On Sunday, May 4, 2008 from 1 pm - 3 pm the Haddam Historical Society will host a cemetery tour of The Ancient Burial Ground of Thirty Mile Island Plantation in the beautiful Connecticut River Village of Haddam. The ancient cemetery is the resting place of some of the town’s most distinguished historic characters and displays exquisite examples of early gravestone art.

Town Historian Jan Sweet and gravestone enthusiast David Malloy will highlight the burial yard's history, carvers and mysteries. Visitors will also meet some of the village's former residents portrayed by local actors, including 13 year old Hannah Arnold who died in 1823. Another activity will be the Cemetery Scavenger Hunt!

Admission is $5 for non-members, free for HHS members. The Society is offering a special membership incentive package that day: Join and get an additional seven months free membership. Parking is available at the Thankful Arnold House Museum, 14 Hayden Hill Road and along Field Park Drive, Haddam, CT 06438. For additional information please call 345-2400 or visit www.haddamhistory.org

HK Sports: The HK Varsity Baseball team traveled to Durham and came away with a, 3-1, victory over the Coginchaug Blue Devils on Friday in an important Shoreline Contest.

The story of the game was the pitching performance of HK starting pitcher Lou Annino. He kept the Devils off balance the entire game, the only real blemish being a solo homerun allowed in the third inning. For the game, Annino allowed only four base runners and struck out three.

The Cougars got Annino ahead early in the first when, with one out, they strung together three straight singles to load the bases. Mike Waterbury then put HK on the board with a deep sacrifice fly.

In the fourth, HK broke a 1-1 tie when Mike Theriault used a perfect drag bunt to get on base. He was sacrificed to second, took third on a throw down, then scored on a Sean Zapatka infield chopper that was beaten out for a hit.

The Cougars were in need of an insurance run entering the top of the seventh and got it when Steve Landell singled to open the inning. He stole second, was sacrificed to third, and later scored on Kyle Allison's RBI single. HK was led offensively by Landell (3-3, run, SB), Zapatka (2-4, RBI, run) and Theriault (2-4, run).

HK will now have an extended break as they will wait until Wednesday to travel to Morgan to take on the Huskies. Game time is slated for 3:45 at the Indian River Complex.

HK Sports: The HK Girls Tennis team fell to Old Saybrook, 6-1, yesterday. Colleen Phelan was the Cougar's lone winner. Hk is 3-5 on the year.

The HK Boys Tennis tam defeated Old Saybrook, 6-1. Ryan Hawkins, Patirck Gilhuly, Alex Langevin and Varun Ravishakar won thier singlels matches and Joe Cerino and Matt Waldman and Tom McKinnon and Ken Roberts won at doubles.

The HK Boys Golf team lost to Coginchaug 176-192 yesterday at Lyman Orchards. The Cougars' Thijs Stoop shot 41 and was a medalist.

The HK Girls Golf team fell to Norwich Free Academy, 259-297, at Mohegan Sun CC.

Last summer kicked off the start of an exciting ride for The Audrey Ward School of Dance Competition Team including Killingworth residents Julie and Stephanie Vegliante and Erin Frederickson.

In August the Audrey Ward School was visited by a film crew from On the Marc Productions and the Directors of Xtreme Dance. The Audrey Ward School was one of thirty five dance schools from all over New England that were visited as part of a show that is being built around a dance competition that may be aired on MTV later this year.
, Lauren Allen, 17 and Katie Persutti, 16 of Westbrook. Julie Vegliante received an Xtreme Gold (5 points from a perfect score) for her tap solo "Dibbity Dop".

The final announcement of the top ten routines of the competition that would return to compete on April 19th in the finals for a $5,000 cash prize included Julie's "Dibbity Dop". During the entire competition the dancers were filmed and interviewed backstage, in the dressing room, in the stage wings before and after going on. "It was a little nerve wracking at first, but then you forgot about them and it was fun", Julie Vegliante said. Several of the girls were also filmed at home/school/ other activities as part of the show.

The finals were held on April 19th. The day included judged classes, learning a routine to be performed as the opening to the Dance off that night and a red carpet kickoff reception. The show started with the scholarship contestants opening number then a Hip-Hop performance by judge Geo Hubela who most recently competed and performed with his dance crew "Iconic" on MTV's famed "Randy Jackson's; America's Best Dance Crew," and has performed on stage and television with Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and many more.

In addition to Hubela the famed judges panel included Tony Coppola, who has a longstanding reputation as a tap virtuoso, choreographer and master instructor. Larry Sousa, choreographer, director, past Broadway performer and choreographer and Sawn Mahoney, who has been a member of Boston Ballet Company, and has performed and taught internationally.

Following the finals Vegliante was announced as the "tap" scholarship winner. "It was the most intense competition we've ever been in starting off with eight hours of judged classes. It made us all work really hard", said Vegliante. Audrey Ward said, "I am always very proud of all of my students. It was an honor for our studio to be a part of this spectacular event".

The Audrey Ward dancers have competed in other regional and national competitions and workshops., danced at a Boston Celtics game and recently performed in a Cabaret at the Ivoryton Playhouse featuring the Audrey Ward School singers. The Audrey Ward School annual Recital will be help at Morgan High School on Sunday, June 8th. This summer Audrey Ward will be holding open auditions for the 2008-2009 dance team, looking for dancers who are committed and want to be part of an advanced team. For more information you can call the school at 860-669-7768. Story and photo courtesy K. Vegliante.

When Amber Grabowski signed up to take a class called Senior Project at Haddam-Killingworth High School she had no idea what she was going to do - it was just a class to fill her schedule and add credits toward graduation.

A year later, she has planned a Dance-a-thon to benefit the Autism Society of Connecticut, based in Guilford. "I came up with a lot of ideas for things to do for the project but none of them really appealed to me," says Amber. "I was watching a TV show one night and the character organized a dance-a-thon and I knew that's what I wanted to do. "I picked Autism for a couple of reasons: we have never done anything at school about Autism awareness and I know someone who's sister is Autistic so I thought this would be a great project."

The Dance-a-thon will be held in the high school cafeteria on May 10 beginning at 5 p.m. Everyone is invited to participate. There is a $5 dancer fee or pay just $3 and come and watch. Checks should be made payable to HKHS. All proceeds will be given to ASCONN. The music for the event is being donated by DJ Scott Nickel and Dino's Pizza is donating the food. To register for the event, call the high school at (860) 345-8541.

According to ASCONN's website, Autism, now being referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorders or ASD's, are a group of pervasive developmental disabilities (PDD's) based in brain and neurology differences that affect the person's ability to process or understand what they experience, see, hear, or otherwise sense. Autism spectrum disorders are generally diagnosed prior to age three, although some of the developmental markers may be noticeable as early as 18 months.

The senior project class at HKHS provides an opportunity for students to pursue a project of personal significance. With the guidance of advisers and teachers, students choose, define and carry out a project that will encourage the development of both practical and academic skills. The project requires students to be self-directed and motivated. Currently the class is an elective, but in time may become one of the courses required for graduation so that every student at HKHS participates in the program.

Amber also received some guidance from Virginia Rioja of Unison Travel, LLC in Killingworth who has a son who has been diagnosed with Autism. Virginia is very active with ASCONN. "Autism strikes more children than aids and cancer combined,. About 1 in 150 births," says Rioja. "It is reaching epidemic levels and often goes undetected for many years, especially if your child is high functioning "Aspergers" as mine is....and there is no cure. Getting the community involved, especially in understanding this developmental disease, is very important."

The Town of Killingworth will conduct a low cost rabies vaccination clinic for dogs and cats on Saturday, May 3rd, from 1:00 - 3:00 P.M. at the Killingworth Fire Station on Route 81. There are no residency requirements.

Connecticut General Statutes Section 22-339b requires all cats and dogs, three months of age and older to be vaccinated against rabies.

This clinic is sponsored by Killingworth Animal Hospital and Killingworth Animal Control. All proceeds will go to the "Atti Fund" for shelter improvements.

The cost is $15.00 per animal. CASH ONLY. Written proof of prior vaccination for rabies must be presented to qualify for a three year vaccination. (Tags are not acceptable) All others will be issued a one year vaccination. Tags and certificates of vaccinations will be provided as required by law. All dogs MUST be on leashes and cats MUST be in carriers. For additional information, call 663-2439.

HK Sports: The Cougar Varsity Baseball team improved its record to 7-2 (6-2) with a, 701, conference victory over Old Saybrook on Wednesday.

HK wasted no time getting on the board jumping out to a commanding lead with a five run first inning. Steve Landell got things going in the score column with a two run single with the bases loaded and no one out. After the Rams recorded an out, Lou Annino would drop an RBI single to left field to make it 3-0. The next batter, Kyle Allison, smoked a two run double down the line in left for a 5-0 advantage.

That would be about all the offense HK starter Chris Bova would need as hit went the distance for the win. He threw seven innings scattering six hits, walking one, and striking out one. Remarkably he needed only 67 pitches to get through the entire game.

The Cougars tacked on a solo run in the fifth, via a Landell RBI single, and another run in the sixth thanks to an AJ Margnelli RBI single through a drawn in infield. HK was lead offensively by Landell (2-3, 3 RBI, run), Allison (1-3, 2 RBI, 2B), and Margnelli (1-3, RBI, run, 2 SB).

HK travels to Coginchaug on Friday in a conference showdown with the Blue Devils at 3:45.

HK Sports: The HK Boys Tennis team swept Westbrook, 7-0, yesterday. Ryan Hawkins, Cody Warren, Alex Langevin, Pat Gihuly and Varun Ravishankar won their singles matches and Joe Cerino and Matt Waldman and Ken Roberts and Tom McKinnon won at doubles.

The HK Boys Track team defeated Valley Regional yesterday. Winners included: the 4x800 relay of Brandon Page, Jason Funaro, Paul Massicott and Wyatt Haynosch; the 4x100 relay of Matt Martin, Matt O'Brein, Ray Cerino and Dan Wendt; O'Brien also won the 100m, 200m and 400m; Martin also won the 300 hurdles and long jump; Funaro also won the 3200m; Chris Pfrommer won the triple jump and high jump; Derrick Weiss won the shot put and discus and Dave Bartolotta won the pole vault.

The HK Girls Track team defeated Valley Regional, 129-21. Winners include the 4x800 with Gabby Haynosch, Kara Burdett, Jess Moore and Amy Chamberlain; the 4x100 relay of Siobhan Blancaflor, Hannah Donadio, Caroline McManus and Rachel Mazzotta; the 4x400 relay of Mary Dornfield, McManus, Ali Armstrong and Haynosch; McManus also won the 100 hurdles; Blancaflor also won the 100m nad ploe vault; Moore also won the 1600m and 800m; Haynosch also won the 200m; Chamberlain also won the 3200m; Haynosch also won the 400m and 200m; Donadio also won the 300m hurdles and long jump; Corinne Mazzotta won the triple jump; Corry Almeida won the javelin; Courtney Hannen won the shot put and discus and Rachel Mazzotta also won the high jump.

The HK Girls Tennis team defeated Westbrook Monday. The No. 3 doubles team of Annie Bartosiak and Ashley Griswold defeated Tara Higgins and Merine Cecunjanin 0-6, 6-1, 7-6. HK Co-Captain Colleen Phelan defeated Rachel Cyr 6-3, 6-3, while Dina Grimaldi defeated Sara Verderame in straight sets.

The Region 17 Board of Education announced Monday that it has trimmed $158,000 from the Schools Superintendent's proposed 2008-2009 budget. The BOE will offer a $36,200,735 budget to voters at the May 6 referendum. The proposal represents a 4.94% increase over the 2007-2008 budget. Starting with 91.44% non discretionary costs such as salaries, benefits, transportation and fuel costs, Board member Robert Baranoff said they considered the needs of the students, the goals of the school system and the economic pressures felt in both Haddam and Killingworth in preparing the final budget.

Residents attending Monday's Annual Hearing voiced concern regarding increasing class sizes and student achievement in comparison to neighboring towns as well as the Board's responsibility to be fiscally responsible in tough economic times. Baranoff and other Board members explained how the decisions were made and acknowledged that there may be disappointment on both sides for not funding more programs and conversely not cutting the budget more.

Baranoff said the Board has included several special initiatives in the budget to prepare students for the "New World". It has funded a Sister School Program, a Speakers' Bureau and will support the mentoring program previously organized through Youth & Family Services. It is also supporting preparation for the high school accreditation, additional counseling for the middle school and increased pre-school support. The Board recently proposed a bill in Hartford that would allow cities, towns and school districts to participate in online auctions for the purchase of goods and services. If passed, it would help schools all over the state save significant funds on large construction projects.

In trimming the budget, the BOE decreased the health insurance contribution by $79,000, reduced the purchase of new equipment by $29,000, reduced custodial overtime, legal fees, travel expenses and capital funding for the HES playground. It also eliminated the Transition Counselor position but added a half-time guidance counselor and a half-time paraprofessional in order to provide essential support services contained in the counselor's job description.

The Board will hold its Annual Meeting on May 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the HKHS Auditorium. The times for the May 6th referendum will be set at that time. Voting will take place in the All-Purpose room at Killingworth Elementary School.

A year ago, serving in their role as Knights of the Blind, the Killingworth Lions Club took on a new and challenging project, the sponsorship of a Fidelco guide dog. The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Bloomfield, Connecticut, that breed, raise and train German Shepard guide dogs for placement with the visually impaired throughout the United States and Canada. The cost to the organization of breeding, training, placement and the on-going contact with the Fidelco client for the eight to ten year service life of a guide dog is approximately $26,000.

To raise the funds to support the project, the Lions Club conducted a raffle that received great support from our community and raised over $10,000 which went toward our $26,000 goal. This year we will once again have a raffle with prizes we feel have a broad appeal. First prize is a $2000 Travel Voucher through Century Travel, second prize is a Sony 40 inch LCD flat panel HDTV which retails at $1700, third prize is a $250 package which includes dinner for two at the Sage American Restaurant plus two tickets to the play of your choice at the Goodspeed Opera House, and fourth prize is dinner for two on the Essex Steam Train a $140 value.

Tickets will be on sale Saturdays, 8AM - 12PM during the months of April and May at Compactor Way. The raffle is limited to 250 tickets at $40 each. The drawing will be held at noon on Memorial Day, May 26th, at the Platt Nature Center. Winners need not be present to claim the prize.

The Lions have paid for the prizes and the raffle expenses up front, meaning that 100% of the cost of a ticket goes toward the sponsorship of the Fidelco guide dog. We are counting on your support.

Spring is here and with it the Killingworth Library Pizza Delivery Schedule. Our first deliveries of the season will be made this Saturday, April 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. An intrepid fleet of library volunteers and board members is again partnering with Pizzeria Da Vinci to deliver pizza to your door. The entire $5.00 delivery charge benefits the Killingworth Library and its programs. Pizzeria Da Vinci's number is 663-2256.

Additional Pizza Delivery nights will be held on May 17th, Sept. 13th and Oct.18th.

OPEN SESAME

The crocuses are popping their little heads up through the ground preparing to open their lovely yellow flowers. The buds are beginning to appear on the rose bushes in anticipation of opening to vibrant red roses. The trees are pushing forth their initial growth readying themselves to open in full bloom and provide the shade we will all welcome during the hot summer days. Everywhere we look; windows are opening, vegetation is opening, new homes are opening, and to everyone's delight, a ROAD is OPENING!

In keeping with the opening of car windows to enjoy the warm weather, the opening of our eyes to enjoy the beauty of spring, and the openness of the scenic roads of Killingworth, LOVERS LANE IS NOW OPEN!

Richard J. Cabral
First Selectman

The Killingworth Historical Society has already collected some wonderful items for its May 10 Tag Sale. The annual sale will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m at the Black Rock School on Route 81.

Already Collected:
Antique Tractor: Valued at $500.00 -$1,000.00 a 1950 tractor manufactured by the Country Squire Tractor Co. in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Runs very well, has 4 new tires and a hydraulic plow. All papers are included with the tractor.

Antique Furniture: Old cobbler's bench; Victorian loveseat & like new steamer trunk.

Furniture: Small Hutch 3'L x 21" W; desk; drafting table; Small bedroom set includes 1 tall dresser, dresser with mirror, bedside stand & desk with hutch top; small solid oak drop leaf table; kitchen table with matching bench seats; Windsor chair; coffee tables; small corner cabinet and much more. All furniture in very good condition!!!

White elephant Items: Pottery, jewelry, linens, dishes, electrical items, cutlery, tools, & more!

Toys: Baskets of Beanie Babies with tags dating from 1993 to 2007; doll houses; play kitchen; castle toy chest; soccer & basketballs; many new & slightly used games.

Plan to join the fun

HK Sports: The HK Softball team defeated Cromwell, 11-5, yesterday. The Cougars are now 6-1 on the season. Lindsey Griswold picked up her sixth win on the mound. Mary Kate Murray had four hits and four RBIs, including a bases loaded triple.

The Haddam-Killingworth Varsity Baseball team bounced back from a tough loss on Friday to defeat East Hampton, 4-1, on Monday at home.

HK fell behind early as East Hampton pushed across an unearned run in the second to take a 1-0 lead. The score remained that way until the Cougars exploded for four runs in the fourth. After getting two men on with one out, Kyle Allison (1-3, RBI, run) singled to right-center which tied the game, 1-1. Mike Theriault (2-3, 2RBI, run) then gave HK the led with a two run double that was only a few feet from being a homerun. Theriault eventually came around to score the final run on AJ Margnelli's RBI groundout, making it 4-1 in favor of HK.

While Margnelli wasn't knocking in runs, he was dominating the East Hampton line-up from the mound. He improved his record to 3-0 with a seven inning performance that saw him allow only four hits and a walk while striking out seven.

The Cougars improve to 6-2 (5-2) and will face Old Saybrook on Wednesday in a Shoreline Conference match up. The game is at home and will start at 3:45.

The Killingworth Lions Club has joined other shoreline Lions Clubs to sponsor a Free Eye and Blood Pressure Screening Clinic on Tuesday, April 29th at the Henry Carter Hull Public Library in Clinton, Conn.

Everyone is welcome. For information or transportation, call 663-2267. "Early detection of eye diseases can greatly reduce the risk of blindness."

The Regional 17 Board of Education will hold its Annual Hearing and a Special Meeting for the 2008/2009 Budget tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the student commons at the Haddam-Killingworth Middle School on Route 81.

The Killingworth Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Business Meeting at the Guilford Savings Bank in the North Madison Shopping Center on Thursday, April 24 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

It's an exciting time for the Chamber and the community. The Chamber's membership has grown to 188 local businesses, made up of friends and neighbors whose entrepreneurial spirit helps make this a great place to live, work, shop, and do business.

Sunday April 13:
• 1:15 PM: Medical emergency, Hemlock Dr
Monday April 14:
• 7:19 PM: Medical emergency, Roast Meat Hill Rd
Tuesday April 15:
• 2:28 PM: Brush fire, Beckwith Rd
• 5:39 PM: Mutual aid to Chester, Structure fire, Goose Hill Rd
Wednesday April 16:
• 1:02 PM: Brush fire, Old County Rd
• 8:24 PM: Camper fire, Pond Meadow Rd
Thursday April 17:
• 9:24 AM: Medical emergency, North Parker Hill Rd
• 11:03 AM: Fire alarm, Route 81
• 7:13 PM: Brush fire, Pond Meadow Rd
• 7:29 PM: Medical emergency, Parker Hill Rd
• 8:21 PM: Medical emergency, Route 148
Friday April 18:
• 1:32 AM: Medical emergency, Iron Works Rd
Saturday April 19:
• 2:32 PM: Brush fire, Rosemary Ln
• 6:22 PM: Medical emergency, Swan Lake Trl
• 7:03 PM: Public service, Rosemary Ln
• 7:52 PM: Medical emergency, Iron Works Rd

Five young women from Haddam-Killingworth High School were recently nominated and received scholarship awards for their outstanding news video and writing production pieces at the Fox 61 - CW 20 Student News Awards Ceremony held in Hartford.

This awards ceremony highlights the the work of high school students across the state and the scholarship awards were presented by Fox 61's own Susan Christensen. The students were each one of several finalists in their individual categories.

Killingworth resident and HK senior Melanie Yates was nominated for The Hartford Courant's Current Affairs Award for her piece on local student art presently on display at the Killingworth First Selectman's office. Alexandra Porter and Chelsea Meegan were nominated for and received a scholarship award sponsored by The CT Commission on Human Rights for their video work highlighting a UConn professor. HK juniors Erin Moriarty and Anna Brundage were nominated for and awarded The Governor's One Thing Award for their submission on bio-fuel. They also received a scholarship.

Each of these young woman has taken or is currently enrolled in the HK broadcast/journalism program at the high school. Chuck Lewis, TV production teacher encouraged each of these students to enter the FOX 61 competition. Photo courtesy S. Brundage.