Read the stories from the latest issue:
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Jessica Bird Jessica Bird never knew she wanted to be a teacher. In fact, when she enrolled at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, her plans were to get a degree in physical therapy and play point guard for the Lady Zags basketball team. Her academic plans changed with the…
Complete the Camino de Santiago trail By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Felicity Thompson “I liked digging deep and finding that piece of me that could do something hard which I kind of knew but hadn’t proved it in a while,” said Forest Park resident Felicity Thompson of walking the Camino de Santiago (Camino), a…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos Elderberry products have been in high demand recently. For a time, they were impossible to find, whether one was looking for elderberry syrup, gummies or juice. More than any other berry, elderberries have the highest concentrations of antioxidants as well as the vitamins C, E, and A, which give a…
By Celeste McNeil; courtesy photos The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) boys varsity basketball team is having a great season. At time of printing, the team was ranked fourth in the state for 5A schools, with a season record of 11-4 (including pre-season games). Additionally, head coach Kent Grams and assistant coach Nick Mahan hit…
By Claire Bauer, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Lexi Rufenacht When Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) sophomore Lexi Rufenacht was 5 years old, her grandmother passed away due to ovarian cancer. A few years later, Rufenacht’s maternal grandfather battled stage-four colon cancer. When Rufenacht entered middle school, her mother was diagnosed with melanoma, and…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Alison Derbenwick Miller Blake Miller started dancing ballet in 2019. This holiday season he landed one of the lead roles in Denver Ballet Theatre Academy’s (DBTA) production of The Nutcracker. After encouragement from a cousin who is a ballet dancer, Miller took a ballet class. “I liked the ‘tryout’…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of RHMS NJHS Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) has a strong National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) this year, with 37 students inducted and participating. Recently, students voted on a community service project – a drive to collect pet supplies for the Denver Dumb Friends League. “Our goal for the Denver…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of BRE Fifth grade students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) recently participated in a beloved tradition, the Young Ameritowne field trip. Young Ameritowne is an opportunity for the kids to run a town for a day. Students are shopkeepers, bankers, law enforcement officials, and other critical roles in communities, including…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Rock Canyon The Rock Canyon Community Alliance (RCCA), Rock Canyon High School’s (RCHS) parent organization, granted physics teacher Jack Van Natta $2,770 through the organization’s grant committee. The funds will be used to build air filtration systems for classrooms within the school. Van Natta said that by his…
A getaway with great food By Chris Michlewicz Gone are the days when couples have to go to downtown Denver or the mountains for a romantic Valentine’s Day overnight. Parker just might be the place to spend February 14. The Ascent on Main, formerly The Laszlo Hotel, is a four-story, red-brick hotel northwest of Mainstreet…
The student council at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) wanted to give back this holiday season. They organized a sock collection at their school for the “One Book, One District Sock Drive,” a contest put on by the Douglas County School District. The school that collected the most pairs of new socks would win a…
Gives, and gives and gives By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Douglas County Community Foundation Douglas County is often ranked among the healthiest and wealthiest counties in Colorado, and with the annual statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy through online giving, it also proved to be one of the most generous. Thank you, Douglas…
Bridge to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists By the end of 2022, pedestrians and cyclists will be able to utilize a 36-mile C-470 trail that connects users north to Golden and south to the Cherry Creek Regional Trail, all without having to cross the busy intersection of Yosemite Street and C-470 in Lone Tree.…
By Chris Michlewicz The inclusion of the Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) water and wastewater facilities into Parker Water & Sanitation District (PWSD) – which nearly 96% of voters in the CPNMD cast ballots in favor of last May – has been indefinitely put on hold due to the emergence of legal and financial…
Information provided by DCSO The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) allows people to go on ride alongs with deputies in the field and gives individuals and groups the opportunity to tour the office. The program was initiated to foster greater community understanding and awareness of the mission and activities of the DCSO. The tours and…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photo The days of taking a number and waiting for a turn at the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to renew expiring license plates are limited. Throughout the state, self-service DMV kiosks are located in frequented locations like libraries and grocery stores. Douglas County residents can stop at six different…
A family business built on heart Local business owner Roz Schroeder is a wife, mother, grandmother, outdoor enthusiast and a proud resident of The Village at Castle Pines since 1999. She is director of Cielo at Castle Pines, an event venue located on Happy Canyon Road that specializes and caters to the customer’s desire. “From…
By Shaun Kernahan; photo courtesy of Denise Danzo A youth dance studio is coming to the City of Castle Pines. Infinite Dance Inc. will open its doors at 363 Village Square Lane, Suite 125 next to Duke’s Steakhouse on January 3. Denise Danzo, a Colorado native, has been dancing since she was 6 years old,…
By Terri Wiebold 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…
By Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines Connection is all about “a little good news” and celebrating the inspiring stories and the amazing people and businesses in the community. We’ve been told that it’s our superpower. As publisher, I believe wholeheartedly that it is the reason we continue to be successful after 13 years of business.…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of Legacy Village of Castle Pines The Castle Pines Connection was thrilled to donate the winning Bingo Bonanza basket to Legacy Village in support of their fundraising efforts for the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter. The event raised nearly $500 to help support Coloradans living with dementia and their families…
Article and photo by Lisa Nicklanovich The community welcomes Prime IV Hydration and Wellness (Prime IV), the newest addition to The Village at Castle Pines shops. Intravenous (IV) therapy is a wellness treatment that administers nutrients and hydration directly into the bloodstream for immediate absorption (see related story page 41). Prime IV originated in Colorado…
Medicine in the making By Elean Gersack; courtesy photos Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland will welcome one of Castle Pines’ own come June. Austin Kimsey is headed to the distinguished school’s premed post-baccalaureate program. Kimsey has called Castle Pines home since he was a toddler. He attended Timber Trail Elementary (TTE), American Academy (AA)…
Dear Readers, It’s a New Year and a time to add new strength and energy to the way we behave toward one another. The Golden Rule of doing to others as you would have them do to you is a great place to start. The gold in the rule asks that we treat people in…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos Congratulations Jet, a black Labrador who just had his first birthday last month and is the winner of the Cutest Pet in the Pines for 2021. Jet lives with his human family – Kellyann and Tyler Foe and their three children Laila (11), Dylan (9) and Trey (8) in…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos by Terri Wiebold HomeAid Colorado (HAC) is a local affiliate of HomeAid, a leading nonprofit developer of housing and programmatic facilities for those who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. HomeAid operates within a network of 19 affiliates in 13 states. Through a collaborative approach with home builders…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Judi Holst and Alana Myers When Alana Rainosek and Ethan Myers planned their wedding, they had definite ideas about qualities in their officiant. They wanted “someone who knew both of us, was a great storyteller, had great stage presence, and who we trusted to guide us through one of…
By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photo Strolling westward on Main Street with a mountain view on the horizon, take in downtown Littleton, a 10-block enclave with panache. One of Denver’s oldest suburbs, and set in three counties (Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson), Littleton has history worth noting. There are wonderful restaurants, antique and gift stores, and plenty…
By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photos For more than three decades, a graffiti artist has been on the loose, and his art collection is coming to Denver in April. He’s maintained his anonymity and become an underground sensation for street artists, political activists and conspiracy theorists around the world. “Banksy,” as he is known, most likely…
By Stacie Chadwick In life, I’m a minimalist. Any time my husband brings something into the house, I’m on my way through a different door hauling something else out. I’m all about clean lines, order, and lists – lots and lots of lists. Giving away things I categorically label “unnecessary” makes me feel good, and…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos by Terri Wiebold The inaugural Castle Pines Winter Wonderland was a huge success with hundreds of residents enjoying the multitude of holiday-inspired events brought to the community by the City of Castle Pines and the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce. The holiday extravaganza kicked off with the lighting of the…
By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of Linda Johnson Third, fourth and fifth grade students from Timber Trail Elementary worked together to spread community holiday cheer as part of the Winter Wonderland festivities in the City. Students created paper snowflakes that hung from the trees along the Trail of Lights at The Ridge for holiday revelers…
Information provided by Legacy Village There may not have been much snow in Castle Pines over the holidays, but residents at Legacy Village had a little help getting festive with the extensive Christmas village on display. Maintenance Director Matt Agnew has been collecting pieces for more than 30 years, and he sets the village and…
Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski Community schools, businesses and volunteers collaborated over the holiday season to empower parents and guardians to be the true heroes of Christmas through an affordable and memorable shopping experience. The Journey Church Christmas store serves the local community every holiday season with a pop-up holiday shop for families who…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo “There is family. There are friends. Then, there are friends that become family!” said Rina Castanon, pictured center, who hosted her 12th annual ornament exchange luncheon on December 10. Guests included friends from Castanon’s Forest Park neighborhood; some have attended since the first luncheon in 2010. Each year, neighbors who…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner My first trip to Hawaii was for rest and relaxation from Vietnam in 1970, and I returned last month. Early on, there was some internal debate about the best island in the chain. Of course in paradise, there are no losers, but we continue to favor the Big Island.…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of the files of Sedalia History Museum and Gardens; courtesy photo Victor Marquis started his life off restlessly, a challenge from birth on. Born in 1839, in Avesnes, France, no one could really control him. Seeing the town as a hopeless place, at only 9 years of age, he stowed…
By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of Laura Rosenberg Busy days deserve great food. Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) implemented a new spin on the familiar school fundraising restaurant nights. Partnering with Modern Plate, a locally-owned business, BRE families and friends were able to buy a variety of family-style, chef-created meals delivered directly to their doorsteps by…
Grain salad for lunch or dinner Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I’m starting the new year with a dramatic change in my life. My nest, which has been happily filled with children for the last two decades, is now partially empty. One of my chicks left for college in the fall, and another one…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo Resident Melissa Rufenacht-Sanchez was in her second year on a breast cancer support fundraising committee at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital (CRAH) when she was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Melissa said she had a committee meeting two days after she was diagnosed and had to keep it together until the end…
By Bryan Goodland Scammers often take advantage of more vulnerable populations, and according to a recent FBI report, those older than 60 were targeted more than any other age group. The FBI’s 2020 Elder Fraud Report found that 105,301 adults age 60 and older were victims of fraud, losing close to $1 billion. In 2020,…
By Chris Michlewicz; photo courtesy of Richard Farrell Richard Farrell has been through a lot – even flatlining three times during a series of medical episodes – and yet he stands strong in the face of adversity with a little help from a community of supporters. It began when his liver failed at the age…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo Being born and raised in communist East Germany certainly influenced many of Ricarda Dietsch’s life choices. Dietsch was a 14-year-old kayak racer at an Olympic boarding school when the wall came down. Her life then took turns she hadn’t expected, bringing her to the United States, and ultimately to The…
By Shaun Kernahan; photo courtesy of Greg Vigil In 1903, Theodore Roosevelt, an avid hunter and the 26th president of the United States, founded the National Wildlife Refuge System. When discussing the symbiotic relationship between hunters and wildlife conservation he was quoted as saying, “In a civilized and cultivated country, wild animals only continue to…
By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Kerry and Christine Harwell Kerry and Christine Harwell have lived in Colorado for 21 years. Kerry, retired from a 30-year career in the construction industry and Christine took an early retirement as a partner for a large CPA firm to pursue a different full-time endeavor. The husband and wife…
Several area museums and gardens are offering Free Days in 2022. Although complimentary, some do require registration before attending the venues. Be sure to check each website for registration requirements. Denver Art Museum – Advance ticket reservations are encouraged. Visit www.denverartmuseum.org. Free Days: Jan.11 & 22, Feb. 8, Mar. 8, and Apr. 12 & 24.…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Michele Fleming The Montessori philosophy is based on a child’s developmental needs for freedom within limits, as well as a carefully prepared environment which guarantees exposure to materials and experiences. Michele Fleming is an inspiring teacher who has combined her love for teaching and the Montessori philosophy to open…
By Joe Gschwendtner Fresh on the scene from its October opening, Übergrippen’s 18,000-square-foot climbing center has brought indoor climbing to Castle Rock. Indoor sport climbing covers three disciplines – rope climbing, bouldering and speed climbing. The sport’s popularity is growing, and it debuted in this past summer Olympics. Rope climbing is a two-person activity. A…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo Michelle Stutler of Cerney Circle (pictured lower center in white jacket), led Team Stutler at the Jingle Bell Run (JBR) at Washington Park on December 12. Dressed in holiday attire and jingle bells, the JBR participants walked or ran the 5K track around the park to raise funds for the…
Article and photo by Lisa Nicklanovich Seeds may be little but they pack a mighty punch of health benefits. Seeds contain all the starting materials necessary to develop into complex plants, so it makes sense that they are extremely nutritious. Overall, seeds are great sources of fiber. They also contain healthy monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Prime IV Hydration and Wellness Intravenous (IV) drips, usually administered in a hospital setting to receive fluids, medications or other treatments, are a fast-growing wellness trend. Thanks to endorsements from celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Adele and Madonna, the practice of receiving boosts of hydration and nutrients directly into the…
By Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of Christina Leone Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) poms squad took home the state’s highest award at the recent Colorado Spirit State Championships – for the second year running. The annual event was held at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs. The RCHS Jaguars finished the 5A competition with…
By Mindy Stone; photo courtesy of Christy Williams A fresh face is on the Douglas County School District Board of Education representing District E, which includes the Castle Pines community. Director Christy Williams is one of four new school board members sworn in November 30, 2021. “I have a passion for the school district and…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Lynda Hernandez American Academy Socks are the number one clothing need with those experiencing homelessness. The Sock it to ‘Em Sock campaign lives by the motto, “We’re making a social impact one pair of socks at a time.” The organization aims to put new socks on the feet of…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Kimberly Jester and Michelle McCluskey The third grade classes of Timber Trail Elementary took part in Crisis Center of Castle Rock’s Operation Elf. It was part of a project-based learning activity, a teaching method used where students try to answer challenging questions and solve real world problems. Operation Elf…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Emily Johnson Every December, the Colorado State Thespian Conference (ThesCon) is held for high school students interested in all aspects of theater. ThesCon is a three-day conference, featuring master classes in thespian elements like auditioning, acting, dancing, singing, directing and stage management. Nearly every high school in the state…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Chris Todd Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) at Toyon Bay happily welcomed American Academy (AA) seventh and eighth grade students with an exciting week of science adventure working outside of their traditional life science classroom. Students from all three campuses were immersed in the field of aquatic ecosystems, working…
The first week of December marked the 57th Annual Thespian Conference (ThesCon), a state convention allowing for middle and high school theater troupes to interact with, learn from, and perform for one another. This three-day gathering, held at the Denver Convention Center, also has a competitive element for students to showcase their abilities. This year,…
By Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of Meghan Murphy Students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) assisted in making the holidays brighter for many families this year. BRE student council organized a school-wide service project to adopt families and provide needed items like clothes and shoes, in addition to Christmas gifts. All grade levels participated in adopting…
By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of Linda Johnson Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) fifth graders delivered hand-crafted holiday cards to bring some cheer to the residents at Legacy Village in the City of Castle Pines this holiday season. “The hand-made cards were a warm wonderful surprise for our residents,” said Jamie Agnew, life enrichment director of…
Melds Flavors of Hawaii, Colorado and Chile By Chris Michlewicz The fusing of flavors found in traditional dishes from several cultures might seem like a wild idea – until you taste the results. Ohana Grille has quickly become the place to go in Douglas County for Hawaiian-fusion food. Since opening in Castle Rock in November…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Brad Proulx The Belgian Malinois, pronounced MAL-in-wah or “Mal” for short, are a high-energy herding dog breed who love to put their intelligence and intense focus to work. The breed loves being active, learning new skills and spending time with their owner. Their willingness to conduct multiple training sessions…
Article and photos by Chris Michlewicz Development activity continues at a feverish pace in the Castle Pines and Castle Rock areas, and a popular burger joint is among those slated for completion in the coming months. In-N-Out Burger, an Irvine, California-based chain whose few Colorado locations have stirred curiosity and appetites, is in the final…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard While most of the elections in Douglas County last month had a clear margin of victory, the City of Castle Pines mayoral race came down to the wire, putting the democratic process to the test. With rankings changing following every incremental count and a margin of only 22 votes ultimately determining…
Information provided by Parker Water & Sanitation District Many residents in the City of Castle Pines will be getting a new water service provider next year, and in preparation for the transition, here are a few things you may want to know: Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) will continue normal operations until January 3,…
Information and photos provided by American Academy National First Responders Day is October 28, and it is a day to honor all of those serving on the frontlines. Grateful for their service and sacrifice, American Academy students welcomed and celebrated local first responders with morning coffee, breakfast, high fives, and fist bumps and handmade class…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; graphic provided by E-470 Public Highway Authority One of the many positives for those living in the Castle Pines community is location. With easy access to I-25, the main artery running north and south and just minutes from the bisecting E-470 tollway, residents can easily navigate the Denver metro area. Drivers…