Principal, Miriam Furey-Wagner, is pleased to announce the honor roll for the first term of the 2007-2008 school year at Haddam-Killingworth Middle School. View a complete list on www.rsd17.org. This list was updated 1/15/2008

The HK Recreation Department will hold its Annual Hotshot Basketball Shooting Contest this Sunday, January 13 at the Haddam-Killingworth High School Fieldhouse.

The Hot Shot Contest is a fun, simple state-wide basketball shooting contest where each player will have three, one-minute rounds to shoot from hotshots placed on the court. No need for special skills, membership or talent. Come out and try your shot, see if you have a natural touch. Prizes are awarded to all the winners at the local, county, and state champions.

Boys/Girls aged 9-10 will be held at 11:30 am
Boys/Girls aged 11-12 and BG13-15 will be held at 12:45 pm.

If you are not pre-registered, the fee is $10. Please come early to register.

Regional School District #17 has immediate openings for CDL Bus Drivers. Experienced drivers and drivers needing training welcome to apply. Children of driver's are welcome.

Internal candidates should send a letter of interest to Mr. Gary S. Mala, Superintendent of Schools, at the Central Office. Candidates outside the district are asked to send a letter of interest, application, resume, and three letters of recommendation to Mr. Gary S. Mala, Superintendent of Schools, Regional School District No. 17, P. O. Box 568, Higganum, CT, 06441. Click to obtain an application or pick up an application at the Central Office or any district school office. Deadline for applications is January 25, 2008.

First Selectman Richard Cabral is inviting aspiring artists from the district schools to exhibit their artwork in the town offices. His plan is to display work from one of the schools each month during the school year. This month artwork from Killingworth Elementary School students will be on display and yesterday morning Cabral invited KES art teacher Alexis Kelsey, the artists and their parents to a reception and viewing to show his appreciation for the students' hard work.

Cabral said he wants to recognize the students and give residents a chance to see the artwork somewhere other than the parents' refrigerators. Next month artwork from the high school will be on display.

The artists' work you will see when you stop by the Town Offices are from fourth graders Ryan Lawrence, Lilian Carmichael, Laura Spineti and Carley Moyher; third graders Mia Luzietti, Emily Denvir, Isabella Crocker, Casey Szeligowski, Brooke Perotta, Alexia Nuhn, Sara Russo, Thomas Fulner, Dylan Hogan and Ben Chasse; first graders Sarah Asbury and Kalie Wilson and kindergartener Molly Anderson.

At the Annual Meeting of the Southeast District of the CT Junior Soccer Association, three Haddam-Killingworth Soccer Club members were awarded trophies acknowledging their contributions to soccer. Hannah O'Leary, Liam Granucci and Ken Callahan were chosen by the club board of directors because of their dedication, hard work, positive attitude and leadership qualities both on and off the field. Hannah has played in the Soccer Club for years and is currently dual rostered to the U14 and U12 girls teams. Liam is a three sport athlete and plays forward on the U14 boys team. Ken Callahan is the President of the club and has coached for many years including taking on both the U14 and U12 boys teams this past fall.

Ken Callahan, Hannah O'Leary and Liam Granucci receive their awards from SE District President, Milan Keser. Photo courtesy S. Cumpstone

Donald Doster, 88, of Killingworth, passed away January 9, 2008. He was born June 17, 1919 in West Haven, CT. He was the son of Philip and Susannah (Vath) Doster. Donald is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Barbara, his daughter, Laurie Doster, and his sister, Marion (Doster) Dow. He is survived by his son Gregg Doster of Colorado, and grandchildren Jeremy and Elisa Doster. He also leaves two nieces and their families. Donald was a devoted husband and father, and was a member of the Killingworth Congregational Church. He ran the church's annual auction for many years and owned 50% of a successful real estate business. A civic-minded man, he was a Scoutmaster and served Killingworth as the First Selectman from 1975-1977. Don was an 8-year U.S. Naval Veteran during WWII who was stationed at and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, then served many years in the South Pacific.

Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery in Killingworth at 12:15 PM on Saturday, Jan. 12, followed by a 1:00 PM memorial service at the Killingworth Congregational Church on the same day. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Killingworth Ambulance Association, Rte 81, Killingworth, CT 06419 or to the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Co, 333 Rte 81, Killingworth, CT 06419. Swan Funeral Home, 80 East Main St. Clinton is directing arrangements

HK Sports: The HK 12 U Girls Basketball team lost its first post winter break game at home this past Sunday to an always tough Guilford squad, 14-36. The score was held close at the half, 4-10. Beth Riedy led HK players with 8 points, while Sammy Waskowitz, Autumn Spinner and Marissa Moncata each had a pair. In a CORRECTION to the previous article regarding the HK-North Branford game, it was Anna Fetteroll with a game high 12 points for HK. Sam Waskowitz scored 10 points, Cloe Savino 7 points, Beth Riedy 6 points, Rachel Mainetti 4 points and Sammi Mackowitz chipped in a pair in the 43-15 win. The girls play again this Sunday in Branford.

The HK Middle School Swim Team defeated a tough team from Hopkins School in New Haven, 82-62. The medley relay team of Jake Gibbons, Neal Tyson, Celine Coleman, and Anna Fetteroll got the Cougars off to a quick start by taking 1st in that event. Fetteroll also won the 50 free, took a second in the 100 free, and was part of both winning freestyle relays. 5th Grader Gibbons won the 50 backstroke, took 3rd in the 50 free, and was part of a winning freestyle relay team. In addition, Coleman captured 2nd place in both the 100 IM and the 50 butterfly. Stuart Stritzel picked up 2 important 3rd place finishes in both the 100 IM and the 100 freestyle. 7th Grader Michael Wasilchuk won the diving event. All the kids swam well as the team notched its second win of the season. The Cougars travel to East Lyme next Friday, January 18th, to face East Lyme Middle School for the first time ever.

The Cougar Wrestling Squad stunned the Morgan Huskies in a Wednesday night show down. HK outscored Morgan 66-12. This performance was a markedly different result than the past two seasons for the Cougars. Morgan is in a rebuilding year with a new head coach Erik Leiss and a young squad that has seen many of its talented wrestlers graduate over the past two seasons. Conversely, the Cougars have be nurturing a new program and have seen the rewards of their efforts in performances like last night's match

Of the true eight matches wrestled during the evening H-K won six of those by pin only losing two to Morgan's returning state place winners Bobby Butcher at 145 and Jake Luchuk at 215. Key victories came from Senior captain Darcey Hughes with a pin in the 140 pound division and a first period pin by Eric Gambardella in the 215 pound class. Both of these matches were wins that avenged the losses the two Cougar wrestlers suffer to the same two opponents a week earlier.

The Cougars will continue their season next Wednesday at Portland High School.

The Haddam-Killingworth Middle School held its Winter Band Concert for the fifth and sixth grades last night in the auditorium. The bands are under the direction of Nancy Tozzo and Joel Spineti with instructional help from Carol Gregg. The seventh and eighth grades will hold their concerts today at 7:00 p.m.

Nancy Tozza directs the 5th Grade Band

Joel Spineti directs the 6th Grade Band

Spinetti directs the 6th Grade Jazz Band

HK Sports: The HK Boys Swimming team defeated Plainville, 92-84, Tuesday. Doug Fetteroll won two individual events, while Chris Eigner, Jeff Ludington, Zack Morello, Corrine Mazzota and Tom Kennedy captured one each. Read all about the meet in the Middletown Press.

The HK Girls Basketball team fell to East Hampton, 56-31. Jordan Schultz led the Cougars with 13 points. Michelle Fillion scored 8 including two three-point shots; Allie Rand scored 6. HK falls to 5-5.

Have you ever thought you'd like to referee soccer games? Or do you have knowledge of the game of soccer and want to earn a little extra money on a Saturday or Sunday? The Haddam-Killingworth Soccer Club is always looking for qualified referees to ref their matches. All the Soccer Club referees are certified by the United States Soccer Federation and although the training takes several evening classes to complete, once you are certified you could be making $20 for running a sideline and $30 for the center of a match. Not bad for about 1 ½ -- 2 hours of your time! If you will be 14 or older by April 1 and are interested in becoming a referee, please call Shelly Cumpstone, the HKSC referee assignor, at 663-2747.

FOUND CAT

Found cat with calico/torti coloring in the vicinity of Patrick Drive and Sheldon Park. Please call 663-9958 or 203-641-1522 to claim.

Middlesex County Community Foundation has announced that $141,058 in grants have been awarded to 43 organizations, including the Killingworth Library Association. Funding for these grants was made possible by increasingly favorable investment returns on endowed funds and by donations from generous individuals and community--minded organizations.

The Killingworth Library Association, in conjunction with the Killingworth Historical Society, will use the $1,000 grant to host three evening programs on the history of Killingworth. Beginning this spring, each program will focus on a specific period in the Town's history.

"The Middlesex County Community Foundation recently celebrated its tenth anniversary and is proud of its efforts in bringing increased benefit to the people of Middlesex County. The trust and support of individuals and organizations have helped us grow endowments and provide funds for effective grantmaking in the arts, education, environment, heritage enhancement and human services. We are particularly grateful to the vision and support of the Connecticut Humanities Council who has supported the Foundation's grantmaking in the humanities. We are also pleased with the investment performance of our growing endowment which has contributed to this record breaking year," said David M. Royston, Principal of Dzialo, Pickett & Allen and Chairman of the Grants Committee.

The Middlesex County Community Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Middlesex County. They welcome conversations with good people who want to do great things. For further information visit their website at www.MiddlesexCountyCF.org.

Regional 17 Schools will hold kindergarten registration at all three district elementary schools on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 from 9:00a.m. - 7:00p.m. and Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.

Child must be 5 years old by 12/31/2008
**Please, bring original birth certificate if you have it available. The original birth certificate will be needed before the start of school.

As we begin a new year, the Killingworth Scholarship Association looks back on the old year with gratitude to all the residents and businesses that have supported our efforts! While our committee membership has changed over the past 30 years, our goal to award scholarships to Killingworth's most deserving college-bound, high school graduates has never changed. Here are words from a few loyal supporters:

"We are proud to support the Killingworth Scholarship Association. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to help a deserving student get a little closer to their dream!" --- Venuti Enterprises, Inc.

"We appreciate the opportunity to support the Killingworth Scholarship Association toward their goal of helping as many of our town's students as possible with their college dreams." --- Buttendorf Building & Remodeling

"We donate to the Killingworth Scholarship Fund whenever we are asked. We feel that we are all a part of a greater Killingworth family and that the children of our community are our future. It is important to us to show our support for them in their pursuit of higher education, regardless of their privileges or obstacles." --- Grove Systems, Inc.

Our annual scholarship awards would not be possible without our volunteers' efforts and the financial contributions of our generous supporters! Therefore, the Killingworth Scholarship Association would like to extend a heartfelt 'Thank You' to all our supporters and, with your continued support, will pursue our mission to "pay forward" this valuable support to our graduates in the years to come. Happy New Year!

HK Sports: The HK High School Track team competed at the Shoreline Coaches Invitational at the New Haven Fieldhouse on Saturday. The girls team placed 3rd out of 25 teams scoring 40 points and the boys team placed 8th out of 28 teams scoring 22 points.

Top performers for the girls were: the 4x800 relay team of Jess Moore, Hannah Donadio, Sarah Tischbein, Amy Chamberlain placed 2nd (10:32) and qualified for States; Caroline McManus- 9th 55 meter hurdles (9.91) qualified for States; Gaby Haynosch- 7th 600 meter run (1:50.57); Sprint Medley Relay team of Siobhan Blancaflor, McManus, Haynosch, Jess Moore placed 3rd (4:40) qualifying for States; Chamberlain- 5th 3200 meter run (12:28) qualifying for States; 4x400 relay team Moore, Donadio, McManus, Haynosch 1st (4:25) qualifying for States; Donadio- 3rd Long jump (15'4") qualifying for States; Courtney Hannen- 2nd shot put (34'1.25") qualifying for States.

Top performers for the boys were: 4x800 relay team of Mike Waterbury, Kevin Allison, Paul Massicott and Wyatt Haynosch placed 5th (8:47) and qualified for the State Championships; Waterbury- 2nd in the 600 meter run (1:28.19) qualifying for States; Matt O'Brien- 5th 300 meter dash (38.09) qualifying for States; Haynosch- 5th 3200 meter run (10:45.17; 4x400 relay team of Brad Boulay, Waterbury, Massicott, O'Brien placed 2nd (3:41) and qualified for States; Dave Bartolatta- 9th Pole Vault (9'6").

This is a draft of the Town Plan of Conservation and Development. A copy is also on file with the Town Clerk. Notice will be posted of a time and place for a public hearing in February. Click here to view the plan. It is a 16MB document and may take a few moments to download

Thomas L. Lentz
Chairman, Planning and Zoning Commission

Sunday December 30:
• 2:27 AM: Fire alarm, Beaver Dam Rd
• 6:07 PM: Propane leak, Lower Ledge Dr
• 11:09 PM: Mutual aid to Chester, Structure fire, Bokum Rd
Monday December 31:
• 3:51 PM: Motor vehicle accident, Route 80
• 8:15 PM: Medical emergency, Cow Pen Hill Rd
Thursday January 3:
• 1:50 AM: Fire alarm, Fire Tower Rd
• 8:34 AM: Medical emergency, Route 148
• 5:38 PM: Fire alarm, Fire Tower Rd
Friday January 4:
• 11:29 AM: Medical emergency, Woodland Trl
• 1:38 PM: Public service, Route 148
• 11:30 PM: Fire alarm, North Roast Meat Hill Rd
Saturday January 5:
• 1:55 AM: Fire alarm, North Roast Meat Hill Rd
• 3:06 PM: Chimney fire, Route 80
• 8:52 PM: Mutual aid to Clinton, Motor Vehicle Accident, Route 81

The holidays are OVER and the time is NOW, to get fit for summer! Experience the results of small group personal training with Fitness Trainer, Joey Morman at The Fitness Connection. The Winter session starts this week and there are still a few spots open. The 1 hour classes are held at The Fitness Connection studio and you get personal training in a small group setting for only $160. Classes meet twice a week for 6 weeks. You will work out your whole body each class and most importantly, you will love the way you look and feel after only 12 sessions.

For details on the group training classes or the NEW Cardio class or to reserve a spot in either, call 860-663-0326. Get connected with The Fitness Connection and start feeling great about yourself!

HK Sports: The HK Boys Basketball team defeated local rival Valley Regional, 56-42, Saturday night at the fieldhouse. Alex Langevin led the Cougars with 14, followed by Dan Wendt with 11, and Alex Pollack and Steve Landell with 10 each.

The HK Girls Basketball fell to North Branford, 65-56. The Cougars led, 26-20, at the half, but it wasn't enough as the T-Birds out scored HK in each of the final quarters. Shelby VanHuysen led the Cougars with 26 points including 4 three-pointers. Jordan Schultz scored 10 and Jess Hall and Michelle Fillion each scored 8. HK is 5-4.

Dorothy Thiede Gertsch, 90, of East Haven formerly of Killingworth died January 4, 2008 in Talmadge Park. Wife of the late Charles E. Gertsch, Sr. Mother of Dorothy Gertsch-Schlauch of Northford, Charles E. Gertsch, Jr. of Killingworth, Edward F. Gertsch of Branford, Paul C. Gertsch of New Smyrna Beach, FL and William W. Gertsch of East Haven. Sister of Katherine Perry of Middleborough, MA and the late Elizabeth Vass and Edward Thiede. Daughter of the lateFrank and Elizabeth Kavanaugh Thiede. Also survived by 14 Grandchildren and 18 Great Grandchildren

Her funeral procession will leave the PORTO FUNERAL HOME, 234 Foxon Rd (Rte 80) East Haven Tuesday morning at 10:15. Services will be held in the Zion Episcopal Church (North Branford) at 11:00. Interment will follow in Beaverdale Memorial Park. Friends may call MONDAY from 5-8 PM. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Assn, 2911 Dixwell Ave, Hamden, CT 06518. Sign Dorothy's guestbook online at www.portofuneralhomes.net

A new support group for parents and caretakers of "explosive" children (of all ages) will be starting in January led by a parent and former teacher who has experience raising a child with behavioral challenges as well as experience with several workshops on "Collaborative Problem Solving". This revolutionary approach was first articulated by Dr. Ross Greene of Massachusetts General Hospital in a book called The Explosive Child.

The first meeting will be held at The Killingworth Library on Wednesday, January 23 at 6:30 p.m. and will last about an hour.

The Explosive Child will be available at a reduced price and is also available at the library. Greene has developed a revolutionary, highly effective approach for communicating with and helping inflexible, challenging children. The Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) model is described in his book as well as on the website: www.thinkkids.org

Please join us for encouragement and skills to calm the seas of frustration. As a group we will determine future frequency and times of meetings. Call Divinna at 860 663 3394 for more information.

January is Mentoring Month and Youth and Family Services is hoping to achieve 50 mentor volunteer matches by the end of the school year.

According to President George Bush's proclamation, "Millions of Americans lend their time, talent, and energy to become mentors and make a difference in children's lives. During National Mentoring Month, we honor these caring individuals for their dedication to changing our country one heart and soul at a time.

By sharing their knowledge and experiences, mentors serve as examples for young people and help teach them the skills they need to succeed in life. They also provide stability, instill important values, and build confidence in those they assist. Mentors are soldiers in the armies of compassion, and they encourage children to set goals and achieve their dreams."

So why not make one of your New Year's Resolutions to give back just 30 minutes a week to help a child in our community. Contact Ernest Nagler, HK Mentor Coordinator, Youth & Family Services of Haddam Killingworth 860-345-7498 danenagler@aol.com P.O. Box 432 - 91 Little City Rd. Higganum CT 06441