And that's just what you should do! Take this good-looking guy home with you today, that is! Boots would be the perfect companion for the broken-hearted, or anyone looking for the best sort of friendship you can find anywhere. This friendly and lovable lout has his share of heartbreaking stories to tell, too! Boots was dropped off in Killingworth, and the folks who pulled him out of that scrape already had a gang of dogs and cats and no space for another homeless bum. So, Forgotten Felines, the no-kill shelter, has given him a temporary roof over his head and three squares a day. This king of the road really is swell, but not all that happy hanging out with the tougher cats around the joint. He is a lover, not a fighter, and seeks a monogamous relationship with some one-and-only somewhere. While Boots does not complain about his circumstances, you know he would be much happier in his own place. There has to be someone out there somewhere who is willing to give a cool cat down on his luck a chance! If you have a nice pad for Boots to share, give Forgotten Felines a buzz at 860-669-1347.

For information about adoptions or volunteering, call the shelter at 860-669-1347. Please send your tax-deductible donations to: Forgotten Felines, P.O. Box 734, Clinton, CT 06413. You may also preview many adoptable cats and kittens at the website: forgottenfelinesct.org Photograph by M.Harrigan

HK Sports
The HK High School Girls Soccer team gave its senior class a fine send off yesterday with a 5-1 win over East Hampton. It was the final regular season home game for Shalyn Carey, Katie Anderson, Nichelle Gode, Jessica Mullaney and Kelsey Sokol. Anderson had six saves and gave up just one goal late in the game. Mullaney scored three goals and Siobhan Blancaflor scored twice for the Cougars. See more photos from the game in the Fall Sports Gallery

The HK Cross Country teams competed in the Shoreline Championships yesterday. The Boys finished fifth and the Girls finished 8th.


Senior Jessica Mullaney takes a shot on goal early in the second half.

Killingworth Elementary School will be hosting a special Memorial Blood Drive to honor Dr. Robert Carroll, a former Assistant Executive Director with the Conn. Association of Schools (CAS). The drive will be held on Tuesday, October 24 from 1:00 pm to 5:45 p.m. Please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543) to schedule an appointment. Unexpectedly, October has been a challenging time for blood collections. Connecticut Blood Services is experiencing a deficit of almost 500 units!

Carroll will be remembered for being a much-loved humanitarian. He was a loving husband and father, a wonderful friend, an exceptional educator, a published author and a community leader on the local, state, and national levels.

Dr. Carroll passed away at the age of 71 on May 16, 2006. He is survived by his wife Marie, and their sons, Robert Jr. and Aric. He started his education career as a teacher at Wolcott H.S. as a social studies teacher, and senior class advisor. He later became an assistant principal, a position he held for 12 years, and ultimately became the principal of Wolcott H.S. Carroll was an Assistant Executive Director with CAS for 11 years.

Dr. Carroll traveled to Russia six times as a consultant with Soviet educators to modernize the education system. He was instrumental in setting up a program which raised a quarter of a million dollars and he obtained matching funds from one of CAS' sponsors. As a result of his efforts, former President Clinton came to Connecticut to accept the check for half a million dollars.

Dr. Carroll had inherited a potentially fatal blood condition which required frequent transfusions. As a result of his interaction with the American Red Cross Blood Services, he was made a member of our Board of Directors. He was the recipient of the First Annual Governor's Award for Distinguished Service to the American Red Cross. In addition, Dr. Carroll had been serving as Chairman of the Board of Aplastic Anemia and MDS (Myelodysplasia Syndromes) International Foundation, of Annapolis, MD.

The Killingworth Registrars of Voters will be holding a registration session on Saturday, October 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Town Offices. For more information please call 663-4048.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006 is the last day registrations will be accepted before the November 7,2006 election. All mail-in registrations must be postmarked by October 24,2006 and hand delivered cards received by the registrar by this date.

HK Sports
The HK Volleyball team proved it was not just the best team on the shoreline at home but they could come in your house and beat you as well. The Cougars gave Morgan more than it could handle last night with a three games to none victory in the Husky gym.

In the first game both teams traded points right up until the end when HK pulled it out 28-26. The second game was ruled by Erin Moriarty, her devastating blocks and the timely kills and game-winning aces of Captain Megan Murray. The Cougars won game two 25-17. Morgan came out flat and demoralized in the third, falling behind early with poor passing and miscommunication. Morgan Coach Joe Grippo took timeouts at 6-2 and 17-6, but could only manage to fire up his team for a short run when the game was already out of reach. The Cougars took the final game 25-15. Moriarty finished the game with 21 blocks, and 14 kills. Murray picked up 13 digs and 10 kills and Jess Lindquist dished out 14 assists. HK is now 14-0 and the favorite to clinch the Shoreline Conference title. Catch more photos in the Fall Sports Gallery

Laura Brayfield and Megan Murray block a Morgan hitter.

Hannah Donadio gets a dig in the first game.

Well - here we are in October...the frost is on the pumpkin and the days are getting shorter. Very soon we will turn the clocks back and the darkness will come in the afternoon! The gardens are fading and becoming enveloped in a thick blanket of leaves. It is this time of year that we ask ourselves "Why do we live in the woods with all of these leaves?" While the leaves may be beautiful in the spring summer and early fall....once they start to drop it is hard to think of anything else but the chore of raking. But you could get some of those leaves to work for you.

Now is the time to think of cold composting. It is easy to do and requires no maintenance. It does take longer for the plant materials to break down using the cold composting method versus hot composting. But if you are not composting at all - this is a good place to start. All you need to do is choose a spot in the corner of your yard and make a pile of grass clippings and leaves. You want to make sure that you do not include any diseased plants or weeds. Cold composting has been shown to be better at suppressing soil borne diseases but it does not kill weed seeds and other disease organisms. Add yard waste as it collects. No need to turn the pile. These piles of leaf litter etc. offer shelter for the beneficial insects and creatures which break down the leaf litter into nutrients during the winter months. A pile of cold compost like this is the basis of organic gardening. There's more!

These columns as well as meeting and event reminders are available from the Garden Club's web page at www.Killingworthtoday.com/EGC

The Board of Selectmen has appointed six Killingworth residents to the newly formed Traffic Study Committee. The Committee was charged to "gather information concerning vehicular, pedestrian and other users of Killingworth's road system and make a report to the BOS intended to increase safety and to help maintain Killingworth's rural character".

Those appointed were Bob Ellis, Raf Graham, Dave Roberts, George Roelofsen, Phil Stull and Kymberly Takish. There are also several ex-officio members such as Walt Adametz, who will advise the Committee based on their expertise and knowledge of the Town's infrastructure.

To begin the information gathering process, a meeting will be held on Thursday, October 26, at the Killingworth Fire House on Route 81. The meeting will begin promptly at 7:00pm. Town residents are invited to attend and express their concerns regarding the overall status of Killingworth's roads, to include such issues as speeding, sightlines and inadequate signage. The Committee will also be asking for opinions on what might improve the ability of residents to safely use our roads.

By soliciting public opinion, the Committee hopes to be able to better prioritize the recommendations that will eventually be made to the BOS. Based on initial response, more public forums of this type may be scheduled. Plan to attend so that you can express your thoughts on how we all can work together to improve the quality of life in Killingworth.

Don't forget, the Killingworth Women's Organization is hosting the 4th annual Halloween Happenings on Sunday, October 22 (rain date Oct 29th) from 4 - 6:30 p.m. at the Killingworth Library. This is a free event for all to enjoy. Come in costume, and enjoy all of the festivities!

There will be a hayride, games, fortune telling, festive music by Jeff Sasso, spooky storytelling by David Denvir, and a candy hunt for all. Bring your carved pumpkin to display and enter the Jack o' lantern judging contest. Be sure to have your pumpkin in place by 5:45 p.m. The winners will be announced at 6:00 p.m. Rep. Brian O'Connor will be judging the jack o' lanterns. There will be cash prizes ($35.00 for 1st place, $25.00 for 2nd place, $15 for 3rd place) for winners under the age of 13. Certificates will be awarded for all participants of the contest. Come enjoy this free community event!

The State Department of Transportation invited residents Monday night to hear and discuss plans for improvements to the Town circle (officially known as a roundabout). After residents had a chance to look over the plans and ask initial questions about the $1,000,000 federally funded project, William Britnell, the Project Manager, gave a brief overview and again opened the floor to residents' concerns.

Britnell said the plan to make changes to the roundabout were prompted by a higher than average accident rate. Britnell said the 27 accidents between 2001 and 2004 were, "a little more than we typically see and the geometry of the circle is partly to blame for that". He said roundabouts are typically a safe and inexpensive way of directing traffic. The goal of the project is to get traffic to slow down through the intersection.

According to the project notes, the existing roundabout has a large radii and excess pavement, which allows vehicles to travel at higher speeds than are desirable for a modern roundabout. Modern roundabouts reduce the number and severity of accidents by forcing vehicles to deflect their path, thereby slowing them down. The plan calls for Route 80 to be realigned for approximately 500 feet on the northbound approach and will require approximately 4 feet of widening on the southbound approach. The realignment, in conjunction with removing excess pavement, will help to slow speeds. Truck aprons will be installed in place of the excess pavement and around the central island to allow for turns by a tractor-trailer and to improve deflection. Four-inch high raised splitter islands will be constructed to further assist in deflection. Street lights will be placed around the circle to increase nighttime visibility and the signage will be improved.

The design is expected to be finalized this December, with the start of construction set for April or May 2007. The project will take several months to complete. Britnell said all legs of the intersection will remain open during construction. He said there may be times during the day that lanes are made one-way, but they will be restored to two-way traffic by the end of the day.

Britnell said there is occasionally confusion on the right of way in a roundabout. He said years ago in the New England area, traffic entering a roundabout had the right of way. However, he said the European model of having the traffic entering the roundabout yield was found to be safer and was adopted in most states.

The state has no plans to change the central island and Britnell said they welcome the Garden Club's landscaping to help block the view through the intersection. Evergreen Garden Club president Elisabeth Verderame said they will not do any additional plantings until the construction is completed. They hope to install a relatively mature tree next fall to replace the diseased birch tree removed last June.

The state also has plans to repair the bridge at the intersection of Chittenden Road and Route 81 next summer. Britnell said both projects can occur simultaneously without causing extensive disruption.

Click for a larger view.

To the Editor:
Last autumn, two sincere, qualified and very capable men ran thoughtful, issue-oriented campaigns to become Killingworth's First Selectman. In a razor thin vote, Martin Klein prevailed. His term as First Selectman began less than a year ago, and as the months have passed it's been my pleasure to keep in touch with him, discussing a broad range of issues. As I look back over where we've been in that very short time, I see the following:

Marty has finished a road re-configuration (Alder's Bridge Road) and is at work on another (Green Hill Road and Route 81); he has completed a substantial open space purchase (Wettish) and obtained State consent to transfer a $500,000 grant from the (appealing, yet defunct) Town Center project to a new plan to construct recreation facilities on the Wettish land; he has repaired the roof on the Town Hall; settled two pesky lawsuits (one, brought by AFSCME to recover a share of the Town's windfall from overpayment of insurance costs settled for a nominal amount, a settlement extremely favorable to Killingworth); established a traffic study committee; and, has moved forward with repairs of not one, but two bridges in need of immediate attention. Read more

HK Sports
The HK High School Boys Soccer team won at home yesterday, 4-2, over conference rival Valley Regional. Tyler Bradley scored the only goal of the first half. In the second half, HK scored three goals; a penalty kick by Tucker Cumpstone; a direct free kick by Tyler Bradley and Matt Waldman dribbled through the defense for the final goal. Valley scored late in the second half on a breakaway and penalty kick. The win improves the team's record to 11-2. On Friday the team will host Cromwell, ranked first in the Shoreline with a record of 10-1-1.

The traveling production of "They Called Me Lizzy . . . from Slavery to the White House" by the East Haddam Stage Company is coming to the stage at the historic Old Town Hall building at the Congregational Church in Killingworth, United Church of Christ, on Route 81. The show will be held on Saturday, October 21 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 each and may be purchased in advance at the church office (860-663-1789) or at the door on show night. The ticket price includes a reception after the play with the actress; refreshments will be served. "Come and witness the true-life story of Elizabeth Keckly; her rise from slavery to entrepreneurial freedom; then scandal and decline. Elizabeth Keckly was best known as dressmaker to Mary Todd Lincoln and as author of Behind the Scenes: 30 years a slave and four years in the White House. In this 1-hour presentation, join actress Stephanie Jackson as the story of Lizzy unfolds, full of twists and turns, bravery and remarkable resilience. Living history at its best!" Starring Stephanie Jackson - Directed by Kandie Carle - sponsored by the Christian Education Ministry of the Congregational Church in Killingworth (www.killingworthchurch.org)

Thursday October 12:
• 3:58 PM: Motor vehicle accident, Rtes 148 & 81. Patients transported by ambulances from Killingworth and Clinton.
Friday October 13:
• 8:59 AM: Medical Emergency, Green Hill Rd
• 5:29 PM: Medical Emergency, Boulder Trl.
Saturday October 14:
• 5:31 PM: Medical Emergency, Route 148

HK Sports

The HK Volleyball team defeated Valley Regional three games to one. Game scores were: 25-18, 25-16, 17-25, 25-14. Hannah Donadio had 27 digs, Jess Lindquist had 18 assists and Megan Murray had 11 kills. The Cougars are 13-0.

The HK High School Field Hockey team defeated Westbrook, 4-1. Kellie Moskey scored in the first half on an assist from Leslie Zules. Zules scored one on her own in the first half and twice in the second. The Cougars are 12-1, 9-0 in the SLC.

The HK Girls Soccer team defeated Valley, 4-1. No other stats were available.

The Cougar JV football team moved to 4-0 on the season as they out muscled the Morgan Huskies 42-14 Monday afternoon in Higganum.

Offensively HK spread the wealth, as six different Cougars found the endzone on the day. The scoring began on HK's opening possession with Justin Simmers scurrying his way into the endzone from three yards out, giving the Cougars a 6-0 lead.

After a stalled Husky drive, HK drove the field with freshman Jared Hickey's two yard touchdown run being the final play. Greg Zak connected with Teddy Kanaras for the conversion and a 14-0 advantage. The Cougars popped one more in before halftime when Adam Cubeta picked up a fumbled exchange and darted into the endzone from 4 yards out, 20-0 Haddam-Killingworth.

Morgan would answer however, engineering a 10 play 60 yard touchdown drive. The conversion was good and the game was 20-8 at the half. Despite what the score suggested, HK had just played its worst half of the season.

Coming out of halftime with something to prove, HK scored 22 unanswered points, starting with Sal Zichichi's two yard plunge, which was set up by his 41 yard run a few plays earlier. That made it 26-8 HK.

HK's next scoring drive was highlighted by the legs and arm of Zak. Facing a 3rd and 18 from the Morgan 25 yard line, Zak rolled right and was hemmed in by the Morgan defense for a big loss, but escaped. After reversing his direction and avoiding several defenders, Zak cut back across the entire field, hurdled a tackler and picked up an 10 yard gain. That play set up his 15 yard touchdown pass to Kanaras on the ensuing play. Freshman Ryan O'Neill ran in the conversion to make it 34-8.

Freshman Rob Flynn accounted for the final HK touchdown as he ran 15 yards to paydirt. Fellow freshman Mike DiGregorio ran in the conversion to put the score at 42-8. Morgan found the endzone again as time expired to make the final 42-14.

• Tuesday, Oct. 17:
8am and 7pm: Nutmeg Championship Swim Meet
10am and 9pm: Youth and Family Services Learning Disabilities
• Wednesday, Oct. 18:
8am and 7pm: Haddam Senior Crowning
10am and 9pm: Football Game vs. Morgan taped as of 10/13/06
• Thursday, Oct. 19:
8am and 7pm: Haddam Senior Crowning
10am and 9pm: Football Game vs. Morgan taped as of 10/13/06
• Friday, Oct. 20:
8am and 7pm: Kentucky Missions Trip
10am and 9pm: Valley All Stars vs. Harlem Rockets
• Saturday, Oct. 21:
8am and 7pm: Kentucky Missions Trip
10am and 9pm: Valley All Stars vs. Harlem Rockets
• Sunday, Oct. 22 :
8am and 7pm: Kentucky Missions Trip
10am and 9pm: Valley All Stars vs. Harlem Rockets

Local author and historian, Tom Lentz has been appointed and sworn in as the Town's new Municipal Historian.

He replaces long-time historian David LeVasseur who has decide after 23 years, to move his family, home and law practice to his boyhood home of Clinton. LeVasseur's practice has relocated to 50 Iron Works Road.

Lentz said he expects, as past historians have, to act as a resource for those having questions about the history of the town. He said he, "expects to also guide those doing genealogical or historical research to the appropriate sources and records". " In addition, I think the historian could take an active role in seeing that town boards and commissions take into consideration impacts on historical sites in their decision making. The historian should also keep the public aware of the significance of preserving historical features in order to maintain the character of the town."

Lentz is active with the Historical Society and is the Congregational Church Historian. He is the author of the Historical Society's A Photographic History of Killingworth and is currently working on the history of the Congregational Church. Lentz said, "Basically, I'm just interested in preserving our historical features and making people aware of the history of the town. It is our heritage and part of the character of the town."

Continuing to serve the legal needs of the shoreline for wills, the administration of estates; miscellaneous probate matters; elderlaw planning and real estate matters for 23 years.

The Region 17 Building Committee is putting the final touches on the new Intermediate/Middle School on Route 81. For a look inside the construction fences, visit the new www.rsd17.org photo gallery.

The Board of Selectmen voted to send an ordinance to a Town Meeting regarding the management of parks, athletic fields and playgrounds and other public property in town.

The ordinance was prepared by the Town's Park and Recreation Commission and designates it as the permitting authority for all activities on any park, athletic field, or playground, and shall be the sole arbiter of any dispute as to scheduling or other conflicts concerning the use of any of the said parks, athletic fields, or playgrounds.

It also specifies guidelines on dogs, horses and other pet animals on athletic fields and playgrounds as well as prohibiting alcohol and regulating the properties' use for concerts and other activities.

A violation of the ordinance will result in a notice of violation and a fine of twenty-five dollars for the first offense, fifty dollars for the second offense, and seventy-five dollars for the third and each subsequent offense. The complete ordinance is available here for review. The Town meeting has not yet been scheduled, but should take place in the next few months.

Another issue to go before the Town will be the approval of an $11,862 contract with Connecticut Testing Labs, Inc. out of Meriden to perform a series of environmental tests on the sludge lagoons off North Tower Hill Road. The lagoons were closed in April and the Town, in accordance with the state Department of Environmental Protection, is working through the steps necessary to remediate the lagoons. The Town has leased the lagoons from Rose Dudek for 30 years.

The KES-PTO will sponsor the Scholastic Book Fair this week in the Killingworth Elementary School gymnasium. Children and adults will browse and buy this week Monday through Thursday. On Tuesday night, along with shopping the book fair, join other families for "Reading Rainforest" Family night from 6-8 p.m. This is also your opportunity to pick up your wrapping paper and gifts ordered in the September fundraiser. Remember gift giving season is right around the corner...what a great opportunity to shop early for those people on your Holiday giving list. Books also make great birthday presents. For bookfair hours please contact the school at 663-1121.

HK Sports
HKHS Boys Soccer beat new conference rival Portland, 5-1, yesterday afternoon in Portland. HK was the first to score when Bahar Karimullah headed in a corner kick by Tucker Cumpstone in the first half. Portland equalized on a penalty kick after a handball call in the box. In the second half HK attacked the goal and scoring came from four different players. Joel Blancaflor found the net on a scramble in the box, Liam Islieb put away a superb volley, Tyler Bradley scored with an assist by Islieb and in the final minute, Matt Waldman beat the keeper and his defense and placed one in the back of the net.

The win should move HK up to fourth in the State Class S rankings. Their record is 10-2 and they play at home this week on Tuesday vs Valley and again on Friday vs Cromwell.

Liam Isleib, Joel Blancaflor and Dan Wendt crash the net on an HK cornerkick. Photo courtesy. S. Cumpstone.

More than 100 residents and friends turned out for the Killingworth Land Conservation Trust's annual cranberry harvest yesterday at the 20-acre bog on Pond Meadow Road. The warm, sunny day attracted pickers of all ages, armed with bags and cans eager to harvest their share. Some had never been to a bog before and didn't know what to expect, but others came prepared to gather enough for holiday sauces, scones or chutney.

The Land Trust has opened the harvest up to residents since 2001. Last year the crop was meager and the harvest day a rainy one, but this year, the harvest weather was perfect and the rain came in the summer to ensure a large crop.

In addition to the berry picking, residents were able to view the assortment of rare plants that spot the bog and surrounding acres. Land Trust members discovered last year that foxtail clubmoss, a plant listed as extrapated (extinct), was growing on the property. Several large pitcher plants, Buxbaum's sedge and assorted wild flowers also line the small canals used to irrigate the bog.

Land Trust President John Himmelman signed documents last Tuesday to add 20 additional acres to the preserved parcel. The Land Trust benefited when the Buttendorf Family decided to sub divide and develop their neighboring land. Click for more photos of the 2006 cranberry harvest.

You are cordially invited to attend a unique experience of glorious organ music, vocal performances and a variety of chamber ensembles this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. at the historic Little Church in the Wilderness, on Emmanuel Church Road.

The Four Seasons Plus Autumn Concert will feature the father and son team of Michael Judd and Andrew Sheranian performing works by J. Rheinberger, J.S. Bach, Arthur Foote, Thomas Tallis and more. Admission $15 a reception will follow the concert.