Search Castle Rock Magazine December 2021

*****ECRWSS*****

POSTAL CUSTOMER

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENVER, CO PERMIT 5377

CASTLE ROCK NO. 216

|

DECEMBER 2021

SEARCH

2 SEARCHCASTLEROCK

In a world full of pawns

Be a King After the celebration, don’t forget about the gift of financial peace of mind.

Marshall Ekhoff Financial Representative 10851 S Crossroads Dr Unit C7 Parker, CO 80134-8201 www.countryfinancial.com/marshall.ekhoff marshall.ekhoff@countryfinancial.com (303)841-3018 “COUNTRY Financial®” is the marketing name for the COUNTRY Financial family of affiliated companies (collectively, “COUNTRY”), which include COUNTRY Life Insurance Company®, COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company®, and their respective subsidiaries, located in Bloomington, Illinois.

0821-208MM_07460-11/2/2021

Join Search Castle Rock and leave your competition in the dust. bret@tuellers.com | 303-805-9455 DECEMBER 2021 3

CONTENT ISSUE NO. 216 | DECEMBER 2021

FEATURES THE BELL STILL RINGS FOR ALL WHO TRULY BELIEVE We asked some of our younger locals what they love about the holiday season.

10

14 A THRILL OF HOPE Downtown Castle Rock really hits its stride during the holidays, transforming into a winter wonderland.

DEPARTMENTS

NE TREE LO

the

Tr e e CO

8 | EDITOR'S TAKE - Modern Plate 13 | SERVICE - Harry Samora Toy Drive

4 SEARCHCASTLEROCK

TH AUROR OU

Ci t y

S

the

CO

A

6 | AROUND TOWN

LO R A D O

LO R A D O

SEARCH

CASTLE the ROCK Town PA R K E R

Search Castle C ORock isOpublished by LO R A D Tueller Publishing, LLC STLE ROCK CA

Rock

the

CO

LO R A D O

IDEAS & SUBMISSIONS contribute@tuellers.com

Search Castle Rock ©2021 is published

by Tueller Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Search Castle Rock is mailed monthly to households and businesses in the greater Castle Rock area free of charge. Mail inquiries to Search Castle Rock 13009 S. Parker Road #120, Parker, CO 80134, or call 303-805-9455.

Give the gift of food this holiday season with a chef-crafted meal delivered directly to their home.

G I F T

Holiday

C A R D

S A L E

BUY ONE GET ONE

P E A C E , J OY, +

Self-Care

1 HR MASSAGE SESSION | VALID 11/1/21-11/26/21

*SEE STUDIO FOR DETAILS

Lone Tree

10008 Commons St. #150 Lone Tree, CO 80124 720.770.8225

Castle Rock

323 Metzler Dr. #105 Castle Rock, CO 80104 303.663.3702

Castle Rock Promenade

4991 Factory Shops Blvd #120 Castle Rock, CO 80108 303.663.0162

©2021 Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC (“ETM”). Each Elements Massage® studio is independently owned and operated. Massage session includes time for consultation and dressing. Elements Massage® and Elements Massage + design are registered trademarks owned by ETM.

DECEMBER 2021 5

AROUNDTOWN PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOWN OF CASTLE ROCK

Carriage Rides Downtown Carriage Rides beginning at Festival Park are back this year; that’s the good news. The bad news, all dates sold out in twenty minutes! Always a holiday favorite.

Star Lighting

Heroes and Helpers

A local tradition since 1936, the Castle Rock Star Lighting brings our town together. It was another great year (and the weather cooperated) with fun and events at Festival Park for the whole family.

The Police Department’s Heroes and Helpers program pairs deputies with kids for a shopping spree. The program aims to give underprivileged children a brighter Christmas as well as build a positive relationship with law enforcement.

Santa Making The Rounds

Reindeer Games

Castle Rock Police and Fire Departments will be escorting Santa around town on December 11th. See CRgov.com/ santadriveby for a map of their route.

Join in Reindeer Games at the Phillip S. Miller Park, including treats, sleigh rides, games, and live reindeer! It’s holiday fun for the whole family!

JOIN OUR SOCIAL CIRCLE 6 SEARCHCASTLEROCK

@castlerockmag castlerockmagazine.com facebook.com/castlerockmagazine

GAME CHANGER Knowshon Moreno

Broker

(303) 900-SOLD Knowshon@RESignature.com SoldwithSignature.com

“Just like on the field, I have an amazing team that works together to get our clients the win.”

The Knowshon Team DECEMBER 2021 7

E D I TO R ' S

BY SEARCH PARKER STAFF

How the world eats is changing dramatically. Not long ago, restaurant-quality meal delivery was still largely limited to foods such as pizza and Chinese. Nowadays, food delivery has become a staple of everyday life.

Lockdowns and physical distancing requirements early on in the pandemic gave the category an enormous boost, with delivery becoming a lifeline for the hurting restaurant industry. Moving forward, it is poised to remain a permanent fixture in the dining landscape.

Amoung the most opportunistic fields in this arena is that of the "meal kit" genre: measured ingredients delivered to your doorstep, ready to prepare and cook. They took us one step closer to having the convenience of a food delivery service and the piece of mind of a heathly meal option. But you still had to cook it yourself.

Along came Modern Plate.

A local company headquartered in our own back yard, Modern Plate is completing the evolution of the dinner table. Coupled with the convenience of food delivery, their healthy, chef-created meals come ready to warm and eat. No prep, no cooking. Just heat and serve.

8 SEARCHCASTLEROCK

Their slogan is "Busy days deserve great food." And they have structured their business model to meet that belief.

With same-day delivery (if ordered before 10 am), a busy schedule and lack of planning are no obstacle. Having a large family, I also love that all meals are geared towards families, easyily feeding four adults. Because with six kids, every day is a busy day.

Unlike other meal kit companies, Modern Plate is not subscription based. You don't have to be a member, pay monthly fees, or have minimum orders. There is no commitment. Do they have our attention now?

But one of my favorite things about this company is something you and I will never even see. It's the way they give back to our community. A percentage of all revenue is given to their Families Feeding Families program – giving back to our community by partnering with non-profits who care for at-risk families.

Awesome.

Not all meal kit companies are the same. And Modern Plate is separating themselves as the front runner.

$250 OFF INSTANT SAVINGS

off any vehicle purchase Offer expires December 31, 2021.

Not valid with any other offers or discounts.

1.9% Financing Available

milehighgolfcars.com 10311 S. Parkglenn Way • Parker, CO Phone: (303) 951-2131 • Fax: (303) 951-2149

PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS MAKE LIFE EASIER AND MORE COMFORTABLE. CALL TODAY TO LEARN MORE!

$35 OFF

DECEMBER 2021 9

1

2

3

9

7

8 10

4

5

The Bell Still Rings For All Who Truly Believe 6

We asked some of our younger readers what they love about the holidays.

Their answers will melt your heart.

10 SEARCHCASTLEROCK

11

12

15

13

17

16

18

19

14

1

1

Mayla, age 5

6

2

Henry, age 11 Spending time with my family and having time off from school.

3

6

7

Brandt, age 11 One thing I love about Christmas is getting to drink hot chocolate and playing outside in the cold weather.

I also like to spend quality time with my family and worshipping God.

Carter, age 12 I love the holidays because of the feelings of kindness that are spread throughout the world. I love that through all our struggles, the holidays are a time when we can all gather together with our loved ones.

Brielle, age 4 Because we get to eat candy canes.

5

Evelyn, age 5 I love eating cookies, opening presents, and decorating the house for Christmas. It’s fun, and helps the house look pretty ,and it makes me feel like Christmas inside.

Bella, age 9 To me, Christmas is about celebrating Jesus. It's about giving, not receiving, and spending time with family.

4

Vienna, age 5 I love the presents and Elf on the shelf. I like new pajamas because they are merry. Christmas lights on the house is also my favorite. I think it looks beautiful and it makes me feel great!

I like Christmas because Santa brings me presents and we get to sing Christmas songs.

8

Henleigh, age 10 I love Christmas because I get to spend time with my family and my friends. I like watching movies with my siblings. I love decorating the Christmas tree.

DECEMBER 2021 11

9

15

Kennedy, age 6 My favorite thing about the holidays is decorating the Christmas tree because I love looking at all our ornaments and making the house look like Christmas.

10

I love Christmas because I have family time and I know I am loved.

16

Karsyn, age 9

17

Josie, age 8

18

Colette, age 7

19

Taylor, age 12 I love the holidays because we can gather our families together and I love the special meaning and messages of the holiday season.

14

Leo, age 9 Thanksgiving food with cousins

I love the holidays because I get to see my grandparents, spend time with my family, and eat yummy food.

13

Violet, age 8 Christmas feels special and everyone has joy. Probably because Jesus was born on Christmas.

I love getting family together and sharing presents. I also love all of the decorations and food!

12

Emmy, age 4 My favorite thing is going to get our Christmas tree (we cut down our own in the mountains) and I love playing with the nativity figures when Mommy isn’t looking.

Thanksgiving is not all about the food; it is also about being thankful. Christmas is not just about presents; it is also about love and spending time with family.

11

Millie, age 9

Lexie, age 10 I love spending time with my family and giving to others.

I also love our family traditions this time of year. My favorite thing to do is decorate our Christmas tree with our special ornaments that my Grandma gives us every year.

Henry, age 10 My favorite things about the holidays are Christmas carols and Christmas cookies. And presents, of course!

10 NEW WAYS

2 RISE & SHINE 3

#

BEST BREAKFAST SANDWICHES IN PARKER Ham on Challah

5

#

Chicken Apple Sausage

9

#

9807 S. Parker Road • thedonuthouse.com 12 SEARCHCASTLEROCK

Veggie

15

From November 11 - December 20 bring a new, unwrapped toy for children ages newborn to 18 years and they will be donated in honor of Harry Samora. Monetary donations can be made to the Harry Samora Memorial Fund.

DROP OFF LOCATIONS Legacy Point Elementary School Parker, Pinetree Jewelers Parker, Stroh Ranch Rec Center Parker, REMX/KC Butler Home Team Lakewood, Big O Tires Parker, Comfort Dental Places Aurora, Kids Town Parker, Solera Salon Centennial and Lone Tree, Antonio’s Pizza Pasta Wings Parker, Extreme Auto Repair, Arapahoe Community College (Parker: 15653 Brookstone Dr., Littleton: 5900 S Santa Fe Dr. and Castle Rock: 4500 Limelight Ave), Parker All Star Furniture and Advanced Healthcare (All locations: AZ - Glendale, Mesa, and Scottsdale, CA - Sacramento, CO - Aurora and Colorado Springs, ID - Meridian, Lewiston, and Grangeville, KS - Overland Park, NV - Las Vegas, Reno and Henderson, NM - Albuquerque and UT - Murray Ridge, South Ogden, Salem, St. George and Orem Also Sponsored by Love, Sheila - A Giving Project

SPECIALS WITH TOY DONATION Big O (10431 Parkglenn Way, 303-787-7010) - 10% on any service *Not Valid With Any Other Offers Pinetree Jewelers - free watch battery Antonio’s Pizza Pasta Wings (In Parker) - 10% off with new toy donation *Not valid with any other discounts Pro Shop at Family Shop (Englewood) - 15% off any golf related activies, or any merchandise purchased in pro shop with donation of new toy *Not valid with any other discount Comfort Braces (15403 E. Hampden Ave, Aurora, 303-680-3295) - For any New Patient who brings in 3 toys, the initial fee to start treatment will only be $99 (regularly $399) Extreme Auto Repair - 15% off any service *Not valid with any other offer Parker All Star Furniture - 10% off Laguna Med Spa (10259 S. Parker Rd. Suite 100) - $25 off skin care treatment with a toy donation

Facebook Page Harry Samora Memorial Page Tax ID #47-3575736 Please make checks payable to: Harry Samora Memorial Foundation and mail to Waid Publishing, 19094 Cody Ave, Parker, CO 80134

18520 Apache Dr in Parker 720-519-0464

Please visit and Like our Facebook Page Fundraiser DECEMBER 2021 13

PHOTOS AND CONTENT COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF CASTLE ROCK

a thrill of HOPE The Town of Castle Rock shares some of the details of their massive holiday preparations!

Work began in October to spruce up the streets of downtown Castle Rock for the holidays. The Town’s parks division hangs more than 1,000 feet of garland and strings up more than 100,000 lights on Wilcox Street (between Plum Creek Parkway and Interstate 25), lights on trees along Perry Street, lights on Town Hall and police headquarters, and much of the decorations at Festival Park. Contracted companies take care of the 30-foot fully decorated tree at Festival Park and the “blue” tree at the Douglas County Building. All of the work comes together when the lights turn on downtown for the star lighting and the holiday season.

While The Star comes on easily with a “flip of a switch” at Starlighting, preparing for the season involves so much more. The iconic star stands 40 feet tall and 40 feet wide 14 SEARCHCASTLEROCK

and holds 100 incandescent bulbs. A week before Starlighting, a group of current and former Castle Rock Fire and Rescue firefighters gather equipment and make the trek to the star. On a good day, climbing the side of the rock is precarious. If there’s snow or ice, it’s dangerous and extremely hard to navigate. The same is true for climbing the star. It sways a lot, and any snow or ice makes climbing the star challenging at best. While at the star, the team makes needed repairs and replaces the bulbs. After the star is lit, it’s checked every few days throughout the holidays to replace burned-out or broken bulbs.

These CRFD firefighters volunteered to learn how to maintain the star because of its historical significance to the Town and its residents, bringing hope to many since the Great Depression. They take great pride in upholding that tradition. They are the Keepers of the Star.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATIE BAECHLER

DECEMBER 2021 15