The Connection

By Terri Wiebold; photo by Paul Masovero The Connection received an inquiry about the large pile of dirt and equipment that is currently located on the northeast corner of N. Daniels Park Road and Santa Fe Drive (see inset).  According to Castle Pines Metropolitan District Manager Jeff Coufal, the equipment and dirt are part of…

By Lynn Zahorik As the last few weeks of winter drift away, many people are starting to plan their summer calendars.  Local swim families are gearing up to register for their summer swim teams.   Castle Crocs, the recreational swim team program within the Castle Pines North community, opens up their online registration for returning…

Information provided by the DCPC One in three girls and one in five boys will face the potential of sexual abuse before they are old enough to vote.  Very young children are at the highest risk.  For parents of children up to 7 years old, the Douglas County Parenting Coalition (DCPC) is offering a My…

Student Timothy Merkle, a Castle Pines resident, trying out the AT&T driving simulator at Rock Canyon High School on February 2 which is designed to show the dangers of distracted driving. By Jack Hibbett, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Suzanne Trantow A virtual reality simulator from AT&T recently came to Rock Canyon High School…

(Pictured from left to right) BRE students Olivia Bruns, Brooke Potter and Grace Bruns helped Dr. Claudia Folska whip up some egg salad on the “Cooking in the Dark” show. By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Nancy Potter This winter three Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) students participated on the Rocky Mountain PBS show Cooking in…

On the first Wednesday in February every year, high school student athletes across the country sign letters of intent to play their sport at the next level.  These students are committing to a sport while attending college in the fall.  We commend all the student athletes and celebrate the following who reside in our 80108…

Celebration day!  The Sanchez family poses in front of their new home with the Giveback Homes team.  By Kay Bryant; photos courtesy of Jessica Northrop Seven-year Castle Pines resident Jessica Northrop is a wife, mother and professional real estate agent who was looking for a way to give back.   She recently found it helping to…

By Michelle Post The Douglas County Libraries (DCL) website has a chest full of treasures in its online learning page (www.dcl.org/research/online-learning/) within the “Research” tab of its website.  One of those treasures is a learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals – Lynda.com.  This…

By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos The Castle Pines Connection is honored to have three Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) intern writers (plus one who is in Malaysia for the entire year), who contribute stories not only about happenings at their high school, but also community topics.  We would like to introduce our interns to our…

By Lynne Marsala Basche No one enters a marriage with the intention of getting divorced, but if that day comes, it is hard to know how to navigate the process.  Friends and family can provide support, but unless they have gone through it, they cannot relate.  When Castle Pines resident Carolyn Blue found herself navigating…

By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Jimmy’s Photography Sue Lee, one of the co-founders of the Sock It To ‘Em sock campaign (pictured center holding a cellphone) recently organized a special day of spreading love by teaming up with the Denver Peanut Butter Plan for an event called “Socks, Cops and Sandwiches.”   The day…

By Michelle Post I borrowed the title for part two of this series from a great TED Talk by the same name (see related story page 7).  Ask anyone how they make toast, and you will find out that no two people make it the same way.  How do you solve a wicked problem?  You…

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. “A List of Cages” is book that bolsters my existing faith in…

Some of the DCSM National History Day projects included Zoe Huene’s documentary on American track and field athlete and four-time Olympic gold medalist in the 1936 games, James Cleveland ”Jesse” Owens and Drew Gassman’s exhibit on primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist and UN Messenger of Peace, Dame Jane Morris Goodall DBE (formerly Baroness Jane van Lawick-Goodall). By…

By Patte Smith; courtesy photo For some older adults it is important to be able to stay in their home.  Volunteers from Neighbor Network help make that possible for many seniors. The senior population in Douglas County continues to grow and so does the demand for services.  Neighbor Network is a nonprofit organization that is…

By Lynne Marsala Basche The Castle Pines Connection sends an email at the beginning of each month with a link to the electronic edition of the newspaper, in most cases before the paper copy arrives in mailboxes.  The email highlights a few features that may be of interest to our readers and is also used…

Joy Myers and E.J. Barklage are hosts for free movie and wine nights in Castle Pines.  The events include a showing of a talk from Dr. Brené Brown as well as wine from OneHope.  Myers and Barklage have their own careers helping others and  they work together leading workshops.  By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of…

Information and illustration provided by DCSD Film of any sort is an enormous part of our lives.  From advertising to sports and music videos to documentaries, sometimes it seems inconceivable how these works of art are created.  The desire to make films usually starts at an early age and fortunately, for students attending school in…

Information and photo provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is introducing a pilot program to bring Front Range skiers and snowboarders to and from the mountains this winter. SnowStang, part of the CDOT Bustang® interregional bus service, will offer express round-trip service to six resorts on two Saturdays…

By Patte Smith Each month I am amazed by the people and organizations that make a difference to individuals, families and the community where we live.  Behind the scenes so to speak, these groups touch the lives of people who need a little kindness, a spark of caring. The Alzheimer’s Association’s SPARK! cultural programs (SPARK)…

Information provided by CDOT The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE) remind carpoolers that as of January 1, CDOT’s high occupancy vehicle (HOV) express lanes is now HOV 3+. The change means a vehicle must have a driver and at least two passengers in order to be in the…

Members of the Castle Pines Run Club rang in the New Year with a destination run at Waterton Canyon on January 1.  The sun was out, and spirits were high as members of the group ran either 14, 10 or 6 miles. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Ashley Oxton While some spent New…

Information provided by Douglas County Commissioner Roger Partridge, who was re-elected to his second term as County Commissioner for District II in November 2016, took the oath of office from District Court Judge Paul King last month.  Partridge’s wife Nadine held the Holy Bible while their young grandchildren stood in witness.   Following the swearing-in…

By Michelle Post Graduation rates in the Douglas County School District continue to climb, making more and more students likely to head off to college.  Recent data released by the Colorado Department of Education shows the on-time, four-year graduation rate in Douglas County is now 90.1 percent. College is not cheap, and it does not…

Seven-year-old Connor Wolff stood proudly displaying the trophy he won last month for riding a sheep for 12 seconds at the National Western Stock Show. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Rachelle Wolff Seven-year-old Castle Pines resident Connor Wolff made his mutton busting debut at this year’s National Western Stock Show.  The Timber Trail…

By Elean Gersack It may be hard to believe, but in a few short months school will be out, and the kids will need something to do.  Sure, it seems great to have a lot of downtime, but after a week or two, the words “I’m bored” may be said too often.  Camps always fill…

Information provided by Douglas County School District Are you watching your kids scroll through life with their rapid-fire thumbs and a six-second attention span?  Douglas County School District is hosting “SCREENAGERS: Growing Up in the Digital Age,” a documentary about the biggest parenting issue of our time. Physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston witnessed this with…

By Elean Gersack Did you know that there is a simple, pain-free, low-cost screening that can help detect calcium buildup in the arteries?  Offered through the Medical Center of Aurora, Coronary Calcium Scan Testing can be a useful tool in understanding risk for heart disease. Anyone can schedule a screening, but it is especially recommended…

Brad Parks, senior director of guest experience at the Denver Zoological Foundation, joined some fifth-grade students in front of their “trash-to-treasure” project.  All the fifth-grade projects were auctioned off, and $753 was donated to the Washed Ashore and Stand for Trees organizations. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson On January 9, Timber…

Linda Bulmer’s blend of entrepreneurial skills and her passion for fashion came together at Aspen Blu Boutique. By Kay Bryant; photos courtesy of Linda Bulmer Castle Pines resident Linda Bulmer has lived in 80108 since 2002.  As a wife and mother of four children (three are in college, the youngest at American Academy), Bulmer is…

By Patte Smith What great programs and activities the Douglas County Libraries (DCL) have created for our community in 2017.  Whether you are a romantic or a youngster, the month of February will find you “love” and a lot of laughs.   Love is in the air at the Castle Pines Library throughout the month…

By Elean Gersack February is heart month, so it is the perfect time to rethink recipes and activities to be sure yours is getting lots of love.  It becomes even more important as we age.   Diets should be infused with plenty of heart healthy ingredients.  According to the American Heart Association (AHA), there are…

By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of MorningStar Senior Living MorningStar at RidgeGate is a 265,000-square-foot facility with a 4.8-acre campus located in Lone Tree.  Residents can choose from independent living, assisted living, or memory care accommodations.  It is located at 10100 Commons Street in Lone Tree, near the Douglas County Library and the Lone…

Jerry Silverhart is new to town but not new to the insurance world where he has worked for the past 23 years. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Amy Franco The new year came in with a bang and so did the new Farmers Insurance office located at 7437 Village Square Drive, Suite 110, in…

Information provided by Douglas County Art Encounters There is still time for area sculptors to submit artwork to be considered for the 2017 Douglas County Art Encounters (DCAE) outdoor public art program.  All applications must be received online no later than February 11.  Selected work will be on display from May 2017 through June 2018.…

Information provided by Rich Nipert Orangetheory Fitness Castle Rock, which is located on Meadows Parkway in the AMC Movie Theatre complex, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony sponsored by the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce.  The VIP party and ribbon cutting ceremony drew more than 150 Castle Rock residents and excited new members. …

The 2017 Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, pictured left to right: Pamela Herrmann – CREATE Buzz, Stacie Chadwick – chamber marketing director,  Wayne Ruegge – CPA, Carla Kenny – chamber events director, Joe Roos – Hide in Plain Sight, Terry Hostetler – Castle Rock Bank, Greg Segal – Stone Segal Wealth Management…

Information provided by the Douglas County Youth Initiative Please join in and nominate special teens in the Douglas County community between the ages 13 to 19 who have overcome adversity and created positive change in their lives, as well as the lives of others.  The community’s participation is key in making sure these young adults…

Joe and Allison Sabia at their home in Castle Pines Village along with their two children Christina (8) and Joey (9), who attend Buffalo Ridge Elementary school. By Nancy Koontz; photos courtesy of the Sabia family Castle Pines Village resident Joe Sabia came out of retirement (although he was a stay-at-home dad for a while)…

Arapahoe Community College will construct a $40 million “Collaboration Campus” in Castle Rock.  The project will consist of two 54,000-square-foot buildings on a 14-acre site in The Meadows, west of Highway 85 and northeast of Castle Rock Adventist Hospital.  Joined by the Town of Castle Rock and educational partners Colorado State University and Douglas County…

The RMOTHG hiking at the Lair o’ the Bear Park in Idledale in January enjoying friends and braving the cold in Colorado at its wintry best. By Patte Smith; courtesy photo Yep, a gang of compadres can give you courage, promise you thrills and prepare you for situations you never thought you would be a…

Squirt – Dachshund/Rat Terrier mix, 12 weeks old, 3 pounds Information provided by the Dumb Friends League A puppy from the Dumb Friends League will be representing Denver during Puppy Bowl XIII on Sunday, February 5 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. as the world’s cutest sporting event returns to Animal Planet. The puppy from…

By Lisa Crockett Valentine’s Day is a great day to show your sweetheart how much you care, and sometimes the best way to show your love is by making a fabulous meal.  Even a novice cook can create something fantastic to eat using a few tried-and-true tricks (and sometimes a little sleight of hand).  So,…

By Elean Gersack It’s the biggest New Year’s resolution of all time … getting fit.  Now that we are past the first month of 2017, it’s time to cement those fitness resolutions so they really stick! I talked with James Park, director of sports performance for University of Colorado Steadman Hawkins Clinic Denver and got…

Friends and community members joined the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce and Omega Learning Center’s owner Lori Peeples and her family at the center’s January 10 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Article and photo by Lynne Marsala Basche The level of excitement inside Omega Learning Center on January 10 rivaled the blustery weather outside as the Castle Pines…

Blue Origin, an aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight services company set up by the founder of Amazon.com, has a passion for space exploration.  DCSM students had the opportunity to participate in an upcoming rocket launch.  “This has been an exciting journey for the students and we are looking forward to the launch!” said Nicole Gassman, DCSM…

Brian Young, fishing manager at Orvis, donated his time to help BRE fifth-grade students Genesis Torres (left) and Evan Scanlon (right) learn about the art of fly tying. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Lisa Recine The Buffalo Ridge Education Alliance (BREA), which is the school’s parent organization, asked each class at Buffalo Ridge Elementary…

Submitted by Melissa Anciaux, Douglas County Libraries The Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock is seeking volunteers age 50-plus who are willing to share their online dating experiences and advice by serving on an online dating panel.  The panel is part of the library’s two-part program “Love Is in the Air: Looking for Love…

By Amanda Merriman Nothing can inspire you more than watching the next generation learn a valuable skill.  After listening to my children talk about learning Spanish at school, I found myself wanting to improve my Spanish skills.  After a quick search in the App store, I found what I was looking for in Duolingo. Duolingo…

By Michelle Post What did you learn today? What mistake did you make that taught you something? What did you try hard at today? ~ Carol S. Dweck A growth mindset is key to personal and professional success.  This has been proven by Dr. Carol S. Dweck in her bestselling book, “Mindset: The New Psychology…

The top 15 spellers at BRE, pictured left to right: Madi, Jade, Sophia, Milena, Riley, Mia, Karlie, Heath, Chance, Kyle, Jaidyn, Taylor, Shwithi, Yeats, and Jon Michael. Article and photos by Kathy Fallert Friday, January 20, had 15 Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) fourth- and fifth-grade students feeling the jitters as they participated in the school’s…

Preserving American history is a priority for Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  SAR held a Revolutionary period camp for two days at Cresthill Middle School in Highlands Ranch last fall (pictured above), and they joined DAR last month at the Douglas County Commissioners meeting where they presented…

Article and photo 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. Excellent writing is at times quite a difficult undertaking. …

By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of April McCaffrey Since 2010, the residents of Cerney Circle in the KnightsBridge neighborhood have been stringing lights from one house to the next, connecting lights in a symbol of unity during the holidays.  April McCaffrey, the resident who came up with the idea after seeing it done in a…

Information provided by the City of Castle Pines; photo by Kathy Fallert Beginning in February, the City of Castle Pines will begin extending the end of Monarch Boulevard east through the [currently under construction] Lagae Ranch development to a new roundabout at the intersection of Monarch and re-aligned Lagae Road.  The new roadway is designed…

A great time was had by all who came out to provide 120 foster kids in Colorado with gifts for the holidays. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Tom Vieregger Stonecroft resident Tom Vieregger and Hidden Pointe resident Kuntal Vora were having a drink in a bar one day when the idea came up to…

Article and photo by Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of The Country Club at Castle Pines One of the great pleasures of the holiday season is all the shopping that is available at local crafts fairs.  Hand-made, one-of-a-kind creations are the best, and there were plenty of them to be found at The Country Club at…

This substitute teacher was very excited to be at BRE for the 9th annual cookie exchange day. Article and photos by Kathy Fallert It must have been the Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) staff’s favorite day of the year on December 15.  Yes, that is right.  It was the 9th annual cookie exchange held in the…

By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori DCS Montessori (DCSM) students were abuzz with the sole purpose of making the holiday season brighter for those less fortunate.  The entire school participated in different events and activities designed to spread good cheer. Denise Glenn’s primary class of pre-school and kindergartners collected Scholastic book points…

By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Lin Giampietro For the last six years, Team Stutler has been participating in the annual Jingle Bell 5K run/walk, which raises funds and awareness for arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability.  Friends and family from Castle Pines and the surrounding area joined in the fun on December 11…

The RHMS wrestling team puts on their game faces for the 2016 season. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Richard Diehl Wrestling at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) has ebbed and flowed over the years.  At one point, the school could not field a team due to the lack of a coach.  This year,…

By Elean Gersack There are many great fields and parks in Castle Pines available by reservation for sports practices, parties or gatherings.  The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District manages Coyote Ridge, Daniel’s Gate and The Retreat Parks while the City of Castle Pines manages Elk Ridge Park.  Here is how to make reservations: Coyote Ridge,…

TTE students were excited to help make the holidays bright for those less fortunate with various school drives this season. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students spent the holiday season thinking of others and providing for those less fortunate.  Every student was involved in some way and…