continues being downloaded at its current rate.  Mobile users are…

Dakota Nack (left) with the President of Colorado Mesa University Tim Foster.  Nack, an exceptional student, was pinned with the Presidential Scholar award for the spring term 2016 by earning a 4.0 GPA. By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Denise Kelley Congratulations to Castle Pines resident Dakota Nack who received the Presidential Scholar award for…

By Lisa Crockett It’s hot.  Like, melt your face off, lay down and die hot.  So the last thing you are likely to want to do is step into the kitchen and get cooking.  Still, it’s pretty likely that you (or someone who lives with you) will want to eat something on a regular basis,…

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett August is the month that summer is in full bloom.  Backyard barbecues and potluck parties seem to happen just about every weekend this time of year; the delicious haze of neighborhood grills perfuming the air with tantalizing scents.  I love a burger hot off the grill or a bratwurst…

Article and photo by Amanda Merriman The 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 her obsession. Mary Kubica proves that she is a master of…

Gabriel’s owners Jan and Matthew Bundy are celebrating their restaurant’s 30th anniversary in August.  They have raised garden beds next to the restaurant’s patio area, where they grow their own herbs, vegetables and flowers.  Gabriel’s is located at 5450 Manhart Street in Sedalia. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Jan and Matthew Bundy Gabriel’s…

Sally Mason was a no-nonsense, vibrant member of the Castle Pines community who will be greatly missed.  Sally passed away on June 12 at her home in Castle Pines from renal cancer. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of the Mason family August 7 would have been the 46th birthday for 17-year Castle Pines resident Sally…

Cutline and photo by Maria Pangalos, RCHS intern writer Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students (pictured left to right) Jack Gebhardt, Nick Purchase, Jon Meade, Gavin Burkholder, Daniel Kim, Maria Pangalos, Mallika Kumar, Bryanna Benassi, Ashley Swett, Maya Patel, and Hannah Phillip before the 2016 National Leadership Conference for the Future Business Leaders of America…

Park Meadows Retail Resort is celebrating 20 years this month.  Since its inception, the shopping and dining center has undergone many changes, but it has managed to adapt and stay contemporary and relevant.  The surrounding area of Douglas County has also grown and experienced significant changes, but Park Meadows has remained central to the growth…

The RHMS Costa Rica enrichment group enjoying time exploring at Jaco Beach. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Clark Wilhelm Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) offers an abundance of enrichment classes that meet once a week throughout a quarter or the school year.  One such enrichment class, the Costa Rica class, gave sixth through…

By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Cindy Baker The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) thespian troupe traveled to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln to perform on the main stage at the International Thespian Festival June 20-25 (see related story in May issue of The Connection). The play entitled “The Women of Lockerbie” was the…

A spectacular view of Prairie Canyon Ranch, where Douglas County Open Space Day is celebrated every August.  Horseback riders and hikers can take guided tours of the ranch, while other visitors enjoy the festivities in the barnyard area. By Patte Smith; courtesy photo Douglas County is rich in beauty and in history.  Prairie Canyon Ranch,…

Guests took in the amazing views at Cherokee Ranch & Castle’s annual Waterloo Birthday Celebration in honor of Tweet Kimball. Article and photos by Nancy Koontz The annual Waterloo Birthday Celebration at the Cherokee Ranch & Castle on June 18 was extra special this year because it not only celebrated what would have been Tweet…

By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Pam Schenck-Kelly During the past 20 years, Park Meadows Retail Resort has become a vibrant hub for shopping and dining for residents from all over the south Denver area.  Central to the success of Park Meadows is its sophisticated and energetic Senior General Manager Pam Schenck-Kelly, who is a…

By Patte Smith When autumn in Colorado arrives, it is a special time to enjoy cooler blue sky days and picturesque fall drives along the Front Range and in the mountains.  Whether taking a day or an overnight trip, many scenic destinations not only offer colorful fall foliage but festive events with music, arts and…

Information provided by Douglas County School District This is the eighth year of the Douglas County Educational Foundation’s (DCEF) Lend A Hand Back 2 School Supply Drive.   Last year’s effort provided 975 students with supplies ranging from crayons to composition books.  Supplies were collected by more than 60 organizations and individuals who contributed to…

By Terri Wiebold Geographically situated with Lone Tree to the north, Castle Rock to the south, Parker to the east, and Sedalia to the west, there lies an expanse of beautiful open space and clusters of charming homes that we at The Connection collectively refer to as “Castle Pines.”   They are the homes and businesses…

By Patte Smith There is an overwhelming amount of information on the subject of helping parents as they age.  From protecting aging family member’s assets to finding a new living situation for them, adult children and older spouses stress about what to do and where to find helpful resources.  This month, The Next Chapter focuses…

By Amanda Merriman; photos courtesy of Michelle Blouin Barton Every 4th of July is celebrated in HOA2 with a parade and a pool party to remember.  One of the highlights of the pool party includes a belly flopping contest for adults.   The winner of the contest gets bragging rights along with some cold adult…

Mount Rushmore Memorial is visited every year by nearly three million people who come to marvel at the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota and to learn about the history of the famous carvings. Article and photo by Lynn Zahorik On August 25, the National Park Service turns 100 years old.  The centennial…

Photos courtesy of Karen Barton

Submitted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce What happens when you take several of the most popular community events – Wine Walk in the Village, Oktoberfest, Run Wild and fireworks – and combine them into one action-packed, fun-filled weekend?  You get a Party in the Pines!   Party in the Pines is a three-day…

Father/daughter day of adventure for Father’s Day! By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Barbara Goldy Guy Casey, 77, of Chateau Ridge in Castle Pines Village gave up the “friendly skies” when he retired as an international pilot for United and Continental Airlines.  However, when his daughter Daneen Lindner recently flew in from California, they…

South Metro Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Mike Dell’Orfano (left) presented KnightsBridge residents Dean Nickell (center) and Pierce Jacoway (right) with a Citizen Award on July 6 for performing CPR on a neighbor in April. By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue A few months ago, two Castle Pines residents performed CPR on…

By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Susan Clifford The Country Club at Castle Pines (CCCP) and the Homes Association from Castle Pines Village (CPV) were pleased to host their third annual party for all CPV residents.  This event is open to all residents and is a great opportunity for neighbors to socialize in a spectacular…

The 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 her obsession. Dear readers, if the post-World War I era, lighthouses, life-course altering choices, and an exploration…

By Amanda Merriman; photo by Terri Wiebold Since Angel Donuts opened in Castle Pines in early June, donuts have been flying off the shelves, bringing heavenly sweetness to many happy customers in the area.   The Connection caught up with Louisa, Olivia and Audrey Gorton (pictured below), along with their house guest Amanda who was…

By Amanda Merriman Finally, there is a free app out there that can make shopping for wine easier and more fun than it already is.  Wandering among bottles of wine trying to decide what to buy can be a little intimidating without any guidance.  Remembering that great bottle of wine at a friend’s dinner party…

Approximately 10,000 rubber duckies raced to the finish line in East Plum Creek during the 20th Annual Ducky Derby in downtown Castle Rock. By Elizabeth Wood West; photos by Jeff Mosal The Rotary Club of Castle Rock, High Noon Rotary Club of Castle Rock, and Castle Pines Rotary Club held their 20th Annual Ducky Derby…

By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos by Terri Wiebold Jessica Reedy has not experienced carefree teenage years.  Struggles and challenges filled Reedy’s childhood, but looking ahead Reedy points out that she would not have it any other way.  Thanks to the Hide in Plain Sight (HIPS) organization, Reedy received some financial support that will enable her…