The Connection

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…

RCHS orchestra and choir students enjoyed Times Square in New York as part of a trip of sightseeing and music inspiration. By Sarah Bermingham, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Andrea Scott and Julia Dale In April, the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) choir and orchestra took a trip to New York City.  More than…

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. Erika Swyler’s interestingly named first novel, “The Book of Speculation,” has all…

For more than 60 years, Jim Bishop has been building a castle nestled in the San Isabel National Forest, stone by stone. Bishop’s perseverance and dedication to his quest are a testament that everyone has greatness within. A very colorful character with a lot of passion, Bishop welcomes visitors to his handmade castle in the…

A very optimistic Cindy Kessinger, the new Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra executive director. By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Cindy Kessinger Congratulations to Cindy Kessinger who was appointed as the executive director of the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra (LTSO) in April.  In her new role as the executive director, Kessinger will continue to build on…

Cutline and photo by Elean Gersack  The Rock Canyon orchestras, choirs and guitarists came together for the year-end Arts Festival Concert on Tuesday, May 9, in the Rock Canyon gymnasium.  The sound and song spanned from classical to pop hits and energized the families and friends who filled the bleachers.  In this photo, directors Benjamin…

Kayla Inman, a Castle Pines resident and recent graduate of Rock Canyon High School, won first place at the America the Beautiful Congressional Art Competition. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Kayla Inman Kayla Inman of Castle Pines took first place at the Fourth District’s Congressional Art Competition, a nation-wide high school arts competition held…

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…

French language students at Rock Canyon High School, along with teachers Alexis Savas and David Sapienza, traveled to Morocco where they rode camels in the Erg Chebbi Dunes of Merzouga in the Sahara Desert. The group also visited the Medersa Ben Youssef, an Islamic school in Marrakech before traveling to the High Atlas Mountains where…

Olivia Voss, a junior at Rock Canyon High School and a Castle Pines Village resident, earned the highest possible composite ACT score of 36, a significant achievement reached by only one-tenth of one percent of high school ACT test takers. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Lisa Voss Nearly 2 million high school students take…

Ready, set, go at the 2016 Memorial Day Run & March. Information and photos provided by the Memorial Day Run & March organization Race, run, ruck, walk or roll at the 2017 Memorial Day Run & March 5K, 10K and 30K runs on Saturday, May 27 starting at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. The entire community…

Castle Pines Valley: In April, residents began to see construction on four model homes in the Phase 1 section of Castle Pines Valley (formerly Lagae Ranch). Production homes for prospective buyers are expected to follow starting in late spring. Residents can also expect continued road construction for Lagae Road down to Happy Canyon Road and…

Article and photo by Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Evan Semon Mark and Lisa Voss (pictured top left) know a thing or two about running a successful restaurant. The Castle Pines Village couple has spent the past seven years running The Tilted Kilt in downtown Denver and they have numerous years of hospitality and restaurant…

By Michelle Post This is the year of video marketing. Are you ready? Here are just a few stats to confirm that statement: 500 million people watch Facebook videos every day; 400 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute; online video will account for 74 percent of online traffic; and what took television…

By Patte Smith An Overview of the Colorado Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging with speaker James Riesberg Thursday, May 4, networking at 8:45 a.m., meeting 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. St. Andrew’s Methodist Church, 9203 South University Avenue, Highlands Ranch Older Americans Month Proclamation and Reception Tuesday, May 9, 12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.…

By Lynne Marsala Basche All neighborhoods are vulnerable to crime, and the Castle Pines community is no different. Recently, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has seen a spike in opportunistic crimes in Castle Pines, and while residents are fortunate to live in a community where public safety is a priority, precautions must be taken…

More than 100 members of the TTE choir had the honor of singing the national anthem at the April 9 Colorado Rockies game. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Linda Sovich and Cindy Berndt On April 9, spectators at Coors Field enjoyed peanuts, Cracker Jack and the Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) choir singing the…

Bikers enjoy a ride on Spruce Meadows Open Space Trail in Douglas County. Access to exercise opportunities were among the determining factors that led to the County being ranked number one in Colorado for overall health outcomes for the second consecutive year. Information provided by Douglas County Congratulations residents of Douglas County! You live in…

By Amanda Merriman I know I am not going to be the next Lita Ford or Joan Jett. All the same, I would be extremely happy if I could pluck out some songs on an upcoming camping trip. Or, when we settle around the fire pit at our new home, it would be so nice…

  Article and photo by Lisa Crockett| Lately, I’ve been binge watching a Netflix show called “The Great British Bake Off.” It’s a familiar reality show format, with a group of contestants assembled to face a weekly baking challenge. After all but three of the amateur bakers are sent home, a grand finale is held…

Information and graphic provided by the City of Castle Pines With summer right around the corner, the City of Castle Pines Public Works Department is gearing up for road maintenance season. This summer, the City will replace concrete panels on Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard, and repave several neighborhood streets. Annual maintenance is carefully…

First grader Thomas Shank used his oil pastel skills to create his shaded owl piece. Thomas is pictured with his art teacher, Wendy Wilson, who was also on the planning committee. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Wendy Wilson This year’s Annual District Art Show, held March 31 through April 3 at the Highlands…

BRE’s Green Team has been busy saving energy at their school. Picture above, left to right, back row: Liam A., Blake C., Casey G., Mrs. Romero, Anya H., Gabe H., Charlotte S., Katie S., Mrs. Robinson and Dylan L.; front row: Taylor M., Christina S., Abbie M., Bryce H., Preston M. and Jackson H. By…

Information provided by Douglas County Douglas County’s Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP) is an evolving document that establishes a common vision for what the County will look like over the next 20 to 30 years. The CMP provides guidance for a variety of issues that directly affect the quality of life of Douglas County residents, including…

Ryan James Day By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Linda Day Ryan James Day loved a challenge. At age 9, for example, he wanted to learn the piano. So he did. Ryan’s parents, Jim and Linda, laugh wondering how he knew to read notes. Whether participating in sports or attending Douglas County High School…