The Killingworth Elementary School PTO Cultural Arts Program has had the pleasure of Tom Lee, master storyteller, in its classrooms the last several weeks. Grades K-5 had the opportunity to participate in small group assemblies in February and the fourth grade has been working with Lee in workshops throughout this week. The program was made possible by a generous grant from the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism.

Lee has told stories professionally for sixteen years. His interest in traditional stories began while he was working as a cook in a tiny fishing village in Scotland. His first storytelling performances were tales from Grimm, told in the tiny theater in the London pub called, appropriately, "The Man in the Moon."

In the United States, Lee has worked in classrooms with children of all ages. "When it comes to stories," he says, "children have taught me everything I know." A roster artist with the Connecticut Commission on the Arts and Vice President of the Connecticut Storytelling Center, Lee uses storytelling for educational outreach at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Yale Center for British Art and Hartford Stage.
Pictured: Tom Lee works with students in Todd Ledbetter's fourth-grade class.

•Monday, March 13:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. HK Middle school spring concert
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. HKTV end of year productions
•Tuesday, March 14:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. HK Middle school spring concert
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. HKTV end of year productions
•Wednesday, March 15:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. HKMS talent show 2005
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. HKHS morning mix 2004
•Thursday , March 16:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. HKMS talent show 2005
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. HKHS morning mix 2004
•Friday, March 17:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Lip sync 2005
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. HKHS morning mix Mar 2006
•Saturday, March 18:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Lip sync 2005
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. HKHS morning mix Mar 2006
•Sunday, March 19:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Lip sync 2005
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. HKHS morning mix Mar 2006
information provided by HKTV

At its Annual Appreciation Banquet on Saturday, the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company presented its long-time service awards. Richard Albrecht was honored for 40 years of service; Ralph Knockwood for 25; Thomas Shipman for 25; Andrew Kuczma for 20; George Roelofsen, Jr. for 20 and Arnold Moore for 20.

In addition, Fire Chief Alfred Dudek, Jr. presented Chiefs Awards for outstanding service to Deputy Chief Richard Bauer and Lt. Paul Jacobs. The event was held at Clinton Country Club.

Five Haddam-Killingworth High School seniors who ventured into uncharted waters this year by enrolling in the new senior project class, presented their work last night in the high school auditorium. The senior projects class is the brainchild of HK Principal Charles Macunas. He said through trials and tribulations, these five students used this class as a great opportunity for self-directed learning. Macunas said the students found out the many steps it takes to bring these projects to fruition and he hoped they would use it as a stepping stone for a career path.

Senior Project Teacher, Dawn Hoffman said the students chose projects that would excite and challenge them. They began by drafting proposals, estimating budgets and finding technical advisors, then followed up with research and field work all the while documenting their progress.

Logan MacLennan has been working to establish an HK Alumni Association Foundation that would provide financial aid for student initiated research projects. Dan Mead became interested in the science of fingerprinting while watching the television program CSI. He organized a program to fingerprint children at the Killingworth Library. Justine Whetzel produced and directed a one-act play. The show, Blind Date, featuring a student cast and crew was performed on February 8. Gregg Golembeski produced an informational orientation video for the high school. The video offered an entertaining tour of the school's programs and extra curricular activities.

Last night's program concluded with the debut runway show of fashion designer Alfie Rivera. Rivera designed and created his collection of gowns, and produced the student-model fashion show. Pictured: Some of the gowns in the Rivera collection and the designer publicly thanking his mother.

Haddam-Killingworth senior runner Jake Corbett finished 16th with a time of 2:39.09 in the 1,000 meters at the New England Interscholastic Indoor Track and Field Championships in Boston, Friday night. Complete results are available here.

According to the New Haven Register, Police have charged Guilford restaurant owner Jeffrey Mauro, of Killingworth, with disorderly conduct, fourth-degree sexual assault and public indecency after he allegedly touched and grabbed a woman and exposed himself to her at the restaurant. Mauro's wife, Renee Mauro, said her husband vehemently denies the charges, and expects the charges to be dropped. She said the complaint was made by a former employee who has since been fired.

To the Editor:
Last week we received word that my grandmother, Louise Ferguson, was involved in a serious car accident in town. Having spent many years as a firefighter in Guilford, I am personally aware of the coordination, training and professionalism required to handle an event of this nature.

Our family would like to send a special thank you to the Killingworth fire and ambulance departments, state police, medics, and Lifestar personnel for their outstanding efforts.

We would also like to thank Paul Griswold, Kevin, and the guys from the Killingworth Garage. They were able to inform us immediately of the accident which allowed us to quickly inform and gather our family.

My grandparents have lived in Killingworth for over 60 years. They've been overwhelmed with the number of people who live and work in this town that have offered assistance. Long time friends and neighbors are stopping in. Friends from the Library and Congregational Church have called many times to check on her. There are too many people to mention in this letter.

She is looking forward to the day when she can thank everyone personally. Thank you for all of your help.
Pete Meglin
Killingworth

Reminder from the Assessor's Office
The deadline for filing for the Homeowners Tax Relief Program is MAY 15, 2006. Those Homeowners over 65 years old by December 31, 2005, or totally disabled, whose total maximum income, including Social Security, is $27,700 if single or $33,900 if married, may now apply at the Assessor's office.

Please call 663-2002 for an appointment. Applicants must show proof of income.

Veterans may also apply for additional exemptions at this time; qualifying incomes are the same as above. Deadline filing date for the Veterans program only is October 1, 2006.

Applications for Killingworth's local Senior & Disabled Tax Relief Program will also be taken at this time. Residence at current address must be longer than 12 Months and maximum allowable total income (including Social Security etc.) is $40,000 or less for this program only. Filing period deadline for this program is May 15, 2006.

The Haddam-Killingworth High School Swim team, finished fifth in the Nutmeg Swim Conference Championship Meet on Saturday with 107 points.

Corrine Mazzotta finished 5th in diving, Kevin Peterson placed 2nd in the 200 IM to gain All-Conference and also placed 5th in the 100 backstroke. Eric Armstrong placed 3rd in the 50 Free to gain All-Conference, and 8th in the 100 Free; Zack Morello placed 9th in the 100 Fly; Doug Fetteroll placed 10th in the 500 Free. The relay teams placed 5th in the 200IM relay and the 200 Free relay, and 8th in the 400 Free relay.

According to the Middletown Press, H-K coach Wendy Savino said, "My kids did phenomenally well". "Just about every swimmer swam their best times today. This caps off a much improved season for us."

The Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company announces its annual GIANT AUCTION will be held Saturday, April 8, 2006 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm at Fire Headquarters on Route 81.

The event is a fun filled day and attendees can pick up bargain "treasures". The monies raised by the auction are used to supplement the fire company annual budget, as well as purchasing additional training and special fire/rescue equipment.

An "Auction Hotline" has been established for those wishing to donate items for the auction. The number is 860-663-2043 and the line is automatically answered 24 hours a day. Please leave your name, phone number and the items to be donated. A firefighter will return your call and make arrangements for pickup.

The Tuesday Book Discussion Group will meet March 14 to discuss the historical novel, City of Lights by Lauren Belfer. The selection for April 11 is the nonfiction bestseller , The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson. Belfer's novel centers around the Buffalo Pan American Exposition of 1901 and the coming of hydroelectric power, while Larson's work focuses on Chicago's Columbia Exposition of 1893 and the serial killer that stalked the town amidst the fanfare. The group meets at the Killingworth Library at 1:00. Newcomers are welcome.

•Tuesday, March 7:
8:00 a.m. Prospectives with KES principal and KES concert
10:00 a.m. HES Band and Chorus Concert and Perspectives with HES principal
7:00 p.m. Prospectives with KES principal and KES concert
9:00 p.m. Band and Chorus Concert and Perspectives with HES principal
•Wednesday, March 8:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Adolescent Drugs and Alcohol Use with Andy Baccaro
10:00 a.m. HES Band and Chorus Concert and Perspectives with HES principal
9:00 p.m. 2005 HKHS World Language Honor Society Induction and HKHS Honor Society Induction
•Thursday , March 9:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Adolescent Drugs and Alcohol Use with Andy Baccaro
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. 2005 HKHS World Language Honor Society Induction and HKHS Honor Society Induction
•Friday, March 10:
8:00 a.m. HKHS Jazz night and HKTV productions
10:00 a.m. 2005 HKHS World Language Honor Society Induction and HKHS Honor Society Induction
7:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day Football Game part 1 2005
•Saturday, March 11:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day Football Game part 1 2005
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day Football Game part 1 2005
•Sunday, March 12:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day Football Game part 1 2005
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day Football Game part 1 2005
information provided by HKTV

The Arts Center at Killingworth will feature an evening of jazz with headliner vocalist Giacomo Gates at the Living Rock Church on Saturday, March 11 at 7:30pm. The Russ Becker Quartet will kick off the evening. The show will be held in a café-style environment with food and drinks available.

Bridgeport-native Giacomo Gates, a full-fledged jazz lounge singer, favors standards from the American Songbook. His "vocalese" style - setting lyrics to jazz instrumentals - pays tribute to Eddie Jefferson, Dave Lambert and Jon Hendricks. His talents include a full-bodied and smooth voice, an uncanny vocal range, a natural sense of swing, rhythmic precision, and an ability to scat with attention to lyrics. His boundless creativity and exuberant passion set him apart.

Gates has three widely-acclaimed CDs, with his most recent release, Centerpiece on Origin Records garnering rave reviews, heavy airplay on over 300 radio stations and three months in the Top 20 Chart of JazzWeek. He was recently nominated by the Jazz Journalists Society of America as "Best Male Jazz Vocalist, 2005."

In addition to performing at festivals in North America, Europe and in major clubs such as New York's Birdland and the Jazz Standard, Gates teaches at Wesleyan University, the Hartford Conservatory of Music and the Neighborhood Music School in New Haven. He has performed with Freddie Hubbard, Randy Brecker and Jon Fadis.

Opening the evening will be Russ Becker and his Quartet, including guitarist Chris Leigh, bassist Menno Marringa and drummer Rich Dart. Becker, who has performed on the Shoreline since 1990, is a composer and plays a wide of range of instruments. The Quartet will perform a repertoire of melodic original music as well as American jazz standards.

Tickets: $25 for adults, $20 for seniors; $15 for students, $10 for children 12 and under. Credit cards accepted. To order tickets, please call (860) 663-5593 or mail checks to: The Arts Center at Killingworth, 276 North Parker Hill Road, Killingworth, CT 06419.

The Region 17 School District held its Career Fair on Saturday to attract and interview prospective teachers and staff for five region schools. The event, attracted 366 individuals interested in serving the school district in a variety of capacities including certified teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, custodial / maintenance personnel and cafeteria staff.

A total of 303 individuals attending the Fair were seeking positions as elementary or secondary area teachers. Read more about it in today's New Haven Register

The Killingworth Women's Organization will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 8 at 7:15 p.m. at the Killingworth Library. We will discuss the upcoming Babysitter Board fundraiser and the newly-created KWO scholarship and present the slate of officers for April's elections.

All are welcome to attend to learn more about our organization and get more involved in the community. For more information, contact Sue Anziano at 663-2176 or sueanz@hotmail.com

Please join staff, students and alumni in celebrating Killingworth Nursery School's 50 Anniversary on Saturday, March 25, 2006 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Bring old photos to share! Enjoy cake and refreshments while reminiscing with old friends and classmates, Don't miss it!

Heavy metal rock band "Sunsets to Bullets" will open for Christian family rock band "Siloam" on Saturday, March 11, 7:00 p.m. at the Old Higganum Firehouse. Concerts are always FREE.

"Sunsets to Bullets" is an accomplished heavy metal band sporting hard hitting beats and vocals interrupted by soft melodic interludes.

Siloam is a family Christian traveling rock band performing in NYC and the Springfield Civic Center before stopping by the Firehouse. The group evolved out of contemporary worship and praise services. They perform at coffee houses, churches, conferences, festivals, youth events and in the streets, throughout the northeast. The 4 siblings are joined by their father George Skidd on bass and accomplished drummer Alan Pugielli.

For more information, check out www.firehouseconcerts.com

During the month of March, the Killingworth Library will have available to its patrons, a Library User Survey. This survey is designed to provide the Killingworth Library Association with feedback about how we are doing in the service area, and to let us know if we are meeting our patrons' needs on a daily basis. A sample survey question will be: Did you find what you were looking for today?

The Library User Survey is a logical follow-up to the Community Needs Survey we did last fall. Those findings have already been analyzed, published, and acted upon. Now we are focusing on the actual visit-by-visit experience of our patrons. We encourage all library users, both Killingworth residents and non-residents, to take a brief minute and fill out the survey so that the KLA can continue to improve our service and meet our patrons' expectations.