Frigid temperatures and the threat of a major winter storm did not deter Historical Society members from attending an Open House for the much anticipated release of A Photographic History of Killingworth by Thomas L. Lentz. The Society held a members only reception and book signing this morning at the Black Rock School.

The 130-page book contains over 200 historical photographs that were scanned and pain stakingly restored for this publication. It includes a history of Colonial Killingworth; photos and documentation of early houses, schools, churches and the Town Hall, and a history of the Town's people, organizations, occupations, pastimes and infrastructure. The chapter on schools includes class pictures starting with 1884 through the Elementary School class of 1973. Many of the early photographs are from an album donated to the Society and others were found by Harold Nash at a flea market in Massachusetts over 50 years ago.

Lentz acknowledged the generous donations of photographs by Nash, Leeda Harris Slipp and Gustaf Carlson, and the assistance and support of the Board of Directors; the Town Clerk's Office; Frederick Raudat, Historian of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church; Bruce Dodson, President of the Land Conservation Trust, and W. David LeVasseur, Town Historian.

Lentz has lived in Killingworth since 1966 and is a founding member of the Historical Society and Historian of the Congregational Church. He has served as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission since 1979. He is a Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Cell Biology and Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid at the Yale University School of Medicine.

The book, published by Essex Printing, will be available for sale at the Black Rock School on Jan. 29; Feb. 5; Feb. 12 and Feb. 19 from 10:00 a.m.-12 noon. The price is $30. All proceeds will go to the Society to support its preservation activities.

The Historical Society was founded by a small group of residents in the late 1960s and has grown to a current membership of 180. The Society uses funds raised, through its activities such as its popular Christmas Fair and Tag Sale, to chronicle and preserve the history of the town and educate its residents. The Society originally had earmarked funds for a new furnace for the farmhouse on the town-owned Bosco property, but as the book neared completion, and the delays and uncertainty of the farmhouse heat project mounted, the Board of Directors decided to fund the publication of the book and look at helping in the preservation of the farmhouse in the future.

John MacVean Lally, born January 16, 1937 passed away Friday, January 21, 2005. He graduated from New Hartford High School and Colgate University, both in upstate New York, and pursued a graduate degree at Syracuse University. He was Creative Director of Sudler and Hennessey, the foremost pharmaceutical advertising agency of its time, and went on to found Lally, McFarland and Pantello. His contributions to the craft earned him numerous prestigious awards and the attribution of "legend in his own time".

He is survived by his wife, Gwenne, his son, John junior, and his grandchildren Mackenzie and Jack. A resident of Killingworth, he formerly resided in East Brandywine, Pennsylvania and Brooklyn, New York.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company, 333 Rte. 81 or the Killingworth Ambulance Assoc. 325 Rte. 81. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Church. Burial will be in the Spring in Evergreen Cemetery.

Agenda
Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
Monday, January 24, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Office Building

1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes of Meeting held January 10, 2005
3. Visitors: R. Patrick, R. Cabral (Brd.of Ed)
4. Tax Abatements & Refunds
5. Appointments/Vacancies:
    1. KLA Board
    2. Public Health Agency/ A. Andrews
    3. T. Gannon- Ec.Dev., R. Bousquet - OEM, J Boccia & R. Wigham - Pub Health
6. Old Business:
    a. Computer Upgrade/Update
    b. Pension Plan Update
    c. 660 Route 81
    d. AFSCME Contract
7. New Business:
    a. Set Budget Meeting Dates
    b. Youth & Family Services/Program Space
    c. WPCA Report
    d. TOBSC Report
    e. Charter Revision Commission
    f. Rt. 81 Paving
8. DLD Announcements
9. Selectmen's Concerns: Housing vs. Preservation
10. Executive Session:
     1. Potential Litigation
     2. Venuti Land Acquisition
11. Adjournment
Agenda as of 11:50 a.m., Friday, 1/21/05
Printable version

The HKMS Girls Basketball Team extended its perfect season with a, 68-21, victory over Winthrop on the Chargers home court Friday. Seventh grade point guard Danielle Machold was the high scorer with 13 points, followed by Shelby VanHuysen and Maura Calamari with 10 points each; Erin Moriarty had 8 points. Altogether 11 of the Cougars' 15 players scored. The team plays local rival Eliot of Clinton next Tuesday at HKMS. Both teams are undefeated at 7-0.

The HK High School Girls basketball team defeated Old Saybrook last night, 52-26, at the HK Fieldhouse. Kristen Hetsko led all scorers with 17 points including 3, 3-pointers. Megan Murray had a strong night as well scoring 16.

The HK Boys also won, defeating Westbrook, 61-49. Ryan Murray led the Cougars with 19 points followed by Brett Zanardi with 17, Perry Pratt with 14 and Anthony Andeen with 9.

State Senator Ed Meyer invites residents to an informational hearing Monday in Guilford, to learn more about a proposed package of bills relating to ethics reform and restoring integrity in the State of Connecticut. The bills will be before the Government Administration and Elections Committee (GAE) during the 2005 legislative session.

The public is invited to attend the informational hearing, offer their input, as well as their ideas and suggestions for future legislation.

Bills presented will include proposals to reorganize the State Ethics Commission, campaign finance reforms, penalties for corrupt state officials, proposals to restructure the state contracting system and ethics training for all state employees.

GAE Committee Chairs Sen. Donald J. DeFronzo and Rep. Christopher L. Caruso, Vice-Chairs and members of the committee will be on hand.

Sen. Meyer, who is Vice-Chair of the committee said,"I support a strong package of legislation to restore integrity to our state government. Only the restoration of integrity in all branches of our state government will help to improve the state's economy and reputation."

"During my campaign, I was clear that restoring integrity to our state officials and officers was of the utmost importance," Sen. Meyer said. "The people who represent our state should be held to the highest standards in their words and in their deeds."

The hearing will take place at the Guilford Community Center, on Route 77 in Guilford on Monday, January 24, at 7:30 p.m.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department co-sponsored the 12th Annual Hotshot Contest on Sunday. The program is designed to promote basketball enthusiasm as much as basketball skill, fun, physical fitness, friendship and good sportsmanship. Each player has three one-minute rounds to shoot from "hotspots" placed on one half of the court. The contest challenges a player's speed, shooting, dribbling, and rebounding ability.
The winners were:
•Ashley Cook was the winner of the Girls 9-10 year-old division with 66 points.
•Emily Pollack was the winner of the Girls 11-12 year-old division with 49 points.
•Shelby Van Huysen was the winner of the Girls 13-15 year-old division with 137 points.
•Erik Carlson was the winner of the Boys 9-10 year-old division with 100 points.
•Gregory Marino was the winner of the Boys 11-12 year-old division with 99 points.
•Sam Barbuto was the winner of the Boys 13-15 year-old division with 107 points.
These players advance to the county level of the contest that will be held at Portland High School on Sunday, Jan. 30 (snow date Feb. 6). They will compete against other local winners from East Hampton, East Haddam, Portland, and Chester. Winners of the County Level will advance to the State level of the Contest on Feb. 19 in Newington. The Hotshot Contest is sponsored by the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association (CRPA), The Sport's Section "Youth Photography", Mr. Trophy, the Newington Parks and Recreation Department, and the Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department.

What was predicted to be a close contest turned into a romp for the HK Middle School Girls Basketball team Thursday afternoon. The Cougars defeated Old Saybrook, 49-17, for their sixth consecutive win. The team is 6-0 on the season and will play Winthrop in Deep River Friday afternoon.

The team played strong defense forcing Old Saybrook to turn over the ball numerous times. Excellent passing and rebounding made the game for the team. Shelby VanHuysen was the game's high scorer with 10 points, followed by Erin Moriarty with 9; Danielle Machold and Kim Peterson each had 8; followed by Maura Calamari and Allie Rand with 6 apiece. The JV team was equally successful with a 20-8 win over OSMS.

The HK High School Boys Basketball team dropped its second in a row yesterday afternoon, falling to 7-2 on the year with a, 57-79, loss to Morgan of Clinton. The Cougars' top-scorer, Ryan Murray was held to just 8 points by the Husky defense. HK was led by Anthony Andeen with 13 points and Brett Zanardi with 12.

As part of The Governor's Prevention Partnership with sponsors such as NBC30, Infinity Broadcasting and BankNorth, Youth & Family Service Organizations all over the country are encouraging participation in the centerpiece of this year's Mentoring Month activities: "Thank Your Mentor Day". This is an initiative of the Harvard Mentoring Project, to be celebrated nationally on Tuesday, January 25, 2005. On this day millions of Americans are expected to "reach out to thank or honor those individuals who encouraged and guided them, and who had a lasting impact on their lives".

Program Director of The Governor's Prevention Partnership, Jill Spineti says, "Statistics show that children with an interested adult in their life are less likely to get in trouble and more likely to have positive outcomes in their lives. They are also less likely to use drugs and more likely to stay in school. Mentoring not only benefits the mentee but also benefits mentors who experience benefits such as feeling better for influencing a child's life; becoming more productive at work; accepting more challenges at work and home; and experiencing a boost to their morale."

The Governor's Coalition and local and national media groups are reaching out to recruit more mentors and to involve more businesses in school-business mentoring partnerships. If you would like to volunteer to mentor a child please contact the Youth and Family Services of Haddam and Killingworth.

Zoning Enforcement Officer, Cathie Jefferson reported to the Planning & Zoning Commission last night that Middlesex Superior Court Judge Jonathan E. Silbert has denied the temporary injunction sought by Harold and Mary Webber to stop construction on the new Region No.17 intermediate/middle school.

Jefferson said as soon as the wells are dug and the water tested, the construction can begin. PZC Chairman Charles E. Martens, Jr. said he was pleased with the decision. He said, of the hearing, the lawyers for both sides tried to work out a compromise but in the end, "Mary Webber wanted her day in court".

Last August, the Webbers filed a suit charging the PZC was arbitrary, capricious and contrary to the law and regulations of the commission in its July 2004 approval of the Reg. 17 School District's special exemption application to build an intermediate/middle school on its Route 81 site. Yesterday's decision was solely a ruling on the restraining order, not the appeal. Jefferson said in order to have prevailed, the Webbers would have had to prove a likelihood of success in the appeal.

In court papers, the Webbers argued that the excavation and construction for the school would have an immediate, irreparable and adverse impact on their quality of life and the value of their real estate. They particularly cited the fact that Harold Webber is under the care of a physician for a serious illness and therefore claim that the stress of the proposed construction would have an immediate and adverse impact on his health.

Judge Silbert ruled that because the plaintiffs have not established that they are likely to prevail on the merits of their appeal, the motion for a temporary restraining order is therefore denied.

The PZC and the School District will still have to defend the four lawsuits filed against the $48 million project, including the Webber's, but Schools Superintendent Gary Mala has stated that the District will not delay in starting construction.

The Haddam-Killingworth High School Girls Basketball team battled the whole game, but in the end could not shut down Morgan's top player Ashley Hansen or control their own turnovers. The, 48-38, final score does not reflect how close the game was wire to wire. Morgan led by just 3 going into the half, and the Cougars' Kristen Hetsko tied it with a three within seconds out of the locker room. Hetsko led HK with 19 points, including 3 from beyond the arc; Liz Scovill scored 10 and Michelle Fillion came up with some clutch free-throw shooting, with 4 points overall. Morgan's Hansen led all scorers with 27 points.

This week, the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee welcomes our new 12th District State Senator, Edward Meyers as a guest columnist. Meyer reflects on the campaign and his road ahead. Read his complete remarks here.

New Image Automotive, located at 969 Higganum Road, is now an official State Emissions test center. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8-5:00 p.m. and Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. They are closed on Sunday. Appointments are suggested but walk-ins are welcome. Wait time can be up to twenty minutes. You can reach New Image Automotive at 345-4185.

If you have not received a notice and would like to check the test date for your vehicle, you may obtain this information at www.ctemissions.com.
The other testing centers in our area are:
• Midas Auto Service of Westbrook, 55 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, CT 06498-(860) 669-7118
• Auto Associates, Inc., 1984 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT 06437-(203) 453-6244
• Essex Service Center, 153 Westbrook Road, Essex, CT 06426- (860) 767-2185
• Cars, Inc.,816 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, CT 06498- (860) 399-4160

Don't be alarmed, the Bradley's have not opened a hotel or casino at their Route 81 home. The motorcoach squeezed into their driveway Saturday afternoon was just their daughter, home for a visit - with about 30 of her closest friends.

The University of Vermont Swimming and Diving team, the Catamounts, was traveling, from a tri-meet at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield to its next contest at Holy Cross in Worcester, and stopped for some home cooking at Nancy and Robert Bradley's house. Elisabeth Bradley, a class of 2003 Haddam-Killingworth graduate, is a sophomore diver at UVM.

Nancy Bradley said, "It is quite a sight to see this fabulous, huge bus negotiate our country driveway, but that they did. After eating massive quantities of home-cooked food, and entertaining us for a couple of hours, they were on their way to Worcester".

The Catamounts defeated Sacred Heart, 97-35, and also downed the University of Bridgeport, 98-29, Saturday. They will compete against Central Connecticut and host team Holy Cross today at 1:00 p.m. in Worcester. Photos courtesy N. Bradley and UVM athletics

Children of the Lamp: The Akhenaten Adventure
by P.B. Kerr
ISBN: 0439670195

John and Philippa Gaunt are twelve-year-twins living in Manhattan with their parents on East 77th Street. To their relief, they are not identical twins, but both are very smart and very adventuresome. These characteristics serve them well in their day-to-day lives, and will be of great use to them as they embark on a summer like no other summer they have experienced.

All seems normal as the two head to their annual dental appointment the day after school has ended. This is where everything begins to change for them, as they find they both need to have their wisdom teeth removed immediately. During the anesthesia, they have an identical dream, and share their story with each other upon waking. Their revelations to one another lead to many questions.

What is the secret their mother reveals to them about themselves? How is it that their housekeeper suddenly wins the lottery after just wishing it were so? Who is Uncle Nimrod, and why have they not been allowed to visit him prior to this summer? Take a trip with John and Philippa to discover their family secrets, and the power they begin to use to make the world a better place.

P.B. Kerr is also known as Philip Kerr, author of the thriller series the Berlin Noir trilogy. This fun and fast-paced book is his first children's novel, and Book One of the Children of the Lamp series.

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