Page 15 - DEC 2018 proof The Castle Pines Connection

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Should you get a real tree this year?
in the Pines
The Castle Pines Connection has teamed up with The Pet Stuff Place, Camp Bow Wow – Castle Rock and the Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center to bring you the sixth annual Cutest Pet in the Pines contest!
We invite you to share your digitally-captured pet adventures with us. Send in your favorite photo for a chance to win great prizes and have your pet featured in the upcoming January issue of The Connection.
The rst-place winner will receive bragging rights and a $200 gift card to The Pet Stuff Place. Two runners-up will also be selected to each receive a $50 gift certi cate to The Pet Stuff Place.
Photos are selected based on the “cuteness” of the photo and also the “cuteness” of the pet. Judging is, of course, subjective and we do our best to choose pets that make you smile.
Send photos to Editor@ castlepinesconnection. com by December 15.
Last year’s grand prize winner!
By Catalin Varela
Yes, absolutely! But cutting holiday trees kills the earth right? Well, here are a few reasons why you should stay on the real tree bandwagon for one more year.
First of all, they're just so much fun to pick out! You can’t trade a trip to the tree farm with the family for a quick sprint to Walmart. Picking out the tree is an
entire experience in itself.
Believe it or not, having a real tree in your home can improve your health. In addition to making your home look and smell
great, that tree is hard at work converting carbon dioxide to oxygen...improving the air quality and health in your home.
Contrary to popular belief,
real trees are far more sustainable when
it comes to Mother Earth. Evergreen tree farms do not contribute to deforestation,
as they are often located where soil
is not suitable to grow anything else. Additionally, real trees are biodegradable so when it comes time to take it down, you’re not causing any damage. It is believed that an arti cial tree would have to be used 10 years in a row to equal the carbon footprint of a natural tree.
Lastly, by purchasing a tree from a local farm you are improving the economy and supporting small, local businesses. Two things you can never go wrong with.
Okay, I’ve convinced you that you need a real tree...but how do you take care of it?
As someone who can’t keep a rock alive, I can tell you it’s not that di cult. Just like with owers, make sure to trim a
little o the trunk of the tree when you get home to keep it fresh. Of course, keep an eye on the stand
and make sure to re ll the water when it is looking low. Lastly, don’t go overboard with the
lights! Though its unlikely you’ll have a problem, piling
on the string lights can start to become a re hazard.
All this being said, with any good story there is another side. Arti cial trees can be easier on the budget. They are also bene cial if a family member experiences allergies, and they do require less upkeep.
Whichever tree you choose, I hope it brings joy and smiles to everyone in the home! Share pictures of your family and the tree with us on Facebook and Instagram with the handle @CastlePinesConnection.
Bruce Cochrane