Read the stories from the latest issue:
Rock Canyon High School students Ellianna Lederman and Brad Hansen and Holocaust survivor, Lone Tree resident Jack Adler (center). Article and photo by Daniel Williams On March 27, Holocaust survivor Jack Adler stood before a packed house in the auditorium at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) and recounted his story, a story he has told…
Coach Brian Tinker doing the honors at the ribbon cutting ceremony on April 12 in the brand new RCHS weight room with Coach A.J. Article and photos by Alec Sutula, RCHS intern writer “Let’s get to work. Hit the racks,” said Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) football coach Brian Tinker. This time though the atmosphere…
The last few months have been an exciting time of change and growth for The Connection. In addition to our new branding, which we launched in January, we have had several new talented individuals join our staff. Please join us in welcoming them. Visit www.castlepinesconnection.com/pages/staff/staff to read complete bios on all of our amazing team!…
Boasting 47 years of making a difference Article and photo by Barbara Neff Their motto used to be, “not your grandparents’ senior center,” but since opening in 1971, Castle Rock Senior Activity Center (Center) has changed much with the times, including their motto. Today their motto is, “loving life in the second half,” a thoroughly…
Information provided by the Denver Dumb Friends League Be part of the nation’s single largest dog walk and a Denver tradition by participating in the 25th annual Dumb Friends League Furry Scurry Saturday, May 5. The event takes place at Denver’s Washington Park and raises money to help the Dumb Friends League care for more…
The third-graders and their kindergarten buddies enjoyed “free-range” chick time. Article submitted by Kimberly Jester, third grade teacher, TTE; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson On Valentine’s day, I surprised my third-graders with the ultimate Valentine and “winter-blahs” beater. We were chosen to be part of the Douglas County 4H/CSU extension chicken embryology project, and Mary…
The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) will be holding its regular election on Tuesday, May 8, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ballots were mailed to all eligible electors in the CPNMD service area the week of April 16. Completed mail ballots must be hand-delivered or mailed to (and received) at the CPNMD office,…
By Michelle Post, Ph.D. Running a business can be overwhelming. There are many days that I feel like my business is running me instead of the opposite. I was at a conference recently and the speaker said, “You don’t have, because you don’t ask.” Ouch! We are living in a “collaboration economy,” there are plenty…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of the Bailey family Castle Pines Village has an abundance of super-moms. More than a few have put high voltage lives on hold for motherhood. But how many genuinely started at ground zero? Meet Yvonne Bailey. Are there other factors unique to her situation? You be the judge. Perhaps two-year-old…
Three year Castle Pines residents Josh Nowak and Jennifer Clayburn hosted an exciting party at the Byers Fire Station on April 15 where a car fire was staged to set the scene to reveal baby number five’s gender. Thirty guests, along with firefighters on duty and numerous passers-by, looked on as the colored water from…
Castle Pines residents Anna Mallinson (left) and Anne Necker (right) were among hundreds of neighbors who found treasures at the annual community book swap. Article and photos by Daniel Williams I have to admit something – I love the Castle Pines book swap. When April comes around, my heart skips a beat when I see…
By Amanda Merriman I love watching TED talks. It is fantastic to have access to videos of people sharing new ideas and ways of addressing issues. I recently listened to a TED talk about the creation of Litterati, an app that takes on the problem of litter. Jeff Kirschner noticed some trash in a creek…
By Liz Rector; photos courtesy of DCSD In a grand room at the Hilton Garden Inn in Highlands Ranch, art created by students of all ages was set up on display for the Douglas County School District (DCSD)’s K-12 Visual Art Show. The show took place April 6-9 and included art of various mediums. Art…
BRE’s grant winning Green Team (pictured from left to right), back row: Braden T., Mrs. Jody Robinson, Mrs. Jennifer Romero, Mr. Jose Mendoza; middle row: Ben J., Liam A., Jackson C., Maggie B., Katherine S., Anderson R. and Blake C.; front row: Tatum H., Isabella W., Emma A., Jacob V. and Cash B. By Kathy…
Hadley Bess is hard at work on an acrylic painting depicting three coy fish swimming in and out of a circular pool of water. By Liz Rector; photos by Kelsea Fischer Bubbly and enthusiastic, Hadley Bess’ energy is one of positivity and happiness. A fifth-grader at American Academy Castle Pines, Bess’ artwork was recently featured…
Information and photos provided by DSC Montessori Every spring, the upper elementary students at DCS Montessori explore Colorado history, science and interests (CSI) in a presentation fair. The tradition began as a simple science fair and stayed so for many years, but five years ago it transformed into its current form. Fourth-graders study and present…
Information and photo provided by South Metro Fire Rescue The South Metro Safety Foundation Kids Fire Academy is a summer day camp experience where kids get a peek into a day-in-the-life of a firefighter and learn basic fire and life safety skills such as home fire safety, first aid and bike safety. South…
Article and photos submitted by Valerie Miller, Surrey Ridge resident After taking my two older children on adventures one-on-one, it was my son Felix’s turn for an adventure with mom. In March, Felix and I set out on the California Zephyr from Denver to Reno, Nevada, a trip of about 25 hours. The sleeper car,…
Rock Canyon High School students from the Student Safety Alliance (left to right): Sophomore Maddie Provost (16), junior Molly Steavpack (17), senior Maria Pangalos (17) and senior Lily Jackman (17) hold up a sign expressing solidarity with the victims of the recent tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, filled with signatures from their fellow…
From left to right, Missy Salum, John Conti, Audrey Will, Joe Sabia and Donnie Salum. The Salums are the owners of Fitness Gallery and donated a spin cycle to help raise money at the event, which Ms. Will won in a lottery. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Nicole McGarvey On March 15, the…
Cultivating the arts By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo by Lynn Zahorik In 2009, the Castle Pines Arts and Cultural Foundation (CPACF) began as a committee to help establish a library in Castle Pines. Funds were raised for the first storefront library and, eventually, the new standalone facility. Throughout that time, the organization grew to a…
Information provided by TurboTax Knowing when and what you have to file can save you a lot of headaches at tax time. To avoid paying penalties, mark your calendar with the following important tax deadlines. Individual tax returns due for tax year 2017 – E-file or postmark your individual tax returns by midnight April 18,…
Article and photo by Lisa Crocket Eggs are an important part of my diet. They’re almost miraculous: cheap, tasty, nutritious and fast. With the notable exception of a period when I dedicated myself to strict paleo eating, and therefore eggs for breakfast almost every day, I almost never tire of eggs. Most weeks, eggs land…
Competing in January, BRE’s DI team (pictured from left to right) back row: Morgan Busten, Isaac Hughes, parent Kate Binning, Maddie Kasal, Blake Cartwright, Joey Sabia; front row: Christina Sabia and Jake Binning. By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Jennie Cartwright Led by parent and Castle Pines resident, Kate Binning, the Buffalo Ridge Elementary’s (BRE)…
Information provided by the Douglas County Parenting Coalition and The Family Tree In Colorado, more than 100,000 children live with a relative, family friend or other non-parent. For some children this arrangement may be temporary, for others it will be permanent. Does your shared kinship family feel happily blended…or do family members feel they have…
By Michelle Post There are books, blogs, websites and apps all about how to learn to let go of the things cluttering our lives. Spring cleaning is not just for your home but also for your office. And it is not just for your physical office but your digital office, too. It is easy to…
Information provided by the Castle Pines North Master Association Fiction, nonfiction, young adult and children’s books will be available at the Castle Pines North Master Association annual book swap on Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the community center, located at 7404 Yorkshire Drive. The book swap…
Information provided by the Castle Pines North Master Association The CPN Master Homeowners Association is hosting a CPN Metro District board candidate forum on Monday, April 9 at 6 p.m. at the Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines, located at 360 Village Square Lane. There are ten candidates vying for four positions on the board…
By Lisa Crockett Spring is finally here, bringing with it a fresh crop of veggies and fruits just perfect for healthy, seasonal eating. Summer’s overflowing bounty isn’t here yet, but there are treasures to be found in the springtime, including a few that even adventurous eaters sometimes overlook. Here are a few of April’s best,…
By Terri Wiebold Join Denver metro area running enthusiasts for the annual Cherry Creek Sneak in the heart of Denver’s Cherry Creek district on Sunday, April 22 at 7 a.m. Runners and walkers participate in the10-mile, 5-mile, and 3.1-mile (5K). There’s even a half-mile Kids’ Fun Run for kids ages 8 and younger, and Diaper…
So far in 2018, 32 animals from Colorado have tested positive for rabies – mostly in skunks. Information and photo provided by Tri-County Health Department The Colorado Department of Agriculture and Tri-County Health Department have confirmed that an alpaca in Douglas County has died due to a rabies infection. Pet owners are urged to check…
Pictured left to right, Elizabeth Metz of Forest Park, Patty Trombley, Eleanor Baribault and Cindy Keller of Rochester, New York. Through a genealogy website, Metz learned that Patty and Cindy are her third cousins and that Patty also owns Rhoda spoons. Article and photos by Lisa Nicklanovich Elizabeth Metz of Forest Park was recently going…
Information provided by Douglas County The Board of Douglas County Commissioners recently approved four call-when-needed air support contracts, including one with Rampart Helicopter Services for wildland fire suppression. “This time of year, we understand the importance of having every precaution in place to protect our communities should a wildfire occur,” said County Commissioner Roger Partridge.…
RCHS students Sarah Bermingham, Alana Graves and Kira Hartz help raise money for RCHS wish week by participating in the school’s newest fundraiser, the walk for wishes. Article and photos by Sarah Bermingham, RCHS intern writer Rock Canyon High School’s (RCHS) wish week is always one of the best weeks of the year. The event…
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. Dear readers, my most recent read has left me spent. “The Power,”…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori DCS Montessori (DCSM) teacher and Castle Pines resident Ryoko Fusatani’s fourth through sixth grade classes hosted their fifth annual International Tea Party with tea, goodies, and a bit of cultural immersion into European countries like Ireland, Norway, Ukraine, Austria, Belgium and Germany, to name a few.…
Access to more than 48,000 acres of protected open space, hundreds of miles of trails, three state parks and the Pike National Forest add to Douglas County residents’ quality of life. Information and photo provided by Douglas County Congratulations residents of Douglas County – you live in the Colorado County ranked healthiest in the state.…
Lily Schmoker as hard-hitting journalist, Gloria Thorpe in the Rock Canyon production of “Damn Yankees.” By Elizabeth Rector; photos courtesy of Rock Canyon High School Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) junior Lily Schmoker is known throughout the community as a multifaceted, talented teen. Recently, Schmoker took to the stage as Gloria Thorpe, in the RCHS…
Castle Pines interim city manager Michael Penny (left) and Castle Pines North Metro District manager Jim Nikkel (right) met recently at Duke’s Steakhouse for lunch to discuss how the two entities can work together in best serving the residents of Castle Pines. The City Council and the Metro District board will meet later this month…
On February 24, Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) hosted the Daddy Daughter Masquerade Ball. Guests came dressed in their finest masquerade attire and were even able to purchase masks at the event. The annual tradition is a beloved TTE event.
The RHMS MathCounts team participated at the regional math competition on February 3 at Sturm Hall at the University of Denver. Top Row (from left to right): Aspen Shih, Cynthia Du, Jessica Wang, Bhavya Surapaneni, Jamie Kim, Mimi Telford. Bottom Row (from left to right): Max Xu, Joshua Ruegge, Anthony Chui, Esvaran Selvaganapathy Arun and…
Brandon and Lisa Linn and their children, Kennedy, Harper and Cooper in a family photo taken after Lisa had been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. Lisa nominated her husband Brandon to be a 2018 Pink Tie Guy at the Susan G. Komen Pink Tie Affair. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of the Linn family…
Part two of three By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of Cherokee Ranch & Castle Last month, we tracked the history of the Cherokee Castle and Ranch after Tweet Kimball acquired it in 1954. Indeed, her impact on virtually everything she touched and those she encountered was outsized. Comfortable in rugged ranch hand garb or equally…
Emily Johnson and her Colorado Children’s Chorale group had the opportunity to visit Vail and work with children. The group travels locally, nationally and internationally. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Jill Johnson Four years ago, Castle Pines resident Jill Johnson read an article in The Connection about Denver’s award winning Colorado Children’s Chorale…
By Amanda Merriman Do you like craft beer? There is surely a market for it here in our state. According to the Brewers Association, Colorado ranks second in the nation for its number of breweries. The craft beer scene will continue to grow, with numerous breweries expected to open around the state in 2018, as…
Mitch McGaughey knows the vagaries of beekeeping: from bear attacks to dealing with swarms to harvesting honey. Pictured above, McGaughey’s oldest daughter, Hannah places frames in a newly-painted honey super for the bees to put honey in. Last fall, McGaughey’s Italian Bees finally produced enough honey to sell. A bear attack on the hives meant…
This year, 29 Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students participated in the Kids Expo Art Show. Students from kindergarten through fifth grade represented the school with mediums ranging from clay to melted crayon. TTE artists will be gearing up for the annual Douglas County School District art show the week of April 5 through 10. By…
RCHS students and families welcomed eight students from France on February 2 as part of a three-week exchange program. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Alexis Savas Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students and families welcomed eight students and one teacher from France on February 2 for three weeks as part of a French exchange…
BRE second grader, Evan Ingalls pictured with his parents, took second in state at the Peak 2 Peak State Wrestling Tournament on February 23 in Castle Rock. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Kory Ingalls Second-grader at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) and Castle Pines resident Evan Ingalls took second place in the eight-year-old and 95.1…
The RCHS boys basketball team on March 3 at the Great 8 game where they beat Overland High School 54-47, taking them into the Final 4 for the second consecutive year. By Jack Hibbett, RCHS intern writer; photos courtesy of Lukas Makikali and Andy Abner On November 29, 2017, another amazing season for Coach Kent…
Tasha Verebelyi repels down 1600 Glenarm Place as part of the Cancer League of Colorado’s annual Over the Edge event. By Daniel Williams; photos courtesy of Tasha Verebelyi On a sunny September day in 2016, Castle Pines resident Tasha Verebelyi held tight to a rope that held her in place nearly 400 feet above the…
By Danial Williams As people age, they are often faced with decisions to make about their housing situation. They can downsize or find a single-story home to accommodate any current or potential physical limitations or even consider moving closer to the kids and grandkids to have family nearby. But what about those who want to…
By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Wade Coleman Friday, February 23 marked the annual Daddy Daughter Dance at Buffalo Ridge Elementary. With a theme of “I loved her first,” dads and their girls had fun dancing, snacking and getting silly in the photo booth. The evening was rounded out with kid crafts, flowers and lots…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Rock Canyon High School Congratulations to Castle Pines resident Carter Brand! Brand finished in 37th place among the Junior Men (ages 16-19) at the North American Triathlon Championships, (which includes Mexico and Canada) in Sarasota, Florida on March 10. He finished in eighth place amongst the United State’s…
Information provided by Douglas County Did you know that disposing of branches and shrubbery properly not only helps to mitigate properties for wildland fire prevention, but also is good for the environment? Douglas County’s slash-mulch site at 1400 Caprice Drive in Castle Rock opens April 7 and will remain open on Saturdays from 8 a.m.…
Cathedral Square in Vilnius was the start of a human chain “The Baltic Way”– more than 2,000,000 people linked by hand to the Baltic Sea demonstrating solidarity of their suffering under the USSR. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Lithuania is the southernmost and most populous of the three Baltic Republics. Like her neighbors, she…
Information provided by Douglas County Despite the snow fall in recent weeks, Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect for Douglas County. Prohibited activities include open burning of any kind and use and sale of fireworks. Allowable activities include 1) fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, fireplaces within buildings, charcoal grill fires within developed residential…
Cultivating future leaders By Lynne Marsala Basche During her high school years in South Dakota, YouthRoots founder Lacey Books participated in a basic leadership program. When Books was out of school and looked back on the experience, she realized how beneficial it would be to have been able to apply those lessons and skills right…
A sweeping view of Sandstone Ranch, the 2,038 acre, newly acquired, Douglas County Open Space property featuring scenic red rock formations, rocky ridges, forested hillsides and meandering creeks and ponds. Information provided by Douglas County One of the largest and most historic properties in Colorado, located along the foothills between Denver and Colorado Springs, is…
By Kira Zizzo, RHMS intern writer; photos courtesy of Camille Leach At Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS), the seventh-grade Adventurers team learned the ins and outs of first aid and how to apply their newfound knowledge in case of an emergency. The skills the students learned are crucial in that they could save someone’s life…
By Lisa Crockett Proponents of vegetarianism often tout “Meatless Monday” as a way to get a proverbial “taste” of what a vegetarian lifestyle might feel like. Whether or not you’re looking to make a switch to vegetarianism, however, the occasional meatless meal is a great way to make meals healthier and more interesting. Here are…
Information provided by the CPACF The Castle Pines Arts and Cultural Foundation is looking for volunteer board members to work in helping bring art and cultural opportunities to the greater Castle Pines community. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) that sponsors events like authors and art presentations, musical performances, scholarships and summer children’s theatre. If you…
By Amanda Merriman The Castle Pines community certainly has a lot of talent within the city. One such talent is resident E. B. Mann, author of a young adult novel named “Karina.” (Read a review of “Karina” on page 21.) I recently had the opportunity to speak with Mann, which is a pseudonym, and learned…
By Michelle Post I know what you’re thinking, “What the heckfire! I don’t even want to think about being hit by a bus.” Me neither; however, I learned about this concept from a colleague. She told me that everyone in her department was so specialized if anyone were sick it would affect the day’s productivity…
Information courtesy of Tri-County Health Department Tri-County Health Department has opened a new birth and death certificates office in Castle Rock at 410 South Wilcox Street, located one block south of the Wilcox and Plum Creek Parkway. A certified copy of a birth certificate is needed for passport applications, many school activities, and to apply…
By Amanda Merriman My seven-year-old daughter and I were looking for a way to pass the time during my 10-year-old’s soccer practice. An hour can feel like an eternity to a seven-year-old. Luckily, I remembered I downloaded an app called Sandbox to try. Sandbox is a color by numbers game that will entertain people of…
A Western Bluebird. Western Bluebirds perch or flutter among branches to take berries. By Susan Helton; Mountain Bluebird photo by Dick Vogel, courtesy of the Colorado Bluebird Project; Western Bluebird photo courtesy of Barbara Spagnuolo. Returning bluebirds are one sure sign of spring. In the Castle Pines and Castle Rock areas, birders have even spotted…
Information provided by the National Institute on Aging and Douglas County With winter’s return, the colder temperatures in Colorado bring some particular risks for older adults and people with chronic conditions. Older adults can lose body heat faster than when they were younger, and changes in their bodies can make it more difficult to be…
By Daniel Williams; photos by Terri Wiebold and courtesy of John Basche and Hutch Tibbetts In February, the City of Castle Pines celebrated its tenth birthday old school-style with a party hosted by the Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines. Complete with pin the city on the state, an “original businesses” cake walk, a community…
Article by Kathy Fallert with courtesy photos Friday, January 26 was a wild and crazy night at Buffalo Ridge Elementary as the school hosted its annual mother and son Nerf wars at the school. Cardboard barricades, safety goggles and lots of foam bullets were provided for the evening’s entertainment. Numerous participants brought their weapons of…