The Connection

     By Elean Gersack It is mere days until school will be back in session. For Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) families, the first full day is set for Tuesday, August 13, and classroom assignments will be posted on the Parent Portal sometime during the week of August 5. New family registration: Begins August 5:…

Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Douglas County’s rugged beauty is predominantly in the south, most apparent when driving I-25 to Monument. Yet, whizzing by the buttes and idyllic ranchlands does them and you a great disservice. There is an alternative: CR105, one of the most dramatic roads in our state. With fall approaching when…

By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Cox Baker & Page Hidden in the Village Shops at Castle Pines is one of the Denver area’s pre-eminent law firms specializing in family law. The law firm of Cox Baker & Page was founded in 2006, and serves its clients in matters of divorce, post-divorce issues, adoptions, and…

Cabela’s will be celebrating its grand opening of the new Lone Tree store on August 15 starting at 11 a.m. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Cabela’s The dirt has been moved, the striking rustic structure has been built, and the huge banner says it all: Cabela’s Incorporated, the World’s Foremost Outfitter of hunting,…

Pictured above left to right: Chef Lance Barto and owners Liz and Myles Ogea are thrilled to be a part of the Castle Pines community with their new restaurant venture “The Social.” The newly-renovated bar features an extensive wine list as well as a wonderful offering of flavorful cocktails made with fresh juices. Article and…

Information provided by the DCVMF The much-anticipated dedication of the Douglas County Veterans Monument will take place on Saturday, August 3 at 10 a.m. “This patriotic ceremony culminates two years of discussion and four years of dedicated effort by the volunteer Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation (DCVMF) board members and many other citizens of Douglas…

By Elean Gersack The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce will host its second annual golf tournament Tuesday, October 1 at The Ridge at Castle Pines North (The Ridge). This year’s event, “A Day on the Greens,” will benefit Wellspring Community. The shotgun scramble will begin at 9 a.m. sharp. The cost to participate is $500…

“Our family appreciated your professionalism and the genuine warmth and caring you displayed … You comforted us, and I think back to how much that meant to us,” writes Pat P. about Heflebower Funeral Services. Mike Heflebower, an eight year resident of Castle Pines, is a licensed and nationally board certified funeral director and embalmer…

Information provided by the Town of Castle Rock Although Douglas County has agreed to create a quiet zone along the Sante Fe corridor adjacent to homes in Castle Pines Village (see story: www.castlepinesconnection.com/pages/news/2012/qtr1/cpc3/quietZone.html), the Town of Castle Rock is still exploring alternatives for its residents. As Town Council prepares to consider a railroad quiet zone…

Left: Lauren with program advisor for BRE, Mrs. Gutierrez at the Fuel Up to Play 60 Leadership Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina in July. Right: Lauren enjoying a good stretch in downtown Charlotte – anytime is a good time for athletic activity … anywhere! By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Mark Hickey In the May…

Information provided by Solheim Cup With just a few weeks remaining before Team USA takes on Team Europe in the Solheim Cup at Colorado Golf Club in Parker, tickets and packages for the international event are selling out fast. Fans are encouraged to purchase their passes before prices go up the week of the match-play…

Information provided by American Academy American Academy (AA) student registration for both AA campuses will be held in the Castle Pines campus cafeteria from August 6 through August 9. During AA student registration, parents will be able to pay student fees, get homeroom teacher assignments, talk to the PTO, and sample some lunch options from…

Fire restrictions removed in unincorporated Douglas County The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office lifted the temporary fire restriction order for all areas of unincorporated Douglas County, yet will continue to closely monitor the fire danger in the County and make appropriate adjustments. Recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have reduced the danger of wildfire, however, the Sheriff…

    Nobles was named CU Club Sports Female Athlete of the Year just prior to her graduation last spring. By Kathy Dunker; photos courtesy of Mary Beth Schomas Mattie Nobles, former resident of Esperanza, and current resident of Boulder lived in Castle Pines for the first 18 years of her life. She attended Rock Canyon…

The Ihme Family takes time for a photo at the Ihme Family Golf Tournament on June 14. Top row (left to right): Patrick Ihme, Mark Ihme, Tom Ihme, Steve Ihme, Bud Ihme, Dick Henderson, Norm Ihme, and Josh Ihme. Bottom row (left to right): Laura Ihme, Cary Ihme, Dana Ihme, Julia Ihme, Mallorie Ihme, Barb…

From Mrs. Kennedy’s class… moms and their sweet children are all smiles during the Buffalo Ridge Elementary Third Grade Mother’s Day Brunch. Article by Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Kayleen Kennedy and Laurie Jacobs It’s been a tradition at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) for a very long time. There is a rumor that this…

On June 15, three Castle Pines friends took on the Tough Mudder in Beaver Creek. men: Mark Schoenbeck, Steve Cooke and Brian Cardinell, made it through 10.5 miles of rugged terrain full of obstacles at 10,000 feet above sea level. The mens’ wives affectionately named them “mudder brudders” and, along with their children, cheered them…

On August 1, Centura Health will open the doors of its new hospital at Castle Rock Adventist Health Campus, located off of Meadows Parkway west of I-25 in Castle Rock. By Elizabeth Wood West; photos courtesy of Castle Rock Adventist Health Campus The striking 212,240 square-foot facility joins the campus’ existing emergency room, Flight for…

Summer is here and it’s time once again for The Castle Pines Connection’s “Cutest Pet in the Pines” contest! We have teamed up with The Pet Stuff Place in the Village, and we want to see photos of your dogs and cats and other furry best friends! The staff of The Castle Pines Connection will…

The Heat, enjoy practicing and competing close to home as part of the No Limits Volleyball Club (pictured from left to right) back row: Cole P., Emily B., Alexandra W., Megan B., and Ryan D; front row: Lauren B., Peyton G., Mia S., Baylee H., and Meghan Y. Article by Kathy Dunker; photos courtesy of…

Information provided by City of Castle Pines The 2nd annual “Run Wild” race and Family Color Run will be held in the City of Castle Pines on Sunday, September 15 starting at 8:30 a.m. “Run Wild” offers a multitude of options for participants of all skill levels and ages with a 4-mile, 9-mile and a…

Colorado is a beautiful state and can be enjoyed year round. It features amazing scenery, plenty of camping opportunities, white-water rafting, hunting, fishing, hiking, snow-shoeing, boating, and snowmobiling — the list goes on and on. The state parks have an incredible website, www.parks.state.co.us/ with information about activities, events, outdoor sports, and just about anything you…

For a listing of half marathons to take place in beautiful Colorado this summer, visit www.roadracerunner.com. Not only can runners view half marathons, but also various other marathons for serious runners, walkers and kids. Close to Castle Pines, the first “Half of the 4th Half Marathon” will take place on July 4 at 7 a.m.…

Information provided by Douglas County While the Castle Pines community is rich with open space and trails on which to take canine companions, Douglas County leash laws require any dog outside of a fenced yard to be kept on a leash. Controlling a dog by voice command is not considered synonymous to a leash. There…

Community Safety Volunteer Walt Wohlgemuth (right) works closely with Deputy Charlie Curry (left), who patrols the Castle Pines district. “I love what Walt and his guys do,” praised Curry. “They are an invaluable part of what we do every day. Their assistance really frees up our time to do our patrol duties.” Article and photo…

Dierk R. and Andrew M., residents of Castle Pines taking in a day on the mountain Article and photo by Julie Montoya Where I-70 and the town of Lionshead meet is a well-known mountain called Vail Mountain. Sure, most have heard of it and many have skied it, but have you ever had the opportunity…

Information provided by Douglas County Educational Foundation The Douglas County Educational Foundation (DCEF) along with Panther Food Pantry and the Giving Tree has kicked off its annual school supply drive. “We want to make sure that every single Douglas County student has the supplies he or she needs to start school and be successful,” said…

Head coach Elsa LeGrand and assistant coach Vanessa Hacker worked tirelessly with the girls on their U12 volleyball team. The season will culminate in a trip to Dallas, Texas to play in the Junior National Tournament. Many of the players are from Castle Pines. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Blake Thomason The Gold Level…

A scarce number of houses on the market, low interest rates, and rising demand means houses in Castle Pines are selling faster – and for more money – than they were just a year ago. By Lisa Crockett; photo illustration by Tim Gamble Real estate sales in the 80108 zip code are brisk – things…

Article and photo by Joe Gschwendtner Our Castle Pines community is blessed with a large cadre of givers. One of the most remarkable is the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF), whose annual fundraising golf tournament will be at the Inverness Golf Course on August 6th. The Foundation celebrated its 50th year in 2012. Since 1962,…

Kids at the Castle Pines Library smiled and laughed as Mr. Chad showed them a tortoise that can live to be 150 years old! (photo courtesy of Katharine Hammer) By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Wesley White and Katharine Hammer There is no end to the great programs and events that Douglas County Libraries offer…

Thirteen-year Stonecroft residents Travis and Debbi Haynie will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary on July 9. By Kathy Dunker; photo courtesy of Jo Harris Neighbor and close friend Tammy Peters helped Debbi’s family organize an anniversary card mailing for 25 days prior to July 9. The Haynies have been receiving cards from family and…

Rock Canyon High School graduates left to right: Taylor Broschat, Lauren Payne and Kayla Neil. Photo courtesy of Trudi Broschat

By Chris Bonham Two months ago, Judah Musick, president of Castle Pines-based web company User10, launched Teen Startup Challenge in hopes of educating teens about the challenges and joys of starting and running a company. The program was based on Musick’s belief that real-life experience would provide students with opportunities and skill sets that they…

Ducky Derby Chairperson Kelly Marsh (left) presented the $2,000 first place cash prize check to Enrique Rosado (right). By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Castle Rock Rotary Club members from Castle Pines and Castle Rock have a lot to celebrate. The Rotarians’ combined efforts raised nearly $40,000 from its 17th annual…

Cook and his new friend find time to get to know each other. By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of Craig Cook Play is the work of childhood. And just like adults, children often produce the best results when they have the right tools. Castle Pines resident Craig Cook visited Haiti in May, along with 12…

South American ceviche – a yummy summer dish to try! By Joe Gschwendtner; courtesy photo Is fresh fish a part of your summer table fare? If so, do it with the flair and fashion of a South American ceviche, a seafood dish for the times. Here’s a primer: Ceviche, also spelled “cebiche,” is simple, light,…

Stutzman happily posing with one of the 14 orphaned children the Mwaura family adapted. By Julie Montoya; photos courtesy of Victoria Stutzman Most teens spend the beginning of summer lying in the sun or hitting the mountains, but one Castle Pines teen had other ideas. College Junior Tori Stutzman journeyed to Kenya to enrich the…

Parker in his workshop where he enjoys teaching apprentices the art of musical instrument repair. Article and photo by Joe Gschwendtner In only six years, Castle Rock’s Colorado Institute of Musical Instrument Technology (CIOMIT) has become legendary. Tucked away on Topeka Way, Dan Parker’s school trains students to become apprentices of musical instrument repair. Courses…

The DC Dolphins Youth Athletic Club will open a new “Dolphin Tank” youth sports complex in Castle Rock next month. Other changes to the organization include a new logo, website, and the formation of a baseball academy, which provides training during the regular season as well as off-season training. By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of…

Many members of the Douglas County K-Life group recently participated in a fun day of bowling. Most of the kids pictured here live in Castle Pines, The Village, and Castle Rock and they have built close friendships outside of their schools. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Holley VanBenthuysen On August 24, Douglas County will…

Residents in the Castle Pines community came in droves to take advantage of the Shred-It event in June sponsored by Allstate Tammy Lopez Agency and The Castle Pines Connection newspaper. “We saw more than 60 cars and disposed of nearly 8,000 pounds of paper,” said Tammy Lopez, coordinator of the event. The event lasted two-and-a-half…

Seth Sewell (age eleven), with his great-grandmother Louise, and his father Joe after a tournament game in Longmont. By Julie Montoya; photo courtesy of John Sewell Seth Sewell is your typical eleven-year-old baseball player from the Colorado Force Baseball Team in Castle Rock … but there is nothing typical about his cheering section. Since the…

By Patte Smith Sorry to mention this parents, but mid-August will be creeping up sooner than we realized, summer is here, and is it July already? Here is refresher on tuning up the kids for school. Read It is one of the best ways to keep a child’s mind sharp when he or she is…

STEM team members Michael Whitaker, Rashid Zakirov, and Koby Dudley took first place in the NREL Junior Solar Sprint Car Competition – with a little help from some cloudy weather. Article by Kathy Dunker; photo courtesy of Jason Dudley On Saturday, May 18, three eighth-grade students from STEM School and Academy in Highlands Ranch –…

Update 6-21-2013 Sheriff David A. Weaver enacts “Douglas County Open Fire and Open Burning Restriction Ordinance” Stage 2 for the unincorporated areas of Douglas County. By Order of Sheriff David A. Weaver Stage 2 fire restrictions, are now in place. Ordinance No. O-012-004, restricting open fires, open burning and the use of fireworks in the…

Information provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has these tips for residents of the county in case an evacuation is necessary. It encouranges everyone to be prepared ahead of time. Here are some suggestions and items to have: A three-day supply of medications, extra water and food, cash or…

     Information provided by Douglas County School District The U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan honored Douglas County School District (DCSD) with the first ever U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools District Sustainability Award. “DCSD has long been a model of excellence in the area of sustainability,” said Lee Smit, DCSD sustainability manager. “This…

Nichole Loomis is an 11-year-old with a passion to implement change and better the world. She has launched a campaign to institute Siren Day to honor first responders and hopes to collect enough signatures to accompany a letter she has drafted for Colorado Governor Hickenlooper. Article and photo by Elean Gersack It was January of…

Neighborhood kids were spotted at The Retreat Park in Castle Pines in June, participating in “All Star Camp” hosted by Castle Pines Athletics. Coach Katie Abner (far right) coordinated the activities, which included various sports and different field games each day. (photos courtesy of Lane Roberts)    

Take advantage of gently used AA uniform items later this month for some great bargains. Information and photo courtesy of American Academy Buying new uniform items for 2013-2014? Be sure to stop by the PTO used uniform sale at the American Academy (AA) gymnasium in Castle Pines. Great deals on gently used AA uniform items…

By Kathy Dunker; photos courtesy of the Martin Family Stonecroft resident Nicki Martin completed her sixth-grade community service project for DCS Montessori and helped out Elk Ridge Park at the same time. Martin planted ten new trees at the park last month, a project she says she is very proud of. Flying Dutchman Nursery (Michigan)…

Volunteers (from left to right) Mary McMillian, Betsy Schute, Bonnie Staack, Brenda Vitaska and Lynda Meier working at a recent LTAC event. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of All Digital Photo & Video If you have a passion for the arts, get excited about working with the public, and enjoy being part of community…

Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce members gathered in June at Guaranty Bank off Happy Canyon Road in The Village at Castle Pines.  Pictured above left to right: Guaranty Bank Branch Manager Christina Medina, local author Jude Randazzo, Guaranty Bank Financial Service RepresentativeJayne Friesen, and Guaranty Bank Branch Service Manager Kathy Hutchinson.

RHMS students Alana Rainosek, Tess Werhane, Hannah Philip, Devin Lindsey, and Rachael Stanek are pictured here with teacher Judi Holst. Rainosek has already sold 16 copies of her book “Wits” on Amazon. “I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since…

Information and photo provided by Park Meadows Retail Resort Charming charlie, an award-winning fashion jewelry and accessories retailer is now open at Park Meadows. Occupying more than 6,800 square feet, the store offers a broad selection of accessories to suit any occasion and every customer taste, from bohemian and vintage to classic and modern. Taking…

Sand sleds are available for rent in Alamosa in either kid size or adult size. Article and photos by Kathy Dunker Roughly four hours southwest of Castle Pines rests the tallest dunes in North America, also known as the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. At 750 feet high, the dunes are thought to…

Castle Pines resident Mitch Fallert is the new tile guy in town, available for smaller residential projects in the Castle Pines and Castle Pines Village area. Article and photos by Kathy Dunker Tapestry Hills resident Mitch Fallert is new to Castle Pines but not new to the tile industry. Fallert, with 26 years under his…

By Lisa Crockett; photo illustration by Tim Gamble For the first time in years, a significant number of new homes will soon be available for purchase in Castle Pines. Taylor Morrison, which was named “Builder of the Year” by Builder magazine, plans to break ground this month on a new subdivision consisting of 52 homes…

Colorado goes green; e-waste now requires recycling By Lisa Crockett Electronic devices are everywhere.  For just about every activity – work, shopping, entertainment – there are several different computers and gadgets we use without even thinking about it.  And all those devices – everything from your laptop to your stereo – will eventually become outdated…

Article and photo by Elean Gersack The Medical and Dental Center of Castle Pines, located at 250 Max Drive, is on target to open later this summer. Local professional practices and owners of the new building – Drs. Jeff and Stephanie Scheich of Castle Pines Family Dentistry; Dr. Matthew Rolfson of Castle Pines Dental Care;…

Information provided by Colorado Golf Club The 2013 Solheim Cup, a history-making women’s golf tournament taking place at the Colorado Golf Club in Parker next month, will donate 15 percent of its ticket sales during the second half of June to the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Foundation.   The funds will benefit the Foundation, which…

Information provided by South Suburban Parks and Recreation South Suburban Park and Recreation District is waiving green fees for youth 17 years and under who golf during weekends at the District’s Littleton Golf Course, Family Sports Golf Course, South Suburban Golf Course and Lone Tree Golf Club. South Suburban is the only metro-area park and…

Larkspur artist Katherine McNeill is pictured here with one of her many beautiful oil paintings “Springtime Serenade.” To see more works from McNeill and the other artists featured at the show, visit www.fireflyautism.org. Article and photos by Julie Montoya The Village at Castle Pines Art Show returned to Castle Pines for a weekend event hosted…

Information provided by Gravity Play Copper Mountain, Colorado is the next stop on the Adventure Xstream Race Series circuit. On August 11th, Copper Mountain in Summit County, a world-class recreation and ski venue, will be welcoming more than 200 adventure racers, ranging from elite teams to first-time challengers and weekend warriors competing in either sprint…