Read the stories from the latest issue:
By Steve Whitlock; photos courtesy of the Kuna family Finding innovative ways to spend their time, Keller Kuna (13) and Aaron Perry (13) are creating outdoor furniture from recycled skis. It was a need they readily identified and addressed, shared Kuna. “We saw that a lot of people had old skis in their garages and…
By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Journey Church In 2018, Denver Street School (DSS), located across three campuses in the Denver metro area, received a grant from Journey Church Legacy Fund. The school is an alternative high school that is fully accredited and serves at-risk youth. Over the years as the church has grown, Journey…
By Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of the Kamel family Faith, family and fitness are the pillars that frame Perry and Lindsay Kamel’s world. These three cornerstones have continually defined the Kamels’ lives. Active members of Journey Church, the Kamel family is community conscious. They moved to Castle Pines 14 years ago from Maryland after looking…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; Photo courtesy of the Liepins family “There is nothing better than seeing a flower open or the top of the kohlrabi appear,” said Donna Gordon, a community resident who spent 10 years overseeing an organic garden as part of her job as curator of education at the Littleton Museum. “Many children don’t…
By Nancy Koontz; photos courtesy of Marco Fields Taking a break from her back-to-back Zoom business calls, Marco Fields started our interview with, “I’m a storyteller, and I have lived an amazing life!” Marco was born in the early ‘70s in Los Angeles and grew up in a small conservative college town in Utah. With…
By Lynn Zahorik; photos courtesy of the Gallegos family As a critical care nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Sky Ridge Medical Center (SRMC), Kathy Gallegos’ days are long. Not merely because of the 12 hour shifts she works, but also because of the magnitude and number of events Gallegos encounters each day…
By Shaun Kernahan; photos courtesy of Kelsey Cristiano Kelsey Cristiano, a 2007 graduate of Rock Canyon High School’s inaugural class, will have her athletic prowess featured June 10 on the Fox network’s new game show, Ultimate Tag. The show debuted in May and is hosted by the NFL’s Watt brothers – J.J., T.J. and Derek.…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos With graduation ceremonies postponed and many typical traditions canceled, school administrators and parents were challenged to find ways to celebrate graduates. Families “adopted” seniors throughout the community, delivering treats and inspirational words; schools blanketed neighborhoods with yard signs commemorating continuation for many grade levels; chalk messages decorated driveways and…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos Last month we featured graduates in the 80108 ZIP code from traditional and private Douglas County high schools. The Douglas County School District provided the list of graduates. The following 80108 students also graduated in the Class of 2020 from STEM or secondary schools. Any names/schools not in the…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Debbie Rochau As part of the curriculum for the significant support needs (SSN) program at Rock Canyon High School, students learn life skills that they can carry with them after high school. Before the Douglas County School District transitioned to remote learning, students were shopping for cooking ingredients at…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos Just as high school commencement ceremonies looked different this year, so too did local elementary and middle school continuation celebrations. Rocky Heights Middle School moved its traditional slideshow online, sending eighth graders off to high school using technology. American Academy honored eighth graders by placing a sign of congratulations…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of American Academy With the help of Online Physical Education Network’s national trainers, American Academy’s Castle Pines students were able to enjoy this year’s annual field day tradition from their homes. Using household items like baskets, Tupperware, socks, balls and water bottles, backyards transformed into courses for timed field day…
By Julie Matuszewski: photo courtesy of Buchold family American Academy (AA) engineering instructor Melissa Sitzmann loves to see her students using their free time to work on something that interests them – especially if they are expanding their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) knowledge. AA seventh grade Castle Pines student Andrew Buchold is a…
Celebrates Healthcare Workers By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos The newly-formed National Elementary Honor Society at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE), for its first community service project, reached out to each BRE class and asked for students to create a video featuring letters or pictures to show their thanks and appreciation for frontline healthcare workers. Students…
By Julie Matuszewski Parenting is a rewarding job that can come with sleepless nights. Which school to enroll a child in is one of many decisions that can keep parents awake. Touring community schools is the best way to determine if a school is right for a student. A tour helps parents identify a school’s…
By Julie Matuszsewki; photos courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary Outdoor Ed is a three-day overnight trip and one of many school highlights for Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) fifth graders. This year Stone Canyon Outdoor Education virtually brought outdoor adventure to students, including the traditional barn dance with links to the “Chicken Dance” and the “Cha-Cha”…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of American Academy Members of the American Academy (AA) engineering staff love to find new and innovative ways to solve problems. When it became clear that procuring protective equipment for healthcare workers would be difficult for many health organizations, the AA engineering staff collaborated with a local designer and started…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori DCS Montessori (DCSM) families and students finished the school year with a sense of renewed energy. The DCSM Education Foundation not only raised money for the school year, but also raised morale within the DCSM community. The organization planned weekly themed events for the entire family. Families…
By Celeste McNeil; courtesy photos After nearly 35 years of public education, Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) physical education teacher Ronda Gutierrez is trading her indoor classroom for an outdoor one. Gutierrez has been getting students moving in the Douglas County School District (DCSD) since 1986, a fixture at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) for the past…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy DCS Montessori Trekking through Colorado’s geologic past along the Front Range is like stepping into another world. Panoramic view of Pikes Peak, red rock formations standing taller than buildings, and the Dakota Hogback take a person’s breath away. Each magnificent view delivers a subtle message of its history. Prior to…
By Lynn Zahorik; courtesy photos As we honor mothers of all ages this month, one family in The Village at Castle Pines celebrates both Mother’s Day and the 97th birthday of a remarkable woman who has been a mom for 73 years. Known as Libby Wright to most, Elizabeth Louise Miller was born on May…
Uncertainty and fear; two elements that criminals and con artists thrive on. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends consumers be especially alert to avoid falling for a scam. Below are several recent reported scams, along with tips to identify and avoid them. Phony cures and fake masks. The BBB has received reports of people receiving…
The Rotary Club of Castle Pines (RCCP) has a long history of helping community efforts. With the arrival of the coronavirus and its economic impact, Help & Hope Center of Castle Rock that serves individuals and families in Douglas and Elbert counties, is experiencing a shortage of food and pantry items. RCCP generously donated much-needed…
Help & Hope Center need you! Help & Hope Center is in need of volunteers. The center is following the Center for Disease Control guidelines and protective measures for volunteers. These include: No one over the age of 65; social distancing – volunteers have specific areas they work in; hourly handwashing; disinfecting tools and surfaces;…
By Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of Brian McKelvey Castle Pines Cub Scout Pack 856 has been busy. They joined with their chartering organization, Castle Rock American Legion Post 1187, in assisting with the Legion’s annual spring food drive. All food, supplies and money were donated to Help & Hope Center, the Douglas and Elbert County…
Information provided by Douglas County Removing tree limbs, shrubs and brush (slash) from your property is essential for wildfire risk reduction. Douglas County’s slash and mulch site at 1400 Caprice Drive in Castle Rock is open to dispose of unwanted slash on Saturdays only from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. through October 31. Residents can dispose…
By Patte Smith May is Mental Health Awareness month and Douglas County is proactively helping adults and youth get mental health help when needed. In 2017, the first adult mental health Community Response Team (CRT) was organized in the county. With a much-needed mental health response team for youth, Douglas County formed a CRT specifically…
Information provided by Douglas County Nonprofit organizations serving the local community have become increasingly more critical in supporting some of our most vulnerable residents. The Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) established a COVID-19 Recovery Fund to help strengthen and stabilize local nonprofits that are working to support those most impacted. Priorities include food banks, food…
By Terri Wiebold We’ve all heard about the multitude of loans the government is issuing to help small businesses, but there are other industries that are stepping up to help both businesses and residents alike – including the insurance industry. The amount of driving that people are doing has sharply decreased, and car insurers have…
Information and photos provided by the City of Castle Pines In lieu of a traditional egg hunt this year, the City of Castle Pines created four egg designs that residents downloaded, printed and had their children color to display in the front windows of their homes. The “Egg Scramble” challenged families to search out eggs…
By Carin Kirkegaard; courtesy photos Spring has sprung and Castle Pines gardeners are sprucing up home landscapes. The ash tree makes up 15% of Colorado’s urban forest and is in danger of being obliterated by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). In August 2019, the first evidence of the EAB outside of a federally quarantined area…
Connecting with Nature Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski In a world of uncertainty, confusion and constant stimulation, it can be hard to quiet the mind and take a needed mental break. Connecting with nature through a hike provides a peaceful escape far away from the traffic, meetings, chores and business of daily life. Being…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Julie Lamb Wildlife and clear skies are an everyday occurrence in Castle Pines neighborhoods. We are home to a herd of elk that roams the surrounding open space. Residents catch glimpses of bears waking up from hibernation as they lumber across driveways. Walking the trails in the community,…
…through the Little Free Library Article and photos by Carin R. Kirkegaard Resident Michael Dauro made it a little easier for neighbors in the Kings Crossing subdivision of Castle Pines to pay it forward and share a good book. Dauro installed a Little Free Library (LFL) along the sidewalk at Oxford Drive and Malvern Court.…
Memorial Day National Moment of Remembrance by Patte Smith As Americans, we dedicate two days of the year to honor those who have served in our U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans Day in November celebrates the service of all who have served the country in war or peace, while Memorial Day in May honors those who…
By Joe Gschwendtner Americans have long been known for ingenuity and creativity in challenging situations. Currently faced with cabin fever, accompanied by claustrophobia and frustration, many of us have become quite resourceful in maintaining our sanity. What follows may be just what the doctor ordered. Consider old tonics. A bottle of wine is a good…
By Stacie Chadwick As we travel life’s journey, we pre-check a lot of big moments. Seminal ones like weddings, milestone-inspired birthdays and bringing children into the world. Most of these occasions have memory-searing significance, and they bear a weight and stature that’s truly breathtaking. What we don’t see and feel as much are unplanned occurrences…
By Lisa Nicklanovich There are many popular books that have been adapted to film recently, giving us the opportunity to see how the same story can be reimagined and beloved characters brought to life. The following films and television shows are in production, and the release dates are either unknown or have been postponed. Now…
Thoroughly Modern Manners – Ask Mrs. Abramovitz Dear Reader, Let’s talk about the May ritual known as graduation and the subsequent commencement ceremony. As we wade through the next few weeks or even months of self-quarantine, we’re all wondering if graduation will be postponed, held virtually, or even canceled? I can’t answer that, but I…
Animals enjoy sanctuary in Colorado By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo by Terri Wiebold A friend recently said, “You’re not really in quarantine until you’ve watched Tiger King.” According to the data firm Nielsen, the Netflix series, billed as a true-crime documentary, was watched by 34.3 million people over its first 10 days of release. The huge…
Article and photo by Joe Gschwendtner; information sourced from Fading Past: The Story of Douglas County, Colorado by Susan Consola Appleby Periodically we golf at Perry Park. When on the course, it is impossible not to be drawn into the sheer, raw beauty of the place. Like Roxborough Park, this tucked-away enclave captures true Colorado…
Article and photo by Kathy Fallert I have three dogs. Over the past couple of months with our family spending lots of time at home, I would say I have the happiest three dogs on the planet. Pets aren’t used to their families being home all day, every day. This has given us the opportunity…
Lifeline for struggling youth By Carin R. Kirkegaard May is Mental Health Month. Nearly 450 million people across the world are currently living with a mental illness. One in six children between the ages of 6 and 17 is experiencing a mental health disorder in the U.S. In Colorado, suicide is currently the leading cause…
By Bryan Goodland In May, we all take time to remember our mothers. Whether they are still with us or have passed on, it’s important to remember the spirit and share the stories of these women. Keeping family histories is just one great way to pass on stories to the next generation. There are a…
By Lisa Crockett
Article and photos by Lisa Crockett
The Connection E Guide insert is dedicated to all things eating, entertainment and events. During this time of limited social interaction and closed venues, our partners have done a terrific job adapting their business models and transitioning to takeout/delivery. We, too, have temporarily transitioned by including them right here in the pages of the newspaper.…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett For me, the ultimate expression of love is cooking something delicious for someone. For obvious reasons, my ability to do that has been severely curtailed in recent weeks. In the absence of the ability to actually cook for my loved ones, sharing recipes is the next best thing. It…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of the Landis family Jonny Landis is proof that miracles happen. Jonny has defied the odds time and again since surviving a 32-foot fall from a balcony a little over a year ago. He spent his 19th birthday in the hospital fighting for his life, but this year, he celebrated…
Information provided by the League of American Bicyclists May is National Bike Month, and although it may sound cliché, every month really is bike month. Established in 1956 and promoted by the League of American Bicyclists, National Bike Month is celebrated in communities from coast to coast and is a chance to showcase the many…
Healing from a Distance By Lisa Nicklanovich Telemedicine is a tool that makes healthcare more accessible. It allows physicians to practice medicine virtually. It used to be primarily utilized as a way to reach patients who had difficulties accessing a physician, such as seniors and those residing in rural or other remote locations. That all…
By Shawn Kernahan; photos courtesy of the Vereen family As many of us kicked back and watched the NFL draft from the comfort of our couches last month, the draft experience from a player perspective is a whole different ball game – just ask resident Shane Vereen. It was April 29, 2011 when Shane Vereen…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos Club basketball tournaments have paused for the spring, but local youth basketball players are staying on top of their game. Four neighborhood boys, Chance and Cayden Conroy, Aidan Peck and Jack Tomlinson – all members of the Elevation Flyers club basketball program – have been working on shooting, ball…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of the Blaeser family Teen artist Claire Blaeser submitted two pieces of artwork to the 15th Annual Romancing the Arts exhibit sponsored by the Parker Artists Guild. Her pencil drawing, “The Deacon” won first place in the juried event. “Ever since I could pick up a pencil, I’ve been…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos Congratulations to the spring athletes who have signed letters of intent to play their sport at the next level. As of press time, there were still athletes with sports scholarship offers pending approval. We hope to celebrate them next month! If you have an exceptional athlete you would like to…
The final months of the school year for the graduating Class of 2020 has been unprecedented. Traditional celebrations have either been placed on hold or completely canceled. While at times it has been a struggle and there have been disappointments, this class has been incredibly inventive in the ways it has adapted to learning, communicating,…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary The Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) Timber Team continued to fulfill its mission of carrying out school activities by delivering the TTE Timberwolves a virtual spirit week. Team members met and planned the week’s event through Google Hangouts. There were several inspiring ideas, including superhero day. Students…
By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of American Academy While remote learning certainly has been a change for American Academy (AA), the students, their families and teachers have embraced the change. Although everyone was learning from home school, announcements continued on Monday and Friday, delivering yearbook order reminders, local restaurant and small business events, birthdays and…
Article and photo by Celeste McNeil Staff and teachers at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) school are diving into technology to make the best of remote learning. Everyone at the school has been discovering a new way of interacting and learning. Weekly staff meetings are being held via video conference. These meetings allow for discussion about…
By Amanda Brauchler and Maddy Merritt, RCHS intern writers; courtesy photos In this unprecedented time, students from Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) discovered new ways to connect with their community and came up with creative social-distance friendly activities. Take a page from their playbook and try these ideas inspired by quarantine. Pick up an instrument…
DCS Montessori teachers show their students how much they are missed and are excited for them all to be reunited in the classroom once again.
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori Our community schoolteachers and students have embraced remote learning. Separated by stay-at-home orders, learning has moved from the traditional classroom to a bedroom, the family room or even the kitchen counter. Students may feel boxed inside their new environment. In spite of limitations, DSC Montessori (DCSM) has…
There are not many households in the community that have not made a trip to King Soopers on Castle Pines Parkway in the past few weeks. For those who have, experiences have been varied. For every complaint The Connection has seen on social media, we have seen countless comments that speak of kindness and benevolence.…
By Patte Smith There are many ways to be entertained and learn while remaining at home. Several museums in the Denver metro area offer science and history topics, art, nature and videos online that the public can access. Here are a few of the museums that can make what seems like a dull day turn…
By Julie Matuszewski The 40-foot star atop Castle Rock’s iconic rock was lit last month as a representation of solidarity and perseverance. “This is a way for us to come together as a community, united to overcome challenges that are before us,” stated Castle Rock Mayor Jason Gray. The star was originally constructed in 1936…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Bill Vanderpoel The Douglas County Conservation District (DCCD) is on a mission to promote projects through education, furthering the sustainable use of natural resources with a goal to balance the needs of agriculture and urban growth. Bill Vanderpoel, member of the volunteer board of supervisors said, “The large landowners…
Information provided by the Castle Pines Metropolitan District During the global COVID-19 pandemic when toilet paper may be in short supply, please avoid flushing napkins, paper towels, sanitary wipes, personal or disinfectant wipes, facial tissue paper, newspaper, diapers, feminine-hygiene products and paper or plastic bags down the toilet. Flushing these items can easily cause sewer…