Golfers, have you seen the weather reports for this Monday, June12th? The sun is going to shine and the temperature hover around the mid 70s. Perfect! And you can still sign up for the day of golf and more at the Clinton Country Club.

A few spots are available for the John P. Hine, Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament for the benefit of the Killingworth Library Association. The day begins with lunch at 11:00. Golf will be followed by cocktails and dinner.

Total cost is $175 per golfer and reservations will be taken until 10:00 pm Sunday evening. Call Shelly Cumpstone at 663-2747 to reserve your spot.

It's that time! The Killingworth Library and Apizza Tuscana team up for another Pizza Delivery Night! The next Pizza Delivery Night is scheduled for Saturday, June 10 from 5-8 pm. Call Apizza Tuscana at 663-2256 to place your order. A Library Volunteer will deliver your pizza to your house. We will also deliver to any of the town playing fields and local dance recitals. You pay for the pizza and a $5 delivery fee (cash or check only). Treat your self and support our town library.

6.8.2006: Wilfredo Rivera Jr. of Bristol, Conn was arrested for operating a motor vehicle under a suspended license. Rivera was stopped for failing to wear a seatbelt.

By Diane Kellsey
This article originally ran in the Haddam Bulletin. It is re-printed with permission.

Alumni associations are common at colleges and universities. But at high schools?

This month, Haddam-Killingworth High School became one of the relatively few public high schools nationwide with its own alumni association when the Haddam Killingworth (HK) Alumni Association was incorporated with the state of Connecticut.

The primary purpose of the HK Alumni Association is to raise funds to support independent research projects initiated by students at the high school, for which funding would otherwise be scarce.

Fittingly, the organization is the end product of an independent study project initiated and brought to fruition by Logan MacLennan, a senior at the high school.

Logan developed the alumni association as part of an independent study project he pursued through the school's innovative Senior Project course elective. Read more

Under the direction of Music Teachers Joel Spineti and Irina Rubalsky, the Killingworth Elementary School Bands and Choruses performed their Annual Spring Concert last night in the high school auditorium.

The concert opened with the Fourth Grade Bands playing Court of the Noble Trumpeteers, Starlight and The Lost Kingdom. The Fifth Grade Band then played Character, a medley of John Williams compositions, and ended with Ayre and Dance. The Jazz Band concluded the band portion of the evening with Satin Doll by Duke Ellington and Woodchopper's Ball. Musical interludes were performed by fifth-grader Emily Wang on the piano.

The Fourth Grade Chorus opened with a lively piece called It's a Classic then continued with several selections including, Wind on a Hill, that featured a select group of choristers. The Fifth Grade Chorus ended the program with a rousing group of songs concluding with Duke Ellington's It Don't Mean a Thing.

It's that time of year again! Haddam-Killingworth Recreation will hold youth soccer league registration on Wednesday, June 14 from 6-7:00 p.m. in the KES gymnasium; Tuesday, June 27 from 6-7:00 p.m. in the HK high school fieldhouse and Monday, July 10 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. in the HKHS fieldhouse.

All players must attend in person. This is not a tryout. All players who attend will be placed on a team. The fees are: $70 per child or $100 per family. No fee for head coaches or referees who referee at least 6 games. Call HK Rec at 345-8334 or visit www.hkrec.com for more information on registration times and age groups.

15 million young people are waiting across America for you to help HELP the HK Mentor program expand our services to 100 area students.

Youth development experts now agree that mentoring is a critical element in any child's social, emotional and cognitive development. It builds a sense of industry and competency, boosts academic performance and broadens horizons.

Mentoring is an ancient concept that has gathered significant momentum in recent years as a means of helping young people overcome the complex challenges they face in today's society. Along with parents, mentors help young people realize their potential by providing them with support, advice, encouragement and friendship.

Studies of formal mentoring programs provide strong evidence that mentoring successfully reduces the incidence of delinquency, academic failure and substance use & abuse... Studies further indicate that mentoring can promote positive outcomes, such as improved self esteem, social skills and career development. Furthermore students who take a part in successful in school mentoring programs are less likely to engage in risky behavior and are likely to attend classes and feel more connected to their school.

So please join us. If you're interested in having a positive influence on area youth, contact Ernest Nagler HK Mentor coordinator at Haddam Killingworth Youth & Family Services at 335-7498 or by email naglere55@RSD17.org

JUNE, JULY & SEPTEMBER 2006 TRAININGS
Tuesday, June 13th in Haddam from 7 - 9pm
Tuesday, August 22nd in Haddam from 7 - 9pm
Tuesday, September 19th in Killingworth from 7 - 9am
Tuesday, September 12th in Haddam from 7 - 9

Can we get a puppy, a kitty, a gerbil or snake? Please? Please?? PLEEEEZ ??? Most, if not all, children want a pet at some point during their childhood. Check out the fun this summer as we explore the themes of wanting a pet, choosing a pet and caring for a pet. Pre-readers and children entering first through sixth grades in the fall are invited to participate in CLAWS, PAWS, SCALES + TALES, the 2006 Killingworth Library Summer Reading Program.

Saturday June 24th at 2:00 p.m. we'll travel around the world in search of amazing animals with FULL EFFECT PRODUCTIONS featuring George the parrot and Vinny the viper. Packed with magic and comedy this new program was designed specifically to go along with this year's theme. Following the performance children will be able to sign up for the Summer Reading Program, receive their materials and take home books to read.

Think of the pet possibilities as we decide which FURRY, SLIMY, HAIRY animal gets our vote in our ADOPT A CRITTER program. Just follow the meows, cackles, ruffs and screeches into the Children's Room for a summer filled with cute and cuddly, creepy and crazy creatures!

Postponed from Saturday, June 3 until Sunday, June 4, the third Annual Trails Day hike attracted 16 hikers from around the state. The group, plus one dog, walked the lower half of the Hammonasset River Trail, from lower Bar Gate to the trail's midpoint. The upper portion continues on, over a mile, to Route 80.

Hike leader Debby Butler explained the hobbies of letterboxing (www.letterboxing.org) and geocaching (www.geocaching.com) - enabling the participants to find 4 letterboxes and one cache, some of which were placed for this event.

Recent rains had the Hammonasset River rushing and made stream crossings a little more challenging. Lady Slippers and Jack-in-the-Pulpits were spotted along the woodsy trail. Naturalist John Himmelman and local historian Bob Broach pointed out other nature and mill sites along the route.

Hikers received packets of Killingworth Land Conservation Trust trail maps (now available at the library, as well) and enjoyed snacks and socializing after the walk. For more information on land trust trails, or to join the Trails Committee, contact trails chairman Debby Butler at 663-2231 or debby_butler@hotmail.com.

photos courtesy D. Butler.

Tax bills will be mailed the last week in June. The first half of Real Estate and Personal property bills over $100.00 is due July 1, 2006, and will be delinquent if paid on August 2. The second half will be due January 1, 2007 and delinquent on February 2. New bills will not be sent for the second half. Motor Vehicle bills are due without interest, between July 1 and August 1, 2006 in one installment. The rate of interest is 1½% per month, 18% per annum, or $2.00 whichever is greater.

The office hours are 9:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 4:00 Monday - Friday.

If you receive a Real Estate bill and have an escrow account, forward the bill to your lending institution, so they will make a timely payment. If you receive a bill for a vehicle you no longer own, you may be entitled to a credit. The credit is not automatic. You must provide 2 forms of proof to the assessor's office, one form being a plate receipt from DMV. All corrections are made through the Assessor's office.

If you pay in person and want a receipt, bring all copies of your bills. If you pay by mail, send all copies of your bills, a self addressed stamped envelope and your check. Please make checks payable to Tax Collector. You can send one check for all of your bills.

Payments will be applied to the oldest obligation before paying current bills. Save your receipts, you will need them for your Income Tax information. Payments received each day will be deposited. Please, do not postdate your check.

•Wednesday , June 7:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. HKHS National Honor Society Induction Taped 5/31/06
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. HK vs. Old Lyme Baseball Game
•Thursday , June 8:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. HKHS National Honor Society Induction 5/31/06
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. Old Lyme Baseball Game
•Friday, June 9:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Burr, Grades 4-6 Concert 2006
10:00 a.m. HK States Baseball Game
9:00 p.m. HKHS 30th year Birthday Video
•Saturday & Sunday June 10& 11:
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Burr, Grades 4-6 Concert 2006
10:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. HKHS 30th year Birthday Video
information provided by HKTV

The 2006 HKHS Baseball season came to an end yesterday at the hands of the team that witnessed the Cougars' biggest win. Old Lyme, the undefeated team HK beat to win the Shoreline Conference Championship last week, enacted revenge yesterday with a, 3-2, win in the State Class S quarterfinal game. Tyler Riordan struck out nine and allowed three runs on seven hits on the mound. Read more about the game in the Middletown Press.

Do you need a motivator to get into shape? Start training now for the Killingworth Road Race! Join us for a healthy and fun community event on August 5th, 2006. The running race will be a 4 mile scenic course starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Congregational Church on Rt. 81. Come run, enjoy the post race activities, and stay for the church fair. To register, call 663-1789 or go to www.active.com. Cost is $17 for preregistration, $19 on race day. First 100 participants will receive a race t-shirt. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers in categories. Everyone involved will be awarded with a fun and healthy day!

First Selectman Marty Klein offers his monthly column.

What compensation does a person get for serving as chairman of a commission or board in Killingworth? Long hours of hard work, no salary or health benefits, and criticism from many quarters is the answer to that question. However, there is a big plus in all this too, the satisfaction of a job well done for one's community. John McMahon, Chairman of the Board of Finance, has earned that satisfaction many times over.

During the six months that I have been First Selectman, I've had the opportunity to work with all the boards and commissions and to get to know their members. McMahon is one person in particular with whom I've cultivated a friendship and for whom I've developed great respect. The Board of Selectmen, and particularly the First Selectman, seek the expertise of the BOF regularly. Therefore, it is crucial that there be a positive relationship between the Chairman of the BOF and the Selectman's office for the town to function efficiently. Read more of Klein's column.

John DeStefano, Jr., Mayor of New Haven and a Democratic candidate for Governor, was the guest of honor at a reception held at the home of Denise Stevens on Laurel Ridge Trail on Saturday afternoon.

Stevens and Gina Calder co-hosted the fundraising event. Both work as public health consultants in New Haven and are especially interested in DeStefano's promotion of universal healthcare.

DeStefano said he is running for Governor because his work with the City of New Haven is "incredibly limited by the state". "I think I can do a great job. The current leadership has so badly failed our possibilities, and I am angry about it. I have been given a choice to do something about it and it is time to step up to the challenge." "Connecticut is last in job growth" and that trickles down into the communities. His goals as Governor would include reducing the cost of healthcare, proving stable housing for families and revising the "insane property tax system" used to fund schools. He said the system forces residents to choose sides depending on if they have school-age children or not. He said he would push for a millionaire's tax to help fund public schools.

When asked how he will win the election, DeStefano said, "Democrats lose elections because they can't raise enough money and because of their field operations". He said he has raised $4 million for the primary in August and needs to raise $3 million in three months for the general election in November. He said he also has the backing of the state's largest labor coalition. "I will win by offering better choices to the residents of Connecticut."

Stevens said she sees that DeStefano has brought money into New Haven which improves funding for public health. She said he has also added energy and new ideas to the discussion by bringing young people into his administration. She heard from Calder and many other sources that DeStefano was a "great guy" so she decided to extend her mentoring of Calder to the political arena and co-host the reception.

Stamford's Mayor Dannel P. Malloy won the State Democratic Party's endorsement for Governor by four votes on May 20 over DeStefano. The state's Democratic primary will take place on August 8. The general election for Governor will take place on November 7.

The Haddam Historical Society is pleased to offer a week-long learning experience to girls and boys ages 8-12 at the Thankful Arnold House Museum in Haddam, Connecticut. The program, A Week in the Life of an Early American Child, c. 1820, will take place June 26-30, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Participants will enter Federal period Connecticut where they will spend five days with Mrs. Arnold in her home. Role playing will allow children to portray real children who lived in the community at the time. They will partake in many chores children were responsible for and become familiar with domestic items used in pre-industrial America.

The children will make butter, learn how herbs were used, sew, play games, make a copy book and milk a goat!

There will also be a community celebration of Independence Day on the Courthouse Green with a procession, singing, the reading of the Declaration of Independence and a (condensed!) oration. A picnic will follow with music, dancing, toasts from the men and sentiments from the ladies.

For more information regarding the program including fees and application form please contact the Haddam Historical Society at 860-345-2400 or visit our web site at www.haddamhistory.org or email the Society at contact@haddamhistory.org.

The regional household hazardous waste collection facility on Dump Road in Essex will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on selected Saturdays as follows: June 10 and 24; July 8; Aug. 5 and 19; Sept. 23; Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28; and also at the Lyme satellite facility on Sept. 9.

The facility, which accepts paint, pesticides, herbicides and other items, is open to residents of Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. For more information and a complete list of acceptable items, visit www.crerpa.org or call 860-388-3497.

Since we were rained out on Saturday, we're going ahead with our raindate - June 4, 1:00 p.m. Join Debby Butler along the Land Trust's Hammonasset River trail. The trail runs along the river from lower Bargate Trail to Route 80 - a distance of about 2 miles. We will hike the southern half, from near Chestnut Hill Road north, just past the first traffic circle on Bargate Trail. Hikers should meet at Bargate, parking on the straight section just north of Chestnut Hill Road.

The trail offers a variety of features, including a pond, the river, some moderate climbing and great views. Hikers will learn about two interesting trail hobbies - letterboxing and geocaching, finding one or two of each along the route. Call Debby Butler at 663-2231 for additional information. Please bring water; fruit and snacks will be provided at the end of the hike.

Well, summer is almost here and all of you gardeners should be taking these first two weeks of June to finish all of your spring planting. As the temps get warmer you should pay particular attention to new plantings. While plants may wilt in the hot afternoon sun, they should perk up in the evening when the sun has gone and the temperature starts to drop. If plants are wilted in the morning or in the evening - they are telling you that they need water! When planting new plants, you should add 2 inches of compost either before or when planting. Make sure that you dig in 4 inches and you will get stronger healthier plants that are able to resist diseases and pests.

For your container gardens you should be using large pots, as they will hold more moisture and will require less watering. Glazed pots or some of the new plastic ones will also hold in more moisture that traditional terra cotta pots. An alternative is to put a smaller pot inside a large pot with leaves or other mulch between to keep the moisture in. There's more!

If you have questions or comments, please submit them through the editor@killingworthtoday.com. These columns as well as meeting and event reminders are available from the Garden Club's web page at www.Killingworthtoday.com/EGC

5.23.2006: Brain McGran of Middletown and David Dornfield of Killingworth were involved in a traffic accident at the intersection of Rtes. 148 and 81. Dornfield was traveling westbound and turning south on Rte. 81 when he collided with McGran. A passenger in McGran's car was transported to a medical facility for neck pain. No other injuries were reported.

5.30.2006: J. Poulton of East Haven was cited for following too close after colliding with Larry Ficotulli of Attleboro, Mass. The cars were traveling northbound on Rte. 81. Ficotulli's car was rear-ended by Poulton at Stevens Road. Ficotulli was cited for failure to signal. No injuries were reported.

All reports are public record and available from the F Troop State Police Barracks. KillingworthToday.com is not responsible for errors or omissions.