While many teens are taking a break over the summer, 14-year-old resident Alyssa Holmes has been dancing. And dancing and dancing...

Holmes, who will be a sophomore at Haddam-Killingworth High School this fall, has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She currently dances about 5 days a week, both locally at Back Stage Dance Center here in Killingworth, select classes in North Haven, and at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City. She also regularly travels to classes in Pennsylvania and this month was invited to attend elite-level dance classes in Toronto, Canada.

But Holmes doesn't aspire to be a featured dancer on Broadway or a prima ballerina; Alyssa wants to teach. She has her goal set on being a dance instructor and she is well on her way. She is a junior member of the Dance Masters of America; currently teaches classes at Back Stage with instructors Michelle Cretella and Stacey Nagel; takes tap, ballet and jazz classes with a variety of instructors, and is gaining the competition experience needed to build her reputation.

Holmes has competed in Dance Masters of America competitions for several years, has won numerous awards including two Savion Glover Tap Awards, and last April won the Dance Masters of New York City 2005 Miss Teen Dance title. She was specifically honored for her tap performance to "Flip Fantasia" by Cantaloop, choreographed by Alicia Monaco. In each competition, participants are judged in ballet, tap and jazz classes, a personal interview and a performance. Holmes received the high score in tap class, jazz class and performance categories. The victory qualified her for the DMA National Convention held in Nashville Tennessee in July, where the top dancers from all over the country competed for National age-group titles.

For Holmes, the competition season may be over, but her dancing never stops. Her mother Cheryl says, she has seen the country because of her daughter's dancing and is proud she has found something she loves doing, so early in life. Cheryl says Alyssa has plenty of time for school and friends and thinks dancing has kept her focused. Alyssa's goal this year is to win the Connecticut DMA title in March. photos courtesy C. Holmes.

The New Haven Register reported that a dump truck heading southbound on Route 81 through the traffic circle rolled on its side in front of the State Troopers office, causing mid-morning traffic delays and detours.

According to Police, the truck was a 1985 International Pay Star truck owned by Supreme Industries Inc. of Harwinton. It was carrying a 4,000-gallon water tank. The driver, Paul Gibson, sustained minor injuries and was not cited for the accident. The Police said speed was not a factor.

The Truck owners, according to the article, however were cited by the State Police Truck Squad for numerous violations including: the truck was not rated for the 4,000-gallon tank; the tank was not baffled; there was no emergency warning device; no State DEP numbers displayed; the driver was unqualified; no proof of annual inspections; failed emergency equipment; no fuel tax stamps; misuse of transporter registration; no fire extinguisher and failure to carry registration.

Haddam-Killingworth High School will host its freshmen orientation and picnic, Tuesday, August 30 at 4:30 p.m. at the high school.

The Board of Education sub-committee on education will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, August 30 at 7:00 p.m. at the Central Offices. On the agenda is the E.X.P.L.O.R.E. program and 2005-2006 topics for discussion.

The first day of school for District Schools is Thursday, September 1. Please be especially aware of buses making frequent stops to pick up and drop off children. Please drive carefully and obey the school zone speed limit.

Transportation routes and schedules are available on www.rsd17.org and by clicking on the school bus route button on this site.

The lottery to determine the placement of names on the ballot for the November election will take place on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. in the Killingworth Town Clerks office. Anyone interested may attend.

Last evening, friends and colleagues gathered in the Fellowship Hall of the Congregational Church to say thank you to the Honorable Judge Judith P. Lentz for her years of service to the community as Killingworth's Probate Judge.

Lentz has served the District of Killingworth for 17 years, presiding over "family courts" issues such as decedents' estates and trusts; issues affecting children, such as adoption and guardianships; conservatorships, and issues regarding the elderly, the mentally retarded, and the mentally ill. Having reached the maximum retirement age of 70, she is required to step down. Lentz will continue to consult with the court until the November elections, while Chester Judge of Probate Bonnie Bennet serves as acting judge.

Probate Court Administrator James Lawlor described Lentz as the "poster child" for how a non-lawyer judge can "perform and perform well". He first worked with Lentz back when he was a judge in Waterbury 15 years ago.

Lentz said it was "an honor and a pleasure to serve the District of Killingworth". She said, throughout the years there have been many times of sadness and joy. "It was an immensely interesting time."

Lentz said she was first approached about serving as Probate Judge by a friend in 1988, while working at the Platt Nature Center. Florence Marrone, the previous town probate judge who served for 14 years, had decided to retire early and Lentz, with backing from the Republican Party, won a special election against her Democratic opponent, Peter Melien, a local attorney. She subsequently ran unopposed in her next four bids for re-election.

In the coming November election, the Republicans have endorsed Attorney Holly Darin and the Democrats have endorsed law-student Jamie Young. The winner will serve out the remainder of Lentz's term until November 2006, when the regular election for Probate Judge will take place. The Probate Judge serves a four-year term that coincides with the Governor's term.

The Probate Court system has been a lively topic of conversation in the State Legislature this year. Lawlor submitted a report (PDF form) in October 2004 to the Chief Justice with several proposals for reorganizing the Probate Court system. He said the bar association and at least one legislator have submitted additional proposals. Lawlor said it was positive that the issue of reorganization has been raised. He said no decision is imminent and hopes that "everyone who has an opinion gets a chance to sit at the table".

Judge Bennet will hold office hours in Killingworth on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from August 28 through November 8.

Pictured below: (l-r) Richard Lightfoot, Judge of Lyme; Florence Marrone, former Killingworth Probate Judge; James J. Lawlor, Probate Court Administrator; Judge Lentz; Bonnie Bennet, Judge of Chester and Joel E. Helander, Judge of Guilford.

According to the Middletown Press, Killingworth is one of eight area towns looking into forming a regional health district in order to ensure better health service and to prepare for a bio-terrorism attack. The eight towns would be given $5,000 each from the Department of Public Health to investigate the proposal. A Town Meeting would be required before the town could become part of a regional health district.

Helping Hands, Killingworth's hunger relief organization, is launching a new snack program. Recognizing that many children come to school without a snack, local resident Michele Amendola approached directors Lisa Sodergren and Alice Simoniello with the idea of starting a snack program for Killingworth Elementary School students.

"For a variety of reasons - forgotten lunchboxes, participation in the school lunch program - a child may not have a snack on any given day," Michele explains. "Teachers have been filling this need, but - with everything else they do - purchasing snacks for our children is asking too much of them."

To help with the program, Michele has enlisted the assistance of KES teacher Kathy Sullivan. Mrs. Sullivan will act as the Elementary School Snack Program teacher liaison, storing and distributing snacks to classrooms, as needed. Having piloted the program informally last year, she is excited to broaden its scope for the coming school year.

"The beauty of the program is that children won't be hungry prior to lunch, enabling better concentration and learning," she explains. "And, the classroom distribution approach will help prevent children from being 'singled out' for not having snacks."

During the month of September, Helping Hands will be collecting snack items for Killingworth Elementary School. You can drop them off at the school office or the Killingworth Library during normal business hours. Snacks should be non-perishable, in individually wrapped packages, and - whenever possible- not contain nuts. For questions, please call Michele at 663-3196.

If you would like to learn more about how your family can benefit from the services of Helping Hands, please contact the confidential message center at 663-4047, and your call will be returned promptly.

This week, Killingworth Democratic Town Committee member Kathleen Amoia offers a recap of the KDTC's event on August 13 at Sheldon Park.

A remarkable event took place on August 13th within the shaded protection of Sheldon Park's pavilion. Undaunted by 94 degree heat and matching humidity, the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee reached another of the milestones it had laid out under the direction of its Chairman, Michael Sanders, at last January's seminal meeting. Democratic candidates for the November 8th election were gathered together under the auspices of the KDTC Nominating and Communications Subcommittees to discuss strategies.
full story.

The Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. has received a grant of $114,926 from the 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

With FY05 funds, $650 million will provide direct assistance to thousands of fire departments throughout the country. The Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. will use funds for the total replacement of its 30+ year-old radio system, including base stations, mobile radios, portable radios and alert pagers.

"We recognize the importance of the Fire Act Grants to our nation's fire departments and we will continue to work closely with the fire service community to meet their needs," said Matt A Mayer, Acting Executive Director of Office for Domestic Preparedness.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program assists local fire departments to purchase firefighting equipment, fund firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services programs, and conduct fire education and prevention programs throughout the United States.

This competitive grant program has been in existence since 2001 and this year had over 20,900 applications submitted. The KVFC was fortunate to receive $8,147 in 2001 for an LCD projector, laptop computer and training materials, and $134,727 in 2003 for a complete replacement of our Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. KVFC applications in 2002 and 2004 were denied.

"The Assistance to Firefighters Grants ensures that the nation's firefighters continue to have the basic capability they require to do their jobs, improve safety and save lives", said David Paulison Administrator of Department of Homeland Security's United States Fire Administration.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the Department's United States Fire Administration.

For more information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, please visit the Program Website at www.firegrantsupport.com, or contact the Grants Program Office at 1-866-274-0960. For more information on USFA, please visit the Website at www.usfa.fema.gov/

On Saturday, August 27, the New Britain Rock Cats and the Killingworth Youth League will hold a free baseball mini-camp from 1-3:00 p.m at Sheldon Field. The first 200 to sign-up will be accepted. The clinic is open to kids ages 8-16. Each participant also gets a free T-Shirt.

The clinic is presented by Gaylord Hospital and Modell's Sporting Goods. For more information, contact Ricky Ferrell at the Rock Cats at 860.224-8383 ext. 14. Register at Modell's Sporting Goods in Waterbury or Hamden or at www.rockcats.com by clicking on the community link. Kids can also register at the camp on Saturday. Catch the future stars of the Major Leagues Today!