Read the stories from the latest issue:
By Elizabeth Wood West Members of Boy Scout Troop 316 of Castle Pines donned their uniforms and headlamps to lend a hand with the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce’s 75th annual star lighting ceremony on November 20. Susan Thayer, member of the chamber’s board of directors and 2010 star lighting committee, came up with the…
Third grader Keely Jester dissects an owl pellet to learn more about bones, joints, muscles and coordination as part of her science studies at Timber Trail Elementary. The rodent bones allow students to study skeletal structures. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Third graders at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) spent some time learning about owls…
Bullyproofing BRE (from left to right): Lynn Bisesi, Jen Jacoway, Ally Berggren, Leslie Clemensen and Christy McDonald. Article and photo by Elean Gersack October was National Bully Awareness Month and all across America, news media focused on tragic outcomes when bullying took its toll. Bullying grows as children grow, so what may start as verbal…
By Elizabeth Wood West with artist’s rendering courtesy of Centura Health Construction is well underway on phase one of Centura Health’s new 50-acre medical campus. The campus is located just south of the Castle Pines community on the northeast corner of Meadows Parkway and Prairie Hawk Drive, west of Santa Fe Drive in Castle Rock.…
Seated is Melissa Howard and standing behind her is Linda Bulmer, Castle Pines residents who recently opened their own specialty shop, Bellezza Boutique, located at the Streets of Southglenn at the corner of University Boulevard and Arapahoe Road. Article and photo by Carin R. Kirkegaard Linda Bulmer and Melissa Howard, two Castle Pines residents and…
Step aside Charlie’s Angels…you’ve got nothing on these RHMS Neon Party goers! Article and photos by Kathy Dunker Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) students took some time out in November for some good, clean, colorful fun. A great time was had by all at the school’s first school social of the year, better known as…
by Sally Uhrich So you’re making the final preparations for your holiday meal, carving the turkey and making gravy. Your guests have gathered in the kitchen, anxiously awaiting dinner. Why not take the edge off their hunger, by serving a tasty tidbit, known as the appetizer? Although there are many recipes for stuffed mushrooms, my…
The Intermountain Champion Women’s Tennis Team, from the Colorado Athletic Club Inverness, (left to right), Jennifer Brockel, Bernadette Bille, Mary Evilsizer, Deb Boyle, Kim Reed, Lisa Herz, Diane Levy, Diana Zoeller, Lori Ann Emlong, Wendy Divita, and Kris Staaf. Kim Reed of Castle Pines serving to her opponent in Nationals. By Liane M. Davis with…
by Elizabeth Wood West Village resident and long-time railroad quiet zone advocate Don Somsky may soon be able to rid Castle Pines Village of some of the unwanted train horn noise. Somsky, the Castle Pines Homes Association (CPHA), and other Village residents have worked this past year with Douglas County engineering staff member Sean Owens…
New furniture, cabinetry and consignment artwork add to the sleek surroundings. Article and photos by Kathy Dunker The familiar Salon 188 at the Village Square in Castle Pines North may not be so familiar anymore. New owner, Judy Krowiec, resident of Esperanza, has put the salon through a major transformation in preparation for its grand…
A taste of … Augustine Grill by Liane M. Davis On the corner of 6th and Wilcox Street in Castle Rock, you will find a quaint Victorian home that was built in the early 1900’s. What waits for you inside will delight your palette and senses with its cozy, charming, elegant design and atmosphere. Family…
The end-of-year holiday season is already upon us. With all the distractions and celebrating, we sometimes forget the need to keep safe on the streets and at home. Criminals are always looking for an opportunity to victimize us, especially during such a busy time of year. By staying alert and following a few crime prevention…
Castle Pines North Mayor Jeff Huff gives the “state of the city” address at the Castle Pines Chamber annual meeting at The Ridge. The Castle Pines Chamber, established in 2008, is now nearly 200 members strong! Dear Chamber Members, It seems as if our year has just begun, but we are fast approaching the…
By Elean Gersack The Douglas/Elbert Task Force is seeking individuals, families, and groups to support its Santa’s Sharing sponsorship program. Many families served by The Douglas/Elbert Task Force are single parents raising children alone who won’t be able to afford the joys of the holiday season without the generosity of those in the community. There…
Churches in the Castle Pines community have a lot planned for the upcoming holiday season. Here are some of the highlights (events listed are at the Church’s regular meeting place unless otherwise noted). Castle Pines Community ChurchMeets at 7280 Lagae Road, Suite O (King Soopers Plaza), www.castlepineschurch.org * “Christmas With Friends” The community is invited…
Submitted by Darren Everett, The Canyons Update from the east side of the interstate – A message from the developer As the snow begins to fall, we would like to take a minute to give a brief update on The Canyons development. Since being annexed and zoned into the City of Castle Pines in 2009,…
by Linda Nuzum The Castle Pines North Municipal Court is now a year old. Last month, city council reviewed first year of operations and explored the potential for adding other types of cases for the court. To date, the court has focused solely on traffic citations. It now offers online payment of tickets,…
Gold Crown’s 8 Gold team (left to right) back row: Rose Thompson, Madison Courtney, Antonia Fornaro, Brooke McBride, Baylee Olejnik and Devin Hartwig; front row: Bailey Zagar, Madison Mitzner and Lauren Chauvin. Information submitted by Gold Crown parent with photo provided by Dawn Mitzner The Gold Crown volleyball organization for middle school girls wrapped up…
RCHS varsity softball team, second place in state, (left to right) back row: Kaitlyn Miller, Katie Cook, Zayne Blumberg, and Shen Lu Swartout; middle row: Taylor Pettaway, Alli McCloskey, Brooke Wakefield, Shannon Lieber, Remy Mooney, Taylor Dunn, and Brooklyn Travis; front row: Lauren Yacks, Melanie White, Hannah Gunther, and Alexa Vareldzis. Article by Kathy…
DCS Montessori students perform at a special patriotic concert in honor of our country’s veterans. Article by Tracy Dudley with photo provided by DCS Montessori While visiting with good friend and war veteran Scott Shires LTC USAR Retired, DCS Montessori music teacher Lorraine Cooper had a brainstorm. What if a group of students at the…
AA first grader, Aurora Brady, holding a squid found in a dog shark’s stomach during dissection. Article by Kathy Dunker with photo by Kristi Doke During their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) unit in November, American Academy (AA) first grade students had the opportunity to think like marine biologists. They used their knowledge of…
Pictured above are Sharon Majetich (right) and Josh Lencke (left) sorting out candy for the troops. Article by Sharon Majetich with photo by Amy Shanahan Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) showed that kindness and a healthy lifestyle really do go together. Sharon Majetich, eighth grade social studies teacher, initiated a request to the RHMS community…
DAR scholarships available to high school seniors College scholarships are available to high school seniors for fields of study as diverse as law, nursing, education and more. Scholarship applicants must have a sponsorship letter from a local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. For assistance in locating your local chapter, you may contact…
Holiday events are plentiful this December By Patte Smith Santa, colorful lights, cocoa and cookies, movies, music, plays and more — this holiday season is jam-packed with all kinds of events for families, friends, relatives and visitors from out-of-town. Children can take advantage of the many programs offered by the various local recreation centers as…
Paige Taylor, from Evolve Lifestyle Training (bottom left) and her crew of BRE staff take a photo break after “workout Wednesday.” Work-out Wednesdays at Buffalo Ridge Elementary promotehealth, wellness and fun camaraderie Article and photos by Elean Gersack The staff at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) is getting in shape, taking charge of their health,…
From left to right Miss Teen Colorado 2011 – Caley Pavillard, Blair Griffith – Miss Colorado USA 2011, Kent Paul, former Mr. Colorado, Kathy Pallaoro – Mrs. Colorado United States 2010. Congratulations Kent on your grand opening celebration of Turbo Training Fitness Center . Check it out at www.turbotrainingfitness.com.
The Pfeiffer family gathered around their trusty turkey fryer this Thanksgiving (left to right) Susan, Sam, Tim, Ally, and Drew. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos provided by Susan Pfeiffer Deep fried turkey may not seem like the typical tradition, but Tim and Susan Pfeiffer, residents of Stonecroft, are on their fifth year of deep…
Christian Nicholson as Romeo and Logan Schurr as Juliet. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Rachel Zetwick Where was Romeo? In November he was found at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) in the school’s modern day approach to Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” as seen through the eyes of drama teacher and show director, Mclain…
by Kathy Dunker Castle Pines North residents, Susanne Kabza and Michele Hayden, are hosting their 3rd annual holiday boutique, Party with a Purpose, at Kabza’s home, 5783 Amber Ridge Place in Castle Pines North, on Tuesday, December 14 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ten percent of the profits will benefit The Women’s Crisis and…
Surrey Ridge kids, families, friends and relatives enjoyed the frightfully fun annual neighborhood Halloween hayrack ride. Sloppy joes, chips, pop and candy were served from a spooky black coffin manned by witches, ghouls and parents decked out for the dark and unusually warm night. More than fifty kids rode on hay-filled tractors that wound around…
by Patte Smith While on the way to the November Leadership Douglas County program, Health Care and Social Services Day, Carla Kenny didn’t realize she was about to hear some remarkable news. This news not only impacts Douglas County, but the entire country. Douglas County has been chosen to participate in The National Children’s Study…
Dr. Patrick Wilson and Dr. Lisa Fox of Colorado Kids Pediatric Dentistry stand in front of 2,000 pounds of candy collected during their annual Halloween candy buy-back program in November – well surpassing last year’s 1,100 pounds. Children received $1 for each pound of candy brought into the office. The USO will distribute this massive…
Operation Bright Star prepares to start the assembly line of filling boxes to create a Thanksgiving feast for those in need. This year the group was able to prepare 29 meals that were delivered to those who probably wouldn’t have otherwise had a Thanksgiving meal. Article and photos by Carin R. Kirkegaard Operation Bright Star…
Douglas County commuters driving between Parker and I-25 will soon be able to access Parker’s Main Street via the Ridgegate exit. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the recently-developed road will be held on December 13. The new route should ease congestion on Lincoln Avenue. The construction of the alternate route was completed by a coalition…
Ken Hamblin, former liberal photojournalist (best known for his coverage of the civil rights riots of the late 60’s) – turned conservative Denver talk show host (aka: the “Black Avenger”), spends his time these days traveling with wife, Sue, and riding his Harley Davisdon motorcycle. At age 70, Hamblin appreciates not only where he is…
Information provided by the City of Castle Pines North As of January 1, 2011, the City of Castle Pines North will be known simply as the City of Castle Pines. Voters in November approved more than three- to- one the ballot question to drop “North” from the city’s name, a move city officials believe will…
RCHS varsity pom team, UDA Champions (left to right) back row: Coach Alicia Heimerdinger, Kate Reisig, Amy Taylor, Kelsey Hofstetter, Alexis Todd, Ciara Stamper, Hannah Wilson, and Lauren Packer; front row: Ali Sunshine, Ivy Deibel (captain), Charity Sammons (captain), Sara Eldridge, and Sam Pusar. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of Vanessa Pusar The Rock Canyon…
by Sally Uhrich The turkey is stuffed and the pies are baking in the oven, but what about the sides? No holiday meal is complete without those extra tasty vittles known as the side dish. If you’re wanting to include cranberries in your menu, but don’t want the hassle of cooking them, consider Cranberry-Orange Relish.…
TTE students(from left) McKenna and Madison R. and Olivia and Ella M., making a donation at Timber Trail Elementary’s fall food drive. Food collected was given to needy families in Douglas County. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett A new department in the Timber Trail Education Association (TTEA) is charged with helping students and their…
This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. Staff has prepared the draft 2011 budget for review by the City Council. The budget represents a phased approach to converting some current contracted services to “in-house”. The transition plan concept reduces the scope of the existing CH2M Hill contract, creates two internal…
Make sure your vote counts! Election Day is Tuesday, November 2. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Mail Ballots must be received before 7 p.m. on Election Day, either by mail (received, not postmarked) or at a ballot drop-off location. In Castle Pines North, ballots can be dropped of at 7501 Village…
Newman (pictured second from the right) and a group of her friends gathered together to raise money for childhood cancer. Article by Kathy Dunker with photo by Amy Shanahan Nikki Newman, an eighth grader at RHMS and Forest Park resident, recently hosted Alex’s Lemonade Stand in Castle Pines North (CPN) to raise money to fight…
This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. The Castle Pines North City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 10-81 at the October 12 City Council Meeting, which allows the transition from the City Council serving at the Castle Pines Urban Renewal Authority Commission (URA) to a five member, citizen volunteer Commission.…
Dr. Andrew Dunbar Castle Pines Orthodontics Article and photo submitted byCastle Pines Orthodontics Congratulations to Castle Pines Orthodontics for exceeding expectations again and again! Dr. Andrew Dunbar and his team at Castle Pines Orthodontics has been chosen and recognized by 5280 Magazine as the top orthodontist in the Castle Pines/ Castle Rock area for 2010.…
Information provided by The Dumb Friends League There were hundreds of wagging tails and wet noses on the trail! The Dumb Friends League hosted its sixth annual Wag ‘n Trail on September 25 and exceeded its fundraising goal—raising more than $108,000 for homeless pets at the Buddy Center in Castle Rock. More than 1,500 people…
DCS Montessori students enjoyed a week-long retreat at the Estes Park YMCA in October Article by Tracy Dudley with photo by Matt Long Every year, the sixth graders at DCS Montessori spend five days away from home on a week-long field trip in the mountains. This year, the crew had a great time at the…
Sabrina (left) and Madison (right) Vachris Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Two girls from the Castle Pines community are getting one of the best presents of all this season: a dream come true. Madison and Sabrina Vachris, ages eleven and nine respectively, are members of the tap team at the Danza Dance Academy in…
Article by Kathy Dunker with photo collage by Tim Gamble On a blustery Autumn afternoon, the ghosts and goblins of the Castle Pines community came out in force. Trick or Treat Street, sponsored by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce, was an enjoyable way to break into the Halloween weekend spirit. With 26 businesses participating,…
Jaguar Varsity Girls (left to right) Ali Will, Emily Huber, Phoebe Schneider, Leah Huber, Cassandra Hardy, Coach Anna Moseley, Sami Will, Sydney Fleecs, Kaylyn Mondschein-Snook. Photo courtesy of Dezi Kappes. Article and photo by Elizabeth Wood West After months of rigorous training, hard work, and unswerving competitive spirit, Rock Canyon High School’s Jaguars boys’ and girls’ varsity…
The book fair’s grand opening happened in conjunction with the Rock Slide and the Waffle Brother’s Waffle Breakfast. While runners stretched and prepared for the race start Clifford the Big Red Dog gave hugs while Lea M. carried a sign announcing that the book fair was open for business. Article and photo by Carin R.…
Julenn Lefgren Batchelor By Joe Gschwendtner with photo provided by Brenda Colling Julenn Lefgren Batchelor, 67, lost her fight against cancer on August 28. She was an active woman and Castle Pines North neighbor for fourteen years. Her impact on all was by example, and a driving energy infused her life at every waking hour.…
In the courtroom scene are actors (left to right) Cole Owens, Morgan Hayes, Louise Macdonald, Katt Domingue, Cristina Vazquez, Aimee Shnebeck, Jacob Donaldson, Hayley Zulkoski and Quinn Kennedy. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Alan Treibitz The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) thespians, led by instructor, Cindy Baker, did an outstanding performance last month…
McCarty at the varsity football game, Shea Stadium, wearing her royal sash. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Kathy Dunker and Sherry McCarty “It is our pleasure to inform you that your daughter has been nominated for Rock Canyon High School’s 2010 Homecoming Royalty Court!” So began the McCarty family’s, CPN II residents, voyage…
A taste of…The Old West Bar-B-Que by Liane M. Davis Wanting a change of scenery, Randy and Rita Sorenson moved to Colorado from California more than seventeen years ago. Randy, an auto mechanic, wanted to pursue something different in Colorado. The Sorenson’s had hosted many Saturday evening barbecues with family and friends during the years.…
In the month of November, Douglas County Libraries will gather gently used and new coats for those in need this winter as part of the Coats for Colorado program. Please bring your used coats to any library location, November 1-30: Castle Pines Library (7437 Village Square Dr.) Parker Library (10851 S. Crossroads Dr.) Highlands Ranch…
TTE Book Fair “Saves the Day” The Timber Trail Elementary Book Fair, which has a theme of “Reading Saves the Day,” will be held from November 8 through 12. The Book Fair will be open: Monday and Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. –…
American National bank associates enjoy a martini before viewing the thriller “Psycho” on the IMAX screen at The Wildlife Experience Martini and a Movie. For information about movies and showtimes, go to www.wildlifeexperience.org.
Artist Suzanne Dutcher displays her hand-painted antique tea set, clock, and child’s tea set. Article and photos byElizabeth Wood West Colorado native and Castle Pines North resident Suzanne Dutcher has turned her love of tea sets and antiques into a unique art form. Dutcher transforms every day and heirloom-quality serving pieces into one-of-a-kind functional art…
Tris and Vickie Bars recently became owners of Fish Window Cleaning® in Castle Pines and are new members of the Castle Pines North Chamber of Commerce. The Bars also own a business that installs interlocking concrete pavers for businesses and residences, and have owned that business for 13 years. Currently this company is the largest…
by Carin R. Kirkegaard This Thanksgiving, plan to attend the Turkey Rock Trot and work up an appetite for the big holiday meal. The proceeds from the event will benefit the Douglas/Elbert County Task Force. The event takes place at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Race day registration for $30 per runner begins at 8:30 a.m.…
The RHMS gang gathered around the firepit to start day three. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Steve Green What is the sixth grade experience? Three cheers for outdoor ed! Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) newbies got the chance for some mountain fun with a three day, two night stay at YMCA of the…
The final prize, CPN II resident, Mike Dunker, bags a cow elk on October 24. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Mike Dunker October and November ‘tis the season in Colorado; big game hunting season, that is. Many Castle Pines residents are heading to the mountains this fall as big game season switched into…
Owner Paige Corbett, MSN, CNM, NP-C by Elizabeth Wood West with photo provided by Paige Corbett Family Health Matters (FHM) will open its doors soon, offering a broad range of medical services to the Castle Pines community. FHM will provide walk-in care for non-life threatening illnesses and emergencies, routine lab tests, immunizations, women’s health, and…
Pictured (left) is Garret Durie with his viola and McGregor (right) Durie with his cello. The boys recently auditioned and were accepted to the Arapahoe Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Here, they had just finished their first performance. by Carin R. Kirkegaard with photos by Steve Durie In June, Garret Durie, an eighth grader at Rocky Heights…
Information provided by Douglas County The Douglas County Government Partnership represents 290,311 Douglas County citizens in the unincorporated and incorporated areas of the county. Almost 90 percent of the population lives in urban designated areas of the county. In one-on-one conversations, service transactions, and community meetings, Partnership members are face-to-face, listening and responding to constituent…
Clark on her horse, “Duncans Dun It” at the Mountain Affiliate Finals, Utah, in September of this year. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Judson Crossland and courtesy of Stuart Clark Emily Clark, a 13-year-old seventh grader at Denver Christian in Highlands Ranch, has had a very impressive year as a young equestrian. A…
The Thomases gave a very informative and entertaining presentation to the Castle Pines Rotary Club on October 14. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Kathy Dunker and courtesy of Huw Thomas Castle Pines Rotary had two special guests at their October meeting. British cyclists, Huw and Carolyn Thomas, from the ShelterBox disaster relief charity,…
This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. In a collaborative effort with the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority, the City of Castle Pines North is submitting an application for Community Wildfire Protection Plan assistance and funding from the Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP). CUSP provides financial assistance to…
Information submitted by South Suburban Parks and Recreation During November, South Suburban Parks and Recreation will celebrate Great Skate Month with FREE skating classes at both ice arena facilities, South Suburban Ice Arena, 6580 S. Vine St., Centennial, and Family Sports Center, 6901 S. Peoria St., Centennial. A free 30-minute skating class will be offered…