The Connection

A young buck peers through the oak brush before making his decision to cross the highway in southwest Colorado. Article and photos provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation Vehicle collisions with wildlife happen year round, but statistics indicate that the migration of animals to their wintering habitats can lead to more incidents of wildlife-vehicle…

Next summer, residents of all ages will be able to enjoy new outdoor basketball courts at Coyote Ridge Park.  As shown in this rendering provided by the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District, the courts will be located just south of the skate park and will offer added fun for outdoor enthusiasts who call Castle Pines…

TTE’s fifth grade blue team waiting to start the obstacle course while cheering on fellow classmates at the move-a-thon. Article and photos submitted by Timber Trail Elementary Each year, Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) has a fundraising event, and this year students and teachers participated in a move-a-thon on September 22.  Students spent an hour outside…

Castle Pines resident Nicole Eubanks recently made a career change and became relationships manager at the nonprofit organization Friendship Bridge. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Nicole Eubanks Mother of two and Daniels Gate resident Nicole Eubanks, with a background in business management and merchandising, made a serious career change when she went to work…

Centennial Gun Club, located at 11800 E Peakview Avenue in Centennial, is locally owned and operated by Castle Pines Village residents Richard and Mary Abramson. By Amy Shanahan;  photos courtesy of Mary Abramson Richard and Mary Abramson are residents of Castle Pines Village who recognized a need and set out to fulfill it.  In February…

Information provided by the Douglas/Elbert Task Force Please join the Douglas/Elbert Task Force for its inaugural Evening of Help & Hope on Friday, December 2 at Cielo at Castle Pines.  The event will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will feature a silent and live auction, a wine wall, heads or tails game,…

Friends and family joined Leanna Whitcher at the Free to Breathe 5K Run/Walk to raise funds in the quest to double lung cancer survival rates in the next six years. By Lynn Zahorik; photo courtesy of Noor Abadi A beautiful fall day welcomed participants of the 2016 Free to Breathe 5K Run/Walk at Washington Park…

by Patte Smith The Connection readers want to know about our vital over-fifty population who is diverse, knowledgeable, skilled, thoughtful and energetic.   If you play pickleball, are an artist, volunteer your time, write, play bridge, bungee jump, sing in a choir, sit peacefully reading, have an experience to share, are a gourmet cook, meditate, attend…

Article and photos by Kathy Fallert The annual Rock Slide 5K and 1 mile fun run took place on Saturday, October 1.  The race began and ended at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) where roughly 250 runners and walkers, led by the school’s health team made their way through the streets of Castle Pines and…

The new project will include 228 apartment units, 30,000 square feet of office space, 10,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and 328 street level/below street level parking spaces.  By Elizabeth Wood West; renderings courtesy of Confluence Companies The Town of Castle Rock recently gave unanimous approval to a $60 million dollar mixed-use development…

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Turkey roasting in the oven – is there any scent more evocative of the fall season, the bounty of the harvest, the abundance of autumn?  Nothing makes me give thanks faster than a plateful of turkey, dressing and buttery mashed potatoes.  Like most folks this time of year, I…

There are many “Share The Road” signs around the community.  (Hess Road east at I-25) Article and photo by Kay Bryant As our community becomes more and more populated, The Connection reminds residents to be aware of the particular safety concerns and responsibilities that drivers have as we share the road with bicyclists.  Hess Road,…

A new eight-mile segment of the East/West Regional Trail just north of Hess Road will connect the current trial (west of I-25, south of RidgeGate Pkwy) to the Cherry Creek Trail in Parker (west of Parker Road south of E. Mainstreet). Information and photo provided by Douglas County Hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers rejoice!  Great…

By Lisa Crockett Big feasts can sometimes mean big trouble, especially when it’s a feast that involves cooking foods most people only attempt once a year.  Add in concerns about food safety, and you and your dinner guests might simply be giving thanks for making it through the holiday unscathed rather than focusing on the…

It was a cold day, but BRE students bundled up and got it done as they rode their way to school on October 5. Article and photos by Kathy Fallert It was a cold and blustery day on Wednesday, October 5, but that didn’t stop Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) students from celebrating Walk/Bike to School…

The 23,000 square-foot soccer facility will accommodate three futsal fields (which are smaller turf fields) or one large field and is scheduled to open later this month. By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Neil Alvarado Ten-year HOA1 resident Neil Alvarado is reaching a new milestone with Denver-based Skyline Soccer Association (SSA), a nonprofit soccer club…

The winning chefs pose for a photo during the seventh annual Turweston Lane chili cook-off on September 11. By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Laurie Jacobs Seven years and counting!  The crew on Turweston Lane gathered on September 11 for another year of fun and some friendly cooking competition.  This year’s event featured plenty of…

BRE hosted a fun-filled, Olympic-themed field day on September 22.  Principal John Veit (left) and Assistant Principal Jen Murdock (right) welcomed BRE alumnus and Paralympian Brickelle Bro (middle), who opened the ceremonies with some words of inspiration for the students. Article and photos by Kathy Fallert Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) hosted an Olympic-themed field day…

The Rock Canyon High School volleyball program recently collected and donated many items, including food and toiletries, to the Douglas/Elbert Task Force.  The team was given a tour of the Task Force and have a better understanding of the many needs in our community. By Sarah Bermingham, RCHS intern writer; photos courtesy of RCHS volleyball…

Information provided by the Parker Cultural and Scientific Commission Learn the facts about Alzheimer’s disease or dementia on Thursday, November 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue in Parker.  A representative from The Alzheimer’s Association will provide information on detection, possible causes and risk factors, stages of the disease, treatment,…

By Lynn Zahorik; courtesy photos With the season of Thanksgiving upon us, we are reminded of those people for whom we are most grateful.  The Castle Pines Connection salutes the American veterans who live in our communities for their selfless dedication and extraordinary service in the armed forces.  Many of our neighbors are the men…

TTE students were excited to help promote the school’s September recycling event. Residents, large and small, contributed to making the recycling event a success. Article and photos submitted by Timber Trail Elementary Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) parent Eric Bowman, of Bowman Financial Services, organized a paint recycling event on September 17, which was held in…

This chart shows how the Winter Shelter Network will work to meet the needs of the homeless in Douglas County, from November through March 2017.  By Elizabeth Wood West; illustration courtesy of Rand Clark Thanks to the compassion and vision of local faith-based nonprofit organizations, area churches and Douglas County government, a struggling and often…

Megan Pitman, senior at Rock Canyon High School and CPV resident was thrilled when administrators came into her classroom and announced that she is a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of RCHS Approximately 1.6 million students entered the National Merit Scholarship (NMS) competition, which awards more than $33 million.  The names…

Information provided by Douglas County Douglas County reports that as of October 3, there were a total of 234,925 registered voters for the upcoming General Election on November 8.  Of those, 47,551 were Democrats, 107,245 were Republicans, and 80,129 were listed as other.  Make sure your vote counts and ensure that all mail-in ballots are…

By Patte Smith It is hard to believe that November is here, and soon we will be in full throttle with holiday fun and frenzy.  It is a festive time of year, and many enjoyable events are offered by the Castle Rock Senior Activity Center (CRSAC) and South Suburban Parks and Recreation District (SSPRD). The…

  By Lynne Marsala Basche Imagine coming home on a chilly evening, opening the door and being greeted by the aroma of dinner simmering in the slow cooker.  It is so welcoming and inviting and especially convenient when you remember that while you put the ingredients together earlier in the day, there was no chopping…

By Amanda Merriman There are people who finish shopping for the holidays well before fall starts.  And then there are the rest of us who do not even start thinking about gift shopping until well after pumpkin spice lattes start flying off the shelves.  Not to mention the actual purchasing of gifts happens usually after…

CrossFit Loop Castle Rock teens pausing for a moment in their CrossFit class.  From left to right: Riley James, Julia Terry, Gabe Ziegler (CP), Jack Terry, Crossfit Coach Courtney Grant, and Emma Ziegler (CP). By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Maddie Rudolph The CrossFit Loop Castle Rock (CFL) community recently rallied around Detective Dan Brite…

Article and photo by Amanda Merriman The 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 her obsession. Yaa Gyasi has educated this bibliophiliac with this month’s…

Rodney Graham, one the creators of the chicken coop and garden project along with Cameron Randolph, hope students become more aware of the work that goes into producing food. Submitted by RHMS student Zoe Bair; photos courtesy of Katie Cranston and Abby Schriefer Where can you usually find chickens?  At the farm.  In wildlife.  Probably…

The 2016 Rock Canyon High School newspaper and yearbook staff celebrating their victory at a state-wide competition.  The Rock newspaper was recently nominated for a Crown Award, presented by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. By Riley Busch, RCHS intern writer The Castle Pines community has prided itself on its award-winning feeder schools and education programs,…

By Lynn Zahorik On November 11, we will once again honor our American veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.  WWI Armistice was signed on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, thus the observation of Veterans Day on…

By Amy Shanahan All new residents of the City of Castle Pines are cordially invited to a welcome reception in your honor on November 3 at 6 p.m. at The Ridge at Castle Pines North golf club.   Attendees will enjoy appetizers, drinks and mingling with neighbors.  A short program will introduce new residents to…

Information provided by the City of Castle Pines Located just south of the Village Square commercial district, Lagae Ranch is a 249-acre planned development that includes Elk Ridge Park and three additional neighborhood parks, American Academy Charter School, up to 231 single-family homes, 400 multi-family residences, an additional elementary school, 76 acres of open space…

Information provided by Douglas County Douglas County recently announced a two-way data-sharing partnership with Waze, the free, real-time navigation app.  This collaboration will assist those who live, work and play in Douglas County with important information about current road conditions and construction projects to assist their commute around the county. “We know that one of…

Information provided by the Douglas/Elbert Task Force. The Douglas/Elbert Task Force received $8,540 from the Food Bank of the Rockies for the purchase of a new walk-in cooler to support its food bank program.  The new refrigerator will increase the Task Force’s capacity to store additional refrigerated items, such as dairy products and fresh produce…

By Patte Smith A free informational housing seminar for older adults is being presented on Saturday, October 15 at the Lone Tree Arts Center from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Open to the public, speakers will discuss topics on seniors interested in “aging in place” and remaining in their own home; an overview of the…

DCSM students, staff, friends and family enjoyed an afternoon catching up while hungry participants entered a pie eating contest and took a spin in the hamster balls. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori The DCS Montessori School (DCSM) fall festival is an annual tradition for more than 20 years.  This year, students,…

Colleen and Judi at Castle Pines Dental Care love their jobs, having been around for 14 and 15 years, respectively. Always helpful Terri at Scheich Family Dentistry celebrates 13 years keeping everything in check. Alex at Castle Pines Orthodontics has been running the office since 2003.  She loves watching their patients grow up. Article and…

By Lisa Crockett ‘Tis the season for all things pumpkin.  Whether you are hankering for a luscious pie or a toothy jack-o’-lantern, here are tips for getting the very best this season: • Pumpkins for pie and pumpkins for carving are grown from different varieties, so make sure you’re getting the right one for the…

By Lynn Zahorik, photos courtesy of Peter Burke The star of every University of Colorado (CU) football game is without a doubt Ralphie the buffalo mascot.  One of the most popular and recognized college mascots in the nation, Ralphie has been a part of CU game day lore for nearly half a century.  Most fans…

By Amanda Merriman If you have teenage individuals living in your home, you have probably heard of musical.ly, a popular video-sharing app that has captured the attention of over 80 million users, or “musers” as they are called, worldwide.   Musical.ly combines our innate love of music and the desire to connect with like-minded individuals…

Seventh grade social studies teacher and project advisor Laurie Williamson with students Chloe Voss and Amanda Gin. Submitted by RHMS eighth grade student Amanda Brauchler; photo courtesy of Izzy Holsman Nora Danzig is a Holocaust survivor.  She was born in Germany in the 1930s, and she is 84 years old.  Danzig was not only a…

By Kathy Fallert; courtesy photos Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) had a dual goal – wanting to give multiple new fourth and fifth grade families a chance to connect and meet other parents and kids and wanting to create a new special tradition for the “upper grades” to celebrate and look forward to each year.  What…

By Amy Shanahan The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is eager to alert residents to a new scam that is currently taking place throughout the county.  This scam involves a phone call by someone claiming to be a person of authority who is providing a public service by letting the person they called believe that…

Self-proclaimed “mama’s boy,” 27-year-old Chase McNary was one of the final three contestants on the recent season of ABC’s “The Bachelorette.”  A Colorado native, McNary loves the outdoors and being active, including golfing at The Ridge at Castle Pines North with his mom with whom he has a very close relationship. By Amy Shanahan; photos…

Caissons for the RidgeGate bridge being constructed. Information from RTD Southeast Rail Extension To the average commuter traveling on I-25 past Lincoln Avenue and RidgeGate Parkway, it may appear that besides a lot of dirt being moved (close to 160,000 cubic yards to be exact), not much else is being constructed on the new light…

Wellspring’s “Evening of Inspiration” was held at Cielo at Castle Pines.  Wellspring’s staff, family, business partners and friends raised approximately $200,000 for the nonprofit.  Pictured left to right:  Richard West, Theresa and Stan Banaszak, Ann Allott, Alison Rausch and Judson Mitchell.   Article and photos by Elizabeth Wood West Wellspring Community’s (Wellspring) staff, family members,…

By Patte Smith There are several websites that list 50+ discounts in Colorado.  One such site is www.theseniorlist.com that lists 2016 discounts for restaurants, retail stores, prescriptions, grocery stores and travel.  Many of the service providers on this website have been verified for 2016 senior discounts.  Please be sure to check when you visit one…

The University of Colorado Golden Buffalo Marching Band entertains spectators at each home game with their dynamic sound, lively marching style and creative formations.   By Lynn Zahorik; photos courtesy of University of Colorado and Penny Jordan Every football season, the University of Colorado Golden Buffalo Marching Band (GBMB) thrills thousands of spectators with exciting…

Karen Armato and her children Sammie and Kari (front row) photographed here with The Lettermen band in 1972.  These years set the stage for decades of musical memories for Armato and her family.  By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Karen Armato It is a musical love affair decades in the making.  Since 1970 Karen Armato…

Submitted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce; Photos by Lynn Zahorik A gorgeous sunny day at Plum Creek Golf Club was the setting for the annual Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce golf tournament, held on September 19.  The golfers enjoyed a fun day that started with Bloody Marys and burritos, followed by 18 holes…

The Keep is a new 1,100-acre residential project located just southwest of Sedalia.  Upon completion, it will have 64 home sites and 745 acres of natural reserve open space. By Elizabeth Wood West; photos provided by Koelbel and Company Denver area developer Koelbel & Company has broken ground on its newest high-end residential project called…

It will be time to hit the slopes before long.  Get a pass and make plans for some great skiing and boarding this season.  Here is the run-down for 2016-2017 season pass information: Epic Schoolkids Colorado Pack The Epic Schoolkids Colorado Pack is FREE for kindergarten through fifth-grade students.  It provides four days of skiing…

Zack (left) and Grant (right) raised funds and awareness – along with Nick – during the Cancer League of Colorado 5K. Article and photo by Lynne Marsala Basch Castle Pines residents Zach Fornelius, Grant Gooding and Nicholas Gooding had energy left for some fun after the 20th Annual Cancer League of Colorado’s Race for Research…

By Patte Smith Wisdom Within These Walls, an education and entertainment organization whose mission is to inspire cultural re-consideration of the question of wisdom and the vitality and strength that accompanies aging and seniors, will present “Wisdom Matters.”  This very special readers’ theater production, based on interviews conducted with seniors in the local area, has…

Submitted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce Please join the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce in helping to change the lives of homeless students right here in our area.  In 2015, there were 910 homeless students in the Douglas County School District.  This number seems unreal given that Douglas County is one of the…

Information provided by Discovery Running Join the City of Castle Pines and Discovery Running in their all new Castle Pines Run Club! The Castle Pines Run Club meets every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in front of Duke’s Steakhouse.  Enjoy a three-to-four mile jog followed by a post-run social. There are also opportunities for destination runs…

Article and photo by Elean Gersack Have you ever been caught in the back-and-forth of trying to plan and coordinate a meeting with several different people, all of whom have different schedules and availability?  Talk about a logistical nightmare!  Not any more … Scheduling a meeting or event has never been easier.  Doodle.com and the…

By Patte Smith, photo courtesy of the Castle Rock Fire Department This year Castle Pines area kids have two not-so-scary shopping areas where they can gather goodies.  Trick or Treat Street(s) will be on October 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the shops and businesses along Castle Pines Parkway and also at The…

By Kathy Fallert; courtesy photos The Garden Club at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) hosted its 2nd Annual Farmers Market fundraiser event.  And just like last year’s event, it was a huge success in providing funds to the school’s upcoming plans for the outdoor educational garden.   The farmers market event raised more than $800 during…

A temporary Journey Church sign hangs at the construction site where the new church will be located and a rendering of the 14,250 square-foot Journey Church currently being constructed. Article and photo by Patte Smith; rendering courtesy of Journey Church Construction crews have started excavating the 12.6-acre Journey Church site, located at 9009 Clydesdale Road. …

Information provided by the Tri-County Health Department The final drive-through household chemical roundup this year will be held October 1 at 175 Kellogg Court in Castle Rock from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is offered free-of-charge to Douglas County residents.  However, participants will be asked for a $25 contribution to help offset the…

By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anthonette Klinkerman On a late August evening at Civic Green Park in Highlands Ranch, Castle Pines author Anthonette Klinkerman celebrated her latest book, “Aloha, Mr. Hand:  An Alternative Trip Through Education” with her supporters.  The collection of stories relays the remarkable accounts Klinkerman witnessed throughout her years teaching…