Read the stories from the latest issue:
Story and photo by Lisa Crockett Anyone who knows me or reads this column regularly knows that I am not afraid of fat and calories. Butter? Bring it on. Sugar? Yes, please. White flour? Sometimes nothing else will do. But what you may not know about me is that I would also like to live…
Daryl Navarro interviewed Miss Colorado Hannah Porter for his T.V. show Colorado SportsConnection. Porter played football for Arapahoe High School as a freshman, and went on to win the Miss Colorado pageant in 2012. “It’s so easy to root for good people,” stated Navarro. By Amy Shanahan, photo courtesy of Daryl Navarro Daryl…
By Amy Shanahan A new dining option will soon be available in Castle Rock across from the Outlet Mall. Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers recently broke ground near Lowe’s, and is set to open in early July. Freddy’s is a franchise location of an enormously popular restaurant with 89 stores in 14 different states. Freddy’s…
The RCHS Student Council proudly displays the check that will make wishes come true. Mara is in the middle, wearing pink. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of RCHS STUCO The entire Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) community united for Wish Week and made wishes come true for eight kids with life-threatening illnesses. The goal was…
By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of Lutheran High School Lutheran High School boys and girls varsity basketball teams took fifth and third at the state finals last month, a true achievement for a new program at a growing school. “It was a lot of fun to play with the team this year,” said Reilly Carew,…
Lili Sannino’s primary class at DCSM experienced a little bit of Bulgarian tradition last month while donning their Martenitsa masks to welcome spring. By Kathy Dunker; photo courtesy of DCSM Bulgaria has an interesting tradition related to the first of March and is based on the founding of Bulgaria in 681AD. Students in DCS Montessori…
Rotary Club of Castle Pines Charter President Karl Krueger (left) and current President Elaine Love (center) presented a $7,500 check to Alison Rakotonirina, executive director for the Colorado Haiti Project (right). By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Patricia Fiske Members of the Rotary Club of Castle Pines (RCCP) recently donated $7,500 to the Colorado…
By Chris Bonham Earth Day is April 22. For those who are unfamiliar with it, Earth Day is designed to raise awareness for what humanity can do to better conserve and protect the precious natural resources we have been given. Even those who have never heard of Earth Day may already know a few things…
Deputy Matthew Bach takes a quick break at Timber Trail Elementary. The school’s PTO and two local businesses sponsor a break station in the school’s front office to foster interaction between law enforcement officers and the school. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett A cup of coffee or a bottle of water is a small…
A Taste of … Ivy at the Glenn Article by Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of Ivy at the Glenn Walking into Ivy at the Glenn, located at the heart of the Streets at SouthGlenn shopping area, one of the first things you notice is the natural décor. Beetle-kill logs adorn the restaurant’s back wall from…
This rendering of the proposed North Meadows Extension was on display at the Town of Castle Rock’s recent open house at Castle View High School. By Elizabeth Wood West; rendering courtesy of the Town of Castle Rock The Town of Castle Rock’s (Town) recent open house gave residents from surrounding communities an opportunity to gather…
A day trip away Article and photo by Liz Jurkowski For a breathtaking day away from home, head northwest a bit, to Estes Park. Known as the Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, many of us have driven through it to get to the many hiking trails, lakes, wildlife, and scenery of the Park’s land.…
Cari Ogg waits patiently with Kona, Karma, Misty and Oliver, far from where students gather at morning drop off and afternoon pick up at Buffalo Ridge Elementary. Article and photo by Liz Jurkowski In an e-mail to parents on March 3, Buffalo Ridge Elementary’s (BRE) interim principal, Carrie Rotherham, reminded parents of the school district’s…
Diversity Day at RJ offers many surprises for students as they learn more about their teachers and each other. RJ theology teacher Matt Klassen is also a rapper named Paradox and he presented a seminar on the history of rap and hip hop in our culture. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Regis Jesuit In…
By Lynne Marsala Basche;photos courtesy of the Castle Rock Senior Center When you think about a senior center, you may conjure up visions of a dismal place where old people are propped in front of a television, day in and day out. If so, you are in for a surprise at the Castle Rock Senior…
Buffy the Buffalo is all smiles with BRE kiddos during “Evening with the Arts” on February 28. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Move over Rocky and Miles … students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary are all grins with Buffy the Buffalo! Buffy, the new school mascot, appeared for the first time earlier this year during…
The girls bonded on the retreat; one attendee said, “I learned to be confident and I loved making friends.” By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Staci McCormack Thirteen Douglas County high school girls, ninth through twelfth grade, attended the first Girls! Enlightened, Empowered, Empathetic Retreat February 15 and 16 at the outdoor education center in…
Castle Pines Boy Scout Troop 316’s new eagle scouts – (left to right) Richard Garnett Woodford, Jr., Andrew Stephan Landeros, and Evan Lee Albert. The eagle scouts posed with a live bald eagle, courtesy of HawkQuest, at their recent Eagle Scout Court of Honor. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Castle Pines Boy Scout…
Third graders in Mrs. Kennedy’s class read the book “Stone Fox” earlier this year, which was the inspiration for their Iditarod class project. By Karlie W., BRE Ridgeline staff reporter; photo by Elean Gersack Kayleen Kennedy’s third grade class reads the book “Stone Fox,” by John Reynolds Gardiner, every year. The story is about a…
A group of investors is looking to partner with local officials and the federal government for a new roadway proposal that could connect the City of Castle Pines to the Town of Parker. By Elizabeth Wood West; map provided by Douglas County Discussions about a new eight-mile roadway extending due east from Castle Pines Parkway…
The cast and crew of Valor Visual Arts performance of “Footloose” like to cut loose on and off the stage. They all truly enjoy being part of a fun and very active production. Front to back, left to right: two ladies laying over the knees Virginia H and Elizabeth P. Second row, left to right:…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Shades of Blue Castle Pines Resident and pilot Willie Daniels visited Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) recently to encourage students to explore the field of aviation as well as pursue studies in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Daniels is a graduate from the Aviation program at Metro…
Members of the Castle Pines Rotary Club attend each meeting of the new Interact club at RHMS and lend their support to these outstanding students. The Interact club is open to students in sixth through eighth grade at RHMS. Rotary members Jeff Mantz, Gary Bartmann, and Lisa Bartmann, along with RHMS counselor Kate Egan are…
Pilates in the Pines is now offering new state-of-the art equipment. The new Power Plate equipment is used by NFL, NBA and MLB players throughout the country to help enhance overall athletic performance. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Pilates in the Pines Pilates in the Pines, located in The Village at Castle Pines, has…
Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Archery is a sport that has become more mainstream, thanks to its popularity at the Olympics and to the impact of “The Hunger Games” books and movie. Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) is proud to be the only school in Douglas County, and the only middle school in the…
Leading Edge Physical Therapy celebrated a patient appreciation & business expansion in early February. Owner Sharon Wheeler (third from left) and the staff were very pleased with the community’s participation and that the event was such a success.
Congratulations to the Regis Jesuit girls swim team on winning the 5A State Championship!
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of RCHS Cheer & Kelly Happ The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) varsity cheerleading squad finished fifth place in the country recently. The squad competed at the Universal Cheerleaders Association National High School Championships at the Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Rock Canyon Cheer placed ninth at the national…
Mike Howell, aka Denver DJ Daddy, provides mobile DJ services for a variety of special occasions and venues. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Mike Howell Few of us are able to pursue the things we enjoyed in our youth once we reach adulthood. Software salesman and Castle Pines resident Mike Howell is one…
The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce “Sparkling with Success” Annual Banquet was held at Sanctuary on Thursday, January 24. Pictured above (top row, left to right): Castle Pines Connection staff members celebrating “Godfather” style; Chamber staff members Carla Kenny and Sharon Kollmar; Award recipients Tim Gamble, Kyra Hahn, and Dr. Jason Ortman; (Bottom row, left…
By Lisa Crockett The Solheim Cup, a bi-annual golf tournament sponsored by the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour, between 12 players from the U.S. and 12 players from Europe, is seeking volunteers to help staff the event. The tournament will be held in August at the Colorado Golf Club in Parker. “We really rely…
The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce has volunteer opportunities relating to office support including, but not limited to, clerical duties, answering the phone, and greeting visitors. Whether you are a student intern, retired, inbetween jobs, or looking for a chance to meet new people, just a few hours of your time would be of great…
Information provided by Anthontte Klinkerman The girls met on a Sunday at HOA 1 to be reminded of internet safety, practicing courtesy with friends and adults, and the importance of writing thank you notes. Klinkerman also shared her children’s book titled “Battle of the Grandmas,” and was thrilled to receive a thank you box of…
Fifteen talented seniors from Regis Jesuit confirmed their commitment to play their respective sports at the college level. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan On Wednesday, February 6, fifteen senior boys from Regis Jesuit High School (RJ) signed letters of intent to play sports at the college level. Among this group of gifted athletes was…
Article contributed by IREA The board of Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA) voted to approve the retirement of $3.65 million worth of capital credit checks at its February board meeting on February 5. Board President Tim White said it was the sign of a financially healthy electric cooperative. “I can’t tell you the number of…
This historic landmark, easily visible from I-25 and surrounding communities, is maintained by the Keepers of the Rock. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of POST Partners When driving through Castle Rock, it is impossible to miss the town’s namesake jutting majestically into the sky. Whether you have gazed at the lighted star atop the…
Castle Pines Village resident Teresa Vidger is unassuming in person, but is highly successful in her professional life. Her passion for real estate and relocation services led her to create her own company, which has received national recognition. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Teresa Vidger Teresa Vidger is a wife, a wonderful mom to…
Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski For a limited time, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS) has opened a temporary exhibit that has been thousands of years in the making. Mammoths and Mastodons is now open until May 27. Grab the family and plan a morning or afternoon at the museum. The museum’s…
Nancy Brown is the owner of Sparkles Bead Company in downtown Castle Rock. The shop hosts classes, birthday parties for kids, and girl’s night out. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Nancy Brown loves beads and she loves people. That much is clear. This past December, she opened Sparkles Bead Company (Sparkles) in downtown Castle…
Sixth grade REMS students about to leave for an adventure at Cameron Pass. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Rita Klement The Klement, Goodman, Lewis and Kadlacek families of Castle Pines all have children attending The Renaissance Expeditionary Learning and Outward Bound Magnet School (REMS) in Castle Rock. Rita Klement of BriarCliff has two children…
Article contributed by South Metro Fire Rescue Authority The South Metro Fire Rescue Authority is accepting applications for its citizen academy. The academy will run from April 10 through May 29 on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The deadline to apply for this opportunity is March 4. This will be the fourth…
Castle Pines Community Church Meets at 7280 Lagae Road, Suite O (King Soopers Plaza); www.castlepineschurch.org Good Friday service: March 29 at 7 p.m. Easter Sunday services: March 31 at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.; children’s programming available for both services Cherry Hills Community Church Meets at 3900 Grace Boulevard, Highlands Ranch; www.chcc.org Holy Week communion…
Clark Wilhelm, an exemplary leader and educator. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Clark Wilhelm In today’s 21st –century learning environment, an outstanding educator is someone who is creative, empowering, collaborative, and a visionary. Clark Wilhelm, a counselor at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) for seven years, has been recognized by his peers as an…
Haselden Construction began drilling for caissons last month for the new AA facility in Parker. The school is slated to open in the fall of this year. Information provided by American Academy After a full year of planning and hard work, the new American Academy (AA) Parker building is going up, right on schedule. Located…
CDOT Mobile provides travelers with real-time information such as highway conditions and traffic information, allowing users to make better decisions about travel mode and route. “We first launched CDOT Mobile in September 2012 for the I-70 corridor and have experienced great success with 50,000 users to-date,” said Ryan Rice, CDOT Director of Operations. “By adding…
BRE Battle of the Books students get ready to take part in their second battle on February 12 against Flagstone Elementary. By Sean W., BRE Ridgeline staff reporter; photo courtesy of Laurie Jacobs Battle of the Books is a national reading program to inspire kids to read and have fun while competing against other kids. …
Above: Bryce Stutler visiting CU Boulder; Inset: Maddie Landis visiting California Polytechnic University. Article and photos by Lisa Nicklanovich Planning a college visit over the upcoming break to determine if the school is the right fit for your student? Make the most of your visit by following these tips: Be an Anthropologist: On campus, record…
By Kathy Dunker with photo courtesy of the Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance It’s that time of year again. Tax season is in our midst and Checkoff Colorado makes it super easy to contribute to numerous charitable organizations with a simple check mark on your tax return. Checkoff contributions are voluntary donations from your tax refund…
Rock Canyon High School senior Coleman Squalls and Rocky Heights Middle School eighth grader, JT Snowden volunteer each week for BRE first grade teachers Terra Shaffner, Jennifer Miller, and Jennifer Murdock. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Classrooms at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) are full of busy little students. The younger ones are learning…
The Doo Wop Project sing classic songs from a very special era. By Shanahan; contributions and photos from Lone Tree Arts Center The Lone Tree Arts Center is offering a month packed with a variety of music and dance performances during the month of March. On Monday, March 11 “The Doo Wop Project” comes to…
Greg and Becky Boman, at center, celebrated the grand opening of their new store, The Emporium, last month in Castle Rock. The Emporium offers an eclectic mixture of merchandise from more than 25 vendors. By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of The Emporium Downtown Castle Rock has a new shopping destination, one that offers something for…
Valor students took part in history when they travelled to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration of President Barack Obama. By Julie Montoya; photos courtesy of Terry Adams A part of history…that’s what a group of students and faculty from Valor Christian High School were, as they stood on the National Mall and watched the Inauguration…
Story and photo by Lisa Crockett The best meal I have ever eaten was served in my own kitchen. The cooking, however, wasn’t done by me, but by a friend in her kitchen and served to me in an assortment of tin-foil pans and paper plates. After doing an eight-day stint at Children’s Hospital with…
By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of Three Peaks Capital Management About 250 miles east of Castle Pines, you’ll find Imperial, Nebraska. A small town of about 1,500 people, it may seem an unlikely place to sow the seeds of success. But as one of just 300 students at Chase County High School in Imperial, Castle…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Michelle Lynn Campbell With upbeat music blasting and strobe lights flashing, Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) student models “rocked the runway” on February 10 to raise funds for the after prom party on April 13. Guests enjoyed a silent auction, the chance to win baskets overflowing with goodies, and…
Project Easter Basket endeavors to reach out to homeless children throughout the Denver and Castle Rock area by delivering gift baskets of much needed toiletries, school supplies and goodies. Many more donations are needed! By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Stacy Gaines Castle Pines Village resident Stacy Gaines is at it again! For the sixth…
Grace Regnier, left, is this year’s Timber Trail Elementary Spelling Bee winner. Annie Deschane (right) took second place. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett For the first time in Timber Trail Elementary School’s history, the school’s best spellers had to stay after school to determine who would take home the coveted trophy and title of…
Boys Team members gather together during their kick-off community service project doing yard clean-up and maintenance for Families First. Article by Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Boys Team Charity Boys around town are rolling-up their sleeves and digging in to help others as part of the new Mile High chapter of Boys Team Charity (Boys…
New Gardener Boot Camp March 2 at the Denver Botanic Gardens, located at 1007 York Street in Denver. Runs from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, go to www.botanicgardens.org. Take the Mystery out of Gardening CALF & CSU Extension at Lowell Ranch in Castle Rock on March 9 – Using Seeds or Transplants,…
Mona Egender (left) participated in the current season of The Amazing Race on CBS with her friend Beth Bandimere. They are pictured here, in beautiful Bora Bora, beginning their journey. “I was able to see parts of the world that I never would have seen. It was eye-opening and humbling. The world is such a…
Relax and enjoy a much-deserved break at the new Belly Up spa in Lone Tree. Article and photo by Liane Marette Davis While pregnant with her first child, Rhonda James envisioned a special place for women to go to find tranquility, balance and reconnect with themselves. Ten years and several children later, her vision has…
By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Tim Schoenborn What happens to young boys that learn to love fly fishing at an early age? In the case of Jay Baichi, David Kemp, and Tim Schoenborn, they grow up to become fly fishing outfitters. The trio of fly fishermen, raised in three completely different fishing regions,…
The Castle Pines Connection is still in the process of becoming a paper of record for the community, and we are almost there. Anyone who has not yet mailed a voluntary subscription pledge to continue receiving the paper is encouraged to do so. It does not cost you anything. To request an insert, contact the…
By Lisa Crockett The Giving Tree: Douglas County United Against Hunger, is gearing up for its fifth annual food drive from March 2 to March 9 at the Castle Pines Library. Non-perishable food items will be collected during library business hours on those days and given to the Douglas County Task Force Food Bank. The…
Article and photos by Lisa Crockett The annual father-daughter dance at Timber Trail Elementary this year took guests over the rainbow and into Oz for a magical night of dancing, prizes and fun with a Wizard of Oz theme. The dance gave girls and their dads a chance to spend some time with each other,…
Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients: (Top row – left to right) Makayla McBride / Soccer / University of Northern Colorado; Morgan Storch / Soccer / Minnesota State, Mankato Josh Gardella / Golf / Masters College; Serina Owens / Soccer / Missouri Valley College, Marshall, MO Cameron Gill / Track / Western State College; Allison…
Paul Kelley of Academy Sports Turf on the field that he installed at Elk Ridge Park in Castle Pines. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Denise Kelley When Paul Kelley of Castle Pines and Mike Hartwell of Littleton were mowing lawns at sixteen years old, they couldn’t have imagined they would play a key role…
The pastry case at The Cakery in downtown Castle Rock is close to home and full of wonderful, homemade donuts and other tasty treats thanks to owner Tiffany Johnson. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan If you are a fan of freshly-made donuts, you need to make a stop at The Cakery in downtown Castle…
iGrow’s solar panel converts the sun’s energy into negative ions that help plants absorb minerals from the soil more effectively. by Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of iGrow Gretta Hawkins of Castle Pines is carrying out a vision she and her late husband Victor had of bringing innovative, green technologies to revolutionize the home gardening market.…