Read the stories from the latest issue:
By Daniel Williams, photos courtesy of Kristen Narlinger On September 10, 144 golfers played a round at the Birdies for Butterflies Charity Golf Tournament held at the Blackstone Country Club in Aurora. As the golfers enjoyed a beautiful fall day filled with fun and laughter and the occasional amazing shot, they also had an opportunity…
Information provided by Laura Stadele and Julian Bouquet, RHMS teachers; courtesy photos The Castle Pines Connection is honored to have four Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) students working with us as interns for the 2018-19 school year. Our interns contribute stories and photos about happenings at their middle school. We would like to welcome our…
Caption and photos by Nancy Koontz The Village at Castle Pines celebrated the yearly Oktoberfest event on Saturday, September 15, from 3 pm to 6 pm at the Canyon Club pavilion. Residents enjoyed authentic German music, food and drink. They were encouraged to wear lederhosen and bring their favorite beer stein, and many obliged. Food…
Check out The Connection’s COMMUNITY Events tab on the home page of our website, www.castlepinesconnection.com, for a complete listing of upcoming events in and around the community. To request an event be added to the events page, email webmaster@castlepinesconnection.com. Additionally, each month’s E Guide insert includes a full pull-out calendar in the center. Check it…
RHMS cross-country runners were all smiles as they lined up at the starting line for the race to begin. By Lia Pirazzi, RHMS intern writer; photos courtesy of Julie Olsen On the morning of September 18 at 7:30 a.m., more than 50 people gathered on the Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) football field ready to…
Catalin Varela pictured in front of the school’s library. Article and photos by Catalin Varela I am going to school, but I very rarely GO to school. I mean, it is 2018! Education, just like everything else, is rapidly evolving as our society changes. In the past, it has always been assumed that one would…
By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Stacie Chadwick Families, neighbors and local business owners all gathered on September 16 for the community Run Wild and new Family Fit Fest at Elk Ridge Park. Runners of all ages and abilities participated in the City’s seventh annual 5K and 5-mile runs, with the overall mens and womens…
Caption and photos provided by BRE The fifth-grade class of Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) took a student-wide favorite field trip to Young AmeriTowne. Before the trip, students learned about economics and the ins and outs of running a business. They all had a chosen “occupation” before arriving, and the students were in charge of running…
By Amanda Merriman Young adults everywhere are just starting their first semester at college, away from home. Umergency is an app that aims to ease the transition for students and their families. This app links students to critical resources as well as family and friends in the event of a medical or safety emergency. Umergency…
By Elise Brassell; map courtesy of Douglas County The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners (Board) is keeping busy evaluating proposals to continue growth within our county. In late September alone, the Board considered project plans for Sterling Ranch, Dransfeldt Road, The Pinery, Devil’s Head Metropolitan District, Rock Canyon, The Village at Castle Pines and…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of Our Heritage and People of Douglas County FARMING: Early pioneers had limited options for a livelihood. Most were in agriculture of some kind, as subsistence was the first order of business. Through trial and error, settlers found the workable methods, soil and water sources that could support their needs.…
Blind and adorable, this little black puppy (that does not look like it will be little when grown) went home with two loving older adults and their other dog, Frank Sinatra (pictured above left). Article and photos by Patte Smith In the July 2018 issue of The Connection, the article “Starting over with pets means…
By Lynn Zahorik The beautiful Charles Schwab conference center in Lone Tree was host to the second annual Senior Law and Safety Summit on September 15. Presented by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office the event was designed to help older people and those who care for them be proactive in protecting themselves against those…
Caption by Lynn Zahorik; photo courtesy of Allen Chapman The Rock Canyon High School Fire Science program participated once again in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on September 11. The event served as an inspirational opportunity for the class to learn about the culture of the fire and emergency services and…
By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Julie Matuszewski With blankets and folding chairs ready, new and returning Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) families gathered for TTE’s first family outdoor movie night Friday, August 17. The Timber Trail Education Alliance (TTEA) hosted this free event to thank and give back to the families of TTE who volunteer…
The gem that is Twin Lakes Article and photos by Michelle Post I have lived in Colorado 17 amazing years, and I continue to be awed by the many incredible sites to see. A friend told my husband and me about Twin Lakes, a gem in the Colorado mountains between Leadville and Aspen. You step…
Caption and photos courtesy of Katie Abner Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) hosted its annual Back-to-School Carnival on Friday, August 24. Bounce houses, dessert walk, K9 demonstration, tattoo artists, dessert trucks and lots of fun for our BRE community.
By Lisa Crockett A big part of eating healthy is thinking ahead. A long day combined with a fridge full of ingredients that need to be prepped and cooked, generally ends with a visit from the pizza delivery driver. Stock your fridge with good-for-you meal options (like the roasted sweet potatoes on previous page). Believe…
By Amanda Merriman Connection writer Amanda Merriman admits she is hopelessly addicted to books. It has been this way nearly all her life. Every month she shares what she has been reading with the hope that others will share in the obsession too. Shifting away from World War II and Paris, this month I bring…
Information provided by the Douglas County Kinship Navigator Program Are you caring for your grandchild, niece or nephew, cousin or other relative children in your home? The Douglas County Kinship Navigator Program works to support families who have taken in and are caring for a relative’s child. This collaborative program between Douglas County Department of…
Easy to whip up gluten-free/paleo sweet potato pancakes. Article and photo by Catalin Varela Gluten-free baking is both an art and a science, but definitely not impossible to master. With the chillier months upon us, don’t be afraid to experiment with the gluten-free world. If you aren’t gluten-free yourself, I’m sure your gluten-free friends/family/neighbors would…
Jaylyn (left) and Jolene (right) performing together in their team routine during national competition. By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Gina Luber In these days of gamified everything, it’s refreshing to hear about kids having fun and working hard away from screens and electronics. Jaylyn Luber (9) and Jolene Luber (6) of Castle Pines do…
Bringing students of all abilities together By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Special Olympics There’s something special about the bond between sports teammates, forged by struggling together through wins and losses, teamwork often builds lifelong friendships. For many young athletes, learning to compete and have fun in sports begins with school sports teams, but people…
Once weathered, buck and rail fencing blends nicely with its natural surroundings. Article and photos by Barbara Neff After more than two decades of planning, community input and phased improvement projects, it is the latest renovation to Daniels Park – the fencing – that seems to have residents talking the most. While some are relieved…
Presentation: A Sense of Purpose – Guest Speaker Juliana Young Thursday, October 4 Legacy Village at Castle Pines, 535 Castle Pines Parkway, Castle Pines 80108 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Sponsored Event: Senior Housing Forum and Community Conversation Wednesday, October 10 The PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker, CO 80138 10:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Castle Rock Senior…
Berlin’s Red Town Hall, seat of the mayor of Berlin. Built 1861-69 in Italian renaissance style. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner To visit Paris, London, or even Rome for a week or so is fashionable. Each packs a wallop of culture, green space, architecture, and history. For a place like no other, try Berlin;…
Information provided by the National Safety Council From ninjas to princesses, cheerleaders to football players, children love Halloween. Goblins, ghosts, Star Wars characters and Wonder Woman race up and down streets at night with family and friends gathering yummy treats. Remember, kids are excited and not paying attention, so you need to be their eyes…
TTE thanks the volunteer team who put it all together (from left to right): Lisa Massey, Jolene Richardson, Kristi Tomlinson, Kym Hay, Erika Greene (committee co-chair), Page Warnke (committee co-chair), Whitney Shank, Amanda Quam and Val McPheeter. By Susan Helton; courtesy photos 2018 marks the 10th anniversary of the TTE Mother and Son Kickball Tournament.…
By Patte Smith; courtesy photo If you are a history buff, be sure to join the free walking tours of Cedar Hill Cemetery and Bear Canyon Cemetery. Both historic cemeteries, located in Castle Rock and Sedalia, are the resting grounds for many of the past pioneers and founding forefathers of the county. No tickets or…
Information provided by IREA Businesses served by the Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA) have recently been the target of scammers. Many of these recent scam attempts ask business owners to pay up front for new meters as part of an upcoming advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project. Owners and customers can avoid falling victim by remembering…
By Michelle Post; graphic by Krysta Parr Are there toxic people in your workplace? You know the type – the ones who never have a good thing to say, who complain about anything and everything, who love to be miserable? I am sure you do, for it has been my experience they are in every…
Article and photo by Patte Smith As part of its speaker series, the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce hosted new Douglas County School District Superintendent Thomas S. Tucker, Ph.D. to discuss the facts surrounding the funding issues and the ongoing needs of the school district. The presentation was an open dialogue with the audience, as…
It was a beautiful and clear night under the stars on September 22 when nearly 500 residents and neighbors from Castle Pines gathered to take part in Movie at The Ridge – the perfect way to wrap up summer and head into fall. Many movie goers dined at The Ridge’s Parkway Grill before heading out…
Grills were fired up at Tony’s Castle Pines Market this fall as they welcomed in the chile roasting season. The heat was on as customers were greeted with the smoky-sweet smell of Pueblo green chiles roasting over a hot gas flame. Tasty chile samples were enjoyed by shoppers who picked up freshly-roasted and unroasted chiles…
Co-founder of the Taste of Douglas County, Mike Boyle (pictured third from left) and the team from Jersey Mike’s Subs take a break from the action during the 16th annual culinary event. By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Mike Boyle For the past 16 years, Douglas County restaurants of all sizes and cuisines have gathered…
By Patte Smith Autumn is a beautiful time of year with falling leaves, calm days and cool evenings. There are many activities that family and friends can enjoy before the snow flies. Fall festivals abound in cities and towns and Oktoberfest celebrations, steeped in the tradition of German music and revelry, mouthwatering food and hearty…
By Amanda Merriman Connection writer Amanda Merriman admits she is hopelessly addicted to books. It has been this way nearly all her life. Every month she shares what she has been reading with the hope that others will share in the obsession too. This month, I journey again to France with Ann Mah’s novel “The…
Photo and caption by Lynn Zahorik Mayor Tera Radloff welcomed community members to “Tuesday with Tera – Coffee and Chat” at Dazbog Coffee in late August. The gathering provided the opportunity for residents to ask questions and share feedback about what is going on in the City of Castle Pines. City Clerk Tobi Basile was…
Article and photo by Daniel Williams; photo courtesy of Heather Cotterman At an event in August to celebrate the opening of Sky View Farm Center for Learning and Therapy, owner and founder Wendy Ingraham got emotional when talking about the program, and for good reason. Ingraham had spent the past year following a dream of…
Fascinating rock formations, commonly called “hoodoos,” which are columns of soft rock capped by harder rock, adorn Daniels Park Road Photos and captions by Barbara Neff Douglas County offers marvelous sightseeing opportunities in every direction on virtually every road. Daniels Park Road is particularly beautiful. From strutting wild turkeys to soaring birds of prey to…
Information provided by Chuck Lowen On Thursday, October 18 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, join neighbors and business owners in the Pino’s parking lot to donate blood for a terrific cause – Children’s Hospital Colorado. Registration is recommended and spots are limited, so be sure to sign up early and make a difference in a…
Photos by Lynn Zahorik http://photos.castlepinesconnection.com/slideshow/2018/concert/index.html
By Lisa Crockett Harvest season is in full swing, and store shelves and farmers markets are chock-full of delicious goodies. Tomatoes, one of Mother Nature’s most precious treasures, though, will wane in quality as the month goes on. If you’re fortunate and end up with a haul of perfect tomatoes, consider yourself lucky and eat…
Surrounded by family, Douglas County Commissioner Roger Partridge accepted the “Code of the West” award from the Northwest Douglas County Economic Development Corporation. The award was given for the first time and will be given annually to a Douglas County community leader who exemplifies the values at the heart of the “cowboy way.” Article and…
Aron Bukary, RCHS student, running the ball during a rugby match for the Ranch Rugby program. By Alec Sutula, RCHS intern writer; photos courtesy of Aron Bukary Rugby can arguably be described as one of the most violent sports besides hockey or football. Hockey and football players, however, wear protective gear – from shoulder pads…
Information and graphic provided by the Tri-County Health Department Unwanted or expired medications are often a common sight in the medicine cabinet. Storing unwanted medications – prescription or over the counter – in the household can pose the risk of accidental ingestion, especially for children and the elderly. Traditionally, unused medications have been disposed of…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I recently returned from a trip to Quebec, Canada. In addition to visiting beautiful churches, lovely gardens and quaint village streets, I spent a fair amount of time discovering the unique food of Quebec. Poutine – a satisfying pile of fresh French fries topped with gravy and cheese curds…
Joe Gschwendtner/author standing on parapets of Valenca’s 13th-century fortress. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner The Douro River valley is reason alone to visit Portugal in the fall. Terraced hills are necklaced with red, orange and yellowed leaves on vines grown heavy with grapes awaiting harvest. A bit of cheese, bread and last year’s vintage,…
By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Isabella Schneider and Greg Smith Surrey Ridge neighbors gathered at the community park to meet Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies, including SWAT team members and emergency responders at the 2018 National Night Out event. “We were able to chat and have fun with these individuals who are citizens like…
By Barbara Neff Many middle-aged people across the nation and in our community have adult children living with them. Some adult children have continuously lived with parents through childhood into adulthood. Most, however, left for work or school and eventually returned to the homes of their parents, usually for economic reasons. According to a 2016…
Members of the CPV Green team, pictured from left to right: Josh Reel, Brad Smith, Mike Hance, Michael Shorts, Alec Wynne, Kevin Manion (Captain), Seshu Velpuri and Chad Williams. Not pictured: Dave Markowski, Darius Kerman, Matt Carlson, Carsten Hannen and Pete Rather. By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Kevin Manion Congratulations to the Mens CPV…
By Patte Smith with information courtesy of the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Volumes of information have been published about suicide, suicide prevention and the people who have lost someone to suicide. This information is vital and not to be ignored. We need to educate ourselves, our children, families and friends about the risk factors and warning…
Jana (second from left) and Fred (far right) Bartlit paused for a photo opportunity with Alabama members Teddy Gentry (left) and Randy Owen (third from left). Information provided by Maia Brusseau; Photos courtesy of the Dumb Friends League On Saturday, August 18, Castle Pines Village residents Jana and Fred Bartlit hosted the 17th annual Lulu’s…
By Lynn Zahorik; photo courtesy of Dave Celecki Members of the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) soccer team took on Grays Peak this summer as a team building exercise. The prominent 14,278 foot fourteener is the tenth highest summit of the Rocky Mountains and is situated on the Continental Divide. Fourteen soccer players were guided…
By Catalin Varela It can be quite the challenging balance to support and guide your student through academic success while trying not to seem “over protective” or a “helicopter parent.” But you have gotten them this far, so take a second and appreciate yourself for that! No matter the age of your student, there are…
BRE fifth-graders drew on the sidewalks leading up to the school on Tuesday, August 7 at the annual “Chalk Talk.” The messages welcomed BRE students back to school on Wednesday afternoon for a meet-and-greet event. At the meet-and-greet, several students helped distribute grade level T-shirts.
By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Jan Comstock Dog lovers unite! Drop into the new LIV Sotheby’s International Realty home at 482 West Happy Canyon Road on September 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and visit some adorable dogs that you can fall in love with and give them a new home. The annual…
Linda Sovich of Castle Pines says she loves her job of helping others get their lives in order through her company, Clutter Control. “Everyone wants an organized life, but when you’re busy living life, you don’t have time. I’ve seen the transformation of clients from being depressed to feeling great and living the life they…
Caped crusaders at large in the community By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of The OathKeepers What do Chester Cheetah, Mr. Peanut and a high school mascot all have in common? Vinessa Olp, founder of The OathKeepers has portrayed them all. The OathKeepers is an all-volunteer, costuming for charity organization. Costumers for charity don costumes of…
By Catalin Varela Before your backpack turns into a black hole of despair and causes you a lot of pain, try a few of our tips to keep your load light and tidy. 1). Always pack heavy items closest to your body That way your backpack isn’t dragging you across the hallway floor. Pack your…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of J. Schmidt For many in Castle Pines Village, the large gated driveway below the I-25 intersection with Happy Canyon Road is a curiosity. From Country Club Parkway, one sees, well, maybe a mansion. I visited with John Schmidt, the owner, last month to get the whole story. His family…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of US Patent office and Douglas County Library History Research Section Willis Walker likely often lived in the shadow of his wife Sarah, known nationwide and internationally for her work with Colorado wildflowers. On closer historical inspection, we find that Willis was no shrinking violet. Born in 1858 and later…
Information provided by the Douglas County School District The Douglas County School District Board of Education (BOE) has authorized bond and mill levy override (MLO) questions for the 2018 ballot. At the August 21 meeting, the BOE unanimously voted 6-0 (director Wendy Vogel was absent) to place before voters a $250 million bond and a…
Jennifer Riefenberg from Castle Rock describes her art as “capturing the beautiful, one brush stroke at a time.” By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Peter Morales Not since Bob Ross painted his happy little trees have we had such an exceptional opportunity to see a painting take shape from blank canvas to work of art.…
Pictured above, left to right, front row: Melissa Coudeyras – mayor pro tem, City of Castle Pines; Tera Radloff – mayor, City of Castle Pines; Chetter Latcham – president, Shea Homes Colorado; Deborah Mulvey – city council member, City of Castle Pines; Marcus Pachner – The Pachner Company; Ryan McDermed – vice president, Shea Homes…
Information provided by RCHS; photo courtesy of Julie Dean Lamb Photography Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) staff recently welcomed Jaguars back to school (the majority of 80108 high school students are Jags) and the entire community is proud to celebrate excellence in academics, activities and athletics. This is only possible with hard-working, dedicated students, supportive…
“One hour per day of study in your chosen field is all it takes. One hour per day of study will put you at the top of your field within three years. Within five years you will be a national authority. In seven years, you can be one of the best people in the world…
The Goodman family found an incredible view at Veil Falls on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. By Daniel Williams; photos courtesy of Jason and Rebekah Goodman Jason Goodman grew up with a love of the outdoors. As a boy in Cheyenne, Wyoming, his dad would take him and his brothers camping, hiking, canoeing…