Former First Selectman Carl A. Lauer passed away on December 8 at Fowler Nursing Care. He was 89. He is survived by his wife of over 63 years, Marion (David) Lauer and children Ronald A. Lauer ad his wife Mao of Howell, NJ and Michael Lauer and wife Christine of Candia, NH. He is also survived by his grandchildren Martin, Eric and Edward Lauer, and several nieces and nephews.

Lauer was a U.S. Army Veteran who went to England and France on D-6. He saw action in the Battle of the Bulge. He returned home as a captain. In 1976 he was voted "Citizen of the Year" in Killingworth. From 1959 on, he held several elected positions in Town including First Selectman and selectman.

Lauer was the owner of Carl Lauer Painting Contractors and operated a supply store in Killingworth. He was a member of the Madison Masons, the Killingworth VFW and a lifetime member of the Killingworth Lions Club.

The family will receive friends from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday at the Swan Funeral Home, 80 East Main Street Clinton. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer's Association South Central Chapter, 2911 Dixwell Ave, Suite 104 Hamden, CT 06518.

The Killingworth Elementary School Fourth Grade Chorus sang out a wish for a snow day on Wednesday and Mother Nature promptly delivered with the first snow day school closing of the season yesterday. Wet snow, the forecast of slightly milder temperatures and sunshine promises to be the perfect combination for snowman making this weekend. Below are a few examples already on neighborhood front lawns. If you decide to join the fun, email a photo of your creation to editor@killingworthtoday.com

This is a reminder that the 2nd half of Real Estate and Personal Property taxes on the October 1, 2004 Grand List is due and payable on January 1, 2006. The last day to make payment without interest is February 1, 2006. The rate of interest is 18% per year; 1½% per month or $2.00, whichever is greater. New bills are not sent for the 2nd half. Use the same bill you used in July.

Motor Vehicle Supplemental bills will be mailed in December and can be paid upon receipt, however they are not due until January 2006. Supplemental bills are for vehicles registered between October 2 and August 1. Supplemental vehicle taxes are prorated from the month registered through September. If you receive a bill for a vehicle you no longer own, you may be entitled to a credit or an adjustment. Credits or adjustments are not automatic; you must provide at least 2 forms of proof to the assessor's office, one form being a plate receipt from DMV.

You may write one check for all your bills. Do not postdate your check; they are deposited as received. Make checks payable to Tax Collector. We do not accept credit cards. If you need a receipt, bring or send all copies of your bills and a self-addressed stamped envelope with your check. Receipts can only be given when payment is made, not at a later date.

Save your receipts. You are responsible for maintaining your records for income tax purposes.

The Tax Office is for collection only. All adjustments or corrections are made through the assessor's office. If you have any problems or questions about any of your bills, address them early so they can be resolved before the end of the month, when we get very busy.

The brisk temperatures did not keep residents from stopping by the Killingworth Village Shops on Route 81 last night for the 2nd Annual Christmas in the Village.

Music, hayrides, treats and giveaways were available to all complements of the Killingworth Chamber of Commerce. A donation of a non-perishable food item opened all the doors to the delightful evening among neighbors.
Pictured: the HK High School Chorus and the hayride, which ran along upper Greenhill Road with a police escort.

This week, Killingworth Democratic Town Committee member Kathleen Amoia introduces the Democratic challenger for the 2nd Congressional District.

Joe Courtney's hat is in the ring. He is a man with a mission, laying the ground work for success one determined step at a time. Joe is the Democratic Candidate for the 2nd District Congressional seat now held by Rob Simmons. full story.

Killingworth Elementary School presented its Winter Holiday concert last night at the high school auditorium. The Fifth Grade Band performed three selections, then the Jazz Band performed two selections arranged by Band Director Joel Spineti; Swing the Halls and The Preacher. Brennan Marczewski played Fur Elise on the piano during the transition while the Fourth Grade Chorus under the direction of Irina Rubalsky, took the stage. The chorus performed several selections including Our Winter Wonderland with solos by Samantha Benevelli, Abagail Luther, Heather Mann, Cassandra Moore, Morgan Sullivan and Gwen Plum. Finishing the evening was the Fifth Grade Chorus singing three selections including Ragtime Holiday.
pictured: (top-bottom) the Fifth Grade Band. The Jazz Band. The Fourth Grade Chorus soloists and the Fifth Grade Chorus.

Two-month-old Delaney Casey Belcourt had the entire firehouse wrapped around her little finger Monday night, when she made her first formal appearance since the exciting night of her birth on September 25.

Twenty firefighters waited on the Belcourt's front lawn that night like anxious parents, waiting to help if needed, as Paul Schilling, Dennis Campbell, Arnie Moore and Paul Jacobs from Killingworth's Volunteer Fire Company and paramedic Mike Case helped Missy Belcourt deliver her baby in the family's Partridge Hollow Road living room.

Deputy Chief Dick Bauer said he felt like a football coach running the team and coordinating the 'players'. He said it was great to know there were so many qualified people there to help. Missy's husband Ron was upstairs with Delaney's big sister Jordan while Schilling acted as labor coach. After about 45 minutes, Delaney arrived at a healthy 6.0lbs and was transported to Middlesex Hospital, monitored by KVFC's John Ahearn and James Hughes, with Rick Albrecht driving the ambulance. Bauer said, "Overall it was a great display of teamwork and a story with a happy ending."

Bauer invited the Belcourt family to the ceremony at the Firehouse to introduce the baby to the firefighters, present pink stork pins to the firefighters involved and unveil the pink stork painted on the side of the brush truck. Missy and Ron warmly thanked the firefighters for their help.

The firefighters estimated they had aided in at least six births in recent memory. Bauer said they planned to look back at the numbers and paint a few more storks on the trucks.

Missy and Ron had been watching football at a friend's house when Missy's labor started. She contacted her doctor and was assured that she had plenty of time to drop three-year-old Jordan at the house with her grandmother before heading to the hospital. However, Delaney had a different idea. As they were leaving the house, Missy's water broke and she knew the baby was coming very soon.

Among those honored Monday were Jim Libby and Irv Leining from Durham, who had borrowed a KVFC firetruck for the Durham Fair and were headed to the Killingworth firehouse to return it when they heard the call. They were minutes away and decided to stop and offer their help.

Pictured (top to bottom): Missy and Ron Belcourt with Jordan and baby Delaney; Labor coach Paul Schilling with Delaney; the pink stork painted on the brush truck and Dick Bauer presents gifts to the family on behalf of the Killingworth and Durham fire companies while the honored firefighters look on.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is sponsoring a Men's 30 & Over Basketball League. The league is open to Haddam and Killingworth residents 30 years of age and older.

League games are played on Sunday afternoons from 12:00 - 4:30 p.m. in the Middle School Gymnasium and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Killingworth Elementary School Gymnasium and the Middle School Gymnasium. The registration fee is $60.00 per player.

Anyone interested in signing up for the League must do so in person at in-person registration on Sunday, December 11 from 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. in the HK Middle School Gymnasium. There will be a skills evaluation conducted during the registration, and all new players should be dressed to play. The $60.00 registration fee, proof of age and residency must be presented at sign-up. Please visit www.hkrec.com or call the HK Recreation Department at 345-8334 for more information.

The best that small town life has to offer was on display Saturday at our Killingworth Library. Excited children saw Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive in the morning in their own special vehicle. Pictures were taken with the jolly couple as a steady stream of youngsters was escorted to the Clauses by Library elves.

The afternoon brought volunteers and friends of the library to a gathering of recognition. Book pages were placed around the library honoring both individual and group volunteers. The meeting room served as a reception area with tables laden with home baked goodies, and a frothy pink punch, while candles glowed in the fireplace.

Nancy Bradley, President of the KLA, acknowledged the work done by all the library volunteers without whom the library's lights would surely be dimmed. Dick Blythe spoke of the library as being our town center. Gerry Lucas spoke about the beginning steps in the commitment to find a suitable spot for the library, including a walk through the Country Squire with Pam Ahearn.

Arlene Tunney, the building's architect, remembered taking the model to various functions in an effort to arouse interest and raise money. State Senator Ed Meyer spoke of the relationship between culture and a town's library. He too applauded the work of the volunteers. Ginny Chapman reminisced about having to go to Madison or Clinton to get library books and how privileged she feels to have seen this building created and then been its first librarian.

The event was a daylong celebration of what the determination of committed volunteers can achieve and contribute to a town's life.

Pictured (top to bottom, l-r)Present Board President Nancy Bradley, Former First Selectman Jerry Lucas who was in office when the library was being planned, speaking with Head Librarian Tammy Eustis. Arlene Tunney, library architect. Virginia Chapman, Head Librarian when the new library was built - in the background, State Senator Edward Meyer and Ken Maxwell. Present Library Board Secretary Annie Atwood speaking with Enid Sherman who has been involved with the library since it was a few shelves on the stage of the Killingworth Elementary School. photos and story courtesy H.Mahoney and K. Amoia

The 9 & 10-year-old Haddam Killingworth Girls Travel Basketball team beat North Branford,30-28, in overtime Sunday. Nine-year-old Kiley Anderson sunk four foul shots to tie the game and put it into overtime. Sammy Waskowitz had a game high 8 points, including the winning basket at the end of overtime. HK held North Branford to zero points in the second quarter, and just 2 points in the third. Maya Savino, point guard, was impressive in her leadership on the court, playing with 3 fouls in the second quarter.

Shannon Sledzik, Emily Darin, Marissa Moncata, Jacque Garofalo, and Carly Brownell all played great defense against a tough North Branford team. The 9 & 10-year-old girls are now 2-3 overall in the league. The HKTB travel league consists of players from both Haddam and Killingworth. The girls are to be commended for their hard work and determination.

First Selectman Marty Klein reported the Town is back in discussions with Bob Wettish regarding the family's 150-acre property on North Parker Hill Road Extension. Back in April, the Field Study Committee recommended the site for open space, and passive and active recreation. Bruce Dodson of the Conservation Land Trust said at the time that the family had been working with the State Department of Environmental Protection and hoped to keep the property as open space.

Former First Selectman David Denvir reported last month that the family had decided to negotiate with different land conservation group. At last week's Board of Selectmen's meeting however, Klein reported that the Wettish family was again interested in selling to the town. The original asking price was $2.8 million. Klein said he would discuss the property with the Selectman in executive session.

The 2nd Annual Christmas in the Village, sponsored by the Killingworth Village Shops and the Killingworth Chamber of Commerce is happening on Thursday, December 8 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Village Shops.

There will be several carol sings throughout the evening with local schools leading the singing. A horse-drawn wagon will be carting families during the event. Chamber businesses will be displaying their goods and services and offering giveaways, raffles, food and soft drinks. Of course Mr. & Mrs. Claus will be here to listen to the children's wishes and secrets. Great photo opportunities will abound. The price of admission is a non-perishable food item for donation to Helping Hands of Killingworth.

Gather in the Village with your family and friends to meet your neighbors and local business people. Last year was a great success and this year should be even more fun.

Dear Editor:
While I don't see this as the most pressing issue in town, it seems to me there is the opportunity for a "middle of the road" solution to the road striping debate. The roads that are currently striped have a continuous yellow line running along their entire length. While I can see, and would support, a line around the turns, it does not seem to serve much purpose along the straight runs.

Striping the straight areas is not only unnecessary from a safety standpoint, where line-of-site gives a driver plenty of time to get in his or her lane should they have wandered, but it is also where the "offending" stripe is most noticed. When you are navigating the many sharp turns in town, you're supposed to be too busy watching for oncoming cars to enjoy the scenery. The stripes become less important than your prayers that someone else isn't coming from the opposite direction, via what is supposed to be your lane. However, it is along the straight runs where the lines seem to jump right out at you.

Why not just stripe the curves? We would have the added safety measure where it is needed most, and would be subjected to less of an eyesore where a long yellow stripe is unnecessary - and most evident. This could appease some of the "anti-stripers" concerns for aesthetics while satisfying the safety concerns of the "pro-stripers".

Just a thought.

John Himmelman

• Monday, December 5:
8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Thanksgiving Day Football Game HKHS vs VRHS
7:00 p.m. HKMS Talent Show 2005 & Class Acts 06/2005
9:00 p.m. 2004 Mr.HK Competition & Underclassmen Awards 2004
• Tuesday, December 6:
8:00 a.m. HKMS Talent Show 2005 & Class Acts 06/2005
10:00 a.m. Wake-up HK
7:00 p.m. HKMS Talent Show 2005 & Class Acts 06/2005
9:00 p.m. Wake-Up HK
•Wednesday, December 7:
8:00 a.m. 8th Grade Class Night 2005
10:00 a.m. Jazz Night and other HKTV Productions
7:00 p.m. 8th Grade Class Night 2005
9:00 p.m. Jazz Night and other HKTV Productions
•Thursday, December 8:
8:00 a.m. 8th Grade Class Night 2005
10:00 a.m. Jazz Night and other HKTV Productions
7:00 p.m. Killingworth Elementary Band/ Choral Concert
9:00 p.m. Shoreline IDOL Auditions
•Friday, December 9:
8:00 a.m. KES Winter Band/ Choral Concert
10:00 a.m. Shoreline IDOL Auditions
7:00 p.m. KES Band/ Choral Concert
9:00 p.m. Shoreline IDOL Auditions
•Saturday, December 10:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Killingworth Elementary Band/ Choral Concert
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. Shoreline IDOL Auditions
•Sunday, December 11:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Killingworth Elementary Band/ Choral Concert
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. Shoreline IDOL Auditions
information provided by HKTV