The Haddam-Killingworth Juniors Softball team won the District 9 All Star Tournament at Coginchaug High School on Friday. HK clinched the championship in a thrilling, 8-5, come from behind victory over the host team. After being down, 5-2, in the top of the 7th, HK scored six runs for the dramatic win. Allison McFee and Ashley Cook combined on the mound with Cook recording the victory coming on in the 4th to pitch four innings. HK moves on to the regionals with a schedule to be announced.

HK defeated Coginchaug, 5-4, on Thursday in the first of the best of three game series. McFee and Cook combined for the win with McFee pitching the first four innings and Cook coming in to finish up for the last three innings. They combined for six strikeouts and allowed only five hits. HK got 9 hits in the win with Brennan Marczewski and McFee each getting two hits.

Front: Ashley Cook, Alicia Cope, Jamie Corda, Ashley Caruso, Nicole Everett, and Allison McFee. Top: Coach Jeff Everett, Emily McGlynn, Shawna Skwarek, Shaina Rowley, Brianna Church, Brennan Marczewski, and Manager Joanne McFee. Photo courtesy P.Cook

The HK Recreation Department will host several events for kids this summer. Mark you calendars!

Kid's Entertainment Extravaganza
The HK Recreation Department has booked some fun shows. Tickets are $2 and will be sold at the door. Children enrolled in our summer camp that week will be attending the show free of charge. All shows are on Wednesdays at 10 am at the HK High School Auditorium.

Bubble-Mania - July 9th
Casey Carle provides an extremely unique program combining high energy entertainment with artistic achievement. BubbleMania is loaded with visual comedy, quick wit, big band swing music and the untamed, often unbelievable qualities and beauty of spherical liquids. Casey's creations grow from intricate and imaginative bubble artforms to "trapping" people inside bubbles! Geared to participants ages 5 - Adult.


World Class Frisbee Show - July 23rd
World Frisbee Champion Todd Brodeur will dazzle us with everything you need to know about Frisbees. He will show easy tricks and catches as well as more difficult moves and combinations. A brief history of how Frisbees got their name will also be talked about.

Motion 360 - July 30th
Motion 360 is a fast paced physical tour-de-force in dance theater. Using objects that range from the specialized (stilts and masks), to the ordinary (roller blades and chairs), Tim Latta demonstrates how we can literally stumble over everyday objects to unlock our creativity. Motion 360 is designed to inspire young people to explore their own potential. This is a one man show that is powerful, hilarious, touching, awe-inspiring, magical and entertaining.

HKRec also has Swim Lessons Openings
There are many openings in the next session of Swim Lessons offered by the HK Recreation Dept. The dates are July 7 - 18. Time slots offered at 9 am, 9:50 am and 10:30 am. There are many openings in the later July and August sessions as well. Classes are open to residents and non-residents too! Please call the 345-8334 today!

By Fiona Phelan
The Healthy Communities Healthy Kids Coalition recently presented awards for youth leadership, appreciation and attendance to: Meghan Sumner, Matt Mcewen, Divinna Schmitt, Doug Sumner, Catherine McGuire, Diane Stock, Hilary Kumnick and Tanja Moriarty.

The mission of HC-HK is to prevent and reduce substance abuse, other risky behavior, and, promote the wellness of the community. Community members formed the coalition (formerly the Prevention Council) in 1993 in response to the growing concern about the number of Haddam and Killingworth youth using and abusing alcohol and other drugs. A collaborative effort enhances and strengthens the process of identifying and addressing areas of concern.

The Coalition meets monthly and has had several working meetings where members break into small groups to analyze the local and national data, prioritize areas of concern and plan how they hope to address these areas.

Representatives from all 12 sectors of the community are involved in coalition activities. They include youth; parents; the business community; media; school; youth serving organizations; law enforcement agencies; religious or fraternal organizations; civic and volunteer groups; health care professionals; state or local agencies with expertise in the field of substance abuse; and other organizations involved in reducing substance abuse.

The next meeting will be held at HKHS at 8 a.m., Sept. 17. Everyone is welcome. For more information about the coalition and how to get involved visit their website at www.hkyfs.org/programs/preventioncouncil/ or call Prevention Coordinator Amy Mueller at (860) 345-7498

(l-r) Hilary Kumnick, Catherine McGuire, Doug Sumner, Meghan Sumner, Matt McEwen, Divinna Schmitt, Tanja Moriarty and Diane Stock

By David Denvir
It is often said that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts; something never more true than in a small town, a committee, a community group. With the passing of Charlie Morgan, any number of Killingworth organizations find themselves halved in strength and spirit. The Republican Town Committee proudly called Charlie a member, and Chair, for many years. We mourn his passing, and pause to remember a town icon.

Charlie's time in our lives stands as a resume of service. He accepted appointment to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission and the highly successful Pay As You Throw Committee, two organizations requiring commitment, long hours, and little recognition. Our Town Committee knew the real thing when we saw it, and often asked Charlie to stand for election. He handily won positions on the Board of Selectman (twice), Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate), and Board of Tax Review. Read more

Haddam-Killingworth High School Principal Charles Macunas has announced the Fourth Quarter Honor Roll for the 2007-2008 school year. Find the complete list here.

According to the New Haven Register, Police Wednesday were searching for an unidentified male who broke into two homes in short succession near the Clinton-Killingworth line late Tuesday.

The man fled after an alarm sounded, shortly before 10 p.m., at the first house he entered, in the Cow Hill Road area in Killingworth, police said. Fifteen minutes later, a man broke into a house on Airline Road in Clinton, only to discover that its owners were home, and he ran off after they heard the break-in and called out, police said.

No one was injured and nothing was taken in the two break ins, which police said they believe were the work of the same individual because of the timing and proximity of the locations. A search of the area by Clinton police and state police using a canine failed to produce any leads, they said.

Police also are looking for a vehicle they believed was used in the crimes, and were planning to set up roadblocks in the Airline Road area Wednesday night to interview motorists and residents who may have seen something relevant to the case.

Residents with any information are asked to call Clinton police at (860) 669-0451 or state police.

To the Editor:
The Killingworth Democratic Town Committee remembers Charlie Morgan with great respect and genuine fondness. On their behalf I mourn his passing.

As one who served as his fellow Selectman just a few years ago I remember him as a valued colleague and trusted friend.

Charlie had a warm, inclusive and generous heart. A longtime resident of Killingworth, he welcomed newcomers in a way that brought many of them into the ranks of our most active volunteers. Charlie's commitment to our town was infectious. He inspired others, recent arrivals and longstanding residents alike, to contribute their time, energy and talents. In word and deed, Charlie stood for the idea that every thoughtful act can make an important difference. His uncountable such acts most certainly did.

As a Democrat I sat "across the aisle" from Charlie, but his calm perspective and gentle humor narrowed that aisle into irrelevance. In that, as in much else, Charlie serves as an inspiration.

To Charlie's family and close friends, the members of the Democratic Town Committee extend their deepest sympathy. On behalf of all of Killingworth: thank you Charlie. This town is a better place because Charlie Morgan was so much a part of it.
Sincerely,
Louis Annino, Sr.

Killingworth's first Skateboarding Day was a big success Saturday according to organizer Mary Keithan. More than 70 kids, teens and parents turned out to listen to ideas about a skate park initiative, watch a demonstration from professional skateboarder Chris Kyttles and most of all, have fun skateboarding.

Organizers hope that the event will garner support for the construction of a skateboard park in the Haddam Killingworth area. Keithan said the goals of a skateboard park are to provide a recreational facility that is safe for skateboarders of all ages and skill levels to practice their sport; create a skate park that will be attractive, clean and welcoming for skaters, spectators and the community to enjoy; to provide an unsupervised activity for our young adults and to promote a drug free environment that will improve fitness, health and self-esteem and to build camaraderie among participants.

Keithan said she has gathered the names of more than 100 individuals and families who desire a skate park built within the community. She estimates that the cost of an 8,000 square foot park would be approximately $300,000. She has organized a student committee, a fund raising committee and plans to meet with town officials from Haddam and Killingworth to discuss the idea.

Sen. Edward Meyer spoke to the group about possible funding opportunities including a Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) Grant. HK Recreation Director Frank Sparks said he is very interested in teaching kids how to skateboard but the Park and Recreation Department needs the facility to do so. He continued to say that our youth have many activities that involve adults and parents who are organizing and supervising activities for them. Having an unsupervised recreational activity has a great deal of value and one that is needed.

Saturday's activities included a free raffle and hours of skateboarding for the kids on a Quarter Pipe, Double-Box Ramp and a Rail. For more information on the skateboard initiative email Keithan at hkskate@comcast.net

The HK Skate Park Student Committee: Top: Nicolas Gardner, Bryant Hurrell, Kevin Rand, George Keithan, Robby Annino, Austin Boulay. Bottom: Colin O'Brian, Kylle Jonas, Mason Rice, Sarah Peluso, Kaliegh Connell. Photo courtesy C. Erickson

Ranger Russ Miller, Meigs Point Nature Center Director, is leading one hour health and fitness exercise sessions called "Waterside Workouts" at the Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset Beach State Park on Tuesday and Thursdays between 5:00 and 6:00pm. These sessions will be geared towards teenagers and adults. There is no fee and there is no registration. The program began June 25th and runs through the summer.

Show up at the Nature Center for an hour that includes warm-ups, power walking/jogging on the beach, and cool down, plus meditation to end the session. Feel free to bring a mat. Participants may attend any or all sessions.

All the activities take place on the beach. Future sessions may include a talk by a nutritionist and possibly yoga/tai chi instruction. As all the beach sessions face the waters of Long Island Sound the breathtaking views will be inspiring. Laughter and fun are sure to be on the agenda, too. Join in with Ranger Russ in this unique opportunity to have the best time of your life at the beach. Call 203-245-8743 for additional information.

It has been reported that former Selectman Charles Morgan, 60, passed away Monday night at Middlesex Hospice. He is survived by his beloved wife Susan, his son Chip and daughter Heather. In addition to his service on numerous boards and commissions, Morgan served two terms on the Board of Selectmen. Last November he was elected as an alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Morgan was a longtime member of the Killingworth Congregational Church as well as an active member of the Killingworth Lions Club and Killingworth Republican Town Committee.

Morgan served on the Board of Selectmen with KRTC Chairman David Denvir. Denvir said, "It was my unique pleasure to work closely with Charlie; he visited the Selectman's office twice a day to do his part, and it always obvious that his choices came straight from the heart. I can tell you that working with Charlie made me a better person; a better Selectman. He gave me a greater sense of what our town is all about. I knew no matter what he loved his family, loved our community, was happy to help, and was truly content with who he was. "

There will be a committal service, with only the family in attendance, this Friday, June 27, at 12:30 p.m. in the Congregational Church Memorial Gardens, followed by an open Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. There will be a reception following.

HE WILL BE MISSED

Charles "Charlie" Morgan has left us and moved on in the continuum of existence; birth, life, death.

Charlie moved into Killingworth some 35 years ago and soon became involved in the town's affairs as a volunteer. Over the many years of living in town, he served on various boards and committees. His last service to the town was as a Selectman.

Charlie was extremely active with the local chapter of LIONS International and served as its president.

Charlie found time to be politically active with the Killingworth Republican Town Committee serving as its chairman.

Even with all of this, he found time to be a devoted husband to his wife, Susan, and a loving father to his two children, Chip and Heather.

We will no longer have the opportunity to call on Charlie to take on any task that requires commitment, intensity, and desire to do what is best for Killingworth. We have lost one of our best.

Charlie, we will all miss you.

Rich Cabral
First Selectman

Charles J. Morgan, 60, of Killingworth, beloved husband of Susan (Pernicka) Morgan passed away at Middlesex Hospital on Monday (June 23, 2008). Born in Brooklyn on October 9, 1947, he was the son of the late George and Carol Morgan. Charles will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and friends. Along with his wife, Susan, he leaves a daughter, Heather Lynn, a son Charles "Chip", Jr. and 2 sisters; Carol Ann Palo and Christine Teter. Charles was active in community service, serving Killingworth on numerous boards and commissions during his 35 years in town including two terms as a Selectman. For over 30 years, he served on the Killingworth Republican Town Committee. Charles was a Killingworth Lion for over 20 years holding several positions including President. He was a Melvin Jones Fellow recipient. He was also a member of Madison Lodge No. 87, A.F. & A.M. A memorial service will be held on Friday June 27 at 1 p.m. at the Killingworth Congregational Church. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Killingworth Lions Club, P.O. Box 680, Killingworth CT 06419; the Killingworth Foundation, P.O. Box 621, Killingworth CT 06419; or Middlesex Hospital, 28 Crescent St., Middletown, CT 06457.

The Killingworth Library held the kickoff of its summer reading program yesterday evening in the HK Middle School auditorium. The Traveling Lantern Theater Company entertained a full house of young readers and their parents with a performance of The Caterpillar Hunter. Kids and adults alike were motivated for a fun summer of reading about Creepy, Crawly and Critters.

Children can still sign up for the summer reading program at the library. Pre-readers and children entering first through sixth grades in the fall are eligible to participate. For more information visit the library or call 663-2000.

LEGAL NOTICE
For July 2008 Collection

Notice is hereby given to the taxpayers of the town of Killingworth, that the first installment of Real Estate and Personal Property taxes on the Grand List of October 1, 2007, is due and payable on July 1, 2008. Motor Vehicle taxes are also due on July 1, 2008, in one installment.

If not paid on or before August 1, 2008 the installment becomes delinquent and subject to interest at a rate of 18% per annum (1½ % for each month or fraction thereof) dating back to the original due date of the bill. Two months of interest will be due on August 2, 2008. A minimum interest charge of $2.00 is applicable to each delinquent tax bill.

You may pay by mail. Please return payment coupon(s) with your payment. Checks should be made payable to: Tax Collector. Mail postmarked on or before August 1, 2008 will be considered an on time payment. (US Postal Service postmark only) If you would like a receipt returned to you, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

As a matter of law, the taxpayer is liable to the town for the tax installments(s) as they become due and payable. Liability is not created by, nor dependent upon receipt of a tax bill. Therefore, failure to receive a bill does not relieve the taxpayer of the requirement to pay the statutorily required interest when a late payment is made.

Michele B. Nuhn
Tax Collector

The Killingworth Community Gardens got a welcome addition last week; the installation of its solar powered water pump. Thanks to volunteers Hilary Kumnick, Eric Auer and recent HKHS grad Eric Auer, Jr, the gardeners now have three watering stations within the garden area that can supply all the water they need for growing vegetables, herbs and flowers. The pump was purchased with a state grant secured by Rep. Brian O'Connor.

The setup has six solar panels that gather the energy and convert it into power to pump water out of the main well that formerly supplied the farmhouse and outbuildings. As long as the sun shines, the pump will supply water. The setup can be fitted with batteries in the future if power is needed at night or on cloudy days.

The community gardens, located at Parmelee Farm just north of the middle school on Route 81, registered its first group of gardeners this spring. The 24 - 20x20 plots are bursting with vegetables ranging from beans and corn to zucchini; flowers from cosmos to zinnias and herbs from basil to thyme.

Sunday June 15:
• 12:53 PM: Electrical fire pole / wire, Route 148
Monday June 16:
• 12:52 PM: Medical emergency, Old Deep River Tpk
Tuesday June 17:
• 3:23 PM: Medical emergency, Route 148
• 9:52 AM: Mutual aid to Clinton, Structure fire, High Street
Wednesday June 18:
• 2:39 PM: Medical emergency, Partridge Hollow
Thursday June 19:
• 4:38 AM: Fire alarm, Pine Orchard Ln
Friday June 20:
• 2:33 AM: Fire alarm, Pine Orchard Ln
• 6:02 AM: Medical emergency, Pond Meadow Rd
• 11:08 AM: Medical emergency, Route 81
• 2:54 PM: Medical emergency, N Roast Meat Hill Rd
• 6:27 PM: Appliance fire, Reservoir Rd
Saturday June 21:
• 6:16 PM: Medical emergency, Cow Pen Hill Rd

Agenda
Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
Monday, June 23, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.
Town Office Building

1. Call to Order
2. Pledge Of Allegiance
3. Approval of Minutes of Meeting held on June 10, 2008
4. Visitors: Concerning Items on the Agenda
5. Tax Abatements & Refunds:
6. Vacancies:
    (A) IWWC - 1, (B) OEM - 1, (C) Public Health. - 4 (D) Traffic Study Comm. - 2 (E) Housing Partnership - 4 (F) Library Association - 1 G. Tree Warden
7. Appointments:
    A. Tree Warden - Robert Bruce Fagan
8. Old Business:
    A. Charter Revision Commission - Third Call
9. New Business:
    A. BOS Authorization for First Selectman to sign Red Cross Memorandum of Understanding for Emergency Services
    B. Multi Year Capital Improvement Plan
10. RJC Announcements
11. Selectmen's Concerns
12. Visitor Comments: General
13. Adjournment
Printable version

To the Editor:
By Samantha Hogan
I am finding it to be extremely rude that the residents of Killingworth are accusing Michelle and Stacy, owners of Backstage Dance Center, of running their facility inappropriately. These two women have been nothing but kind and generous towards the students enrolled at Backstage Dance Center. I have been with Backstage for nearly ten years now and I find both Michelle and Stacey to be extraordinary woman who are helping cultivate the next generation of artists. Read more

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To the Editor:
I have had the complete opposite experience at Backstage Dance Center. Michelle and Stacy have been fantastic to my daughter and my family!! My daughter suffers from asthma and was absent for many class sessions and I was kindly offered many chances to make up classes, and when her day needed to change they kindly offered that as well! The scheduling of ticket sales can't be convenient for everyone but neither is waiting in line for hours at a dance studio, kid in hand fighting over what seats you will get!! I thought the scheduling made it less stressful!! Most of all I think they do put the children first. I personally witnessed many children coming up to Michelle at rehearsal, she was trying to get things going and she stopped what she was doing each time to answer every child's question with complete patience! There are many dance centers out there and maybe this one is not for you, but that gives you no right to boost your ego by name or business bashing. Backstage Dance Center has not responded, and maybe that is because they are taking the high road, but as a happy, happy customer I am willing to speak out in their defense. Hopefully others will too!!
Thanks,
Heather Theriault