Read the stories from the latest issue:
By Patte Smith The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce annual Trick or Treat Street in Castle Pines spells fun, candy and prizes for ghosts and goblins. Kids come in costumes and bring a bag for all the loot. Participating businesses along Castle Pines Parkway and The Village Shops at Happy Canyon and Santa Fe will…
By Lynn Zahorik, photos courtesy of Natalie Jackson While most stages across the country remained dark, the lights shone brightly at The Valor Center this summer. For three and a half weeks, 60 Valor Christian High School (VCHS) performing arts students joined together to rehearse for six performances of their summer production, “Bright Star.” Set…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Jon Landis Jon Landis, although he was born back east, moved to Colorado at age 11 and has been hunting his whole life. One of his oldest memories is walking in the woods back in Pittsburgh, hunting squirrels and rabbits with his grandfather, father and older brother by…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Kevin Rants In 2013, “The Hunger Games” movie and young adult novels by Susan Collins were all the rage – many young girls envisioned themselves as Katniss Everdeen, hair done in braids and a bow and arrow slung over her shoulder. Kinsley Rants, 16 years old at the…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; information provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife For tens of thousands of people in Colorado, hunting season is one of the best in the state. In addition to providing food for the table and an outdoor recreational experience, hunting is an important wildlife management tool. “Wildlife management covers a wide range…
By Patte Smith The 2020-21 ski season is a go, and while it will be somewhat different this year, skiers and snowboarders can happily hit the slopes. Planning a ski trip will require research beforehand to be aware of specific information and requirements for each ski area before the season begins. Be sure to visit…
Article and photo by Lisa Nicklanovich If information is power, the Oura ring gives you superpowers. A titanium smart ring on your finger, the Oura ring has infrared LED sensors, temperature sensors, an accelerometer and a gyroscope that monitors and captures your body’s pulse, movement and temperature. Personalized insights are delivered straight from the most…
By Nancy Koontz; photo courtesy of Louise Melbye The Ladies Nine in the Pines 9-Hole Golf League held another successful golf tournament benefiting the “Mammogram Connection” program at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital. The tournament was held at The Country Club at Castle Pines and raised a historic $45,000, all of which is used to benefit…
By Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of RHMS You may have noticed the huge white tents outside at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) and Rock Canyon High School and wondered why they are there. Deanna Thaler, choir director at RHMS has the answer, “We are using a tent this year to help combat potential spread of…
Information provided by the Colorado Department of Higher Education To inspire more Coloradans to continue their education, all 32 public colleges and universities in Colorado, as well as several private institutions, will allow students to apply for free on October 13 as part of the third Colorado Free Application Day. Colorado Free Application Day caps…
Information and photo provided by DCS Montessori At DCS Montessori (DCSM) peace education is a major component of the Montessori classroom, teaching children compassion, acceptance, kindness and understanding. Dr. Maria Montessori’s words are fitting in a world of many changes for our young. “An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Kelli Weinreich Kelli Weinreich – Coach W. to her students – joined the Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) family this fall as the school’s new PE teacher. Weinreich is excited to share her enthusiasm for an active and healthy lifestyle with BRE students, despite hybrid school limitations. “My goals at…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of the McCarthy family Colorado’s Bike to Work Day was postponed this year from May until September, but no matter the month or the destination, neighbor Brian McCarthy chooses his two wheels to get him where he needs to go. Brian works the night shift as an emergency room…
Information provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation In August, the Colorado Department of Transportation started collecting tolls for drivers using the C-470 Express Lanes between Wadsworth Boulevard and I-25. Tolls range from 65 cents to $3.60 per toll point with an ExpressToll pass, depending on the time of day. Drivers will have the choice…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard September marks the final month that residents can be counted in the 2020 Census. In August, the Census Bureau began following up with households across the nation that have not responded to the questionnaire. The Bureau estimates it will need to visit about 56 million addresses to collect responses in person.…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of Julie Lamb September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. Suicide rates are disproportionately high among veterans. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, veterans comprise nearly a quarter of suicide deaths in the U.S. To help raise awareness, a local chapter of Semper Fi & America’s…
By Patte Smith The annual Bike to Work Day was rescheduled to Tuesday, September 22. Organized by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Denver Regional Council of Governments Way to Go program, Bike to Work Day encourages residents to not only ditch their cars and hop on a bike – whether going to…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard Over the past several weeks, families have loaded up trucks and moved children to college campuses. For many students, the upcoming election on November 3 will be their first opportunity to cast a vote. A new address for the student can bring questions about how to vote in college, where to…
Stage 2 fire restrictions continue to prohibit open burning of any kind in Douglas County, as well as the sale and personal use of all fireworks. In addition, Stage 2 also prohibits the use of fires in chimineas and other portable fireplaces or patio fire pits, as well as campfires at developed campgrounds or picnic…
Nontraditional works for them By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Julie Snook Dr. Randy Snook, a 24-year resident of Glen Oaks and his wife of 18 years, Julie Snook, are the owners of Advanced Integrative Medicine (AIM) in Lone Tree. Randy, originally from Alamosa, Colorado, always knew he wanted to be a doctor and…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos September arguably heralds in some of Colorado’s best days to get outside, especially in the high country. With warm sunny days cooling to crisp evenings, hiking, biking or even driving over mountain passes provides an opportunity to witness the state changing colors and showing off the vibrantly-hued fall foliage.…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner; courtesy photo Rated the safest country in Southeast Asia, Thailand is magnificent holiday country with 1,000 miles of coastline. Few know that its standard of living is high, ranking 61st in the world, above Peru, Hong Kong, China and Brazil. Buddhism is practiced by 85% of its citizens, a…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. Colorado is unfortunately no stranger to mass gun violence, and from 2016 to 2019, the state had the highest increase (58%) in teen suicides. With greater emotional and mental strain due to the current pandemic, programs helping youth deal with mental…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Steve Janedis Steve Janedis loves nothing more than sharing his passion for produce with the world. In his quest to educate people about how to pick produce, Janedis admitted he could talk for an hour just about how to choose a pineapple or a watermelon. Janedis’ early days in…
Article and photos by Kathy Fallert This summer, my family joined the many people taking road trips across the country. This was a long road trip to Washington state to visit my sister. Along the way, we hit a couple of national parks. In the car were my husband, Mitch, my son Kyle, our grandson…
By Patte Smith; information provided by Colorado State University Extension Now is the time of year to give a little tender loving care for gardens, lawns, trees and shrubs to ensure next year’s landscape is in good shape. GARDEN: Keep weeding the garden, deadheading flowers, and if annuals are spent, dig them up. Be sure…
By Steve Whitlock Authors write for various reasons. Those might include entertainment, journaling, therapy, or just to create. Many authors also write to be heard, understood, and to influence others. After all, writing is communication. Being read and received can be deeply rewarding. Yet, some authors find the publishing process to be daunting, even intimidating.…
By Stacie Chadwick When I was a child my nickname was Mouse. I was quiet and reserved, always assessing before speaking and sometimes not talking at all. I often held back in conversation, politely waiting my turn. Once I hit 13 and started to become more confident, I took baby steps off my observant perch.…
By Terri Wiebold Whether you are the parent of a teenager or you have watched any news coverage in the past many weeks, you have likely heard of TikTok. So, what exactly is it? TikTok is a free social media platform like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or Twitter that allows the user to watch, create or…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Joe Bucknam, traveling salesman from Iowa, found his way to Denver with wife Minnie in 1907. Finding fascination in the Sedalia area, they founded the Woodbine Ranch in Jarre Canyon in 1915. The main lodge was a substantial, multi-use building. Decorated to Joe’s rustic tastes, it showcased vintage weapons,…
By Shaun Kernahan; photos courtesy of the Quam family Mark and Amanda Quam’s first date was a Kenny Chesney concert, and they have been going to concerts as often as possible ever since. On one wall in their house, they created a shrine of music memorabilia – including a paper coffee cup sealed in a…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos Running with Scissors, an amateur studio band that has been playing together for the past 15 years, made its public debut in August at a socially-distanced neighborhood block party. Laurie Benton (lead vocals), David Feil (bass), Denis Freiden (guitar), John Grosh (guitar) and Greg Sherwood (drums) are the five…
Article and photos by Kathy Fallert Part of the Starbucks “secret menu” is something that dogs of all ages and sizes can really sink their noses into – puppuccinos. The Starbucks located off Castle Pines Parkway has their own Instagram (IG) account (@castlepinespups) celebrating the pets that come through the drive-thru looking for a special…
By Terri Wiebold; photo courtesy of Nancy Koontz There’s nothing like getting all dressed up and joining hundreds of your friends for a night out to support a great cause. The summer months are usually when nonprofit organizations host galas and do much of their fundraising, which has been particularly challenging this year. In response,…
I love this question. Let me tell you about something that just happened to me. I was hosting some longtime friends for lunch. Their two sons, 19 and 21 years of age, were with us. The table was preset and I asked the guests to please seat themselves while I gathered lunch. As I approached…
By Celeste McNeil The smile logo on your Amazon package is more than a cute symbol; it’s a reminder to help the local community while shopping online. The AmazonSmile program donates 0.5% of all eligible purchases to a charity of choice when the shopper links their Amazon account to the AmazonSmile program. With more than…
By Bryan Goodland During difficult times, it’s hard to be grateful for the things that we have. It is easy to fall into a state of depression over the loss of anticipated expectations and events. An effective way to change a life outlook toward a more positive view is to start journaling. Specifically, a gratitude…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I spent my childhood years living just outside of San Francisco. Sourdough bread is a symbol of that city, and I think it must be somehow encoded in my DNA that it is the standard by which all other breads are to be judged. San Francisco sourdough is the…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Combine salt and sugar with four cups water in a large bowl, stirring until dissolved. Soak tenderloin in the salt and sugar solution, in the refrigerator, for at least 30 minutes (or a maximum of two hours.) While the tenderloin soaks, stir together vegetable oil, curry powder, and juice…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Lauren Aragon The art of creating charcuterie boards has increased in popularity in the past year. Social media platforms are filled with beautifully designed trays of finger foods. In July, resident Lauren Aragon launched Comfort & Joy Food Boards as a way to give back to the Kempe…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Bonnie Kirkegaard Colorado is home to one of the world’s largest collections of seeds, genetic material for livestock, microbes, and endangered plants. The facility, formally known as the National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation (NLGRP), run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is not a museum or a farm…
By Bryan Goodland One of the keys to maintaining mental health as one ages is to continually seek out challenges for the brain. There is more and more evidence that supports continuous learning and participating in new experiences delays cognitive decline, improves memory and may help maintain brain functions. Learning comes in many forms, including…
Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik On most any day, you can spy Dave Richardson zipping down the streets of Castle Pines on his electric bike (e-bike). In fact, he might just be passing you by as you sit in traffic. Dave and his wife, Carolyn, are two of the many people who are enjoying…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Lynne Basche When you are a metal detectorist, ring finder and treasure hunter like René Mills of Castle Rock, you are going to have some good stories. “Finding a ring in 15 inches of snow out at Red Rocks; that was my toughest,” Mills said. With her Garrett Ace…
Information provided by Bringing Music to Life In August, Bringing Music to Life (BMTL) donated more than 500 instruments to 36 schools throughout Colorado as a culmination of the organization’s 10th annual instrument drive. This year’s distribution adds to the more than 5,000 instruments donated to schools since its beginning as the Colorado Public Radio…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of Dennis Niewoehner To know The Village at Castle Pines neighbor Dennis Niewoehner is to appreciate a spirited romantic and driven man. Now 74, his was a high-octane life. Among his many titles are: counter-intelligence agent, rancher, horse showman, author (now in the midst of a third book), philanthropist, preeminent…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Stewart Vanderwilt “I’ve always had a strong connection to Colorado,” said Stewart Vanderwilt, Colorado Public Radio (CPR) president and CEO. Vanderwilt stepped into the role in 2018 after a national search to replace the founding CEO who was retiring. Vanderwilt joined CPR after more than three decades of experience…
Article and photo by Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Cassandra Babtkis Cassandra Babtkis is an artist with a great deal of intuition. Originally from California, Babtkis relocated to Colorado in 2010 and attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies with minors in studio art and English creative writing from Denver University. She moved…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos Just prior to returning to school, two sophomores from the University of Colorado – Josh Harmon and Brad Hansen – whose roots run deep in the Castle Pines community, walked 84.6 miles from the Martin Luther King Memorial in Denver south to Fort Carson. The trek took 37 hours…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Christy Kloter Even though there are several changes to school this year, one thing remains constant for Christy Kloter – her excitement and desire to connect with her students, both new and returning, in person and remote. Christy is a teacher who is passionate about what she delivers to…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of the Scott family Like so many young couples starting out, Bart and Kaley Scott didn’t envision what their future would hold. When they met in Colorado Springs in 2005, Kaley was attending college at the University of New Mexico (UNM) working on a degree in healthcare communications. Bart…
By Terri Wiebold; photo courtesy of Dennis Murray Twenty-year resident of the Pine Ridge neighborhood in the City of Castle Pines, Dennis Murray won the Colorado PGA Pioneer Open at the University of Denver Golf Club last month. Murray became a PGA Member in 1980 while working as the teaching professional at Columbine Country Club.…
Article and photo by Terri Wiebold Pickleball enthusiasts who have been improvising by playing their sport on full-size tennis courts in The Village at Castle Pines now have a place to call their own. The recently-converted court #2 at the Canyon Club has been getting much use. Among the first to enjoy the new pickleball…
Article and photos by Shaun Kernahan The smell of hot dogs and nachos, the sound of a vendor yelling, “Cold beer!”, the electric buzz of 50,000 fans cheering … these are just some of the familiar sights and sounds baseball fans have grown accustomed to when watching the boys of summer play a game. Sadly,…
Article and photo by Patte Smith There is a new opportunity on Tuesday evenings to meet people, get some exercise and cycle throughout the Castle Pines community and surrounding areas – all while enjoying the views of the Front Range from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak. Mark Massey, a fellow neighbor and cyclist said he…
Information provided by Douglas County School District and Douglas County Governmental entities in Douglas County recently secured partnerships enabling more access to COVID-19 testing across the county. The Douglas County School District (DCSD) announced its partnership with COVIDCheck Colorado (CCC), a social benefit enterprise of the Gary Community Investment Company. CCC was created to help…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Rock Canyon Cross Country The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) cross country team had a great turnout for the annual Dillon Run. More than 35 athletes attended this year, making it the most successful year for this event. Cody Jaramillo, a RCHS sophomore, was one of more than 20…
By Shaun Kernahan; courtesy photos Billy Wills was 12 years old when his dad went to the local pawn shop and picked up a secondhand guitar. Over the next 18 months, Billy learned to play that guitar, strumming songs by The Byrds, Herman’s Hermits and The Beatles. That guitar helped make Billy popular in junior…
By Bryan Goodland; courtesy photos People have been talking about the arrival of In-N-Out Burger to Colorado for a while now. Well, it’s starting to look like the wait just might be over. The company has plans to build restaurants in a few different cities in Colorado, but Colorado Springs is the keystone to the…
By Patte Smith; artistic renderings courtesy of Tall Tales Ranch A big milestone has been reached by Tall Tales Ranch, a nonprofit organization that was founded by Susan and Pat Mooney six years ago. The City of Lone Tree approved the Tall Tales Ranch Site Improvement Plan in July. The Mooneys’ vision to build a…
By Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue Hot dry Colorado summers often lead to wildfires. Many longtime Castle Pines residents remember the Cherokee Ranch Fire that burned 1,200 acres in October 2003. Thousands of Castle Pines residents were evacuated as flames raced toward homes and smoke billowed. The fire was extinguished the…
By Carin Kirkegaard Life can change at a moment’s notice, as residents impacted by the recent Chatridge 2 Fire discovered when local emergency response teams knocked on doors and gave the order that they had 10 minutes to evacuate their homes. CodeRED is a high-speed telephone emergency notification system that allows public safety personnel to…
By Patte Smith Douglas County Libraries (DCL) keep expanding and improving on community service offerings. Did you know you can borrow a microscope or a Nintendo system for the kids? You can strap on a virtual reality headset for a thrilling experience or learn to strum a ukulele. Want to be a seamstress – borrow…
Photos by Terri Wiebold Residents of the City of Castle Pines were eager to gather in family clusters, while being socially responsible, to enjoy a perfect evening outdoors for the first Movie in the Park of the summer – “Frozen II.” To view a slideshow of the event, visit https://www.castlepinesconnection.com/photo-album-2020/. Be sure to join for…
By Elizabeth Wood West Like so many other businesses and organizations, Douglas County Youth Orchestra (DCYO) was hit hard by COVID-19 this spring. Rather than canceling rehearsals for their spring 2020 performance of “Tom Sawyer,” students Zoomed with DCYO’s conductor and assistant conductor. The spring performance transitioned into a virtual experience. DCYO violinist Ella Winkler…
The kitchen is his office By Shaun Kernahan; photos courtesy of the Hernandez family Born in Southern California, Mike Hernandez moved to Guadalajara, Mexico when he was just a baby. By the time he was 17 years old, Hernandez was ready to spread his wings and start blazing his own trail, so he moved to…
By Patte Smith; courtesy photos Drive-in theaters have made a comeback this summer. In Colorado, there are eight drive-in theaters, and in the Denver area the last original 88 Drive-In Theatre in Commerce City is celebrating 48 years of bringing cinema classics to motion picture fans. With many indoor theaters closed and the traditional stream…