HK's Top Swimmer Signs With St. Bonaventure
St. Bonaventure men's swimming coach Sean McNamee announced five student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Bonnies beginning in the fall, including Haddam-Killingworth star Scott Jordan. A four-year letterwinner for the Cougars, Jordan earned All-Nutmeg Conference honors four consecutive seasons. His senior season, Jordan placed third in the 200 IM and fourth in the 100 breast at the Connecticut Association of Schools/Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Championship. The Haddam-Killingworth record holder in the 100 back, 200 IM, 200 free and 100 breast, Jordan also set a conference record in the 200 free. He has been a two-time All-American nominee in the 200 IM and 100 breast.

"Scott was a late bloomer who had a great senior year to become a high profile recruit. His times in the 200 IM and 100 breast both place him as a Championship Finalist at this past years A-10's," said McNamee.

St. Bonaventure placed second at the 2004 Atlantic 10 Swimming and Diving Championship. McNamee said, "Each one of the incoming scholarship swimmers comes in with times that would place them in the top-eight in the A-10 this year in all of their events. This is probably the most versatile class we have ever brought to campus and one that holds a lot of expectation before they even hit campus."

FOI Commission Rules Meeting Was Illegal
The Freedom of Information Commission in Hartford ruled that the meeting held in November 2003 among two members of the Board of Selectmen, the town building official, and Region 17 School officials violated state law. Selectman Louis Annino Sr., who was excluded from the meeting, filed the complaint against the Killingworth Board of Selectmen. First Selectman David Denvir contended that the meeting was informal: The Board had no authority over the school officials; No minutes were taken, and no actions decided. According to the Hartford Courant, FOI hearing officer Sherman London ruled that the presence of Selectman Charles Morgan constituted a quorum of the three-member board and thereby made the session an official meeting.

This week, Killingworth Democratic Town Committee and Region 17 Building Committee member, Rick Berzon focuses his commentary on the Intermediate/Middle School Project; the criteria used to select the site, and the final hurdle for the Building Committee. Read his complete remarks here.

Coaching Opportunities
Haddam-Killingworth Athletic Department has openings in its fall coaching staff for next year. If you are interested in coaching Varsity Girls Soccer, J.V. Girls Soccer, J.V. Boys Soccer or Middle School Girls Soccer please contact Jill MacDiarmid at 345-8541 or email her at jmacdiarmid@rsd17.org

State Representative Brian O'Connor has been appointed to serve as a member of the Commission on Government Accountability, Creativity and Efficiency (ACE). The purpose of the commission is to review the report of the Task Force on Accountability, Creativity and Efficiency, determine which areas recommended for further study will be reviewed and then conduct those reviews.

O'Connor was appointed by House Majority Leader James Amann, who is one of the project's original founders. Amann said, " I am very pleased that Rep. O'Connor has accepted my appointment. I selected Rep. O'Connor because he has a record of consistently promoting efficiencies in state government. The commission will continue to focus on recommending changes to improve and streamline state government. Rep. O'Connor is well suited for this task and I look forward to the contributions he will make."

Rep. O'Connor said, "I am eager to help complete the work conducted during the first phase of the ACE program, which strived to make government more streamlined and efficient. Our final recommendations will be the product of an open and bipartisan study process. Next session, I look forward to turning these new, innovative concepts into effective legislation and delivering more bang for the taxpayer's buck."

The Commission was created in May 2003 to conduct a review of state government programs and agencies and look for ways to make the state government more effective with more controlled costs. In December 2003, the Commission was expanded and began a study of higher education, federal revenue maximization, prescription drug costs, and privatization and performance-based budgeting. As of June 11, the bi-partisan commission has 29 members representing the House and Senate. The Commission will prepare a report to be released in January 2005.

Profiles of Retiring Region 17 Teachers
Read the farewell tributes to the Haddam-Killingworth High School teachers who are retiring this year in this week's issue of The Source. Included are profiles of; Frank Cunningham who is retiring after 35 years of teaching Industrial Arts and 15 years in the District; English Teacher Maggie Jennings who taught in the District for 28 years; John Pianta, who taught for 33 years in the District in Industrial Arts, journalism, and was staff advisor for the high school newspaper and Leona Stec, who began her 28 years with the district as a business teacher then served as guidance counselor.

St. Lawrence Church Strawberry Festival
The St. Lawrence Church on Hemlock Drive will hold its annual Strawberry Festival Saturday, June 19 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The Festival will feature a giant auction and craft fair with raffle prizes, baked goods, plants, and toys and activities for children.

This week, Catherine Iino of the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee focuses her commentary on how state and federal actions effect the Town of Killingworth and how local actions can change the course of state and National politics. Read her complete remarks here.

Vitali Leads K-Sox Over East Haddam
The Killingworth Juniors Red Sox team placed another tick in the win column Monday night with a, 12-6, victory over a tough East Haddam team. The score however, does not reflect how close the game really was. Starting pitcher Jody Loso Jr., battled the East Haddam hitters for 4 innings; fanning eight. In trouble in the fourth with the bases loaded and one out, Loso got some help in the field from a spectacular catch by Joe Vitali that stunned the East Haddam runners; freezing them in place and preventing a score. Loso then struck out the final batter, holding East Haddam to a slim, 6-5, lead. In the top of the 5th with runners aboard, Loso, Jr. switched from pitcher to hitter, driving in the game-tying run with a double to the warning track in left. Left-hander Louis Annino went to the mound in the bottom of the fifth and made quick work of the East Haddam hitters. In the top of the sixth, Ryan Taylor and Paul Gambardella hit back-to-back singles and again it was Vitali who then came up big with an RBI ground ball to put the K-Sox up for good. Annino returned to the hill in the bottom of the sixth, striking out two and stranding the tying run at third. In the seventh, the K-Sox put up five more runs to put the game out of reach.

Coach Jody Loso commended his team after the game noting that good defense, pitching, as well as hitting top to bottom was the key to the victory. He added special acknowledgement of Vitali's performance saying, "Joe stepped up his game when we really needed it". The K-Sox are back in action later this week when they will face a tough Essex team.

L'il Dribblers Summer Camp
L'il Dribblers Summer Camp will present a fun-filled week of basketball to boys and girls aged pre-K through Grade Two at Killingworth Elementary School, Aug. 16-20. The sessions run from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon and the fee for the week is $90. L'il Dribblers is designed to teach basketball skills to all youngsters regardless of experience or talent level. Game skill challenges are adapted to all players' needs. Everyone achieves! Everyone has fun!

Presenter, Tom Capello has coached all age levels and taught elementary physical education for over five decades. Coach Capello has formulated a program where games and fun activities equal basketball skills. For further information contact Capello at 860/345-7456 or email Tdomby@aol.com or register by sending a check for $90. to L'il Dribblers Basketball, 101 Joseph Circle, Higganum, CT 06441.

Selectmen Modify Meeting Structure
The Killingworth Board of Selectmen announced a change in its meeting structure last night, in order to facilitate a more productive meeting and better accommodate visitor's comments. Beginning with its July 12 meeting, visitors will be asked to restrict their comments and questions to items on the meeting's agenda. First Selectman David Denvir encouraged residents to continue to meet and speak with the Selectmen throughout the week, but said the meetings were becoming "unproductive and disruptive", and the Selectmen decided to set some parameters. Denvir said any item of concern could be placed on the agenda for discussion by contacting the Selectman's office. Items have to be placed on the agenda prior to its official posting, which is one business day prior to the meeting. For regular Monday meetings of the Board, the agenda is posted Friday afternoon. Agendas are posted in the Town Clerk's office, outside the Selectman's office, and on the announcement board outside the door to the offices.

KYL Announces Minors All-Star Team
The Killingworth Youth League baseball program announced its 2004 Minors All-Star team. The team includes Austin Boulay, Alex DiMauro-D'Amico, Patrick Dougherty, Liam Granucci, RJ Kasper, Steven Kindschi, Westley Nuhn, Trevor Phelan, Nate Silas, Matt Sturman, Matt Walsh, Austin Wezenski, and alternates Ryan Dahlberg and Steven Frank. The All-Star team for 9 and 10-year-old boys will represent the KYL minors in the District tournament beginning July 3.

Pumas Finish Soccer Season on Top
The Under-9 Haddam-Killingworth boys soccer team ended its season with a strong performance at the Southington Soccer Tournament, June 5-6. Coached by Patrick Baker and John Blancaflor, the Pumas were led by Ryan Baker and Curt Islieb, who scored goals; Nickolas Franceschi and Alex Muir who played strong on offense and in the midfield; Joey LaRossa, Kevin Campbell, Peter Brandon and Matt More with outstanding defensive; and Patrick Gorman, Tony LaBella and Adam Boyington who were almost impenetrable in goal. photos courtesy Patrick Baker

High School Announces Top Ten Students
The Regional School District No. 17 Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Gary Mala, and Haddam-Killingworth High School Administration announced its top ten students for the Class of 2004. These students along with their families were recognized at a ceremony at the Board of Education Meeting held June 8.

Jessica L. Deimel, daughter of Christopher and Linda Deimel of Killingworth, is the valedictorian of the class of 2004. She is a CAPT Scholar, named as a National Merit Finalist and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She won the Harvard Book Award for overall academic achievement, and the University of Rochester Humanities and Social Sciences Award. Deimel was also the recipient of the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program. She was an active member of the French Club, Chamber Choir, National Honor Society, S.A.D.D., and the HK Players. Most recently she played the lead in the production of The Music Man, was named to the All-State and All Southern Choruses, and was a recipient of the 2004 Connecticut Association of Schools Music Award. Jessica will attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.

Molly Elizabeth O'Brien, daughter of James and Gina O'Brien of Killingworth, is the salutatorian of the class of 2004. She was a CAPT Scholar, won the Yale Book Award, was a member of S.A.D.D., on the Math team, and was a diligent tutor of middle and high school students in French and math. O'Brien played on the tennis, lacrosse, and field hockey teams and served as the captain of the field hockey team during her senior year. Molly will attend Fordham University in the fall.

Daryl K. Zules, daughter of Kit and Maro Zules of Killingworth, ranks third in the class of 2004. She was a National Merit Commended Scholar, a CAPT Scholar, winner of the Holy Cross Book Award, and a member of the National Honor Society. She was also on the S.A.D.D. committee, and the Math team. Zules was an active member of the Field Hockey, Tennis and Lacrosse teams and was elected Field Hockey Captain. She will be attending the University of Connecticut in the fall where she will be part of the Honors Program.

Bailey Bell, daughter of Kevin and Terry Bell of Higganum, is ranked fourth in the class of 2004. She was a CAPT Scholar, winner of Smith Book Award, a member of National Honor Society, a member of S.A.D.D., the Student Council, and the Yearbook Committee. She was the Stage Manager for several productions for the HK Players in addition to serving as its Publicity officer. Bell played on volleyball, basketball and softball teams, serving as the Captain of the Volleyball Team during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. She was selected All-League Scholar Athlete as well as The Hartford Courant Scholar Athlete. Bailey will attend Brigham Young University where she plans to major in Marriage, Family and Human Development

Austin M. Riotte, son of Barbara and Karl Riotte of Higganum, ranks fifth in the class of 2004. He was a CAPT Scholar, won the Clarkson Leadership Award, was identified by the National Merit Program as a Commended Student, and was a member of the National Honor Society. Riotte was an active member of the HK Players; most recently playing the part of Mayor Shinn in The Music Man. He was a member of the Indoor Track Team, and S.A.D.D., and Co-Chairman of Prom Promise in 2003. Outside of school, Austin plays bass in the popular local band, The Flamingos. Riotte plans to enter Vassar College in the fall and major in English.

Mary M. Rider, daughter of JoAnn and John Rider of Higganum, ranks sixth in the class of 2004. She received both the Superintendent's Award and the Clarkson Leadership Award, was a participant in the Jason XII Project, the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Conference and served as one of the World of Difference Panelists. A talented flutist, Rider earned three Excellence Awards in Instrumental Music and was selected to play in the American Band Director's Association Band. She earned recognition as a CAPT Scholar and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She was a member of the Math Team, Student Council, French Club, the S.A.D.D. Committee, the Human Relations Club and the Environmental Club. Rider has decided to defer college for one year to study in Spain through the Center for Cross-Cultural Study. She will enter Johns Hopkins University in the fall of 2005.

Matthew J. Finlayson, son of William and Joyce Finlayson of Higganum, is ranked seventh in the class of 2004. He was a CAPT Scholar, received the Dartmouth Book Award, was a member of the National Honor Society, and the Student Council. He was an active member of S.A.D.D.; planning special events such as the 'Dead Day' and the 'Mock Crash'. Finlayson was a member of the basketball and baseball teams. He was named as a Scholar Athlete for basketball all four years, named to the CIAC Scholar Athlete Academic All-State Team and was nominated for the Academic All-State Baseball Team. Finlayson will attend the Salve Regina University in the fall where he plans to major in business.

Samantha Y. Laudano, daughter of Richard & Barbara Laudano of Killingworth is ranked eighth in the class of 2004. She has been recognized as a CAPT Scholar, was a member of S.A.D.D. Committee, National Honor Society and the Student Council. Laudano was also a member of the swim team, indoor track team and lacrosse team. She will attend Northeastern University in the fall where she plans on majoring in pharmacy.

Lynn A. LaVecchia, daughter of Richard and Jean LaVecchia of Killingworth is ranked ninth in the class of 2004. She was recognized as a CAPT Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society. LaVecchia played on the soccer, basketball and golf teams. LaVecchia is still undecided about her college choices.

Benjamin A. Brewer, son of Timothy and Jean Brewer of Higganum, is ranked tenth in the class of 2004. He was awarded the Superintendent's Award, was a CAPT Scholar, and was a member of the National Honor Society and the National Art Honor society. Ben was Committee Chair for the Arts Calendar project, a member of the soccer team, and a member of the golf team. Brewer plans to attend Choate Rosemary Hall in the fall.

Young Musicians Perform in Recital
The Community Music School in Centerbrook presented its Spring Recital, Sunday featuring several Killingworth area music students. Shelby Van Huysen led off the afternoon with Song of India. The Haddam-Killingworth Middle School 7th Grader was an absolute pleasure to listen to and exhibited a gentle yet powerful symbiosis with the instrument. Killingworth Elementary School 5th Graders, and current Little League All-Stars, Nicholas Uihlein and Gabriel Kumnick then performed a timely, upbeat duet of Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Uihlein and Kumnick were the youngest performers. After a number of wonderfully capable adult students performed, Uihlein soloed with Marine's Hymn. Uihlein's enjoyment of the entire spectacle was transmitted through his trumpet in his excellent performance. Kumnick followed with a solid and melodic rendition of Ode to Joy. Killingworth's Eric Hoynack, another HK student, was the final performer; Hoynack displayed his mastery of the trumpet with his impressive playing of Concertino.

The Community Music School is located in Centerbrook at Spencer's Corner and offers year-round instruction for performers of all ages. The trumpet students have been taking instruction from Connie and Joel Flunker and were ably accompanied at the recital by Marilyn Lazare. The recital featured performances on the piano, as well as on brass, wind and wooden instruments. It was clear the students were serious about their instruction and well prepared, while exhibiting a sense of total enjoyment. Submitted article and photo.

Paddle-to-the-Sea
by Holling C. Holling
ISBN: 0395292034

The story of Paddle-to-the-Sea is an amazing tale of survival and adventure. Paddle's expedition encompasses travel across all five of the Great Lakes, continues down the St. Lawrence River, and ends in the Atlantic Ocean. His voyage begins near a Canadian cabin on Lake Nipigon, where he is resting on a melting snow bank, and suddenly plunges into the lake. How does Paddle beat the odds and endure this treacherous journey? Discover who cares enough to help him along his way.

In a cabin in the Canadian wilderness, north of Lake Superior, a young Indian boy works each night on the wooden carving he is creating. His carving is the image of an Indian man in a beautiful canoe. The boy names the figure Paddle-to-the-Sea. When he has finished the piece, he carves these words on the bottom of the canoe: "Please put me back in water. I am Paddle-to-the-Sea".

This beautifully illustrated children's book is both a fascinating story and an excellent geography lesson. The reader is carried through icebergs, a sawmill, all types of raging weather, and witnesses a forest fire from a lakeshore. The descriptive language and colorful illustrations bring the story to life, and make the reader want to take Paddle's journey again and again.

A book for all ages, Paddle-to-the-Sea is a Caldecott Honor Book.

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