Connecticut Audubon Society Eagle Festival returns to Essex, today and tomorrow, February 17 and 18. This annual winter celebration welcomes the remarkable bald eagles back to the region from Canada and northern New England to feed on prey found in open waters of the lower Connecticut River. Last year's event saw more than 15,000 visitors come to Essex over the two-day span to view the Bald Eagle in the wild.

The eighth annual celebration of the return of the bald eagle will feature Co-Chairs- television personality Phil Donahue and Faith Middleton of WNPR. East Hartford-based Pratt & Whitney will serve as Presenting Sponsor.

This year's Festival will feature guided boat trips, and a variety of FREE activities at the Festival including land-based eagle viewing tours, environmental lectures, live birds of prey programs, musical entertainment, art exhibits, children's programs and much more.

The Festival's guided boat trips provide incredible opportunities for viewing eagles in their natural habitat along the Connecticut River. The boat trips are the only activity cost associated with the Festival. Boats will depart at 8am, 10:00 a.m., noon and 2pm both Saturday and Sunday from the Steamboat Dock. Reservations can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800.714.7201. Boat trips depart four times a day from the Steamboat Dock at the Connecticut River Museum, 7 Main Street, Essex. A limited number of tickets will be sold at the Festival.

HK Sports
The HK Boys Basketball team lost to Morgan, 72-46, last night in Clinton. The Cougars fell behind early and never got back into the game. HK was just 10 for 18 from the foul line and gave up 27 points to the Huskies' top scorer Kyle Bogucki. Alex Pollack led the Cougar scoring with 15 followed by Kevin Dennis with 9 and Dan Wendt with 7.

The HK Junior Varsity also fell to the Huskies. Rob Flynn led with 9 points in the, 46-32, loss. Mike Theriault had 8 and Brendan Hatin had 6.

Steve Landell and Kevin Dennis in action against Morgan. For photos of the boys' game, visit the Winter Events Photo Gallery

HK Sports
The HK Girls Basketball fell, 54-38, to Morgan of Clinton last night in its final regular season game of the season. Morgan's Kara Fillion led all scorers with 23 points. Megan Murray led the Cougars with 9 followed by Michelle Fillion and Shelby VanHuysen with 8 points each.

On October, 8, 2006, The Jack Foundation, a non-profit organization in Killingworth, sponsored a Golf Tournament at Laurel View Country Club and raised over 20,000.00. Proceeds from this fundraiser were donated to a variety of organizations that provide programs for children and adults with disabilities such as High Hopes Therapeutic Horseback Riding, VASS (Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports), The SARAH Foundation, Regional School District 17 and the KES Playground Fund. All donated monies will be used to benefit children and adults with disabilities.

The golf tournament was followed by a dinner that was attended by more 200 people. A raffle was held with gifts donated by many generous vendors in the area, including a trip to Cost Rica, Sports Memorabilia, Gift Certificates to restaurants and spas and many other items. The Jack Foundation is a family run foundation whose goals are to raise funds for those who need help and, more importantly, to raise awareness of children and adults with disabilities of all sorts. The foundation is based on the belief that these goals can make a significant difference throughout our communities. Many thanks to all those who participated in the event either by playing golf, joining us for dinner, volunteering or making a donation. The committee is in the process of planning this years tournament set for sometime in early Fall. We are also exploring the possibility of a Walk-a-thon this spring. Dates and times will be announced soon. If you have any questions regarding The Jack Foundation, would like to donate or just find out more about us, please feel free to contact Beth LiPuma at: bethlipuma@comcast.net

Joe, Jack and Beth Lipuma at the 2006 Golf Outing. photo courtesy B. Lipuma

Girls Night Out
Get ready for change! Join Youth & Family Services for a fun, informational night designed to give girls a better understanding of the changes their body will go through during puberty. Topics will also include the importance of maintaining a positive body image and how to deal with difficult situations which may arise in during this dynamic time.

This program is for girls in 4th and 5th grades and their mothers/significant caregivers. Cost is $20.00 per pair and includes resource materials, goodie bags and dinner. Patty Musgrove, a middle school health educator facilitates this course.

March 29, 2007 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Killingworth Library or March 12, 2007 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Haddam Youth Center. Space is Limited! Call Youth and Family Services at 345-7498 to register.

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Guys Night Out
Get ready for change! Join Youth & Family Services for a fun, informational night designed to give boys a better understanding of the changes their body will go through during puberty. Topics will also include the importance of maintaining a healthy attitude and how to deal with difficult situations which may arise in during this dynamic time.

This program is for boys in 5th and 6th grades and their fathers or significant caregiver. Cost is $20.00 per pair and includes resource materials, goodie bags and dinner. Patty Musgrove, a middle school health teacher facilitates this course.

March 15, 2007 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Killingworth Library or March 19, 2007 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Haddam Youth Center. Space is Limited! Call Youth and Family Services at 345-7498 to register.

The HK Recreation Department is sponsoring Metaphasia on Thursday, February 22 from 1:00 - 2:45pm at the HK High School Auditorium. The fee is $6 Adults / $5 children (ages 2 - 12) payable at the door. The show is presented and produced by the Newington Children's Theater, a traveling group of talented young people committed to the goal of presenting quality children's theatre.

In this unique and contemporary version of the Brothers Grimm Twelve Dancing Princesses, young Angie Anderson keeps finding worn out shoes scattered around her room every morning, so she decides to look into the mystery... causing her to be magically sucked into her closet! Angie's intrusion into the fantasy world of Metaphasia has caused the Fantasy Walls to start crumbling, so Howie, her little brother, follows her with hopes of saving her. In Metaphasia, the plotting, sinister ringleader of the twelve dancing princesses, Devilla, plans to make Angie the thirteenth princess. This would allow Devilla to leave Metaphasia forever and trap Angie as a lifeless princess, forever stuck in Fantasy! Will Howie find a way to rescue Angie and escape? This modern-day coming-of-age story, with its exciting adventure and upbeat, original songs, will captivate the imaginations of all.
For more information, please call the HK Recreation Dept. at 345-8334.

The Killingworth Library is hoping to open at noon today. The plan depends on what else Mother Nature has in store for us this morning. Please check back for an update, or call the library at 663-2000 before you head out. If you are spending the day at home, be sure to check out Martha Stewart's Valentine's Day show. Lauren Davis, Assistant Librarian will be in the audience, after catching the early NYC train. The show broadcasts at 11:00 a.m. on NBC 30 Channel 4. Be safe and stay warm. Alas, the Library was not able to open due the the storm and Lauren's TV debut was preempted for the President's news conference.

Last week Killingworth Land Conservation Trust (KLCT) members Bruce Dodson, Bob Broach, Andy Annino and Debby Butler cleared away an old farm animal shelter as part of the Shotpouch Plains trail construction. New trails volunteer Shirley Tirrell lent a hand. When completed, the trail will follow an old woods road on land trust property, connecting Ironworks Road to Roast Meat Hill Road. A loop trail will be added on an adjacent land trust piece. The official trail opening will take place on Trails Day, the first weekend of June, when a there will be a guided family hike. To find out more about land trust trails, or to volunteer, contact Trails Chairman Debby Butler at 663-2231 or debby_butler@hotmail.com. photo courtesy D. Butler

HK Sports
The HK Middle School team finished its season undefeated by cruising to an, 85-64, win over Hamden Hall on Monday. The Cougars got off to an exciting start by winning the 200 medley relay in a closely contested event. The relay team of Jeff Ludington, Bridget Morello, Celine Coleman, and Ryan Buys edged out Hamden Hall by less than a second while Katie Faust, Ellen Cizek, Tyler Schultz, and Michelle Wendt secured an important 3rd place to put the Cougars in a commanding lead. They never looked back from there.

Top point scores for the middle schoolers included Ludington who took 1st in both the 100 IM and the 50 backstroke; Faust, 2nd in the 100 free and 3rd in the 50 backstroke; Coleman 4th in the 100 IM and 1st in the 50 butterfly; Angie Narducci 2nd in the 50 free and 5th in the 100 free; Morello 2nd in the 100 IM and 1st in the 50 breastroke; Cizek 3rd in both the 50 free and 50 breastroke; the 200 free relay team of Schultz, Buys, Faust, and Ludington won that event; Schultz also picked up a key 2nd place in the 50 fly. Reece Gesick and Brittany Campbell dove for the Cougars, capturing 3rd and 4th places respectively. Lindsey Clegg, Emily Weis, and Kathleen Darling all had personal bests in the 50 free, with Darling dropping over 6 seconds in that event.

It was an exciting year for the middle school swim program with the girls' team winning the state middle school open championship meet at Southern Connecticut and both the boys' and girls' teams going undefeated in the regular season.

L-R:top: Tyler Schultz, Bridget Morello, Jeff Ludington, and Tanner Brach. Divers Brittany Campbell and Reece Gesick. Bottom: Ana Tarbetsky and Emily Weis and Ariann Anderson and Celine Coleman. photos courtesy P. Devlin.

On Sunday, Coach Dave DeRita, assisted by Ronnie Samuel and Ann Andersen, guided the HK Travel Basketball Girls U10 team to a, 30-29, win over arch rival East Haven, completing a 6-6 season. The team was lead by point guard Maya Savino with 12 points including the game winning layup. The entire team pulled together and contributed to the win including 8 points from Lauren McCann, and 3 points each from Madison DeRita and Kiley Andersen. Kirsten Carlson and Kayla Gesick each added a basket to round out the scoring. But it was the defense that controlled the powerful East Haven team, lead by Claire Dougherty, Erin Kane, Ciara Samuel, and Shannon Sledzik, keeping HK close enough to pull off the upset.

L-R top-bottom: Ann Anderson and Ronnie Samuel; Dave DeRita, Kiley Anderson, Ciara Samuel, Kayla Gesick and Erin Kane; Lauren McCann, Claire Dougherty, Maya Savino, Madison DeRita.(Not pictured are Kirsten Carlson and Shannon Sledzik) photo courtesy D. Savino

Tonight's Board of Selectmen's meeting has been rescheduled until tomorrow, Wednesday, February 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Offices. An updated agenda is available here.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for 6:00 p.m. this evening to 10:00 p.m. Wednesday. Light snow is expected to begin late this afternoon becoming steadier and heavier tonight as warmer air moves into the region Wednesday. The snow will be mixing with sleet and freezing rain Wednesday morning and possibly mixing with rain during the afternoon as the storm moves to the northeast late Wednesday afternoon and colder air flows back into the area. The mixed precipitation will then change back to all snow before tapering off and ending Wednesday night. Total snow and sleet accumulations by the time the precipitation ends could range from 3 to 7 inches with about a tenth of an inch of ice accretion during periods of freezing rain.

HK Sports
The HK Girls Basketball team said goodbye to its senior class last night with a disappointing, 60-45, loss to Cromwell. The Cougars fell behind early, scoring only 7 to Cromwell's 21 in the first quarter. They tried to regroup, but HK's turnovers combined with Cromwell's steady play put the game out of reach early in the second half. Shelby VanHuysen led the scoring with 8 points. Senior Captains Megan Murray and Jenna Loos scored 7 and 4 respectively; senior Kelsey Sokol scored 5 and senior Ally Hall scored 2. The 12-7 Cougars finish out the regular season at Morgan on Wednesday night.

The Junior Varsity Cougars also fell the Cromwell. Freshman Mary Kate Murray led the effort with 10 points and Ally Pratt and Michelle Fillion each added 7 to the, 32-45, loss. HK falls to 12-5 on the year.

The HK Girls 11 travel basketball team won their final game at home over Essex, 35-34, on Sunday at KES. In typical nail biter fashion, the girls worked together, both on and off the bench for the win. Tori Peterson scored a game high 16 points, while Anna Fetteroll and Samantha Waskowitz added 5 points a piece. Beth Riedy scored 3 points, Maya Savino, Kirsten Carlson and Carly Brownell chipped in with 2 apiece. Congratulations also to Marissa Moncata, Jacque Garofalo, Shannon Sledzik and Emily Darin for their defensive and rebounding efforts. The girls worked well together all season to put up a final record of 11-2. Offensively, HK outscored their opponents 457-398. It has been a great team effort with all eleven girls contributing.

Seniors Ally Hall, Megan Murray, Jenna Loos, Kristen Milano and Kelsey Sokol
For photos of both the girls' and boys' games and senior night activities, visit the Winter Events Photo Gallery

Ashley Giddix of Killingworth has been named to the Dean's list at Lyndon State College for the fall semester. Giddix, the daughter of Michael and Debra Wells, is majoring in Television Studies. She was one of only 172 or about 12 percent of Lyndon students who achieved this honor last fall. For inclusion on the Dean's List, a student must a minimum grade-point average of 3.50. Lyndon State College is a small college located in northeastern Vermont.

Need a good book to curl up with this weekend? Come out to the Killingworth Library Book Sale this Saturday, February 17 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. There will be books and videos of all genres at nominal prices. Call 663-200 for more information or to volunteer to help.

Sunday February 4:
• 4:59 AM: Medical emergency, Hemlock Drive
• 3:02 PM: Medical emergency, Woodland Trl
Monday February 5:
• 12:01 AM: Medical emergency, Woodland Trl
Wednesday February 7:
• 5:15 AM: Medical emergency, Parker Hill Rd
Saturday February 10:
• 5:40 AM: Mutual Aid to Westbrook, Structure Fire, Toby Hill Rd
• 12:00 PM: Medical emergency, Emanuel Church Rd
• 2:42 PM: Chimney fire, Route 80

Elizabeth (Ida) Dudek passed away peacefully Friday, February 9, 2007 at Twin Maples Health Care Facility in Durham, CT. She was born in Hartford, CT on February 25, 1923 to Josephine and Frank Ida. Mrs. Dudek went to Hartford public schools and graduated two years early. She graduated from Saint Joseph College in 1943 with honors. Mrs. Dudek was married to Alfred Dudek (formerly of Wethersfield) in 1947. She was a chemist for the Connecticut Department of Health for many years. Upon moving to Killingworth in 1963, she became active with public education, volunteering as a substitute teacher, librarian assistant, and 4-H leader. Mrs. Dudek retired in 1990 after 18 years as library director for the Killingworth Elementary School. Along with her husband Alfred, she was a founding and continuing parishioner of Saint Lawrence Roman Catholic Church of Killingworth. Her love of books and teaching children was inspiring.

Mrs. Dudek was predeceased by her daughter Frances in 1959. Besides her beloved husband Alfred, she is survived by her sister Josephine DiPrato and husband Albert of Wethersfield, her children Alfred Dudek Jr. and wife Linda (Marquard), David Dudek, and Jo-Ellen (Dudek) Morman and husband Robert, all of Killingworth, Stanley Dudek of Springfield, Vermont and John Dudek of Essex. She also leaves behind six grandchildren Kelly Trella, Nathan Dudek, Erin Dudek, Michael Morman, Anthony Morman and Brooke Morman as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to gratefully acknowledge and thank the entire staff of Twin Maples Health Care Facility for their wonderful and compassionate care. Family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 13 at the Saint Lawrence Roman Catholic Church meeting room in Killingworth where a mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. in Saint Lawrence Catholic Church, private burial will be held at Rose Hill cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Mrs. Dudek's honor to Saint Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, 7 Hemlock Drive, Killingworth, CT 06419. Swan Funeral Home, 80 East Main Street, Clinton is handling the arrangements.

The Chinese say that women hold up half of the sky. My wife, Barbara, goes one step further and claims that women hold up all of the men. No where is this more evident than at the town hall in Killingworth. First Selectman? I have a title and am not allowed to do anything. I am just a puppet and the women pull the strings.

My secretary, Carol Gordon, won't allow me to open my mail or my e-mail. I am not permitted to issue a permit. Someone asked me for a dump sticker and Gina Rogolo, our Financial Officer, interceded. Doesn't trust me, I guess. Gina is always scolding me for not listening when she tries to explain budgets and benefits to me, and insists that I hold back with any "new ideas for the week." Can you imagine? They even have the audacity to complain when I track mud on the Karastan carpeting. These women are always straightening my desk, so I put a sign on my door "Keep out!" Read more of Klein's column.

The Tuesday Book Discussion Group will meet on February 13th to discuss Justin Cronin's novel, "The Summer Guest". The book explores the life of a dying man and his final pilgrimage to a remote fishing camp in the wilds of Maine. Discussion begins at 1:00 in the Killingworth Library's meeting room. Newcomers are always welcome.

Updated Minutes
The Board of Selectmen, Planning & Zoning Commission, Inland Wetlands, Town Office Building Study Committee and Reservoir Road Bridge Engineer Review Committee minutes have been updated here on KillingworthToday. We hope the new format is easier to view. Thank you to the recording secretaries for making the minutes available. Hard copies of the official minutes are available in the Town Clerk's office.

Agenda
Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Office Building

1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes of Special Meetings held January 24, 25, 29, 31 and Feb. 1, and 5, 2007
3. Visitors:
4. Tax Abatements & Refunds
5. Appointments/Vacancies:
    1. Gerald Manware - Traffic Control Officer
    2. David Brown - Emergency Management
    3. WPCA - vacancy
    4. Housing Partnership - vacancy
6. Old Business:
    1. Employment Procedure - Feb. 2007, Attorney Wells Comment
7. New Business:
    1. Traffic Study Committee Report - Robert Ellis
    2. Approval by BOS of $6,000 to cover expenses to be incurred for Traffic Control Officers during the balance of FY 06/07 and authorization for the First Selectman to go to BOF for approval.
    3. Authorization by BOS for First Selectman to sign Land Use Leadership Alliance Resolution
8. MK Announcements
9. Selectmen's Concerns
10. Adjournment
Agenda as of 10:20 a.m., Friday, 2/09/2007
Printable version

Property transfers as reported by the Killingworth Town Clerk's office for the period January 1 - January 31, 2007:
• Christine Salzano to Francis Melendez & Natalie Gagnon, Lot #2 Parker Hill Road 3.68 A for $280,000.00
• Robert W. & Debra E. Siegrist to Anndean H Kmetz, Lot 33 Hemlock Heights 2A for $406,000.00
• Howard M Borris Jr & RMR Trust to James P. Paridis & Pamela A Ryder, Lot 2 North Parker Hill Road for $335,000.00.
• Connecticut Shoreline Developers Inc to Donald L Sherry A Meyer, Lot #2 Sherwood Forest for $205,000.00.
• Roy E Moore Jr & Deborah L Moore to Nancy J Cummings, Lot #30 Blueberry Hill 3.7504A for $625,000.00.
• Andrew J & Heather M Floyd to David G & Lynn Powers, Lot 24 Stonehill Acres Kimberly for $440,000.00.
• Deer Lake II LLC to Richard X Wardell, Lot 38 The Ridge at Deer Lake for $734,980.00.
• Walter E Richter Jr to Schnoor Road LLC, Schnoor Road for $320,000.00.
For previous property reports, click here.