Read the stories from the latest issue:
By Elizabeth Wood West Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) recently launched a new program for students interested in pursuing college majors in general business, marketing, management, finance, economics, accounting, and real estate upon graduation. The RCHS School of Business is designed to introduce students to many areas within the world of business and provide hands-on…
David Miller, M.D. is a top-ranked Denver-area pediatric cardiologist. He sees patients at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree and at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children in Denver (rockymountain.pediatrix.com). The Heart Institute at Children’s Hospital Colorado is among the top pediatric heart programs in the nation, with nearly 250 cardiac experts working together to…
Neighborhood kids enjoy a great day on the soccer field in Castle Pines. Information submitted by Castle Pines Athletics; photo courtesy of Jen Kliewer This year, Castle Pines Athletics will kick off its fifth year of bringing sports to local families. “We are so excited about this year,” said Castle Pines Athletics manager, Shannon Terry.…
The RCHS Jazz Choir performed for orientation night welcoming the soon-to-be Freshman class of 2017 and their parents on January 16 in the school’s gym.
Members of the fundraising committee who helped raise more than $100,000 in just 15 months to benefit the Castle Pines Library were honored at a celebration last month. Thank you to the committee and to the hundreds of other volunteers! Article and photos by Lisa Crockett A campaign to raise $90,000 for the Castle Pines…
Boy Scout Troop 637 presented retired Corporal Nick Orchowski with the flag that now flies over his specially-adapted home in Parker. The ceremony was inspirational for all who attended. By Amy Shanahan, photo courtesy of Lisa Bartmann In December of 2011, The Castle Pines Connection ran a cover story featuring the work of the organization…
by Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Lin Giampietro You may enjoy Valentine’s Day at a candlelit table for two and give or receive chocolates, roses, and a heartfelt card, but consider the month of February an opportunity to add a new tradition to this month that celebrates love. Here are a few ideas: Everyone loves…
Seventeen-year-old Addison is surrounded by her brother and sister heroes, Quinn and Sophia, while she holds her family’s personal Automated External Defibrillator (AED). By Elean Gersack; courtesy photo Most of us think of adults when we think of heart disease, but kids have heart problems, too. Several kids in the Castle Pines community were diagnosed…
By Julie Montoya A new standard in education has been set with the opening of the Arma Dei Academy in Highlands Ranch. This classical, Christian school is the passion of four Douglas County families who were looking for more when it came to the education of their children. The Vigil and Nossaman families of…
Story and photo by Lisa Crockett Sugar cookies figure heavily in my memories of childhood special occasions: Jack-o-lanterns with orange frosting for Halloween, Christmas trees and stars, hearts in February. I even remember occasionally decorating a Thanksgiving turkey cookie or an egg-shaped cookie for Easter. It was natural, then, that when I had children of…
Left: Mr. Digit, who got his name for having more than the usual number of toes, is one of many cats in need of a loving home at CCS. Right: Kittens are also available for adoption at CCS off and on throughout the year. By Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of CCS On Thursday, February…
Our local Walgreens is now offering City of Castle Pines merchandise for sale. Please stop by Walgreens and show your support for a local business and the City of Castle Pines. Walgreens has a variety of t-shirts and sweatshirts to choose from: long sleeves, short sleeves, and hoodies. Walgreens is marketing the shirts with permission…
By Terri Wiebold As reported in the January issue of the paper, The Castle Pines Connection is in the process of becoming certified as a paper of record for the community. A special thank you to the hundreds of readers who have already returned their voluntary subscription pledges. We must receive forms from at least…
Castle Pines jewelry designer Tracy Graef at work in her home studio. Graef’s work is featured in Handmade Colorado at DIA through March 31. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Tracy Graef, a jewelry designer who works out of her Castle Pines home, is featured in Handmade Colorado, a special exhibit at Denver International Airport…
By Lisa Crockett Castle Pines Academy (CPA), a private preschool, kindergarten and childcare center in Castle Pines, started with just 15 students when it opened three years ago. Today, roughly ten times that number of children attend classes in nine classrooms and the school has earned a “Best of the Best Preschool” award in Douglas…
The Impact edVenture “Ski ‘n’ Serve” group pose with Elliot, who won everyones’ hearts with his spirit and courage. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Impact edVentures Three Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students – Joe Giampietro, Ethan Thompson, and Christian Herman – along with other students from Highlands Ranch, spent part of their holiday…
Left to Right: Landon Holderness, Tanner Hickman, Audrey Myers, Samuel Hilgendorf By Liz Jurkowski In honor of President’s Day this month, a few of our young residents were asked to choose who ranks best as our country’s top executive. With much insight, Audrey Myers said, “One thing Americans are so consumed by today is the…
Fifth grader Kylee Ingram puts the finishing touches on her portrait of Richard Nixon. Ingram’s work was part of Timber Trail’s “Wall of Presidents” exhibit, which combined art with historical research. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Abraham Lincoln was the tallest president. John F. Kennedy could read and comprehend 2,000 words per minute. Grover…
By Lisa Nicklanovich The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) Annual Fashion Show will take place on February 10 at the DTC Marriot. The theme this year is “Rock the Runway” and celebrates the school’s 10-year anniversary. The show is the primary fundraiser for the RCHS after prom party on April 13, which ensures that students…
Article by Robin D., BRE Ridgeline Staff Reporter “Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’d like to thank…” is what our staff and students said here at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE). We have won the Colorado Department of Education’s John Irwin Award two years in a row. But it’s not like only one award is…
Vail celebrates its fiftieth season this year and has plenty of birthday surprises for visitors to its world-renowned slopes. But Vail offers more than skiing to visitors. Snowshoeing and other outdoor adventures, as well as great restaurants, and spa services round out the experience. By Lisa Crockett; photos by Lisa Crockett; Jack Affleck, Vail Resorts;…
Dr. Emily Hoard and Dr. Molly Miller with a couple of their favorite friends. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Animal Care Center of Castle Pines (ACCCP) has welcomed two new veterinarians to the practice, Dr. Molly Miller and Dr. Emily Hoard. They join a devoted and dedicated group of animal loving veterinarians and staff…
By Elean Gersack Denver Restaurant Week is upon us and is celebrating its ninth year. Make reservations now at your favorite restaurants or use the opportunity to try a new hot spot. More than 300 restaurants are already slated to participate this year with more signing up daily. The event will run from Saturday, February…
By Liz Jurkowski In some ways, the junior year of high school can be the most fun. The eleventh grader already knows the ins and outs of high school culture, has figured out how to manipulate the system a bit, and has the ability to pick and choose classes and electives he or she is…
Coming soon! After receiving more than 9,000 nominations for teachers and employees across the school district, finalists for the 2013 Apple Awards have been announced. Finalists and winners will be announced at the annual Apple Awards Celebration on February 23. The Apple Awards are sponsored by the Douglas County Educational Foundation. To read about nominees…
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) participants (left to right) Joe Clements, Jenny Fortenberry, and Al Dugan. OLLI offers learning opportunities without grading for seniors 50 and better. Special to The Connection; by Ellen Sloan Three Castle Pines residents – Jenny Fortenberry, Al Dugan, and Joe Clements – have found a rewarding second chance at classroom…
By Chris Bonham On February 14th, people all across the world will take part in Valentine’s Day, a day predicated on the celebration of romantic love. This holiday is celebrated in the Americas, Europe, and even some parts of eastern Asia. In the United States alone, it’s estimated that more than 200 million people exchange…
Carrie Rotherham is the interim principal for BRE for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Carrie Rotherham has joined Buffalo Ridge Elementary School as interim principal for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year. After the departure of former principal Ally Berggren in December, the district named Rotherham…
Douglas County’s new commissioner, Roger Partridge, was sworn into office on January 8 by 18th Judicial District Judge Paul King at the Philip S. Miller Building in Castle Rock. Partridge will serve the citizens of District II during his four-year elected term. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Chris Vodnik for Douglas County
Girl Scout Troop 4486 helps to feed pets of needy and disabled people By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Christy McDonald For more than 100 years, girl scouting has taught girls, in part, about making the world a better place. Under the guidance of co-leaders Brenda Ferguson and Trina Wegner, and assistant leader…
Regis Jesuit juniors Tim Shanahan, Jake Ciafone and Collin Stover spent two weeks working with abused and neglected children for their service project. Knowing what the kids have gone through and what they still face has definitely been the hardest part,” stated Ciafone. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan “Men and Women With and For…
Kindergarten registration for the 2013-2014 school year has begun. Eligible children must be five years of age by October 1, 2013. For registration, you will need to provide your child’s certificate of birth, immunization records, and your proof of residence (warranty deed, deed of trust, tax notice, lease agreement, assessor page, notarized letter from the…
A taste of…Chinook Tavern By Liane Marette Davis, photos by Manfred George From the garden level “tavern” feel of its original quaint Cherry Creek location, Chinook Tavern has moved up by moving south – to the Village Center Station by the Arapahoe Light Rail station in Greenwood Village. Owner Clemens Georg said he toyed with…
Philip and Camille Moore, owners of the new Papa Murphy’s Pizza in Castle Pines, celebrated their store’s official grand opening weekend with friends, Mayor Jeff Huff, Sheriff Dave Weaver, and members of the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce. Papa Murphy’s Pizza offers a wide variety of freshly-made take-and-bake pizza, salads, and take-and-bake chocolate chip cookie…
Nothing is better than candy By Rhett Jurkowski, age 9 Would you like some sweet candy for your Valentine? I know the perfect place to find some. Hammond’s Candy Factory is a place to find candy for everybody on your Valentine list. I went to Hammond’s Candy Factory with my family and went on a…
By Lynne Marsala Basche Local teens, do you want a fun, friendly, creative way to get involved in your neighborhood and earn school community service hours? If so, the Teen Library Council (TLC) is looking for volunteers like you! Created in 2008, the TLC encourages teens to get involved in their community through the…
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.…
The Town of Castle Rock is hosting an open house for the public to review the overpass design for The Meadows at U.S. Highway 85, as part of the Town’s North Meadows Extension roadway project. By Elizabeth Wood West; Vicinity Map provided by Town of Castle Rock The Town of Castle Rock (Town) will be…
The Pet Stuff Place owner Mike Froelich is pictured here with his knowledgeable staff, mother and daughter, Michele and Allana Kephart. Froelich’s dog “Bob” insisted on being a part of the picture as well. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan The Pet Stuff Place, located in The Village at Castle Pines, is much more than…
Contributed by the DC Rotary Youth Expo public relations committee Fun for the whole family and good information will be on tap for free at the Douglas County Rotary Youth Expo, February 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Douglas County Event Center in Castle Rock. The Expo’s goal is to connect families…
Amelia Salsbury has three full notebooks of original songs that she has been writing and performing since the age of seven. By Amy Shanahan, photo courtesy of Marian Salsbury Amelia Salsbury is an accomplished singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitar player, and she is only 13 years old. Salsbury, a resident of Castle Pines Village,…
School spirit is on display every Friday when the staff at RHMS wears their purple and black football jerseys. “Our students, our community, our staff, and the partnership all three of those groups create, make our learning environment a cut above the rest!” remarked Principal Mike Loitz. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Rocky Heights…
Leading Edge Physical Therapy, located in the King Soopers shopping center in Castle Pines, has expanded their space and services. By Elizabeth Wood West The New Year is always a great time to focus on improving health and wellness. Leading Edge Physical Therapy in Castle Pines has been helping its patients achieve their best in…
Regis Jesuit students Erik Biernat (left), Hennessey Stuart (center) and Christopher Dawson (right), enjoyed the opportunity to swim with the best swimmer from around the country at the Junior National Championships. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of the Dawson family Three students from the Regis Jesuit swim team achieved record times in their various…
By Elizabeth Wood West Great news for pizza lovers – a new Papa Murphy’s Pizza is now open in the Castle Pines community at 558 E. Castle Pines Parkway, Suite B-2, in the Safeway shopping center. Owner Philip Moore is enthusiastic about bringing the popular take-and-bake freshly-made pizza business to the community. Moore said, “After…
By Lisa Nicklanovich Nearly 200 Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students attended the first meeting of the new Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) program in October. Three months later, the STEM certificate program has 250 students signed up who will participate in competitive clubs, complete internships and shadowing experiences and gain valuable knowledge and connections…
By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Commissioner Roger Partridge On Tuesday, January 8, Roger Partridge will be sworn in and begin his four-year term as Douglas County’s newest commissioner. Partridge is looking forward to elected office and is no stranger to public service, having previously served as a Douglas County Planning Commissioner. Partridge credits…
Shannon McFarland and Joslin Lichty pause between exhibits at the Denver Museum of Science and Nature. (Photo courtesy of Shannon McFarland) The body casts of Pompeii’s victims left a big impression on the students. (Photo courtesy of Caty Guiffre) By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos To learn about volcanoes, earth, and environment and space (EES), students…
The RCHS girls varsity basketball team is off to a great season with Castle Pines residents #34 Morgan Roos, #22 Lexy Thorderson, and Castle Pines Village resident #23 Paige Von Bank. Article by Kathy Dunker; photo courtesy of the Roos family The 2012-13 Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) girls varsity basketball season is underway. The…
The cast of “39 Steps” kept the laughs coming with their tremendous physical and tongue-in-cheek humor. “It was a fantastic experience!” stated lead actor Noah Charvat. By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Brina Sandoval The drama department at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) outdid itself with a performance of Alfred Hitchcock’s “39 Steps” that was…
Article contributed by Douglas County Libraries Online learning at Douglas County Libraries (DCL) keeps getting better and better. DCL is now offering Ed2Go online courses, a remarkable collection of hundreds of online courses on subjects ranging from computer applications to small business guidance to digital photography. Ed2Go online courses represent the best of instructor-led online…
Santa visits with the children at The Country Club at Castle Pines. This is one of the most popular events at the club and definitely a happy and exciting timefor the children who attended the annual holiday brunch. Article and photos courtesy of Brian Nishi; contributions by Terri Wiebold Santa Claus was spotted eating breakfast…
By Chris Bonham On January 1, the minimum wage in the state of Colorado will jump to $7.78 an hour. This new wage, which is assessed and adjusted annually to keep up with inflation, will affect nearly 80,000 Colorado workers (about 3.4% – 3.5% of the Colorado workforce). The minimum wage for tipped employees has…
By Lisa Crockett In January, I typically inventory the kitchen and clean out all the goodies that have become fixtures in our home. Gone are the chocolate chips, butter, and colored sprinkles, replaced with lots of produce, bottled water and the resolve to get rid of those unwanted holiday pounds. But it’s not just healthy…
The fencing group at DCMS under the leadership of national fencing competitor, Eva Heinrich, came home with six medals from their first tournament on December 15. DCSM fencing students show their moves (left to right) Shaun Hicks, Jaden Sherman, Charlie Crockett, Tiernan Frieburger, Remy Salinas, and Katlyn Hicks. Submitted by Jodi Anderson; photos courtesy of…
By Elizabeth Wood West The Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation’s (CRCF) recent purchase of a 215-acre piece of land known as the Henry property, and the Board of County Commissioners’ subsequent granting of a conservation easement on the property, will serve to preserve and protect the property’s natural, scenic, open space, educational, and recreational values…
By Elean Gersack Planning a team practice, family gathering, or party during the next few months? There are many great parks in Castle Pines available by reservation. The Castle Pines North Metro District manages Coyote Ridge, Daniel’s Gate, and The Retreat parks while the City of Castle Pines manages Elk Ridge Park. Coyote Ridge, Daniel’s…
Castle Pines author Teresa Travous Hull has written and published “Love’s Complete: A Russian Adoption Journey” based on her own experience in adopting her daughter. By Lisa Crockett; photo and book cover courtesy of Teresa Travous Hull “Love’s Complete: A Russian Adoption Journey” is a children’s book that tells the story of a baby…
The staff at BRE embraces the power of giving during the holidays. Article and photos by Elean Gersack One of the things that makes Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) so special is the caring and compassion embodied throughout the school. Each year at this time for the past thirteen years, classrooms and hallways have bustled…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Timber Team, the student council at Timber Trail Elementary, headed up a food and supplies drive for the Douglas/Elbert task force in December. They collected food, diapers and even food and supplies for pets whose families are in a tight spot. Here, Timber Team members (from left) Ethan Fraser,…
Sheriff David A. Weaver (pictured far left) with his command staff proudly pose in front of the Justice Center in Castle Rock after receiving national recognition for program excellence. By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of the DCSO Few people in Douglas County doubt the steely efficiency of the sheriff’s office; just ask the bad guys…
The two-time state champion varsity volleyball team from LHSP won its second title on November 10 at the Denver Coliseum. Pictured from left to right, back row: Alison Kjergaard, Chandler Sturms, Madi Arnell, Nikki Ball, Laura Beach, Michelle Cattau, Whitney Dettmering, Connie Olson and Jordyn Sturms; front row, left to right: Sarah Mayhall, Michala Saenz,…
Cougars Lacrosse players go for the ball during a game against Denver Lacrosse Club. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Spring will be here soon, so it’s the perfect time to get registered for sports leagues and activities. Here is a quick reference guide to some of the most popular leagues and recreational activities around.…
Before you head to the garden to plant a new flowerbed or a crop of tomatoes this spring, take the time to call the Utility Notification Center of Colorado. Locators are typically on the job within 72 hours of a confirmed request to accurately mark the underground lines in an excavation area. Even a small…