The Connection

By Lisa Crockett Kindergarten registration for the 2014-2015 school year at Buffalo Ridge Elementary, Timber Trail Elementary, and Sage Canyon Elementary takes place in early January.  For specific dates and times, visit individual school websites, listed below. Eligible children must be five years of age by October 1, 2015.  For registration, you will need to…

Tina Dang opened her new business, Castle Pines Day Spa in December, fulfilling a life-long dream. Article and photo by Elizabeth Wood West “Being an esthetician is my dream, my talent; it’s what I love to do!” exclaimed Tina Dang, esthetician and owner of the new Castle Pines Day Spa.   Dang had three potential…

Third grader Harper Linn keeps track of funds raised at a lunchtime bake sale. Fifth grader Kyle Mackzum was an enthusiastic supporter of the third-grade bake sale, saying he enjoyed “great treats for a good cause.” First grader Rosie Benson, samples some “stone” soup at lunch time.  Benson, along with her fellow first graders raised…

Twelve-year-old Emily Glynn took twelfth place at the USATF Junior Olympic National Cross Country Championships in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina last month. By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of the Glynn family Twelve-year-old Emily Glynn, a member of the Parker Panthers running club, is racing toward an impressive distance-running career.  Last month she took twelfth place…

Photo courtesy of Kirsten Dreher The RCHS Freshmen Cheer squad after winning the state championship on December 13 at Cherokee Trails High School.  The team won all six of their regular season competitions.  The roster includes: Ashley Miller, Hailey Mosteller, Julia Nelson, Jessica Palyo, Amanda Rissler, Jenna Rivera, Jetta Schwiegerath, Natalie Valdes, Payton Warder, Jaycee…

A juice cleanse from Nekter Juice Bar features different juices like this one, a spicy lemonade-style drink that gets a pleasant kick from cayenne and turmeric. Article and photos by Lisa Crockett  Like many Americans, I take a break from healthy eating in December.  Endless parties and goodie platters mean all the things I love…

A group of competitive and fun loving Castle Pines residents gathered at Elk Ridge Park on Thanksgiving morning for the Second annual Turkey Day Adult Punt, Pass & Kick Competition. Submitted by Jeff Stotler; photo courtesy of Mary Clothier On Thanksgiving morning, a group of Castle Pines residents, led by Winter Berry resident Jeff Stotler,…

Claire Preen, a chocolatier and recipe book author moved from Australia to call Castle Pines her home.  Preen’s new book “Diva’s Guide to Dinner Parties,” which includes complete dinner party plans and 67 recipes, was just published.  Article and photo by Maria Pangalos, RCHS intern writer “What inspires me the most is the end result…

Varsity Cheer team roster:  Seniors:  Ariel Bailey (captain), Peyton Burger, Morgan Hildebrand, Rachel Moote, Caleigh Newberry, Paige Parrottino (captain), Hayley Pearson (captain), Caroline Skibness, Danelle Turnock, Darcy Vogt and Blair Whitworth.  Juniors:  Halie Balman, Ashley Bradley, Claudia Bradley, Lauren Fultz, Alisa Grossman, Mallory Happ, Megan Happ, Lily Lytle, Rachel Rothman and Lauren Shepherd.  Sophomore:  Schyler Geck.…

Eighth grader Kerst Meibos at the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, the site of his Eagle Scout project. Meibos directed 130 volunteers in an effort to photograph and catalog all the gravesites in the cemetery.  By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of the Meibos family Thirteen-year-old Kerst Meibos spent a lot of his summer vacation in a…

By Lisa Nicklanovich; logo art by Kathy Ehler How can we as a community help keep our teens safe?  One proven way is to provide a fun, substance-free event on prom night, one of the most dangerous nights of the year for teens.    Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) Principal Andy Abner said, “Our goal…

By Elean Gersack There are many great fields and parks in Castle Pines available by reservation for sports practices, parties or gatherings.  The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District manages Coyote Ridge, Daniels Gate, and The Retreat parks while the City of Castle Pines manages Elk Ridge Park.  Here is how to make reservations: Coyote Ridge,…

The Stutler, Ihme, Giampietro and Nicklanovich families, along with their dogs, Roxie and Abby, joined together to support finding a cure for arthritis. Article and photo by Lisa Nicklanovich  Despite a week of warm, sunny weather, the clouds rolled in and snow started falling on December 14 just as the Jingle Bell 5K run/walk was…

Clients of the Douglas/Elbert Task Force will have a brighter holiday season, thanks to the generosity of our readers and many other friends, businesses, and family members from outside the community who helped fill the “POD in the Pines” with much-needed new clothing, toys, toiletries, and food. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Jeremy Gamble…

Seven-year-old Calvin Stotler warming up before his first round of the Punt, Pass and Kick competition at David Lorenz Park on September 20. American Academy second grader Calvin Stotler shows off his second place trophy in the PP&K, a customized football from the NFL.  By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Ellen Stotler     Being an…

Savannah Petrosevich built her home with a roof made from egg cartons. Designed for the temperate forest, the home’s pitched roof allows rain and snow to easily roll off. Sage Canyon Elementary kindergartner Dylan Early shows off his dream house built of materials from the recycling bin, featuring a swimming pool and diving board, a…

Article and photos by Amy Shanahan The Christmas spirit was alive in Castle Pines on December 6, as families, singers, and holiday revelers came together to celebrate at the annual Santa in the Pines event at The Village at Castle Pines.  Hundreds of people came together to enjoy sleigh rides, visits with Santa and Mrs.…

Defense! Defense! King Arthur’s evasive behind-the-back dribble is hard to defend – just go ahead and foul him! By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of the Harlem Wizards organization Basketball “fan-antics,” flying fast breaks, riotous rebounds, and amazing alley oops are the name of the game as the world famous Harlem Wizards try to outscore the…

Buffalo Ridge Elementary students get ready to test their paper rockets alongside fifth grade teacher, Dana Sedersten. By Elean Gersack; photo courtesy of Sandy Cranston On November 19, kids at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) were yet again treated to an after-school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program.  This is the third year for…

Article and photos by Lisa Crockett I always look forward to January.  There’s something so peaceful about taking down all the holiday decorations and enjoying the emptiness of the house after a season of celebration.  I like a good party as much as the next person, but there is something deeply delicious about a quiet,…

More often than not, computer science is viewed as complex, confusing, and not particularly exciting.  It is also an area that is traditionally overlooked by girls.  The non-profit organization Code.org is changing that thinking one student at a time.  During the week of December 8 through 14, Castle Pines schools joined the movement. The Hour…

Surrey Ridge resident Kim Butorac-Good (front row, center) celebrates the growth of Music of the Heart with its participants in the Fanfare St. Joseph L’Asile Marching Band in Haiti. By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Kim Butorac-Good   The Fanfare St. Joseph L’Asile Marching Band in Haiti has expanded from 17 musicians to 28, thanks to…

By Elizabeth Wood West Alberta Development (Alberta) invited area residents to attend a community meeting in December to learn more about the Promenade at Castle Rock (Promenade) project.  Attendees listened to Alberta’s presentation describing its rezoning plans for the property and also had an opportunity to talk with one of the property’s first anchor tenants.…

Sam Carstens, art teacher at DCS Montessori took his seventh and eighth grade painting students on an excursion to Denver to visit the Museum of Contemporary Art. Seventh grader Ameya Goel purchased a ticket to ride light rail to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver. The field trip was the culminating event of a…

Ken Harrison’s new book “Victors and Victims” explores the topic of success versus failure.  “Most people think ambition is knowing what you want and getting it.  In reality, it is knowing what you can offer and giving it,” Harrison remarked.  The book is an interesting look at factors that lead to success and overall happiness.…

Article and photo by Patte Smith The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) has started work on the west side slope of I-25 along North Surrey Drive, the road that leads into the Surrey Ridge neighborhood from the north. A spokesperson from CDOT stated that the work involves erosion…

The merchants in The Village at Castle Pines have joined Sterling Building & Design to fill a large-size POD with much-needed items such as new and unwrapped clothing of all sizes, new and unwrapped toys, toiletries, gift cards, and non-perishable food items for donation to the Douglas/Elbert Task Force. Please consider helping those less fortunate…

Michaela Fullerton, resident of Castle Pines, was another of last year’s finalists who displayed her performing talent last March at the Lone Tree Arts Center. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Kiwanis Club The Kiwanis Club of Castle Rock will be holding auditions for its 11th annual Stars of Tomorrow talent competition at the Lone…

Candi Beach hosted an event to support Lukas Larsson and Love Hope Strength on Saturday, November 15. Pictured left to right: Alisha Bell (she got registered), Cash Beach (baby), Candi Beach, Lukas Larsson, Oliver Larsson, and Morgan Bell (he got registered … his dad lost his battle with leukemia last December). By Elean Gersack; photos…

By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Dr. Jacqueline Shuler Why do kids scribble? Why do they paint blue cats and green people? Should a parent help their preschooler learn to draw? What is wrong with coloring books? Find the answers to these intriguing questions along with a lot of delightful photos of toddlers creating art…

The Douglas/Elbert Task Force Santa’s Sharing program allows community members the opportunity to “adopt” local pre-qualified families in Douglas and Elbert counties who find themselves in need during this holiday season. If you represent a business, association, individual, family, or community group and would like more information on this program, e-mail the program coordinator at…

Haley Pearson, Castle Pines resident, was deeply moved after visiting the Sinde Village in Africa in 2012 and wanted to do more to help out. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of the Pearson Family The Pearson family, residents of Winter Berry, recently started making it their mission to raise money for communities in need, particularly…

By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of Ben Archibald It’s the season of hustle and bustle, of crowds and hassles. Amidst the chaos, a true moment of peace might be the best gift of all. At Regency Tea Room (Tea Room) in The Emporium in Castle Rock, that peace and serenity is done with elegance and…

Which came first, the chicken or “The Egg and I?” Castle Rock residents Cal and Teresa Weatherly and their family and friends at the new The Egg & I, which opened its doors last month in Castle Rock. Article and photo by Cindy Kessinger Cal and Teresa Weatherly are now the proud owners of their…

Seventh grader Taylor Eubanks presents rules for the creativity contest she is coordinating. By Lisa Crockett; photos by Lisa Crockett and courtesy of Ben Franklin Academy Castle Pines seventh grader Taylor Eubanks has girl scouting in her blood. Both her mom and her grandmother were avid scouters, and Taylor is continuing the tradition by earning…

Castle Pines resident and travel consultant Nancy Warner has gained much of her travel knowledge through first-hand experience, like this trip to Ireland. By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of Nancy Warner Vacation time. Whether Santa is bringing you some cash to spend on a getaway in the near future or you’re thinking of longer-range plans,…

Life-sized LEGOs, DUPLO racetracks, and virtual building activities are featured in the LEGO Travel Adventure exhibit, now showing at The Wildlife Experience in Parker. By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of The Wildlife Experience LEGO bricks are the building blocks for an exciting new exhibit at The Wildlife Experience (WLE) in Parker. The exhibit, called the…

Commemorative holiday ornaments are being sold as a fundraiser for the Castle Pines Arts and Cultural Foundation. Ornaments are now on sale at the Castle Pines Library and also at Walgreens. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Castle Pines commemorative Christmas ornaments are now on sale, with proceeds benefitting the Castle Pines Arts and Cultural…

Miscellany Miscellany, the wonderful new store in The Village at Castle Pines, held its grand opening on a beautiful snowy day in November and attracted hundreds of shoppers. The boutique specializes in rustic décor, fanciful “found” objects, funky jewelry, and cute one-of-a-kind tops and sweaters. Owner Suzette Brauch, a Castle Pines Village resident, featured Christmas…

By Elean Gersack Safety is a top priority for most families. Fortunately, we live in one of the safest counties around. As a community, it’s up to everyone – families, neighbors, friends, schools, and law enforcement – to work together to help keep everyone safe. The Castle Pines Connection recently sat down with Douglas County…

By Lisa Crockett Colorado weather can be unpredictable, sometimes making travel treacherous. On a snowy day, it can be tough for parents and students to predict whether or not schools will open their doors. When questionable weather descends upon the area, the Douglas County School District (DCSD) has several procedures in place for deciding how…

The Robotics team at RHMS took home numerous awards from the district-wide Robotics Tournament held on November 15. The competition sparked the creativity of the students who worked so hard to master the art of creating a working and functioning robot. Submitted by eighth grade student Riley Busch; photo courtesy of eighth grade student Sydney…

Cowgirls McKenna Deckert (left) and Maddie Hill sample goodies made from fruits and veggies at Sage Canyon Elementary’s annual harvest festival and farmer’s market. Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Harvest has always been a time to celebrate the bounty of the season, and the tradition of a Harvest Day festival is alive and well…

This dramatic scene of Jesus on the cross closed out Regis Jesuit’s production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” (Photo courtesy of Jeff Harpham) By Amy Shanahan; courtesy photos Regis Jesuit High School (RJ) was excited to produce its first musical in the school’s all-new Z Theater in the recently constructed Performing Arts Center and Student Commons.…

By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Sandy Cranston It was a blast from the past at Buffalo Ridge Elementary school on Friday, November 14. Families came out in droves to enjoy a laid back night of Bingo with a potluck dinner. In between rounds of Bingo, minute-to-win-it challenges kept the kids, parents, teachers and staff…

This season’s Timber Trail Elementary Girls on the Run team. Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Another season of Girls on the Run has drawn to a close for students at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE). The nationwide program is designed to teach third through fifth grade girls about physical and mental health and helps girls…

Eighth grade students from Rocky Heights Middle School had the opportunity to attend the district-sponsored Career Expo in November. Students enjoyed hearing about various careers and many came away with new ideas and dreams for their future. Submitted by RHMS eighth grade student Cody Hyman; photos courtesy of RHMS eighth grade student Josh Harmon Life…

BRE’s Green Team and the results of their lunch-time garbage bags plastic audit. The team created a baseline and will re-audit two more times this year with the hopes of inventory decreasing. Next up, food waste. Article and photos by Lynne Marsala Basche Recycling may not be something that students think about everyday, but Buffalo…

The Rock Canyon High School band performing at the Legend Show at Sports Authority Stadium on October 11 where they won first place. From left to right: Taylor Martin on flute, Shu Ee Ong on saxophone and Mark Berry on flute. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of RCHS Band, Betsy Riner, and Tammy Reed The…

William Shakespeare, Cleopatra and Theodore Roosevelt all gathered at the DCS Montessori school (DCSM) in Castle Pines for a historic day last month. The unlikely trio was joined by all manner of other historic figures, ranging from Davy Crockett to Queen Mary – all played by students who were well-versed in the life and times…

Melanie and Eric Burke hosted a tent at the Castle Pines Run Wild event where they showcased their new brand of workout gear that is specially designed for women. KEEPTIGHT is officially launching and taking orders beginning December 4. By Amy Shanahan, photo courtesy of Eric Burke Castle Pines residents Eric and Melanie Burke have…

Article and photos by Amy Shanahan Canyon Fitness continues to host amazing events for its members that are not only enjoyable, but highlight and raise money for worthwhile causes. On October 29, the club held an all-day breast cancer awareness event that succeeded in raising $2,300 for the Jill Lamb Foundation, a local charity that…

Article and photos by Amy Shanahan Debbie and Fernando Salazar were thrilled with the turnout for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of their new audio video shop SmartLife Audio Video. The owners teamed up with neighbor Sterling Building & Design, whose owner Woody Howarth showcased his new design center, to provide an evening filled…

By Elizabeth Wood West Alberta Development and Forum Real Estate Group recently announced that the 200-acre property for the highly-anticipated Promenade at Castle Rock (Promenade) project has been acquired. The property sold for $44 million and is planned to include one million square feet of large retail, restaurant, and mixed-use development. The Promenade project is…

By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Nick Lucey Approximately 100 people came out on a blustery, snowy day to honor our nation’s veterans and active military at the beautiful and inspiring Douglas County Veterans Monument in downtown Castle Rock. The fourth annual Veterans Day tribute was sponsored and organized by the Douglas County Veterans Monument…

Valor High senior Ross Macdonald finished his high school golf career as part of a state championship team for the second year in a row. By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of the Macdonald Family Valor High School senior Ross Macdonald has been playing golf since he was eight years old. He started his golfing career…

Castle Pines resident Denise Kelley with the tools of her mobile spray tanning trade. Using an airbrush tool, Kelley applies a natural tanning solution for an even, natural summer glow. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Temperatures are plunging and snow covers the ground. Sunlight is in short supply, and summer tans have long since…

The Castle Rock Community Ringers Hand Bell Choir will host a holiday concert and dessert on Friday evening, December 19. The hand bell choir will be joined by various artists from the community. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Christ’s Episcopal Church, 615 4th Street in the downtown area of Castle Rock. Tickets can…

Mayor Jeff Huff (left) joined Castle Pines resident and City Councilman Geoff Blue at a happy hour at Duke’s last month along with Kimberly Pfauth of Luxury Moving Solutions, and Councilperson Tera Radloff (right). Blue hopes to join forces with others who work from home for socializing and for sharing in other common interests. Article…

Photos courtesy of Neil Maday The Maday family of Castle Pines participated in the 11th annual Denver Gorilla Run last month. Left to right: Sophia (5), Wendy, Nick (9), and Neil Maday. Check it out at denvergorillarun.com.

By Patte Smith; map courtesy of the City of Lone Tree In September, the City of Lone Tree launched a free new shuttle service that will run Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The shuttle runs along Park Meadows Drive and has stops at six locations: the Lincoln Light Rail Station, Kaiser Permanente,…

Photos by Terri WieboldElection Day was November 4, and Castle Pines residents were out exercising their civic rights and voting. The Castle Pines community (all of zip code 80108) accounts for 19,082 of the 227,552 registered voters in Douglas County. Of those, an outstanding 12,273 (64 percent) took time out of their busy schedules to…

Article and photo by Elizabeth Wood West Castle Pines Village resident Don Somsky (left) alongside Douglas County Engineer Sean Owens at one of the five crossings affected by the newly-enacted quiet zones. Residents and business owners who live and/or work near the U.S. Highway 85 corridor between Sedalia and Atrium Drive have begun to experience…

A new dental office, Castle Pines Dental Group, has opened its doors in the Safeway shopping center. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett A new team of dental care professionals has come to Castle Pines with a strategy aimed at providing comfortable, comprehensive care. Castle Pines Dental Group in the Safeway shopping center has two…

Castle Pines Village resident Kimberly Pfauth describes her company Luxury Moving Solutions as “the wedding planner for moves.” By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Kimberly Pfauth With 13 years in the moving industry, Pfauth knows all the ins and outs of making a move as stress free as possible. Packing, lifting, cleaning, assembling; let’s face…

By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Steven Robinson Operation Bright Star, organized by the Robinson family of Castle Pines, gathered on November 23 at the Castle Pines community center to package more than 50 Thanksgiving meals for the Crisis Center in Castle Rock. Neighbors, friends and scouts worked together to distribute the donations from the…

Information provided by Douglas County Parks and Trails We are starting to celebrate the holidays and there is a lot of planning, shopping and merrymaking to be done. But after all the fun and festivities, the ole Tannenbaum has to be taken down and disposed of. There are plenty of convenient drop-off locations, so please…