The 2007 graduates of Haddam-Killingworth High School enjoyed seven hours of 'beach fun' at this year's Project Graduation all-night celebration. The 'Life's a Beach' themed party held in the high school fieldhouse and pool, delighted students with a human foosball game, a magician, pool activities, race cars, dodgeball, jousting, contests, sporting activities, endless food selections and prizes. The committee would like to thank all the sponsors, supporters and volunteers for all the effort put into this exceptional event.

Parents, friends and teachers of the high school seniors spent months organizing and raising money to provide a safe drug and alcohol-free night of celebration. Attendance for HK Seniors is always very high. Some come for the fun and friends, some attend because of the valuable gifts given to every student. One important result is that students are kept safe and off the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration motor vehicle crashes remain the number one cause of death among youth ages 15-20 with nearly 1/3 of traffic accidents alcohol-related. One third of youth under age 21 killed in alcohol-related fatalities die during the months of April, May and June.


Photos courtesy N. Bradley.

The Congregational Church in Killingworth would like to extend an invitation to Crafters and Antique Dealers to participate in our Country Fair on Saturday, August 4th from 9-3 p.m. The fair attracts a large number of vendors and attendees. A great way to reach the Connecticut Shoreline Market! For more information or a vendor application, please contact the Church office at 860-663-1789 or visit www.killingworthchurch.org.

HK Sports: The HK Cougars Under-10 Girls soccer team completed its spring season last weekend with a 14-4-2 record (11 wins, 4 losses and 2 ties). The players were Rocket Foot Rachel, Middle Mid and More Halie, Super Saver Abby, Everready Energy Sam, Big D Jennifer, Dribbling Delight Emma, Lefty No Header Sawyer, Super Striker Rose, Precision Passer Rebecca, Team Spirited Katherine, Surprise Attacker Olivia, Double-footed Kathleen, Shoot and Saves Abbey Lipuma and last but not least End to End Endless Energy Molly. The players would like to thank Coaches Dana Platt and Donna Clark for a great season.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Dept. is offering a pre-school camp for children ages 4 - entering K (children must turn 4 by 12/31/07). Arts and crafts, games, storytime, special projects and outside play will be featured in the mini-camp designed for pre-schoolers. Please bring a bathing suit for sprinkler use, towel, and sunscreen. A snack will be provided. The program meets Monday - Friday from 9:00 - 12:00 pm at the Killingworth Elementary School Kindergarten Room. The fee is $40 for session 1 and 2 each and $50 for session 3 and 4 each. Non-residents may register for an additional $10. The sessions are as follows:
SESSION I: "All About Me" July 9 - 12 (no camp on July 13th) - only a few spots left
SESSION II: "My Pets" July 17 - 20 (no camp July 16th)
SESSION III: "Nature" July 23 - 27
SESSION IV: "Health and Fitness" July 30 - August 3
For more information and how to register, please call the HK Recreation Dept. at 345-8334 or visit www.hkrec.com.

The communities of Killingworth and Haddam proudly sent 135 of its best and brightest students out into the world yesterday evening with the graduation ceremony at the high school. With the top ten students in the class of 2007 all female this year, Schools Superintendent Gary Mala appropriately referenced women who "dared to dream". Mala spoke of a conversation with former University of Connecticut basketball star Rebecca Lobo and how she revolutionized women's athletic by following her dream. According to Mala, Lobo didn't think of herself as revolutionary, she was just a kid from a small town whose dream came true. Mala said, "your dreams will lead to opportunities if you choose to pursue them".

High School Principal Charles Macunas spoke of "Oh, the Places You'll Go". The popular Dr. Seuss book was published around the time the graduates were born. Macunas listed the many places next on the journey for the graduates, including colleges outside the state from Arizona to North Carolina to Vermont. Fifty-two students will attend colleges or universities in Connecticut and three will enter the military.

This was a special graduation ceremony for Board of Education members Jo Ferjak and Mark Almeida. Both have presented diplomas to graduates in past years, but this year they had the honor of presenting a diploma to their own daughters; Sarah Jo Ferjak and Mary Kathleen Almeida. District Director of Pupil Services Mindy Otis was also on the dais to present her son Andrew with his diploma.

Following the ceremony the graduates are encouraged to attend the all-night Project Graduation party. The theme this year is "Life's a Beach". The organizing committee, chaired by Nancy Bradley, has spent almost a full year raising money, organizing volunteers and planning the night's events. Its goal is to provide a safe, fun, substance and alcohol free activity-packed event for the graduating class of seniors on graduation night.

The Christian Education Committee of the Congregational Church in Killingworth, United Church of Christ, announces that the 2007 Pastor's Scholarship will be shared among three graduating high school seniors from the Haddam Killingworth High School Class of 2007. This year's scholarship recipients are Josh Wright, Rita Flynn and April Acker. In the fall, Josh will attend Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire, Rita will attend Loyola College in Maryland, and April will attend Fordham University in New York. All three are members of the church. Pictured: April Acker receives her award from Sue Anziano. Photo courtesy D. Acker.

State Law (CGS 22-338) requires that all dogs six months of age and older be licensed annually by June 30th or at such time that they reach six months of age. All dogs must be vaccinated against Rabies and owners must submit a certificate to the Town Clerk. The fee for a male or female dog is $19.00. Neutered male or spayed female is $8.00.

Reminders have been sent to previously registered dog owners. Renewal may be done in person at the Town Clerk's Office during the hours of 8AM - 12Noon & 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Monday - Friday or by mail. If application is made by mail, make check payable to: Killingworth Town Clerk and please enclose SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE. Mail to: Town Clerk, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, CT 06419

St. James Episcopal Church in Higganum will host a Strawberry Shortcake Social on Thursday, June 21 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The Strawberry Shortcake will feature fresh picked local strawberries, homemade shortcake, and fresh homemade whipped cream. Adults are $4.00 and Children are $3.50. Takeout orders are welcome all day by calling Jere at 860-685-0688. The Church is located at 498 Route 81 in Higganum.

The Haddam-Killingworth High School Senior Prom was held at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown earlier this month. Reserved three years ago for the special night, the venue's "gleaming white facade and formal boxwood-lined gardens" presented the perfect backdrop for the 200 students, their guests and chaperones. Read more about that special evening and the preparation that went into it in today's Hartford Courant.

Members of the 2007 graduating class of Haddam-Killingworth High School were honored for their many achievements last night at the Senior Awards Night. Tens of thousands of dollars worth of scholarships were awards thanks to the generosity of the Haddam, Killingworth and area communities. Students were recognized for their academic achievements, service to their community and encouraged in their future endeavors.

Top L-R: Emily Wojdyla and Jessica Cambell receives the Chamber of Commerce Presidents Award from Chamber president Judith Tripodi; Kenneth Callahan awards the first Haddam-Killingworth Soccer Club Scholarship to Tucker Cumpstone; John McMahon awards the Lions Club Service Award to Linda Suravich and Josephine Amendola receives one of the scholarships from Joan Wilson and Andrea Schull from the Killingworth Women's Organization.

Get training now for the 4 mile race on Saturday, August 4th. If you are a competitive runner or a novice you will love running this local race.

The race starts at the Congregational Church in Killingworth at 8:30 a.m., and runners will enjoy some of the historic and beautiful roads in town. At the end of the race enjoy the post race breakfast, which will include bagels, fruit, water and Monster Drinks, and stay to enjoy the church fair. Go to Active.com to pre-register for the event, call 663-1789 for an application or download the apllication from the Road Race page.

As of July 1, 2007 the Building Department and the Health Department will be open Monday thru Thursday from 8:00 AM - 12 noon only. No Friday or afternoon hours. The Zoning Department will be open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 AM - 12 noon.

These purple finch hatchlings are actually living in the wreath on resident Karen Milano's front door. Milano said, "You would not believe how I tried to discourage the mother from building a nest there, opening and closing the door as she brought twig after twig after twig, proving there was too much traffic in this area to safely raise a family.. I finally gave up and look what happened..."

The HK Recreation Department is holding in-person registration and skills assessment for its fall Youth Soccer League. All players must attend in person to be placed on a team. This is not a tryout. The fee is $70 per player or $110 per family. Call 345-8334 for more information.

Tuesday, June 19 at HKMS Gym
6:30-6:50 p.m. Grades 1 & 2 boys and girls
6:50-7:10 p.m. Grades 3 & 4 boys and girls
7:10-7:30 p.m. Grades 5 & 6 boys and girls

Tuesday, June 26 at HKHS Fieldhouse
6:30-6:50 p.m. Grades 1 & 2 boys and girls
6:50-7:10 p.m. Grades 3 & 4 boys and girls
7:10-7:30 p.m. Grades 5 & 6 boys and girls

Monday, July 9 at HKHS Fieldhouse
12:30-12:50 p.m. Grades 1 & 2 boys and girls
12:50-1:10 p.m. Grades 3 & 4 boys and girls
1:10-1:30 p.m. Grades 5 & 6 boys and girls

To the Editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that we are continuing to
move forward with the Reservoir Road Bridge project. As most of you are
probably aware, we have decided to go with the government program; sleeving was considered and was not found to be the ideal solution.

Therefore, the Reservoir Road Engineering Review Committee has determined we should go with the Federal program. I am constantly pushing the State Engineering firm (CJM) and our firm Cardinal Engineering.

The type of bridge has been determined and now it is in the hands of the structural engineers. From there it will go back to the State for what I am told will be final approval. The next step in the process will be, of course, the bidding process.

I wish I could tell you when, but in fact, I cannot. When I do know, you will be the first to know!

Thanks for your patience.
Marty Klein
First Selectman

Killingworth resident John Denner picked up the guitar 18 months ago and, despite being born with only part of his right arm, recently rocked out to Van Halen on the Howard Stern radio show. Since that April appearance, Denner has released a CD, has appeared on several television programs and has been asked back to Stern's show to appear with Van Halen's former lead singer David Lee Roth. Read more about Denner in the Hartford Courant.

Monday June 11:
• 3:07 AM: Medical emergency, Paper Mill Rd
Tuesday June 12:
• 10:51 AM: Medical emergency, Green Hill Rd
Friday June 15:
• 10:27 PM: Motor vehicle accident, Route 81
Saturday June 16:
• 9:21 AM: Mutual aid to Clinton, structure fire, East Main St.

This summer, the Killingworth Library will be hosting its "Music with Margie" sessions on Wednesday mornings from 10:00-10:30 a.m. on July 11, 18, 25 and August 1, 8, 15. This summer session will have a DROP-IN format and will not require registration. The room's capacity has been met when all the nametags at the front desk are gone.

The Fitness Connection just expanded the facility! So come experience the results of group fitness training! The summer session starts the week of June 25th and there are still a few spots open. The classes will be held at The Fitness Connection studio and will meet for 1 hour. You get personal training in a small group setting and the cost is only $155 for 2 classes a week for 6 weeks. You will work out your whole body each class and most importantly, you will love the way you will look and feel after only 12 sessions. For details or to reserve a spot, call 860-663-0326. Get connected with The Fitness Connection and spend the best summer of your life...feeling great about yourself!

The State Department of Environmental Protection will sponsor a program on the Wildflowers of Chatfield Hollow at 1:00 p.m on Sunday, June 24 at the Oak Lodge Nature Center, Chatfield Hollow State Park, 381 Route 80, Killingworth, (860) 424-3200, www.ct.gov/dep/