Read the stories from the latest issue:
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.…
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…
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…
Steve Labossiere by Kathy Dunker with photo courtesy of Steve Labossiere Former Master Association Board member – now mayor, Jeff Huff, was replaced recently by an intriguing member of the Castle Pines North (CPN) community. Steve Labossiere (pictured left), a six-year resident of Forest Park, has stepped up to serve as the newest Master Association…
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.…
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…
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 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…
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…
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.…
The Governor has ordered the flags on all public buildings lowered to half staff for today, April 19, 2010, at the request of the President, for victims and survivors of terrorism.
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…
Award-winning DC Dolphins first-time cheerleaders with head coach Stephanie Collins and assistant coach Jen Walters by Tracy Dudley Among a wide variety of other sports, the Douglas County Dolphins youth athletic club offers competitive cheerleading. However, Castle Pines North resident Stephanie Collins felt there should be a more recreational option for those who wanted to…
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.…
by Tracy Dudley Since Kevin Brown moved to Castle Pines North in 1998, he has coached local baseball from t-ball to competitive teams at Rock Canyon High School. However, this will be his first year without coaching, as he is now focusing on helping student athletes with their college recruiting by way of highlight video…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Article by Kathy Dunker A day at American Academy (AA) is a day of exploration. AA places a special emphasis on teaching their students science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). To support that part of its mission, AA treats science class as an essential rather than an elective. From the smallest kindergartner to the tallest…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Great food, service and fabulous views at The Ridge By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of The Ridge Scrumptious food along with amazing views and terrific service await patrons at The Ridge Restaurant. The award-winning Ridge Restaurant has announced it will transition from its current winter hours of operation to seven days a week starting on…
by Carin R. Kirkegaard with photos provided by Jane Kelly This summer, special needs students between the ages of 10 and 17 years old will have an option for a summer day camp. Local Castle Pines community resident, Kelly McAlear will launch her academic special needs program, The Sky’s the Limit, with six sessions of…
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…
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.…
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…
Castle Pines Village resident Gina Gerken (right) assists HawkQuest founder, Kin Quitugua, during a presentation in Castle Pines Village. Article and photos by Tracy Dudley For the second year in a row, more than 200 Castle Pines Village residents and their families were treated to HawkQuest’s breathtaking exhibit of live raptors. The occasion? The Castle…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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:…
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…
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…
Local kids and adults enjoyed the first Five Stones Sports dodgeball tournament at Inverness Sports Complex.
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,”…
Article by Kathy Dunker Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) is very proud to be a finalist for the National School of Character award. Three Colorado schools were submitted for national consideration, the other two being charter and private schools. RHMS was the only Colorado school chosen out of the three and was also one out…
Registration for the fifth annual kids triathlon, Tri the Rock is currently underway. The race, designed to benefit youth health and fitness, will take place on May 23 at Butterfield Park in Castle Rock. A USA triathlon sanctioned event, Tri the Rock is open to all kids ages five through 14. Cost is $35 for…
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…
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 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…
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.…
Will it be a relaxing, lay-low kind of summer or one packed with fun things to do? For those wanting to keep kids busy with tons of action this summer, there is a run-down of some great camp options close-by and around town. If you have a favorite or know of one that we have…
Dear residents and fellow neighbors, It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your city council representative for Ward 1 these past few months. I appreciate you placing your trust in me, and it is with great regret that I must now resign my position. The very reasons you elected me to…
By Sally Uhrich Thinking of acquiring a dog? If you are like most potential pet owners, you dream of leisurely walks, time spent playing fetch, cuddling and caressing your most loving, loyal and of course, obedient, canine companion. Unfortunately for some pet owners, the dream becomes more of a nightmare. Although most puppies will initially…
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…
Five year old Chelbi has Ewing’s sarcoma and wishes to go to Disney World. Article by Kathy Dunker and photo courtesy of Melissa Hawken Morris This year, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado was chosen to be one of the fourteen nonprofit organizations in Checkoff Colorado. This innovative program enables Colorado taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to…
David Klinkerman Article and photo by Anthonette Klinkerman Each year, the Douglas County Educational Foundation bestows an Apple Award to a teacher from the Douglas County School District. One teacher is nominated from each school, and in a celebration akin to the Academy Awards, nominees will find out the Apple Award winner in March. Local…
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…
Owners Doug Heckenkamp of Advanced Physical & Sports Therapy and and Cassie Heckenkamp of Mile High Medical Gardens, along with employee Andrew Foresman (pictured in the center, back.) By Elizabeth Wood West and photo by Tim Gamble Husband Doug Heckenkamp has expanded his successful physical therapy clinic, Advanced Physical & Sports Therapy, to include wife…
by Anthonette Klinkerman I’m so green it hurts. Okay, I’m not, but that would be funny on a t-shirt. I have recycle bins, incandescent bulbs, environmentally friendly cleaning supplies, and a rescued cat. I chase down the plastic bread things for recycling, use stainless steel water bottles, and I do a lot of consignment store…
The history of Mardi Gras in the United States By Chris Bonham Lupercalia, Fastnachtkuchen, Karneval; are these names ringing any bells? No, probably not. What about Fat Tuesday? Mardi Gras? Aha! All of these names are variations of the label given to the season directly before the Catholic celebration of Lent. In places such as…
Sarah Tierney founded Mosaic Admissions in 1999. She has over 20 years of experience in college admissions and higher education marketing. Article and photo by Carin R. Kirkegaard With many state colleges seeing a surge in applicants, it is safe to say that landing a spot in the incoming freshman class of a desired school…
Forest Park HOA (and a couple of nearby communities) participated in a food drive for the Douglas County Task Force during the holidays, and will host another food drive later this year. The Forest Park HOA received this note from the volunteer director at Douglas County Task Force for its efforts in the food drive:…
Submitted by CPN Resident Keri Brehm What is Caucus? Caucus is a process in which you and your neighbors meet together to elect two leaders for your precinct (known as “precinct committee people”) and to elect two or more delegates and alternates to the County Assembly. The two precinct committee people represent the precinct at…
Class facilitator and Castle Pines Village resident Ted Atkinson leading a class in Roman architecture at the OLLI South campus. Article by Carin R. Kirkegaard with photo by Tim Gamble Tom Carter, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Curriculum Chair, has a passion for learning and a talent to ferret out people with a story…