The HKTV Holiday Telethon took a different approach to its annual show this year. Each year the students and staff choose a worthy charity to benefit from its holiday pledge drive. This year the HKTV crew chose Northern Middlesex Habitat for Humanity as the beneficiary. At the end of the live show on Friday morning, approximately $7,500 had been pledged. Ninety percent of the money raised will go to benefit families in the Middlesex area. The other 10% will be used for Habitat's 'Home in a Box' program to provide shelter for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The entertainment this year, had a little twist. Instead of a lineup of groups and ensembles, the 15th Annual Telethon, featured a Shoreline Idol singing contest to showcase local high school talent. The finalists chosen through auditions earlier in the month each performed twice during the live show. Each dollar pledged for Habitat could be designated as a vote for a contestant. The winner of Shoreline Idol will receive one hour of recording time in a professional studio and a $1000. scholarship donated by Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale Restaurant of Madison and Westbrook. The finalist include, Katelyn Deimel, Kelsey Monroe, Jessica Ticino, Samantha Barlow, Darcey Hughes, Brianna Lynne Jump, Samantha Malone, Katie Meyer, Nicole Pedonti, Melanie Yates, Johanna Regan and Brittany Celata. The winner will be announced on January 20, 2006 at a benefit concert in the HK Auditorium at 7:00 p.m.

Behind the scenes, students and staff worked tirelessly under the direction of Chuck Lewis, with the Shoreline Idol contestants under the direction of Marcy Webster.

The Telethon will be re-broadcast through January 2 and votes for singers and additional pledges for Habitat are welcome throughout this time. To pledge call 860-345-3763. HKTV Channel 18 will air the Telethon this weekend on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m., 10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 25, 8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m.
For more behind the scenes photos please visit the HKTV Telethon Photo Gallery
Pictured: the crew behind the cameras. Mrs. DiGregorio's first grade class and Idol contestant Melanie Yates.

Haddam-Killingworth High School wrestlers have been working as a club program for the last five years and just over a week ago, gained approval from the Board of Education to become a full varsity sport. Coach Geoff Korper has been sending out the word to area coaches that this might happen so a match schedule for the 2005-2006 season is set and the team is ready to go. Sixteen boys and two girls earned the right to represent HK in its first varsity season.

Korper, a Killingworth resident and Biology teacher at the high school, is the former head wrestling coach at Branford and former HK Girls Soccer coach. He said he has been working with Schools Superintendent Gary Mala, a former wrestler himself, to make this happen. Korper said the talent level is very good and interest is strong. HK is one of the few first year programs able to fill all 14 weight classes.

The Cougars are captained by seniors Jimmy Haring and Chris Distephano and will open their season today at Platt Tech in West Haven.

The Board of Selectmen voted Monday, to move forward with the appropriation and bonding of $2,650,000. for the purchase of the 140+ acre Wettish property on Parker Hill Road Extension. The BOS will have to gain approval from the Board of Finance and gain approval by Town referendum before it can proceed with the bonding.

First Selectman Marty Klein said the BOS chose to move on the Wettish property while the negotiations for the Venuti land would remain "in abeyance". Klein said the Wettish property was presented to the Town with a "very doable" price, so the BOS acted on the offer. Michael Venuti said he offered the Town three options to purchase all or parts of his family's 300 acre Rte. 148 property, including the an option for 145 acres including the lake, beach and two ballfields for $6 million. Klein said, "just do the math"; the Wettish property provides 140+ acres at half the price of the Venuti offer.

The cost to the tax payers for the bonding would be approximately $200,000 per year, or .3 mil, for 20 years. Klein said he is hoping to negotiate a placement bond with local BankNorth.

The selectmen voted that, provided the Board of Finance approves the recommended appropriation on January 10, 2006, the Town convene a Special Town Meeting on February 7, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. at Killingworth Elementary School to consider, but not vote upon, the resolution authorizing the appropriation and financing. The Special Town Meeting would be adjourned to a referendum on February 15, 2006.

The project is contingent, not only on the Board of Finance and referendum approvals, but ultimately on receiving an A-2 survey, wetlands flagging, and an appraisal provided by the property owners, including an Environmental Phase 1 Review. Klein said if the approvals go through, the surveys would be done around March and the purchase could be finalized by the end of April.

PAYT, as the town committee studying operations and making recommendations for Transfer Station improvements, reminds residents to recycle all of those holiday season paper products. The Transfer Station will be open on Saturday, December 24 and Saturday, December 31. After opening the gifts, remember that holiday wrapping paper, gift boxes and other paper products to be discarded can all be recycled. By recycling those items as mixed paper or cardboard, Killingworth saves tax dollars because of no processing fees for that type of refuse. As a reminder, heavy corrugated cardboard is recycled with cardboard and newspaper, while most other light cardboard, discarded wrapping paper and most other paper products are recycled as mixed paper.

Don't use plastic bags when recycling those paper products, if you want to use bags, they should be paper. When transporting any refuse to the town Transfer Station, please secure your load by covering containers, wrapping bags tightly and other means to make sure that plastic milk cartons, newspaper and other parts of your refuse load end up at the Transfer Station, not by the side of our roads throughout Killingworth. Town officials, PAYT and your neighbors thank you!

New Transfer Station entry decals will be distributed during January. Decal registration cards will be available at the Transfer Station during the last week of December. Pay As You Throw Committee ( PAYT) members will be there to help distribute the cards which actually will be processed at Town Hall in January. Completed registration forms can be brought to Town Hall WITH VEHICLE REGISTRATION during January Transfer Station hours to receive new entry decals. During those January renewal days, registration cards will be available and decal distribution will occur at Town Hall. The current red decals will no longer be valid starting February 1, 2006, instead being replaced by a blue version. Red decals will not allow entry after January 31, 2006.

PAYT Committee members and special town staff will process registration cards and distribute decals at Town Hall during January on Tuesdays 3-7:00 p.m., Thursdays 2- 8:00 pm, and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to coincide with Transfer Station hours of operation.

The HK High School Boys Basketball team fell to North Branford, 55-38, last night. Tyler Riordan led the Cougars with 15 followed by Perry Pratt with 10 and Dennis Annicelli with 6. HK Falls to 1-1.

• Tuesday, December 20:
8:00 a.m. Shoreline Idol
10:00 a.m. Program 2 Board of Education Meeting (12/14)
7:00 p.m. Shoreline Idol
9:00 p.m. Board of Education Meeting (12/14)
•Wednesday, December 21:
8:00 a.m. Shoreline Idol
10:00 a.m. Board of Education Meeting (12/14)
7:00 p.m. Girls Basketball: HK vs. Capital Prep Magnet (12/20)
9:00 p.m. HKMS & HKHS Choral Concert (12/14)
•Thursday, December 22:
8:00 a.m. Girls Basketball: HK vs. Capital Prep Magnet (12/20)
10:00 a.m. HKMS & HKHS Choral Concert (12/14)
7:00 p.m. Girls Basketball: HK vs. Capital Prep Magnet (12/20)
9:00 p.m. HKMS & HKHS Choral Concert (12/14)
•Friday, December 23:
8:00 a.m. LIVE Holiday Show
10:00 a.m. LIVE Holiday Show
7:00 p.m. Holiday Show
9:00 p.m. Holiday Show
•Saturday, December 24:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Holiday Show
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. Holiday Show
•Sunday, December 25:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Holiday Show
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. Holiday Show
information provided by HKTV

Michael Venuti says residents are not getting all the information about the Town's options for recreation land and open space. When Venuti found out last Wednesday that First Selectman Marty Klein had reached a preliminary agreement to purchase the 150-acre Wettish property, he was confused and angry. He would like to have the details of the Wettish property presented along side the options for the Venuti property so Town residents can make an informed decision.

Last Monday night, Venuti met with the Board of Selectman in executive session and presented three options for the Town to purchase all or portions of the Venuti Family Trust's 300 acres on Route 148. He was able to see the Town's previous appraisal of the land and offered to pay for an updated appraisal if the Town showed interest. Venuti said he thought the meeting was positive and that the selectmen were receptive.

At the BOS regular meeting earlier that evening, Klein said he had also scheduled a meeting the next morning with the lawyer representing the Wettish Family and attorney Michael Wells, who would be representing the Town in negotiations for the North Parker Hill Road Ext. land. Klein said then, that he couldn't be sure but, he thought "it was a go". On Wednesday, the Hartford Courant reported that Klein had reached a preliminary agreement to purchase the Wettish property for $2.45 million.

When Michael Venuti read this he questioned the selectmen about their decision to go forward with one property over the other, considering the positive meeting Monday and the attractive options available to the Town. He said he was told that the selectmen would meet tonight, December 19 in executive session, to discuss how to move forward.

Venuti said he proposed three options to the selectmen. Option one was for the Town to purchase 258 of the Family's 300 acres for $9.25 million. When asked by the selectmen if the Venuti Family could "take Bosco off its hands", Michael proposed to use the Route 81 Bosco property as the site for Venuti Enterprises' equipment and business and sell the Town the entire 300-acre Route 148 property for $9.0 million.

Option three was to sell the Town the "prized centerpiece" of the Venuti property for $6 million: 145 acres, including the 30-acre man-made lake and beach. In addition, the Venuti Family would construct two ball fields at the Town's designation. Venuti requested that the Family be given access to the rear property and in exchange would give the Town first right of refusal if it ever decided to sell the remaining acres.

Michael Venuti, who represents the Venuti Family Trust's interests, said he just wants an open discussion. He has questions about the Wettish property regarding wetlands, actual acreage and soil testing. He said it is well known that the Venuti Family's property has prime soil and verified acres. Venuti also said he proposed these options several months ago in a meeting with First Selectman David Denvir and selectman Louis Annino, Sr., but the Town did not move on them. He said he had hoped the new administration would be different.

The Holiday Lights Spectacular at 18 Wolf Hollow Lane drew crowds of residents and visitors on Saturday, looking to celebrate the season with Santa and the Gorski Family. The tradition of this incredible display started five years ago and has been growing ever since, said Nancy Gorski.

This year they decided to invite the public into their yard to enjoy the lights, have a cup of hot chocolate, take a sleigh ride, and raise money for the community. Over 125 people enjoyed walking around the fantastic display of lights, figurines, and handmade decorations. Santa was there to greet people and give each child a holiday stuffed animal. Refreshments helped people stay warm while waiting their turn for a sleigh ride.

With the help of the Killingworth Women's Organization, the Gorskis raised $300 to benefit the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company. KWO president Joan Reed Wilson said the visitors were very generous with their donations. A special thanks to the Gorski family who spent countless hours creating the wonderful display that will be enjoyed throughout this holiday season! Happy Holidays!

The Killingworth Fire Marshal's Office has issued some fire prevention tips and general safety warnings for the Holiday season.

Christmas Trees - Keep watered, check all lights before using, take down when shedding begins, make a fresh cut on the bottom when installing, keep open flames away from trees and never use lighted candles on the trees, and dispose of properly outdoors when finished.

Candles - Follow safety instructions on the bottom of each jar if applicable, never leave unattended, keep away from flammable material, keep children and pets away from area, and do not place near curtains or presents.

Electricity - Do not overload outlets, check lights for indoor or outdoor use. Throw power cords with frayed wires away, do not place electric space heaters too close to furniture or people, eliminate extension cords, and turn lights off when you are away from the house.

Wood burning stoves - Keep chimneys clean; dispose of ashes in metal containers, burn seasoned wood.

Propane or LP Heaters - Do not use inside homes because of the severe carbon monoxide danger.