The Haddam-Killingworth Middle School SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions) is sponsoring a care package collection drive this month to support U.S. troops overseas. SADD member Tori Kiszka said they decided on this project simply because there was a need and no one else was doing it.

From March 19-28 all middle school students are asked to bring in care package items for the troops overseas. These items include baby wipes, chap stick, deodorant, packaged cookies, trail mix, travel sized toiletries and gum.

The members of SADD will visit each homeroom and collect items daily. The homeroom that has the most items at the end of the week will win a pizza party! The SADD Club will sort, box and mail all items to the troops along with messages of gratitude for their service and sacrifice. Postage will be paid from the money earned at a Valentines Dance sponsored by SADD. SADD Club members are Tori Kiszka, Lauren Campbell, Amy Lordner, Mollie Carey, Valerie Hardy, Breanne Pytlik, Maeghann Revis and Chantel Moyer. Sharon Papala and Catherine McGuire serve as advisers.

Heavy fog was a likely contributor to this morning's accident at the Town traffic circle. A blue Jaguar failed to negotiate the turn while driving east on Route 80 and ended up right on top of the garden in the circle. Unfortunately for the Evergreen Garden Club, that dutifully maintains the state owned parcel, the flat bed truck that was called to remove the car and a second car that stopped after the accident, also drove on the soft moist grass. The state Department of Transportation is in the final stages of a plan to widen the circle in order to slow entering traffic. No date has been set for the start of that project.

The tentative date for the Haddam Killingworth High School graduation, thanks to snow days, is June 20, 2007. Would you like to help make this night special for the Class of 2007? Please consider contacting one of the following people to volunteer your time, talents, or treasures. In particular, join the fun every Wednesday evening in the HKHS Art Room to help out the decorating committee. Drop ins welcome from 6:00 -9:00 p.m.

Underclassman parents are desperately needed to help with decorations. Don't wait until your child is a senior to volunteer. Frankly, they won't want you to volunteer then!

Also, if you're too busy now, but can help the night of the event or the day after, chaperones, and clean up help is still needed. Any questions, please contact call, and don't forget to be as generous as possible in response to the postal patron letter. For information contact: Laura Dowd 345-3109 or Nancy Bradley 663-2485

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering the American Red Cross "When I'm in Charge" class this winter. Class will be held on Monday, April 30th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the OLD HK Middle School Room A-121. The fee is $25 and includes a booklet. Non-residents please add $5. The course is for students ages 9 and up, and is designed to teach kids how to be responsible when at home. Topics include internet safety, gun safety, family communications, sibling care, basic emergency care & confidence building. For more information and how to register, call the HK Recreation Dept. at 345-8334

Pamela Reale, of Killingworth passed away March 13, at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. Pamela was born in Fall River, MA., on February 11, 1951, daughter of Alice (Castro) Reale of Killingworth and the late Rocco M. Reale. She is also survived by one brother Roger C. Reale of Killingworth. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Pamela's name to Sarah Inc. 246 Goose Lane, Suite 101 Guilford, CT 06437. Arrangements by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT. 06409

Haddam-Killingworth High School students, Alyson D'Amato and Nick Stanford will participate in the 2007 Connecticut All-State Music Festival on March 29-31.

D'Amato, a junior, will play oboe in the All-State Orchestra directed by Kenneth Kiesler from the University of Michigan. She has been involved in the high school music program for three years, playing oboe in the concert band and pit orchestra for the musical theater production.

Stanford, a sophomore, will sing tenor in the All-State Chorus directed by Paul Oakley from the Reformed Church of Bronxville, NY. He has been involved in the high school music program for two years, singing in the concert chorus and playing bass clarinet in the concert band.

The All-State ensembles will rehearse for three days culminating with two concerts featuring the All-State Orchestra, Concert Band, Chorus and Jazz Band on Saturday at Central Connecticut State University. The students were selected by two auditions in November and February at which over 3,000 student musicians from the state competed to be part of the festival.

Cinnamon has made tremendous progress since she has been in Forgotten Felines' care. She and her litter mates came to us one year ago as young, poorly nourished kittens who were born to a young, inexperienced cat. We placed her in a foster home where she learned to eat solid food, trust people and play like normal kittens. Cats will only trust people when given consistent affection and nurturing care during their early months.

Cinnamon loves to watch the birds at the bird feeder, chase toys around the room and be pet by our shelter volunteers. She gets along very well with other cats. She misses her brother, Poppy, who was adopted a few weeks ago, and would like a 'furrever' home of her own.

This is the time of year when most kittens are born. If you notice a stray pregnant cat or a mom and babies in your neighborhood, please call Forgotten Felines so our volunteers can make sure they are healthy, well fed and socialized. We are able to find homes for young, friendly kittens a lot quicker than if we get them when they are older, sickly and unused to human companionship.

To adopt Cinnamon or another cat in our care, or to report a stray, pregnant cat or litter of kittens born in your neighborhood, please call 860-669-1347. We have the resources to make sure all the cats are healthy and receive the best care possible. We will then place them all in great homes and make sure they are spayed or neutered to break the cycle of unwanted cats.

The Killingworth Lions Club will once again sponsor the "Annual Spring Egg Hunt" for the children of Killingworth. The event begins promptly at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 31st at the rear KES fields (rain date is April 7th). All chidren, Pre-K through 4th Grade are welcome. Bring a bag or basket to collect all the eggs. Additional prizes will be awarded to a lucky few who find 'special' eggs. You may even see an appearance by a certain special Bunny!

Residents Philip Stull and Jeffery Blaschke are proposing a horse cremation facility at the Plattwood Industrial Park off Route 80. They appeared before the Deep River planning and zoning commission last week to explore whether the commission would consider a proposal for such a facility. Read all about it in the Hartford Courant.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Dept. is offering Basic Dog Obedience classes this spring. Class will be held on Thursdays, March 22 - May 3 from 5:30 - 6:30 pm (Dogs ages 5 months and up) and 6:45 - 7:45 pm (10 weeks - 5 months). Class will be held in the OLD HK Middle School Courtyard. The fee is $85 each session. ($65 for repeating students). Non-residents please add $10. The 1st class is theory and is for owners only and will meet in the OLD HK Middle School Room A-121.

Canine Encounters teaches dog owners how to teach their dogs. Classes provide socialization through a group setting and enhances the relationship between owner and dog through the partnership which is developed though training. Communication, positive reinforcement, repetition, consistency, and timing are combined to establish bonding and skills. The basic command such as sit, stay/wait, down, heel, the recall (come when called), and stand are taught in a positive and fun atmosphere. The goal is not a controlled pet but rather a well mannered, enjoyable and loved companion that is included in our lives.

For more information, please call the HK Recreation Department at 345-8334 or visit us on-line at www.hkrec.com.

Air Force Captain Travis Board, son of Killingworth resident Mike Board, sees first hand the needs of our brave soldiers who have been wounded and are receiving special care at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany. Capt. Board routinely flies C-5 transport aircraft from Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts to Germany. He has asked for our help in making the wounded soldiers more comfortable during their stay and recovery.

According to Board, many of the soldiers wounded on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan are transported to LRMC with only the clothes they are wearing. While at LRMC, they may require multiple surgeries and other medical procedures before they can be sent back to the United States for further rehabilitation.

With Mike and Travis Board serving as the catalysts, resident John O'Leary and his daughter Hannah took action and organized a collection drive in Killingworth that will run through the end of April. Caring citizens of Killingworth can make a difference by donating new men's sneakers sizes 9½ - 13, CD players with headphones, polar fleece blankets (approximate size 3 by 5 feet), breakaway pants, and new or used nonviolent DVD's. Collection boxes have been placed at the Killingworth Library, Killingworth Town Hall and the Killingworth Elementary School. Special thanks go to Tammy Eustis, Martin Klein, Gary Mala and Rita Peretto for their support of this effort. In addition, O'Leary said he is grateful to Movie Gallery, located next to Roberts Food Center in Madison, for initially donating twenty DVD's and for offering used DVD's for just $4. A collection box is also available in the store. Thanks also to the UPS Store in Guilford for donating shipping materials, to Ocean State Job Lot for offering their generous support, and to Capt. Board for agreeing to personally coordinate the delivery of the collected boxes to Germany.

Tax deductible monetary donations will also be gratefully accepted and every dollar will be used to purchase needed items from corporations that are offering matching gifts and generous discounts. Checks can be made out to Landstuhl Hospital Care Project (LHCP), and sent to 59 Chestnut Hill Road, Killingworth, CT 06419. LHCP is a 501c3 nonprofit organization run by military moms that has been serving the needs of wounded soldiers for the past three years.

Finally, letters or get well notes to the troops recovering from their injuries can do much to lift spirits and would also be appreciated. The troops are always glad to hear about what is happening in the lives of people back in the United States, especially from our younger citizens. So let's pull together and show our brave soldiers we appreciate their sacrifice and that we care. Thanks in advance for your support!

The Haddam Cooperative Nursery School is sponsoring its Annual Children's Snoopy Fair on Saturday, March 24 from 10-3:00 p.m. It will be held in the Haddam-Killingworth High School Cafeteria. It's the school's largest fundraiser and it is always a great time for families! There will be many game and craft booths for children, a concession stand, a huge raffle with wonderful prizes including a Weber Stainless Steel gas grill, and a bake sale.

Monday March 12:
• 7:09 AM: Medical emergency, Chestnut Hill Rd
• 2:55 PM: Motor vehicle accident, Route 80
Tuesday March 13:
• 4:23 PM: Medical emergency, Fawn Hill Rd
Wednesday March 14:
• 6:57 AM: Mutual aid to Clinton, Structure fire, River Rd
Thursday March 15:
• 11:31 AM: Medical emergency, Stonewall Dr
Friday March 16:
• 6:04 AM: Motor vehicle accident, Rte 148 just West of Little City Rd.

The Town Planning & Zoning Commission recently sent out 2600 questionnaires to residents and businesses to solicit input into the Town's Plan of Conservation and Development (PCD). By state statute the PZC is charged with updating the plan every 10 years. The PCD is the basis for the Commission's future planning and implementation of new zoning regulations. According to PZC Chairman Tom Lentz, the PCD sets the strategy for the community's long range needs, with the zoning regulations being the vehicle to implement that strategy. The previous update, in 1997, included major changes to open space guidelines and permitted additional benefits to land owners setting aside land for open space.

Lentz said the Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency(CRERPA) will tally the results of the several hundred returned surveys. The Commission will use the results as well as input from other Town boards and commissions as a guide for any changes in the PCD. Lentz said he hopes to have a draft in place by June, hold a public hearing in the fall and have the changes completed by the end of the year. A Town Meeting is not required to make the changes.

The Killingworth Ambulance Association will hold its Annual Meeting on March 28 at the Ambulance Headquarters on Route 81 at approximately 8:30 pm (immediately upon adjournment of the regularly scheduled monthly Board meeting which begins at 7:30 p.m.). Any members of the Ambulance Association are welcome to attend.

Killingworth Cub Scout Pack 18 spent some time in the kitchen baking this week preparing for its Annual Blue-Gold Dinner and Buddy-Bake-Off. The family gathering held at the new middle school included an awards and recognition ceremony, a pot-luck dinner, Cub Scout 'Jeopardy', a game of 'To Tell the Truth' and the Buddy Bake-Off. Cub Scouts is celebrating its 77^th anniversary this year with 115 countries participating.

Winners Doug Brown and mother Deb; Nikolas and Kai Francheschi-Hoffman with parents Angie and Francois; Michael Simoniello with father Mark and Peter O'Neill and father Andy.

(t-b, l-r): Michael Simoniello's Best Scouting Theme; Nikolas Francheschi-Hoffman's Most Creative; A Soldier's Campfire by Peter O'Neill; Kai Francheschi-Hoffman's Best Scouting Theme; Doug Brown's Duty to Country.

Hopefully we've seen the last of old man winter. Most of the ice seems to have melted and there is an abundance of bird activity in my yard! I have started to walk around outside and survey the damage of the winter. Those high winds of last week really did a job in my yard. Besides spliting a giant white cedar right down the middle, I have noticed some really large limbs down in the woods all around the house. There will be a lot more to pick up.

This is a good time to get your birdhouses out to attract some feathered residents for the spring. Remember if you want to attract Bluebirds the birdhouse should have an opening of exactly 1.5 inches. Bluebirds prefer an open area at woods edge. The house should be mounted on a pole 5 to 7 feet off the ground with a baffle to keep predators away. If House Sparrows begin to build a nest you should remove it immediately and repeat this if necessary. You want to place the birdhouse where you can monitor it easily to keep it Sparrow free. Once you get a nesting pair of Bluebirds there are likely to return every year! 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