The Connection

Neighbors Josh Gonzales (left) and George Botsonis (right) met in the Surrey Ridge park to get started on the neighborhood cleanup. To participate in Surrey Ridge’s next event, email Josh at joshuamiguel@yahoo.com. Treats are always offered for those who volunteer. By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Josh Gonzales A few times every year, several residents…

Dan Wise as a boy, pictured top left, and his family in 1949.  Top right, Dan Wise, age 75 By Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of Dan Wise Neighbor Dan Wise of Happy Canyon made a career in clinical social work and is on the cusp of a Ph.D. I asked how he came to dedicate…

The RCHS varsity level volleyball team at the University of Northern Colorado Greeley team camp, which took place July 20 through 22. Pictured top row left to right: Sophia Sobota (CP), Abbey Lehigh, Abi Leitner (CP), Madison Wurst, Macy Rushall and Rachel Schutte. Middle row left to right: Laryssa Myers (CP), Keeley Davis (CP), Alex…

The Clark family: Twin boys Asher and Braxton with parents Adam and Sarah are residents of Buffalo Ridge Estates. By Kathy Fallert; courtesy photos Adam and Sarah Clark, residents of Buffalo Ridge Estates make a great team. Adam is a developer who builds houses, including their own home in Castle Pines. Sarah recently joined forces…

  Article and photo by Lisa Crockett It’s harvest time, and after a trip to the farmers market, my kitchen is a veritable vegetable wonderland. Zucchini and eggplant are sliced and roasted, corn is slapped on the grill and given a slather of butter and a sprinkle of salt. Carrots and cucumbers just get sliced…

Information provided by Douglas County Consistent with the Board of Douglas County Commissioners’ commitment to open, transparent and accountable government, the Board retained consultants to conduct an independent survey of Douglas County voters. The survey assessed voter satisfaction with delivery of County services and requested input on the Board’s spending priorities and quality of life…

Article and photo 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. “You don’t always get to know what happened, or…

By Michelle Post On a recent visit to Walmart, I was surprised to see the school supply display. I could not believe it was already that time of the summer. I remember going school supply shopping with my mom and picking out my new pencils, crayons, paper, folders, glue and more. As I thought about…

By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Mandy Krause Pictured left to right: Neighbors and friends Matt Carlson, Jason Krause, Mandy Krause, Amy Carlson, Louise Melbye and Scott Melbye enjoyed the evening of July 3 at The Country Club at Castle Pines Fire Cracker Scramble Golf Tournament. The six-person nine-hole scramble included unique rules for…

​ The Rausch family are MCT alumni and performed as merchants and farmers in “Jack and the Beanstalk.” By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Dave Tweed On Saturday, July 22, children from Castle Pines brought the characters from the classic story of “Jack and the Beanstalk” to life. The Missoula Children’s Theatre production included weeklong…

Dr. Jason Ortman and Dr. Jamie Anderson of Castle Pines Eye Care are giving back globally by partnering with the OneSight organization to help bring a temporary eye care clinic to Mexico and a sustainable eye care clinic to Zambia, Africa. Both doctors plan to offer their services for future international trips. By Kathy Fallert;…

By Michelle Post; photo courtesy of Barb Findlay In true patriotic fashion and celebrating our nation’s independence for the Fourth of July weekend, Castle Pines Parkway was lined with five crisp, beautiful American flags. Special thanks to Gary Leiker with RE/MAX Professionals for presenting the idea to the city council and for donating the flags…

Information provided by Tri-County Health Department On Saturday, August 12, the Tri-County Health Department will host its annual drive-through Douglas County Household Chemical Roundup in Highlands Ranch at Shea Stadium, 3270 Redstone Park Circle, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Many common products found in your home such as oil-based paint, mercury, gasoline, degreasers, cleaning…

By Lisa Crockett If you are a human being alive on the planet today, there is a good chance you have some sort of obsolete computer or electronic equipment somewhere in your house. A law passed four years ago in an effort to encourage recycling of so called “e-waste” (think computers, monitors, televisions and cellphones).…

Resident artist Jerod Anderson free-handed a chalk drawing of the Statue of Liberty on the sidewalk outside King Soopers a few years ago and has created chalk drawings at several Castle Pines community events in recent years. Anderson will be doing an exhibition piece at the Chalk It Up 4 Charity event at Elk Ridge…

Information provided by the City of Castle Pines; photo by Paul Masovero At a time when it feels like development may be taking over the community, it is breathtaking drives like this one just west of the Wildcat Mountain Trail parking lot on Monarch Boulevard (looking west) that remind us of the beautiful dedicated open…

By Terri Wiebold Have you had any tattoos or body piercings within the past 12 months? Have you spent three months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980 to present? Have you traveled outside the United States within the past 12 months? Are you currently under a doctor’s care for surgery or an illness?…

By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of The Country Club at Castle Pines The Country Club at Castle Pines (CCCP) has a new twist on an old favorite, happy hour! Members bring their dogs to accompany them on the social lawn for “yappy hour” where they frolic in puppy pools and enjoy treats alongside their owners.…

Information provided by Guaranty Bank The holding company for Guaranty Bank and Trust Company announced in June the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the holding company for Castle Rock Bank. Following the closing of the transaction, Castle Rock Bank will be merged into Guaranty Bank and Trust and all Castle Rock Bank branches…

Jane Jenkins, TTE B.A.S.E. program team leader, contributed to the program’s success and high-performance standards, which resulted in a COA honor. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Janie Ino Recently, the Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) Before and After School Enterprise (B.A.S.E.) program received honors for its hard work and dedication to the students, parents,…

By Michelle Post I have been a fan and user of Google Alerts since its inception in 2003 and have found it to be very useful in my business. This free tool is a great way to track online activity about you, your brand, your product or your industry. Here is how it works –…

Six TTE families worked together to pack food bags for almost 70 families in need. Individualized lists were used to gather food items for Fresh Harvest. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Spitzer Castle Pines resident Anna Spitzer and her family actively volunteer in the community. Last year, Spitzer approached Timber Trail Elementary…

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Grilling really is the perfect way to prepare food. It’s fast, it produces delicious results and it cleans up with a minimum of fuss. The moment the mercury on the thermometer rises above 75 degrees, the grill is my go-to for delicious and fast meal prep. All summer we…

Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik Underneath the blanket of blue skies and mild temperatures, area runners took stride on the golf paths of The Ridge at Castle Pines North golf course for the inaugural “Run The Ridge 5K” event on Sunday June 25. Nearly 100 runners of all ages enjoyed the rare opportunity to…

Diagram (from Nasa.gov) showing the Earth-sun-moon geometry of a total solar eclipse. By Lynne Marsala Basche; courtesy photos On Monday, August 21, enthusiastic skywatchers in North America are in for a treat; a total solar eclipse. During a solar eclipse, the moon slowly passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking all or part of…

WFS President, Ranee Wilson (right) pictured with Jon Hulme (left), operating partner for Kneaders in Lone Tree. By Kathy Fallert; courtesy photos Wholesome Food Services (WFS) began six years ago as a grassroots efforts of parents and nutrition experts in Colorado to offer a convenient and unique lunch program for schools. Their mission is to…

By Amanda Merriman During the past few years, the idea of mindfulness has been omnipresent in our culture. For instance, there is a pilot program on mindfulness for students and teachers at Bear Creek Elementary here in Douglas County. Workplace wellness sessions can be found in many businesses, and classes geared toward aging gracefully through…

Squire in front of the Taj Mahal in India as part of Semester at Sea. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Sydney Squire Sydney Squire of Forest Park set sail in January for a journey that would last more than 100 days and take her to 13 countries. Squire is a nutrition major at the…

A bento box lunch is both tasty, beautiful and anything but boring. By Lisa Crockett It hardly seems possible, but this month school is back in session. Laid-back meal schedules and snacking with no particular agenda is out, and structured mealtimes are back in. It’s not all bad news. A little planning and creativity can…

By Patte Smith The Castle Pines community has many homeowner associations (HOAs) and each one handles trash removal and recycling independently for its members. There are three primary waste companies serving the City of Castle Pines and the communities of Castle Pines Village, Happy Canyon, Surrey Ridge, and other unincorporated areas in the 80108 ZIP…

Information provided by Douglas County School District This is the ninth year of the Douglas County Educational Foundation (DCEF) Lend A Hand Back 2 School Supply Drive. Last year’s effort provided more than 1,500 students with supplies ranging from crayons to composition books. Supplies were collected by 60+ organizations and individuals who contributed to the…

The Shuster family may be the only known case in which a married couple has FSHD on both sides of their family. The couple is involved with the FSH Society and are planning the second annual Walk and Roll to Cure FSHD on September 9 at the Philip S. Miller Park. By Lynne Marsala Basche;…

Article and photos by Patte Smith Surrey Ridge sometimes feels like small-town USA, which is a good thing. Neighbors are friendly and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at many of the events held at Surrey Ridge Park. On Sunday, July 9, car guys and gals showed off their classic and snazzy vehicles at the third Annual…

National Senior Citizens Day recognizes positive contributions senior citizens make in communities across the U.S. The day was also created to bring awareness of social, health and economic issues that affect senior citizens. Former President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Senior Citizens Day in 1988. It is always celebrated on August 21, which is…

Typically, people think about donating items to food pantries during the holiday season, but summer months find families in need of nutritious food as well. As part of the 9Cares Colorado Shares program, Bringing Hope to the Table boxes can be purchased at King Soopers stores (pictured right), including the location on Lagae Road in…

Maria Pangalos and other exchange students from around the world with the local AFS volunteers breaking fast in the city of Kuala Lumpur in Dataran Merdeka (freedom/national square). During the month of Ramadan, nothing should enter the body from dawn until dusk, so coming together to break fast is a special celebration. Article and photos…

Castle Pines teenager Taylor Rae recorded seven new songs this spring in Nashville. She also made a music video for her single “13 Stripes and 50 Stars,” — to check it out, visit: www.officialtaylorrae.com. By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of Taylor Rae Local musician Taylor Rae got her start in performing by singing the national…

Did someone say party? Residents of all ages came out for the 2016 Party in the Park. You are invited once again to partake of the food, fun and fireworks at this annual community event. By Terri Wiebold; courtesy photos Brought to you by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce, The Castle Pines Connection and…

Information provided by the City of Castle Pines The Castle Pines City Council is moving to implement recommendations made in the City’s Master Transportation Plan to improve safety and quality of life in Castle Pines. Residents have voiced concerns regarding the speed of vehicles on local roads and the impacts on safety and the character…

By Patte Smith New this season, two sessions of basketball are being offered by Castle Pines Athletics. The fall session runs from October 16 to December 9 with no games on November 20 to 25. Deadline to register for fall basketball is September 25. The winter basketball season is from January 15 to March 10,…

  In addition to the athletes who live and train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, the complex welcomes approximately 130,000 visitors each year and offers guided tours daily. Pictured are Andrew Amayo (left) and Jack Basche (right). Article and photos by Lynne Marsala Basche Olympic enthusiasts may not know the event’s theme song is…

As with each generation there are major events that occur (some horrific, others enjoyable and fun) that can’t help but influence and define a unique attitude and set of values. Although Gen X has been called the lost generation, they are very much alive and kicking. Article and collage by Michelle Post; courtesy photos According…

Information provided by Slowfoodnations.org This July, Slow Food USA welcomes the world to Denver for Slow Food Nations, a festival to taste and explore a world of good, clean and fair food for all. The weekend will combine the energy of a street food festival, the rigor of an academic conference and the inspiration of…

By Terri Wiebold; photo by Lynn Zahorik Two newcomers to the 80108 dining scene are Zoës Kitchen and Rocket Fizz, both featuring back-to-basics products and a bit of nostalgia. Zoës promises ingredients that are delivered fresh daily. Their team hand-washes, cuts and prepares each item from scratch in the kitchen because as founder Zoë Cassimus…

Is digital marketing killing print advertising? The 1979 pop song “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles posed the hypothesis that radio as a musical medium was no longer viable due to the explosion of video in the recording industry. And yet nearly four decades later, I still listen to the radio when I…

Librarian Kyra Hahn, lover of books and a very special place, at the Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines. Article and photo by Patte Smith Entering the Douglas County library in Castle Pines is a treat. The welcoming staff greet everyone who walks in the door and they are always available to help patrons find…

Have you read a good book this summer? Share it with us at editor@castlepinesconnection.com.  Pictured are some of the books from the suggested summer reading list. Be sure to check them out! Article and photo by Sarah Bermingham, RCHS intern writer Teens love the free time they get over the summer, so here is a…

Picture of Ed Wolfensberger, age 25 By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of Douglas County History Research Center We know much of the Chases, Krolls and Schweigers who dominated our early upland history. Life for smaller landholders was far more gritty and tiring, often merely subsistence. Often unable to afford nominal land prices, many homesteaded on…

The three goats, Larry, Curly and Moe, entertained the children attending the event along with the other educational activities on site. Article and photos by Nancy Koontz On Saturday, June 3, the Cherokee Ranch & Castle held a special event for a limited number of visitors to see the 100 new Santa Gertrudis calves born…

“We stand today on the edge of a new frontier – the frontier of the 1960s, a frontier of unknown opportunities and perils, a frontier of unfulfilled hopes and threats. The new frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises – it is a set of challenges.” ~ John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)…

Information provided by Douglas County Are you a Douglas County resident with a love for the County Fair and Rodeo tradition as well as a background in the music industry and family-friendly entertainment? If so, you could be the next member of the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo Board – representing a community tradition that…

The Raptors U15 silver division champions at the USAFA tournament. Pictured from left to right front row: Justin Schwab; second row: Coach Joel Pick, Danny Zimmerle (CP), Tripp Thompson (CP), Jack Meigs (CP), Zach LaForest, William Bobby (CP), Jack Basche (CP), Jackson Wisler, Alex Fuselier (CP), Coach Randy Fuselier (CP); back row: Grant Gooding (CP),…

Mark Lewicki, Director of Sales and Marketing Information and photo provided by The Country Club at Castle Pines The Country Club at Castle Pines (CCCP) is pleased to introduce its new Director of Sales and Marketing, Mark Lewicki. Lewicki joined the club at the beginning of June and he has been busy, having arrived shortly…

Matthew Givin of Castle Pines, a recent Rock Canyon High School graduate, was selected by the Marlins in the 20th round of the Major League Baseball draft By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo Many athletes dream of the moment their name is called in the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft; for Matthew Givin of Castle Pines,…

Pictured left: The RCHS girls golf team after placing second at the state championships at Rolling Hills Country Club in Golden in May. From left to right: Alexis Chan, Brandy McClain, Brooklyn Murphy, Amelia Lee (CP)and Ashley Kozlowski. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Chang Lee “We had almost the perfect season,” said Rock Canyon…

Article and photo 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. Summertime is the perfect time for a thriller. That…

Information provided by TTE Timber Trail has a philanthropy opportunity just for our school on Friday, July 7 (6:45 p.m.- 8:45 p.m.) to pack bags of food for those in need. Then on Saturday, July 8 (8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.) to help on distribution day to give out the food bags and fresh food to the…

Article and photo by Terri Wiebold The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) girls volleyball program hosted its fifth annual summer fundraising tournament in June. Thirty teams comprised of two girls per team from schools all over Douglas County competed for prizes and bragging rights. The event is an opportunity for friends who attend different schools…

Information provided by the City of Castle Pines In June, traffic on Lagae Road north of the southern roundabout was rerouted, bypassing it completely. The new Lagae Road detour is designed to accommodate final construction of the roundabout. The road improvements are part of the construction of the Castle Pines Valley development. Learn more about…

Information and photos provided by Beverly Coggins The Country Club at Castle Pines celebrated its amazing members and showcased its menu and chef at the annual summer “The Taste” event in June. Members sampled more than 60 wine, liquor and beer selections and enjoyed live music performed by classical guitarist Ron Dorr.

BRE perfect attendance recipients (pictured from left to right) Heath C., Gavin G., Jake P. and Principal John Veit. By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Valerie Miller What’s worse than finding out you have a doctor appointment on the last day of school when you’re just about to complete a year of perfect attendance? That…

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett When the weather gets hot, I have some pretty strong, nostalgic cravings. July in particular, with its attendant Independence Day pool parties and barbecues, really gets my taste buds set for something cold and sweet. In my mind, there’s nothing better than homemade ice cream in a cone, drippy…

Mueller State Park offers grand vista viewing of several mountain ranges, a site to behold. Article and photos by Michelle Post Colorado has 42 state parks, and Mueller State Park in Divide claims the title of the second most visited park in the state. Only 45 minutes west of Colorado Springs, visitors can take Hwy…

Fifty RHMS eighth-grade students at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., the first stop on their five-day trip. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Sharon Majetich Since opening its doors in 2003, Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) eighth-grade students have had the opportunity to participate in an end-of-year trip to Washington, D.C. This year’s students…