Read the stories from the latest issue:
Sophomores (left to right) Grant DeRose, Tanner Leonard, Maddy Merritt, Reese Titensor and Kayla Mash smiled after being inducted into the Science National Honors Society of Rock Canyon High School April 9. By Maddie Merritt, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Stephanie Leonard The first class of Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) sophomores for the…
Melissa Rufenacht shows her style and sass at A Line Boutique’s “inspiration wall” which features all the current styles for the season. Article and photos by Terri Wiebold Congratulations to Castle Pines resident and A Line Boutique co-owner Melissa Rufenacht for a successful first year of business in Castle Rock. A long-time customer turned owner,…
Photo and caption by Terri Wiebold Special thanks to Jack Yi, owner of Castle Pines North Cleaners, for helping with my “between meetings wardrobe malfunction.” I lost the closure button on my blazer and Jack not only replaced the button, he found a matching set of three buttons to change out the sleeves as well.…
Taking steps to walk in Maria Montessori’s shoes By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of Ryoko Fusatani After the Bomb Cyclone hit Colorado, DCS Montessori upper level teacher and Castle Pines resident Ryoko Fusatani was relieved to learn that her scheduled flight to her dream destination of Rome, Italy would be a “go.” Fustani’s excitement mounted…
By Terri Wiebold; photos by Lynn Zahorik With the most perfect weather imaginable, hundreds of Castle Pines families gathered at The Ridge last month to participate in the City of Castle Pines Egg Scramble. In three separate waves according to age, the air horn sounded and children flooded the driving range to collect eggs stuffed…
This RCHS SNHS student helped a BRE science club member build a bridge. By Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of Delaney Y. Rock Canyon high school (RCHS) student Delaney Y. has a passion for science. She and her fellow Science National Honor Society (SNHS) members are sharing their love of science with younger students through an…
By Susan Helton Filling in for Amanda Merriman, Connection writer Susan Helton is also a lifelong, avid reader. This month, she shares a delightful cozy mystery novel. Shannon Hammer specializes in renovating and repairing Victorian homes in the small town of Lighthouse Cove. In A Wrench in the Works, by Kate Carlisle, Shannon’s younger sister…
By Patte Smith; courtesy photo Memorial Day is an important time for all Americans to remember the sacrifices that veterans have made to ensure our freedom. Whether attending a Memorial Day remembrance event, or sending a note to a veteran, take a few minutes to bring to mind these brave men and women. Really stop…
By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Megan Liestman Megan Liestman of Castle Rock has a busy summer break from school ahead. She’s a sophomore studying political science at the University of Colorado at Boulder who is taking her summer break to run her own business as part of a unique opportunity from Young Entrepreneurs Across…
By Lisa Nicklanovich I recently took a free photography lesson from the Apple Store at Park Meadows Retail Resort. Our class learned about using a few of the features on our camera phones, and something the instructor said after the class surprised me. The instructor, who is a professional photographer, said that he thought most,…
Finding family, loving orthodontics and golf By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of the Dunbar family Dr. Andrew Dunbar – owner of Castle Pines Orthodontics and Castle Rock Orthodontics – and Jen, his wife of 28 years, love living in Castle Pines. “Such a great community! We’ve lived here almost 17 years and we’ve developed an…
Information and photo provided by the Van Vechten family There wasn’t a mountain Jacob “Jake” Peter Van Vechten didn’t want to climb or a puzzle he couldn’t solve. He was surrounded by friends and lived with a sincere concern for others. He loved with a tender heart. Jake competed on every field and every court…
By Stacie Chadwick I’ve always been a glass half full kind of person with a world view that skews toward the brighter side of life. Now, thanks to the northern light-like glow of filters, editing, and effects, that perspective is exponentially enhanced. Sort of. Too often, we present our perfectly angled poses to the world…
Toby, his brother Evan and their parents stand at the bottom of the main stairs of RCHS with the lacrosse team and their coaches. Toby and Evan were adopted by the team through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. By Jana Seal, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of John Gallant For the Rock Canyon High School…
Surrey Ridge kids gathered at the neighborhood park for the annual search for Easter eggs on Saturday, April 20. After an adventurous hunt, the kids visited with the Easter bunny, who shared more treats with the kids. Photos courtesy of Josh Gonzalez
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Chelsey Nielson In which book? was the question asked by librarians to Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) Battle of the Books (BOTB) participants during one of many book battles. This year, TTE participated in BOTB through Douglas County Libraries as an after school club for third through fifth grade students.…
Pictured right: Students created posters to promote the Rebel Service Club backpack drive By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of American Academy The American Academy (AA) Rebel Service Club (RSC) has a simple mission, but one that carries a lot of weight. Their mission is to be educated on the value of serving others while providing…
By Michelle Post Is your business running you? Do you know what you have regarding your business? These are questions I often ask business owners when I begin working with them. We do not know when it happens, but there comes a time when our business is running us instead of us running our business.…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori Spring has sprung which means our April showers will bring not only May flowers but also fresh grown vegetables from the DCS Montessori (DCSM) greenhouse students. Sleeves rolled up, these garden students played in the dirt and soil while learning a fun lesson on sustainable soil. Soils…
RCHS student council members revealed the total amount RCHS raised to donate to Make-A-Wish Colorado during the closing assembly March 8. Along with granting wish kid Michael’s wish, RCHS granted seven other Colorado wish kids’ wishes as well. Article and photos by Maddy Merritt, RCHS intern writer; courtesy photo March 1 through March 8 marked…
Jenny Welden with a six-panel set she created titled Interior Landscapes, which recently sold. Welden started with white cotton and hand dyed the fabric which was stretched over frames. Welden used free-motion quilting to embroider her designs which also added color and texture to the pieces. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Jenny Welden When…
Arjun Avinash (far right) competing with robotics Team Komodo at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City last month. The team accomplished an inspiring fifth-place finish. By Steve Whitlock, photo courtesy of the Avinash family Arjun Avinash (15) will be studying cyber security at Duke University this summer. A sophomore at Rock Canyon High School…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett One of the reasons I like to cook is that I can do something a little out of the ordinary without too much risk, fuss or expense. A beautiful bowl of home-cooked Italian pasta, for instance, is much cheaper than a plane ticket to Rome. Producing a bowl of…
Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Amy Ball The greatest dance this year took place February 23 at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE). Daddies and daughters put on their best dresses, tuxes and top hats for the greatest dance, “Under the Big Top.” A favorite event of the year, dads proudly escorted their…
Roughly 30 guests gathered at The Country Club at Castle Pines in March to enjoy a High Tea Party featuring lunch and desserts by Pastry Chef Amy Humenchlesbe and an assortment of teas from a local tea company. Article and photos by Nancy Koontz The Country Club at Castle Pines and Pastry Chef Amy Humenchlesbe…
When Dave Van Voorhis enjoys a “day at the park” it is at Coors Field along with several thousand other Colorado Rockies fans. As the 2019 Major League baseball season kicks off, Van Voorhis is proud to be a part of the Rockies team of ushers who dedicate themselves to making the fan experience enjoyable.…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of Archives & Local History – Douglas County Libraries In 1849, Henry H. Curtis took Julia Paddison to be his bride in South Wales. He was 19, she 21. Seems that Henry, an apprentice jeweler was summoned to repair the Paddison family clock. Clearly, time was on Julia’s side, as…
By Stacie Chadwick Sometimes, on a day that’s not so lucky, life can punch you right in the face. Hard. And change your trajectory forever. One minute you’re standing tall, smiling at the sun and soaking in its warm flood of love, and the next you’re flat on your back, face in the dirt in…
Information and graphic provided by The City of Castle Pines In early 2018, the City of Castle Pines City Council initiated the process to explore the transformation of the city government from a “sanctuary city” designation to that of a “home rule” form of government. The purpose was to introduce a governance structure that would…
By Patte Smith Canyons Community Church 4825 North Crowfoot Valley Road Castle Rockwww.canyonscc.org Maundy Thursday service: April 18, 6 p.m. Easter Sunday services: April 21, 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Castle Oaks Covenant Church 826 Park Street, Castle Rockwww.castleoaks.org Maundy Thursday service: April 18, 7 p.m. Good Friday – Stations of the Cross April 19,…
RHMS seventh/eighth-grade choir performed with the RCHS women’s and men’s Choirs in the 2019 RHMS/RCHS feeder Choir Festival. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Douglas County School District To wrap up third quarter, Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) seventh/eighth-grade choir students were joined by the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) women’s and men’s choirs for…
By Patte Smith The 2019 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 27. This special day was established to help provide citizens with a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. In Douglas County, Drug Take Back…
Our writing and photography interns help The Connection in many ways, bringing a student perspective to the paper while gaining valuable experience along the way. We are proud of the work that all of our current and former interns have done and are glad that we could be a small part of their journey as…
Bluebird eggs hatching in one of the houses on the Phelps’ property. Inset: A beautiful shot of a mountain bluebird, photographed by the Phelps’ nephew. It was featured in a national bluebird magazine. By Steve Whitlock; photos courtesy of the Phelps family Susanne and Kerry Phelps don’t just like bluebirds, they love bluebirds. So much…
By Bryan Goodland As the south metro population continues to swell, transportation has become a more pressing issue, and Denver is the latest city to get on board with a public/private partnership to combat the problem. To that end, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) has expanded its partnership with on-demand transportation company Lyft. Lyft is…
By Amanda Merriman Author Jennifer McMahon’s newest novel, The Invited is expected to publish on April 30. I was lucky to score an advance copy from the publisher, Doubleday. I love a good New England-style ghost story, so I was happy to settle in with this book. McMahon has a proven track record as a…
Kelli Chastain’s students show off examples of symmetry in their mini quilts. Dana Sedersten’s churn dash class paper quilt creation. Article and photos by Celeste McNeil What do literature, geometry, fractions and advanced vocabulary words have in common? Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) second-grade students cozied up with all these topics and more while creating their…
By Amanda Merriman According to Common Sense Media, young people are spending an astonishing amount of time online. The average time spent using media nears nine hours daily for teens and almost six hours for tweens. While the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)has clear guidelines for children ages 2 to 5 years old (one hour…
Michelle Balch Lyng was honored to receive ColoradoBiz magazine’s “Top 5 Most Influential Young Professionals in Colorado” award. By Nancy Koontz; photo courtesy of Michelle Balch Lyng Congratulations to The Village at Castle Pines resident Michelle Balch Lyng, founder/CEO of Novitas Communications in Denver. Lyng has recently received three different awards, causing people to take…
Being his own boss By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of the Granados family Alberto Granados, owner of Las Fajitas Mexican Restaurant in Castle Pines, has worked in the restaurant business since he was a teen. After learning everything from dishwashing to managing, Alberto decided – along with his brother – it would be best to…
Snowmobiling is a terrific sport to enjoy the Colorado great outdoors. Travel with friends, dress appropriately, be prepared and ride responsibly. Be sure to capture the memories with lots of fun pictures. By Michelle Post; photo courtesy of Lori Gifford “Get your snowmobile runnin’” are not words I ever heard growing up in Crowley,…
By Lisa Crockett There are a lot of reasons to eat less meat. Vegetarian diets tend to be higher in nutrients and lower in calories than diets that include meat. In addition, vegetarian diets tend to have a lower carbon footprint than carnivorous ones, so going meatless is arguably better for the planet. Still, omitting…
Resources and education for older adults By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Aging Resources of Douglas County Age is just a number, but as that number changes, the mental and physical needs of people change too. When older adults seek help to navigate the changing needs in their lives, a newly formed nonprofit, Aging Resources…
Focused and determined WOLF pack kindergartners keep their cool and balance. By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary Tuesdays and Thursdays are greeted with Timber, the enthusiastic Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) mascot who helps facilitate 75 minutes of We Own Learning and Fun (WOLF) time for entire grade levels. During WOLF sessions, team…
Hello there! A friendly deer greets a neighbor’s car in Douglas County By Barbara Neff; photo courtesy of Timothy Corey Mountain lions, coyotes, bears, elk, deer and a host of smaller game are our neighbors here in Douglas County, but they are not necessarily our friends nor should they be our dinner guests. Though the…
At top, Balinese jukung, traditional wooden fishing boats with bamboo outriggers. Candidasa sunset, partial jukung view. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner We finally got around to it. Bali. Countless Australians had been telling us for years it was a world-class paradise. Barb and I investigated personally in February. To control expenses and minimize…
By Elise Brassell Calling all kids 11 years old and younger and their families! The City of Castle Pines and The Castle Pines Connection are again partnering to bring a new community event to Castle Pines – a spring egg hunt at The Ridge at Castle Pines North golf course. Join in the fun on…
By Barbara Neff Airline pilots file a flight plan with the FAA before taking to the skies. In similar fashion, we need to file our travel plans with loved ones before embarking on a long road trip alone. Solo road trips can be the essence of pure freedom, but the wise plan carefully. Simple precautions…
Business owners joined together on a chilly March morning for the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce second annual Birdies, Bogies and Business event at Topgolf. Prizes were awarded for the top three teams, and players had the opportunity to win $10,000 at the hole-in-one contest bay. Information and photos provided by the Castle Pines Chamber…
Article by Celeste McNeil; courtesy photos Nearly 60 moms and 75 sons took the opportunity to test their ninja prowess at Buffalo Ridge Elementary school’s (BRE) mother-son ninja night. Ninja Nation, sponsored by BRE’s before and after school (BASE) program, brought in the equipment including scaffolding, trusses, ropes and other custom challenges. Paul Brandt, BASE…
By Michelle Post Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction. ~ John F. Kennedy I am reading The Practicing Mind by Thomas M. Sterner and he relates a story about a swimmer trying to reach the other shore. For the swimmer to stay on course, he must find a point of reference…
Madeleine Perry (13) was awarded the Rising Star Award from the Stars of Tomorrow By Steve Whitlock; photos courtesy of the Perry family Madeleine Perry (13) was awarded the Rising Star Award from the Stars of Tomorrow Talent Show hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Castle Rock last month. The show was held March 8…
Ready for donation drop off, Andrea Lamb and Anna Spitzer (far left) gather clothing donations while youth volunteers sort and hang clothing with CTKD volunteer coordinator Eileen Robinson (far right). Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski Helping those is need is not seasonal or yearly, but an ongoing mission for Timber Trail Elementary (TTE). TTE…
By Steve Whitlock; photo courtesy of the Werner family Two Castle Pines boys, Colin Venable (15) and Jonathan Werner (17), recently achieved the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America. Former Boy Scout and retired four-star general in the United States Army, Colin Powell, famously said, “A dream doesn’t become reality…
Award-winning party planner extraordinaire Tammy Abramovitz has again been recognized for her unparalleled grace, thought, and creativity in entertaining. From elaborate themes to the perfect place settings and exquisite food pairings, Abramovitz plans parties with a purpose. She is pictured above with her husband, Mike, at the Warren Village Taking Flight Fall Gala in 2018.…
The MATHCOUNTS team from RHMS. Back Row (from left to right): Alan Wang, Shiv Mereddy, Ty Sloan, Lee Guiberson, Jessica Wang, Aditi Jegannath and coach Chris Gowing. Front Row (from left to right): Jamie Kim, Max Xu, Anthony Chui and Tintin Zhang. Submitted by Ayanna Cudennec, RHMS student On February 2, Rocky Heights Middle School…
By Terri Wiebold Want a new adventure this spring break that doesn’t break the bank but allows for quality time (away from home) with the family? Here area few adventures to consider, all within an hour of home: Pack your suitcase and head to Denver International Airport, but instead of boarding a flight, drive past…
Third-grade students perform for fellow students, parents and friends on January 31. (Photo courtesy of BRE Yearbook Crew.) By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Valerie Miller and BRE Yearbook Crew Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) third-grade students demonstrated they are diversely talented and smart. These lively and active eight- and nine-year-old students have been honing songs,…
Lisza Gulyas and Glenn Pinto enjoyed a riverboat cruise on the Main River in Germany in the summer of 2018. The couple visited Prague before a family reunion in Hungary. Lisza is a first generation Hungarian/American. By Nancy Koontz; photos courtesy of Lisza Gulyas Lisza Gulyas has been my friend for many years. I was…
Special thanks to local photographer Julie Lamb for sharing these stunning pictures she captured at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. The show continues to be a great way to kick off the new year every January. To see more of Lamb’s work, visit https://www.facebook.com/JulianneDeanLamb.
Information and photo provided by Terri Sundermann Several ladies from the Village Castle Pines Garden Club visited the Colorado Home & Garden Show at the Colorado Convention Center in February, courtesy of The Castle Pines Connection. “We enjoyed the multiple garden displays, some with very large water features” stated club member Terri Sundermann. “The smell…
BRE PE teacher Ronda Gutierrez dressed up to encourage students to jump rope for heart on Valentine’s Day. Article and photos by Celeste McNeil Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) commemorated Valentine’s Day in the typical fashion with class parties, exchanging valentines and lots of red and pink. They also celebrated healthy hearts by participating in the…
Loving the restaurant business By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of the Minarick family Neal Minarick, Duke’s Steakhouse owner and general manager, grew up raising beef and dairy cattle in Nebraska. Neal worked in restaurants throughout high school and college and found he loved the restaurant business. “I was hooked at age 16,” Neal stated. During…
By Amanda Merriman Humans love tracking data. Data about our health is no exception. When it comes to health, sleep quality (or lack thereof) is an important topic of conversation. Roughly one-third of Americans report poor sleep quality, and as such, there are many devices aimed at tracking how well we sleep. Sleepzy is a…
Pam Randall and American Academy first-graders enjoy a sweet partnership, combining cooking and chemistry. Information and photos courtesy of American Academy American Academy (AA) first-graders completed an especially sweet science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) unit in partnership with Pam Randall, owner of The Bundt Shoppe in Castle Pines. STEM instructor Chris Todd searched for…
Classes for CPR/AED and first aid to help adults, children and infants in an emergency are offered by the South Metro Safety Foundation. By Patte Smith, photos courtesy of South Metro Safety Foundation Education is not all about reading, writing and math or studying hard to prepare for college or a career, although those are…
By Catalin Varela All the traditions we have come to love about St. Patrick’s Day (green beer, “Kiss Me I’m Irish” T-shirts, etc.) actually have very little resemblance to the holiday first celebrated in 1631. So what’s the real story behind the festivities of March 17? St. Patrick’s Day was established by the Catholic Church…
Glynis shows off the new packaging of her All Purpose Coating Mix and Waffle Mix which carries the “Glynis Kitchen” title. By Nancy Koontz; photos courtesy of Glynis Albright In the October 2018 issue of The Connection, we introduced readers to Glynis Albright and her love of cooking. On the below-zero snowy night of February…
Connecting mothers, daughters and community By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of National Charity League With a family calendar full of birthday parties, school events, holidays, graduations, practices and much more, it can be hard to find time to volunteer together. For mothers and their daughters in seventh to twelfth grade in Douglas County, knowing where…
Left to right. City Market in St. John, N.B. Great place to find most anything, including lunch. Roosevelt Cottage, Campobello Island, N.B. Middle Head Hike, Cape Breton National Park, N.S. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Part two features the large southern provinces, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Should you have more time, consider pastoral,…