Read the stories from the latest issue:
More than $50,000 in scholarship money was awarded to staff members from the Country Club at Castle Pines. Executive Board member Archie Anderson (far left) and Employee Scholarship Foundation President Cindy Lantz (far right) recognized each of the winners at an awards reception on August 6. Pictured left to right: Cody Kent, Lauren Simpson, Reed…
Wildflowers in Colorado are in full bloom, even into early fall Article and photo by Joe Gschwendtner This picturesque meadow of penstemons is located on the Gothic Road in Crested Butte and was still in full bloom in August when this photo was taken. The heavy rainfall has made for a longer bloom season for…
By Steve Baska; photos courtesy of Carla Kenny The summer concert series in Castle Pines has been a hit with residents and a success for the sponsor, the Castle Pines North Master Association. The final concert will be held September 7 at Coyote Ridge Park. The concerts have drawn hundreds of people who bring lawn…
By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of the Dumb Friends League On Saturday, September 20 from 8 a.m. to noon, dogs and their owners are invited to unite at Glendale Farm Open Space for a romping good time on the trails. The event includes a 1.6-mile hike, and doggie participants can also play in the open…
Left to right: Caroline (8), Melissa (11), and Christopher (5) Caid of Castle Pines Village after reaching the summit of Mt. Sherman at 14,036 feet on July 27. At five years old, Christopher is one of the youngest climbers to reach the summit completely unassisted. Melissa, who organized the climb said, “I felt like I…
Adams biked 112 miles through the Maritime Alps during the 2014 Ironman France competition. By Elizabeth Wood West; photos courtesy of Mark Adams Mark Adams has always enjoyed swimming, biking, and running for recreation and fitness. However, after watching men and women compete at the 2012 Ironman Texas event, Adams’ idea of recreational fitness would…
By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Katie Abner In anticipation of school starting, families at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) hit the weeds, rocks, and more to freshen up the exterior of the building before the first day of classes. Katie and Andy Abner live just around the corner from the school and initiated the…
Just peachy: fresh, late-summer delights Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Harvest is in full swing. With the bounty that is available at the supermarket and the farmers market, it can be hard to decide what’s best to have for dinner. Corn, beets, potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and more zucchini than you can shake a…
Article and photo by Elean Gersack Summer break isn’t for everyone. Plenty was happening behind the scenes at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) this summer to help gear up for another great year. Over the summer, the walls around the building got a good cleaning before being brought to life. Gone is the boring beige…
By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Woody Howarth Sterling Building & Design was pleased to premiere its showcase homes in Castle Pines Village during a luxury tour on August 10. Several hundred people toured the homes and enjoyed refreshments, beautiful views, and spectacular craftsmanship in the one-of-a-kind homes. Builder and designer Woody Howarth remarked, “The…
By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Audrey Will Castle Pines Village resident Max Will (left) was enjoying the Colorado Rockies game against the Cincinnati Reds on August 15 when he saw a fly ball coming directly at him. Will reached out and caught the ball bare-handed! Soon after, a Rockies stadium manager approached Will to…
A great group of girls from First Tee of Denver enjoyed spending a day at The Country Club at Castle Pines on July 22. The girls enjoyed golfing and lunch with members of the Ladies 18-Hole Association. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Brian Nishi The Ladies 18-Hole Association at The Country Club at Castle…
A bear sighted leaving a Surrey Ridge yard after visiting the bird feeder. Two black bears that are very dark in color – a cub and its mom – have also been seen roaming around Castle Pines as well as Surrey Ridge this year looking for food sources. By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Lesca…
The RCHS Touchdown Club hosted a family barbecue following the game on August 16 to bring all players and families together to build community. Here, Coach Lamb regroups with the team as they prepare to kick off the RCHS 2014 season. By Kathy Fallert; photo by Dave Tweed Starting his second year as Rock Canyon…
Seven-year-old Brady knows cars, and he loved checking them out at the Hot Rods in the Village car show in August. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Several hundred people turned out in August to enjoy a gorgeous summer day and some really cool cars. The sixth annual “Hot Rods in the Village” car show…
The Douglas/Elbert Task Force’s (D/ETF) 11th annual Sassy Soiree fundraiser will be held on Friday, September 12 at the Douglas County Events Center in Castle Rock. Sassy Soiree includes a luncheon, runway fashion show, silent and live auctions, and boutique shopping. This lively mid-day charity event benefits the emergency services provided by the D/ETF, a…
The Joseph family’s combined efforts have resulted in raising both money and awareness for Urban Peak and homeless youth throughout the Denver area. Pictured below left to right: Jeff and Kirby Joseph, Justin Joseph, Josh Benker, and Cheryl and Gary Joseph. By Amy Shanahan; courtesy photos The second annual Urban Nights event in support of…
These five outstanding incoming eighth grade students at Rocky Heights Middle School were chosen to attend Rotary International’s leadership camp based on their grades, community service, and leadership abilities. Left to right: Renee Palmer (co-chair), Joshua Bullock, Coco Wang, Liam Zdravecky, Madison Tran, Bryce Duston, and Gary Bartmann (co-chair). Not pictured: Allison Bordeaux, Ashley Bordeaux,…
By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of Nicole Dina Photography Castle Pines resident Brianne MacEachran owns Brass Elephant Consulting, a firm that provides education planning and college admission consulting services to help students reach their educational goals. School is in full swing here in Castle Pines, and students are settling into the task at hand. High…
These outstanding eighth grade students were chosen to serve as school leaders at Rocky Heights Middle School. Castle Pines resident Phoebe Tweed is excited for her year. “I’m looking forward to giving presentations to classes and helping other students be successful in middle school,” Tweed remarked. By Amy Shanahan; photo by Dave Tweed Rocky Heights…
Hidden Pointe residents Michelle and Amber Cambell (on left) take part in a fused glass workshop at Art On The Edge in Castle Rock where Castle Pines artists have their art displayed. By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos Evette Goldstein is a calligraphist who teaches out of her Castle Pines studio and at Arapahoe Community College.…
A few of the Wacky W participants lined up in front of Rocky Heights Middle School for the 2013 race. Race routes can be found at www.wackyw.com. By Patte Smith; courtesy photo Calling all Wacky bicyclists – grease those gears, put on the helmet, climb into those flashy riding togs, and head over to Rocky…
Fifth grader Megan Ruder gets comfortable on a buoy stool, one of the new pieces of equipment in the Timber Trail Elementary library. Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) is starting a new year with lots of new tools for students in its library. Using funds raised by the Timber Trail…
By Amy Shanahan; photo by Dave Tweed The annual Kids Carnival in Castle Pines Village (CPV) took place on August 9 and all of the kids who attended had a blast! The CPV parks and recreation committee hosted the annual event, and they really outdid themselves this year with a bounce house, bounce obstacle course,…
Submitted by The Douglas County School District The number one priority of the Douglas County School District (DCSD) is the safety of our students and staff. We understand that if our students and staff are not safe, nothing else matters. When we say safety, we mean it in the broadest sense. We mean physical, psychological…
Photo courtesy of Brian Nishi Several members of the Ladies 9-Hole Golf Association at The Country Club at Castle Pines showed spirit at their annual fundraiser in support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Information and map provided by Susan G. Komen Colorado As we eagerly anticipate the 2014 Susan G. Komen Colorado Race for the Cure in Denver September 28 at the Pepsi Center, we are thrilled to announce several exciting changes to this year’s Race, including a new Race route, more parking, and a later race start…
Someone mentioned getting into an “X’”for Fragile X Syndrome and literally moments later it happened! By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of The Ansay Family The first-ever XDrive Classic Golf Tournament to support significant special needs children at The Joshua School (TJS) in Denver was held on Monday, August 4 at The Club at Pradera in…
By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Aspen Walker These gentlemen golfers donned dresses at the 6th hole to take advantage of the opportunity to tee off from the women’s tee instead of the men’s tee. It was a day full of fun at the annual Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce golf tournament, “A Day on…
Castle Pines Storm front row left to right: Head coach (and post-grad secretary at Rock Canyon High School) Christina Kwon, Ben Brown, Claire Isert, Sam Isert, and Kaitlyn Brown. Back row: Derrick Fraser, Max Mills, Edward Yi, and Jacob Brown. The majority of the team is comprised of HOA 1 and HOA 2 residents. By…
By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of Kristin Ruder Team “Wine, Not Whine,” comprised mostly of athletes from Castle Pines, took first in their age division for the Ragnar Trail relay this summer in Snowmass. Top row, from left: Jennifer Faulkner, Teri Scott, Jennifer Caughlin; bottom row, from left: Gwen Karaba, Kristen Narlinger, Kerri Zukosky, Kristin…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos by Cindy Cranstone and Dave Tweed; courtesy photos Jerod Anderson turned 20 in June and is already making our community more colorful. A KnightsBridge resident for the last 13 years, Anderson graduated from Rock Canyon High School two years ago and is now headed into his junior year of college at…
Article and photos by Steve Baska A bystander wades past Laura Herrmann’s car stranded on Monarch Boulevard while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive. Hard rain that caused deep pooling in a low spot on Monarch Boulevard last month stalled cars there on two successive nights and caused Castle Pines officials to examine how to…
Article and photos by Elizabeth Wood West Ridgeline Family Medicine (Ridgeline) celebrated the grand opening of its newest medical office in June with a Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new Ridgeline clinic is located at 250 Max Drive, Suite 102, in Castle Pines (next to Walgreens). Ridgeline has two other medical offices…
Photo and caption by Elean Gersack Congratulations to the Castle Pines Womens 3.0 Green tennis team! The ladies are headed to state championships in early August. The ladies won their flight playoff match on Saturday, July 12 against Highlands Ranch Gold, 4-1. Pictured left to right: Sue Crisman, Alison Barbaro, Katie Abner, Mary Shannon Balakas,…
By Patte Smith Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) joins the celebration of Colorado’s acceptance into statehood with free access to all Colorado State Parks on Monday, August 4. (Colorado Day is a state observance on August 1.) Park entrance fees are waived, but activities like fishing and camping will still require a valid license or…
By Lisa Crockett Secure document shredding, provided by Shred-It, will be available free of charge to the Castle Pines community on Saturday August 9 from 9 a.m. until noon at the DCS Montessori School. Participants in the event will be invited to make a voluntary donation to DCS Montessori’s school technology fund. The event is…
Delicious nostalgia at Bonnie Brae Article and photos by Lisa Crockett There’s a certain magic in some foods. Taking ordinary ingredients and transforming them into something delicious is a small miracle, really. This is true of many foods, but it is especially true of ice cream. Cream, milk and sugar mixed with a little time…
Information provided by The Colorado Department of Transportation The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has two projects in the works that will directly impact drivers on I-25 between Lincoln Avenue and Dry Creek Road. Direct Lane Pilot Program On Monday July 14, CDOT launched a pilot program on southbound I-25 starting near Dry Creek and…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Colorado Children’s Chorale Group in front of the Jaromerice Chateau, Trebic, Czech Republic. From Castle Pines are Jack Barton (2nd row, sixth from right), and Hayden Arnold (2nd row, fourth from right). From Castle Rock are Emily Keely (front row, third from left) and Leah Doogan (front row, fifth…
By JulieAnna Reinhardt; photos courtesy of Andy Amick Hitting the open road will never look the same for one Castle Pines resident who took to it on the saddle of a mountain bike! They call it the Great Divide Ride, a 2,745-mile journey from Banff, Alberta, Canada across the entire United States to Antelope Wells,…
Information and photos provided by Douglas County On Monday night, July 21, 18th Judicial District Judge Paul A. King (right) swore in David A. Weaver (left) as the new Douglas County Commissioner District I. David A. Weaver was appointed on July 21 by the Douglas County Republican Party Vacancy Committee to serve the remaining six-month…
By Lisa Crockett It’s August, a time of year that many of us of a certain age equate with the last days of summer vacation. For most students in Douglas County Schools, however, class is in session well before even a hint of fall is in the air. School calendaring decisions are made by individual…
Article and photos by Amy Shanahan One Elk Pointe Lane in Castle Pines Village was the spectacular setting for a unique fundraising event held on June 19. The home, owned by Austin Tilghman is currently for sale and the owner worked closely with his listing agent Wanda Ford of Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty to coordinate…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I t’s August. For many of us, this month marks a return to normal life – if not right this minute, then soon. School starts, vacations wind down, and after the dog days, a hint of fall is in the air. But it’s still summer. Still time for long,…
By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Marti Jones Two of Wellspring’s participants are pictured here with the new products being offered at Tony’s Market. Steve Ogno, the manager of the Castle Pines store, is crazy about the dog bones that the Best Buddies Bakery produces. “My dog Brody loves the treats and he gets at…
By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Lisa Bartmann Gary Bartmann, who was recognized as the “Rotarian of the Year” by the Rotary Club of Castle Pines commented, “Giving back to the community brings me the greatest joy in being a part of this organization.” Castle Pines Village resident Gary Bartmann was recently recognized for his…
By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Officer Seth Morrissey Artist Janene DiRico-Cable painted the iconic American Heroes mural that features a very large flag under Meadows Parkway. The mural is a tribute to all service-related occupations such as fire, police, military, first responders, K-9, search and rescue, park/forest rangers, and the ultimate “heroes,” the family…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Stacia Wilkins From left to right, Kimberly Dunn of Highlands Ranch, Dave Morrissey of Golden, and Stacia Wilkins of Forest Park are all smiles after completing the 120-mile Triple Bypass Bicycle Ride. Friends challenging friends to be their best … that’s what Stacia Wilkins of Forest Park and her…
Article and photos by Lisa Crockett and Dave Tweed Kids in Castle Pines produced a play last month, an original version of “The Wizard of Oz,” in just under a week. As part of the Missoula Children’s Theater (MCT) Summer Tour – which visits cities throughout the U.S. for a week at a time –…
By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Mia Harlow If it is only one tiny moment of security or a single happy memory that may sustain a child, that is considered a success for Teena and Josh Gonzales. Talking with this Surrey Ridge couple is relaxing, uplifting, and an eye-opening experience of getting to know foster…
By Steve Baska; photos courtesy of Clear Creek Rafting Co. Castle Pines residents Steve and Vickie Baska (right side of raft) and Doug and Stephanie Moen (left side) rafted on Clear Creek, guided by Ken (back) from the Clear Creek Rafting Co. There are many day trip destinations within easy driving distance from Castle Pines…
By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of the Clapp Family Forest Park residents Jonathan Clapp, wife Kate, daughter Saige, and son Ben vacationing at their favorite destination, WaterColor, Florida. When Jonathan Clapp and his wife Kate braved a snowstorm with their realtor to visit a house in the Forest Park community in Castle Pines, which…
Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Classic cars are just part of the fun at the Hot Rods in the Village event on August 16. The owners of these beauties are full of stories and adventures and are happy to share. Food, drinks and live music round out this annual event in The Village at…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Debie Richardson Debie Richardson (center) and part of her team getting into the spirit at the start of the 2013 Susan G. Komen Denver Race for the Cure. Castle Pines’ very own star, Debie Richardson, was honored at the “Stars in Pink” luncheon for her fundraising efforts for…
Castle Pines father and son duos, Brad & Trevor White and Blake & Chris Patterson took first place in the tournament. By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of the Ihme Family and Jacquelyn Crady The Ihme Family Golf Tournament supporting Children’s Hospital Colorado raised more than $21,000 during its event on June 13 at the Highlands…
Pictured left to right: Rotary Club Ducky Derby Chairman Gordon Allott, ducky mascot, Rotarian Judson Mitchell, and visitor Lucas West at this year’s 18th Annual Ducky Derby. The Rotary Clubs of Castle Rock and Castle Pines 18th Annual Ducky Derby Race may have set a new record for fundraising; early estimates show this year’s event…
Information provided by Douglas County The Douglas County Fair & Rodeo would not be as successful as it is today without the vision, dedication, and hard work of its volunteers. Several different volunteer opportunities for youth, adults and seniors are offered during the fair, August 7-10. Volunteers will receive a four-day general admission pass. For…
Denise Kelly of Forest Park and her black lab blue heeler named Moe are excited to be a therapy team. Their first stop will be Swedish Medical Center where Moe will comfort pre- and post-surgery patients. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Denise Kelly Denise Kelly of Forest Park knows firsthand the power of a…
Mother’s Day 2008, Weez Altomari pictured with her two sons, Chris (left) and Greg (right). Greg lost his life to colon cancer in 2009. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of the Altomari Family Most of us have lost a loved one at some point in our lives, be it a relative, a friend, or a…
Bryan Warnecke’s team name is Pink Lightning, a tribute to the nickname his goalie coach gave him referring to his lightning speed and pink goalie pads. In 2013 Bryan and his dad Steve completed the two-day Courage Classic, and this year Bryan has set his sights on a much bigger goal. By Amy Shanahan with…
By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of Carla Kenny Spring cleaning and good reading go hand in hand in Castle Pines. For the fourth year in a row, residents convened at a “book swap” event sponsored by the Castle Pines North Master Association. Ten volunteers spent nearly four hours sorting and arranging more than 1,500 books…
Information provided by Douglas County Libraries Through the Partnership of Douglas County Governments (PDCG), nine partner organizations have worked together to create and launch a new countywide website for volunteers. This innovative community resource offers one-stop shopping for volunteers wanting to share their time and skills in the communities of Douglas County. “The online portal…
This May, half of AA’s graduating eighth grade class finished its entire elementary education at the school. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Terri Ary On May 22, a significant milestone was achieved at American Academy (AA). On that day, 34 of the 70 graduating eighth graders had the unique distinction of being the…
By Lynne Marsala Basche Choose the event, lace up those sneakers, and get moving in the 2nd annual Castle Rock Pick It! Run It! Rock It! Half Marathon. On June 28, 600 runners are expected to dash their way through Castle Rock’s charming streets, scenic open spaces, and along the shady East Plum Creek Trail.…
By Patte Smith A few Independence Day celebrations are close by in the Douglas County area and there are some fun ones planned in the Denver Metro area as well. A Fourth of July Parade, 5K race, and celebration will be held on July 4 in Highlands Ranch at Town Center North and South east…
FitCamp participants (left to right): Liah Lopez, Tracey Hopkins, Christy Lott, Linda Nystrom, and Abeer Miller. Castle Pines resident Marcio Stewart started a new program in January that is booming. He was looking for people to join him in a local fitness group that would exercise together at Elk Ridge Park since there is no…
Information provided by the DCSO The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) continues to receive reports of a fraudulent scheme where someone is representing themselves to be a DCSO deputy. The suspect calls on the phone and tells the citizen they have to immediately pay a fee in order to prevent their driver’s license from being…