Read the stories from the latest issue:
Information provided by the City of Castle Pines; photo by Paul Masovero At a time when it feels like development may be taking over the community, it is breathtaking drives like this one just west of the Wildcat Mountain Trail parking lot on Monarch Boulevard (looking west) that remind us of the beautiful dedicated open…
By Terri Wiebold Have you had any tattoos or body piercings within the past 12 months? Have you spent three months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980 to present? Have you traveled outside the United States within the past 12 months? Are you currently under a doctor’s care for surgery or an illness?…
By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of The Country Club at Castle Pines The Country Club at Castle Pines (CCCP) has a new twist on an old favorite, happy hour! Members bring their dogs to accompany them on the social lawn for “yappy hour” where they frolic in puppy pools and enjoy treats alongside their owners.…
Information provided by Guaranty Bank The holding company for Guaranty Bank and Trust Company announced in June the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the holding company for Castle Rock Bank. Following the closing of the transaction, Castle Rock Bank will be merged into Guaranty Bank and Trust and all Castle Rock Bank branches…
Jane Jenkins, TTE B.A.S.E. program team leader, contributed to the program’s success and high-performance standards, which resulted in a COA honor. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Janie Ino Recently, the Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) Before and After School Enterprise (B.A.S.E.) program received honors for its hard work and dedication to the students, parents,…
By Michelle Post I have been a fan and user of Google Alerts since its inception in 2003 and have found it to be very useful in my business. This free tool is a great way to track online activity about you, your brand, your product or your industry. Here is how it works –…
Six TTE families worked together to pack food bags for almost 70 families in need. Individualized lists were used to gather food items for Fresh Harvest. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Spitzer Castle Pines resident Anna Spitzer and her family actively volunteer in the community. Last year, Spitzer approached Timber Trail Elementary…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Grilling really is the perfect way to prepare food. It’s fast, it produces delicious results and it cleans up with a minimum of fuss. The moment the mercury on the thermometer rises above 75 degrees, the grill is my go-to for delicious and fast meal prep. All summer we…
Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik Underneath the blanket of blue skies and mild temperatures, area runners took stride on the golf paths of The Ridge at Castle Pines North golf course for the inaugural “Run The Ridge 5K” event on Sunday June 25. Nearly 100 runners of all ages enjoyed the rare opportunity to…
By Patte Smith Many baby boomers and older adults wait for school kids to get back in their classrooms or return to college before taking a trip. The crowds have thinned out, and late summer and fall can be a peaceful time of year to travel. I started researching tours for adults over 50 and…
Diagram (from Nasa.gov) showing the Earth-sun-moon geometry of a total solar eclipse. By Lynne Marsala Basche; courtesy photos On Monday, August 21, enthusiastic skywatchers in North America are in for a treat; a total solar eclipse. During a solar eclipse, the moon slowly passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking all or part of…
WFS President, Ranee Wilson (right) pictured with Jon Hulme (left), operating partner for Kneaders in Lone Tree. By Kathy Fallert; courtesy photos Wholesome Food Services (WFS) began six years ago as a grassroots efforts of parents and nutrition experts in Colorado to offer a convenient and unique lunch program for schools. Their mission is to…
By Amanda Merriman During the past few years, the idea of mindfulness has been omnipresent in our culture. For instance, there is a pilot program on mindfulness for students and teachers at Bear Creek Elementary here in Douglas County. Workplace wellness sessions can be found in many businesses, and classes geared toward aging gracefully through…
Squire in front of the Taj Mahal in India as part of Semester at Sea. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Sydney Squire Sydney Squire of Forest Park set sail in January for a journey that would last more than 100 days and take her to 13 countries. Squire is a nutrition major at the…
A bento box lunch is both tasty, beautiful and anything but boring. By Lisa Crockett It hardly seems possible, but this month school is back in session. Laid-back meal schedules and snacking with no particular agenda is out, and structured mealtimes are back in. It’s not all bad news. A little planning and creativity can…
By Patte Smith The Castle Pines community has many homeowner associations (HOAs) and each one handles trash removal and recycling independently for its members. There are three primary waste companies serving the City of Castle Pines and the communities of Castle Pines Village, Happy Canyon, Surrey Ridge, and other unincorporated areas in the 80108 ZIP…
Information provided by Douglas County School District This is the ninth year of the Douglas County Educational Foundation (DCEF) Lend A Hand Back 2 School Supply Drive. Last year’s effort provided more than 1,500 students with supplies ranging from crayons to composition books. Supplies were collected by 60+ organizations and individuals who contributed to the…
The Shuster family may be the only known case in which a married couple has FSHD on both sides of their family. The couple is involved with the FSH Society and are planning the second annual Walk and Roll to Cure FSHD on September 9 at the Philip S. Miller Park. By Lynne Marsala Basche;…
Providing homes to rescued cocker breeds By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of RMCR In 2009, Douglas County resident Kathryn Glass founded RMCR after volunteering for other rescue organizations and developing a network of contacts and shelters. RMCR became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and remains the only state-licensed cocker spaniel rescue facility in Colorado. Glass recognized…
Article and photos by Patte Smith Surrey Ridge sometimes feels like small-town USA, which is a good thing. Neighbors are friendly and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at many of the events held at Surrey Ridge Park. On Sunday, July 9, car guys and gals showed off their classic and snazzy vehicles at the third Annual…
National Senior Citizens Day recognizes positive contributions senior citizens make in communities across the U.S. The day was also created to bring awareness of social, health and economic issues that affect senior citizens. Former President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Senior Citizens Day in 1988. It is always celebrated on August 21, which is…
Typically, people think about donating items to food pantries during the holiday season, but summer months find families in need of nutritious food as well. As part of the 9Cares Colorado Shares program, Bringing Hope to the Table boxes can be purchased at King Soopers stores (pictured right), including the location on Lagae Road in…
Maria Pangalos and other exchange students from around the world with the local AFS volunteers breaking fast in the city of Kuala Lumpur in Dataran Merdeka (freedom/national square). During the month of Ramadan, nothing should enter the body from dawn until dusk, so coming together to break fast is a special celebration. Article and photos…
Castle Pines teenager Taylor Rae recorded seven new songs this spring in Nashville. She also made a music video for her single “13 Stripes and 50 Stars,” — to check it out, visit: www.officialtaylorrae.com. By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of Taylor Rae Local musician Taylor Rae got her start in performing by singing the national…
Did someone say party? Residents of all ages came out for the 2016 Party in the Park. You are invited once again to partake of the food, fun and fireworks at this annual community event. By Terri Wiebold; courtesy photos Brought to you by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce, The Castle Pines Connection and…
Crave Sushi? Swim over to Blue Sushi Sake Grill I love sushi. I really do. While I understand not everyone is as big a fan of raw fish as I am, if you are looking for a fun place to get your omega-3s, swim on over to The Streets at SouthGlenn and give Blue Sushi…
Information provided by the City of Castle Pines The Castle Pines City Council is moving to implement recommendations made in the City’s Master Transportation Plan to improve safety and quality of life in Castle Pines. Residents have voiced concerns regarding the speed of vehicles on local roads and the impacts on safety and the character…
By Patte Smith New this season, two sessions of basketball are being offered by Castle Pines Athletics. The fall session runs from October 16 to December 9 with no games on November 20 to 25. Deadline to register for fall basketball is September 25. The winter basketball season is from January 15 to March 10,…
In addition to the athletes who live and train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, the complex welcomes approximately 130,000 visitors each year and offers guided tours daily. Pictured are Andrew Amayo (left) and Jack Basche (right). Article and photos by Lynne Marsala Basche Olympic enthusiasts may not know the event’s theme song is…
As with each generation there are major events that occur (some horrific, others enjoyable and fun) that can’t help but influence and define a unique attitude and set of values. Although Gen X has been called the lost generation, they are very much alive and kicking. Article and collage by Michelle Post; courtesy photos According…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of “Walk with our Pioneers – A Collection,” by Alice M. Thompson In our July segment of Wildcat Lore, we encountered the Wolfensbergers, Reynolds and Bardells, homesteading risk-takers in these Wildcat Mountains. Dreams came true only for the Wolfensberger families while the others were crushed by accidents and poor health.…
Information provided by Douglas County Consistent with the Board of Douglas County Commissioners’ commitment to open, transparent and accountable government, the Board retained consultants to conduct an independent survey of Douglas County voters. The survey assessed voter satisfaction with delivery of County services and requested input on the Board’s spending priorities and quality of life…
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. “You don’t always get to know what happened, or…
By Michelle Post On a recent visit to Walmart, I was surprised to see the school supply display. I could not believe it was already that time of the summer. I remember going school supply shopping with my mom and picking out my new pencils, crayons, paper, folders, glue and more. As I thought about…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Mandy Krause Pictured left to right: Neighbors and friends Matt Carlson, Jason Krause, Mandy Krause, Amy Carlson, Louise Melbye and Scott Melbye enjoyed the evening of July 3 at The Country Club at Castle Pines Fire Cracker Scramble Golf Tournament. The six-person nine-hole scramble included unique rules for…
The Rausch family are MCT alumni and performed as merchants and farmers in “Jack and the Beanstalk.” By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Dave Tweed On Saturday, July 22, children from Castle Pines brought the characters from the classic story of “Jack and the Beanstalk” to life. The Missoula Children’s Theatre production included weeklong…
Dr. Jason Ortman and Dr. Jamie Anderson of Castle Pines Eye Care are giving back globally by partnering with the OneSight organization to help bring a temporary eye care clinic to Mexico and a sustainable eye care clinic to Zambia, Africa. Both doctors plan to offer their services for future international trips. By Kathy Fallert;…
By Michelle Post; photo courtesy of Barb Findlay In true patriotic fashion and celebrating our nation’s independence for the Fourth of July weekend, Castle Pines Parkway was lined with five crisp, beautiful American flags. Special thanks to Gary Leiker with RE/MAX Professionals for presenting the idea to the city council and for donating the flags…
Information provided by Douglas County Are you a Douglas County resident with a love for the County Fair and Rodeo tradition as well as a background in the music industry and family-friendly entertainment? If so, you could be the next member of the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo Board – representing a community tradition that…
The Raptors U15 silver division champions at the USAFA tournament. Pictured from left to right front row: Justin Schwab; second row: Coach Joel Pick, Danny Zimmerle (CP), Tripp Thompson (CP), Jack Meigs (CP), Zach LaForest, William Bobby (CP), Jack Basche (CP), Jackson Wisler, Alex Fuselier (CP), Coach Randy Fuselier (CP); back row: Grant Gooding (CP),…
Mark Lewicki, Director of Sales and Marketing Information and photo provided by The Country Club at Castle Pines The Country Club at Castle Pines (CCCP) is pleased to introduce its new Director of Sales and Marketing, Mark Lewicki. Lewicki joined the club at the beginning of June and he has been busy, having arrived shortly…
Matthew Givin of Castle Pines, a recent Rock Canyon High School graduate, was selected by the Marlins in the 20th round of the Major League Baseball draft By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo Many athletes dream of the moment their name is called in the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft; for Matthew Givin of Castle Pines,…
Pictured left: The RCHS girls golf team after placing second at the state championships at Rolling Hills Country Club in Golden in May. From left to right: Alexis Chan, Brandy McClain, Brooklyn Murphy, Amelia Lee (CP)and Ashley Kozlowski. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Chang Lee “We had almost the perfect season,” said Rock Canyon…
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. Summertime is the perfect time for a thriller. That…
Information provided by TTE Timber Trail has a philanthropy opportunity just for our school on Friday, July 7 (6:45 p.m.- 8:45 p.m.) to pack bags of food for those in need. Then on Saturday, July 8 (8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.) to help on distribution day to give out the food bags and fresh food to the…
Article and photo by Terri Wiebold The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) girls volleyball program hosted its fifth annual summer fundraising tournament in June. Thirty teams comprised of two girls per team from schools all over Douglas County competed for prizes and bragging rights. The event is an opportunity for friends who attend different schools…
Information provided by the City of Castle Pines In June, traffic on Lagae Road north of the southern roundabout was rerouted, bypassing it completely. The new Lagae Road detour is designed to accommodate final construction of the roundabout. The road improvements are part of the construction of the Castle Pines Valley development. Learn more about…
Information and photos provided by Beverly Coggins The Country Club at Castle Pines celebrated its amazing members and showcased its menu and chef at the annual summer “The Taste” event in June. Members sampled more than 60 wine, liquor and beer selections and enjoyed live music performed by classical guitarist Ron Dorr.
BRE perfect attendance recipients (pictured from left to right) Heath C., Gavin G., Jake P. and Principal John Veit. By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Valerie Miller What’s worse than finding out you have a doctor appointment on the last day of school when you’re just about to complete a year of perfect attendance? That…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett When the weather gets hot, I have some pretty strong, nostalgic cravings. July in particular, with its attendant Independence Day pool parties and barbecues, really gets my taste buds set for something cold and sweet. In my mind, there’s nothing better than homemade ice cream in a cone, drippy…
Mueller State Park offers grand vista viewing of several mountain ranges, a site to behold. Article and photos by Michelle Post Colorado has 42 state parks, and Mueller State Park in Divide claims the title of the second most visited park in the state. Only 45 minutes west of Colorado Springs, visitors can take Hwy…
Fifty RHMS eighth-grade students at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., the first stop on their five-day trip. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Sharon Majetich Since opening its doors in 2003, Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) eighth-grade students have had the opportunity to participate in an end-of-year trip to Washington, D.C. This year’s students…
By Lynne Marsala Basche On May 25, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) held two sessions and met with residents at the Castle Pines Community Center. Public Information Officers Lauren Lekander and Jason Blanchard, along with Crime Lab Manager Tracey Montano hosted the event with a goal to have an open discussion on collaboration and…
From left to right, volunteer Nisha Thiruchelvam (Malaysia) and students Rury Hmaidan (Italy), Jamain Bauer (Germany), Maria Pangalos (USA), Matteo Sahuc (France), and Noemi Giglio (Italy), pose with the Malaysian flag at their AFS orientation camp in the jungles surrounding Kuala Lumpur. Article and photos by Maria Pangalos, RCHS intern writer Junior year of high…
Jane Sanders By Nancy Koontz; photos courtesy of Cathy Kaier and family via Facebook The Castle Pines Village community is one laugh quieter following the passing of Starbuck neighbor and dear friend Jane Kathleen Sanders on May 23. Originally from St. Joseph, Missouri, the Sanders family moved to Colorado where Jane grew up in north…
By Michelle Post “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” — Lao Tzu In a world of “enough is never enough,” it is easy to forget meetings, birthdays, anniversaries and deadlines. However, there is hope to improve one’s daily focus and productivity and decrease stress. The word for the 21st century is…
PEGASUS RESTAURANT offers good food, good prices, and good old-fashioned character What do I like the most about summertime? There are many answers to that question; being outdoors, hiking, camping, going to the pool, watching the thunderstorms from my porch. But one thing stands out for me during the summer and that’s going to a…
Goats roam a hillside in Castle Pines as part of the city’s annual fire mitigation program. Information provided by the City of Castle Pines; photos by Paul Masovero For the third year in a row, the PineRidge Homeowners Association in Castle Pines contracted with Goat Green, LLC and its herd of goats to help work…
Animals are known to have a positive effect on people of all ages and can be an important part of an older adult’s life. Bonding with a pet is known to reduce blood pressure, stress levels, help lower cholesterol, fight depression and help protect against heart conditions. By Patte Smith; courtesy photos Millions of Americans…
Jack Dreyfuss earned his Eagle Scout ranking in April, and his love of scouting and art led him to create his final community-related service project, which was building 15 easels for Shiloh House. Dreyfuss (center) had the help of friends and other scouts working on his project. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Jack…
The Colorado snow did not stop the crew of “Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford” from building and filming an amazing backyard makeover of the Sethi home in Castle Pines. Above center, left to right, Gautam and Monica Sethi, winners of the “Backyard Paradise 2017” contest, show producer Chelsea Lipford Wolf and home improvement expert Danny…
The Gruenhaupt family at Nathan’s commissioning ceremony in CSU Fort Collins on May 12. Pictured from left to right: brother Jacob, father Darin, Nathan, mother Jenny and brother Sam. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Nathan Gruenhaupt Castle Pines resident and Douglas County High School graduate class of 2012, Nathan Gruenhaupt graduated on May 13…
By Lisa Crockett It’s a great time of year to stock up on fruits and veggies at the farmers market, and if you’re a gardener, it’s likely that the first evidence of your hard labor is beginning to make an appearance at the dinner table. It’s a delicious time of year, and a healthful one,…
U9 third-grade elite champions at USAFA on June 4 (pictured from left to right) back row: Coach Rob Smith, Head Coach Ray Cross, Coach Jeff Genuario, Coach Carlos Aragon, (Coach Justin Kliewer not shown); middle row: Alexander Brown, Patrick Mulstay, Cole Kliewer, James Cross, Aiden Mitchell, Spencer Smith, Jace Vaserbinder, Cayden Aragon, Parker Schultz, Wilson…
By Terri Wiebold; photo courtesy of Bob Wiebold Alberta Development Partners (Alberta), the developer of Promenade at Castle Rock (Promenade), submitted a preliminary project application to the Town of Castle Rock (Town) on May 24 requesting the annexation of two parcels of land from Douglas County’s jurisdiction into the Town. If annexed, the combined 21.7…
CPV Garden Club members Suzanne Awner, Wanda Ford, Pam Cooper, Susan McGuinn, Sharon Winders, Darcey DeRose and Judy Bat had a fantastic time showcasing beautiful fashions to their peers. Denise Snyder, owner of Mariel Boutique in Cherry Creek, enjoyed outfitting the ladies and describing the fashions as they took to the runway. By Amy Shanahan;…
By Lynn Zahorik; photo courtesy of Ted Tice Ted and Lynn Tice moved to Castle Pines in June from Chicago, Illinois where they both were born and raised. They were drawn to Colorado because of the active lifestyle which they had enjoyed when they lived here while Ted was employed by CoBank from 2004 through…
Article and photos by Michelle Post Michael Sherman (Sherm) is a man on a mission for kids. On Friday, May 26, Sherm hosted the second annual golf tournament for his organization, 4KidzSports.org. The tournament was held at The Ridge at Castle Pines North golf course (The Ridge). The weather was perfect, The Ridge personnel were…
The City of Castle Pines is dedicating time, manpower and financial resources to improve the roadway conditions in the city. To take a quick survey of the roads in Castle Pines, visit www.castlepinesgov.com/street-maintenance. Information and photos provided by the City of Castle Pines Summer road repairs are well underway in Castle Pines. The City is…