Read the stories from the latest issue:
Pictured above left are first-graders Leyna S. and Abby M., and above right are Kendall and Kayley McClarran with their mom, Michelle, all made sure to get their donuts before they were gone. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson On a chilly April morning, TTE students and moms gathered for the Donuts with…
Above left: The Peru Enrichment class (clockwise from top center): Oskar Trueman (grey CK shirt with blue and green hoodie), Victoria Mallinson, Karmel Behboodi, Jamie Horan, Keira Ruys, Savannah Hilgendorf, Cassidy Dobler, Connor Brown, Kayden Ozdemir, Cade Miller, Ty Sloan and Ryan Carlson. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson Early June sees 12…
Ellen Pals of Happy Canyon, local author and expert in creating celebrations. By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Michele Hafey Wondering what to do with bored kids on summer break, when family comes to town, or when friends visit? Local author Ellen Pals said, “Take time to celebrate!” She may just make you question all…
Bridge Program Graybeal, Brittani Boyce, Logan Waggett, George Castle View High School Anderson, Mitchell Baca, Merissa Brodin, Rebecca Coney, Brenden Cover, Zachary Frandjian, Karina Frieling, Cassidy Gaede, Kaleb Hraby, Connor Jaten, Zoie LeVigne, Cristian Linder, Logan Little, Hannah Malone, Chloe Mueller, Anastasia Ruybal, Zackery Ryberg, Colton Rynearson, Jace Trost, Ryan Ugolini, Emma Varela, Catalin Vu,…
RCHS Destination Imagination team wins state and readies for global finals From left to right, Christina Kohl, Rock Canyon High School Destination Imagination Team Manager, Emre Diker, Gavin Geyer, both juniors, and Adam Kohl, a senior. The team earned first place at the Colorado Destination Imagination state tournament and will be competing at the Global…
Castle Rock’s Town Trolley will take passengers on a tour of historic landmarks on Saturday, May 5. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum May is National Historic Preservation Month. To celebrate this annual recognition, the Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum is inviting the public to hop aboard…
CPNMD lead water operator Cory Williams talks with Troop 65517 about the three feet of rock and sand used to help filter water. Information provided by the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District Eleven members of Castle Pines Girls Scout Troop 65517 working toward their “make the world a better place” petal took a tour last…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett One of the classic and repeated punchline topics on the beloved 90s sitcom “Friends” is the character Joey’s love for sandwiches. They are his favorite food, and across all 10 seasons, he can be found wolfing down a meatball sub or an Italian hoagie at inopportune times. It is…
Part three of three By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of Cherokee Ranch & Castle Much has been said and written of Tweet Kimball, Cherokee Ranch owner who died in 1999. What often remains uncaptured is her essence. At her very core she was a naturalist, appreciative and dedicated to her world of animals, the environment…
Members of the Rebel Service Club proudly posed with all of the blankets and towels they collected. Above inset: Communication is key in raising awareness, so students collaborated on a hallway display that encouraged donations. By Liz Rector; photos provided by American Academy Those who are not familiar with American Academy (AA) may not know…
By Michelle Post, Ph.D. Have you ever been expecting an important letter, but you never received it? Or were you waiting for a package, but the email notification said it was delivered? Thanks to advances in technology, there are gadgets, apps and services to help. Peekaboo, I see you (and can now talk to…
Article by Nancy Koontz; photo courtesy of René Green; pageant photo courtesy of Shelly Au On May 26, twelve contestants ages 60-95 will compete for the title of 2018 Ms. Colorado Senior America at the 24th annual pageant. Behind the scenes capturing the beauty of it all through the lens of her camera will be…
By Kathy Fallert; photos by Kathy Fallert and courtesy of Laura Mankin Buffalo Ridge Elementary held a birthday blow out on Saturday, April 14 in honor of the school’s two decades in action. Kids enjoyed playing games for prizes, silent and live auctions were held complete with a fast-talking auctioneer, and a delicious barbecue lunch…
Squires joined Representative Wist and his aide Patty at the speaker’s podium. Article and photos submitted by Emma Kate Squires, RHMS eighth-grade student Colorado’s Association for Gifted and Talented each year hosts a Legislative Day, held the Thursday after Presidents Day. This is a day when students identified as gifted have an opportunity to go…
Sarah Gonzalez sees no limits. “There’s no limits to where you can go, what you can do.” By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Sarah Gonzalez Castle Pines resident Sarah Gonzalez, better known as Sarah G., has had the passion to create since childhood. As a five-year-old, after listening to adults complain about their jobs at…
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,…
Dr. Thomas S. Tucker is the sole finalist for the DCSD superintendent position. He is expected to assume the superintendent role on July 1. “It’s a distinct honor and privilege to help lead one of America’s finest – and I do mean finest – public school systems. I give the community my promise – you…
Rock Canyon High School students enjoyed the many activities at the After Prom party that helps to keep kids safe the night of prom. Students wrote good wishes in the senior hall, gambled in the casino, played games, enjoyed food and won prizes. Above left: Abby Castro and Nick Janedis gamble in the casino at…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos April 11 was Spring National Signing Day for the Class of 2018 student-athletes. We congratulate the following 80108 student-athletes who have made the commitment to play their sport at the college level! Regis Jesuit High School Mariah Daley, lacrosse Sacred Heart University, CT Coach Kathryn Ames said, “I have only…
Information provided by Douglas County The Tax Work-Off program allows Douglas County taxpayers the opportunity to earn money as temporary County employees up to the amount equal to but not exceeding the property tax that is due and owing to Douglas County or the Douglas County Law Enforcement Authority on the County tax liabilities for…
By Lisa Crockett Spring in Colorado is a fickle season, but this day at the halfway point between the first day of spring and the first day of summer offers at least the hope that consistent warm temperatures are coming soon. The celebration of “May Day” is largely a European phenomenon focused on traditional rites…
View of the Intercontinental Express that travels up to 120 mph. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Among my age group, river trips in Europe are the rage. It is the safety and convenience of it all. Passengers are pampered – never having to move luggage with touring options available at each port. Personally, I…
Alexandra Gray of Castle Pines Village is the Denver Ballet Guild’s first place winner, the recipient of the Florence Ruston Medallion, and has been selected to compete in the very prestigious USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS in June. Gray said, “I love to dance because it is a chance for me to step…
A hidden wonder Article and photos by Susan Helton The Paint Mines are named for their colorful clays. This area’s unique geology, one of possibly only four such areas in Colorado, has attracted visitors for thousands of years. An extraordinary geologic wonder, the Paint Mines Interpretive Park, lies hidden in Colorado’s eastern plains. Located northeast…
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. This month’s selection comes recommended by Connection reader Judy Stirling. “Among the…
By Terri Wiebold, Owner/Publisher, The Castle Pines Connection So Facebook, you have been the topic of much discussion lately; you’ve been on my mind as well. But not because of breech of security or privacy issues, but rather the opposite. You see, I am a fan. I am a small business owner who utilizes…
By Patte Smith Spring is here, and summer is right around the corner. Families and friends will gather together for barbecues, picnics and camping – time to visit the local farmers market for freshly grown produce. Many markets not only sell fruits and vegetables, but also offer special items such as fresh bread, jams and…
By Michelle Post, Ph.D. Rockwell got it right in his 1984 hit song, “Somebody’s Watching Me.” Yes, somebody is watching you, me, and everyone else who uses technology. When Facebook admitted to its recent data breach, it shocked the nation. The scary truth is that data breaches happen every day. To really understand the amount…
By Elizabeth Wood West Memorial Day is Monday, May 28. Memorial Day, or “Decoration Day” as it was originally designated, is a federal holiday that was established in 1868 after the American Civil War as a time to honor fallen members of the armed services. It is observed every year on the last Monday in…
Jud Mitchell received the “Light ‘n Heart” award for leadership and outstanding humanitarian work from the Rotary Club of Castle Rock. By Liz Rector; photo provided by Jud Mitchell Castle Pines resident Jud Mitchell was recognized on April 11 for his outstanding humanitarian work through the Douglas County Rotary Club. Mitchell received a “Light ‘n…
Bent earnestly over her art even as other kids munched pizza, Lilly wrote, “My sister has autism and she loves butterflies. Please don’t exclude her.” Other sentiments included, “Even if my sister looks different please treat her the same,” “Don’t make mean faces at kids with special needs,” and, “Invite special needs kids to play…
Information provided by the Douglas County Elections Office Castle Pines voters have three separate elections this year, beginning with the May special district elections, followed by the June primary election and the November general election. The May 8 Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) non-partisan regular election is about water solutions with a major TABOR…
Yearbook class period two (from left to right): Julien Bouquet (yearbook adviser), Kelsey Brown, Sydnee Nach, Kennedy Vasquez, Nicole Flocco, Selina Patel, Raegan Synk, Danielle Petteys, Natalie Bruce, Taylor Jeppson, Savanna Avery, Megan Williams, Bethany Detwiler, Jessica Wang, Avery Gibson, Cate Venable, Kylie Szilagyi and Maia Vernetti. By Kira Zizzo, RHMS intern writer; photos courtesy…
By Daniel Williams; photo courtesy of Barbara Neff If you happen to be out at one of the local restaurants on a Friday evening around happy hour, do not be surprised if you run across a large group of single baby boomers. They are easy to spot – they will be the folks born between…
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…