Education

Resolve to Read Local

Five Exciting Authors Who Live Local in Douglas County Article by Amy Hall | Photography by Hutch Tibbetts, Douglas County Libraries Eleanor Brown "Any Other Family" Eleanor Brown is a Highlands Ranch literary gem, one we love seeing when she pops in at the library. In her latest book, she tackles the subject of open adoptions and blended families with beauty and sensitivity.   Ausma Zehanat Khan "Blackwater Falls" Having already checked human rights lawyer and editor-in-chief off her...

Arts + Culture

Layers of Love

Local Visual Artist Paints The Layers of Love and Life Article by Sonja Nix | Photography by Lisa Lord, LiLo Photography When we visited visual artist Ceelee Simpson at her studio recently, her playlist titled ‘Listen to What Your Heart Is Saying” was playing in the background. During the visit, layered under our conversation were melodies of country music, jazz, classic rock, 70’s love songs, and even a James Blunt song weaved in and out. Ceelee has a singular theme in her art: LOVE. Like...

Arts + Culture

Love Songs

Enjoy a Show with Your Valentine, Gal-entine, or Pal-entine Article by Sonja Nix | Photography by Provided Look no further than our own Lone Tree Arts Center for Valentine's Day Entertainment. Choose a standard weekend night performance or an installment of LTAC's Arts in the Afternoon on Valentine's Day. International Guitar Night  8:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 International Guitar Night brings together acclaimed worldwide guitarists for an unforgettable evening of song, strumming, and...

Food + Beverage

Valentine's Day Dinner at Home

Low-Stress, No-Hassle, At-Home Romantic Dinner for Two Article by Angela Broockard | Photography by Janie Jones No dinner resy's? Watching what you eat?  A few special touches transform the comfort of your own home into a romantic and intimate setting for dinner This look employs a non-traditional setting - the coffee table in the living room layered with pillows and cozy blankets on the ground. Use a table runner instead of a tablecloth, and create a handmade floral arrangement on a...

Arts + Culture

Tea for Two

Serving Up Preservation, Culture, History, Science, and Nature. With Two Sugars, Please. Article by Sonja Nix | Photography by Provided Cherokee Ranch & Castle sits atop a rocky outcrop south of Daniels Park. Originally homesteader’s land, the Scottish-style castle was built in the 1920s by the Johnson Family. Tweet Kimball, an avid equestrian and rancher, purchased the property and adjacent land in 1954 to raise her beloved Santa Gertrudis cattle. Developed to thrive on the native grasses of...

Life + Culture

Living Well Through Tough Times

Local Media Personality on Care-Taking and Taking Care Article by Sonja Nix | Photography by Lisa Lord When we first connected with iHeart Radio personality and Denver influencer Denise Plante for our Health + Wellness Issue, we knew her story matched this month’s theme spot on. She has been open about caring for her father, who passed away in 2021 after a battle with cancer. She has used her celebrity to raise more than $2 million for the American Cancer Society, as well as other worthy...

Finance + Legal Services

Master Your Finances in 2024

A Quick Checklist for Financial Success Article by Charlotte Jay | Photography by Lisa Lord, lilo photography As we usher in the new year, it’s crucial to take stock of our financial health and set the stage for a prosperous future. Here is a concise financial checklist to ensure you’re on the right track in 2024: 1. Review and Update Your Budget: Assess your income, expenses, and savings goals. Make necessary adjustments to accommodate any changes in your financial situation. 2. Evaluate and...

Arts + Culture

From the Ashes

Backcountry Resident Recounts Recovery Process From 2021 Devastating House Fire Article by Jennifer Starbuck | Photography by Lisa Lord, LiLo Photography Just days from the completion of a months-long home renovation in October 2021, BackCountry resident Melissa DiLullo was on a much-needed tropical vacation when she received a phone call that landed like a gut punch. “It was a neighbor asking if my dogs were home. I was standing with my suitcase packed, ready to come home the next day. I...

Wellness

The Unlikely Gift

When Faced With the Challenge of a Lifetime, Highlands Ranch Author and Strategy Advisor Finds the Positive Article by Elizabeth Watson | Photography by Deborah Grigsby Smith In 2015, diagnosed with Stage 3c breast cancer, Highlands Ranch resident Diane M. Simard began the difficult journey of treatment, recovery and healing. While faced with many challenges and complications, Simard now uses her cancer experience as a platform for positivity. “Autumn is such a wonderful time to express...

Life + Culture

Douglas County Community Foundation Inaugural Heroes Gala a Resounding Success

Honoring Local Heroes and Fundraising for Community Relief Article by Mike Waid | Photography by George Rosales Photography Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) celebrates the success of its inaugural Heroes Gala honoring first responders, military personnel and veterans at the picturesque Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms. The sold-out event, which was attended by 650 people, including 140 uniformed members from local law enforcement and fire service agencies, raised more than...