Read the stories from the latest issue:
Joe Gschwendtner/author standing on parapets of Valenca’s 13th-century fortress. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner The Douro River valley is reason alone to visit Portugal in the fall. Terraced hills are necklaced with red, orange and yellowed leaves on vines grown heavy with grapes awaiting harvest. A bit of cheese, bread and last year’s vintage,…
By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Isabella Schneider and Greg Smith Surrey Ridge neighbors gathered at the community park to meet Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies, including SWAT team members and emergency responders at the 2018 National Night Out event. “We were able to chat and have fun with these individuals who are citizens like…
In early July, Rachel and Kirsten Buhay competed at the fencing National Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. Rachel, 13 years old, has competed nationally for four years. Two years ago, she took fifth place and a bronze medal in Y10 at nationals. Ten-year-old Kirsten has competed nationally for two years. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy…
The Pine Canyon proposed annexation in Castle Rock could add more than 1,300 homes to the area. By Daniel Williams; graphic courtesy of Town of Castle Rock A substantial mixed-use development that could bring as many as 1,320 new homes to Castle Rock continues to go through an extended planning process, though a new round…
By Michelle Post; photo courtesy of Larry Post Colorado Mountain Club climbers enjoying their first 14er, Crestone Needle. Colorado’s beautiful Rocky Mountains boast 53 peaks that reach an elevation of 14,000 feet or higher, the most of any state in the U.S. These are known as “fourteeners” or “14ers” to locals. Although the Colorado…
By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Lynn Zahorik Driving through the community on July 4, it was inspiring to see so many houses proudly displaying the American flag. There were a few, however, that caught our eye. If either of these two houses is yours, you are the winner of a $50 gift card! Email…
By Catalin Varela, photos courtesy of DCSM While most schools are taking a break for the summer, the fun has continued at DCS Montessori with even more outdoor camps. Students have gone geocaching in Castlewood Canyon, mountain biking in Daniels Gate Park, rock climbing at ROCK’n & JAM’n and beachcombing at Cherry Creek State Park…
Caption and photos submitted by DCS Montessori DCS Montessori students have been spending their summer experimenting like scientists in “Mad Scientist Camp” and crocheting up a storm in “Crochet Camp.” Other camps the students have been enjoying this summer include “Adventure Camp” and “Harry Potter Academy.” Needless to say, DCS Montessori students are having a…
C shift crew members of the Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department enjoyed a change of pace – working WITH fire in the kitchen as part of a charity dinner. Pictured left to right: Lieutenant Adam Gallegos, Battalion Chief Rich Martin, Paramedic Jason Norris and Engineer Matt Osborn. Article and photos by Elizabeth Wood West…
Ella Miller (left), Sophia McHenry (center) and Sadie Rowe (right) took their National History Day website project “444 Days in Captivity: Iran Hostage Crisis” all the way to nationals, taking first in state for group website, junior division, along the way. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Richard Diehl What a grand culmination of their…
Michael Padilla, goatherd for Goat Green, smiles as he shares his experiences tending weed-controlling goats. Article and photos by Barbara Neff Though Michael Padilla, age 32, grew up in the tiny community of Mora, New Mexico, his ties to Colorado are strong. For nearly three years, he has worked for Cheyenne company Goat Green, the…
Lemonade stand girls from left to right: Izzy Kliner, Alexa Benda, Zoey Benda and Clara Geuzaine. By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Kali Benda It is said that when kids host a street-corner lemonade stand, it teaches them valuable lessons like economics, supply and demand, sales and customer service. Profit and loss. Sweating on the…
By Catalin Varela In recent years the gluten-free diet has gone from being a medical necessity for many individuals to a trend diet that has caught lots of media attention. You wouldn’t be hard pressed to open a magazine and find an article about celebrities who eat gluten free because it’s “trendy.” But the media…
By Joe Gschwendtner; courtesy photo In 2003, Castle Pines Village excavations gave rise to a Nancy Drew-style mystery. While digging utility trenches for Hidden Pond Road, construction workers uncovered the grave of a young woman, most likely buried before the Homestead Act of 1862 opened these lands up to private ownership. Unidentified bodies are a…
Information and photo provided by Douglas County What if your smartphone was also your gateway to the real-time waiting room experience at Douglas County’s Motor Vehicle, Driver License, or Recording offices – before making the destination decision to renew your vehicle registration, your license, or your passport? With more than one million total customer transactions…
By Patte Smith Attention older adults and families with seniors … Get your party hats on to celebrate the accomplishments and positive impacts older adults have contributed to our community on National Senior Citizens Day (NSCD). This little-known holiday and world-wide celebration is observed on Tuesday, August 21. NSCD is a day to celebrate the…
The Connection account manager Lynn Zahorik and her husband, Steve, celebrated their wedding anniversary at Sierra in Lone Tree. We invite you to share your celebration pics with us, too!
Douglas County residents Tom Compher and Debbie MacCary are retirees who have structured retirement differently. Article and photo by Barbara Neff As the retirement option presents itself, some embrace it fully, some embrace it with modifications, and some avoid it altogether. Castle Pines resident Donna Wolf could be retired. However, she continues her career as…
Article and photo by Daniel Williams; photo courtesy of Douglas County As hikers, cyclists and tourists may have noticed this summer, much of Daniels Park, including the roadway between Daniels Park Road and Grigs Road, has been closed for improvements. According to Douglas County officials, the $3.6 million project includes “1.7 miles of realigned paved…
The Castle Pines Connection owner and publisher, Terri Wiebold (left), accepted the 2018 City of Castle Pines Partnership Award from Mayor Tera Radloff (right) at the July 24 City Council Meeting. Information and photo provided by the City of Castle Pines The City of Castle Pines presented The Castle Pines Connection with the 2018 City…
As part of their physical education, six-year-old Dominic (red shirt) and eight-year-old James Bogue enjoy climbing on rocks. By Susan Helton; photo courtesy of Imelda Franklin Bogue Home education has existed throughout history. Many well-known people were homeschooled, including John Quincy Adams, Louisa May Alcott, Venus and Serena Williams and Tim Tebow. Douglas County School…
Information and graphic provided by Susan Lee Susan Lee Resident Susan Lee (creator of the Sock it to ‘Em sock campaign) has again partnered with MiYO Cafe in Castle Pines Village to do great things and give away free stuff. For the first 40 families who have a preschooler age 2-5 that come into MiYO…
Roadside wildland fires pose a high risk in Douglas County. Although the cause is often times accidental from vehicles, the dry conditions cause the flames to spread quickly, sometimes endangering structures. Once a fire is extinguished, crews stay and ensure all the hot spots are contained, sometimes lasting several hours. Information and photos provided by…
Donna Gordon with a few of the many rugs she has made since 2001 using a traditional rug hooking method where the artist pulls fabric up through a backing. Varying in size and expression, the rugs add warmth and color to Gordon’s Castle Pines home. Article and photo by Lisa Nicklanovich When an artist who…
View of Mosteiro dos Jeronimos in the Belem district. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Many tourists in Portugal don’t get much beyond Lisbon. For good reason. It is a welcoming city of cobbled street neighborhoods, hills, monuments, wide boulevards, arches and squares, rich in architectural delights. Aimlessly wandering alleys, boulevards and seven hills makes…
By Amanda Merriman On a search for apps that do not use Wi-Fi, I came across Lifeline. Lifeline is a text-based game with a branched storyline. The app costs $1.99 to download on Android or Apple devices (including the iWatch). However, my teenage son downloaded it previously, which allowed me to put it on my…
Outstanding scenery and room to breathe Article and photos by Susan Helton The wide-open reservoir and extensive shoreline at Eleven Mile Park offer plenty of room to play. Scenic vistas include a panoramic view from the western end of the lake. Boasting a variety of activities for the outdoor enthusiast, Eleven Mile State Park…
By Daniel Williams; Photo renderings courtesy of the City of Castle Pines Earlier this year, Atlanta-based Davis Development submitted a land use application to develop a 200-unit multi-family project on the 10.4-acre property located on the southwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Lagae Road in the City of Castle Pines. As submitted, the project…
By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Dumb Friends League Walking through the Denver Dumb Friends League Buddy Center (Buddy Center) feels like visiting a community center where the love of animals is shared by everyone inside. Buddy Center is a full-service animal shelter, just off Meadows Parkway in Castle Rock, offering pet adoptions, lost-and-found services…
After three years of exemplary service, Castle Pines City Council says goodbye and thank you to City Clerk Sharon Washington. “Sharon has been the welcoming smile and the friendly voice that anyone who has dealings with the city first comes into contact with,” said Mayor Tera Radloff. “We wish her all the best on her…
People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. – Simon Sinek By Michelle Post What seems to be a simple question sometimes turns out to be a difficult one. I discovered Simon Sinek’s Ted Talk many years ago on how great leaders inspire. And the answer is, they know their why.…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Every once in a while, I encounter a recipe so strange, I simply have to try it. A few years ago, this column featured a salad of fresh mozzarella tossed with basil, olive oil and chopped peaches, which was also the result of me thinking, “That can’t possibly be…
Mary and Vern Harris chose the ViewHouse as their gift card and are looking forward to using it. By Terri Wiebold; courtesy photos Last month we invited readers to sign up to receive The Castle Pines Connection monthly e-subscription free of charge. Congratulations to the following readers who all received a $50 gift card to…
Imelda Franklin Bogue is an opera singer who enjoys collaborating with conductors on new music and loves singing oratorio, such as Handel’s “Messiah” and Vivaldi’s “Gloria.” Bogue’s current major projects are a reduction of “Carmen” and her one-woman operatic sketch comedy “The Secret Life of Opera Singers,” which premiered in Denver in June and plays…
The first location offers a beautiful view across Douglas County and well beyond. Article and photo by Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Savannah Brassell Sometimes it seems as if there are so many wild, scenic and beautiful places in Colorado, that you could explore for years and still not see them all. Douglas County recently…
Article and photo by Catalin Varela The summer months invite the farmers market season, but what is intended to be a delicious adventure can easily turn into a daunting slew of confusing terminology. What the heck is the difference between “free range” and “cage free” anyway? Let’s chat about it. When buying food locally, the…
Caption and photo by Elizabeth Wood West Tim and Jennilyn Biery celebrated the grand opening of their new store, Big Frog Custom T-shirts in June. The Bierys invited the public to enjoy refreshments, special promotions and music as part of their celebration. Big Frog Custom T-shirts is located at 4714 Milestone Lane in Castle Rock,…
Sandra Ozolinsh hand tailors each one-of- a-kind handbag using genuine leather and exotic skins for her collection of unique women’s purses. By Patte Smith, photos courtesy of Sandra Ozolinsh Castle Pines resident Sandra Ozolinsh had a lifelong dream of designing and creating all types of art and hand crafts since she was a little girl…
2017 winner 11-year-old Isabella Bird (above left) went all out on her landscape featuring elk and mountains and trees. Bird presented Harmony Equine Center (lower right) with a donation check for $3,314.69. Above right, Connection staff members enjoyed handing out the baskets filled with goodies for participants. By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Zoë Zizzo…
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. I dug into Paula McLain’s 2011 bestseller, “The Paris Wife,” as I…
Parking lot and traffic flow improvements at RHMS were designed to decrease congestion and improve safety. Article and photos by Elise Brassell It’s already time! After a short summer break, it is time for families with school-aged children to start the school year with new teachers, new schedules and also for families at Rocky Heights…
Information provided by the City of Castle Pines Castle Pines City Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 18-06 and Resolution No. 18-24, setting into motion the first steps needed to transition the City from statutory rule to home rule. The July 24 decisions call for a special election to be held in coordination with the Douglas…
Pictured left: Director Thomas A. Blomster (left), DCYO Student Composer in Residence Emma Spears (center) and composer and former Colorado Chamber Orchestra President DR. C. Howard Treibitz. By Catalin Varela; photo courtesy of Mary Carter Since she was a little girl, Emma Spears has always been fascinated with music in many different capacities. She took…
By Lisa Crockett; courtesy photo A traditional bento box is a treasure trove of Japanese treats, a lovely mid-day container of surprises, with separate compartments for meat or fish, rice, and vegetables. Often, these mainstays are arranged in the shapes of fish or flowers. While few American parents go to that kind of trouble to…
Caption and photo by Lynn Zahorik Local members of the Castle Rock Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) gathered for a summer picnic in Larkspur on July 7. Pictured left to right are Castle Pines DAR members Janice Baker, Debbie Mulvey, Kathy Erdman and Regent Cindy Cole. Erdman was one of four…
By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Lisa Hunsicker Next time you’re stuck in a line of cars driving 35 mph on Monarch, know you’re not the only one wishing you could go faster. For Lisa Hunsicker of Castle Pines, going faster is what it’s all about – she drives speeds up to 140 mph in…
COPS Camp teens work together to complete team building challenges. Article and photo by Catalin Varela Leadership and teamwork are the most important qualities to foster in the teens who are pioneering the future. This is what Commander Sam Varela of the Castle Rock Police Department thought when he started COPS Camp almost nine years…
Caption and photos by Nancy Koontz The Castle Pines Village Annual Father’s Day Cookout and Pool Party took place at the Canyon Club on Sunday, June 16 starting at noon. Hamburgers, brats, and hot dogs were grilled up throughout the day along with sides, watermelon, desserts, and beverages. Fun activities such as the cannonball splash…
By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Groundspeak Inc. (dba Geocaching) One of the many great things about living in Castle Pines is the easy access to multi-use trails. But, did you know that if you’ve used these trails, or even walked through local neighborhoods, you’ve probably passed hidden treasure many times and didn’t even know…
By Terri Wiebold; photo by Bob Wiebold Construction is well underway and two model homes are now open at Prato at Castle Pines Village, located just north of Santa Fe Drive and east of Daniels Park Road in Castle Pines Village. According to Infinity Homes Collection Community Sales Manager Matt Cassidy, the development is comprised…
Krysta Parr, The Connection’s very own Wonder Woman (or design goddess as we refer to her), “geeked out” and made the rounds at the Denver Comic Con convention last month on June 15-16. She is pictured here with actor Jason Momoa who played Aquaman in Marvel’s “Justice League.” Comic Con is a celebration of many…
By Michelle Post Start with what you have. This saying reminds me of the movie, “Apollo 13,” based on the true story of the 1970 Apollo 13 mission to the moon. The rocket carrying astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert encountered a critical failure en route to the moon. As the crew systematically…
Information and photo provided by the National Institute on Aging With summer here and the temperatures rising, it is important to understand the health risks that excessive heat can bring and know the signs of heat-related illnesses. Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible to hyperthermia and other heat-related illnesses. The…
Building youth leadership skills through acts of service By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Eden Mendrala It is often said that leaders aren’t born, they’re made, and many great leaders are being made right here in Douglas County and throughout our state as a result of the innovative programs at Colorado Young Leaders (CYL). CYL…
Rock Canyon varsity baseball players charge the mound after a come-from-behind victory against Cherry Creek High School to reach the Elite Eight By RCHS intern writer Alec Sutula; photo courtesy of Josh Terry The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) baseball team had a very successful season this year under first-year head coach, Garrett Duman. The…
For three years, Greg Sherwood has been on a quest to unearth the author of a book from 1657, an English lord and an extraordinary man who had been lost to history. Sherwood’s quest has taken him to the island of Jersey near France to meet with colleagues at the Société Jersiaise (bottom, right), as…
Information and photo provided by Douglas County An 18-mile segment of I-25 from Monument to Castle Rock referred to as the “gap” is now fully funded and, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), is on track to begin construction by late summer of this year. CDOT Executive Director Michael Lewis made the announcement…
Cindy Berndt represented TTE at the staff challenge race. Evelyn Ball, Ethan Berndt and Weston Nielson were among the TTE students who came out to support her. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Nicole Avis, Anna Miner and Amy Ball Beginning after spring break, Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students joined in on Bandimere Speedway’s Race…
By Kathy Fallert; photo by Bob Wiebold and courtesy of Legacy Village of Castle Pines This aerial photograph shows the magnitude of the Legacy Village of Castle Pines complex, located on the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard. The senior living facility opened May 19 and will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on…
Addy M. (pictured above with Principal Veit) was the only student at BRE who earned the perfect attendance award for the 2017-18 school year. Caption and photo by Kathy FallertFirst-grader Each year, Buffalo Ridge Elementary recognizes students who have achieved perfect attendance for the school year. The students cannot have missed a single minute of…
Retired Castle Pines resident Rita Shiell chose to become a dog mom again after a few years without pets. Article and photo by Barbara Neff An old joke goes like this: Three religious people are debating when life begins. The first one states that life begins at conception. The second one states that life begins…
By Lisa Crockett When the weather heats up, the season’s fresh produce is a great way to keep your cool. Cucumbers are a prime candidate for refreshing and soothing an overheated palate, whether you’re simply floating a sliced cuke in your ice water or trying out something a little fancier like some of the ideas…
The RHMS travelers marveled at the lost city of the Incas at Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage site. “It was awesome!” stated Kay Kaul. “An experience the kids will remember for the rest of their lives!” By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson and Kay Kaul In early June, 12 Rocky Heights Middle…
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. Fantasy lovers unite! “The Night Circus” is in town and will surely…
Article and photos by Terri Wiebold Roughly 35 wine enthusiasts gathered on a gorgeous June evening to learn about the formation and launch of the South Metro Denver South chapter of the American Wine Society. Castle Pines Village resident David DeFore, local realtor Wanda Ford and long-time wine club board member Tonia Oliver organized the…
Brenda Bushey of Hidden Pointe volunteering at Impact Humanity, a new free retail store that opened in Denver’s Five Points district to serve the needs of the homeless community. Impact Humanity is one of nine programs in the Impact Locally nonprofit. Bushey said, “It’s amazing to feel a part of a collective group working together.”…
Caption and photos by Daniel Williams The goats have returned to Castle Pines. Five local neighborhoods – PineRidge, HOA1, The Estates at Buffalo Ridge, The Retreat and Glen Oaks – have partnered with South Metro Fire Rescue and local businesses to use more than 300 goats from Goat Green, Inc. as part of an energy-efficient…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I am an ambivalent visitor to the social media site Pinterest. On one hand, it’s a great place to find ideas for food that looks cute and follows some sort of theme. I also once found an entry on how to craft Christmas ornaments out of Tic Tacs and…
By Terri Wiebold Fans of The Castle Pines Connection are exploring new ways to enjoy the stories, photos and information in the newspaper, while at the same time winning gift cards, free venue tickets, and much more through our e-subscription. This year, we have already given away free tickets to the U.S. Senior Open Championship…
By Terri Wiebold; courtesy photo Castle Pines Golf Club, Inc. has submitted a Planned Development (PD) amendment that would establish a GCCH Planning Area over the existing clubhouse and parking area. The amendment proposes to replace the existing observation tower (approximately 78 feet in height) at the clubhouse adjacent to Hummingbird Drive, with a new…