The Connection

The spring musical production of The Music Man at RHMS featured incredible acting and musical talent by the numerous students who participated. Pictured (left to right) are several of the show’s stars, Rachael Merrill, Landon Hogue, Elysa Veta, Cooper Bridges, and Michaela Fullerton. By Amy Shanahan, photos courtesy of RHMS student Zoe Wilson and Susie…

Information provided by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office In response to an increase in population of individuals age 60 and older, the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office will host the second annual Fraud Prevention and Safety Summit on May 15 at the Parker Arts, Culture and Events Center (PACE), located at 20000 Pikes Peak…

The Castle View High School gala fundraiser in support of the music program was a fun-filled evening for all who attended. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Jeffie Kopp The Castle View High School (CVHS) band booster club was thrilled with the results of its gala fundraiser, held on April 11 at the beautiful Spruce…

By Amy Shanahan Village Wines has been a fixture in The Village at Castle Pines for the past seven years, and has gained a reputation as an excellent source for hard-to-find wines and personal, friendly service from the father and son owners, Brad and Braden Dodds. As of May 1, Village Wines is rebranding itself…

As the school year winds down at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE), the learning certainly has not. With an emphasis on doing, teachers at BRE have engaged students to take an active part in their education. Early in the school year, Principal Sarah McAfee was enthusiastic about raising the bar for academic excellence and rigor.…

By Elizabeth Wood West The public is invited to join American Legion Post 1187 at its two Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday, May 26. The first ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at Cedar Hill Cemetery (just west of I-25 on Wolfensberger Road) in Castle Rock. The second ceremony will be held at 11…

Vehicle Vault is a premier auto gallery and elite collector community for car enthusiasts. It is located east of I-25 on Lincoln Avenue in Parker and is expected to open its doors in the next few months. By Joe Gschwendtner; photo and graphic rendering courtesy of Vehicle Vault Welcome to Vehicle Vault, the premier auto…

The students provided their own equipment and worked hard to raise money to support the teams. Eighth grade student Joe Bryson is pictured here during practice. By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Melanie Lee and RHMS student Daniel Deschane Thanks to a few enterprising eighth grade boys from Castle Pines, Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) is likely the…

Jumping for Joy: Elliot (left) and Dominic Malsam are helping their parents, Molly and Randy, run a fundraiser at Jump Street Trampoline Park in Greenwood Village in June. Money will benefit orphanages in Uganda. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of Molly Malsam Castle Pines residents Molly and Randy Malsam are passionate about…

After an undefeated season last summer, the Castle Pines Storm swim team has been promoted to a new division. Swimmers (left to right) Cameron Karaba, Lauren Karaba, Kira Moar, and Jake Moar and their teammates are looking forward to the new challenges the new division will bring. By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of Gwen Karaba…

By Elizabeth Wood West; renderings provided by CU Denver Beginning in mid-August, the University of Colorado Denver and the University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Denver/Anschutz) will be offering courses for the 2014 fall semester at The Wildlife Experience – the wildlife art/natural history museum and cultural center located one mile east of I-25…

Information provided by Douglas County Douglas County will open the Castle Rock slash and mulch site for the 2014 season from May 3 through October 25. Operating hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Saturday. Additionally, Douglas County will make accommodations to allow mulch material to be picked up anytime during the season…

Lindsey and Jeremy Friedman have an extensive history in the garden industry and have long been active in the promotion of urban gardening. They enjoy spending time outdoors with their two young boys. “Like many Colorado residents, we get excited when spring comes so that we can plant our own pots and garden!” By Amy…

Fifth grade girls Emma and Lucy light up the stage during their performance of the song “Vogue” during the fifth grade show. By Jack Basche, BRE Ridgeline staff reporter; photos courtesy of Cari Ogg For the past 14 years, Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) School has put together an outstanding fifth grade show, and they did…

George Waggett’s participation in a running group through Achilles International has greatly increased his confidence. Aside from improving his running endurance, Waggett has enjoyed the support of other athletes with various disabilities. Waggett competed in the Cherry Creek Sneak 5K alongside Deb Conley, the president and founder of Lending Sight. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy…

These 19 players chosen for this year’s team represent the best of the best of talent spread across each age group and they make the games exciting to watch. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Visions Photography With eight wins and only one loss, the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) varsity girls soccer team is…

This elegantly-appointed and spacious private executive lounge is available for relaxing before and after flights and is stocked with beverages and snacks. It is part of the 5,100 square-foot facility which includes Jet Linx corporate offices, located at Centennial Airport, 8001 S. Interport Blvd, Suite 140 in Englewood. By Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of Jet…

Information provided by the Lone Tree Arts Center Guild and the Wild Animal Sanctuary The Lone Tree Arts Center Guild (LTACG) is hosting a fascinating and educational evening with Pat Craig, founder of The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS) in Keenesburg, Colorado. The event is April 21 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Lone Tree…

Charlene and Greg Johnson (pictured center) were excited to feature Moors and McCumber at their house concert on March 14. The concert attracted 65 people and the band didn’t disappoint! The musical duo performed well into the evening and utilized numerous instruments along with their unique harmonies to create a memorable night. By Amy Shanahan;…

By Steve Baska A representative of a new communications firm hired by the Castle Pines City Council discussed goals with the council on March 11. Council hired Slate Communications out of Ft. Collins on February 25. Depending upon the amount of work to be done, up to $6,400 per month was allocated, for an annual…

By RHMS eighth grade student Maria Pangalos Life is a journey, not a destination.  Why not enjoy the ride and make the best of it?  Get ready to turn your can’ts into cans and your dreams into plans because Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) has just the thing for you this summer.   During the…

Dr. Brad Duhon is the director of neurosurgery and chief of surgery at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital. He and his family moved to Happy Canyon in 2013 and have been adjusting to their new rural surroundings with humor and gratitude. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Deborah Duhon Duhon said, “When we were moving,…

By Elizabeth Wood West Developmental Pathways (DP) is inviting the public to attend its 50th Anniversary Golden Gala and 11th Annual Pathways Client Achievement Awards. The landmark event will be held on Saturday, April 26, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, 1881 Curtis Street in downtown Denver. DP is a non-profit agency…

With matching robes and lollipops as sweet as their smiles, the Splish Splash girls get ready to dance at the Buffalo Ridge Elementary School Variety Show. (Photo by Elean Gersack). By Hanna R., BRE Ridgeline Staff Reporter On Thursday, February 27, the Buffalo Ridge Elementary School’s (BRE) 2014 Variety Show took place in the morning…

By Kathy Fallert It’s that time again; tax season! For the twelfth consecutive year, a group of Colorado nonprofit organizations makes it as easy as ever to be eligible for voluntary checkoff donations from taxpayers through Checkoff Colorado. More than $1.4 million was raised in 2013 with an average donation of only $11. This year…

The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce 2014 award recipients (left to right): Sheriff Dave Weaver – Citizen of the Year, Terri Wiebold – Business Person of the Year, and Wendell Cummings – Ambassador of the Year. By Elizabeth Wood West; photos by Amy Shanahan The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce (CPCC) staff and members of the business…

Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Movies, television shows, music and audiobooks are now available to the community free of charge and require nothing more than a current library card. Library patrons now have access to streaming from “hoopla,” a vast catalog of media materials that are easy to access and are available for use…

By Steve Baska Since the new Colorado law legalizing recreational marijuana use went into effect January 1, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has kept on eye on marijuana usage in Castle Pines to ensure compliance. But many people may still wonder what exactly is allowed under the city and state laws that apply, so Douglas…

DCS Montessori kindergartner Alex Chapman (in wheelchair) didn’t let a broken leg keep him from participating in P.E. class with his friends. By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of DCS Montessori DCS Montessori kindergartner Alex Chapman likes to move. During the 10 minutes of P.E. class that students get to participate in the activity of their…

Students at TTE and BRE celebrate the end of their Winter Olympics. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Wight). Article and photos by Elean Gersack; courtesy photo On February 27, some incredible students at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) and Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) schools gathered for a very special Winter Olympics celebration. Jane Lenz and Niké Oleson…

By Elean Gersack Plans for the third annual Castle Pines Chamber Golf Tournament are in full swing. The joint fundraiser to support the chamber and this year’s charitable organization, The Douglas/Elbert Task Force, is planned for Monday, July 14 at The Golf Club at Pradera in Parker. A gorgeous venue for a great cause! Sponsorship…

Abby Kochevar of Forest Park took the podium for earning first place in the state championship for 100 yard backstroke on February 15 at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Adams County. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of the Kochevar Family Although Abby Kochevar of Forest Park had the fastest time at the state swimming…

Students on the Timber Team, Timber Trail Elementary’s student council, are collecting clothing, shoes, and other household items in a bin like this one. During the month of April, they are competing with other local organizations to see who can collect the most donations. Donations may be dropped off at any time. Article and photo…

Chip Hudson’s youngest son is a big fan of his father’s app for iPad and iPhones which allows tennis players to track their statistics. Whether a player wants to analyze their stats by game, set, or match, the information is accurate and immediately at their fingertips. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Chip Hudson Castle…

Castle Pines Eye Care Optical Manager Michelle Chalupa (left) stands with Cathy Rapp (right) and Anne Buel (middle) in front of Rapp’s bike series displayed in the hallways at Castle Pines Eye Care. Article and photos by Elean Gersack Nearly six months after getting settled into their new space on Max Drive in Castle Pines, Dr.…

Students from Mrs. Rumminger’s second grade class at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School got ‘drenched’ with weather knowledge during the month of March. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Blizzards, tornados, hurricanes, and other major weather events were all abuzz in second grade classrooms at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) during the month of March. With…

Isaac L. (center) is introduced to the RCHS student body, welcoming him with a rendition of their “I Believe” chant, saying “I believe in Isaac’s wish.” Article and photo by Andrew Bohren, RCHS intern writer; courtesy photo Ever since the 2009-2010 school year, there is one week in February when one school unites to grant…

Before, during, and after: An application to reduce commercial square footage (purple) and increase the number of single-family homes (beige) in Castle Pines Town Center resulted in further changes at the request of the City Council. The final plan, which was approved by the City Council in March, included moving a proposed school (blue) from…

By Joe Gschwendtner; photo provided by Will McCollum Smart phone applications usher in new ways of living for many of us. If you have not yet heard of UBER (oo-ber), a ridesharing technology platform, get ready. It’s coming soon to our Castle Pines neighborhood. Started in San Francisco in 2001, UBER was launched by Travis…

By Anthonette Klinkerman As it sometimes goes for reporters, a story touches you more than others and you wonder what happened in the years since. Imagine my delight when asked to cover this follow-up story about Tammy Krause, founder of Bags Of Fun. Time flies when you are providing backpacks full of fun diversions for…

Coming to Douglas County April 26, 27 & May 2 By Elean Gersack The 9Health Fair is celebrating 35 years of health screenings this year, and in late April and early May three Douglas County venues will play host – Castle Rock Recreation Center, Eastridge Recreation Center, and Parker Adventist Hospital (note: Sky Ridge Medical…

Chabad Jewish Center Meets at 9950 Lone Tree Parkway; www.denverjewishcenter.com. *Passover: April 14 until April 22; for information about events, visit the website listed above. Castle Oaks Covenant Church Meets at 826 Park Street, Castle Rock, www.castleoaks.org. *Easter Sunday services: April 20 at 8:45 a.m. &10:30 a.m. Castle Pines Community Church Meets at 7280 Lagae…

Jenna Patterson danced the night away with her dad Bill. “The best part of the night was spending time with my dad”, said Jenna. “I love him!” By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of The Country Club at Castle Pines Butterflies and special memories were the theme at the 18th annual Father Daughter Dance at The Country…

Orthodontist Brandon Linn and wife Lisa are happy to be raising their three children, five-year-old Cooper (left), eight-year-old Harper (middle) and ten-year-old Kennedy, in Castle Pines. Linn has been in practice in Castle Pines since 2004 and was recently honored by 5280 Magazine as one of their “Top Dentists.” (Photo courtesy of the Linn Family).…

Castle Pines resident Sheri Stouffer (left) was recently recognized for her incredible talents in window covering design. Grace McNamara (right), publisher and owner of Window Fashion Vision magazine presented Stouffer with a first place design award at a prestigious design competition in Las Vegas. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Sheri Stouffer Local window covering…

By Elizabeth Wood West Last fall, Douglas County and the Partnership of Douglas County Governments (PDCG) launched a survey and listening tours as part of its Douglas County Senior Initiative (DCSI). The purpose was to collect input from senior citizens and service providers in Douglas County to determine the needs of the elderly, if and/or…

By Elean Gersack The Dumb Friends League is touting this year’s Furry Scurry as “locally grown.” That’s because it has grown from local support to be the single largest dog walk across the country. Nearly 12,000 people and 5,000 four-legged friends take part in this annual tradition to support homeless animals. This year’s event is…

By Elean Gersack; logo courtesy of Steve Ihme and Drew Irwin Last August, we introduced our readers to the Ihme family and told the story of their annual golf tournament benefiting Children’s Hospital Colorado. Castle Pines resident Steve Ihme lost his brother Rich to leukemia in 1985, and every year since 2003 he and his…

Article by Elean Gersack;  photo courtesy of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has teamed up with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to help rid homes of unused or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The agencies will be on hand on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2…

Employees from Big O Tires manned phone banks and distributed “Little O” dolls to patients at Children’s Hospital as part of the Alice 105.9 radiothon “36 Hours for Kids,” which raised more than $1.8 million for the hospital. By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of Big O Tires, Castle Pines In keeping with a long-standing tradition,…

Information provided by Canyon Fitness April 30 from 5 p.m to 8 p.m., join in the celebration with live music, silent auction, zumba party, jagged edge crossfit challenge workout, and Taste of Castle Rock & Castle Pines. Open to Everyone! We are lighting up the building blue at 6:30 p.m – this event occurs around…

Brooks Kaufman, Lands and Rights of Way Director for IREA, spoke at a city council meeting in February. The council approved the construction of a new IREA substation in The Canyons development, adjacent to Happy Canyon Estates.  Article and photo by Lisa Crockett In February, the Castle Pines City Council gave the green light for…

Rocky Heights Middle School student Zach Merriman, whose family lives in Surrey Ridge, gladly had his head shaved in honor of his late “ninja” friend Justin Miller. Merriman smiled as he saw the transformation and his hair disappear. Always having a good attitude, Merriman acknowledges that this was a great experience. By Patte Smith; photos…

RCHS volunteers help students create art projects at Escuela Verde in Uvita, Costa Rica. By Michael Shapiro, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Stephanie Varga In Costa Rica, the median income per household is just above $7,000.  In Castle Pines, the median income per household is roughly $155,000.  While Costa Rica means “rich coast” when…

By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Mark Wilkins of Castle Pines Images More than 130 students participated in the “Puttin’ on the Glitz” fashion show, a favorite Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) tradition, on February 23 at the DTC Marriott. For the students who modeled, it was a fun opportunity to “rock the runway”, earn…

Sahil Malik (left) and Carter Spielmann (right) took first place at Timber Trail Elementary’s “Invention Convention” for their magnetized shoelaces.  The invention solves the problem of shoes that won’t stay tied. Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Have you ever been bothered by cold ears while skiing? Do bath towels on the floor drive you…

Castle Pines residents (left to right) Nora Gentile, Timothy Toole and Alexis Wilderman performed in the play “Life is a Dream” at Regis Jesuit High School and received outstanding reviews. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Patti Toole Over the weekend of March 14 to 16, Regis Jesuit High School (RJ) was proud to present…

By Amy Shanahan; courtesy photos Attaining the rank of eagle scout in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is an honor that only a small percentage of scouts receive. However, the Castle Pines community is home to a large number of these young men who have shown the commitment and leadership necessary to achieve the…

Dalton John Lambrecht By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of the Lambrecht family and friends Dalton John Lambrecht loved the color purple, air soft, riding four-wheelers, hunting, and a large variety of music. He loved his family and friends, good hugs, and making others feel welcome, loved and important. Dalton embodied all of these things, and…

Castle Pines resident Gregg Brueck is the dedicated athletic trainer for Real Colorado from Children’s Hospital Colorado. Article and photos by Elean Gersack Spring soccer will soon kick into high gear, so it is the perfect time to introduce Castle Pines resident Gregg Brueck to our readers. Brueck is the full-time athletic trainer for Real…

Pine Canyon development, formerly the Woodhouse-Scott Ranch, is a 535-acre mixed-use development that may be annexed later this year by the Town of Castle Rock. By Elizabeth Wood West; site plan courtesy of The Town of Castle Rock Pine Canyon, an expansive 535-acre planned development owned by the JRW Family Limited Partnership (Owner), is being…

By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Randy Freeland More than two hundred guests attended an elegant all-inclusive fine dining and wine sampling fundraising event to benefit the Women’s Crisis and Family Outreach Center (WCFOC) in February. The “Valentine’s Ball” event was sponsored by Bubbles Liquor World and was held at Cielo at Castle Pines.…

Colorado’s own “Firefall” took time back stage for a photo op with Castle Pines Connection staffer and event volunteer Sharon Kollmar (in yellow). Proceeds from the concert benefitted the Douglas/Elbert Task Force. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Peter Cranstone Colorado’s own platinum recording artist “Firefall” broke out some old favorites for the 30th anniversary…

NHTV students Ally Pfeiffer and Sydney Dicarlo (left)filmed their randomly-selected student Bryce Schmuhl and learned many interesting facts about his life. Lauren Kelly conducted the interview while Lyla Padden kept track of facts and noted them on the storyboard. The project was very labor intensive, but the end result was fascinating and enlightening. Submitted by…

These ten students from RHMS competed against the top math students in the region. Luke Zhang, Carissa Tan, Amber Liu and Sonia Chu took second place as a team and will move on to the state competition. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Christopher Gowing Rocky Heights Middle School was proud to take second place…

By Steve Baska The Douglas County Board of Commissioners recently replaced two resolutions that banned open carry of guns in its county facilities, parks, trails, and open spaces with a new resolution that allows open carry of guns in those places – with the exception being the Robert A. Christensen Justice Center where the courts…

Team member and Castle Pines Village resident Dane Westen felt pressure to win the Silver Sticks Hockey Tournament, knowing his team would be the first ever from the state of Colorado. “When we won the tournament in Canada we all got to throw our gloves, sticks and helmets on the ice and skate around and…