The Connection

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…

By Lynne Marsala Basche On May 25, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) held two sessions and met with residents at the Castle Pines Community Center. Public Information Officers Lauren Lekander and Jason Blanchard, along with Crime Lab Manager Tracey Montano hosted the event with a goal to have an open discussion on collaboration and…

From left to right, volunteer Nisha Thiruchelvam (Malaysia) and students Rury Hmaidan (Italy), Jamain Bauer (Germany), Maria Pangalos (USA), Matteo Sahuc (France), and Noemi Giglio (Italy), pose with the Malaysian flag at their AFS orientation camp in the jungles surrounding Kuala Lumpur. Article and photos by Maria Pangalos, RCHS intern writer Junior year of high…

Jane Sanders By Nancy Koontz; photos courtesy of Cathy Kaier and family via Facebook The Castle Pines Village community is one laugh quieter following the passing of Starbuck neighbor and dear friend Jane Kathleen Sanders on May 23. Originally from St. Joseph, Missouri, the Sanders family moved to Colorado where Jane grew up in north…

Duke’s Steakhouse owner Neal Minarick showed samples of their new one-of-a-kind dinner rolls, made specifically for Duke’s by Best Buddies Bakery, one of Wellspring Community’s enterprises, a local nonprofit serving special needs adults. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo by Terri Wiebold What do you get when you mix a wonderful nonprofit organization with a popular…

By Kathy Fallert Originally from Eastern Nepal about 20 miles away from India’s border, Ashok Neupane grew up learning a lot about Indian cuisine. Neupane is now the owner and manager of India’s Kitchen on Mainstreet in Parker, with a second location in Centennial near County Line and Holly. The Parker location was opened in…

Yearbook staff members Lauren Dressler, Belen Hebbelinck and Gabby Botero posed for a picture after winning the national Pacemaker Award on April 8 for the RCHS yearbook “U Discover.” By Riley Busch, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Kristi Rathbun As the school year came to a close, high schoolers throughout the country reflected on…

In addition to receiving goodie bags, The Connection intern writers from Rock Canyon High School were treated to lunch at Duke’s Steakhouse.  Pictured left to right:  Jack Hibbett, Sarah Bermingham and Riley Busch. We love and appreciate our student partnerships! Article and photos by Terri Wiebold The Connection is thrilled to be working again this…

Resident Sue Fraley, participating artist Information and photos provided by the Douglas Land Conservancy Douglas Land Conservancy is pleased to announce the 4th Annual “Capturing the Beauty of Open Land” event will take place on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25 at the White Pavilion in downtown Castle Rock. “Capturing the Beauty of Open…

Ann Marie McDonnell sprucing a room for a family at Joshua Station in Denver, which helps families transition from homelessness to a healthy, stable living environment. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Ann Marie McDonnell and Lady Uhlig Photography For Ann Marie McDonnell, interior designer and HOA #1 resident, designing and staging spaces represents more…

Daisy Troop 65517 with (left to right) TTE principal Michele Radke, and troop leaders Michelle McClarran and Sarah Boeke in front of the new crab apple tree the girls planted in an effort to do something nice for the school. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson The girls in Daisy Scout Troop…

Daniels Park and Daniels Park Road will be on the receiving end of some much-needed TLC in the upcoming months. The graphic shows the new meandering road, parking and trail layouts, as well as the new viewing areas. By Kathy Fallert; illustration provided by Douglas County Douglas County and the City and County of Denver…

By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo by Lynn Zahorik As of April 22, shoppers have a new King Soopers to frequent. The new market in Promenade at Castle Rock is more in line with larger one-stop shopping stores with products that include home goods, decor, kitchen and small appliances, home office supplies, in addition to the…

Students in front of “Mirador,” which provided a 360-view near Yunguilla.  From there, visitors could see multiple volcanoes around the country. By Lynne Marsala Basche; courtesy photos One of the Douglas County School District initiatives is to teach students to become global citizens.  While schools approach the topic differently, 23 DCS Montessori (DCSM) eighth-grade students…

A wildfire that was contained in Douglas County last year shows how easily fire spreads in dry conditions. Information provided by South Metro Fire Rescue; photo courtesy of Tim Tonge South Metro Fire Rescue takes every precaution to help protect you and your property from a wildfire, but they cannot do it alone; they need…

By Lisa Crockett Summer is a 90-day party with meals often served outdoors. The fun of a summer cookout, though, can end with a trip to the doctor because of the foodborne illnesses that often accompany barbecues and picnics. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health, roughly 2,500 people got sick after eating contaminated…

By Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines City Council is contemplating the addition of an electronic message board at the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Lagae Road. According to City Manager Don Van Wormer, the sign is being looked at in the context of the city’s overall sign code, and discussions at this point…

Motivational speaker Tricia Downing (pictured above center with the Douglas family) shared her powerful story of how she went from being a competitive athlete to a paraplegic and then how she learned to find her inner champion. The presentation was held at Sanctuary and hosted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce on May 3…

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Imagine the following scenario, if you will: the last of the snow has melted, and it seems safe to finally pack your coats and boots away for the season. The sun is shining, and the East-West Trail (or Daniels Park or Rocky Mountain National Park or Red Rocks or…

For more than 200 years, the American flag has been the symbol of our nation’s strength and unity. It has been a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens, and we celebrate Flag Day on Wednesday, June 14. Once an American flag becomes faded or torn, it is considered disrespectful to continue flying…

By Lynne Marsala Basche As reported by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), Castle Pines has seen a spike in “opportunistic crimes.” As the name indicates, opportunist crimes occur when a criminal sees a chance to commit a crime and acts upon it. One of the best ways to prevent these types of crimes is…

The Evolution of Hip-Hop show included 130 Timber Trail Elementary performers singing and dancing hip-hop songs through the decades. By Lynne Marsala Basche; courtesy photos One hundred and thirty fifth grade Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students ushered in the sixth annual show in early May with the Evolution of Hip-Hop.  Students and family were treated…

A group of FBLA students from RCHS who competed and placed at the State Leadership Conference in Vail.  At the conference, students from all over Colorado attended leadership workshops and competed in business related events.  By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Janna Robinett Fifty-six Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students from Rock Canyon High…

Pictured with an enthusiastic group of Soweto Academy students are the school’s founder Chris Okuma (left) with Castle Pines Village residents Armistead Browning and Geil Browning (center). The Brownings raised more than $700,000 to build safe dormitory housing for teenage girls attending the Soweto Academy which will be completed this month in Kibera. By Kathy…

Residents Jim and Linda Day hosted a fundraiser to raise money and awareness for soldiers and veterans who have taken their lives.  The event was a way to honor their son, Ryan James Day, SPC US Army, 75th Ranger Regiment, 2nd Battalion (pictured above), who ended his life at the age of 21. By Lynne…

RCHS student and Castle Pines resident Annika Kellner’s photograph using a technique called black light photography.  Kellner’s art, along with art from students all over Douglas County, was presented at the Continental League Art Show in Castle Rock in April. By Jack Hibbett, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Annika Kellner On April 11, students,…

Information provided by Douglas County The Let’s Talk Colorado campaign is spotlighting the stigma around mental illness so that the people who need help are more likely to seek it. “We need to get to the place where we understand that mental health challenges are like physical health challenges,” said John M. Douglas, Jr. MD,…

Kroll’s Glendale Farm, circa 1915. Today with buildings long gone, this is now Douglas County dedicated open space and a dog park directly east of I-25 and opposite Surrey Ridge. By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of Douglas County History Research Center at CR Library Who were these homesteaders who chose to settle in our Wildcat…

Members enjoyed celebrating the reopening of the golf course and renovated clubhouse at The Country Club at Castle Pines. Information provided by The Country Club at Castle Pines; photos by Nancy Koontz The Country Club at Castle Pines celebrated the grand reopening of its golf course on Friday, April 28 after being closed for renovation…

Castle Pines resident Kelsey Buffington as Adelaide in the RHMS spring production of “Guys and Dolls.”  The high-energy musical brought down the house in early May. Contributed by RHMS student Allison Willner; photo courtesy of Izzy Holsman On the evenings of May 3 through May 5, Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) was taken back into…

The Massman family (left to right) Gabrielle, Eliana, Catherine and Mike enjoy finding the balance in life and making sure family time takes priority. By Nancy Koontz; photo courtesy of Catherine Massman Castle Pines residents Mike and Catherine Massman, owners of Audio/Video Environments, Inc. (AVE), a custom electronics integration company, are busy parents who have…

By Patte Smith On average, within Douglas, Arapahoe and Jefferson counties, 1,100 children are in foster care. These children have been abused, abandoned or neglected and are in need of a safe, caring home. The Collaborative Foster Care Program is holding free information nights in Douglas County in June and August. These presentations are open…

By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo provided by DCSD Congratulations to 2017 Jane Lenz at Timber Trail Elementary for receiving the Douglas County Educational Foundation Apple Award this year for Elementary Educator of the Year.   “This is such a tremendous honor; not only to be recognized, but I am humbled and blessed to be called…

Next Level Walkers organizers (left to right) Elise Matson, Julie Gibbons, Angela Gosling and Eileen Barry invite the community to join them on approximately three-mile walks every Wednesday.  The group meets at Eye Level Optical in Castle Pines at 5:30 p.m. By Lynne Marsala Basche; courtesy photo Winter hibernation is officially over, and the weather…

Swim time can be a fun, all-day activity when adhering to water safety rules.  Always make sure children are supervised by an adult when around water. Information provided by South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) and the American Red Cross Summer is here and families are headed out to the pool, the lake, and the backyard…

By Michelle Post I recently celebrated one of my students as she received her doctorate degree, and after the ceremony, I reflected on my own doctoral journey. I realized the importance of the power of others. I could not and did not complete my doctoral journey alone. I needed the power of others. I believe…

The incubator and brooder set up for this year’s chick hatching allowed students throughout BRE to peek in and see the progress. Article by Kathy Fallert; courtesy photos Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) held its second annual chick-hatching event at the school to help their students learn about embryology.  Forty-one fertile eggs were donated to the…

Information provided by Leadership Douglas County Leadership Douglas County (LDC), a program of the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, is designed to bring diverse people together to enhance their experiences, perspectives and take their personal and professional leadership journey to the next level. The communities within the county serve as the classroom. Participants learn through…

The RCHS girls varsity tennis team after winning their region and advancing nine of 11 girls to the state championships, the first time in the school’s history. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Stacie Chadwick The girls varsity tennis team at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) won their region and advanced nine of 11 girls…

By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photosDouglas County High SchoolDavid Roney, golf, The College of Wooster, OH.   Coach Jeff Riley said, “David has been a varsity player for us for four years.  He was the leader of our golf team for the past two years, and he is a remarkable young man.  He has a tremendous…

The top three winners in the RHMS Spring Speech Smackdown  (left to right):  Megan Williams, Olivia Gibson and Jazlyn Eskanos. Contributed by RHMS student Kira Zizzo; photo courtesy of Judi Holst On May 1, the Spring Speech Smackdown, with the theme of “This I Believe,” took place at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS).  Students spoke…

  Some of the members of the Village Idiots Cycling Club on a drizzly morning at their third annual bike drive.  One hundred and one bikes were donated that day. Article and photo by Patte Smith Kids riding bikes, laughing, pedaling their way to a friend’s house or off to school – the innocence and…

Pino’s Italian Kitchen & Bar is officially open for business in the City of Castle Pines. Article and photo by Terri Wiebold New restaurant owner and local resident Joe Sabia stood proudly outside Pino’s Italian Kitchen & Bar (formerly La Dolce Vita) while the finishing touches were completed on the restaurant renovation and signage change.…

“Yet they are without doubt the healthiest and most educated generation of elders that ever lived—and, of course, the wealthiest.” ~ Neil Howe People from across the United States came together in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963 to peacefully demonstrate their support to end racial segregation in schools and the creation of jobs for…

BRE fourth-grade Health Team 4 (left to right) front row: Emmet D., Grace K., Bella W., Joey S., Grant R. and Kyle D.; Second row: Mia W., Kristie V., Carson S., Blake H., Georgie H. and Olivia B.; Third row: Maddie K., Andrew A., Emma T., Morgan B. and Palmer W.; Back row: Mrs. Gutierrez,…

Nine consecutive years of coaching are nearly in the record books for Castle Pines resident Jeff DePasse (left) with his 12-year-old son Nick (right). By Kathy Fallert; courtesy photo Twelve-year King’s Crossing resident Jeff DePasse has been volunteering his time as an athletic coach for the local sports program Castle Pines Athletics (CPA) for the…