The Castle Pines Connection

George and Slim share a cup o’joe during a break from the action Front Range Theatre’s Production of Of Mice and Men. By Patte Smith, photos provided by the Front Range Theatre Company To be or not to be…that isn’t the question. It is to go or not to … wait … yes, go check…

Deputy Gerritt Kaufman with K-9 crime fighter “Boris.” The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office K-9 team is in great need of donations to replace two of the four police dogs that will be retiring this year. Sheriff Weaver recently approved the acquisition of one new dog and says he is hopeful to secure a second. The…

AA’s art show winners from the DCSD art show. Submitted by Trish Cummings With a school-wide emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math, American Academy (AA) students often enjoy a good number of STEM awards and accolades. This year, AA art students are bringing it home as well! Overall, fifteen talented AA students were selected…

AT&T/Cingular Wireless’ new monopine cell tower sits north of Coyote Ridge Park off Mona By Elizabeth Wood West with photo by Jeremy Gamble A new 40-foot tall cell tower for AT&T/Cingular Wireless will soon be providing cell service to its customers that live, work, and travel in the Castle Pines area. The tower sits on…

Information provided by Douglas County with photo stills taken from Comcast Newsmakers Veteran broadcast journalist Beverly Weaver (pictured above right) recently interviewed Douglas County Commissioner Jill Repella in a Comcast Newsmakers segment that aired on CNN Headline News. Repella discussed the role of the county in fostering a strong economy; the value of a healthy…

By Liane Marette Davis; contributions by Terri Wiebold Have you heard the joke that, “Old car salesman never die, they just go out of commission?” Well, such is not the case for one Castle Pines Village resident and former car salesman – turned automobile banking executive – turned entrepreneur. Wade Middleton has found a new…

South Metro Fire Rescue Authority Chief Dan Qualman (right) proudly accepts the CFAI accreditation award with Mike Langello, the planning and analysiscoordinator for the fire authority who oversaw the accreditation process. Information and photo provided by SMFR The South Metro Fire Rescue Authority (SMFRA) was awarded accreditation by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International at…

By Lisa Crockett Churches in Castle Pines Community have a lot planned for Easter and Passover observance. Here are some of the highlights: Abiding Hope Lutheran Church Meets at DCS Montessori School; www.abidinghopelutheran.org *Easter Services: Sunday, April 24 at 9:30 a.m. Castle Pines Community Church Meets at The Shoppes at Castle Pines Shopping Center; www.castlepineschurch.org…

A collaborative, county-wide Economic Development Plan is the ultimate goal of the Douglas County Economic Development Forum, hosted by the Douglas County Commissioners on Tuesday, April 5, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at The Wildlife Experience in Parker. The central focus of the forum will be the facilitation of dialog and information exchange among…

Fourth grader Megan Hassler stands with her weaving project, which earned her top honors from the Douglas County School District. by Lisa Crockett photo courtesy of the Hassler Family Some girls dream of being princesses. For nine-year-old Megan Hassler, channeling royalty is more than a plastic crown and faux jewels – it’s the inspiration behind…

  State qualifier Ben Butler Submitted by Sharon Majetich Congratulations are in order for Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) seventh grader, Ben Butler, who qualified to represent RHMS at the state of Colorado National Geographic Bee. Thousands of students from the state competed in the Bee, but only 100 students passed the qualifying test to…

Abiding Hope pastoral team, from left: Matthew L. Erickson, pastoral intern and Castle Pines site point person; Glenn Hecox, minister for worship and lead team member; Pastor Doug Hill, lead team pastor; and Pastor Chad Johnson, lead team pastor. By Lisa Crockett with photo courtesy of Abiding Hope Lutheran Church Abiding Hope Lutheran Church has…

Castle Pines Athletics swings into summer baseball season; sign up by April 25 to secure your spot on a team. Submitted by Castle Pines Athletics Summer just wouldn’t be summer in Castle Pines without baseball. For the third consecutive summer, Castle Pines Athletics is coordinating a co-ed t-ball and baseball program for local children. Registration…

By Kathy Dunker with photos by Tim Gamble No, not your ordinary toast to celebrate the anniversary of something great, but rather a breakfast to commemorate the many citizen volunteers who founded The City of Castle Pines [North] three years ago and who continue to contribute to its growth and success today. The Ridge at…

By Joe Gschwendtner Depending upon whom you ask, a house can be either an asset or a liability. In recent years, the real estate market and mortgage meltdown has left many homeowners answering the latter. Since home is where the heart is, pride ensues, and financial difficulties are all too often not addressed until it…

Knox Presbyterian Church, wrenched from its members without permission.One of many historic stone churches that may never rise again. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner While wrapping up a New Zealand trip near Christchurch on February 22, my wife and I started a light meal in a Little River café. Moments later, at 12:50 p.m.,…

By Elizabeth Wood WestRWA) will be holding its biennial meeting on May 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Phillip S. Miller Library west meeting room, 100 S. Wilcox Street in Castle Rock. The purpose of the meeting is to hold elections for several director positions and provide updates on the RWA’s ongoing projects,…

Article and photos submitted by Kami Wright, Troop 4065 Leader Born after September 11, 2001, the 2nd grade Buffalo Ridge Elementary girls of Brownie Troop #4065 know only a world where our nation’s military engages terrorism overseas on the nightly news. Troop leaders Kami Wright and Jennifer Meinert-Larson saw an opportunity for their scouts to…

Avid4Adventure Do your kids like adventure? If so, this might be the perfect camp. With a location nearby in Highlands Ranch, Avid4 Adventure offers fun outdoor adventures with an emphasis on developing friendships, understanding risks, and learning. Activities are age appropriate and include sports like Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Kayaking, Canoeing, and much more.…

Like many of you, I watched the events following the earthquake in Japan with great concern. Our hearts and prayers are with the people of Japan as they recover from the earthquake, tsunami, and the damage to their nuclear power plants. In the aftermath of the tragedy, international aid organizations have organized relief efforts for…

Let’s consider impacts to the Castle Pines community from federal and state budget cuts. There is no question America has been living beyond its means. There are budget measures being considered in Washington D.C. to reduce deficit spending by the federal government. At the same time, Colorado faces a billion dollar budget gap. Will these…

By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Castle Rock Senior Center Forty years ago, a small group of Douglas County residents formed a club for senior citizens that has since evolved into a non-profit organization with nearly 1,000 members. The Castle Rock Senior Center (CRSC) is a community gathering place that promotes friendship, organizes many…

Information and photos submitted by Castle Pines Academy Castle Pines Academy (CPA), proud to be the first locally-owned and operated childcare center in Castle Pines, is celebrating its first anniversary in March. CPA is an education-based preschool that follows Core Knowledge curriculum and offers a large variety of enrichment programs including dance, Spanish, computer classes,…

Article and photo submitted by Amy Shanahan The Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) MATHCOUNTS team, coached by eighth grade math teacher Chris Gowing, participated in the regional MATHCOUNTS competition on Saturday, February 12th. There were approximately forty schools that participated, including the RHMS team of ten kids. MATHCOUNTS is a national enrichment club and competition…

Arapahoe Community College Castle Rock’s new campus will be located at 4700 Castleton Way in Castle Rock. Article and photo by Elizabeth Wood West Arapahoe Community College (ACC) will be opening its third campus this August, in time for fall 2011 enrollment. ACC Castle Rock’s new 7,800 square-foot facility will be located at 4700 Castleton…

Kids of all ages joined Sarah Byrne (pictured center) at the HOA2 playground in Castle Pines to celebrate a generational reunion of sorts. Byrne has provided pre-kindergarten and kindergarten enrichment programs in the community for more thirteen years, and she is a beloved teacher and friend to many. Article and photos by Elean Gersack Three…

Fifth grader Thomas Connelly represented Timber Trail Elementary School and Douglas County School District at the State Spelling Bee in March. by Lisa Crockett photo courtesy of the Connelly family For many of us, pumpernickel is simply a kind of bread, but for Timber Trail Elementary fifth grader Thomas Connelly, “pumpernickel” is a winning word…

RHMS teachers who submitted Gold Seal lessons to the SPN (left to right): Laurie Williamson, Colleen Holub, Amy Tempel, Angie Burt, Amy Corr, Sharon Majetich, and Derek DeNileon. Not pictured are Dodi Poulos and Rick Johnson. Article and photo submitted by Amy Shanahan Clark Wilhelm, Amy Tempel, and Kelly Kirkpatrick have been selected to present…

Odelia on her Disney World wish trip, made possible by the Make-A-Wish Foundation and generous taxpayers. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of Melissa Morris The Make-A-Wish Foundation was chosen once again as part of the Checkoff Colorado program for 2011. This program enables Colorado taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to their favorite charitable…

Spring break is right around the corner. Plan ahead and enjoy some memorable family activities right here in Colorado. From state parks to museums, there is much to do and see close to home. Outdoor Recreation Castlewood Canyon State Park 2989 South State Highway 83, Franktown 303-688-5242 This beautiful retreat is located just to the…

by Lisa Crockett The Timber Team, Timber Trail Elementary’s student leadership group, found a way to combine two great objectives in one ambitions project. They offered heart-shaped lollipops to students to buy for their friends and turned a tidy profit to be used to benefit the school. “I think this is great that we can…

Executive Chef Brian Dennis Article by Sally Uhrich with photos by Tim Gamble “We are so excited to welcome Executive Chef Brian Dennis to our team,” said Kim Bartuccio, director of membership and communication for the Country Club at Castle Pines. “In his short time with us, we have already seen many new culinary delights…

by Sally Uhrich Irish Food and Fun Featured in, “Taste of Home Magazine” If you’re wanting to deviate from the usual St. Patrick’s Day fare of Corned Beef and Cabbage, consider this recipe from Rosemary Jarvis, of Sparta, Tennessee. It’s one of many Irish recipes featured in the March, 2008 edition of , “ Taste…

Back Row: Samuel Hilgendorf (Mrs. Herzog); Max Larson (Mrs. Pinke); Ann Gibson (Mr. Jenson); Ashley Owen (Mrs. Phelan). Middle Row: Casidee Gonzales (Mrs. Jaramillo); Ruth Anne Jeppson (Mrs. Sedersten); Bella Richardson (Mrs. Kennedy); Seth Sewell (Mrs. Brester); Maggie Zeh (Mrs. Pedrett); Ryan Wight (Mrs. Lang); Lily Hansen (Mrs. Miller); Morgan Wright (Mrs. Coombs). Front Row:…

submitted by Amy Shanahan, RHMS Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) continues to receive recognition as an outstanding school. The middle school has been chosen as a State School of Character for the third year in a row, one of only three schools in the state of Colorado. State Schools of Character are schools that are…

Douglas County Libraries Director James LaRue by Terri Wiebold Douglas County Libraries Director James LaRue recently wrote a column about his personal struggles with Spina bifida, a birth defect which is largely preventable if women take a daily B-vitamin with folic acid during pregnancy. LaRue is encouraging participation in a national study to examine the…

Article and photos by Elean Gersack Playkgound equipment is typically meant for young children. Unfortunately, older kids and teens sometimes misuse it or leave unwanted graffiti and trash. Local teen George Byrne has discovered a very positive use for the playground equipment located in the HOA2 neighborhood of Castle Pines. Last summer, Byrne came up…

Information provided by the DCWRA In March, the Douglas County Water Resource Authority (DCWRA) will kick-off a process to look at ways to include rural water users in regional water infrastructure planning, quantify regional economics with and without a sustainable water supply, and identify routes to financing future water supplies. It will begin public outreach…

Mrs. Lang’s second graders, Kyle, Ellery and Andrew stand in front of the Comic Life “Anti-Cyberbullying” display they created in the technology hallway. Article and photo by Elean Gersack The Internet is here to stay. That means social networking, blogging, texting, e-mail and online searches will become second nature to today’s children. At Buffalo Ridge…

The Castle Pines North Metro District provides the information on this page as a public service for the people of Castle Pines North “Slow the Flow” Program an Impressive Success CPNMD partnered last year with the Center for ReSource Conservation (CRC) and its professional water audit teams to evaluate sprinkler system operations and efficiencies for…

County to host Economic Development Forum April 5 Commissioners seek public input for Countywide Economic Development Plan. Douglas County, Colo…   A collaborative, countywide Economic Development Plan is the ultimate goal of the Douglas County Economic Development Forum, hosted by the Douglas County Commissioners on Tuesday, April 5, from 7:30 – 11:00 a.m., at The Wildlife…

submitted by Amy Shanahan Generation OC was a pilot cooperative effort between Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) and Opera Colorado (OC). The program combined one passionate teacher, 150 8th graders from RHMS, video cameras, computers with the latest design programs, and OC’s education, development, and marketing staff. The goal of the program was to introduce…

Linda Nuzum by Carin R. Kirkegaard with photo by Lane Roberts For the past 13 years, Linda Nuzum has served as community leader, communicator, problem solver, watchdog, and tireless advocate for the Castle Pines community. Her endless volunteerism has always been inspired by her wish to be an informed citizen of the community. This wish,…

Ridgeline is Buffalo Ridge Elementary’s online newspaper.  Each month, a student piece will be printed in The Castle Pines Connection. The Ask Buffy column is an anonymous forum for students to ask questions. View the online newspaper, visit http://schools.dcsdk12.org/bre, click on “Classroom/School Websites” and then on “Ridgeline.” Step aside Dear Abby; BRE’s got Buffy! By…

Submitted by Fran Santagata Douglas County Emergency Management Director Sgt. Ron HanavanPublic Information OfficerDouglas County Sheriff’s Office Douglas County Commissioners and Sheriff David Weaver Approve Fire Restrictions On March 29, 2011, The Douglas County Board of Commissioners Reinstated Ordinance No. O-003-001, an ordinance restricting open fires and open burning in the unincorporated areas of Douglas…

OLLI-South classes are located in Douglas County about 22 minutes west of Castle Pines, at the Valley View Christian Church at South Santa Fe and Titan Road. Pictured above are OLLI students on a Geology field trip to Dinosour Ridge. Article and photos submitted by Ellen Sloan It’s probably a good guess that most seniors…

By Tracy Dudley DCS Montessori School recently teamed up with TerraCycle to start turning collected waste into new products and materials, ranging from park benches to backpacks. TerraCycle recycles and upcycles used packaging from familiar products like Capri Sun, Lays, and Oreos. Out of this comes more than 1,500 various products available at major retailers.…

RHMS sixth graders Michelle Dunker and Brooke Jacobsen got their feathery frills at Salon 188 in Castle Pines. Article and photos by Kathy Dunker In the ‘60s, “bee hives” were all the rage. Now, only a few decades later, the trend has turned fowl with feathers. Yes, actual feathers, as in, coming from birds. This…

Lia Halvas, age 10 (right) attended Timber Trail Elementary’s annual daddy-daughter dance, the Snowball, with her sister Kate, age 5 and her dad, Rich . By Lisa Crockett, courtesy photo The Timber Trail Education Association (TTEA) hosted an evening of dancing and fun for girls who go to Timber Trail Elementary and their dads. The…

Article and photo by Liane Marette Davis The Old Stone Church, built in 1888, was home for many years to the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church congregation. In 1966, the congregation left for another location and remodeling began in 1975 to convert the church into a restaurant. The Old Stone Church Restaurant has an…

Elizabeth Celania-Fagen Superintendent February 18, 2011 Dear Douglas County School District Employees and Families: I hope you had a good week and are looking forward to a relaxing weekend. I would like to take a minute to update you on two current events related to our District. First, Governor Hickenlooper released his budget this week.…

By Elizabeth Wood West with photos courtesy of the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District Construction has begun on the InterConnect Pipeline (ICP), a major water transmission cooperative effort between Centennial Water and Sanitation District (CWSD) and Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD). The ICP will connect CPNMD’s water system to a pump station and tank…

Storm boys showing their enthusiasm with a round of “thumbs up” from the heating area before a race. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of Melissa Jankowski Storming along towards their third season descends the Castle Pines Storm summer swim team. One hundred twenty-seven swimmers strong last year, the team will be holding their…

Build it and they will come …Will the boys of summer be playing in Lone Tree? By Patte Smith The crack of a bat on a beautiful summer night as the runners round the bases and the fans go crazy… could this become a reality right here in our own backyard? Don’t get your hopes…

By Lisa Crockett The Giving Tree: Douglas County United Against Hunger, is gearing up for its third annual food drive on March 12 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. to support the Food Bank at the Douglas/Elbert Task Force. Alumni of Leadership Douglas County in Lone Tree started the organization three years ago in response…

The Town of Castle Rock’s Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course clubhouse at dusk. By Elizabeth Wood West with photos provided by Brigg Jergenson Signs of spring are in the air – robins are singing, the days are longer and warmer, and the Red Hawk Ridge Ladies Golf Club (Ladies Club) is registering new members to…

Article by Terri Wiebold with photos by Chuck Lowen For the third year running, Chuck Lowen of Lowen Commercial Real Estate sponsored a blood drive in the commercial district of the City of Castle Pines to benefit The Children’s Hospital. “I’ve been involved in organizing bood donations for about eight years now through other organizations,…

Rock Canyon High School teacher and athletic coach Chris Page received the surprise of his life when staff from The Ellen DeGeneres Show stopped by a school basketball game to present Page with a new car and $10, 000 worth of gift cards to Office Depot for the school. Page was selected after hundreds of…

The CSU Men’s Lacrosse Team celebrates after winning the RMLC Tournament last spring. Article by Elean Gersack with photos provided by the Byrne family Oh, where does the time go? A few years back, several neighborhood teens competed against one another in high school lacrosse at Rock Canyon, Mountain Vista and Valor high schools. On…

Miers with her current Bengal stud and show cat, Thunder Article by Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of Judy Miers Judy Miers, resident of Knight’s Bridge, loves her cats. Her humble home is also currently home to nine Bengal cats and a new litter of Bengal kittens that Miers cares for. Coordinator for Bengal Cat…

Submitted by Cindy Baker, RCHS Drama Teacher Dearly Departed – April 13 & 14: RCHS drama presents a FREE performance of the comedy, “Dearly Departed,” which is the story of a quirky family that is reunited for a funeral, and all of the hilarious family dynamics that ensue. “Dearly Departed” will be double cast with…

Pizza Chef and Owner, Sang Duong of Nick-N-Willy’s Pizza with their new gluten free pizza creation Submitted by Joe Gschwendtner; Photo by Tim Gamble Nick-N-Willys at King Soopers on Lagae Road is now offering gluten-free pizza. The thin crust is from The Gluten Free Bistro in Boulder in medium size only. Compared to other gluten-free…

by Elizabeth Wood West The Town of Castle Rock has approved its first LED sign. The new LED sign will be for the Outlets Mall in Castle Rock. The sign’s applicant, Craig Realty Group (Outlets’ owner), submitted its signage proposal to Town officials in 2010. The proposal included replacing its existing 42’ tall main sign…

Jamie Larue In college, I got a bean bag chair. I also gave up the daily exercise program I’d followed for years. There was neither privacy nor room in my dorm. By the end of the second semester, suddenly, I had a problem. I was in constant lower back and limb pain. I started to…

Goodwill employee Axel Caraballo greets donors at Goodwill’s newest donation center, located in Castle Pines. The donation center offers a quick and convenient way to recycle clothing and household items. By Lisa Crockett A Goodwill donation center is now open in Castle Pines in the Castle Pines Marketplace Shopping Center, just a few doors down…

By Linda Nuzum Prepared in response to a Letter to the Editor dated January 5, 2011 (Excerpt) Editor Wiebold, … My letter was intended to lend a unfiltered voice to, and encourage the citizens of Castle Pines, to be aware of the ongoing “gut fight” between the City and the Metro District.  Both are directing…

Article by Patte Smith photo by Carla Kenny Government day, held in January for the members of Leadership Douglas County (LDC), was a refresher course in what many of us learned in middle and high school. “We revisited a lot of useful information about our government and the difference in governing at the state and…

Candidate Forum – Castle Pines – July 22, 2008 by Joe Gschwendtner Arnold Schwarzenegger recently proved a good “terminator” does not necessarily make a good “governator.” Much admired by many Americans, polls indicate he is seen as having failed California. I’ve been involved in governance for 30 years. To be fairly governed requires electing good,…