Killingworth Resident Thanks Building Committee
In a letter to the editor, Killingworth resident Divinna Schmitt thanks the Regional School District Building Committee for its hard work. Read her complete letter in the New Haven Register here.

HK Falls to Hyde in SLC Finals
The Haddam-Killingworth boys basketball team was defeated by Hyde of New Haven last night, 75-47, in the finals of the Shoreline Conference Championships in Durham. Cory Riordan led the Cougars with 16 points followed by Brett Zanardi with 14 and Ryan Murray with 9 points. The Howling Wolves were led by Davon Yarbrough with 26 points. The Cougars begin CIAC State competition next Wednesday, March 10 when they host the second round against the winner of Monday's East Hampton/Wilcox game. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at the HK Fieldhouse. Read compete game coverage in the New Haven Register.

In his weekly address to residents, First Selectman David Denvir discusses the hard work and dedication of the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company and his decision not to accept the Dept. of Homeland Security funds for equipment used to handle hazardous materials. Read his complete remarks here.

HK Rec Offers Dog Obedience Class
The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering Basic Dog Obedience classes on Thursdays, March 25-May 13 (no class 4/22). The first class is from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and is for dogs ages 5 months and up. The second class, from 7:15-8:15 pm, is for puppies ages 10 months to 5 months. Classes are held in the HK High School Auxiliary Gym. The fee is $85 each session. ($65 for repeating students). Non-residents please add $5. The 1st class is theory and is for owners only.

Canine Encounters teaches dog owners how to teach their dogs. The basic commands such as sit, stay/wait, down, heel, the recall (come when called), and stand are taught in a positive and fun atmosphere. The goal is not a controlled pet but rather a well mannered, enjoyable and loved companion. For more information, please call the HK Recreation Department at 345-8334 or visit us on-line at www.hkrec.com.

Cougars Play in Conference Final Tonight
The Haddam-Killingworth boys basketball will play Hyde of New Haven in the Shoreline Conference Championships tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Coginchaug-Durham. The high school is located off Route 17 on Pickett Lane in Durham. The Cougars will look to avenge the two regular season losses to the Howling Wolves.

The Boys CIAC State Championships begin on Monday, March 8. The Cougars received a bye into the second round of the Class 'S' Tournament. They will play the winner of Monday's East Hampton/Wilcox Tech game, on Wednesday, March 3 at 7:00 p.m. at the HK fieldhouse.

Fire Company Looking For Auction Items

The Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company is seeking donations for its annual GIANT AUCTION to held in April. An auction 'hotline' has been established for those who wish to donate items. Please call 860/663-2043 and leave your name, phone number and the items to be donated. The line is automatically answered 24 hours a day. A firefighter will return your call and make arrangements for pickup.

The Auction itself will take place on Saturday, April 17 from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Fire Headquarters on Route 81. The event is a fun filled day for bargain and treasure hunters. The monies raised by the auction are used to supplement the fire company's annual budget, as well as for the cost of additional training and special fire/rescue equipment.

Gospel Duo to Perform at Congregational Church
The country gospel group, Heartsong Singers for Christ will perform a concert at the Congregational Church in Killingworth, Sunday, March 7 at 3:00 p.m. This distinctive duo combines country, blues, and southern gospel style music into their song writing. They have performed on TNN, and at local and regional fairs and concerts. Their first CD can be heard on WFIF Christian radio in Connecticut. The duo is fronted by Patti Dahl, contralto lead with harmonies from Sherry Sarandrea. Patti is a mid-westerner from Wisconsin and Sherry is from Connecticut. Tickets at the door are $7. For more information contact the church 860-663-1789.

Brownie Troop Cookie Sale Saturday
Local Brownie Troop #2218 is holding a 'Girl Scout' Cookie Sale Saturday, March 6. The proceeds will help sponsor troop activities that teach valuable life skills. Cookies will be on sale at the Killingworth Transfer Station from 8:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. and at the Killingworth True Value Hardware Store from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Pre-ordered cookies will be delivered later this week: They cannot be picked up at the booths.

Middle School Honor Roll Announced
Haddam-Killingworth Middle School has announced its second marking period honor roll list. The names of the seventh and eighth grade students awarded high honors and honors are listed here.

Drama Club Performance at KES Tonight
The Killingworth Elementary School Global Values Drama Club, under the direction of theater instructor Andrea Wilson, KES parent Renee Rhodes and Musical Director Joel Spineti, performed three short plays tonight in the KES all-purpose room. The plays titled, The Acceptors, The Kinders and The Gratitudes were written by the 30 drama students from grades 3-5. Spineti wrote the original music and two of the songs had lyrics written by student, Holly DeMorro. The 40-minute performance is the first of two in the new program started to heighten awareness" about important things in life...like being kind, and grateful, and accepting". KES has a school-wide Global Values Program where each month students participate in activities both at school and home that focus on a specific value: acceptance, love, kindness, service, gratitude, humility, patience and forgiveness. To view more photos of tonight's performance go here.

HK Boys Defeat Old Saybrook to Gain SLC Final
The Haddam-Killingworth boys basketball team defeated Old Saybrook last night, 63-58, at the HK fieldhouse. In the other half of the SLC, Hyde defeated Old Lyme, 77-30. HK was led by seniors Cory Riordan with 19 points and Matt Finlayson with 15 points. Junior Ryan Murray went down with an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. The Cougars will meet the Howling Wolves in the Conference final Friday at Coginchaug High School at 7:00 p.m. Read the complete game summary from the Middletown Press.

Democratic Primary Results
According to the Connecticut Secretary of the State, with 130 of 169 towns reporting, Sen. John Kerry received 60.1% of the votes in the Connecticut Democratic Primary yesterday and won 35 of Connecticut's 49 pledged delegates. Sen. John Edwards received 23.5% of the vote and won the remaining 14 delegates. Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman received one vote in Killingworth and 3.9 % of the votes state-wide. According to CNN.com, Sen. John Edwards will end his presidential run today.

There are 830 residents on the active Democratic enrollment list in Killingworth: 229 voted in yesterday's primary (27.6%). State-wide, 21% of active democrats voted in the primary. The vote totals for Killingworth and percent of state votes for all 8 candidates on the ballot are listed.
Edwards (58, 23.5%) Lieberman(1, 3.9%) Larouche(0, .7%) Kucinich(5, 3.4%) Dean(15, 4.0%) Kerry(146, 60.1%) Clark(1, 1.2%) Sharpton(3, 2.4%) Uncommitted (0, .7%).

Building Committee Withdraws Planning and Zoning Application
The Regional School District No. 17 Building Committee decided to withdraw its application to the Planning and Zoning Commission yesterday, until Killingworth can pass zoning regulations for the building of a new school. According to the Building Committee press release, the withdrawal was made as a result of an in-depth review of zoning regulations by the district's architect, engineer and attorney. They determined that there are no current planning and zoning regulations under which the district may apply to build a new public school in the Town of Killingworth. If the district was to proceed with its current application and it was approved, the district and the town may be subject to an appeal that could tie up the project for years in court.

Building Committee Chair Kjell Tollefsen said the committee would provide whatever help necessary to the Planning and Zoning Commission to pass appropriate zoning regulations and move ahead with the Intermediate/Middle School plans. He said, "Obviously the district wants to proceed with the building of the new school as soon as possible, but until new planning and zoning regulations are drafted and approved, it is not in the best interest of the two communities or the students of the district to proceed." Tollefsen said the school project will probably be delayed about six weeks while the regulations are written and passed through Town procedures, that include a town meeting. He said the opening date of the middle school might be delayed until the Fall of 2006, but he said he hoped the project could make up some time after it goes out to bid. At the previous informational meeting, Tollefsen said he expected the school to open mid-year 2005-2006. He said yesterday, that opening the school in the Spring of 2006 might be awkward for staff and students, so if they couldn't open by mid-school year, they would probably delay until Fall. In its statement, the Building Committee said in hindsight, the project should have been analyzed more closely for applicable planning and zoning regulations before application. Tollefsen said he was disappointed with the delay but, appropriate regulations would protect the project against major delays down the road. He also explained that current regulations do cover the improvements and expansions made to KES in recent years as well as the opening of the Living Rock Church's private school.

Dr. Seuss 'Read Across America' Party at KES
Students, staff and parents gathered at the Elementary School today to celebrate Dr. Seuss' 100th birthday and promote reading for kids of all ages. An all-school assembly kicked off the celebration then parent volunteers read Dr. Seuss stories in each of the KES classrooms. Teacher Susan Dean even celebrated with her class by cooking up a batch of green eggs and ham.

Secretary of State Announces Candidacy to Local Democrats
Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut's Secretary of State, addressed the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee Sunday, Feb 29. According to committee member, Kathy Amoia, Bysiewicz announced her intention to run for Governor in 2006. She also discussed the new primary laws and the petition process for getting on a primary ballot. Bysiewicz explained that this year, state primary elections will be held in August instead of September, as they have been in the past. She reported that a recent trial of electronic voting machines was very successful and said that every polling place will have at least one electronic voting machine by the 2005 elections. The state will absorb the cost of the new machines. In accordance with a recent change in state law, the caucus of Killingworth Democrats to endorse delegates to the state and district conventions has been scheduled for Sunday, March 28, at 7:00 p.m. in the Killingworth Library meeting room. All registered Democrats are invited to attend. The monthly meeting normally scheduled for April will be held immediately following the March Caucus.

In his weekly address to residents, First Selectman David Denvir discusses the good news and the bad news of the week. The bad news, according to Denvir, came from the Hartford Courant's attempt to report the Selectmen's proceedings on the Bosco Farmhouse and the good news came from the Connecticut State Legislature in the form of a real estate conveyance tax bill that could provide funding for open space. You can read about the bill here. Read Denvir's complete remarks here.

Girls End Season With Loss To Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart of Waterbury defeated the Haddam-Killingworth girls basketball team, 57-44, last night to end the Cougars' 2003-2004 campaign.

Global Values Drama at KES
The first performance of the Global Values Drama Program from Killingworth Elementary School will take place Wednesday, March 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the KES All-Purpose Room. More than 30 KES students in grades 3-5 have been meeting each Friday with program coordinator, Dr. Renee Rhodes, theater instructor Andrea Wilson, music teacher Joel Spineti, and parent volunteers to write and produce a drama to illustrate societal values. The Global Values program is a school-wide program that helps children better understand the world around them and understand that people are more alike than they are different no matter what country they're from or what religion they practice. Each month students participate in activities both at school and home that focus on a specific value: acceptance, love, kindness, service, gratitude, humility, patience and forgiveness. The children will perform original material written for this free program.

Democratic Primary Polls Open Today
The polls for the Democratic Primary will be open today, March 2 from 6:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. Voting will take place in classroom 1 at Killlingworth Elementary School. Connecticut has 61 delegates to the Democratic National Convention and over 630,000 registered Democrats. This is a closed primary and only registered members of a party may vote in that party's primary. Twelve of the 62 delegates are so-called "superdelegates" who can support any candidate they choose, while the remaining 49 are doled out to candidates who get more than 15 percent of the vote. The delegates are divided proportionally, according to each candidate's showing in the primary. Town-by-town primary results are available from the secretary of state website.

District School Superintendent in Place

Newly appointed, Regional School District No. 17 Schools Superintendent, Gary Mala began his contact today, March 1. Mala was appointed on Dec. 22 by the Board of Education to replace Dr. Katharine Kussy. Dr. Robert Goldman filled in as interim superintendent until Jan. 31 and then former Killingworth Elementary School Principal, Dr. Maureen Fitzpatrick served until Mala could finalize his work with the Tolland-Southwick, Massachusetts School District. There will be a reception for Mala and his family, Sunday, March 7 from 1-3:00 p.m. at Burr Elementary School. The welcome reception is open to the public with refreshments supplied by the schools' parent-teacher organizations.

Mr. Mala served as superintendent in Massachusetts since 2000. Previously, he was the high school principal in Naugatuck, elementary principal in Naugatuck and Director of Special Education in Bethany. He is currently completing his doctorate in educational administration from Central Connecticut State University. He earned a masters degree from Central Connecticut in education and a bachelor's degree in education. In his public meeting during the interview process, Mala said his first actions in the position would be to address the elementary schools' reading program, block scheduling at the high school and the instability and turnover in the District. According to the Board of Education upon his appointment, the search for permanent principals at KES, Burr and HK High School will begin as soon as Mala is settled.

HK Recreation Offering Spring Pre-School Program
The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering a new program for 2- to 5-year-olds this spring. Celebrations is a fun-filled program that is offered once a month with a central theme. Stories, songs, games, a craft and snack will all be included. Sign up for one or more. Classes are offered on Mondays. Session III is March 15 (Happy Birthday Big Bird). Session IV is April 12 (April Showers). Session V is May 10 (Bring May Flowers). Session VI is June 7 (Bug Bonanza). All classes are from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Haddam Youth Center. The fee is $15 each class (non-residents, add $5). Call 345-8334 for information.

Killingworth Opts Out of Homeland Security Gear
After pledging that every town would be outfitted with chemical suits, gloves and detection meters, the state is well on its way to spending this year's $32 million federal homeland security grant. According to the Hartford Courant, critics say towns with fewer than 6,000 people have received as much in equipment as the three largest cities - Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford. Killingworth First Selectman David Denvir said he turned down the equipment, according to the article, because "it really was a question of, let's be realistic, we're not first responders for biological warfare". The Connecticut Office of Emergency Management has made it a priority to get equipment to every town even though questions have been raised about the logic of a plan that puts $10,000 worth of hazardous materials gear in the hands of volunteer fire departments before big cities have all the equipment they need.

Cougars to Take on Rams in SLC Semi-Final
The Haddam-Killingworth boys basketball will take on Old Saybrook tomorrow night, March 2, at 7:00 p.m. in the Shoreline Conference Championship's semi-final match-up. Old Saybrook defeated Coginchaug in the quarter-finals, Saturday, to face the Cougars.

The HK girl's basketball team takes on Sacred Heart tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Waterbury for the first round of the CIAC state competition. Senior Kelsey Pratt was recently named to the Shoreline Conference Honorable Mention team. Pratt scored 10.7 points per game this season and helped the Cougars finish with a much improved, 9-11 season. The three-sport athlete for Haddam-Killingworth will play volleyball for Quinnipiac University in Hamden, next fall. She was recently named a Connecticut Scholar-Athlete from HK along with senior Matt Finlayson.

Cougar guard Kristen Hetsko has been an important leader on a team that fulfilled its season goal of making the state tournament. The Middletown Press published a profile of the junior guard and the 2003-2004 HK team.

The Myth of the Paperless Office
by Abigail J. Sellen and Richard H. R. Harper
ISBN: 026269283X (paperback)
ISBN: 0262194643 (hardcover)

In the digital age, where email is an accepted mode of office communication, and word-processed files are shared easily between and among colleagues in various geographic locations, an assumption could be made that paper consumption in the workplace is dwindling. That assumption would be incorrect, and is the main thesis of The Myth of the Paperless Office, written by Abigail J. Sellen, a cognitive psychologist at Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, and Richard H.R. Harper, Director of the Digital World Research Centre at the University of Surrey, UK.

Sellen and Harper discuss the origins of the paperless office myth starting more than thirty years ago, and subsequent changes in office technology and paper use. They explore the various "affordances" of paper - the qualities that are unique to the medium of paper in reading and writing. You are not alone, if, in the process of reading, you've found that paper is still the best medium in terms of flexibly navigating through documents, cross referencing more than one document at a time, ease of annotation of documents, and the interweaving of reading and writing.

Selden and Harper also study why paper continues to be the medium of choice in situations that may surprise you, including the use of paper flight strips by air traffic controllers, and as a "to do" system stacked on one's desk.

Susan Miller is the Associate Director of the Arnold Bernhard Library at Quinnipiac University. She holds a Bachelor and Master of Music from Ohio State University and a M.S. in Library Science from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Contact Susan at covertocover@killingworthtoday.com