Read the stories from the latest issue:
The Castle Pines Connection joined Century Communities Colorado Division President Brian Mulqueen (center cutting the ribbon), along with the City and the Castle Pines Chamber, for a ribbon cutting celebration welcoming the builder to the community. Century Communities is offering homes on 140 lots within the Castle Pines Town Center development of the City. Inset:…
Information provided by Douglas County The Board of Douglas County Commissioners held a special work session on July 16 in Castle Rock to hear funding recommendations and status reports regarding plans for $13.3 million appropriated for school security and mental health services for students. The Board had previously approved a resolution appropriating the funds at…
Photos by Lynn Zahorik The Castle Pines North Master Association annual Concerts in the Park have been ushered in this year with fantastic weather. Live, free entertainment with your neighbors … what could be better? Join for the final concert of the year on Saturday, August 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Coyote…
By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Jennifer Green The South Metro Denver Barnstormers 12-U baseball team took to the field at Cooperstown, New York on July 7 to compete with other 12-U baseball teams from all over the U.S. The Barnstormers players hail from Castle Pines, Oak Hills, Surrey Ridge, Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch.…
Mountain adventure with a patriotic touch Article and photos by Susan Helton For more information, visit aspenhistory.org/tours-sites/independence-ghost-town and www.aspenchamber.org/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-independence-pass. For something different to do for Independence Day, how about a unique adventure with a patriotic touch? High in the Rocky Mountains, in Independence Pass, the ghost town of Independence sits in a glacier-carved valley below…
By Susan Helton The Connection writer Susan Helton is an avid reader; as a teen, she once read 64 books during summer break – just to see if she could. This month, she shares a charming book by and about a woman rancher in Colorado. Taken from her diaries, Shepherdess of Elk River Valley by…
Scandinavian design has long been seen as avant-garde by the world; the Helsinki Central Library Oodi (pictured above) does not disappoint. By Joe Gschwendtner; courtesy photos One has favorite cities; Helsinki remains high on my list. With granite foundations, a comparable resolve in her people and Nordic wooded beauty, the allure is magnetic! I visited…
Doctor of optometry, Dr. Jason Ortman. By Terri Wiebold; photo courtesy of Black Diamond Eye Care After serving the vision needs of the Castle Pines community for 17 years, Castle Pines Eye Care is expanding and changing its name to Black Diamond Eye Care. From humble beginnings in 2002 within a strip mall of what…
Information provided by The City of Castle Pines; Photos by Nancy Koontz and courtesy of the CPNMD Colorado is drought-free for the first time in 20 years, but that doesn’t change the need for fire mitigation efforts in the naturally wooded neighborhoods of Castle Pines. In fact, the wet spring weather has provided the perfect…
By Bryan Goodland Summer is in full swing, and finding things to do, especially with grandchildren, can be a challenge. Luckily, Colorado offers a wide variety of activities sure to bridge the generation gap and make it a summer to remember. To make things even easier, we’ve come up with a week’s worth of events…
By Elizabeth Wood West; photos by Chuck McCallon The Rotary Club of Castle Rock held its 23rd Annual Ducky Derby fundraiser and family fun festival at Festival Park in downtown Castle Rock in June. The event featured a variety of street vendors, live entertainment, face painting, a bouncy castle and the event finale – the…
Kindergarten soccer “Team Blue” in 2012. Community Super Bowl winners, 11-12 age bracket, fall 2018. Article and photo by Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of Imagetek One youth football team in Castle Pines recently reflected on nearly a decade with the same coach and core group of boys. Coach Scott Miller has dedicated much of his…
This area at the southeast intersection of Hess Road and I-25 is the potential location of a future 4-acre transit facility if rail-based transportation continues to Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Article and photo by Kathy Fallert The Southwest Chief & Front Range Passenger Rail Commission (Passenger Rail Commission) and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)…
Information provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation; courtesy photo A train traveling at 55 miles per hour takes a mile to stop – the length of 18 football fields or more – after applying the emergency brakes. Between 2013 and 2017, 14 people were killed and 36 were injured in vehicle-train crashes in Colorado.…
Article and photos by Terri Wiebold “Behind our doors, we refer to you as trade partners because that’s who you are … We’re very loyal to the folks who take care of us, and those of you who have been with us for a long time, you know what that means …” were the opening…
By Kathy Fallert Summer is a very popular time to travel. While there are roaming phone plans out there that can include international and carrier fees for calling abroad, the WhatsApp app (a free app owned by Facebook) gives users fast, secure messaging and calling for free right on your cellphone using your phone’s internet…
Caption and photo by Lynn Zahorik Castle Pines resident Kathy Shiflet (left) shared a “proud mother” moment with son, Scott Moody, and his marketing manager and fellow Castle Pines resident Kathy Erdman (right). Scott Moody Fine Art, which specializes in pen and ink and colored pencil drawings, was one of the many booths featured at…
Balance and connections By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Nicole Moses Nicole Moses, owner of The UPS Store in Castle Pines, had originally planned to be a teacher. But during student teaching, she realized that it was not the right fit for her. She had already worked several years in her brother’s UPS Store downtown…
Exuding strength and poise beyond what one might expect of a 15-year-old, Julia Soechtig attacks a difficult jump on her Holsteiner, Petri. By Nancy Koontz; photos courtesy of Lori Soechtig Because of her unbridled love of horses, 15-year-old Julia Soechtig received her first horse at the age of 6. Now she is the proud…
The day Chris Givin (center) was drafted, his former coach and teammates gathered in Castle Pines to celebrate. Pictured from left to right are Tucker Middleham, Nick Lamb, Chris Givin, Coach Roy Middleton and Brian Harrity. By Carin R. Kirkegaard, photos courtesy of the Givin family Chris Givin graduated from Xavier University with a degree…
Heather Clark with her husband, Bryson, and sons Tye (15) and Jaren (19). The family is very service-oriented, with Heather leading the charge to bring food and supplies to Eagle Academy students. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Heather Clark When Heather Clark volunteered at Eagle Academy High School (EAHS) in Lone Tree a year…
Information and photos provided by Castle Pines Athletics Super Bowl champions were once again named for kids playing recreational youth flag football through Castle Pines Athletics (CPA). The Denver Broncos took home the title (and trophies) for the third and fourth grade age group – led by head coach Matt McDonald, while the New York…
Nicole Vanderpoel before a pool swim for Swim Across America, which raises funds for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Inset: Vanderpoel (left) presented a $150,000 check to Children’s Hospital Colorado Executive Director Elizabeth Nowak (right) at last year’s fundraising event. This year’s event will be August 25 with the…
Information provided by Douglas County Douglas County residents are invited to a public open house to review the 2040 Transportation Master Plan on Wednesday, July 10 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Douglas County hearing room at 100 Third Street in Castle Rock. The Draft 2040 Transportation Master Plan is currently available for…
By Terri Wiebold; photo courtesy of Sam Teague Castle Pines students are not the only ones enjoying their summer vacation! This cub was spotted frolicking with its mama in the Happy Canyon neighborhood on June 18 around 7:15 p.m. Similar sightings of another mama bear and her three cubs have been shared throughout The Village…
By Terri Wiebold In the November 2018 issue of The Connection, we introduced readers to a sports craze taking the nation, and Douglas County, by storm – pickleball. In June, a group of roughly 20 Castle Pines residents who were interested in bringing pickleball courts to Castle Pines (many of whom referred to themselves as…
The future high school graduating class of 2026 took one last farewell walk through the halls of Timber Trail. Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski Transition to middle school is a big step in the lives of our local elementary students. For many students, the graduation ceremony or rite of passage is celebrated with fellow…
Caption and photo by Elise Brassell Congratulations to Castle Pines resident Jason Brassell (left) and his Farmers Insurance team, including Garrett Sadusky, Curt Henderson (CPV) and Kevin Shriver, who participated in the 14th Annual American Cancer Society 2019 Coaches vs Cancer Hope Invitational of Denver. The team joined the golf event, held at The Country…
Pictured left to right: Matt, Alex, Jack and Kristen Krieger. By Lynn Zahorik, photo courtesy of Kristen Krieger The Krieger family loves to go to Coors Field each summer to watch the Colorado Rockies play. However, when the Chicago Cubs are in town, they pull out their blue and red gear and root, root, root…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary This year, 84 fifth grade Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students took the stage under bright lights to carry out another yearly tradition. The fifth grade dance project is a grade level project based learning (PBL) collaborative project facilitated by music and art. Not only has this…
Information and photos provided by the City of Castle Pines Approximately 20 City of Castle Pines residents attended the first of three scheduled Pilates in the Park events on Saturday, June 8. Participants of all skill levels ranging from first-timers to veteran pilates gurus joined in the fun. It was an invigorating way to Zenfully…
The City of Castle Pines partnered once again with Mental Health Colorado for the annual Unmasked; A Masquerade Party. The evening was filled with emotional and inspirational stories of tragedy and triumph in the arena of mental illness and substance use. More than $75,000 was raised toward the efforts of promoting mental health, ending stigmas…
The Hamlet and Glen Oaks neighbors Judy Foraker with her grandsons Parker (in back) and Palmer (in front), Vern Cain and Melissa Champine. Cain started the line of rocks, some painted, and over the last year, neighbors, visiting family and anyone who feels connected to the community has added their own rocks. Article and photos…
Making his second appearance at the Drive, Chip and Putt competition, Blake Cartwright was a tough competitor. Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik The Ridge at Castle Pines was the proud host of the 2019 PGA of America Drive, Chip and Putt competition on June 3. This event is a free nationwide junior golf development…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Each month as I decide what foods to write about, I take into consideration what is fresh and appealing, and also what might fit into whatever holidays or other events are happening that month. July is, of course, a month of all things patriotic. It would seem that Mother…
Krista Taylor on a medical mission in Honduras with her translator, Diego, who she said, “giggled all day long at my ‘Spanglish’ and our little pet bird who tapped on the surgery center window and sang to us all day!” By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Krista Taylor Krista Taylor hit a big milestone this…
Castle Pines residents Ali Merritt (left) and Ellie Olsen (right) volunteered at Legacy Village’s Hawaiian-themed day. The two volunteers got residents to join in on the hula hooping (without breaking any hips!) and assisted with activities that went along with the Hawaiian theme. Article and photo by Maddy Merritt Legacy Village of Castle Pines is…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of Scott Terhark Collection, Douglas County History Research Center, Douglas County Libraries Not long after the Homestead Act opened the West, some Douglas County settlers became farmers and ranchers. Rolling terrain of small valleys and gulches with low density population offered vast open areas rife with protein-rich grasses ideal for…
For more information, visit aspenhistory.org/tours-sites/independence-ghost-town and www.aspenchamber.org/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-independence-pass. Article and photos by Susan Helton For something different to do for Independence Day, how about a unique adventure with a patriotic touch? High in the Rocky Mountains, in Independence Pass, the ghost town of Independence sits in a glacier-carved valley below Independence Mountain. According to legend, prospectors…
Aurora firefighter Clay Thomasson got in on the field action while American Academy students Cassidy Anderson and Natalie Barber tried to convince Thomasson to spray color his hair. Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski Field day has been a favorite annual event for the students of American Academy (AA). Field day is a day when…
Dogs looking for forever homes By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of the Mellor family As any dog lover can tell you, underneath all that fur, beyond their love of people food, chew toys and causing household mischief, a dog has a heart of gold that offers an unconditional love rarely found anywhere else in life.…
By Terri Wiebold; photos by Lynn Zahorik and courtesy of Jimmy Dozer The residents of Castle Pines and surrounding communities came out in force to enjoy the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce 4th Annual Food Truck Frenzy. The event included 14 food trucks, 36 Castle Pines Chamber member booths, a pet area with a pet treat…
Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Yields about 6 cups of jam. Prepare fruit Remove the stems from strawberries and chop them roughly, then mash the fruit with a potato masher, immersion blender or food processor; don’t puree completely, leave some chunks. Measure two cups of the puree and pour into a large bowl (use…
Graduating Rock Canyon High School seniors returned to Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) to take part in a new tradition of walking the halls where their education first began. The students were applauded by the teachers at the school, many of whom instructed the graduating seniors. By Carin R Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Julie Lamb and…
By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Mary-Sue Quinn A resident of Forest Park for 13 years, Mary-Sue Quinn is a member of the Colorado Society of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA). In fact, Quinn is the patriotic service chair for the Colorado Society and has been for eight years. As…
By Terri Wiebold Castle Pines City Council and the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) Board of Directors each voted unanimously last month in support of a resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement for the dissolution of the Castle Pines Parks Authority and the transfer of its assets to the City. The Castle Pines Parks Authority…
College students from several different schools gathered at a home in Sapphire Pointe this summer to connect with kids from other schools and also with God. They will continue to meet through the end of August. Article and photo by Steve Whitlock A new college group is meeting in Sapphire Pointe. The lively and welcoming…
Aerial map showing the location of Miller’s Landing, along with renderings of major and proposed roadways and existing trails and potential future trail connections. Article and photo by Bryan Goodland; rendering courtesy of Navpoint Real Estate Group Landfills are a part of the modern world, but they don’t have to stay that way forever. In…
Delaney Musick spots a photo of her brother, Brennan, in the June issue of The Connection. By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Judah Musick “Community is like a big family” said the Polish sociologist and philosopher Zygmunt Bauman. It’s knowing your neighbors and running into friends and teammates at the grocery store. Community is a…
Principal John Veit celebrated four students who earned perfect attendance in the 2018-2019 school year at Buffalo Ridge. Left to right: Evan R. finished elementary school with perfect attendance; James H. started his first year off with a perfect record, never missing a day of school; Levi K. attended school for 1,218 hours; and Addy…
Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski Much like the fairytale ending of the movie “Grease,” Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students wrapped up the school year with a fun evening carnival. This was TTE’s inaugural family fun fest to celebrate the end of another great school year. Even though the evening was cold and damp, the…
Pictured above are Emma Meisel and her dad, Chuck, who was able to be with his daughter in LA to watch her network debut on “The Kids Are Alright” when it premiered April 30 on ABC. By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of the Meisel family Local Castle Pines resident Emma Meisel made her network…
DCSM Park Adventures campers know how to enjoy Castle Pines local parks. Campers took advantage of the beautiful day to climb and swing at Coyote Ridge Park. By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy DCS Montessori Summer is all about exploring the unknown, trying a new outdoor activity or diving deep into a world of adventure. DCS…
Article and photos by Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Brittin Karaffa
The Village at Castle Pines resident Louise Bowman (front row, far right) celebrated in style with friends at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Women with Hattitude luncheon. Resident Gayle Raye (left) is pictured here with Ms. Senior America Gayle Novak and Hattitude Chairwoman Pam Sletten (right). By Nancy Koontz; courtesy photos Since 2005,…
Information and photo provided by the Boucher family Congratulations to Jordan Boucher, the 2019 Valor Christian High School valedictorian and a National Merit Scholar. Boucher, a resident of The Village at Castle Pines, excelled at Valor and balanced his academic pursuits with his passion for running cross country, track, climbing 14ers and participating in the…
By Terri Wiebold I have never met a business owner who was not interested in bettering his/her business. For some, “bettering” means increasing revenues and profits and/or decreasing expenses. For others, it may mean elevating their brand. For me, it is about improving the overall experience for everyone involved. As the publisher of The Connection,…
Brooks Gibbs (right) used a game called “Squabbles” to help with conflict resolution. Information and photos provided by American Academy Last month, American Academy (AA)hosted a parent assembly lead by Brooks Gibbs, a well-known speaker who focuses on helping children build emotional resiliency. Approximately 250 parents took part in the evening event. Gibbs also spoke…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of Newspaperarchive.com People and towns came and went in the early days of statehood. Had it not been for an obscure notation on a map, the once thriving town of Lehigh would have been a forgotten Wildcat town. In 1878, coal was a valuable commodity in an industrializing world. When…
Information provided by the Douglas County School District The Douglas County School District (DCSD) Board of Education met in a work session on Tuesday, May 23 to discuss safety and security in DCSD schools. The discussion included a review of DCSD Board Policy ADD: Safe Schools, which addresses a variety of directives ranging from physical…
By Terri Wiebold Invite your neighbors and head down to experience Spoons & Tunes in The Vistas at Park Meadows on Thursday, June 13 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and get an exclusive special Castle Pines neighbor bonus! Park Meadows Retail Resort is hosting a free, family-friendly summer event every Thursday starting June 6…
Article and photos by Celeste McNeil Recently, Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) school held an extravaganza evening billed as “BREXtravaganza.” The building was open to students, parents, grandparents and anyone interested in seeing the amazing happenings at BRE. The main hallways overflowed with masterpieces the students created in art class. The gym, filled with tables, held…
By Patte Smith Did you know that in February Colorado cyclists dominated the world leader board for the 2019 International Winter Bike to Work Day? Wow! More than 3,000 area cyclists rode on a bitter cold day or chose a day a little less bleak for the work day ride. A testament to the importance…
Assistant Principal Jen Murdock surrounded by first, second and third place winners of the annual BRE Science Fair. Article and photos by Celeste McNeil Spring brings experimentation, demonstration and inventions; spring brings the Science Fair! Bufflao Ridge Elementary (BRE) had 67 students from all grades participate in the eighth annual Science Fair. All projects, research…
City staff, elected officials and members of the community gathered to await the election results. Upon its passing, a joyous crowd toasted the citizens and the success of the election results. Information provided by the City of Castle Pines; photos by Terri Wiebold Tuesday, May 14 was a historic day in the City of Castle…
“I wanted to thank you and your staff for the nice note, gift card and candy. This was so thoughtful of you and nice to receive after a very chaotic Tuesday afternoon. As both a principal and a community member, I really appreciate your efforts and the positive approach you take to bring our community…
Lisa Dean (left) and Emily Ogden (right) proudly displayed their 2019 bronze volunteer awards. Stop by and congratulate Lisa, Emily and Lynn the next time you stop by the library. By Patte Smith, photos courtesy of Laura Eicher, Douglas County Libraries Congratulations and a big thank you to Lisa Dean, Emily Ogden and Lynn Gillingham…
By Lisa Nicklanovich Like most people, I often read reviews before making a purchase decision. Recently, however, I had two negative experiences despite the many super-positive reviews I spent time reading. Both my twenty-something kids said, “Well, you know, lots of times the reviews are fake.” I thought about the fact that I always trust…
Caption and photos by Patte Smith Prior to their continuation ceremony that was held on March 14, the three classes of fifth grade students at BRE braved the cold and rain and stamped their handprints on the famous “spirit rock” at the school on Monday, May 20. Smearing hands with their favorite colors, each student…
There With Care bags decorated by students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary school. By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Sheri Flaherty Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) fifth grader Ryan Flaherty is spreading the message of love, both figuratively and literally, through her work with the Colorado-founded nonprofit There With Care. There With Care’s mission is to provide…