Read the stories from the latest issue:
Castle Pines community members take a break from skating to pose with the birthday girl, Tammy Abramovitz, at her birthday party skate for Warren Village. By Carin R. Kirkegaard Warren Village, a nationally recognized award-winning program that helps low-income, previously homeless single-parent families transition into self-sufficiency, is looking to connect with the communities in the…
by Carin R. Kirkegaard Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) is seeking sponsors for the Second Annual Buffalo Stampede, the school’s annual fall carnival. The Buffalo Ridge Education Alliance (BREA), the school’s parent teacher organization, is currently offering sponsorships to help offset costs of the carnival, including inflatable structures, dunk tank, carnival games, face painting, refreshments and…
Members of RCHS Student Council surround Harley during an assembly to present her with the Make-A-Wish gifts. Article by Kathy Dunker with photo courtesy of Kim Rauh The Make-A-Wish Foundation recently recognized Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) for its generous and record breaking donation to fulfill the once-in-a lifetime wishes for three kids, Harley, Landin,…
Information provided by South Metro Fire Rescue When you are driving and you hear sirens behind you, do you know what to do? You should pull to the right as far as you can and stop to allow emergency vehicles to pass. Somewhere every day, emergency responses are delayed, or worse, emergency vehicles are involved…
New Cell Site Activated as Part of Ongoing AT&T Investment in Local Wireless Network As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced mobile devices and applications, AT&T* today announced the activation of a new 3G cell site in Sedalia that will enhance coverage for area residents and businesses. With 3G…
By Kathy Dunker Child Find is a wonderful service provided by Douglas County. Part of the Early Childhood Education Program, Child Find’s goal is to identify any delays in children age birth to five years old. If delays are found, Child Find provides support to the child through any needed therapy. These services including the…
Since February 2005, James McGrady has led the Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District on quite a journey. McGrady announced his retirement from the district last month. Much has been accomplished during the five years with McGrady at the helm as district manager. Working from the Ground Up When McGrady signed on as manager in…
by Tracy Dudley The cycling season in Colorado is just around the corner, and cyclists in the Castle Pines community can look forward to a wide variety of trails, paths, and organized riding events to enjoy all summer. For road cyclists, Castle Pines offers easy access to a variety of paved trail systems, as well…
April 25 The 28th Annual Cherry Creek Sneak is currently taking registrations for the annual walk or run event. Join more than 10,000 participants in welcoming spring and kicking off the racing season in what has become a Denver area tradition. The race takes participants through the streets of Cherry Creek North on April 25.…
Information provided by the Dumb Friends League Who would have guessed that a kitten named Queenie would be the first of more than 2 million animals helped by the Dumb Friends League? One hundred years ago (700 dog years), Queenie was found in a basket at the home of Margaret Bradey, one of the women…
The Honorable Jeff Huff, Mayor City of Castle Pines North This year, citizens will see the initial results of the cost-saving efforts of various community organizations. Homeowner association fees have declined along with property taxes, and the City Council and the CPN Metro District are diligently working to create efficiencies in operations. However, we need…
Family owned and operated Blue Spruce Assisted Living Facility opened for business in March in Castle Pines North. The 3,400 square-foot facility has six residential bedrooms and facilities for caregivers. by Sally Uhrich Adele and Morris Barbera opened Blue Spruce Assisted Living Facility in Castle Pines North in March. The residential home is located at…
Press release provided by Kristin Zagurski, Town of Castle Rock The Environmental Assessment of the benefits and impacts the North Meadows Extension project could have on the surrounding area has been completed. An open house to provide information and get feedback on the assessment and the alternatives being considered will be held from 5 p.m.…
by Carin R. Kirkegaard In February the Buffalo Ridge Education Alliance (BREA) along with Joe Eidel from the Grizzly Rose put on a Family Fun Night that had Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) families tapping their boots and having some fun. The gym at BRE was swinging with around 50 people, both parents and kids, learning…
by Elizabeth Wood West “Whiskey is for drinking, but water is for fighting,” is an old west saying that could ring true today. Ask any water expert familiar with the Denver Basin and they will tell you that its long-term ability to provide water is limited. Many large water providers, including Castle Pines North Metro…
Our Role in the CPN Community The primary function of the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District outlined in 1984 when the District was established, was to provide the residents of Castle Pines North with water, wastewater, and storm water services, and to maintain District owned parks, trails and open space. Of equal importance, CPNMD has…
Andy Rhodes Dwight Zemp Information provided by the CPNMD The Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) board of directors voted in February to elect new officers. The board elected Andy Rhodes as president and Dwight Zemp as vice president. Rhodes has been a resident of Castle Pines North since 2003, and was elected to the…
You may have heard recent rumors about a drastically increased enrollment and an additional fourth floor at American Academy (AA). However, they are exactly that; rumors. Expected enrollment at AA for 2010-2011 is 875, a seven percent increase from this year’s enrollment total of 820. This is neither a large nor a significant increase for…
Pam Anderson prepares to give away a door prize at the February meeting of the Douglas County Divas. Article and photos by Anthonette Klinkerman Women are born networkers. They tell each other where the sales are, what shops to patronize, and which restaurants to avoid if such is the case. So it makes sense that…
Information provided by Jennifer K. Pingrey, Village Homes Construction in CPN resumes Village Homes is building and selling new homes again in The Crossings at Castle Pines North with the help of two real estate powerhouses, Homebuilder Capital Solutions and Lowe Enterprises. In December 2009, Homebuilder Capital Solutions, an affiliate of Colorado & Santa Fe…
by Joe Gschwendtner Ah, the ironies of life. Take the contrast between age and youth. When young, we think we know it all and would fly to the moon if we could. When we get older, genuine wisdom has settled in—but we lack the energy of youth. If only youth could have our understanding. Mere…
Sharon DeRouen Press release provided by Sara Edwards, City of Castle Pines North Sharon DeRouen officially took office as city clerk March 9, when she was sworn in at the Castle Pines North city council meeting. DeRouen replaces the former city clerk, Janie Berry, who did not run for reelection. No candidates qualified to run…
Pictured above are members of the BRE Brainstormers and the team coaches: Front row from left to right are Megan O’Donnell, Molly Steavpack, Katie Shanahan, Katie Carlson, Logan Jacobs and Samuel Hilgendorf. Back row from left to right are Christine O’Donnell and Laurie Jacobs. By Carin R. Kirkegaard Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) sent a team…
Information provided by Jon Gray, CPMD The Castle Pines Metro District (CPMD), in cooperation with the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, has engaged Fox-Higgins Transportation Group and P B S & J Incorporated to design two traffic roundabouts along Happy Canyon Road at Gates 1-2 and Gates 3-4. This project is a direct response by…
Supporters gather at the tenth annual Empty Bowl fundraiser for the Women’s Crisis and Family Outreach Center of Douglas County. by Tracy Dudley On March 5, the Douglas County Events Center hosted the Tenth Annual Empty Bowl, where nearly 1,000 supporters – including many Castle Pines North residents – came out to help raise funds…
by Sally Uhrich Baking from scratch in Colorado can be especially challenging, particularly for those of us living in higher altitudes. This is due to the decreased atmospheric pressure which can cause cakes to fall flat. The frustration is enough to make even the most “seasoned” cook resort to using store bought mixes. Although most…
Maureen Shul submitted by Maureen Shul, CP EDC The Castle Pines Economic Development Council (CP EDC) unanimously elected Maureen Shul as its new president in February. Shul replaced David Verebely, who was instrumental in the formation of the organization. The CP EDC is a nonprofit organization that works in tandem with neighboring municipalities, Chambers of…
The Boys and Girls Club is to inspire and enable young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. In the photo above, CPN resident Chad Sanders poses with a group of children from one of the Denver clubs. by Carin R. Kirkegaard Chad Sanders, Castle…
Audrey, Ashlyn and Gabrielle with their American Girl dolls Article and photos by Elean Gersack American Girl® began as a catalog retailer in 1986 with the purpose of celebrating girls. Twenty-four years later, it has grown into a mega icon that now includes eight stores, a vast collection of dolls, books, clothing, accessories and more.…
By Elean Gersack Fetch your sneakers, grab a leash and bring your furry friends to the 2010 Furry Scurry. This marks the 100th year of The Dumb Friends League (DFL) helping pets and people and has inspired a centennial goal of raising $1 million in donations. The two-mile fun walk/run is planned for 9 a.m.…
by Sally Uhrich Owning a pet can be a wonderful, rewarding experience for you and your family. However, pets can transmit diseases that may be harmful to humans-especially young children and people with certain medical conditions. These are called zoonotic diseases. There are two types of zoonotic diseases that concern pet owners; illnesses that can…
Public works includes street maintenance and lighting, traffic signals and signage, permit processing and related services that help keep the city running smoothly. As you are no doubt aware, some areas of the community have deteriorating roads, which is due to age and inferior structural pavement design. City Council has already increased resources targeted to…
Drew Webster (4) shaves his head for the second time in support of the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser and his sister Bella (3) who is is remission from leukemia. by Patte Smith with photos submitted by Jennifer Havercroft Playing with big brother Drew is one of Bella Webster’s favorite activities, along with dance class, art, and…
Dr. Clint Dickason, D.C. Information provided by Clint Dickason Dr. Clint Dickason, D.C., Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce member and founder of Dickason Chiropractic in Castle Rock has been selected as the official chiropractor for the Rocky Mountain Renegade – the new Castle Rock adult amateur football team in the Western Conference of the North…
Information submitted by Susan Seamark, CPMD This is a regular election to be held on May 4 that will be conducted by mail ballot. Registered voters in approximately 1,525 homes may participate. There are six candidates for three open positions on the Castle Pines Metropolitan District Board of Directors. Elected directors will serve four year…
by Anthonette Klinkerman The Beatles sang about him: “’Cause I’m the tax man…” Most people, however, are not in a singing mood come April 15. So it goes without saying that having a birthday on April 15 is far worse than having one on Christmas. Your holiday birthdays may be up to your ears in…
by Elizabeth Wood West “I will do everything possible to stop this ridiculous noise,” declared Castle Pines Village resident and petition organizer Don Somsky. Last fall, Somsky and other Village residents worked with the Castle Pines Homes Association (CPHA) to circulate a petition for residents and businesses that are impacted by train whistle noise. The…
Douglas County School District will hold three meetings to discuss charging fees to ride District buses. The proposed fee would be $.50 per ride, per child and would begin in the 2010-11 school year. All School Advisory Councils, parents and the community are invited and encouraged to attend. The meetings are scheduled for April 29…
PARKS IN CASTLE PINES NORTH -4/18/10 Submitted by Anna Mallinson, CPN Parks Authority President Since 2000, building new parks in Castle Pines North (“CPN”) has been under the authority of the Castle Pines Parks Authority (“Parks Authority”). Our Parks Authority has uniquely served the needs of the community but with the completion of Elk Ridge…
Paul J Miller Public Information Officer Douglas County Search and Rescue Douglas County Search and Rescue successfully passed their Mountain Rescue Association Re-Accreditation tests on April 24th and 25th. The testing process was conducted at Castlewood Canyon State Park on Saturday with three different scenarios. Two winter scenarios were performed at Berthoud Pass on Sunday.…
Mywedding.com staff (back row, left to right) Damien Hutchins, President and CEO Woody Pastorius, (center row) Sara Bunke, Katie Lenchuk, (front row) Kelsey Beytien, Brittany Leedahl. By Elizabeth Wood West with photo by Tim Gamble One of the largest online wedding resources in the country, Mywedding.com, opened a new office in March and is now…
Local kids and adults enjoyed the first Five Stones Sports dodgeball tournament at Inverness Sports Complex.
Band members from the Rock Canyon Band Feeder Festival Concert perform at the concert held March 16 at Rock Canyon High School. Buffalo Ridge Elementary, Redstone Elementary, Timber Trail Elementary, Wildcat Mountain Elementary, Rocky Heights Middle School and Rock Canyon High School performed songs separately as well as one collective song for the show’s conclusion.…
The Governor’s Energy Office announced NEW consumer rebates under federal Stimulus funding. These rebates are aimed at energy efficiency, but include incentives such as an extra $75 off on a energy efficient clothes washing machines. The program kicks off April 19th with a website and call center. It’s estimated there is enough funding to create…
by Tracy Dudley When Karen DePretis started working at DCS Montessori five years ago, she would see girls out at recess trying to do cartwheels. Because she has been dancing, baton twirling, and teaching dance most of her life, her natural inclination was to step in and help. “When they asked how I knew so…
by Sally Uhrich It’s that time again; April is national heartworm month. Pet owners need to begin treatment for the prevention of heartworm disease in dogs. To jog the concern of clients, veterinary clinics often display a preserved heart infected with heartworm in a jar and hang posters about heartworm life cycles in examining rooms.…
Castle Pines Village resident and local businessman Joe Gschwendtner announced his exploratory campaign for governor of Colorado. The self-described “anti-politician” made the decision to run following caucuses, and he is looking to expand the current field of candidates. Gschwendtner will now focus on fundraising efforts and gathering signatures on a petition for the primary ballot.…
Charter members of the newly-formed Rotary Club of Castle Pines Article and photo by Kathy Dunker Rotary International is excited about its expansion in Douglas County with the formation of The Rotary Club of Castle Pines. Current Rotary Club membership in Castle Rock, Parker, and Highlands Ranch represents a cross-section of more than two hundred…
Submitted by Paula Lasky Vice Regent, Piney Creek Chapter NSDAR The Colorado State Society, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, honored Juliet Madsen of Parker, Colorado, for the Colorado DAR Outstanding Veteran Volunteer Award at its 107th Annual State Conference. This award is “presented to a veteran-patient in recognition of outstanding achievement in personal,…
Girls and boys alike had a blast strutting their stuff on the catwalk. Article and photos by Kathy Dunker Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students rocked a full house on February 21 at the Marriott Denver Tech Center with their Fifth Annual RCHS Fashion Show, Luncheon and Silent Auction. The fashion show, consisting of 123…
Submitted by Elizabeth Gee, Hughes & Stuart Marketing on behalf of Castle Pines Metro District ROUNDABOUTS PROPOSED TO MAKE HAPPY CANYON ROAD SAFE & EFFICIENT Paul Dannels, District Manager of the Castle Pines Metro District, has announced public safety funds, held by the Douglas County Special District, have been reserved to pay for two proposed…
Sunday June 6 Cyclists get your chains lubed and tires pumped because the Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival is the unofficial start of the Colorado cycling season. The 23rd annual ride takes place on Sunday June 6 at the Douglas County Fair Grounds in Castle Rock and is currently accepting registration of riders of all…
Darwin Horan by Terri Wiebold One of the City of Castle Pines North’s newly-elected council members for Ward 1, Darwin Horan, recently resigned from his position on council. Horan provided the following letter to The Castle Pines Connection regarding his departure: “Dear residents and fellow neighbors, It has been an honor and a privilege to…
Information provided by SMFR with photo by Timothy Toole South Metro Fire Rescue Authority (SMFR) firefighters rescued a dog from a pond in Castle Pines Village at 4300 Prospect, February 27 at 10:45 a.m. The owner reported that the dog had gone out onto the ice and then went into the open water. It then…
by Patte Smith Piper’s Pantry is a nonprofit organization, established by Tim and Eric Hannon, in honor of their two-year-old daughter, Piper. “We have been so blessed with Piper we wanted to share our good fortune with the community. A basic need is food, so we decided that is where we would put our efforts,”…
Photo taken by Kay Kirkegaard Members from the Castle Pines community braved the chilly temperatures and even a little snow to support the 22nd Annual Denver Runnin’ of the Green. Proceeds from the event are used by the Volunteers of America to help the very young, the homebound elderly, and women and children who are…
by Terri Wiebold For more than 25 years, Colorado’s largest non-profit, volunteer-driven health fair program has been promoting health awareness and encouraging individuals to assume responsibility for their own health by offering free and low-cost health and educational screenings. Take time to get checked out. A complete blood chemistry analysis – including heart, kidney, muscle…
Swimmers with the Castle Crocs warm-up and dream of summer while parents register for the upcoming season. by Carin R. Kirkegaard Snow was falling but that didn’t stop the members from Castle Pines North (CPN) from lining up out the door of Dazbog to register for the upcoming swim season for the Castle Crocs. In…
DCS Montessori students enjoy a live demonstration during the school’s annual science fair in March.
Alexis on her 18th birthday A book review by Joe Gschwendtner with photos and illustrations submitted by Margaret Rhyne A white cottage with red trim sits pertly at the south entrance to the Allis Ranch in Sedalia. It’s Alexis’ House, a memorial to the daughter of Margaret Marshall Rhyne. A single glance does not suffice.…
Bobby Lewis with Wellstone, Barb Dolan and Chugs tie for first place, Buena Vista Gold Rush Days. Article by Carin R. Kirkegaard with photo by Ed Kosmicki Since 1949 pack burro races have been run throughout Colorado, mostly in mountain towns like Fair Play and Leadville, but Morrison holds bragging rights for the race to…
Submitted by Rock Swim Team Pictured above are members from the Rock club swim team who qualified for the state and silver state swim meets at the end of the short course-swimming season. Back row from left to right: Chloe Civello, Marielle Renehan, Abby Kochevar, Garrett Durie, Jared Jordan; Front row from left to right:…
Lois Autterson (front left) went to Haiti with one other lady from God’s Grace Community Church in 2009. The kids in this picture were trying to teach Lois Haitian Creole. They are from a center called Tetkole (means “heads together” ) based in Jacmel. Tetkole is run by Verbo Jean Julien, a Haitian lawyer who…
Information provided by Douglas County Residents of Douglas County have until March 31 to take advantage of Insulate Colorado rebates, available to homeowners for insulation installation. Homeowners may apply for a rebate of 20 percent off the cost of installation of either attic or exterior wall insulation and basic recommended air sealing measures, or $300…
Mothers and sons pose for a photo after graduation from Marine Corps Boot Camp at Camp Pendleton, CA. Pictured left to right: Robyn and Jake McElroy and Joey Riplinger and Kelly Wirkus. Article and photo by Carin R. Kirkegaard In January, Jake McElroy and Joey Riplinger, both Castle Pines North (CPN) residents and graduates from…
Girl Scout Troop 628 from Buffalo Ridge Elementary School collected $2,449.29 for the Haiti Relief Fund. Article by Elean Gesack and photo provided by Annette Loomis Haiti… it’s a battleground of disaster. Just days after the devastating earthquake took place, Girl Scout Troop 628 from Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) took action. The fourth graders knew…
The City of Castle Pines North (CPN) will be moving its offices which are currently located at 7437 Village Square Lane, to 7501 Village Square Lane, Suite 100. City Manager Alan Lanning said the new office location should be open and ready to serve the public around March 1. In December, city council approved a…
Submitted by Andy Rhodes, Board President, Pete Webb, Webb PR Board Will Attempt Dialogue with Council CASTLE PINES NORTH, CO — To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of the death of the Castle Pines North Metro District are “greatly exaggerated.” The District’s water and wastewater functions, as well as parks and open space management are not…
by Sally Uhrich The practice of eating corned beef and cabbage as a St. Patrick’s Day holiday meal is actually more Irish-American than Irish-Isle. Although corned beef and cabbage is a traditional Irish meal, it was the Irish-American immigrants who turned it into a St. Patrick’s Day tradition, not the residents of the Emerald Isle.…