Fatal Accident on Route 80
Arwein Somerville, a Killingworth native who recently moved to Middletown, was killed yesterday when her car crossed the centerline on Route 80 and struck another vehicle head on. Her two passengers, also from Killingworth, were injured and taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital. Somerville was traveling eastbound on Route 80 when she struck Jeannine Harrison of Killingworth traveling in the westbound lane. Harrison was taken to the Shoreline Clinic to be treated for her injuries. The accident happened at 2:57 p.m. and is under investigation by the Troop F State Police in Westbrook. Anyone with information is asked to call (860)399-2100. Somerville is survived by her parents, Alfred and Joan Somerville of Killingworth. Read all about this story in today's New Haven Register.

In his weekly address, First Selectman David Denvir continues his explanation of the Killingworth Recreational Complex and its comparison to the other development plans being considered for the Town. Read David Denvir's complete remarks here.

Agenda
Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
Monday, September 27, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Office Building

1. Call to Order
2. Approval of minutes of Regular Meeting held September 13, 2004 and Special Meeting of September 15, 2004
3. Visitors: Ruth Patrick, Tax Collector
4. Tax Abatements & Refunds
5. Appointments/Vacancies:
    1. Conservation Commission
    2. PAYT Committee
    3. Library Board
6. Old Business:
    1. Bosco Heat
7. New Business:
    1. Killingworth Municipal Employees Pension Plan
    2. Line of Sight - Town Roads
    3. Lover's Lane
    4. Legal Counsel
    5. Tax Assessment/Collection Ordinance
8. DLD Announcements
9. Selectmen's Concerns
10. Adjournment
Agenda as of 2:10 p.m. Thursday, 9/23/04
Printable version

HK Rec. Offers Pee Wee Play Group
The Haddam-Killingworth Recreational Department is offering a Pee Wee Playgroup this fall for children 18 mos. To 2½ years old. This program offers the opportunity for parents to meet other parents and toddlers in a playgroup atmosphere. Activities include circle games, stories, songs, dance, play time, coloring, art projects, and more. A great social experience for both you and your toddler. The class will be held on Wednesdays, from 11:00-11:45 a.m. at the Haddam Youth Center. Session I will be from September 29-October 27. Session II will be from November 3 - December 8 (no class 11/24). The fee is $25 each session. Non-residents please add $5. To register or for more information please call the Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department at 345-8334 or visit us on-line at www.hkrec.com.

Arts Center Offers Fall Classes and Workshops
The Arts Center at Killingworth will hold classes for adults, teens and children during after-school hours, evenings and weekends, beginning Oct.3. Registering in advance is necessary.

Listen Up!, a series of classical music workshops for the novice and more seasoned listener, will begin October 3rd. Each session, held in an informal setting, includes live performances, discussions and activities designed to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of classical music. Begin with exploring melody, rhythm and harmony. Use these building blocks of music to uncover the structure of musical forms. The Sonata will be emphasized. The three workshop series costs $40; individual workshops are $15 each.

Beginning in early October classes for children include Drawing, Origami and Clay Building. For teens and adults, Beginning Acting, Drawing, Botanical Drawing, Pastels, Photography, Kusudama (Japanese Paper Ornament Making), and Needlepoint/Bargello. To register or for more information, please contact Lynn Wheeler at 663-3290 or email artcenterkillingworth@juno.com.

Congregational Church Rummage Sale
The Wednesday Eves of The Congregational Church in Killingworth are now accepting donations for their Fall rummage sale. Clothing, white elephant items accepted; please no electrical items. The rummage sale will take place Oct. 8 from 5-8:00 p.m. and Oct. 9 9-1:00 p.m.

OBITUARY
The Middletown Press reported that Jason A. Holycross, passed away Sunday, Sept. 19 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. Jason was a 2001 graduate of Haddam-Killingworth High School. He was enrolled in the University of New Haven Engineering Junior Program and the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts for two years. He is survived by his parents Pamela (Schull) Holycross and stepdad, James O'Connell of Killingworth and the late Stephen Holycross; two brothers, Joshua Holycross of Clinton and Jered Holycross of Kensington, R.I.; maternal grandparents, Andreas and Joan (Lickteig) Schull of West Haven; paternal grandparents, George and Doreen Rappa of Hamden; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends. He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Joseph Holycross. Friends may call at Jason's home at 175 Route 148, Killingworth from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25 with a funeral service at 3:30 p.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Children's Cancer Center, 1 Park St., New Haven 06520.

New Theater Program at Madison Arts Barn
Children in grades 5 through 8 are welcome to register at The Madison Arts Barn for a production of "Natalida Notebook". This is an original play about all the students you meet in middle school. Through this production, students will explore and breakdown typecasts and learn to accept their peers for who they are. The basic message of the production is that you can't judge a book by its cover and that labels aren't everything. Working with the cast to develop the themes of the show, the director will include exercises and activities that focus on breaking down social barriers and interacting with everyone equally.

The play will be produced under the direction of its scriptwriter Andrea Wilson. Wilson is a recent Wesleyan University graduate and currently a contracted teaching artist at Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown. Through Oddfellows, she has had the opportunity to work with many children in the greater Middletown area using theater as an educational and developmental tool. Since graduating, she has become the director of the Global Values Drama Club productions at Killingworth Elementary School and directed "How to Eat Like a Child" last year at Haddam-Killingworth Middle School.

The program will initially meet on Tuesdays and Fridays, October 5 through November 2. The rehearsal schedule will then change to Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning November 8 through December 3. There will be performances at the Arts Barn on December 3 and 4. Rehearsals will be held from 3 p.m to 5 p.m. at the Arts Barn at Town Campus. The Arts Barn is open everyday until 6 p.m. The $200 program fee should be made payable to Friends of Madison Youth, P.O. Box 54, Madison, CT 06443 . A registration form in .pdf format is available via email by contacting madisonartsbarn@comcast.net. The program is limited to only 20 students. Please register immediately to guarantee a part in this exciting performance.

Cougar Boys Soccer
The Haddam-Killingworth boys soccer team played to a 0-0 tie yesterday with North Branford. Goal keeper Jake Jensen had 14 saves.

OBITUARY
Robert Charles Bantel, 84, and his wife Dagmar Dorothea, 80, both of Farmersville, Texas, formerly of Killingworth, passed away recently. Dagmar died peacefully at home on May 31, 2003, after suffering from lung cancer. Bob died peacefully at home on September 4, 2004, after many years of living with congestive heart failure A combined memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 25 at The Killingworth Congregational Church.

Dagmar was a former visiting nurse with the Clinton Visiting Nurse Association and was the school nurse for The Morgan School for many years. Bob was a former owner and manager of the Duck Island Marina in Westbrook and was a founding member and treasurer of the Menunketesuck Yacht Club. Bob and Dagmar, made their home on Cow Hill Road in Killingworth for 38 years before moving to Texas in 1998. The Bantels were long time members of The Killingworth Congregational Church.

The Bantels are survived by their sons, Greg Bantel and wife, Katherine, of Wylie, Texas and Chip Bantel and wife, Edie, of West Hartford, CT; daughter, Robin DeStefano and husband, Kevin of Farmersville, Texas; grandchildren, Jennifer, Luke, Aaron, Michael, Matthew, and Anna DeStefano. Bob is also survived by his sister, Hazel Smith, of Vero Beach, Florida. Donations may be made in the Bantel's name to the Congregational Church in Killingworth "Restoration Fund".

Simmons, Sullivan Debate Coverage
The first of six debates in the 2nd Congressional District race between U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons and Democratic challenger Jim Sullivan took place on Monday at the Garde Arts Center in New London. According to the Hartford Courant, the hour-long event covered topics ranging from the Iraq war to Medicare reform to tax cuts. The tenor of the debate mirrored the increasingly aggressive campaigning both candidates have engaged in in recent weeks.

This week, the new Chairperson of the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee, Michael Sanders, comments on the town's challenges and commitments to the high school class of 2017. Read his complete remarks here.

HK Girls Soccer Beats Westbrook
The Haddam-Killingworth girls soccer and football teams were in action at home on Monday. Soccer defeated Westbrook, 9-0. Ali Thomson had three goals, Jackie Alix had 2, and Nichelle Gode, Kristen Hetsko, Lauren McKinnon and Jessica Mullaney each scored once. Football was defeated 39-14. Brett Zanardi had a 76-yard kick-off return in the third quarter for a score and Mark Ramsey scored on a 5-yard run. Images from yesterday's contests.

Congressional Race Gets Ugly
The mud-slinging between Second District U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons and his opponent, Jim Sullivan has heated up as the race goes into its final stretch. Read all about this in today's New Haven Register.

Town Circle to Get a Face Lift
Killingworth's Route 80/81 town circle, officially known as a "round-a-bout", will get a few more curves next summer, thanks to the State Department of Transportation. According to First Selectman David Denvir, the DOT calls the round-a-bout a "very effective traffic device" but has determined that the intersection in Killingworth is in need of improvement. The plan calls for the east to north and west to south accesses to have larger curves to slow down traffic going into the intersection, the addition of small islands to separate and slow vehicles, and a re-grading of the surface so the lower grade will be on the outside of the circle. The work will take place between May and July of 2005. Approval by the town was not required, but the DOT requested and received the blessing of the Selectmen. According to Denvir, over the last four years, there have been 24 reported accidents in the intersection. The majority of those accidents had only minor injuries.
Image courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey, Apr. 1990

A Beautiful Welcome to Town
Thanks to the Chamber of Commerce, the drive into Killingworth has a little bit more of an Autumn feel. This sign on Green Hill Road welcomes visitors and residents into our friendly New England town.

Bel Canto
by Ann Patchett
ISBN: 0060934417

This unusual story begins in the home of the vice-president of an undisclosed South American country, where diplomats from all over the world have gathered to honor Mr. Hosokawa, a businessman of global importance, on his birthday. It is an elegant party, made even more special by the presence of Roxanne Coss, an internationally acclaimed soprano. The opportunity to hear Ms. Coss sing is the sole reason Mr. Hosokawa has risked traveling to this country.

Ms. Coss has just concluded a delightful performance of beloved opera arias when the room goes dark. What began as an evening of music and fine dining has suddenly become a nightmare of terrorists and hostages.

Time seems to stand still. The hours and days ahead gradually weave a tale of unlikely friendships, surprising alliances, and difficult choices. Interspersed with the tension and danger of the situation is one constant - the beautiful soprano voice of Roxanne Coss. Ann Patchett creates a mood in Bel Canto that captivates the reader throughout its spellbinding chain of events.

Bel Canto is a national bestseller, and winner of the PEN/Faulker Award as well as the Orange Prize.

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