“As a travel professional, I’ve always had a deep appreciation for finding the right place to call home—whether it’s a dream destination or a community to plant roots,” stated Lady Lourdes Williams, a jet-setting travel advisor and Skyline Ridge resident, who moved to Castle Pines three years ago.

Although she has been a professional travel advisor for just over a year, Lady has been an avid adventurer and travel planner long before it became her official profession. Growing up in the Philippines, Lady moved to the United States at a young age. This, she stated, “gave me a deep appreciation for different cultures, new experiences, and the joy of discovering the world.” Now, Lady works to bring that joy to her clients, friends, and family.

Today, many people default to online bookings when setting out on vacation. Yet a website can’t provide the personal touch of a true travel agent, as Lady stated. Her goal is creating individual experiences, ensuring each adventure is stress-free, comprehensive, and memorable. This is because she believes “travel isn’t just about seeing new places, it’s about the connections we make, the memories we create, and the stories that stay with us long after we return home.”

Outside of her business, Lady is a creative and active individual. When she’s not working—or globetrotting—she fills her time with baking and jewelry-making. She stated that these passions “both allow me to express my creativity in different ways—just like travel, they’re about creating something special and memorable.” She loves to challenge herself with kickboxing and takes any chance to get out of town for a hike with her family.

Mother of two daughters, Addy and Cam, Lady stated that family is at the heart of everything she does and always has been. Only one family member is not so keen on her travel—Duchess, her thirteen-year-old Portuguese water dog. Duchess has been with Lady for many chapters of her life, and though Lady’s explorations to scout out new destinations for her clients may not be her favorite, the pooch always welcomes Lady home. “She forgives me quickly, especially when I return home with extra cuddles and maybe a souvenir or two!" Lady stated.

For Lady, travel has been a lifelong passion turned career. Her wanderlust has brought her across the globe, and though she has found a home in Castle Pines, her adventures will never cease. Lady captured her feelings for her professions, and stated, “To me, travel isn’t just about seeing new places, it’s about the connections we make, the memories we create, and the stories that stay with us long after we return home.”

March, 2025 Issue

In late November, the community staple for breakfast, brunch and all things delicious, Miyo (Make it Your Own), was handed over to new owners, Janet Kweon and Hoon Jung, Castle Rock residents after eleven years of Donna and Gary Stern’s ownership.

Janet and Hoon grew up in the Denver area, and after bouncing around surrounding cities, they landed in Castle Rock two years ago.

Hoon discussed their reason for choosing their new home, and stated, “After living in different areas of Colorado, the moment we got a feel for the community we knew it was a community we wanted to be a part of.” Drawn in by the older, historic neighborhoods coexisting with newer, exciting developments, Hoon and Janet made the leap to Castle Rock.

Janet and Hoon discovered Miyo thanks to Hoon’s older sister, a commercial real estate agent, after she mentioned a breakfast restaurant was for sale near their new home.

“At a moment’s notice, we drove down, checked the place out and immediately fell in love.”

Miyo is not the couple’s first restaurant. They also own Joy Sushi in Lone Tree, an all-you-can-eat establishment. Hoon has been a sushi chef for over ten years, and the couple have both worked in the restaurant industry for a long time. He mentioned that they even met working together and shared a passion for food.

Taking over a local staple is no easy feat, but Janet and Hoon were up for the challenge. Miyo has been a bustling cornerstone in the Village since 2009, and the friendly spot with its sunny patio and comforting cuisine has been a place to enjoy a meal with family and see friendly faces ever since.

For long-time regulars, fear not, for the couple does not plan to make any major menu changes, though in time, they plan to add their personal touch to the establishment.

“Once we are a little more settled, I am sure we will dive into a more creative mindset. We just want to build on a great foundation already set for us.”

Hoon and Janet have only been in ownership for a few weeks but are already feeling the warmth and kindness of the Castle Pines residents.

“As a new resident we’ve felt welcomed in with much love,” Hoon stated, adding that “so many communities have been disconnected through an online presence, and this place has a warmth that resonates.”

Hoon added that meeting members of the community through their new position has the additional benefit of learning more about the city, and how to get involved in local events.

 January 2025 Issue

As the new year begins, the excitement and joy of the holiday season now passed, the long, cold winter months ahead can start to feel daunting. For Coloradans, avoiding cabin-fever can be quite easy, as any adrenaline junkie or winter sport enthusiast would agree. Take to the slopes, strap on a pair of skis, lock into a snowboard and enjoy all the Rocky Mountains’ have to offer. 

For the adventurous, winter is a season of endless entertainment, and snowmobiling is another way to get in on the fun.

Rob Holsman, a Vacquero resident, partakes in snowmobiling as often as he can, and has ventured out on the motorized sleds in various mountain towns over the years. Yet there is one place that has stood out to him among the rest.

“Grand Lake is the best spot for snowmobiling,” Rob claimed, citing a rental company called On the Trail as an ideal experience for anyone, from amateurs to aficionados. “From their lodge, you can get right on the trail, and even keep the snowmobiles at your rental cabin. We would wake up and take off right from our back door, and in the evenings, we could ride into town for dinner.” 

Aside from the charming mountain experience he recalled, there are many other benefits to Grand Lake’s park. Designed by On the Trail, the park includes professionally groomed trails, spanning “hundreds of miles” through the Arapahoe National Forest. For newer adventurers, the professionally kept trails are marked with guideposts, creating a convenient, safe and inviting experience for interested newcomers this winter.

Aside from the park’s welcoming features for newer riders, it has countless perks for seasoned enjoyers. Rob discussed what he thinks makes a good snowmobiling spot.

“There’s a balance of open space and forest riding, with lots of elevation changes and professionally kept hills. In Grand Lake, the park leads to the top of the Continental Divide for some stunning views.”  

Rob claimed his favorite parts of snowmobiling are those unbeatable views, some of which would be inaccessible without the powerful sleds, and of course the exhilaration.

“The park has lots of courses designed for more challenging, exciting rides. ‘Chicken Hill’ is one of my favorite spots to hit when I’m riding there. It’s a very, very steep hill and you have to have the guts to ride up it. If you’re not sure of yourself, you could tumble…”

Fear not, for this park allows riders to choose their own adventure. Whether a wild ride is on the agenda, or a safe venture into the great Rocky Mountains is what would spice up the occasionally dreary winter months, snowmobiling is an exciting option for all.

January 2025 Issue

Karen Johnson, a Vaquero resident, has been working passionately for two decades to bring her goals for community to life.

Karen currently works with Oxford House, an organization bringing tenants in need of special living circumstances to homes. She rents one of her properties to the sober-living group. Karen describes her position within the scheme of housing as “being the middle link”, connecting individuals to housing based on need. She avidly searches for rental properties, does the necessary work of renovating and refitting, and then connects people to homes—after finally, she can watch a community grow.

Before Oxford House, Karen co-founded Community Care Housing, a 501(c) non-profit organization focused on being the link, connecting individuals in need to housing. Her goal in starting the organization was to create micro-communities within shared housing, essentially, finding properties to comfortably host six to eight individuals, and then connecting them with therapists, employers, or medical professionals. Group therapies and job training would be a form of rehabilitation, allowing vulnerable individuals to re-establish themselves within a community. While currently she works with sober-living, her goals for CCH include an array of disadvantaged individuals needing community and support, including veterans, parolees, foster care beyond age eighteen, and aging-in-place. 

Karen’s passion for community and shared housing ventures first began with the idea of aging-in-place. For twenty years, she has stuck to this goal and worked towards making it a reality.

For Karen, aging-in-place is a shared housing system, and would serve as an alternative to traditional retirement communities. She claimed, “Where that stemmed from was moving Mom from farm to town. She didn’t have as many health needs, just social needs as she aged.” She recalled that her mother was a bright, sharp woman with a big heart, and needed connection with others as she aged. Karen said, “Isolation is as deadly as cancer, everyone needs community, or even physical health can decline.”  For Karen, the issue of proper housing has always been personal, and her plans for aging-in-place began when she saw how this need presented itself. She claimed, “I wish I could’ve bought land back then, constructed four to five pod units, back-to-back duplexes with a common area in between them. My mom could have woken up, made coffee, and then gone to the common room to meet with a small community.” Karen’s plans include micro-community units, focused on social and mental health needs when physical health is not a concern. Her original ideas have had crossover in many groups in need of community and have already had an immense impact on their lives. Karen goes above and beyond to bring communities together, making her a pillar in Castle Pines.

December, 2024 Issue

Presented by the Douglas County Libraries Foundation, the Forest of Stories, a county-wide, book-themed decorating of trees in all Douglas County Libraries, returns for the third year in a row, with a whopping 175 decorated trees. First opened in November 2022, the Forest of Stories was brought to life by the Community Engagement division at DCL, and serves as a festive, exciting way to promote the libraries. With growing popularity for the tradition, DCL has expanded its reach, including specialty tours, and holiday events that encourage taking a stroll through the trees.

Amber DeBerry, DCL’s Director of Community Engagement, explained the history, inspiration, and purpose of the Forest of Stories.

“The team wanted to create a festive event that lasted throughout the season and would draw people to visit the libraries,” Amber states. “By combining the community’s desire to celebrate the holidays and focusing DCL’s vision of inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection, we began to plan this magical event with the goal of becoming something the community looked forward to.”

Amber explained that the themes are chosen each year by district-wide staff suggestion and includes classics, trending books, and popular authors. Given this is a community tradition, the entire library staff is invited to join in the process, from brainstorming themes, to finally decorating the boughs. In addition to the forest of literary décor, keep an eye out for each location’s “community tree”, which Amber stated is “part of our dedication to honoring our community and working to keep it growing and thriving…a community tree is dedicated to its specific geographic area and community. These are designed to recognize each community’s vibrancy as well as thank the communities for all of their support.” 

While the community gets to enjoy the tradition during the holiday season, Amber DeBerry explained the process of bringing it to life is year-round and requires contributions from every department. The collaborative effort of the Forest of Stories is representative of the true dedication the libraries have to the community. Amber stated, “The number-one goal is to fulfill our vision of elevating our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection. It is also important that we offer premium experiences for our library visitors and to continue to keep our libraries for our community.”

The holidays are the perfect time to celebrate the close-knit community here in Castle Pines, of which DCL is a pillar. Each library has different trees, so visiting all branches is encouraged, and gives everyone the opportunity to truly step into the magical realm of books and reading.

December, 2024 Issue

While October days were still hitting the eighties, and fall—let alone a snowy start to ski season—felt like a dream that would never come true, Adrienne Markey, ski-buff and former Village resident, was helping children hit the slopes in a frozen winter-wonderland year-round. Adrienne, a current University of Colorado Boulder senior, has been skiing since before she can remember, and teaches children at the ski school, Shredder, in Boulder. 

Though she technically grew up in Castle Pines, Adrienne was truly raised on the slopes in Winter Park. She cited her dad, Sean Markey, as the reason skiing was a central part of childhood. She stated, “My dad was always super busy, and skiing was some of our only time together. He used to have my sister and I try to race him, but he was so fast! I stared to realize I loved the speed, so in eighth grade I joined the team.” 

Adrienne went on to race for the Winter Park Ski Team until senior year at Rock Canyon. The chaos of school, social life, full-time training, structured workouts, and highly competitive racing was rigorous, and the competition wound down with the pandemic and a torn ACL. Now, Adrienne skis for fun, and has used her knowledge to teach children since October 2021. 

As someone who grew up cherishing skiing, Adreinne understands the impact she has on the children, and the lessons she imparts through her position. She stated, “All interactions that kids have mold who they become, and it makes my job super meaningful. It has taught me so much about patience and empathy.” Adrienne also mentioned, “It is cute to see dads come in with their daughters and ski in princess dresses. Skiing is all about having fun and getting outside—you can be silly, especially around the kids. It is very freeing.” 

Adrienne cited skiing as the reason she made some of her best friends, spent time with family, and gave her opportunities to travel, racing all over the state with the team—why would she not want to pass that joy to the next generation of ski-bums and racers? Skiing created a bond that connected generations of her family, bringing them together for days of frozen fun and lasting memories. Adrienne held on to the timeless gift the Rockies have given her, and decided to convey it to the children she instructs in hopes that skiing will bring them years of delight with their families as well. 

Though she mentioned Telluride as the best ski day, her favorite spot to jump on the lift and fly down the mountain will always be Winter Park, which holds a special place in her heart. 

November, 2024 Issue

Double-trouble or double-double? While some of us may have no idea what a double-double is, nor what a double-dribble is, Nolan Kliewer and Macoy Terry are two boys well versed in all things basketball. From Pre-k to Varsity, the boys have stayed teammates, and are heading to South Dakota Mines Science and Technology this fall to continue their basketball journey.

Teammates since they were four years old, Nolan and Macoy met on the court before the first grade. The pair played with Castle Pines Athletics, basketball and soccer, and it did not stop there. They continued on to play for Rock Canyon Gold Crown and then reached Varsity at Rock Canyon by high school. Nolan stated, “I would have had a very different experience in basketball if we didn’t play together. Mac’s dad, Rob Terry, was my coach for most of the teams I was on through middle school. I don’t know where I’d be without them.”

Their friendship brought the game to the next level. Macoy stated that him and Nolan were on the same team nearly every year since kindergarten, giving them plenty of time to build a close relationship. In addition to school teams, Macoy mentioned they played club basketball each season. With that level of experience, Nolan and Macoy will be more than ready to take college basketball by storm.

The Division II school is welcoming Nolan and Macoy this fall as true Miners. Macoy stated, “We have become great friends on and off the court and have adapted to each other’s play styles, and have great chemistry”, also mentioning that college will be a “new chapter and a chance to prove [himself] in not only the next level of basketball, but life”.

Prove themselves they will, for the 23’-24’ basketball season at Rock Canyon reached a record 20-6 wins, and advanced them to the Great 8 in the continental league, the most competitive league. Nolan and Macoy started every game and were huge contributors to the success of the team, due to their prominent positions.

Though the buzzer may have rung out their final high school season, the duo is far from done. As they embark on their next chapter, the boys will always have someone to pass the ball to. College basketball will not be a shot in the dark, but an expert free throw, bound to score. Having a friend on and off the court will make South Dakota Mines Science and Technology an easier transition, as Nolan stated, “I’m very excited that we get the opportunity to play together in college, it will be a lot of fun. It definitely makes me feel a lot better knowing Mac is going with me.”

 September 2024 Issue