Read the stories from the latest issue:
These incoming Sixth grade girls are excited to begin middle school at Rocky Heights Middle School in the fall. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Incoming sixth grade students at Rocky heights Middle School (RHMS) have the opportunity to participate in the Nighthawk Early Flight program offered by the school on July 31, August 1…
By executive order of Govenor Hickenlooper and Douglas County Sheriff David Weaver This year, absolutely no fireworks will be allowed in Douglas County, including legal fireworks and professional fireworks displays. The Board of County Commissioners for Douglas Country has issued a Stage 2 Fire Ban for all of Douglas County, banning all personal fireworks displays…
The historic Schweiger Ranch, located south of Lincoln Avenue on the east side of I-25 at RidgeGate Parkway (frontage road), is now open to the public. By Elizabeth Wood West with photos provided by Darryl Jones, Coventry Development Corporation After several years of extensive restoration efforts, the historic Schweiger Ranch at RidgeGate is open to…
Sean Nasseth received a new lap top computer and was congratulated by the District Attorney, Carol Chambers. By Amy Shanahan, photos courtesy of the Office of the District Attorney The District Attorney’s office covering Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties recently held its annual art contest for middle school students. Each year, the winning 13…
European Charm: The Lowry Beer Garden, open close to home The Lowry Beer Garden is located at 7577 E. Academy Blvd, Denver. For information, visit www.lowrybeergarden.com. By Julie Montoya with photos courtesy of the Kirsten Becker, Lowry Beer Garden public relations Tucked under the wing of an authentic B52 bomber, outside the entrance to the…
The Country Club at Castle Pines revealed its multi-million dollar renovation and expansion project to guests at an open house on June16. (Photo courtesy of JimmysPhoto.com) By Amy Shanahan, photos courtesy of Peter Cranstone The Country Club at Castle Pines (CCCP) is full of new beginnings, and Saturday June 16 was testimony to how impressive…
By Elizabeth Wood West with rendering provided by the Town of Castle Rock The Town of Castle Rock may have a new colorful LED sign along I-25, just south of Wilcox Street and Plum Creek Parkway, to welcome visitors and dazzle drivers. The 45 ft. tall LED sign will belong to Medved Autoplex (Medved), located…
More than 90 girls from kindergarten through sixth grade participated at the RCHS poms cheer camp last month in the Jaguar gymnasium. The next clinic will be held October 17 and 18 for kindergarten through eighth grade girls. For information, contact Terri Bell by e-mail rtbellfamily@hotmail.com. Photos by Stacia Wilkins The 80’s theme Junior Jag…
Green products and modern materials inspire the “mountain modern” feel of the Medical and Dental Center of Castle Pines. By Elean Gersack; Rendering courtesy of Juan Gabriel Luna, AIA, NCARB, architect and principal of Rogue Architecture Ground breaking is expected this month for the Medical and Dental Center of Castle Pines (MedDentCP). This two-story 25,000…
RHMS eighth graders Abby Adams (left) and Hannah Phillip (right) show the official longboarder stance which showcases the boards’ under deck design. By Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of Michelle Dunker What is faster than jogging but a little slower than a bike and all the rage with teens this summer? Longboarding! And what is…
By Kathy Dunker with book cover graphic provided by book publisher, Books to Believe It Not your average Joe, Castle Pines Village resident, Jude Randazzo, is a notable author who is about to publish his second book. Randazzo’s books are a fictional series featuring his main character, Tess Kincaid, an accomplished Ladies Professional Golf Association…
By Elizabeth Wood West with sketch plan provided by Northstar Development LLC After receiving an approval vote of two-to-one from the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for the Castle Pines Village Sketch Plan #038, Northstar Development LLC (Northstar) is moving forward with its project and is now seeking approval for a combined preliminary…
Chocolate chocolate chip cookies baked using high altitude adjustments to the recipe … perfection! Article and photo by Lisa Crockett It’s that time of year when social opportunities abound. The weather is warm, the days are long, and it just feels right to light up the grill and invite friends over for a long lazy…
Culture comes closer to Castle Pines with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra’s recent announcement that the Lone Tree Arts Center will be its new south Denver home. The symphony’s first performance will take place on the terrace on July 12 to an already sold-out crowd. By Amy Shanahan, photo courtesy of Don Casper and the Lone…
By Karissa Kelly It is a hot July day and you and your friends stop to purchase a nice, big Sprite to refresh you. But wait! You may not have the privilege to indulge in this for long… At least not if you are in New York. The mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg,…
Castle Pines Metropolitan District Manager Paul Dannels with CPMD Board Chair Jackie Sundquist at The Country Club at Castle Pines to celebrate Dannels’ thirty years of service with the district. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner The Castle Pines Metropolitan District provides water, sewer service and road maintenance to Castle Pines Village residents. Despite its…
Fifteen-year-old Brickelle Bro will travel to London in August to swim on the U.S. Paralympic swim team. By Lisa Crockett, photos courtesy of the Bro Family The countdown is on for 15-year-old Brickelle Bro, a Castle Pines resident and champion swimmer. Last month at the aralympic Swim Trials in Bizmark, South Dakota, Bro…
HOA II resident Bryce Stutler (left) and his cousin Dylan, pictured last year after filling their doe tag. Information courtesy of the Department of Wildlife website with photo provided by the Stutler family The Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Hunter Outreach Program, in partnership with other organizations, is offering several youth hunts during the fall…
Castle Pines brothers Sam C. (left) and Ben C. (right) stand proudly beside the letter “B” they discovered using the GPS coordinates given in the June issue of The Castle Pines Connection. By Amy Shanahan, photo by Lisa Crockett July Coordinates: Longitude and latitude 39.469231, -104.881928 If you find the hidden “C” and “D”, take…
Amy Long (left) says farewell to Aspen Walker, manager of the Castle Pines Library. Long is the new manager at the Parker Library. You will be missed Amy! Article and photos by Lisa Crockett A founding member of the Castle Pines Library staff has taken a new job managing the Parker Library, but she said…
Jake Mullins (left) and Tim Toole (right) with party host Sydney Boyd have provided their DJ services a several parties in their neighborhood this summer. Their services are fun and affordable! By Amy Shanahan, photo courtesy of Tim Toole Castle Pines Village residents Jake Mullins, and Tim Toole started a DJ company this summer, and…
Team Purple Passion takes time out for a photo op with their faithful mascot during a recent tournament at American Academy, featuring several local residents: Front Row: Coach, Dee Ann Arey (Esperanza); Second row: Ashley K. (Sapphire Pointe), Megan G. (Sapphire Pointe), Bella I. (Castle Rock), Amy E. (Castle Pines Village); Back Row: Ashley Z.…
Volunteers sort food donations at the Food Bank on Park Street in Castle Rock. Article and photo by Birgit Moran On June 16, the 9news Colorado Cares, Colorado Shares food drive bounty came to the Douglas/Elbert County Task Force food pantry, and thrift store with volunteers ready to help. Located at 1638 Park Street in…
By Lisa Crockett A county-wide event to be held in Parker will provide valuable recycling services, while also benefitting needy families in the area. The 2012 Summer Recycling Festival will be held at Sports Authority Stadium, located at 11901 Newlin Gulch Blvd. on July 21, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The newly-opened Hess Road…
By Amy Shanahan with photos by Jule Montoya The Village at Castle Pines is pleased to offer its wine walks again this summer. The wine walks take place the third Wednesday of each month, and wines from a different region are featured each month. Live musical performances round out the evening of relaxation and fun.…
Article by Amy Shanahan Castle Pines Jewelers owner and designer Jeffrey Rein and his daughter Lacee feel strongly about giving back to their community. Several years ago, they began donating the money they charged to change watch batteries to non-profit organizations. “We charge $10 to change watch batteries, and that full amount is passed on,”…
Rocky Heights Middle School was pleased to induct 48 incoming eighth grade students into the National Junior Honor Society. These students all achieved a GPA of 3.75 or higher and are active in school activities and community service projects. Congratulations to these outstanding students!
Article and photo by Amy Shanahan The story of “High School Musical” revolves around a star basketball player and a math genius who share a secret love for performing, but struggle with breaking out of their designated roles. This story came to life at Rocky Heights Middle School as 125 kids came together to tell…
The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce is hosting a golf tournament on Thursday, July 26 at Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course in Castle Rock. Shotgun start begins at 8 a.m., so don’t be late! Cost is $120 per person, which includes green fees, cart, range balls, lunch buffet, free drink ticket, and an opportunity to…
Article by Lisa Crockett, courtesy photos The Douglas County Federation of Teachers (DCF) awarded outstanding students from throughout the district for their achievements this school year. Castle Pines-area schools were well represented with students who display academic prowess as well as good citizenship. Students were honored at a banquet in May, and a tribute written…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett “I matter.” This statement echoed through the halls of Timber Trail Elementary School (TTE) during a week-long series of events designed to get students thinking about the feelings of others and strategies for engendering community and good feelings. “We wanted to take a proactive stance against bullying in our…
By Chris Bonham In May, the Castle Pines City Council decided to have all future city council meetings recorded on video. This step makes it much easier for interested citizens to get updates on what’s happening in Castle Pines. Before the council made its decision to have meetings recorded, the only way for someone to…
By Elizabeth Wood West with photos by Cindy Lantz Hard work, commitment, team spirit, and being able to perform well in Colorado’s unpredictable spring weather is the best way to describe the Rock Canyon High School Jaguars track team performance this season. Once again, the Jaguars earned the privilege of being able to compete at…
By Liz Jurkowski with photo provided by Cherie VanHorn At first glance, it is obvious that Josiah is special. He has a walker, seems delicate, and is small for his age. But at second glance, it is clear he is just like the other three-year-olds on the soccer field; happy to be on a team,…
Information from the USDA Farmers markets are an integral part of the urban/farm linkage and have continued to rise in popularity, mostly due to the growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products directly from the farm. They allow consumers to have access to locally-grown, farm fresh produce, enables farmers the opportunity to develop a…
By Amy Shanahan with photos courtesy of Tim Zandee A very fun and worthwhile event is taking place in the Village Shops at Castle Pines during the weekend of June 15, 16 and 17. The venue will be hosting an extraordinary art event, featuring more than 20 artists and their unique creations. This top quality,…
Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski It just seems like the perfect way to end an outstanding year of scouting is to have a big bonfire and campout. That is just what Pack 856 did on May 11. Of course, after a week of hot and sunny weather, the rain arrived right in the middle…
By Elean Gersack Golf is in full swing at The Ridge at Castle Pines North, and Director of Golf Instruction Dennis Murray has his 2012 program set. Offerings include on-course playing lessons for kids and adults, such as junior play lessons Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.; junior clinics at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays; junior…
By Elizabeth Wood West with photo by Lucas West Beginning in June, Castle Pines Community Church (CPCC) will be hosting a special teaching series, called “Marriage 2.0.” The series will be held Sundays during both the 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services, starting June 3 through June 24. As a complement to the series,…
By Elizabeth Wood West with aerial map provided by Town of Castle Rock The Town of Castle Rock’s council members voted unanimously to adopt an overpass option that will provide a second access for northbound traffic from The Meadows development onto U.S. Highway 85 in Castle Rock. The overpass option is part of the Town’s…
By Lisa Crockett, courtesy photo Rugby is a growing sport here in the United States. Fielding a whole team at a single school isn’t something that happens here, at least not yet. But after this season, all that may change. The “Harlequins,” a team housed at Rock Canyon High School and comprised of players from…
By Amy Shanahan, photos courtesy of Laura Zeh and Christopher Cooke “Smile for the cameras!”, “What are you wearing tonight?” and “Would you like any popcorn?” were just a few of the remarks overheard at the premiere of “The Rock Crew” movie at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) on Friday, May 11. The premiere of…
By Amy Shanahan with photo by Julie Montoya The Castle Pines Connection’s “search for ABC scavenger hunt” continues with the letter “B” this month! See if you can find the hidden “B” using the following GPS coordinates: Longitude and latitude 39.472634 – 104.890644 Here is a hint: “To ‘B’ or not to ‘B’ to see…
Article by Kathy Dunker June is Colorado’s official Bike Month with the highlight being Bike to Work Day, held on Wednesday, June 27, sponsored by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG). Employees are encouraged to leave their cars at home and get some fresh air as they cycle their way to work. The idea…
By Elizabeth Wood West According to Douglas County School District’s (District) spokesperson, Randy Barber, letters of understanding have been sent out to all District teachers in advance of the upcoming 2012-2013 contracts. Representatives from the District and the Douglas County Federation of Teachers are currently engaged in annual collective bargaining negotiations. The Castle Pines Connection…
Submitted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce Castle Rock EyeWear is very pleased to welcome Dr. Chris Thomas to its office. Come by Saturday June 18 to meet this father of three teenagers who lives in Castle Rock and ask him some questions about his work. Dr. Thomas is a 2002 graduate of Southern…
Contributed by the City of Lone Tree Grab your putter and neon colored golf ball for a chance to win great prizes during the Go Putt for Wellspring charity miniature golf tournament. On Saturday, June 2nd, the Lone Tree Youth Commission will host this fun, family-friendly tournament to raise money for the non-profit Wellspring Community,…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett (actual cake too!) Summer is here, and with it comes the patriotic holidays of summer – Memorial Day, Flag Day and Independence Day. Summer is also a great time to take advantage of the abundance of delicious summer fruit. Combine these two things and you get a nostalgic, sweet…
Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski Part of Colorado’s beauty lies only thirty minutes away from the city of Castle Pines. Waterton Canyon meanders into the foothills along the South Platte River, eventually joining the Colorado Trail. The canyon has a terrific trail that stretches through some beautiful scenery. It is suitable for walkers, hikers,…
Article by Elean Gersack Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) students and teachers enjoyed the last weeks of school with plenty of learning and lots of fun. Here’s a look at the last weeks of the school year and some of the great memories that were made. Fittin’ It In 5K in-house winners BRE celebrated two…
Article by Julie Montoya with photos submitted by Nick Loritsch They say, if you can make it in Hollywood, you can make it anywhere. No one knows that better than former Castle Pines resident, Nick Loritsch. For as long as he can remember, Loritsch has wanted to be a filmmaker. “Born and Raised” is Loritsch’s…
Article by Kathy Dunker with photo by Imagetek Photography Sunday, May 20, at Butterfield Park was no ordinary day. A whopping 484 kids participated in the seventh annual Tri the Rock Kid’s Triathlon, which adds up to 108 more kids than last year’s tri! The event raised nearly $5,000 for area physical education programs, as…
Article and photos by Birgit Moran Thinking of a trip? There are some basics to score great experiences and memories. No matter the type of trip; family, couple, adventure, rest and relaxation, or educational, research impacts results. For those who don’t mind surprises and missteps – a self planned itinerary can lend itself to wonderful…
Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Desi Lederman Thanks to a committed director, Sierra Middlebrooks, production manager Benji Billman, many dedicated students, and even more supportive musical parents, American Academy (AA) thrilled its audience last month with the school’s performance of Beauty and the Beast Junior on May 4 and 5 at Front Range…
Article by Syd Charvat, as published in The Rock newspaper Throughout high school, students spend hours pouring over their textbooks to find the answer to a discussion question, scavenging across search engines for Sparknotes, and flipping through the pages of their chicken scratch notebooks, all in the hopes of seeing a hard earned letter “A”…
Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Stacia Wilkins On Sunday, May 6, approximately 20 girls from Starstruck Academy of Dance put their dancing hearts to work. After a grueling weekend of late nights at the Tribute Dance Competition in Colorado Springs, the girls, ranging in age from 10 to 18, enthusiastically got up and…
By Elizabeth Wood West “In 2005, the Castle Pines Metropolitan District (CPMD) began working with Douglas County Engineering (DCE) consultants to address road safety and speeding concerns at the gated intersections on Happy Canyon Road in Castle Pines Village. At the request of DCE staff member Robert Kenny, roundabouts were added to the plan. According…
Contributed by Douglas County Libraries It’s no secret that kids who read during the summer months fare better on fall reading tests than kids who don’t. A great way to keep them reading is to participate in the Summer Reading Program at Douglas County Libraries. Beginning June 1, register the whole family online at DouglasCountyLibraries.org…
By Amy Shanahan, photo courtesy of BrynMaRae Photography The Castle Pines Connection covered a story in the December 2011 issue about “Homes for Our Troops,” and the recipient of a new home, retired Corporal Nick Orchowski. “Homes for Our Troops” is a nationwide, non-profit organization, which builds specially adapted homes for post-9/11 veterans with disabilities.…
Article and photos by Kathy Dunker Sunday, May 20, was the annual Castle Crocs summer swim team kick-off party at Coyote Ridge Park. The team moved up to the A Division this year in the Mountain High Swim League and look forward to some great competition at the upcoming meets. The Crocs, in its seventh…
Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski For those of you who have not yet discovered Elk Ridge Park, once you do, it may become your family’s go-to park of the summer. It has state-of-the art play areas, a multipurpose turf sport field, a water feature, as well as a rock climbing wall and picnic pavilions.…
Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Pennies, dimes and nickels. They’re worth so little that most of us let them sit around the house gathering dust in an old jar or lining the underside of the couch cushions. But students in Castle Pines recently went on a mission to recover small change around their homes.…
By Jodi Anderson with photos courtesy of DCSM What an exhilarating, energizing time of year for DCS Montessori (DCSM)! This Spring has been filled with so much activity as we wrap up the school year. Our DCSM music teacher, Lorraine Cooper, and our fifth graders, presented a musical extravaganza for the school that was designed…
By Lisa Crockett, courtesy photos Colorado isn’t often known for high-fashion exclusives, but this spring the Denver Art Museum (DAM) is temporary home to a special retrospective collection of fashion design by iconic designer Yves Saint Laurent. The DAM is the only United States venue for the collection. Bringing the excitement of the exhibit even…
Submitted by Lane Roberts Castle Pines Athletics is hosting a summer basketball skills camp July 23 to July 27 at the DCS Montessori School in Castle Pines. The camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, and is open to children of all skill levels who are entering Kindergarten through fifth grade. Children will…
Earl Jackson (center right with tan shirt and black pants) is pictured surrounded by Castle Pines Village neighbors who came out to show him their support on his final day of work. “I’m going to miss Mr. Jackson so much! He had such a great attitude, and always made people feel welcome. I loved talking…
By Patte Smith, illustration from South Metro Fire Authority publication Seeing plumes of smoke not far from homes in the Castle Pines and surrounding area definitely puts residents on edge and worried about their properties. With fire season here, firefighters and residents need to be on alert for the possibility of a fire. Homeowners need…
By Elizabeth Wood-West According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments respond to more than 60,000 home structure fires that involve home heating equipment each year. Annually, these fires cause an average of more than 550 deaths, 1,600 civilian fire injuries, and approximately $900 million in direct property damage. What exactly is…
Article by Chris Bonham Summer is almost upon us, and, as the school year ends, many students are caught up in the thrill of graduation, prom activities, and all the fun with friends and family that is associated with the upcoming months. However, as summer approaches, some students may be looking ahead towards college and…
By order of Sheriff David A. Weaver, stage two fire restrictions have been rescinded. Stage one fire restrictions are still in effect. General guidance on stage one restrictions: Prohibited activities include open burning of any kind, and the use and sale of fireworks; Allowable activities include: Fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, fireplaces within buildings,…