Read the stories from the latest issue:
Dear Mrs. A., I’m working on napkin etiquette with my kids and would love a primer from you, please advise. -Green Briar Gal Dear Green Briar, Well sure! Knowing how the napkin works is an essential part of table etiquette. And starting early is always good. My children are grown, but I know they…
Our Douglas community thrived on Beans in the late 19th and early 20th Century. But not the kind you think… The Bean family lineage began with John Marean Bean of Gilead Maine, born in 1846, and his wife, the former Mary Mason. His five sons lusted early on for something new and different; three…
St. Patrick’s Day was fun time for the residents of Legacy Village. The lucky day was filled with festive fun, Irish refreshments, and Irish music tunes performed by Studio 8 for all residents and their guests. By Julie Matuszewski
As the population ages, budgets can be tighter and the need to count dollars can become more crucial as we work to thrive on fixed incomes. That is one reason it is so important to be aware of and take advantage of the generous resources available in our community, especially for seniors. Aging Resources of…
Crossword brought to you by Allstate Insurance — Tammy Lopez (720) 733-1331 Across 1. Type of IRA 5. Car accident 10. Third degree? 13. Drive off 14. Beginning of a conclusion 15. Cafeteria carrier 16. Camera eyepiece 18. Sly trick 19. Pea jacket? 20. “Come here ___?” 21. “I read you” 22. Football infractions…
My husband loves carrot cake. We have friends who also love it, so whenever we go out as couples, we split a piece of carrot cake in hopes of discovering the best. So, for this April issue, I revisited some of our favorites––and, of course had to re-sample them all to break it down. What…
When I moved to Castle Pines, I loved so many things. The mountain views, the attractive neighborhoods, friendly neighbors, and abundant sunshine were all reasons I could find to revel in residing here. The first time I made a cake, though, I was disappointed to find that the high altitude made baking my favorite treats…
There are a quite a few reasons to have a good repertoire of egg substitutes, whether it is eating fewer animal products, an egg allergy or the fluctuating price of eggs. Try experimenting with the following substitutes, noting that each quantity equals one egg. Consider the overall recipe and which substitute might work best. Use…
Whether you’re a fishing pro or looking to introduce your family to a new hobby, enjoy a day of fishing at Rueter-Hess Reservoir. Reservations for shoreline fishing are now available: slots are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday through October. The entrance to the reservoir is off of Hess…
As a mother of four and an English teacher at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS), it was a natural decision for Karen Whitney to join the board of directors for Happy Crew, a nonprofit whose mission is to destigmatize mental health issues for teens by creating a supportive and inclusive community. (See related story on…
Fifty high school seniors from Castle Pines and Castle Rock honored teachers, coaches and mentors who made an impact on their lives. A favorite of teachers, the annual teacher appreciation event is hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Former NBA player Jimmer Fredette was the keynote speaker (pictured above). The evening…
Ivybrook Academy in Castle Rock is a half-day preschool that encourages physical environment as a resource for exploration, inquiry and thought. Every March, to align with National Book Month, children participate in Young Authors Week, a project that allows them to create their own stories in a book format. The four- to five-year-olds share their…
Photographic prints by two students from Rock Canyon High School, Hudson Koenig and James Weinberg, were on display for the month of March at ARTWORKS Gallery, an art cooperative at The Streets at SouthGlenn in Centennial. “At ARTWORKS, we have been thrilled to support two talented teens each month from different high schools,” stated Susan…
Wish Week at Valor Christian High School (Valor) was a tremendous success, with students coming together to surpass their fundraising goal. The school raised more than $42,000 which allowed for five wishes for Make-A-Wish Colorado. The week was filled with energy, excitement and heartfelt moments as the Valor community rallied around their Make-A-Wish Ambassador, Mila.…
Rock Canyon High School’s (RCHS) annual Wish Week once again brought the community together in a heartwarming display of generosity and school spirit. This year’s event, held in honor of Kinley, a young girl (7) with eye cancer, raised an astonishing $94,921.91 breaking the school’s previous fundraising record and granting 12 life-changing wishes. See related…
Merit rewards at American Academy – Castle Pines function as positive reinforcement motivating students to strive for higher academic achievement and positive behavior. On the other hand, students gain demerits for things like not having the correct supplies, using inappropriate language and uniform violations. The merit program was created by School Resource Office Deputy Eric…
By the end of the school year, middle school students at DCS Montessori (DCSM) will write and publish a special book through a unique multicultural program. The students will coauthor the fictional, bilingual book, Earth’s End: The Journey to the Mountains,with counterparts from across the globe: the all-girl Nakamura Junior High School of Tokyo (Nakamura).…
Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students had a unique opportunity to experience a little piece of France right in their own classrooms. From February 14 to March 8, three exchange students from L’Hermitage, a small town in southern France, joined RCHS as part of the annual French Shadow Week. The French students stayed with host…
Douglas County High School buzzed with cups whizzing up and down at lightning speed during the World Sport Stacking Association’s Colorado Open Championship where 81 stackers competed for times, personal records and a chance to qualify for the Junior Olympics 2025. Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) was represented by 20 students from its club, the Howling…
TINO’S KITCHEN: Food is better when we eat together Celestino Galmadez, owner of Tino’s Kitchen in Englewood, cannot contain his love of sharing his good food and wants south Denver residents to “have a place to gather because food is better when we eat together.” He realized the need for more great breakfast choices and…
Some people think sunshine and 70s is the perfect weather to cast a line. Mike Forster does not disagree. But he also thinks any day is a good day to catch a fish, especially in the winter months, when the temps dip and the water freezes over. “My absolute favorite thing about ice fishing is…
Minimalist camping may soon be allowed at Sandstone Ranch Open Space (Sandstone Ranch) in Larkspur, more than 2,000 acres of diverse landscapes, striking red rock formations, expansive meadows, and rich wildlife habitats. Last October, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) tasked the staff of Douglas County Open Space and Natural Resources to look at options…
A fascinating, multi-step process converts used water from homes, that is wastewater, into clean water to return to the environment. The Parker Water and Sanitation District (PWSD) has two wastewater treatment and purification facilities that perform this service for its customers in Parker and The Canyons neighborhood in Castle Pines. “We treat and discharge around…
Want to get outside with the family this spring and summer? For years, Douglas County Division of Open Space and Natural Resources provided a fun program, a scavenger hunt, encouraging residents to get outside and explore the 65,000 acres of open space and trails in Douglas County. Before 2025, booklets provided by the county were…
Join the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for a friendly competition that is all about saving lives. We have invited our partners to join us for the Battle of the Badges Community Blood Drive. It’s a showdown between two Team Fire and Team Law. Each donor gets a vote, and every drop of blood has a…
Happy Canyon Interchange The City is working with Douglas County to design improvements to the Happy Canyon and I-25 interchange. This process is currently in the design phase. There will be a public open house on March 31 at Douglas County Library – Castle Pines that will provide updates on the project’s progress and next…
The City of Castle Pines is once again partnering with residents for the City’s annual Spring Cleanup Day. As the community grows, it is more important than ever to keep the beautiful parks and open spaces that make Castle Pines special free of trash and other debris. This year’s cleanup day will take place on…
Unfortunately, government imposter scams continue to spread across the country. In these types of scams, criminals impersonate government employees to try to gain personal information or money from the unsuspecting. To raise awareness and help combat these scams, the Social Security Administration and the Office of the Inspector General have designated March 6 as National…
It is often said that a good business idea is one that meets a need or want, or simply being willing to do a job that no one else wants to do. Ally Kelly is banking on all of the above. The Forest Park 16-year-old has a creative spirit and a work ethic that comes…
There are six rural fire protection districts in or near the Pike-San Isabel National Forest (Pike Forest) in Douglas County. Recognizing the need for additional help to manage fires and train responders for medical emergencies and rescue operations, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners awarded $100,000 in federal monies to these fire districts. The federal…
The Sah family is a busy, blended family of five. Living in The Canyons neighborhood, Robyn, Sanjeev “Jeeves,” Rylie (20), Britton (16) and Skylar (10) made their way to Colorado from Louisiana in 2020. Growing up in Nepal, Jeeves still thinks of it as home, even after living a few years in India and in…
Michella Clark, local author, businesswoman and pioneer for Douglas County’s open space preservation, recently published Practical Dreaming, a guide to understanding and interpreting dreams. The book provides a framework that invites dreamers to evaluate their nighttime visions to discover how they might conquer everyday challenges. “I know a lot about dreams because I’ve been…
It is not an overstatement to say that Dave Liniger’s list of life accomplishments is unrivaled. Best known as the founder of real estate giant RE/MAX, the Village at Castle Pines resident’s story plays out like a movie script, an adventure-filled saga that blends billionaire Richard Branson with Forrest Gump. A humble upbringing in Indiana…
Fifteen years ago, The Connection featured a story on nonprofit, A Sanctuary Center, that remarkable built-from-ground-up refuge at the corner of Wolfensberger Road and State Highway 105 in Sedalia. Moved by their compassion, The Village residents Sue and Jack Pfeiffer offered temporary housing for those with troubled hearts and seeking solitude in overcoming losses and…
Griffin Myers, at the ripe age of 21, is the owner of Glenalla Group Corp.—a distribution company with $1.2M in revenue for year-ending 2024 and projected 2025 revenue of $2.5M. The Buffalo Ridge Elementary School, Rocky Heights Middle School and Rock Canyon High School graduate started his online business at age 14 by selling…
The Castle Pines community garage sale is a popular event that residents look forward to every year. While there is no longer a “sponsor” of the event, anyone who is considering hosting a garage sale this summer is encouraged to join with your neighbors and to do it on the weekend of Friday, May 30…
Dr. Devin Godber, a doctor of occupational therapy, knew from an early age that she wanted to work in healthcare. Inspired by medical providers caring for her younger sister Taryn, who was born with a disability, Devin remembers her sister was flown to Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHC) in Denver multiple times. “Being from rural Wyoming…
“As a travel professional, I have always had a deep appreciation for finding the right place to call home—whether it’s a dream destination or a community to plant roots,” stated Lady Lourdes Williams, a jet-setting travel advisor and a resident in Castle Valley. Although a professional travel advisor for just over a year, Lady has…
Stacy Farmer has her dream job; she is the Patient Experience Program Manager at AdventHealth Castle Rock. Her work perfectly pairs with her personal calling to problem solve. The daughter of a pastor, Stacy watched her dad counsel and minister to his parishioners and knew she wanted to do something similar. With an English…
Kristin and Jared King live in the Green Briar neighborhood, have a family and pets. But their story began in Los Angeles… in an elevator. The two were working jobs right out of college: Kristin in advertising for Leo Burnet Company managing Touchstone and Disney accounts and Jared as a production assistant for three…
Soul Dog Rescue (SDR) is a nonprofit that began in 2010 with a mission to alleviate animal suffering and address overpopulation on Native American reservations in the Four Corners region—Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. “The organization advocates for ‘responsible rescue’ practices, placing significant emphasis on spay/neuter and vaccination initiatives as proactive measures against…
Our early settlers were tough and resilient. Even so, James Frank Gardner from Attica, New York, stood out. Tired of living with his parents at age 22, Frank came west seeking adventure. First, he found surveyors work near Omaha. Still bored at 26, he joined that hardy wave of men lured by rumors of…
The Rock of Hope Gala, a charity event benefitting cancer care in Castle Rock, was a stunning showing of compassionate, activated and generous guests. The charity event raised nearly $240,000 to support bringing expert cancer care to AdventHealth Castle Rock. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners made a gift commitment of $1M on January 28…
Girl Scout sisters Abigail (16) and Evie (13) Reynolds have achieved their goals of earning two of the highest awards in Girl Scouting. Abigail officially became a Gold Award Girl Scout ina February and Evie earned her Silver Award in October. Abigail addressed the issue of underrepresentation of women in engineering for her Gold Award…
Women’s History Month was first celebrated in March 1987, though it began five years earlier as Women’s History Week by presidential proclamation. Born from the feminist movement and Title IX, the observance honors women and their cultural, societal and historical contributions. This month, look to the example of a few of the amazing women in…
There are an estimated 300 resident bald eagle pairs that live in Colorado year-round, and that number surges to 1,000 pairs in the winter, when some birds migrate from places with less food available in the cold months—November to March. These birds that mate for life are a remarkable comeback story. In the 1700s,…
Kentavious Caldwell Pup or Kacey, a 1-year-old Welsh terrier, tops out at 18 pounds and runs around the Country Club at Castle Pines golf course with his human family, Dennia and Todd Chromzak. Kacey was named after former Denver Nuggets player Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP). The Chromzaks are big fans of the basketball team as well…
Colorado offers many challenges for gardening: high elevation, often intense sunlight, generally low humidity, rapid and extreme weather changes, and frequently poor soil conditions. While Castle Pines sits at an average elevation of 6,352 feet, slightly lower than the state average, it still experiences those same challenges. Varying dates for the last killing frost and…
Crossword brought to you by Allstate Insurance — Tammy Lopez (720) 733-1331 Across 1. Slacks off 6. Throat-clearing sound 10. Chowder morsel 14. Go fish 15. “Later!” 16. Daughter of Zeus and Hera 17. The most loyal, as an ally 19. Pizzeria fixture 20. Warmed the bench 21. It’s spotted in casinos 22. _______…
Dear Mrs. A, Is it appropriate to ask your guests to remove their shoes when entering your home? – Castle Valley Clean Freak Dear Clean Freak, Oh, you’ve asked the hard question, and Mrs. A. will do her best to guide you. Removing shoes can certainly help keep…
Last month the winners of the Cutest Pet in the Pines contest stopped by The Pet Stuff Place in the Village Shops to pick up their prizes. Article and photos by Rachel Poe
In March, I believe that everyone is a little bit Irish. As far as I know, I have no ancestors from the Emerald Isle, but I love corned beef, soda bread and colcannon, and I often make these tasty treats this time of year. Given that potatoes are the mainstay of Irish cuisine, it is…
Krista Simonson started a Facebook group in 2020 inviting 10 friends to share photos of restaurant food, which at that time was all take-out due to the pandemic. The next day, the group had 200 members sharing what restaurants were open for takeout. “We learned quickly that people really wanted this community,” Krista shared. Today,…
Old-fashioned pursuits, such as knitting, baking, gardening, scrapbooking and embroidery have made a comeback as more Millennials and Generation Zs have been putting down their phones in favor of “grandma” hobbies that have been trending on social media. Record players and old-school cameras are examples of how young people are embracing slow living, nostalgia,…
The artichoke can be a daunting vegetable with its prickly appearance, but it is like one of those familiar fairy-tale characters that are a bit frightening on the outside but ultimately contain an extraordinary heart. This odd, spiky gift from nature is the surprising bud of a thistle that bears gorgeous purple-blue blossoms. The leaves,…
Personality tests are an informative and easy way to learn about one’s strengths and tendencies. The information can be enlightening or validating; either way, the results are beneficial for professional and personal relationships, as well as creating deeper self-awareness. Plus, they are just fun to do. If the word “test” has a negative connotation, Psychology…
Connecting one bite at a time Why limit love to one person or one family or a few people? Love is a stepping stone. The path is looking beyond the self to serve others—giving love to others, creating more loving connections with every person we meet. Mary Grothe, founder of Sunday Salmon, believes she is…
The Rock Canyon High School Cheer teams competed in the national competition in Orlando last month. The varsity team took ninth place in Game Day competitions and junior varsity won fourth in the same category. “We are so proud of the Rock Canyon cheer program,” stated head coach Connie Schubring. “Both teams fought hard and…
There are six 80108 student athletes who signed letters of intent to play their sport at the collegiate level. It takes a great deal of discipline and hard work to balance academics and athletics. Congratulations college-bound athletes! Rock Canyon High School Valor Christian High School By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy…
The Douglas County School District (DCSD) is celebrating some good news. According to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), the district graduation rate reached 92.2% for the 2024 graduation year—8% higher than the state average of 84.2%. “We are so excited that our graduation rate in DCSD has increased to 92.2% (from 90.8% in 2023).…
The Douglas County School District Honor Choir is made up of fifth- and sixth-grade students from multiple elementary schools in Douglas County. Nine fifth-grade students from Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) participated in Honor Choir with a total of 115 students this year. After many joint rehearsals, the musicians performed at a festival at Ponderosa High…
Audrey is a 5-year-old girl who loves princesses, the color purple, chocolate cupcakes, popcorn and her family. When dancing and singing to the theme song “Let it Go” from the Disney movie Frozen, Audrey truly shines. Through the efforts of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado, Audrey’s wish of visiting Disney World and Disney princesses came true…
A former Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) student, poms team member and school newspaper writer, Paige Cassidy is the school’s assistant varsity poms coach. Paige graduated RCHS in 2010 and returned to coach in 2014, following her graduation from CU Boulder. Paige loves being part of her students’ lives, both in and out of the…
Behind every great stage production is a team of passionate and dedicated individuals, and at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS), that team is led by theater teacher Ben Rosen. With a goal of making the program more professional while continuing to build on its already strong foundation, Ben has been working tirelessly with students to…
Jason Gray and his wife Kathryn have two pet goats, along with four chickens and two barn cats, on just shy of one acre of land in downtown Castle Rock, a non-HOA community. Every day the couple spends an hour or so outside with goats Molly and Joe Williams (Joe). “We never saw ourselves…
On January 13, 2025, the Highlands Ranch Senior Center (HRSC) opened its doors for those 55 and older. Located on the south side of Highlands Ranch Parkway and east of Broadway, the 22,000-foot facility is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In 2017, the Highlands Ranch Metro District’s board of directors…
The Douglas County Art Encounters organization is looking for local sculptors with works-in-progress or completed art that is ready to be seen. Founded in 2007, Art Encounters is a year-long, outdoor sculpture exhibit showcasing sculptures, in various media and styles, displayed in highly visible areas in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker and…
Due to renovations, the Douglas County Recording Office has been moved to a temporary location until June. All recording services, including applying for a marriage license, a first-time passport or recording home and property documents, will be provided at the Douglas County Election offices located at 125 Stephanie Place in Castle Rock. The temporary relocation…
The Douglas County School District (DCSD) has created a way for residents age 60+ who live in Douglas County to attend most high school athletic events and fine arts programs for free. The Gold Card is for home events at nine area high schools: Castle View, Chaparral, Douglas County, Highlands Ranch, Legend, Mountain Vista, Ponderosa,…