Read the stories from the latest issue:
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…
Discovering the Castles of Colorado By Michelle Post; photo by Terri Wiebold Bishop Castle, Rye Colorado What exactly makes a castle a castle? Whether a structure qualifies for the title of ‘castle’ is not something set in stone and is a topic often debated by historians. According to the Free Dictionary, a castle is: “A)…
For the first time, the Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) mathletes took team first place at the State MATHCOUNTS Competition. The RHMS team members all performed well at the competition on March 23, and Max Xu and Anthony Chui placed in the top ten. “I really liked it because we got to go to the…
By Terri Wiebold; photos by Lynn Zahorik “It’s all been an incredible and sometimes wild ride,” stated Mike. “I am personally humbled and honored to have been able to serve this community for the past 20 years. The credit really needs to go to the people of Castle Rock, of Douglas County and of Colorado…
Left to right; Reese Pucciano, Julianna Perez, Bessie’s Hope Program Coordinator Darlene Stiny, Caitlin Taylor and Mo Grebe sharing a joyous moment after a fun-filled visit with Brookside Inn residents. By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of American Academy Bessie’s Hope (BH) and American Academy (AA) are filling the gap between generations by spending time together.…
Bishop Castle, Rye Colorado By Michelle Post What exactly makes a castle a castle? Whether a structure qualifies for the title of ‘castle’ is not something set in stone and is a topic often debated by historians. According to the Free Dictionary, a castle is: “A) a large fortified building or group of buildings with…
Maycee Taylor is a very well-rounded 9-year-old. By Nancy Koontz; photos courtesy of Jennifer Taylor Buffalo Ridge Elementary student Maycee Taylor is only 9 years old, but she is quite remarkable. After being screened and tested in the first grade, it was determined she was a gifted child who possessed high intelligence, artistic creativity, leadership…
By Bryan Goodland; photo courtesy of Nick Lucey Castle Rock has grown significantly over the past few years. From the expansion of shops and anchor retail stores, to the introduction of new neighborhoods and living options. And now, once again the shape of Castle Rock is changing. Downtown Castle Rock has always offered a wide…
Eaten alone or paired with a delicious cheese and/or fruit combination, these tasty homemade crackers will not disappoint. Article and photos by Lisa Crockett I was recently gifted a beautiful block of artisanal cheddar cheese. I nibbled a corner and decided that what I really needed to complement this gift was a nice crunchy cracker…
Sarah Arnett and AJ Arnett are enthusiastic smart doorbell owners who enjoy being able to communicate with people at their door, even when they are not home. By Barbara Neff; photos courtesy of Sarah Arnett When asked, residents of Douglas County seem to agree unanimously that the prevalence of video cameras in our everyday lives…
By Julie Matuszewski; courtesy photos The Douglas County School District (DCSD) Visual Art and Kid’s Expo Art (KEA) shows returned again this year, displaying innovative artwork from local budding artists. The art shows also took place earlier this spring for all the community to enjoy. This year’s art events showcased imagination, creativity and innovation. Both…
Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik In the wee hours of the morning on the first day of spring, Chick-fil-A devotees anxiously stood in line outside of the fast food restaurant. They were hoping to have the chance to be a part of the “First 100 Road Trip.” In celebration of the opening of its…
A good start to the day often means a good finish later on. Taking time to make and eat a lovely breakfast is one of the best ways to give yourself a boost of energy for the day. Here are some ideas for ways to make the most important meal of the day delicious. If…
SECOR ensures students have Food for Thought By Elise Brassell Remember during your school-age years, that feeling of excitement as the last few minutes of Friday afternoon ticked away before the bell rang to dismiss you for the weekend? Many students feel that excitement to get to the weekend and their plans with family and…
By Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of Monica Harrmon Local children’s author, illustrator and artist Mark Ludy recently visited Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) school. Ludy captivated students and staff alike with his inspirational message, humor and artwork. With a passion for encouragement and out-of-the-box thinking, Ludy talked about his own journey as a struggling young student.…
Pictured left to right: Golden, Jayse and Hallie Rand with Jill Svenson By Terri Wiebold; photo by Lynn Zahorik In recognition of Earth Day, residents and local realtors Hallie Rand and Jill Svenson hosted a FREE community Shred-it event in Castle Pines. “We live, love and work here, so this was one way we decided…
By Terri Wiebold Great news for King Soopers shoppers and local organizations looking to participate in the King Soopers Community Rewards program for cash back to schools, community organizations and nonprofits. Gone are the days of carrying multiple cards and pre-loading a separate King Soopers card that is associated with a specific organization. Effective April…
Information provided by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office Spring and hailstorm damage go hand in hand in Colorado, making it “high season” for contractor complaints. According to Douglas County District Attorney George Brauchler, the greatest number of complaints are against door-to-door contractors, especially those who come knocking right after a hailstorm. The most common…
Hagia Sophia. Mosque built by Emperor Justinian designed to impress. It will, guaranteed. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner My rapture with Turkey began in 1987 while visiting Istanbul on my way around the world. Numerous visits would follow. In 2018, it was time again to swill that city’s “wine.” The political actors had changed,…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photos by Terri Wiebold In late March, the formerly bare-walled community room at the Castle Pines Homes Association building received a makeover. A once humdrum meeting space, it now includes a mini-museum focusing on the first 100 years of Wildcat Mountain history. No small project, the curation began from scratch. The process…
Aerial view of the Brookfield Residential development site located on the northeast corner of Santa Fe and Happy Canyon Road. The inset is the proposed lot configuration. By Bryan Goodland; photo by Bob Wiebold The Village at Castle Pines is about to be home to a new development being built by Brookfield Residential. Bordered by…
Susan and John Picon attended the Kentucky Derby, looking fashionable and happy. This was Susan’s 18th trip and John’s first. Having spent the entire day watching race after race, sipping Mint Juleps and wagering on a few of the horses, the Picons both agreed that it was an extraordinary experience that they hope to do…
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.…
Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski Nerf junkies young and old took the field armed with their favorite Nerf guns, eye protection and unlimited foam darts for a night of Dads and Dudes Nerf Wars. In one afternoon, the Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) gym was transformed in to a Nerf warrior’s dream of obstacles, barricades…
Rock Canyon High School’s (RCHS) Black and Gold yearbook editorial staff spent their spring break learning about journalism in New York City. After a canceled flight lead to the group arriving a day late to the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s annual journalism convention, the yearbook staff had to branch out into the city to learn…
By Terri Wiebold; photo courtesy of the O’Melia family Drowning is preventable. Tragedies often lead to change, which is precisely what we hope will happen after reading this pool safety article. Every year as the weather warms and pool season begins, The Connection reminds readers about precautions to take in and around pools. Whether it…
Representatives from the Castle Pines Parks Authority, the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District, the City of Castle Pines, Douglas County Parks, Trails & Building Grounds and students and teachers from TTE all gathered to celebrate (and try out) the new inclusive playground equipment. By Terri Wiebold; photos by Julie Matuszewski Braving unexpected cold weather, third…
BRE fifth grade students celebrated their last year in elementary school with a show for fellow students and parents. By Celeste McNeil; courtesy photos BRE fifth graders recently showcased their talents, growth and love of “super cheese songs.” Students performed two shows, one morning performance for the school and another for parents in the evening.…
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…