The Connection

Castle Pines resident Mitch Fallert is the new tile guy in town, available for smaller residential projects in the Castle Pines and Castle Pines Village area. Article and photos by Kathy Dunker Tapestry Hills resident Mitch Fallert is new to Castle Pines but not new to the tile industry. Fallert, with 26 years under his…

By Lisa Crockett; photo illustration by Tim Gamble For the first time in years, a significant number of new homes will soon be available for purchase in Castle Pines. Taylor Morrison, which was named “Builder of the Year” by Builder magazine, plans to break ground this month on a new subdivision consisting of 52 homes…

Colorado goes green; e-waste now requires recycling By Lisa Crockett Electronic devices are everywhere.  For just about every activity – work, shopping, entertainment – there are several different computers and gadgets we use without even thinking about it.  And all those devices – everything from your laptop to your stereo – will eventually become outdated…

Article and photo by Elean Gersack The Medical and Dental Center of Castle Pines, located at 250 Max Drive, is on target to open later this summer. Local professional practices and owners of the new building – Drs. Jeff and Stephanie Scheich of Castle Pines Family Dentistry; Dr. Matthew Rolfson of Castle Pines Dental Care;…

Information provided by Colorado Golf Club The 2013 Solheim Cup, a history-making women’s golf tournament taking place at the Colorado Golf Club in Parker next month, will donate 15 percent of its ticket sales during the second half of June to the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Foundation.   The funds will benefit the Foundation, which…

Information provided by South Suburban Parks and Recreation South Suburban Park and Recreation District is waiving green fees for youth 17 years and under who golf during weekends at the District’s Littleton Golf Course, Family Sports Golf Course, South Suburban Golf Course and Lone Tree Golf Club. South Suburban is the only metro-area park and…

Larkspur artist Katherine McNeill is pictured here with one of her many beautiful oil paintings “Springtime Serenade.” To see more works from McNeill and the other artists featured at the show, visit www.fireflyautism.org. Article and photos by Julie Montoya The Village at Castle Pines Art Show returned to Castle Pines for a weekend event hosted…

Information provided by Gravity Play Copper Mountain, Colorado is the next stop on the Adventure Xstream Race Series circuit. On August 11th, Copper Mountain in Summit County, a world-class recreation and ski venue, will be welcoming more than 200 adventure racers, ranging from elite teams to first-time challengers and weekend warriors competing in either sprint…

The Ihme Family takes time for a photo at the Ihme Family Golf Tournament on June 14. Top row (left to right): Patrick Ihme, Mark Ihme, Tom Ihme, Steve Ihme, Bud Ihme, Dick Henderson, Norm Ihme, and Josh Ihme. Bottom row (left to right): Laura Ihme, Cary Ihme, Dana Ihme, Julia Ihme, Mallorie Ihme, Barb…

From Mrs. Kennedy’s class… moms and their sweet children are all smiles during the Buffalo Ridge Elementary Third Grade Mother’s Day Brunch. Article by Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Kayleen Kennedy and Laurie Jacobs It’s been a tradition at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) for a very long time. There is a rumor that this…

On June 15, three Castle Pines friends took on the Tough Mudder in Beaver Creek. men: Mark Schoenbeck, Steve Cooke and Brian Cardinell, made it through 10.5 miles of rugged terrain full of obstacles at 10,000 feet above sea level. The mens’ wives affectionately named them “mudder brudders” and, along with their children, cheered them…

On August 1, Centura Health will open the doors of its new hospital at Castle Rock Adventist Health Campus, located off of Meadows Parkway west of I-25 in Castle Rock. By Elizabeth Wood West; photos courtesy of Castle Rock Adventist Health Campus The striking 212,240 square-foot facility joins the campus’ existing emergency room, Flight for…

Summer is here and it’s time once again for The Castle Pines Connection’s “Cutest Pet in the Pines” contest! We have teamed up with The Pet Stuff Place in the Village, and we want to see photos of your dogs and cats and other furry best friends! The staff of The Castle Pines Connection will…

The Heat, enjoy practicing and competing close to home as part of the No Limits Volleyball Club (pictured from left to right) back row: Cole P., Emily B., Alexandra W., Megan B., and Ryan D; front row: Lauren B., Peyton G., Mia S., Baylee H., and Meghan Y. Article by Kathy Dunker; photos courtesy of…

Information provided by City of Castle Pines The 2nd annual “Run Wild” race and Family Color Run will be held in the City of Castle Pines on Sunday, September 15 starting at 8:30 a.m. “Run Wild” offers a multitude of options for participants of all skill levels and ages with a 4-mile, 9-mile and a…

Colorado is a beautiful state and can be enjoyed year round. It features amazing scenery, plenty of camping opportunities, white-water rafting, hunting, fishing, hiking, snow-shoeing, boating, and snowmobiling — the list goes on and on. The state parks have an incredible website, www.parks.state.co.us/ with information about activities, events, outdoor sports, and just about anything you…

For a listing of half marathons to take place in beautiful Colorado this summer, visit www.roadracerunner.com. Not only can runners view half marathons, but also various other marathons for serious runners, walkers and kids. Close to Castle Pines, the first “Half of the 4th Half Marathon” will take place on July 4 at 7 a.m.…

Information provided by Douglas County While the Castle Pines community is rich with open space and trails on which to take canine companions, Douglas County leash laws require any dog outside of a fenced yard to be kept on a leash. Controlling a dog by voice command is not considered synonymous to a leash. There…

Community Safety Volunteer Walt Wohlgemuth (right) works closely with Deputy Charlie Curry (left), who patrols the Castle Pines district. “I love what Walt and his guys do,” praised Curry. “They are an invaluable part of what we do every day. Their assistance really frees up our time to do our patrol duties.” Article and photo…

Dierk R. and Andrew M., residents of Castle Pines taking in a day on the mountain Article and photo by Julie Montoya Where I-70 and the town of Lionshead meet is a well-known mountain called Vail Mountain. Sure, most have heard of it and many have skied it, but have you ever had the opportunity…

Information provided by Douglas County Educational Foundation The Douglas County Educational Foundation (DCEF) along with Panther Food Pantry and the Giving Tree has kicked off its annual school supply drive. “We want to make sure that every single Douglas County student has the supplies he or she needs to start school and be successful,” said…

Head coach Elsa LeGrand and assistant coach Vanessa Hacker worked tirelessly with the girls on their U12 volleyball team. The season will culminate in a trip to Dallas, Texas to play in the Junior National Tournament. Many of the players are from Castle Pines. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Blake Thomason The Gold Level…

A scarce number of houses on the market, low interest rates, and rising demand means houses in Castle Pines are selling faster – and for more money – than they were just a year ago. By Lisa Crockett; photo illustration by Tim Gamble Real estate sales in the 80108 zip code are brisk – things…

Article and photo by Joe Gschwendtner Our Castle Pines community is blessed with a large cadre of givers. One of the most remarkable is the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF), whose annual fundraising golf tournament will be at the Inverness Golf Course on August 6th. The Foundation celebrated its 50th year in 2012. Since 1962,…

Kids at the Castle Pines Library smiled and laughed as Mr. Chad showed them a tortoise that can live to be 150 years old! (photo courtesy of Katharine Hammer) By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Wesley White and Katharine Hammer There is no end to the great programs and events that Douglas County Libraries offer…

Thirteen-year Stonecroft residents Travis and Debbi Haynie will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary on July 9. By Kathy Dunker; photo courtesy of Jo Harris Neighbor and close friend Tammy Peters helped Debbi’s family organize an anniversary card mailing for 25 days prior to July 9. The Haynies have been receiving cards from family and…

Rock Canyon High School graduates left to right: Taylor Broschat, Lauren Payne and Kayla Neil. Photo courtesy of Trudi Broschat

By Chris Bonham Two months ago, Judah Musick, president of Castle Pines-based web company User10, launched Teen Startup Challenge in hopes of educating teens about the challenges and joys of starting and running a company. The program was based on Musick’s belief that real-life experience would provide students with opportunities and skill sets that they…

Ducky Derby Chairperson Kelly Marsh (left) presented the $2,000 first place cash prize check to Enrique Rosado (right). By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Castle Rock Rotary Club members from Castle Pines and Castle Rock have a lot to celebrate. The Rotarians’ combined efforts raised nearly $40,000 from its 17th annual…

Cook and his new friend find time to get to know each other. By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of Craig Cook Play is the work of childhood. And just like adults, children often produce the best results when they have the right tools. Castle Pines resident Craig Cook visited Haiti in May, along with 12…

South American ceviche – a yummy summer dish to try! By Joe Gschwendtner; courtesy photo Is fresh fish a part of your summer table fare? If so, do it with the flair and fashion of a South American ceviche, a seafood dish for the times. Here’s a primer: Ceviche, also spelled “cebiche,” is simple, light,…

Stutzman happily posing with one of the 14 orphaned children the Mwaura family adapted. By Julie Montoya; photos courtesy of Victoria Stutzman Most teens spend the beginning of summer lying in the sun or hitting the mountains, but one Castle Pines teen had other ideas. College Junior Tori Stutzman journeyed to Kenya to enrich the…

Parker in his workshop where he enjoys teaching apprentices the art of musical instrument repair. Article and photo by Joe Gschwendtner In only six years, Castle Rock’s Colorado Institute of Musical Instrument Technology (CIOMIT) has become legendary. Tucked away on Topeka Way, Dan Parker’s school trains students to become apprentices of musical instrument repair. Courses…

The DC Dolphins Youth Athletic Club will open a new “Dolphin Tank” youth sports complex in Castle Rock next month. Other changes to the organization include a new logo, website, and the formation of a baseball academy, which provides training during the regular season as well as off-season training. By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of…

Many members of the Douglas County K-Life group recently participated in a fun day of bowling. Most of the kids pictured here live in Castle Pines, The Village, and Castle Rock and they have built close friendships outside of their schools. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Holley VanBenthuysen On August 24, Douglas County will…

Residents in the Castle Pines community came in droves to take advantage of the Shred-It event in June sponsored by Allstate Tammy Lopez Agency and The Castle Pines Connection newspaper. “We saw more than 60 cars and disposed of nearly 8,000 pounds of paper,” said Tammy Lopez, coordinator of the event. The event lasted two-and-a-half…

Seth Sewell (age eleven), with his great-grandmother Louise, and his father Joe after a tournament game in Longmont. By Julie Montoya; photo courtesy of John Sewell Seth Sewell is your typical eleven-year-old baseball player from the Colorado Force Baseball Team in Castle Rock … but there is nothing typical about his cheering section. Since the…

By Patte Smith Sorry to mention this parents, but mid-August will be creeping up sooner than we realized, summer is here, and is it July already? Here is refresher on tuning up the kids for school. Read It is one of the best ways to keep a child’s mind sharp when he or she is…

STEM team members Michael Whitaker, Rashid Zakirov, and Koby Dudley took first place in the NREL Junior Solar Sprint Car Competition – with a little help from some cloudy weather. Article by Kathy Dunker; photo courtesy of Jason Dudley On Saturday, May 18, three eighth-grade students from STEM School and Academy in Highlands Ranch –…

Update 6-21-2013 Sheriff David A. Weaver enacts “Douglas County Open Fire and Open Burning Restriction Ordinance” Stage 2 for the unincorporated areas of Douglas County. By Order of Sheriff David A. Weaver Stage 2 fire restrictions, are now in place. Ordinance No. O-012-004, restricting open fires, open burning and the use of fireworks in the…

Information provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has these tips for residents of the county in case an evacuation is necessary. It encouranges everyone to be prepared ahead of time. Here are some suggestions and items to have: A three-day supply of medications, extra water and food, cash or…

Chiara Robinson (left) and Brynn Peters (right) ran the Colorado ½ Marathon together. “I wanted to do this with my good friend, and it was so much fun!” said Peters. Article by Amy Shanahan, photo courtesy of Marilyn Peters Good friends Brynn Peters and Chiara Robinson set a goal for themselves that most thirteen year-old…

  The lip-dub video ended with all 1,400 students and 110 staff members from RHMS in front of the school dancing and lip-syncing. Tech teacher Tim Ryckman filmed the final shot from atop a tall ladder, while Tech teacher Scott Melanson encouraged the kids to dance and go crazy for the camera. Article and photo…

Rocky Heights Middle School held a “Dine and Dash” fundraiser at Dazbog in late May and invited all incoming sixth grade students to stop by for treats and to purchase spirit wear. Owner Lisa Newman spent much of the day behind the counter serving the students and their parents. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan…

Daniel Kane is the new general manager for The Ridge at Castle Pines North. Article by Elean Gersack; photo courtesy of Daniel Kane Daniel Kane returns to Colorado and The Ridge at Castle Pines North (The Ridge) as general manager. Kane, who was hired by Troon Golf in 2000 and had a stint as head…

Regina Hutchinson, a local executive coach and consultant, recently helped launch the Half the Sky Leadership Program for Women in PA.     By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Regina Hutchinson Regina Hutchinson and her family moved to Castle Pines eleven years ago, but you can still detect her Boston upbringing when she speaks. She was…

“I have a vested interest in this community,” said Chuck Lowen, a committee member who is manager of the Village Square shopping area in Castle Pines. “I want to make things better for the merchants that work here as well as the people who live here.” Article and photo by Lisa Crockett A group of…

Left to right: Cardiologists BAN Shao and HUANG Qiong; Rotary Club of Castle Pines President Elaine Love; general surgeon WU Chunbo, and cardiovascular surgeon ZHANG Xiangli . The Team Leader, Susan Maguire, a retired clinical pharmacist and member of the Rotary Club of Shanghi, is not shown. Huang and Zhang are from Henan Province and…

RCHS athletes celebrate signing athletic scholarships for college. Pictured left to right: Andrew Romano (golf), Trent Riddle (track), Joshua Peterson (basketball), and Megan Cooney (cross country). Congrats grads! By Elizabeth Wood West; photo provided by Kathleen Kennedy of RCHS Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) is celebrating having four more athletes sign with colleges for athletic…

View looking north at the southbound I-25 off-ramp from Ridgegate Parkway Information provided by Kristen Knoll, City of Lone Tree Expect construction delays and closures on westbound RidgeGate Parkway and the southbound I-25 off-ramp from RidgeGate Pkwy to Cabela Drive through the beginning of July. Modifications to the center median and the addition of new…

Tessa Johnson with her first place artwork titled, “A Broken Society.” (Photo courtesy of Todd Johnson). By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos The Colorado Sixth Congressional District High School Art Competition and Exhibit, “An Artistic Discovery” took place April 27 at Congressman Mike Coffman’s office in Aurora. The competition, which takes place every spring, is sponsored…

Council voted to amend agreements so that final design and other services can be completed relative to the extension of North Meadows Drive from U.S. Highway 85 to Interstate 25. Information provided by Kristin Accola, Town of Castle Rock Progress toward securing Castle Rock’s long-term water future was made Tuesday, when Castle Rock Town Council…

Timber Trail Elementary fourth grader teacher Tony Greene (center) dances with the entire fifth grade class at the school’s annual variety show. The dance exposed students to a hip-hop style called dubstep. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Fifth graders at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) performed a dance last month that took them nearly an…

All the RCHS students who attended the FBLA conference in Vail, pictured above, placed in the top five percent. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Janna Robinett If you happened to be in Vail the weekend of April 13 and 14, you would have seen more than 2,000 high school students from all over Colorado…

Article by Kathy Dunker While other states celebrate National Bike Month during the month of May, Coloradans are getting in gear to start their celebration during the month of June. With the recent May snowstorms, it’s clearly a necessary wait! Registration is now open for Bike to Work Day, which will be on Wednesday, June…

Story and photo by Lisa Crockett Summer is here. Even if it’s been years since you have seen the inside of a classroom, the longer days and warmer temperatures lend themselves to moments of relaxation that can be hard to find when the weather dictates indoor activity. It’s the season of the backyard barbecue, with…

Photo by Elean Gersack Fourth Graders, Jack and Ryan gave parents and visitors an overview of Hot Sulphur Springs during Colorado Day at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) on Wednesday, April 24. It’s a fourth grade tradition at BRE to cumulate the Colorado History unit with displays, videos, role-playing, singing and dancing about all things…

Seventh grade students Taylor Hein (left) and Kaylee Sandoval (right) were surprised and thrilled to receive an award for their yearbook contributions. “We realized, that whoa! This is a big deal!” remarked Sandoval. “It was very unexpected and amazing to feel that way!” By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Scott Melanson The yearbook staff at…

The students who attended the NSPA/JEA national convention in San Francisco, pictured left to right,: Rylee Portman, Michael Shapiro, Andrew Bohren, Julia Henning, Lauren Payne, Syd Charvat, andBrooke Bell. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Kristi Rathbun A group of seven students representing Rock Canyon High School’s (RCHS) newspaper and yearbook staff attended the National…

Daniels Park will soon be home to a new trailhead and picnicking area, making surrounding trails more accessible. The existing stone shelter pictured above is approximately one-half mile west of the proposed new trailhead. Douglas County is making the improvements as part of an agreement it has with the City and County of Denver. By…

Buffalo graze at Daniels Park. Much of the 1,000-acre park is a buffalo preserve. By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of City and County of Denver Yes, it takes a village.  Several different entities have responsibility for Daniels Park.  The 1,000-acre park adjacent to Castle Pines is owned by the City and County of Denver as…

by Terri Wiebold, editor In reading the comments and questions from the hundreds of voluntary subscription response cards sent in by readers during the past few months, I have learned a lot about what you, our readers, want. I am reminded that community particpation and input are what shape The Castle Pines Connection, and we…

By Elizabeth Wood West Capturing rainwater in a barrel is an old practice and has recently made a come-back. Rainwater is a renewable water source; the simplicity of collecting and reusing it is something anyone can do. Many big box stores now carry rain barrels in different sizes and materials. However, most people may not…

Brothers Everitt, George, John and Richard on the farm, 1932 Information provided by Jean Jacobsen, Castle Rock Writers Castle Rock Writers is researching and writing a new history of Douglas County, starting with prehistoric times and ending with the beginning of the 21st century. The History Press will publish the book in the fall of…

Cardiac device expert and heart advocate, Selina Ballabio, will pedal for hearts during the Children’s Hospital Colorado Courage Classic on July 20 through 22. Article and photo by Elean Gersack The Children’s Hospital Colorado 24th Annual Courage Classic is set for July 20 through 22. The three-day cycling event will begin and end in Copper…

Sunday School students at the Well of Hope Church in Castle Pines collected enough money during Lent to buy animals and farm implements for a less fortunate family somewhere in the world. By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of Well of Hope, ELCA Children at the Well of Hope church, a Lutheran church for all in…