Read the stories from the latest issue:
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of Lori Dishneau Pictures of bobcats passing through yards and sunning on decks have been filling the social media pages of many community neighbors the past few weeks. It is uncertain how many bobcats are actually out roaming the neighborhoods, but there have been photos with anywhere from one…
Volunteers provide hope for those with mental health struggles By Chris Michlewicz A small army of volunteers from Douglas and Arapahoe counties is helping those with mental health struggles find hope during uncertain times. Volunteers for the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness — or NAMI — not only find the work…
By Lynn Zahorik; courtesy photos Cars of every shape, color and brand travel the streets and highways of Colorado. What they all have in common is a license plate displaying a series of letters or numbers indicating that the car has been registered with the state. People spend a lot of time in their vehicles,…
A little taste of home Article and photos by Chris Michlewicz Everyone knows the adage “Home Is Where the Heart Is.” It turns out the same can be said for Sedalia’s hometown diner. By the time Donna Ingman opened O’Brien’s Cafe in 1994, she had already forged close relationships with hundreds of people in and…
By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photos The hot trend in home decor is the tiered tray, a relatively easy and stylish way to add an accent display to an empty space in the kitchen or as a centerpiece on the dinner table or entryway. Tiered tray decorating is simple and doesn’t require a degree in interior…
Article and photos by Lisa Crockett I have, as far as I can tell, no Irish blood. I don’t have red hair, green eyes, or particularly good luck. In March though, everyone is a bit Irish. I’ve perfected a handful of delicacies from the Emerald Isle that I cook just once a year on the…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Popcorn Bliss The second Thursday in March is Popcorn Lovers Day, and who doesn’t love popcorn? This time-honored and versatile snack can be enjoyed plain, sweet, salty, savory or a combination of flavors. So many more options exist though … To begin with, popcorn can be flavored to your…
National Read Across America Day By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos by Shaun Kernahan March 2 has become National Read Across America Day in honor of Theodor Seuss “Ted” Geisel, or Dr. Seuss. The American children’s author, political cartoonist, illustrator, poet, animator and filmmaker was born March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts. Geisel adopted his pen name…
By Chris Michlewicz A social group that promotes healthy aging through connection hopes its members “enter as strangers” and “leave as friends.” CircleTalk is a program designed to disrupt loneliness and isolation in the lives of older adults, and it has become a critical tool during a time when social isolation is more pronounced than…
By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District When you lead by good example, others will often follow. That’s what happened when Marilyn and Blair Marsden, who have lived in the Stonecroft neighborhood of Castle Pines for 12 years, saw messages last summer on a neighborhood social media platform stating the…
By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of Rusty Walker It might not have been obvious to him as a kid, but the hard work and dedication that helped Rusty Walker become a standout youth athlete helped prime him for later success in the business world. Walker, a 13-year resident of The Village at Castle Pines and…
By Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of Amelia Graser Amelia Graser has spent her life in education. As a child in Los Angeles, she helped in her mother’s third grade class, running ditto copies, sharpening pencils, organizing and cleaning erasers. She played school in the playhouse her father built her. Teaching was a natural choice for…
Meeting at The Exchange in Castle Pines for a bite to eat, longtime Surrey Ridge friends enjoy sharing stories, catching up on family news and reminiscing. Being friends for many years, the ladies feel “comfortable in our own skin” when they gather. These longtime friends share ideas, companionship and laughter. “Having friends is like having…
By Nancy Koontz; photo by Terri Wiebold There’s a bright light and a smiling gate guard who greets residents of The Village at Castle Pines and visitors at gate 4, Sunday through Thursday. The very loved and appreciated, Erak Hillman celebrated more than a decade of service as the main gate guard this past September.…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of the Ringgenberg family “For a while I wanted to move to a small town but then I realized I do live in a small town,” Laura Ringgenberg said with a smile. Laura has been a Castle Pines resident since 2004 and has lived in a few different neighborhoods before…
By Nancy Koontz; courtesy photos Arizona will gain a ray of sunshine from the Castle Pines community this spring. The former president of the Village Castle Pines Garden Club and a big proponent of the Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation, Janice Wright – along with her husband, Chatt – will be moving to their new…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Chris Dudley National Nutrition Month is a great time to try to incorporate some healthy changes into the usual routine. Try the suggestions below for each week of the month. Encouragement and ideas have been provided by Chris Dudley, resident and Castle Rock firefighter who has been coaching nutrition,…
By Claire Bauer, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of RCHS With the second semester of the 2020-2021 school year in full swing, Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) sports are up and running – literally. Girls basketball players are actively training and competing. The amount of strength and dedication these Jaguars have put into their sport…
Article and photo by Shaun Kernahan When the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) varsity boys basketball team tips off each game this season, the stands are not filled to capacity. Only a select number from each player’s family are allowed into the gym. That is where local sports bar, Berg Haus in Castle Pines, has…
By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of the Saenger family Castle Pines resident since the age of 1 and Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) senior, Jacob Saenger, has had some exciting experiences this year when it comes to his favorite sport – hockey. After multiple years of playing AAA hockey in Colorado, Jacob decided to play…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) Timberwolves displayed their wolf pack pride by dedicating this year’s American Heart Association (AHA) Kids Heart Challenge to one of their own student heroes, first grader Grace Creeden. At just 5-months-old Grace underwent heart surgery. Wearing oxygen full time for a year…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos In addition to the athletes we honored in our December 2020 paper, we honor the most recent student-athletes to sign letters of intent to play their sport at the collegiate level. DOUGLAS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL “Cooper is a great young man and a very talented basketball player. As a three-year…
Information and photos provided by DCS Montessori DCS Montessori lower elementary students were immersed in cultural studies learning about the Lunar New Year. There are 12 different animals that cycle each year representing different characteristics and personality traits of the Chinese zodiac calendar. This year is the Year of the Ox, which represents agriculture. Those…
By Steve Whitlock; photos courtesy of the White family Corey White, age 12 and in seventh grade at American Academy (AA), has made a significant difference to the homeless population in Colorado. His parents, Jason and Noelle White, tell how it started. “Corey became passionate about the need for socks in second grade upon hearing…
for Speech and Debate By Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of Megan McDonald Students Allison Willner, Carter McDonald and Frankie Stroud qualified for the National Speech and Debate congress tournament, representing Rock Canyon High School (RCHS). Jacob Aragon and Krish Kumar qualified as alternates. The national tournament will be held in mid-June. The Colorado High School…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Danielle Bonilla Jill Bonilla delivers a few Girl Scout favorites to our local heroes at Fire Station 36. This is just one of many donated cookie deliveries Jill will make this season. Through the Hometown Heroes program, Troop 60047 designated their cookie donations to teachers in the Douglas County…
By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary The Timber Trail Elementary move-a-thon fundraiser is one of the biggest money raising events for the school. This year’s event took place in a virtual setting where students were encouraged to log any and all physical activity from hula hooping to bike riding and all hours…
By Shaun Kernahan; courtesy photos Followers of the Farmers’ Almanac have probably made note that February could be a rough month for a daily commute, but on the upside, it looks promising for enjoying the many outdoor winter activities Colorado has to offer. The almanac projects a winter with heavy snow and below-average temperatures. This…
By Chris Michlewicz A multi-phase project to reconstruct Castle Pines Parkway is expected to begin later this year. The City of Castle Pines is planning to reconstruct a busy portion of the arterial roadway from Yorkshire Drive to Monarch Boulevard and is on pace to award the construction contract this spring. The road project will…
Information and photo provided by Douglas County Are your license plates expiring soon? If you’re not sure, there are three easy ways to find out: 1) check the tabs on your vehicle’s plates; 2) locate the expiration date on your vehicle registration card; and 3) watch for your courtesy renewal card in the mail. While…
Coming soon to a mailbox near you Information provided by Douglas County Since mid-January, property owners in Douglas County have been receiving 2021 property tax bills or tax notifications in the mail. One thing to note when reviewing a tax bill or notification is that while taxes are paid to the County Treasurer’s Office, the…
Information provided by Douglas County Douglas County Commissioners represent constituents on more than 30 additional boards and commissions at the local, regional, state and national level. They sit at a larger policy table, ensuring that the interests of Douglas County residents are heard. “Through direct citizen engagement, citizen survey results and more, we are well…
Information provided by Douglas County Libraries Budding entrepreneurs have a valuable resource providing a hand up in developing a working business model for an inspirational idea. Douglas County Libraries (DCL) can help with business plans, registration and other startup information. DCL also assist with market research and lists, industry trends and operational services. Online Resources…
By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of the Horst family Robert and Barb Horst are co-owners of 80108 Wine & Spirits in the City of Castle Pines, as well as being siblings. Originally from Stillwater, Minnesota, Barb is the youngest of four kids and Robert is the oldest. The two share five nieces and nephews. The…
Article and photo by Terri Wiebold As the parent of two college students, my credit card was no stranger to Crumbl Cookies, the Utah-based bakery brand popular for its decadent flavors and late-night delivery. It wasn’t until Devrie Jones opened her store at 323 Metzler Drive in Castle Rock on November 19 that I experienced…
Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski Growing up in North Dakota, it was not uncommon to find an ice rink and warming hut at every park or elementary school. In fact, when the sun was shining and the temperatures were warm enough for outdoor play, gym class meant we were outside enjoying the classic winter…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Julie Thelander When Julie and Erik Thelander bought their home in the Winterberry neighborhood five years ago, there was little inventory available. They chose a house with good bones and a great layout, but they knew the house would require upgrades over time. “We chose Castle Pines because we…
Article and photos by Chris Michlewicz If you’re into camping and experiencing the full breadth of what Colorado’s natural lands have to offer, now’s the time to reserve those awe-inspiring campsites. In the 1980s and 1990s, camping enthusiasts had to get in line at National Park Service offices and, ironically, camp out overnight to reserve…
Information and photo provided by Mount Rosa Chapter of the DAR The Mount Rosa Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) presented a National Certificate Award for Community Service, American and Colorado flags, and a check from Mount Rosa for $100 to James Holmes, the executive director of the Cherokee Ranch…
Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Week February 15-21 and RAK Day February 17 by showing appreciation for others, taking action when others are in need and instilling kindness in the community. Resident Judy Manley shared, “Castle Valley is full of random acts of kindness! The surprises were wonderful – my neighbors dropping by items…
Article by Joe Gschwendtner; courtesy photos Years ago, I consulted for Swedish battery manufacturer, OPTIMA. Normally, a fair-weather traveler, a meeting at headquarters called me to Stockholm in the winter. What a treat. Since industrial grade winters are the norm, Swedes prepare through their traditions, entertainment venues and infrastructure. Fear of cold and snow does…
By Chris Michlewicz; courtesy photo Most in-person book clubs are on hiatus due to the coronavirus, but avid readers are finding a new way to consume and discuss books with some of the most talked-about celebrities of today. Literati, a virtual book club with a star-studded twist, has spent recent months entertaining kids and adults…
Dear Reader, Let’s take a minute this month to talk about the origins and different kinds of etiquette. Etiquette goes all the way back to the French courts of the 1600-1700s. Story has it that the head gardener of Versailles was having trouble keeping the courtiers from traveling off the footpaths and wandering all over…
By Stacie Chadwick At face value, success in sales is about setting goals, defining a quota and hitting numbers. There’s a mathematical rhythm to the work, and words like “target audience,” “lead generation” and “conversion rate” serve as first language influencers on a path toward achievement. Recently, I met a lovely older gentleman named John…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Megan Mathis Castle Pines residents may have crossed paths with “the morning fox” on a neighborhood walk through the community. Not an actual fox, rather Kitsune (Kit), a 5-year-old Shiba Inu, a popular Japanese breed whose name translated to English literally means fox. The Shiba Inu breed is still…
Photo by Chris Michlewicz While this Hidden Pointe resident is a prairie dog and not a groundhog – although from the same squirrel family of rodents (Sciuridae) – he reminds us that February 2 is Groundhog Day. According to the oracle that is Wikipedia, Groundhog Day is “a popular North American tradition observed in the…
Helping those with disabilities find their path By Chris Michlewicz; photo courtesy of Arc Thrift Stores A new donation station in the City of Castle Pines helps a nonprofit that has risen to prominence thanks to the hard work of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Arc Thrift Stores is a statewide chain known mostly…
By Shaun Kernahan; courtesy photo The state of Colorado is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, and the same goes for birdwatchers. Douglas County happens to be one of the better places in the state for a beginning birdwatcher or an avid one. According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, there have been more than 200 species of…
Information provided by Douglas County Libraries Douglas County Libraries (DCL) reached a record-breaking number of digital book checkouts in 2020, surpassing the one million mark last November. This milestone highlights the continued growth and importance of the library’s digital lending of e-books and audiobooks, especially in a year that included building closures due to the…
By Bryan Goodland; courtesy photo Ask any kid if they’d rather eat a piece of chocolate or a serving of Brussels sprouts – does the question even need to be asked? Everyone wants to eat things that taste good, but as adults we understand that not everything that tastes good is actually good for the…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Rina Castanon Have you noticed an increase in your snacking this past year? Though snacks are nothing new, snacking more often and snacking healthier is. The increase in snacking is due to a number of reasons. No doubt, everyone has been home more with easy access to the kitchen…
Information submitted by Colleen Morton, R.N., Castle Rock Senior Activity Center Wellness Coordinator; Photo by Terri Wiebold A steamy cup of tea on a cold, snowy day can be the perfect solution to thaw a winter’s chill. Tea is not only known for its warming properties, studies have shown drinking a cup of tea has…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; graphic courtesy of Shari’s Berries Sweets are a standard when planning a romantic experience, whether it’s a slice of decadent cheesecake to cap off a delicious candlelit meal, chocolate dipped strawberries served fireside, or even a box of premium chocolates shared with a sweetheart. Washing all that sweetness down with a…
Rice so nice you’ll eat it twice Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I’ve been logging more than my share of TV hours lately. Luckily, the folks at Netflix launched some new selections last month, saving me from a sad, rerun filled existence. One series, “Best Leftovers Ever” is a particularly relevant show, given that…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Ingredients Purchased two-bite brownies (or make your own in mini muffin pans) Jumbo marshmallows Strawberries, rinsed, topped, and allowed to dry Jarred hot fudge sauce (room temperature) Bamboo Forks Directions Stack marshmallows and strawberries on top of brownies and secure with a bamboo fork. Put hot fudge sauce in…
By Bryan Goodland; courtesy photo Like any relationship, marriage is subject to ups and downs. The key to staying connected in a partnership is communication. Oftentimes, it’s much easier to sit down in front of the television or a good book and get lost in another world. It takes effort to keep communication alive and…
By Patte Smith Scientists studying the brain are on both sides of the aisle when it comes to touting playing brain games as a way to improve memory. It does not take a genius to realize that using the brain to its maximum capacity is a benefit for everyone. An article from the National Institute…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Lori King Growing up in west Michigan, Lori King was torn between athletics and art. “I struggled figuring out who I was in high school. I was very active in sports, but I also loved art. My athletic friends thought I was weird, and my art friends thought it…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos Upon meeting Geri Cline it’s easy to believe she has been teaching students, not just in traditional school environments, but in other more challenging places. What you would not believe is that she thought there was no life after 50. Cline cared for her mother in their hometown of Moultrie,…
By Chris Michlewicz; photo courtesy of Barbara A. Lane A Castle Rock woman with a passion for creating and connecting with people was selected as Zontian of the Year. Barbara A. Lane, who has lived in the Sapphire Pointe neighborhood since 2004, received the honor from the local chapter of the Zonta Club, an international…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo The Village at Castle Pines resident Stephanie Tanner called intermittent fasting (IF), “life-changing.” “I have lost more than 35 pounds since I started IF a few years back, and I am in the best shape of my life. I am a breast cancer patient and my doctor was impressed with…
2021 registration is open! By Patte Snith; photos courtesy of the Village Idiots Cycling Club Make a difference in your community Meet new people and have fun Explore local ride opportunities and adventures Raise money for charities the club supports Welcome a wide range of cycling abilities Join the annual out-of-town adventure ride Work side-by-side…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; Photos courtesy of Castle Pines Running Castle Pines Running club recently headed up Waterton Canyon for the group’s sixth annual New Year’s Day run. The group that braved the crisp wintery morning was rewarded with quintessential Colorado views as they trekked up the canyon for a round-trip run. Rob Harris, one…
By Kathy Fallert; courtesy photos Students at Douglas County School District (DCSD) elementary schools went back to full-time, in-person learning last month. As of press time, DCSD was still working on a plan to return middle and high schools to a hybrid model. In the meantime, kids at DCSD middle and high schools have been…
Thursday, February 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Licensed clinical social worker Nick Thompson is a dynamic and entertaining presenter with a unique perspective on helping students cope with social media, school and helping them to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Thompson has been working with students and families for more than 13…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Jen Murdock-Jacoway and Claudio Ramos Students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary school showed they can persevere and enjoy “regular” school activities, even if the way they participate shifts to wearing face masks, face shields and physical distancing. 2020 brought a record number of students who tried out for the annual…
By Claire Bauer, RCHS intern writer; courtesy photos Having fun and finding light in dark times is often difficult, but rarely unachievable. Students attending online school at home, restricted from seeing friends in person and struggling with the shutdown of many sports and extracurricular activities, have demonstrated it is possible over the past several months.…
