Read the stories from the latest issue:
Six baton twirlers from Castle Rock and Castle Pines had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland, on March 17. Led by baton twirling coach Tina Hansen, performers Carleigh Hansen, Chandler Hansen, Jaylyn Luber, Jolene Luber, Lilly Traver and Evelyn DeRossett marched the two-mile parade wearing vibrant green…
Dear Mrs. A, Just wanted to reach out and ask that you kindly remind readers about trail etiquette as we move into the warmer days. – Looking Ahead in Lagae Ranch Dear Reader, I had a chuckle at your request. My hiking shoes have three-inch heels, needless to say, this is not Mrs. A’s forte.…
The Colorado Rockies enjoyed warm weather at Spring Training in Arizona as they prepared for the upcoming 2024 regular season. Colorado players have been working out in Scottsdale since mid-February. They share a complex with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale. The Rockies hosted the Chicago Cubs on March…
Safety is top-of-mind for every parent of young kids and many parents believe their own home to be a safe haven. Yet there are hidden dangers. Yearly, at least 3.4 million children suffer from injuries occurring in the home with the leading causes being suffocation, drowning, falls and poisoning, according to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. But…
After all the precipitation of last month’s books, plants are the obvious theme in April. From the window box of herbs or succulents to the acres of community gardens and the wild foliage around the world, plants are ubiquitous, beautiful and bizarre. Whether your thumb is black – dooming plants in your care – or…
Becoming a grandparent is momentous. It means reliving unforgettable milestones like the first birthday and buying adorable, tiny clothes. But being a grandparent also means accepting that things have changed in infant care. Increasingly, more grandkids, 25% in some states, are exclusively cared for by a grandparent, according to AARP. Thankfully, infant care classes are…
This crossword brought to you by Allstate Insurance – Tammy Lopez (720) 733-1331 Across 1. Drive-___ 5. Modern Family character 8. Its license plates say “Famous potatoes” 13. Many millennia 14. Whittle (down) 15. Spanish Mr. 16. Small amount 17. ___ Brockovich 18. American lizard 19. Colorado state flower 22. Crustacean 23. “___ the fields…
I love fresh berries. This time of year, I especially love strawberries, and it is common for me to literally eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Berries are sweet and juicy and also a healthy choice, so I have no qualms about eating them in bulk. Strawberries are also fragile – even just a…
We are fortunate to have many hiking trails available to us, from right out our back door to Rocky Mountain National Park and of course, Colorado’s 14ers. Here are some suggestions to maximize the fun, minimize the mishaps and keep everyone safe, whether it is a quick hike or a much longer one. “Start with…
The little things do add up when it comes to daily physical activity. Parking farther away from an entrance and taking the stairs are two common ways to increase daily steps and get a quick cardio boost. Here are some other creative ways to get more movement into the day. When waking up, do a…
Summer is in sight, so now is the time to help your kids blossom by signing up for camps. Whether it is one day, one week or more, kids love exploring during the downtime of summer. Here are a few fun options, but remember, where there is one, there are many. Enjoy. Audience of One…
For the first time in school history, the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) boys and girls basketball teams both made it to the Great 8, the quarterfinals of the Colorado high school state tournaments for classes 4A-6A. On February 29, RCHS allowed an excused absence for students to watch both teams compete at the Denver…
Resistance bands are a go-to strength training tool for anyone at any fitness level. Bands are affordable, light and portable, easy to use, and safer than heavier dumbbells or machines. Resistance bands can be used practically anywhere and have many health benefits. Resistance bands can help build stronger muscles and increase flexibility and mobility, making…
A career calling can come at any age. Sarah Sexton remembers the time she first felt the tug, sitting in her elementary school classroom. Sarah said, “I think I have known I have wanted to be a teacher since about second grade. I’ve always loved school!” That calling took hold; this year, she will have…
Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) has a new Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CDL) initiative this year. A handful of BRE staff members comprise the CDL team with the goal to intentionally incorporate conversation about the value of diversity at BRE. Multicultural Monday (MM) was the first activity the CDL team implemented. It is a short segment…
Wish Week at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) is an annual event held in March where the Jag nation partners with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado to raise funds for critically ill children’s wishes. Students organize various activities and events like assemblies, a dodgeball tournament, Walk for Wishes, and themed, dress-up days to fundraise. The…
In its third year, the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) continues to make significant progress in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. A collaboration between the Douglas County School District and Arapahoe Community College, it is a concurrent enrollment program designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge…
Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) speech teacher Regina Luber recently hosted the second, three-day Speaker Series (SS) of the year. Regina is passionate about incorporating real world applications into the classroom. SS has become part of the curriculum for the public speaking course classes at RHMS. Regina has invited many professionals from a variety of…
Pizza the way it oughta be! Mountain Mike’s Pizza has been dishing out tasty pies since 1978, just not in Colorado. It is a well-known staple in California and other western states, but now that it has opened shop in Parker (the first one in Colorado), many pizza lovers are trying it out. And, word…
March Madness! Remember to fill out your NCAA Bracket Tracker in the center spread of the March E Guide, or pick up a copy at Rockyard Brewing Co., Pines Sports Bar & Grill or Scotty’s Sliders.
Castle Pines is home to many pro athletes, both active and retired. Today, we can claim a professional soccer player for the Colorado Rapids (Rapids). Adam Beaudry (17) was drafted by the Rapids in 2023 and signed officially on January 10 for a four-year contract with an option for two additional years. Adam is excited…
Preliminary plans will soon be submitted for an expansion of The Canyons development in the southeast portion of the city. The proposed development encompasses approximately 1,618 residential lots, along with designated areas for future expansion, a school site, a regional park site, and ample open spaces, trails and road connections linking to surrounding neighborhoods. The…
Wildfire mitigation is one of City Council’s strategic goals and priorities. To help mitigate wildfire risk and protect the community, the City developed a grant program to provide financial resources for residents and homeowners associations to conduct wildfire mitigation projects. The City will accept funding requests for up to $5,000 from an HOA and up…
Two Road Projects Starting The City of Castle Pines will begin undertaking two major road improvement projects this year. Happy Canyon and Lagae will see the construction of a new roundabout which began the week of February 19 and will continue through June. Traffic at the intersection will be temporarily closed at certain points…
Approximately 25,000 rural residents in Douglas County own and rely on more than 8,000 active groundwater wells that tap into the Denver Basin aquifers. The Rural Water Authority of Douglas County (RWADC) has received $60,000 to support these residents. The funding will come from the Board of Douglas County Commissioners with an affirmed recommendation from…
Are you a Douglas County resident who is passionate about our rural heritage, agriculture, western sports, youth exhibits and quality entertainment? Your passion and knowledge – paired with a background in large-event management, accounting/finance, and/or a strong network of resources helpful to the production of a large-scale community event – may position you as the…
It is an election year, so prepare for the robocalls, texts, mailers and the endless television commercials. Recently, Douglas County registered voters received official voting ballots for primary election day, Super Tuesday on March 5. If you registered as a Democrat or a Republican, your mailer should have included only the political party ballot of…
One thing many residents love about living in Castle Pines is that it feels more like a community than a city. That is the feeling Mayor Tracy Engerman wants to build on by having monthly coffee gatherings officially called Coffee Klatch with Tracy. To kick off the year, on January 18, Engerman held her first…
A vibrant sense of community is one characteristic that sets Castle Pines – the 80108 ZIP code more specifically – apart from other Colorado communities. Neighbors know each other, they spend time together and they support each other. If you are a new resident, you have likely already experienced this firsthand. The same holds true…
The Grace family have a shared vision and passion for their local business, Out of Sight Closets and Garages, which helps the families of Castle Pines, Castle Rock and the surrounding areas organize their homes. Joel Grace worked in the timber industry. After being transferred to Highlands Ranch in 1998, he decided he wanted to…
This spring, Castle Pines Athletics (CPA) celebrated 15 years in business. The Retreat resident Lane Roberts founded CPA in 2009, and more than 12,660 children have participated in the year-round athletic programs. Although Lane no longer lives in Colorado, CPA continues strong because of the hundreds of volunteer parent coaches and thousands of local kids…
What was Berg Haus is now Pines Sports Bar & Grill, and its doors are open for business. The neighborhood sports bar’s new owners are Minakshi Ashra and resident Priya Kumar. Priya and her husband who manages the bar, Avnish Kapoor, will be featured in the upcoming April Behind the Business segment. “Our first priority…
On January 25, the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards luncheon at Cielo at Castle Pines. The following members received awards for 2023: Large Business of the Year – The Castle Pines Connection Small Business of the Year – Ziggi’s Coffee Nonprofit of the Year – Rise Up Malawi Community Member…
Pet Pedigree A leap year occurs once every four years, and with it comes the rarest of days – February 29. “Leapling” birthdays are not limited to humans – our furry friends can be leap-year babies as well. Waffles, a mini Bernedoodle recently turned four this (leap) year. A COVID puppy, Waffles has been such…
There are many moments throughout life that capture our hearts, and Jen Henningsen has spent the last 21 years photographing these precious moments and milestones. Jen operates her business, Keepsake Photography, out of her home studio in The Canyons. Jen did not plan to become a photographer. At Portsmouth High School in Rhode Island, Jen…
When Meghan Angermann was in high school in the suburbs of Chicago, her dad suggested she sign up for the Navy ROTC program as a way to pay for college. Her response was, “What is ROTC?” Today, Meghan is retired from the Navy after a 21-year active-duty career, is a Pampered Chef consultant and enjoying…
Swashbuckler! Now there’s a colorful term seldom used today. One historical character that comes immediately to mind is D.C. Oakes of our Wildcat Mountains. Another bold, flamboyant and larger-than-life figure was Rufus “Potato” Clark, or sometimes called the “Spud King.” And sometimes he went by the moniker “Dad.”* Rufus was born to a Connecticut farmer…
In 2021, after living in Thousand Oaks, California for more than 60 years, Connie and Randy Weidner packed up their home and beloved 5-year-old pup Gracie and made the trek to Castle Pines to be close to their son Eric, daughter-in-law Marissa and two grandsons, Collin and Lucas. Connie, an elementary school teacher of 31…
Deputy Jeff Pelle of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has law enforcement in his blood – he is a third-generation peace officer. Joe Pelle, Jeff’s dad, recently retired after 43 years of police service, including 20 years as sheriff of Boulder County. Jeff grew up in Longmont and then attended the University of Northern…
The term Swedish death cleaning may evoke thoughts of a crime scene or evil spirits, but it is actually a thoughtful and effective approach to decluttering. While a bit macabre, the method of organizing and letting go of things before one dies lessens the burden on loved ones later. A Scandinavian twist on the…
In the late 1950s, Douglas County’s Continental Divide Raceway (CDR) was drawing the top names in automobile racing, but tragedy, lawsuits and health issues ultimately closed the track. The facility was merely three miles south and west of Castle Rock. Capable of accommodating any type of motor racing, CDR was, at build out, planned to…
No time to walk your pup before running to the mall? Grab a leash, a few waste bags and take your furry friend with you. Park Meadows Retail Resort (PM) is now 100% dog friendly, whether it is a service dog or simply a beloved family member. PM made the changes at the beginning of…
‘Spring Break Destinations’ This crossword brought to you by Allstate Insurance – Tammy Lopez (720) 733-1331 Across 1. Beauty pageant wear 5. Tool with teeth 8. An issue that prevents one from accomplishing something 13. Clever tactic 14. Rice wine 15. “Make _____ of” (Irish expression) 16. Protection (less common spelling) 17. Capital of…
Dear Mrs. A, We are newcomers in The Canyons and we are concerned about clearing the snow and what the timelines are for removal. Can you guide us? Welcome, neighbors! Seeing how we are coming into our snowiest month in Colorado – March – I think this is a perfect time to visit the rules…
Canyons Community Church 4825 N. Crowfoot Valley Road, Castle Rock Easter Sunday, March 31, 10:30 a.m. www.canyonscc.org Castle Oaks Covenant Church 826 Park Street, Castle Rock Easter Sunday, March 31, 10 a.m. www.castleoaks.org Cherry Hills Community Church 3900 Grace Boulevard, Highlands Ranch Easter Sunday, 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. www.cherryhills.com Faith…
If you have been following the reintroduction and release of the 12 gray wolves in Colorado, you can follow their whereabouts with a map published by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The map informs the public on where the wolves have been making their moves and is updated on the fourth Wednesday of every month…
March is often the snowiest month in the Centennial State. Remember the blizzard of 2021 that dumped nearly two feet of snow in just a couple of days? Weather impacts our daily lives, but sometimes it demands to be the main character. These books feature wet weather, rain and snow, as a major element of…
Angels Among Us The Douglas Land Conservancy (DLC) was established by community members in 1987 over concerns about unsustainable growth. Since then, the nonprofit organization has protected nearly 27,000 acres of wildlife habitat, working ranches, wetlands, clean water and scenic views across Douglas, Elbert and Jefferson Counties by…
As the prestigious Castle Pines Golf Club prepares to host the highly anticipated BMW Championship this August, all eyes are on Travis Teague, who is poised to oversee the Club’s food service during a major tournament for the first time as executive chef. “We are in full throttle planning mode,” Travis said. Travis began his…
Anyone who knows me, knows I love dessert. In fact, earlier in my tenure as the writer of this column, one of my children (who was about 7 at the time) told his friends that, “I wrote a story every month for the paper about how much she loves dessert.” Of course, I didn’t write…
As every mom of a young child understands, finding time to exercise once baby arrives is a challenge, and some days it can be impossible. At FIT4MOM Castle Rock (F4M), new franchise owner Stephanie Holzhauer understands this challenge. A mom herself, Stephanie finds joy in seeing moms bring their little ones to class, get a…
Eggs are on most people’s shopping lists all year, but spring is certainly “egg season.” Eggs are hard-boiled and decorated, cracked into many baked dishes and used often to create an easy meal quickly. Versatile and protein-packed, eggs are a staple in the kitchen, but standing in front of the egg section in the grocery…
Spring is a time of renewal, growth and new beginnings. We often want to freshen up our lives by cleaning up and clearing out. If healthy goals have slipped since the beginning of the year, now is the time to start afresh. The best way to get going is to spring-clean the pantry and fridge. …
Spring is around the corner, so now is the time to register kids for sports and other extra-curricular activities. Below is a quick reference guide to some near-by options. Boutique Dance Academy Little ones will find their moves at Boutique Dance Academy in Castle Rock, where the art of dance empowers students with self-esteem, discipline,…
Junior varsity (JV) cheer at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) has many reasons to celebrate. The team won UCA Regionals, Continental League, and JV State for Colorado. Last month in Orlando, they were double national finalists, placing in the top five for Large JV Co-ed and Large JV Game Day. “This was our first year…
Rock Canyon High School Jack Anderson Football Carthage College, WI Coach Kevin Meyer stated, “Jack Anderson had an outstanding season as our place kicker. Jack was in his first year kicking for Rock Canyon as a senior and made over 95% of his P.A.T.’s along with eight for 11 in field goals (70%) with…
The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is a prestigious organization. The National Association of Secondary Principals founded NJHS in 1929 to create enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulate desire to render service, promote leadership, encourage responsible citizenship and develop character in secondary school students (seventh and eighth graders). NJHS assists these students in developing the knowledge and…
Health and wellness expos are a great way to share information with students, staff, families and the community about healthy eating, physical activity and other health and wellness resources. Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) hosted its first Timbers Wellness Expo emphasizing whole body and mental wellness. The expo was designed to be both interactive and informative…
After chatting with Jeffrey Nichols, it is safe to say that he finds a lot of things interesting. He has been teaching for 17 years, but leading teenagers in a classroom came after a few other career attempts. Jeffrey first pursued medicine (oral and maxillofacial surgery) and then moved into pharmacy studies. But he said…
Sports can be a great connector. It is through learning games and playing with others that we often learn things about ourselves. Just ask Jennifer Di Capo, who is a coach and personalized learning specialist at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE). Jen oversees the Red Shirt Rookies (RSR) program at TTE. The elementary school program is…
Every year, Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) produces a third grade show. The event requires months of preparation and practice and incorporates several educational subjects: art, music and physical education, with the respective teachers collectively taking on and overseeing the show start to finish. This year’s program focused on A HERD – BRE’s character development acronym:…
The Theatre III class at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) offers students a dynamic and immersive experience. One of the annual traditions of the class, led by teacher Cindy Baker, is performing for children’s theater, a creative project that challenges students to act outside of their comfort zones and connect with audiences of all ages.…
Introducing Lexi Christine and Christine Amelia, the creative minds behind Whimsy Picnic Co., an event company headquartered in Castle Rock. Specializing in crafting cozy and visually stunning picnic experiences, they create enchanting setups with blankets, cushions and charming decor, both indoors and outdoors. Their focus is on fostering a magical atmosphere where guests can unwind,…
Celebrating a milestone, especially one as significant as 15 years of delivering “a little good news” to the community, is a great opportunity to look back at those who have been a part of the incredible adventure. Thank you to the tens of thousands of residents who have invited us into your homes…
On January 21, the United States Postal Service (USPS) raised postage prices almost completely across the board. Postage for a first-class Forever Stamp increased from .66 cents to .68 cents, the second increase in six months. International stamps as well as international postcard stamps increased from $1.50 to $1.55. Domestic postcard stamps were increased from…
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) began tolling fees on the I-25 South Gap Express Lanes in mid-January. “The Express Lanes, located on I-25 from Monument to Castle Rock, will be open 24/7 and tolls will range from .70 cents to $2 with an ExpressToll pass – among the lowest toll rates-per-mile in the nation,”…
Community compassion continues to make a difference in the lives of people who may have fallen on hard times in Douglas County. Thanks to donor generosity to DouglasHasHeart.org, as part of the countywide “Handouts Don’t Help” campaign, the Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) presented a $2,500 check to SECOR Cares during a Douglas County Homeless…
The Clarity Group (Clarity) on Village Square Drive is a different kind of therapy clinic. Owner Whitney Herrmann is committed to excellence in mental health therapy. She recruited a team of therapists who are the best in their field and who continue to improve and deepen their knowledge to benefit their clients. But what is…
Thursday, February 29, marks another leap year, 366 days versus 365 in 2024. For most, it is just an extra day in the shortest month that occurs every four years. But its history and evolution are worth revisiting. The science behind leap year: It takes 365.2422 days for the earth to circle the sun. The…
Nothing Bundt Cakes in Castle Rock recently celebrated its first birthday with a week-long celebration that ended with a chance to win free Bundlets for a year. Fans bundled up and braved the elements in January, as an arctic cold front moved into the area. The guests stood outside for more than an hour before…