Read the stories from the latest issue:
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori School On April 17, DCS Montessori School (DCSM) held its nineteenth annual spring gala fundraiser at Sanctuary. More than 140 parents and teachers kicked up their heels at this year’s Boot Scootin’ Ball. The evening began with guests enjoying the Sanctuary patio for cocktails and photos…
(Left to right) Gail and Carl Knight and daughter Kelli all work together at Visiting Angels of Littleton and were sponsors of the Alzheimer’s Association’s “Memories in the Making” event. By Elizabeth Wood West; photos provided by Carl Knight Castle Pines Village residents Carl and Gail Knight recently received The Denver Post’s Top Workplace award…
By Lynn Zahorik; photos courtesy of the Dumb Friends League Horse lovers of all ages are invited to the Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Center on Saturday, June 4, for its fifth annual open house and adoption day. This free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Harmony Equine Center…
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 will share what she has been reading with the hope that others will share in her obsession. What if the thing you loved to do…
The VIC2 collected more than 50 bikes to benefit Project ReCycle, a local nonprofit that refurbishes the bikes and gives them to low-income children. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Lesia Rehl The Village Idiots Cycling Club (VIC2) held a used bike drive in April, and the members were excited to collect more than 50…
By Patte Smith Scams are happening everywhere it seems. On the telephone, in emails, in postal mail, at stores, door-to-door – crooks are getting more and more clever every day. Have you ever checked the area code number on a suspected fraudulent phone call? Try it. There are quite a few from “area codes” that…
By RCHS intern writer Maria Pangalos When the word “Colorado” is heard by a tourist, the first thought that comes to mind for many is skiing and mountains. But for a local, the word “Colorado” means so much more. Every season is a time to revel in the opportunities this beautiful state has to offer…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos Douglas County School District high schools celebrated the successes of many talented student-athletes on National Signing Day, when these athletes signed letters of intent to attend and compete at excellent colleges and universities across the nation. This day of commitment and celebration signifies the next step forward in academics and…
By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Ellen O’Connor The Bin Blessed “babes” were thrilled to celebrate their first year of collecting items for There With Care, a nonprofit which serves critically ill children and their families. This dedicated group of women held a party in April to celebrate their successes and were once again reminded…
Information provided by Douglas County Ballots for the June 28 primary election will be in the mail to registered and affiliated voters beginning June 6. If you are a registered voter affiliated with either the Republican or Democratic Party and have not received your ballot at the address associated with your voter registration by June…
Five simple ingredients come together to make this delicious and healthy dessert. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love to get gifts. Large or small, it’s always a little bit exciting to unwrap something new and novel. I especially love books and jewelry, but this time of year I also treasure the handmade items…
Pictured left to right: Jenna Snyder, Isabella Dempsey and Logan Bakken performing the play “Women of Lockerbie,” which was chosen to be presented on the main stage at the International Thespian Festival June 20-25 at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Cindy Baker The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS)…
By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of the Martinez Family Tuesday, April 19 at the Board of Education meeting held at the Douglas County School District Administration Building in Castle Rock, more than a dozen students were recognized for being elected to the All State Orchestra, Choir and Band. This is the highest level of honors…
Kids, parents, city officials and staff celebrated with happy faces and lots of applause at the grand opening of the new Castle Pines Library. While the closing of the old library is bittersweet, the new building is a dream come true. The jovial atmosphere of the grand opening was contagious as many on-lookers cheered Mayor…
By Lisa Crockett Last month, the Castle Pines City Council held a hearing to determine whether or not the land on the northwest corner of I-25 and Castle Pines Parkway, known as Sage Village Properties, was eligible to be annexed into the City of Castle Pines. The land, comprised of what is currently zoned as…
All very active in athletics, the Myers family has enjoyed living in Castle Pines since 2005. The Myers clan gather around Mike during his time with the Arizona Diamondbacks. By Lynn Zahorik; photos courtesy of Robyn Myers With the baseball season in full swing, many of us are looking forward to heading to Coors Field…
Noah Charvat and Emma Herskovits approach the starting line of the trike bike race at the RCHS after prom celebration. By Christian Liley, RCHS writer for The Rock newspaper; photos courtesy of Julia Bartmann After school ended on Friday April 8, students at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) knew that over the next 24 hours,…
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 will share what she has been reading with the hope that others will share in her obsession. This month’s book selection takes a turn to…
By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of BRE The Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) staff pulled one over on the students for April Fools Day. The Famous Faces board which displays recent photos of the staff members was altered to show their childhood pictures. Staff, students, parents and visitors spent the day looking over the picture wall,…
By Elean Gersack The Ihme family has hopes of reaching $200,000 in cumulative proceeds for Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHC) with this year’s annual golf tournament. The event is planned for Friday, June 17 with a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start at the Highlands Ranch Golf Club. Castle Pines resident Steve Ihme, together with his family, host…
Redemption brought peace and inspiration for baseball legend Darryl Strawberry, who spoke at Foundry Church last month. By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Foundry Church Foundry Church in Castle Pines opened its doors to the public on Sunday, April 3 as they hosted baseball legend Darryl Strawberry for both of their morning services. Strawberry presented…
Castle Pines residents (from left) Jean Hawkins, Karen Brown, and Pam Jones assemble a bedtime kit for local charity Sweet Dreams in a Bag. By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of Corin Meibos In keeping with an annual tradition, women in Castle Pines who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)…
By Elizabeth Wood West Memorial Day, originally referred to as “Decoration Day,” is observed every year on the last Monday of May. This federal holiday was established after the American Civil War in 1868 by the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans founded in Decatur, Illinois. It was designated as a…
Castle Pines resident Charlie Green (right) received a new kidney on behalf of his friend Ron Houchens (left). The two had surgery at University of Colorado Hospital on December 1, 2015, where Charlie received a donated kidney from someone in San Diego and Ron donated his kidney to a woman in Atlanta. By Elean Gersack;…
Information and photo provided by Douglas County Spring is here and it is time to clean up the yard, get the garden area ready for plants, and trim some of the trees and bushes. Luckily you can haul your tree limbs, branches and a few other items to Douglas County slash/mulch sites. Be sure to…
By Kristin Adams, owner of Elements Massage in Castle Rock and The Promenade, and Board of Directors member for the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce We have all been there – you wake up one morning with a stiff neck because you slept wrong, or you over-did it on the weekend because you are a…
Submitted by the Town of Castle Rock The Town clerk last month determined there were enough valid signatures for the recall effort in Castle Rock’s District 1 to move forward. The Town’s Charter allows a petition to be circulated in attempt to recall a Town councilmember within a certain time frame. A group of…
Making a difference in the lives of kids By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Connect Us Imagine a world where all children embrace diversity, and social stigmas do not exist. Connect Us strives to create that type of reality. Connect Us knows that despite differences and abilities, children can thrive and learn from one…
Singer and musician Rascal Martinez has found a home in Colorado and enjoys playing at local bars, clubs and restaurants. By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Rascal Martinez Local musician Rascal Martinez spends most of his time on the road traveling across the United Sates, but is happy to call Castle Pines his home after…
A very animated BRE third grade teacher Mary Carter helped the school celebrate the Colorado Rockies opening day on April 8 by singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” over the school’s intercom. Carter will be retiring from teaching later this month. Also pictured are Ethan Ocasio and Malloree Noufer, members of the fifth grade…
Increased congestion, particularly during the commute hours, will soon be relieved with the construction of several tolled express lanes along C-470. By Patte Smith The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is moving forward with plans for the C-470 tolled express lanes construction, by adding two tolled express lanes westbound on C470 from I-25 to Colorado…
By Lynn Zahorik As you gather with family and friends for your Mother’s Day celebrations, try our Mother’s Day trivia contest. See how much you know about moms in our pop culture as well as present day birth statistics … Good luck! Mother’s Day Trivia TV moms 1) Bart Simpson’s mom? 2) Pebbles Flinstone’s mom?…
Aubrey Bruening and Maxwell Peery constructing and testing the circuit for their moisture sensing robot under the watchful guidance of Amanda Lane-Cline. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of American Academy As the school year is coming to an end, it marks the first year of American Academy’s (AA) new Engineering Academy. The program was…
The AA Legendary LEGO Masters picked batteries as their piece of trash. They wanted to show everyone the importance of recycling batteries and not letting them end up in our landfills. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of American Academy In early April, the American Academy (AA) FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and…
A devoted single father, Lesser has taken a new look at educational expectations with his four-year-old daughter Carstyn, ready for her first day of preschool. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Mica Lesser Thursday, March 17 was the 20th annual 40 under 40 event for the Denver Business Journal held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel…
By Amanda Merriman For the Target addict in all of us, there is a great way to get extra savings on our purchases in an app called “Cartwheel.” This app liberates Target shoppers from paper coupons and makes saving money easy and fun. For the most basic, on-the-fly, and easiest option, all you need…
DCSM teacher Paul Brannberg took his class to the Great Barrier Reef where they saw sea turtles, coral, schools of fish, and even sharks as part of their study of Australia. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of DCSM Would you like to take a trip somewhere you’ve never been before? How about the Great Wall…
By Lynne Marsala Basche The Castle Pines Connection makes every effort to provide relevant news to our readers. We know residents expect information to be accurate and readily available, and they want to be informed of the latest happenings in and around the community. Timely information, however, can be missed in a monthly publication, including…
BRE Science Fair winners enjoying their moment in the sun. Pictured above are Mary R., Charlotte S., Landrey B., Lia P., Kaylee E., Maddie K., Principal John Veit, Morgan B., Chase C., Jenna P., Selah B., Joshua B., Lana C., Kaylee H., Maycee T., Riley C., and Sophia P. Article and photos by Kathy Fallert…
Submitted by DCS Montessori The DCS Montessori Alumni organization, which launched in late 2015, will hold its first annual Field Day on May 26 at the school (311 Castle Pines Pkwy.) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. All student alumni and faculty are invited to attend and enjoy games, races and a barbecue. Currently more…
By Elean Gersack Gear-up for the 2016 Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival planned for Sunday, June 5 in Castle Rock. There are five courses to chose from: 100-mile century; 62-mile metric century; 40-mile; 27-mile gravel; and 8-mile family. Ride day is only part of the fun. Camp out or stay in beautiful downtown Castle…
Retired Army Colonel Larry Caid entertained and educated American Academy students at the Castle Pines campus in April. Article and photo by Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of Brian Caid Castle Pines Village resident Brian Caid is a self-proclaimed “army brat”, as are five other siblings born of career soldier Larry Caid and his wife Linda. …
By Riley Busch, RCHS intern writer Early last month, Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) was given the honor of hosting the 2016 Musical Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Festival. On April 6 and 7, the high school opened its doors to various bands and choirs from every corner of the state. Formal concert bands…
More than 200 scarves decorated the halls of Sage Canyon Elementary school before they were donated to the Douglas County’s Department of Human Services. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Sage Canyon Elementary School With the idea that artwork can be both beautiful and powerful by using it to help others, the Sage Canyon…
Angel Paws handler Linda Tieman and her trusted companion Dillon bring smiles to the hospital staff. Article and photo by Lynn Zahorik Though Nancy and Terry Anderson have only lived in Castle Pines for six months they have already made a significant impact in our community. Thanks to their generous support, a therapy dog…
Owner Thanos Patsiouras chose his restaurant’s unassuming location because he enjoys the neighborhood and catering to families. By Lynne Marsala Basche There are some words that cannot be said quietly. They must be spoken with exuberance and passion as they invoke a celebration of life. These words demand to be shouted to garner enthusiasm and…
“Mulan Jr.” brought together talented middle school performers, including (from left to right) Gideon Groom, Morgan Cruz, Kelsey Buffington, and Jimmy Lam. By RHMS eighth grade student Sarah Bermingham; photo courtesy of RHMS yearbook student Kylie Devin It was time to welcome spring with Rocky Heights Middle School’s (RHMS) production of Disney’s “Mulan Jr!” This…
Becca Beaty enjoys photography among other hobbies. By Nancy Koontz; photos courtesy of the Beaty Family Teens often get a bad rap, but statistics show they are involved in their communities more than ever before. Presenting Castle Pines resident, Rebecca (Becca) Beaty, an extraordinary 17 year old student who understands the full scope of the devastation…
Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik; photos courtesy of Jen Reising With the arrival of spring comes the kitten season, the time of year when cats give birth, flooding animal shelters and rescue groups with homeless litters. Cats can breed anytime throughout the year, but there is a larger influx April through October due to…
Submitted by the City of Castle Pines The City of Castle Pines is excited to announce the beginning of its Parks and Recreation Comprehensive (PaRC) Plan process with Logan Simpson, the firm contracted to lead the project. Through this process, Logan Simpson will gather information about Castle Pines’ existing recreation facilities and resident preferences to…
By Patte Smith As the weather warms up and summer approaches, it is time to experience the great outdoors. Right in our own backyard, Castle Rock Senior Activity Center Hiking Club organizer Phyliss Tumey has planned five great hikes for the spring and summer season. Get out, get some exercise, and enjoy the fresh air…
Submitted by The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce has spent the past five months working on a re-branding strategy that showcases the value that the Chamber brings to both local businesses and the community. The Chamber is now thrilled to share the changes with the community. In April, the…
Coming together to support the animals By Julie Montoya; photos courtesy of The Wild Animal Sanctuary The Wild Animal Sanctuary is home to seventy tigers, sixty African lions, one hundred bears, and dozens of leopards, mountain lions, and other large carnivores. Just 30 miles northeast of Denver, large carnivores roam the grasslands at The…
Doing time in Cañon City Article and photo by Joe Gschwendtner A view from the tram over the Arkansas River looking north to the Royal Gorge bridge, suspended 956 feet off the ground. Need a new day trip or weekend venue? How about Cañon City? Some actually spend time there willingly… Cañon City’s charm…
Climb Castle Rock at Rock Park Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski We have all seen it; it cannot be missed as we zoom south on I-25. The huge castle-shaped butte that welcomes us to the town named after it, Castle Rock. If you are looking for a fun outing right here in your own…
A genuine Colorado small town experience Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Hankering for a small town experience? Motor down to Palmer Lake, a hamlet attracting day trippers for a century. Founded because General William Palmer needed water for his Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, her natural beauty, history and gustatory charms attract thousands…
Mountains are great, but the prairie is just as fun By Liz Jurkowski; photos courtesy of the PCC website True enough, the mountains of Colorado are majestic and adventurous. Vacation seekers, locals, and skiers all flock west for the abundant winter fun found in the small towns and resorts scattered through the Rockies. Few, however,…
With much anticipation, Waterton Canyon has reopened Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski The vegetation is lush near the mouth of Waterton Canyon. It is a beautiful place to walk and the below trail map shows the well-marked paths. Part of Colorado’s beauty lies only thirty minutes away from the city of Castle Pines.…
Bluffs Regional Park: Beauty in our backyard Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski Like many, I had seen the sign many times on my way home from Target in Lone Tree, or as I passed Cabela’s on RidgeGate Parkway. The nondescript brown sign reads “Bluffs Regional Park” and has an arrow on it pointing…
Take a ride on Pike’s Peak Cog Railway Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski Tourists have lots of time at the summit to enjoy the views. There are three cog railways in the United States and only a handful more in the rest of the world. Arguably, the most scenic one is also the…
Lost but not forgotten Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski Looking at the landscape, it is difficult to see evidence of the horrific Sand Creek Massacre. Although not an upbeat location, kids, too, can gain an understanding of the event. I had always known that the Sand Creek Massacre was a devastating part of…
These RHMS students worked diligently to prepare for their first debate tournament this past month. Several students will move on to compete at the national tournament at the end of April. By RHMS seventh grade student Blake Burnham; photo courtesy of Mary Burnham If you are tired of watching ill-prepared debaters on national television lately,…
Seventh grade students at RHMS had the good fortune to hear a firsthand account of the Holocaust from renowned speaker and survivor Jack Adler. Adler is pictured here with many of the students who heard him speak. Article and photo by RHMS seventh grade student Amanda Brauchler When most students and citizens learn about the…
Helping seniors stay in their homes By Lynne Marsala Basche Douglas County’s older adult population is one of the fastest growing in the country. By 2030, the State Demography Office estimates that one in four Douglas County residents will be over 60 years old. With a mission to help older adults stay independent, Neighbor Network…
By Elean Gersack Join a host of Denver area running enthusiasts for the annual Cherry Creek Sneak in Cherry Creek North on Sunday, April 24 at 7:30 a.m. People of all ages are welcome at this spring event featuring five separate race courses: 10-mile run/walk, 5-mile run/walk, 3.1-mile (5K) run/walk, 1.5-mile sprint, a ½-mile…
By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Beverly Coggins Castle Pines Village resident Bob Bess has attended the father daughter dance at The Country Club at Castle Pines for the past 13 years, and he never tires of it. “My favorite part is the limbo,” remarked Bess. “I also enjoy getting dressed up in a tuxedo…
Submitted by the City of Castle Pines Based on research done by Zippia, a career resource website, the City of Castle Pines is the second smartest city in Colorado. Castle Pines earned its second place ranking with virtually zero teenage high school dropouts and just 1.5 percent of the adult population lacking a high school…
By Elean Gersack; photo courtesy of the Dumb Friends League It is that time of year again when pooches and their best friends converge at Washington Park in Denver for the annual Furry Scurry. This year’s event is planned for Saturday, May 7. The walk begins at 9 a.m. According to the Dumb Friends League,…