According to the Hartford Courant, the Regional 17 School District will open a child-care center in the old middle school building in September that will enroll the young children of teachers, administrators and employees and students.

School Superintendent Gary Mala hopes the program will help the district recruit employees, reduce staff absences, prevent pregnant teens from dropping out of school and eventually revive a popular child development program at Haddam-Killingworth High School. The center will be fully funded by the tuition paid by participating families.

To the Editor:
My brother was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) nearly five years ago. ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy. Most commonly the disease attacks people between the ages of 40 and 70. Although as many as 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with ALS, it is considered an orphan disease. This means that pharmaceutical companies do not feel that enough people have the disease for them to profit from research and the development of drugs.

Since my brother's diagnosis, our family has become involved in helping to unlock the mystery of ALS. ALS-TDF, a research group based out of Boston, has conducted more research studies in the last 9 years than all ALS studies combined to date. ALS-TDF was founded as a non-profit organization by James Heywood an engineer who quit his job to find a cure for ALS after his 29 year old brother was diagnosed with the disease.

The film, "So Much So Fast", depicts the Heywood's struggle to find a cure. The documentary was made by two Academy Award nominated directors. It has won various awards at the Sundance Film Festival and the Boston Independent Film Festival and was recently shown on PBS. It has now been made available for fundraising purposes. My goal is to show the film and educate others about ALS as well as raise money for continued research. Another community goal is to honor Lou Gehrig and raise money for HK athletes by helping them reach their goal of achieving lights for their fields.

It's a powerful film depicting how to live life through adversity with a sense of humor. I hope you can share in this event.

Sincerely,
Jeanmarie Foisie

Tickets to the May 10th showing of "So Much So Fast" are available in the KES office for $10.00. The film will be shown at 7:00 p.m. in the Haddam-Killingworth High School auditorium. Original signed items from the Yankees and Red Sox will also be available that evening to raffle off.

Board of Selectmen Reverses Decision on Transfer Hours
The Board voted to retain the current transfer hours until further notice. Hours: Tuesdays 2-7:00 p.m., Thursdays 2-7:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m.- 2:00 pm.

The Second Annual John P. Hine Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament is still accepting reservations for this year's June 11 event at the Clinton Country Club. Come join us for the much anticipated repeat of last year's smashing success. The tournament will again begin with an 11:00 a.m. barbeque lunch to be followed by a 12:30 shotgun tee time.

After eighteen holes of fabulous golf at the private Clinton club, you will enjoy a buffet dinner in their elegant dining room. A variety of classy and fun raffles and prizes will add to the dining experience.

All of the proceeds from this event directly benefit the Killingworth Library. To reserve a spot for yourself or a foursome, or to receive further information regarding playing in or sponsoring the tournament, please call Shelly Cumpstone at 663-2747 or contact her by email at xmastreesrus@sbcglobal.net. The cost for lunch, golf, and dinner is $175 per golfer. Deadline for payment is June 1.

The Haddam-Killingworth Masters Swim Club (HKMSC) participated in their first state championship swim meet in East Lyme, CT on Sunday, April 29. Four swimmers participated, ranging in age from 46 to 55. Ann Faust, Jim Grimaldi, Kathy May and Doug Sumner competed for Haddam-Killingworth. The team took home a total of 13 first place finishes. Club President Jim Grimaldi was very pleased with the results. "The meet was a great way to motivate and challenge ourselves. I was happy to see that we had so many personal best times," said Grimaldi.

United States Masters Swimming (USMS) is a national organization that provides organized workouts, competitions, clinics and workshops for adults aged 18 and over. Programs are open to all adult swimmers (fitness, triathlete, competitive, non-competitive) who are dedicated to improving their fitness through swimming. A local USMS affiliate was formed in 2003 to provide a structured swimming program for adults at the HK Pool.

Swimming is one of the best forms of aerobic exercise, and it is an excellent activity for anyone who wishes to get fit and stay fit. HKMSC provides a supportive environment designed to help swimmers improve fitness and/or train for specific goals and offers active support for a healthy lifestyle through friendship and camaraderie. Haddam-Killingworth Masters Swim Club, organized through the Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department, practices Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at the HK pool. Come join the fun! For more information contact club president Jim Grimaldi at (860) 345-7540.

A meeting of Regional School District No. 17 of the State of Connecticut, whose member towns are the towns of Haddam and Killingworth, will be held in the auditorium of Haddam-Killingworth High School on May 7, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. for the following purposes:

1. To adopt a regional education budget of $34,497,356.25 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007.

The meeting will be adjourned to a yes/no vote on the budget which will take place on the voting machines in each of the member towns on the day following the district meeting; therefore, the vote on voting machines will take place May 8.

2. To set the voting hours of a referendum vote on the budget for the hours 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. pursuant to Section 10-51 of the Connecticut General Statutes as amended by Public Act 94-245 and 7-7 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

A copy of the proposed budget recommended for adoption by the district Board of Education is on file and available for inspection and copies are available for distribution upon request at the office of the Superintendent of Schools on Little City Road, Higganum, CT and in the offices of the Town Clerks of Haddam and Killingworth.

HK Sports
The HK Girls Lacrosse team fell to North Branford, 5-1. Lindsey Gorman scored the lone goal for the Cougars.

The HK Girls Tennis defeated Morgan, 6-1. Caitlin Gilhuly (6-0, 6-1), Julia Sorenson (6-3, 6-3) and Dina Grimaldi (6-3, 6-0) won their singles matches and Jess Lindquits/Sabina Wozniak (6-0, 6-0), Ashley Armstrong/Kelly Chambers (6-0, 6-0) and Anna Brundage/Hannah Sturman (6-1, 6-0) won at doubles.

The HK Baseball team won its second game in as many days on Wednesday beating the Morgan Huskies, 6-2. Once again, the story for the Cougars was solid pitching and a productive offense.

HK took an early 1-0 lead in the second when Kyle Allison smacked a one-out single to left and with two outs, Mike Theriault ripped an RBI single to put the Cougars on the board.

That was only be the start of the scoring for HK, as in the following inning Steve Landell, Alex Pollack, and Alex Struzinski would reach base on consecutive walks with one out. Allison hit a sacrifice fly to center to plate Landell. Lou Annino and Theriault then ripped back-to-back RBI singles to push the lead to 4-0.

Annino started on the mound for HK and was cruising until the fifth inning when Morgan opened the frame with two hits. Both those runners came around to score in the inning and the Huskies closed the gap to 4-2.

The Cougars answered right back with two more runs in their half of the fifth. Alex Pollack walked and was sacrificed to second by Struzinski. With two outs, Annino reached base on an error, which scored Pollack from third. Theriault then singled to right, advancing Annino to third, which turned out to be big when he scored on a wild pitch in the next at-bat to run the HK lead to 6-2.

That was the final score as Annino blanked Morgan over the last two frames for the complete game victory. He went all seven innings, allowed 6 hits, no walks, two earned runs, and struck out five. Annino was aided by Theriault who went 3-3 with 2 RBI and Rynkowski who was 2-4 and had six assists from third base without committing an error.

The win puts HK at 9-2 (8-1) on the season. The Cougars will have two days off before taking the field on Saturday, May 5th, in a non-conference match-up with Ellington at 2:00 p.m. The game time was switched from noon because of the SAT's.

The Killingworth Republican Town Committee is proud to announce that Sue Adinolfo will be honored on May 8th at a Lincoln Day event held at the Madison Surf Club. The event is sponsored by the Republican Town Committees of the 12th State Senatorial District (Killingworth, Durham, Madison, Guilford, North Branford and Branford). Adinolfo will be honored for her years of service as Town Clerk and her selfless and consistent devotion of her time, effort, numerous skills and extensive knowledge to the betterment of the Town of Killingworth and the Republican Party.

In addition to Adinolfo, other outstanding Republican community leaders and Rob Simmons, who served Killingworth as our Congressman for six years, will be honored. Rob has been recently confirmed to be state's first business advocate. Rob views himself as an advocate and a liaison who will try to help small businesses to cut through the bureaucracy of state regulations. This is a great opportunity to thank Sue and meet Rob and find out more about The Office of the Business Advocate.

The event begins at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $25.00 and can be obtained by contacting John Amport at 860-663-3071.

To the Editor:
The Individual's with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was enacted by congress to protect children with disabilities by ensuring that schools have high expectations for children with learning disabilities. Unfortunately the Region 17 Board of Education has failed our son. After two years of "specialized instruction" in Killingworth Elementary School, our child is clinically below where he was two years ago academically. This is disturbing news to us as parents. This has happened because of a blatant disregard for doing what is right and lawful. A number of outside consultants have concurred with our concerns and have identified numerous problems. The Region 17 Board of Education has had 12 major procedural violations involving our son's educational needs in the past two years. Mindy Otis, the director of Pupil Services has the job of making sure these laws are followed by the school district with regard to IDEA. Where has she been for the past two years? Read more.

The HK Cougars Touchdown Club has elected new officers to lead the Club throughout the rest of this year and into the 2007/2008 school year. The newly elected officers are: President, Pete DiGioia; Vice-President, Bill VanHuysen; Treasurer, Gail Reynolds; Secretary, Becky Cubeta; 2008 Parent Representative, Angela Ramsey; 2009 Parent Representative, Cindi Wilcox; 2010 Parent Representative, Dorene Gambardella; and 2011 Parent Representative, Diane Zak. Congratulations go out to the recently elected individuals for their dedication to the Haddam-Killingworth High School Football program.

In other news, the Touchdown Club will be co-chairing a charity fundraiser to benefit the ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) Therapy Development Foundation. Jeanmarie Foisie, whose brother was diagnosed with ALS five years ago, and the Touchdown Club will be showing the award winning documentary film, So Much So Fast, about a young man inflicted with this mysterious disease, and the struggles his family and friends endure to find a cure. For more information about this film, go to: www.westcityfilms.com/smsf.html. This heart touching film presentation will be shown at 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 10th at the Haddam-Killingworth High School auditorium for a donation of $10.00 per person.

The Stadium Lighting Project for H-K's athletic field is gaining ground. Recently, test bores have been conducted at the field with favorable results. To date, the Touchdown Club has raised over $40,000 of the $120,000 needed to complete this project. Others have volunteered their services and/or materials to aid us in achieving this goal in a timely matter. If you would like more information about this project you can contact Pete DiGioia, Touchdown Club President and Lighting Fund Chairperson, at 860-662-0657. If you would like to help the Touchdown Club achieve our monetary goal, a tax deductible donation can be sent to:

The HK Cougars Touchdown Club Lighting Fund
c/o Liberty Bank
P.O. Box 345
Higganum, Ct 06441

Lastly, The Touchdown Club is in need of new members to replace those lost from the graduating class, and to facilitate the large number of freshman entering the football program this fall. If you're a parent of a son that's planning to play HK football this year or just an interested community member, we could use your help. If you would like to help and/or become a member, the Touchdown Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month, at 7:00 PM, in the Media Center at Haddam-Killingworth High School. If you can't attend, but would still like to help in some way, please feel free to contact any of the elected officers or members listed at the Touchdown Club's website.

3...2...1...The countdown has started!
Watch our communities come together.
Exciting events planned...coming soon!
Partially funded by Middlesex United Way, Youth and Family Services of Haddam Killingworth, Inc., Teachers Together and Cornerstone Construction, www.mylibraryrocks.com/321

The Haddam-Killingworth High School Players will present the musical "Beauty and the Beast" for three shows beginning with an evening performance on Friday, May 4 at 7:00 PM, a matinee on Saturday, May 5 at 1:00 PM, and an encore evening performance on May 5 at 7 PM in the H-K Auditorium. Adult tickets are $10 and tickets for students and senior citizens are $8.

The HK Players traveled to all three Region 17 elementary schools on Monday to promote their production this weekend. Photo courtesy K. Milano

HK Sports
The Cougar Baseball Team derailed previously unbeaten Portland on Tuesday, 8-3. The win puts HK into an early season tie for first place in the Shoreline Conference standings.

The Cougars wasted no time getting a lead as they plated four runs in the bottom of the first. Lead off hitter AJ Margnelli was hit by a pitch to start the rally. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, Peter Rynkowski laid down a perfect bunt single to put runners on the corners. Steve Landell followed with an RBI single to score Margnelli and move Rynkowski to third, where he scored on a passed ball a few pitches later. Alex Pollack walked and was followed by an Alex Struzinski sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third. The last two runs of the inning were scored on an RBI ground out by Kyle Allison and an error by the Portland defense.

By the fourth inning, Portland trimed the Cougar lead to 4-2 only to have HK answer back with two more runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Mike Theriault hit a one out double and later scored on Chris Drexler's RBI single. Later in the inning, with Drexler on second, Margnelli shot an RBI single to right to give HK their 6-2 lead.

After Portland scratched another run in the fifth, the Cougars added another pair of runs on Landell's 2-RBI single in the bottom of the sixth. That gave HK an 8-3 lead, which was more than enough for them to hold on for the victory as Landell threw a 1-2-3 seventh to end it.

For HK, Landell didn't have his best stuff but battled all afternoon to go the distance and earn the win. He scattered seven hits, walked two, allowed three earned runs while striking out two. On offense, Landell led the way with a 2-4 day at the plate with 3 RBI's. Rynkowski was also 2-4, and lead-off hitter Margnelli chipped in with an RBI, two stolen bases, and two runs scored in his 2-3 effort.

HK now stands at 8-2 (8-1) on the season and will be back in action Wednesday, May 2nd at 3:45 against Morgan.

The HK Softball team fell to Portland, 1-0. Katie Anderson hit a double and a single and Erin Bowman had a hit. The Cougars are 6-4.

The Boys Golf team lost to Valley Regional, 161-180 and the Girls Golf team lost to Mercy, 217-247. Lauren Chapman, 44, was a medalist.

Fourteen residents passed three items of Town business totaling more than $100,000 at the Special Town Meeting last night. Board of Finance Chairman John McMahon said the turnout for the meeting was "disgraceful". The attendees unanimously approved the Annual Report of the Board of Finance for fiscal year 2005-2006; the $115,642 expenditure for remediation of the sludge lagoons and repealed the ordinance waiving property tax for less than $5.00. The Annual Town Budget Meeting will be held on May 21 at 8:00 p.m. in the All Purpose room at Killingworth Elementary School. The meeting will consider and vote on the Town's $5.04 million government and capital expenditure budgets for 2007-2008.

Monday April 23:
• 4:19 PM: Medical emergency, Route 81
• 4:36 PM: Medical emergency, Chittenden Rd
Tuesday April 24:
• 1:19 PM: Medical emergency, Route 81
• 6:58 PM: Medical emergency, Grace Ln
• 11:42 PM: Hazardous materials incident, North Parker Hill Rd.
Wednesday April 25:
• 2:01 PM: medical emergency, Whitewood Rd
Friday April 27:
• 1:16 AM: Mutual aid to Haddam, assist with search for missing person
• 5:40 AM: Inside smoke investigation / possible structure fire, Overlook Farms Rd
• 4:32 PM: Medical emergency, Route 81
Saturday April 28:
• 10:40 AM: Medical emergency, Whitewood Rd
• 11:40 PM: Medical emergency, Whitewood Rd

HK Sports
The HK Girls Tennis team fell to North Branford, 2-5, yesterday. Caitlin Gilhuly (6-1, 6-0) and Dina Grimaldi (6-7,6-4,7-2) won their singles matches for the Cougars.

The HK Boys Tennis team defeated North Branford, 5-2. Alessio Gallarotti (7-5, 6-2) Brian Hawkins (6-3, 6-2), Ryan Conway (6-2, 6-2), Andy Otis (6-4, 6-4) won their singles matches and Kyle McGowan and Joe Cirino (6-1, 6-3) won at doubles.

The HK Recreation Department is offering a trip to the beautiful Catskill Mountain area in upstate New York on Saturday May 19th. The fee is $104 per person. The bus leaves from the Haddam-Killingworth High School at 7:00 am and from Killingworth Elementary at 7:15 am. Return time is approximately 7:30 pm.

Upon arrival, visit the home of the World's Largest Kaleidoscope at Emerson Place in Mt. Tremper. Standing at more than 60 feet and featuring three, 38-foot mirrors, the Emerson Kaleidoscope is a truly mesmerizing experience of sight and sound. You will actually step inside this real kaleidoscope to experience a specially-designed show. There will be time to explore the unique country shops located here that feature antiques, Simon Pearce glassware, artistically created jewelry, quilts, and more.

Next, participants will enjoy lunch at the Catskill Rose. After lunch, board the Catskill Mountain Railroad Scenic Train for a wonderful 1.5 hour round trip excursion. Depart from Mount Pleasant and travel along the Esopus Creek. The train will make a stop at Phoenica, home of the Empire State Railway Museum - a historic 1900 railroad depot. Fee includes Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation, Admissions where applicable, and complete luncheon. Call 345-8334 for more information or to register.

The New Haven Register has a profile of Killingworth Inn and Café owner Janet Morann-Violissi in today's Life/Style section. Morann-Violissi and her sister bought the property in 1993 and have welcomed residents and visitors with food, song and the "Real Meaning of Fun".

Killingworth Elementary School will host a Scholastic Book Fair from Monday, May 7th through Thursday, May 10th, as a fundraiser for the PTO. Families, teachers and the community are invited to attend the Fair, which will feature the theme of "Book Fair Beach." The Book Fair will offer specially priced books and educational products, including new releases, award-winning titles, children's classics, interactive software, adult books and current bestsellers from more than 150 publishers. In addition to purchasing books for family and friends, attendees can help the school build classroom libraries by purchasing books for teachers through the Classroom Wish List.

The Book Fair hours are: Monday, 8AM - 3PM; Tuesday, 8AM - 8PM; Wednesday, 8AM - 3PM; Thursday 8AM - 2PM. On Tuesday evening, from 6PM to 8PM, the Book Fair will feature a Family Night with special activities and refreshments.

The Book Fair will be held in the gymnasium at KES on 340 Route 81 in Killingworth. All visitors are asked to enter the building at the Main Entrance, sign in at the office and obtain a visitor's badge before heading to the gym. For more information, please contact Melissa Ferrara at 663-3482 or Ingrid O'Donnell at 663-2736 or visit our KES Book Fair website. Thanks for your support!

HK Sports
The Haddam-Killingworth Junior Varsity Baseball team defeated East Hampton, 14-2, and Old Saybrook, 7-2, last week to raise its record to 6-1.

In the East Hampton game, Chris Bova pitched six strong innings and Sean Zapatka closed the game with a 1-2-3 final inning. Brad Nuhn went 3 for 3 with two doubles and Zach Kumnick had a double and a bases-loaded triple. Jeff Waterbury made it on base and scored twice.

In the Old Saybrook game, Mike Ossa pitched a strong, complete-game 2-hitter and Nuhn had his third double of the week. Brian Ludington had a great game behind the plate, holding and throwing out runners.

State Sen. Ed Meyer recently voted for a bill which will create a caring and compassionate standard of medical care for female rape victims by providing them in a timely manner with a medically approved contraceptive.

The measure, which Sen. Meyer co-sponsored, creates an equal standard of care for any rape victim who turns to any one of Connecticut's licensed health care facilities, including its 30 public hospitals, four of which are Catholic hospitals. It was approved 32-3 in the Senate, and is expected to be approved next week by the House of Representatives and then signed into law by the Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

"As a husband, as a father, and as a grandfather, I want to be sure that my wife, my daughter or my granddaughters would receive the quickest and best medical protection if they ever had to endure such a horrific crime," Sen. Meyer said. "I voted for this bill because I believe my constituents would want the same thing for their wives, daughters and granddaughters. I voted against an amendment to this bill because it would have permitted hospitals to reject rape victims and send them off to some other facility."

Under S.B. 1343, "Compassionate Care for Victims of Sexual Assault," each facility:
• Must provide a victim of sexual assault with medically and factually accurate and objective information about emergency contraception;
• Must inform her of emergency contraception's availability, use, and efficacy; and
• Must provide her with emergency contraception at the facility at her request, except it does not have to provide emergency contraception to a woman who is already pregnant based on a U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pregnancy test.

The bill also allows a facility the option of contracting with one or more independent providers to ensure compliance at the facility with the standard of care requirements, or to conduct a forensic exam of the victim at the facility. "The use of an independent distributing agent," Sen. Meyer said, "was an attempt to meet the concerns of the catholic-sponsored hospitals."

Connecticut's hospitals are funded through the state Department of Public Health with a combination of federal and state Medicare and Medicaid grants.

Notice of Special Town Meeting
Monday, April 30, 2007 at 8:00 p.m.

The Electors of the Town of Killingworth and all those qualified to vote in meetings of said Town are hereby notified and warned that a Special Town Meeting will be held in the All Purpose Room of the Killingworth Elementary School on Monday, April 30, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. to consider and act upon the following items of business:

1. To approve and accept the Annual Report of the Board of Finance for the fiscal year 2005-2006.
2. To consider, discuss and vote upon approval of an expenditure in the amount of $115,642 for Remediation of the Septic Lagoon.
3. To consider, discuss and vote upon Repeal of An Ordinance to Waive Property Tax Less than $5.00.

Edmund Adelard Salling, Jr. 80, passed away April 19, 2007 at High View Health Care in Middletown. Prior to that he had been a Killingworth resident for over 40 years. Edmund was born July 19, 1926 in Pittsfield, MA to the late Edmund and Helen (Gregory) Salling, Sr. He was also preceded in death by his wife of over 26 years, Margaret (Whitney) Salling. Edmund graduated from Hillhouse High School in 1944 and served in the Merchant Marines prior to working for Knudsen Brothers Dairy for over 25 years. Golf was his passion, winning his first tournament at the New Haven Municipal Golf Club at the age of 17. Edmund joined the Madison Country Club and became the Club Champion in 1967 and again in 1973 playing there until recently. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed the outdoors.

Survivors include his daughter, Elizabeth Santamaria and her husband John of Killingworth; his son, Nelsen Adelard Salling and his wife Anne Marie of McComb, MS; four grandchildren, Shane Santamaria and his wife Cari of Higganum, Stephanie Santamaria of Killingworth, Nelsen A. Salling, Jr. and his wife Stacey of Tujunga, CA, Derek Salling of Tujunga, CA and two great-grandchildren, Hunter and Portia Salling of Tujunga CA.

Friends may visit the family at Swan Funeral Home, 80 East Main Street, Clinton on Friday, May 4, 2007 from 5:00 pm. until the time of service at 7:00pm.