The Connection

By Lisa Crockett It’s the time of year after the most wonderful time of the year. If you’ve overindulged, perhaps you’re looking for a way to get back on track. Or, maybe you’re simply looking to improve your health and wellness. Or maybe you want to shed a few pounds. One excellent strategy for achieving…

RCHS sophomore Morgan Wetzel lights the “mole cannon” as sophomore Julia Drobish aims it at the back of the classroom where her peers are standing. Chemistry teacher, Dave Ferguson instructed the students on how to safely light and fire the cannon and students in the back of the room were wearing eye protection as they…

Mayor Jason Gray (pictured center) and Town Council ceremoniously shoveled the dirt, signifying the official groundbreaking of the East Plum Creek Trail extension project. Information and photo provided by the Town of Castle Rock Whether you’re hiking, biking or out walking the dog, the Town of Castle Rock (Town) is known for its beautiful outdoor…

The ladies of the Balmoral cul-de-sac gathered together to kick off the holidays. Good food and great fun was had by all, as whimsical white elephant gifts were exchanged. The general rule was the tackier the gift the better! Front row, left to right: Candy Beach, Carol Van Voorhis, Linda Nystrom and Rebekah Goodman. Back…

Students and faculty enjoyed the sweet treats during the Lean on Me bake sale. Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski Grateful is how several families from Crisis Center in Castle Rock felt over the holiday season for Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) third-grade classes participating in their project based learning (PBL) unit titled “Lean On Me.”…

Freshmen Roshni Nandi and Caley Kalecek practiced coding at the “Hour of Code” event at RCHS. The event, which is part of the program Girls Who Code, encouraged interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, particularly computer science. Article and photo by Jana Seal, RCHS intern writer Women comprise only 29 percent of…

By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Corin Meibos There were some very powerful moments at the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) choir concert that took place December 11 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch. The evening featured the four choirs of RCHS: Women’s Choir, Men’s Choir, Women’s Select Choir, and Select Mixed…

Sigler, one of the founders of Troop 1920, the first female BSA troop, shot a rifle at Centennial Gun Club as a part of her Venture Crew 563. Venture Crews were the first co-ed opportunity in BSA before their policy change that will allow females to have access to the same opportunities as males. Article…

By Terri Wiebold; photos by Lynn Zahorik Colorado gives day was December 4, 2018 and more than 157,700 donations supported 2,481 nonprofits to the tune of $35.1 million in Colorado. Locally, the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce hosted an event at Haven in the Pines for its nonprofit members, including The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation, The…

The holiday Womenade gathering at the Bell Mountain Ranch home of Leslie Beauchamp was a celebration of the season and raised funds to help two local families in need. Womenade holds quarterly potlucks in homes in Castle Pines, Castle Rock and other nearby areas to raise funds to help with needs that otherwise might not…

By Catalin Varela After emerging from the self-induced holiday food coma, everyone has their hearts set on creating resolutions to manifest their best year yet. According to TIME magazine, these are some of the most popular New Year’s resolutions that no one can seem to keep…and we’ll talk about how to stick with them. Eat…

Stacked up old TVs and a computer table left outside the Help & Hope Center after hours. These items will cost the Center several hundred dollars to recycle them using funds that are needed to help individuals and families who are struggling. Please do not leave items such as these at nonprofit organizations. By Patte…

By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Buffalo Ridge Elementary and Jennifer Chiu Although they may not have ever heard the word before, second-grade students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) gained a first-hand understanding of benevolence through the school’s annual Adopt a Family pay it forward project. Recently having completed their community unit and heading into…

Officer Jacob Coyle (left) and Officer Austen Schlecht (right) enduring the freezing temperatures at the Castle Rock Starlighting to continue their involvement with the community. By Catalin Varela, photo courtesy of Castle Rock Police Department “To provide a sense of independence to an otherwise dependent community…” That was Castle Rock Police Department’s mission when they…

A hike along Plum Creek in the Columbine Open Space trail south of Castle Rock, is easy and features an original red barn and an old rock spring house. By Patte Smith; courtesy photos Winter can be chilly, but also invigorating. Coloradans are outdoor folks. It does not matter what the weather is, people love…

Information provided by RTD Changes to the Regional Transportation District (RTD) fares and pass programs will begin on January 2, including the implementation of a youth fare that increases the discount offered to riders between 6 and 19 years old to 70 percent. The new, age-based youth discount – no longer requiring enrollment in elementary,…

By Terri Wiebold The interesting thing about publishing a newspaper is that you have to think a month ahead of where you really are on the calendar … writing deadlines, print production schedules, planning meetings, etc., all happen in advance of the month readers receive the paper. This is especially challenging for me because I…

Information and photos provided by Buffalo Ridge Elementary The Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) kindergarten classes of Andrea Gale, Anne Estrada and Sherri Rumminger studied the different ways that other countries and various cultures celebrate the holidays. They did more in-depth studies on India, Mexico, Canada and Sweden. The kids wore wreaths with candles on their…

By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Brenda Young Last month, The Connection E Guide featured a promotion for Mountain Man Nut & Fruit Co. in which we showcased an adorable squirrel asking, “Did someone say nuts?” Little did we know at the time we designed the ad, that the locally-owned franchise actually has an unofficial…

The Stutler family, (from left to right) Bryce, Michelle, Kirk, and Haley helped coordinate the event, provided food and beverages for their team and set the bar for holiday attire. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Lin Giampietro Team Stutler gathered on December 9 in Washington Park for the eighth year in a row for…

Article and photos by Lisa Crockett It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and a big part of every celebration is food. My family has lots of favorites that we make year after year, but I’m always looking for new ideas, and when this little gem of a recipe caught my eye, I just…

By Daniel Williams Whole Foods will be opening a store in Castle Rock in early 2020. The natural-grocery supermarket chain has signed a 20-year lease for space in Promenade, the 166-acre retail development just north of the Outlets at Castle Rock between I-25 and Highway 85. Already in place at Promenade are well known brands…

Next time you see the bison herd at Daniels Park, check out their large shoulder humps. The hump allows the bison to swing its head from side-to-side to clear snow and graze on vegetation below. A bison’s winter coat is said to be so thick and well insulated that snow can cover their backs without…

By Daniel Williams; photo courtesy of www.cdc.gov Vaping among teens has reached the epidemic stage, according to national statistics as well as local narratives. At a recent Douglas County sporting event that brought together competitors from several of the area’s high schools, I spoke with parents and student-athletes alike who all agreed that vaping is…

By Amanda Merriman As we enter this time of year, thoughts often turn toward philanthropy. There are a myriad of options available to those considering donating. It can be a difficult and time-consuming task, deciding which charity to support. Luckily, I discovered DonorUp. DonorUp is free to download on iOS and Android devices. The creators…

By Terri Wiebold When you read The Connection newspaper every month upon arrival in your mailbox, there is hopefully something wonderful and nostalgic about the smell of the ink on the paper and the turning of the pages. But, did you know that The Castle Pines Connection also has a plethora of additional resources beyond…

Information and photo proavided by Rock Canyon High School A business start-up company at Rock Canyon High School wishes to create a feeling of belonging and togetherness. This sweatshirt was designed with the purpose of symbolizing community and supporting the Lauren Townsend Wildlife Fund at the Denver Foundation. Lauren was the first student to lose…

By Barbara Neff Six important changes are coming in 2019, which have already been announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Following the decade-long Great Depression, 1929 to 1939, the elderly in the U.S. were in particularly dire straits. The SSA estimated that by the early 1930s, more than half of Americans ages 60 and…

RCHS students and teachers traveled to Concordia Language Villages French and Spanish immersion camps in Bemidji, Minnesota in November to learn about the languages and the cultures of the countries. By Amanda Brauchler, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Alexis Savas A group of students huddled in the snow, bags in hand, in the unfamiliar…

Information and photos provided by Julie Matuszewski The spirit of Halloween brought ghosts, ghouls and little goblins flocking to Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) for Halloween Family Bingo night; an event organizers hope will become an annual happening. This scary-fun event was held Thursday, October 25 for TTE families and students, and featured a planned potluck…

SMFR firefighters from Station 39 partnered to help bring joy to children in need during the holiday season. They are pictured here with program organizer Louie Lee. Information and photos provided by Melanie Lee Last year, The Connection featured a story about Village residents Roger Ryman, Louie Lee and Rob Brooks and their efforts to…

RCHS media students toured NBC 5 Chicago and posed with anchors Allison Rosati and Rob Stafford during the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention. By Jana Seal, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Alex Shaffer On November 1, Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) media students had the opportunity to attend the JEA/NSPA National High School…

Cast members of “Seussical” the musical at Rocky Heights Middle School took a bittersweet final curtain call on October 25. By Ava Dunn, RHMS student; photo courtesy of Thearin Pyeatte, RHMS student Crowded together, the company held their breath. This was an important day. They shuffled behind the curtain, keeping their voices hushed as they…

By Catalin Varela This past year was full of some really great books for our young adult (YA) audience. Here is a roundup (in a nutshell) of a few popular reads this past year. “I Have Lost My Way” by Gayle Forman Gayle’s novel follows three souls who are faced with adversity and challenge. After…

 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. The 1860s were a time of great turmoil. When I reflect on…

By Susan Helton Chabad Jewish Center of South Metro Denver 9950 Lone Tree Parkway, Lone Treewww.denverjewishcenter.com Chanukah Festival: December 2 at 3 p.m. (Family Sports Center and Lollipop Park, Centennial). Community Chanukah lighting celebrations: December 3 at 5:30 p.m. (O’Brien Park, Parker), December 4 at 5:30 p.m. (Eastridge Recreation Center, Highlands Ranch), December 9 at…

By Catalin Varela, photos courtesy of Buffalo Ridge Elementary Elvis and Bob Ross were in the building! Students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary were in the spirit with creative costumes for Halloween this year. Not to be upstaged, the teachers showed their creativity with a wide variety of characters, ranging from Cinderella’s fairy godmothers and Maleficent…

Pictured left to right: Leyna, Charlotte, Franca, Madilyn, Kendall, Ellie, Siri, Flannery, Lili, Raegan, and Elle. Information and photo provided by Jennifer Calvanese In a true collaboration with the community, the Brownies from Girl Scout Troop #65517, which includes girls from Timber Trail Elementary, Buffalo Ridge Elementary and Sky View Academy, collected and donated more…

By Elise Brassell The Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) brings together citizens in need, supportive nonprofit organizations and philanthropic donors to create a better quality of life in Douglas County. In support of its growth strategy, DCCF has added three community leaders to its board of directors, including Jody Soper, executive vice president of marketing…

By Michelle Post In this fast-paced world, it is important to stop, be still, and reflect. Unfortunately, reflection for many only involves a quick glance at the next task on one’s to-do list. If you are like me, and I hope you are not, I am always thinking ahead of what I need to do;…

By Patte Smith; courtesy photos When the holidays and hubbub are over, what do you do? Number one is rest. The hoopla and festivities are behind us and we start thinking about our New Year’s resolution. Eeeegad – forget the pounds you gained and focus on more fun with friends and family. The Colorado winter…

By Lisa Crockett ’Tis the season to be … busy. In a perfect world, holidays would come with extra hours in the day with which to create scrumptious goodies in the kitchen like elves in Santa’s workshop. Alas, we mere mortals are stuck with the same old 24 hours a day we get the rest…

As of Tuesday, November 27, statewide official results of the 2018 General Election can be found by visiting the Colorado Secretary of State website at results.enr.clarityelections.com/CO/91808/Web02-state.222648/#/.  For local Douglas County General Election results, visit results.enr.clarityelections.com/CO/Douglas/91828/Web02.222611/#/.

Article and photos by Nancy Koontz If you are new to The Village at Castle Pines, the Castle Pines Homes Association welcome group has a special event for you. Every quarter (February, May, August and November), the Association holds a new resident reception at The Country Club at Castle Pines. Guests enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres,…

Christina Kohl, a 17-year Castle Pines resident, returned to work after being a stay-at-home mom for 13 years. Kohl founded the Back 2 Work Club to provide resources and encouragement to others who want to return to the workforce after a career break. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Christina Kohl If you are a…

Article and photo by Catalin Varela The holidays are in full swing which means cookies, cakes, and pies are on every table. Unfortunately, for those of us with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, this often means missing out on the sweet-tooth fun. Think again. I am going to share with you my favorite gluten (and…

By Patte Smith Colorado’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is a federally funded program that helps eligible hard-working Colorado families, seniors and individuals pay a portion of their winter home heating costs. If you, your family, or someone you are caring for, such as older parents, are struggling financially, you or they may qualify for…

Tina Hansen, Marketing Director By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Tina Hansen The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce is a member-based organization that promotes and supports local businesses. As part of the Chamber’s focus to make it easy for its members to successfully operate businesses in Castle Pines, the Chamber has welcomed a new marketing…

Article and photos by Patte Smith Fourth- and fifth-graders ran circles around each other hula hooping while they danced at the annual BRE Sock Hop. While no 50s or 60s music played, the kids twirled to the music of Juice Wrld and Fall Out Boy, among other new artists. Fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Parker was rocking…

Marion Dahlem (left), volunteer coordinator for the Help and Hope Center (Douglas County/Elbert Task Force) received socks with Susan Elizabeth Lee (right), co-founder of the Sock It To ‘Em campaign, which collects new socks for those experiencing homelessness. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Susan Elizabeth Lee It is through the community’s help that the…

Information and photos provided by Castle Pines Athletics The weather is a bit colder, and the comfort of your couch is where you are likely watching the NFL these days, but just a few short months ago, kids in Castle Pines representing teams from the NFL played for a Super Bowl championship of their own.…

Seventh-grader Matthew Hardin coordinated an educational class called “Stop the Bleed” for teachers and staff at RHMS as part of his Eagle Scout project. Information and photos provided by Michele Hardin Trauma is the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 46. The national average for emergency medical services response times is…

Information provided by the USPS and UPS We’ve all heard it: “…anything fragile, liquid or perishable …?” Can you legally mail alcohol? Cigarettes? Fruits and vegetables? These questions and many others about the prohibited and restricted items for shipment with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) are answered at www.usps.com/ship/shipping-restrictions.htm. All prohibited domestic items are also…

By Patte Smith Keep your brain active – that is the mantra as people age. Statistics reaffirm the importance for older adults to not only be active, but to also keep challenging their brains. There are many websites dedicated to the subject of lifelong learning and its benefits. For more than 30 years, Osher Lifelong…

With materials and instructions provided by Paint-A-Sign, participants enjoyed a fun and informative evening creating message signs. Information and photos provided by Julie Matuszewski Moms, friends and neighbors of Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) attended a “mom’s night out” fundraiser on November 7 with locally-owned and operated Paint-A-Sign (www.paintasign.com). Paint-A-Sign provided an enjoyable evening of sign…

Castle Rock resident and Zumba instructor Van Oberly knows the importance of creating fun celebrations in the classes she teaches. Article and photos by Barbara Neff Rumor has it that the average American gains ten pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Can this be true? According to multiple online sources, including nutrition magazine Real…

Congratulations to American Academy – Castle Pines elementary art teacher Kelsea Fischer for being named New Professional Art Educator of the Year for 2018 by the Colorado Art Education Association (CAEA). This award recognizes excellence in contributions, dedicated service, and professional achievements of outstanding CAEA members in the field of visual arts education. Award recipients…

By Nancy Koontz; photos courtesy of Carrie Brown The Village at Castle Pines Starbuck residents Shane and Carrie Burton met 20 years ago at a tire store in San Marcos, Texas while they were going to college, and sparks flew. Two decades later, they have finally “settled down” and tied the knot. It started when…

By Catalin Varela, photos courtesy of DCS Montessori Community lunch, an afternoon for students to gather and prepare a meal together, has been a DCS Montessori tradition for many years. This past community lunch brought an exciting change. For the first time since building a greenhouse, students were able to harvest the vegetables they grew…

By Catalin Varela Yes, absolutely! But cutting holiday trees kills the earth, right? Well, here are a few reasons why you should fall off the artificial tree bandwagon and consider a real tree this holiday season: First of all, they’re just so much fun to pick out! You can’t trade a trip to the tree…

By Patte Smith; courtesy photo “Magic on Mainstreet” is the theme for Parker’s Christmas Carriage Parade that will be held on Saturday, December 8 at noon on Mainstreet in downtown Parker. The small-town feeling of the parade brings back memories of simple Christmas joy. There will be horses on parade, horse-drawn carriages and wagons, a…

By Patte Smith As the holiday season winds down and the decorations get stowed, those who keep the tradition of a live tree have the choice to recycle them. Whether putting the tree curbside or taking it to recycle, here are some tips to follow: Remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, garland, plastic wrap, tree stands,…

The Rock Canyon High School junior varsity soccer team, including Mason Baker (left) and Jason McHenry (right), gathered at their coach’s home to make burritos for the homeless in Denver. The team distributed 1,200 homemade burritos in Civic Center Park. By Madison Merritt, RCHS intern writer; courtesy photo Volunteering is a big part of some…

Pictured right: Rocky Heights Middle School yearbook staff brought home the All-Colorado Award from Journalism Day at Colorado State University. Students from left to right (back row): Kaderia Barela, Kennedy Vasquez, Kelsey Brown, Anna Porter, Hailey Taylor, Raegan Synk, Annabelle Girard, Alivia Ball, Nicole Flocco, Sophie LeGrande, Rachel Cook, Jessica Wang, Maia Vernetti, Sydnee Nach…