To the Editor:
Happy Birthday, America, with a sincere apology for the lack of understanding and respect many of us of late have shown you and our birthright, the Constitution. We seem to have forgotten that we are a nation of laws and not larceny. We have acted as if only some of us are important and can rig the game to our benefit. We have required so little of our representatives that many of them act as if they are enthroned to serve their own interests and not elected to serve the citizenry.

We seem to have forgotten that leaders should lead, and plan, and even plan ahead a year or two, maybe even a decade. Planning might have mitigated or actually avoided some of the deep manure now piled up around us. Not to mention the fact that good planning is about our children's future. We have allowed those same leaders that don't lead to ignore any concept of "the common good". If it is true that in a democracy people get the government they deserve, then we have no one to blame but ourselves, too busy to take care of the civic business upon which our well being depends.

So America, as we reflect on your birthday, maybe we can promise to do better. Maybe we can pay more attention to the real news and not the bloviated fluff to which we have become accustomed. Maybe we can reintroduce the Constitution to our three branches of government and hold them to their duties.

And yes, maybe we can vote in November and follow up by letting our representatives know what we expect from them. A promise to pay attention and hold ourselves and our government responsible for the stewardship of our democracy is the gift I would give you on this Fourth of July, America. You and the brave men and women serving you around the world today deserve no less.

Happy Birthday, America!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kathleen Amoia

Applications for Eligible Households for Affordable Housing now being accepted.

The Town of Killingworth is accepting applications on an on-going basis for Eligible Households who are interested in buying affordable housing.

An "Eligible Household" is one whose income "at the time of the execution of a contract of sale or a lease agreement, does not exceed 80% of the median family income of Middletown-Middlesex County Metropolitan Statistical Area as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on an annual basis." As of February 13, 2008, the median income for Middlesex County is $93,900. Thus, an eligible household will have an income of no more than $75,120.

Qualified applicants will be offered the opportunity to buy affordable housing on a "first come, first serve" basis. We will contact households on the list should any of the affordable housing properties become available.

For an application or for additional information, please contact the Office of the First Selectman, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, CT 06419

A medium sized, mixed breed dog, tan colored with some brown and white and a bushy curly tail has been reported lost in the uppper Green Hill Road area. The dog has Killingworth tags and answers to the name "Tanner". If located or seen please call 860-227-1435. UPDATE: The dog was recovered and appears to be fine if somewhat hungry. Many thanks for the efforts of folks who helped find him.

Saturday, June 21 dawned bright and breezy, and friendly competition was in the air at the Surf Club in Madison, Connecticut. Twelve swimmers from the Haddam-Killingworth Masters Swim Club (HKMSC) and the Cougar Aquatic Team (CAT) arrived at the shore ready to brave the cold waters of Long Island Sound - and they left with trophies, medals, and a great sense of fun and family.

The HKMSC and CAT athletes, ranging in age from 11 to 56, were competing in the 9th annual Madison Mile - a one-mile open water swim championship that attracts more than 400 swimmers of all ages and abilities from around the country. This year was particularly challenging as swimmers battled 63-degree water, strong currents and choppy water.

Mike Krajewski, Head Coach of CAT, placed first in his age group. Masters swimmers Lise Thayer and Ann Faust both placed fifth in their age groups, while CAT swimmer Mason Revis, 11, raced to an amazing first place overall in the Mini Mile, a swim of about 500 yards. Tess Grimaldi placed second in the Mini Mile's 11-12 age group. "It was a lot of fun," said Tess, "especially because my dad also swam the mile. We could cheer each other on."

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. The Haddam-Killingworth Masters Swim Club, a local affiliate of USMS, is organized through the Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department and practices on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at the HK High School pool. HK Masters welcomes new members at any time. For more information, contact club president Jim Grimaldi at (860) 345-7540 or jim.grimaldi@juno.com.

Masters and CAT teams. Photos and story courtesy A. Faust

The July meeting of the Tuesday Book Discussion Group will take place on July 8th in the Killingworth Library meeting room at 1:00 p.m. Lee Martin's novel, "The Bright Forever" will be discussed. One reviewer has described this 2005 book as "a compelling and emotional tale about the human need to know even the hardest truth." As always, newcomers are welcome.

First Selectman Richard Cabral featured Haddam-Killingworth Middle School students from Carolyn Malchow's Art classes for the final Town Hall exhibition of the school year. The students' artwork was on exhibit in the Town Office Building conference room in May as part of Cabral's initiative to bring more recognition to the town's young artists. The featured artists were: Kristen Cianci, Isabelle Sasso, Teresa Tripodi, Patrick Dougherty, Travis Senechal, Sam Clark, Brendan Walsh, Jasmine Toppin, James Everitt, Nathanial Luther, Thomas Day and Nicole Armenia.

To the Editor:
Wednesday, June 18, 2008, was a special night for the Senior Class at Haddam Killingworth High School. The weather did not cooperate, resulting in a last minute decision to hold the Graduation celebration in the High School Auditorium. Even though it was a bit cramped indoors, no one seemed to mind. After spending some time with their families, the Graduates returned to the Field House for an all night alcohol and drug free party.

This year's theme was "The Games of Life". Decorations included life sized Monopoly Cards, Scrabble boards, Bingo cards that were larger than life, Twister Mats,. and even HK versions of Candy Land and "Life".

The class was treated to entertainment all night including a D.J., Temporary tattoos, a Tarot card reader, human foosball, a gladiator contest, basketball, volleyball, a magician, car racing, trampoline, video games, and the pool was opened for a midnight swim. Money prizes were awarded throughout the night, and each and every graduate left in the wee hours of the morning with a substantial prize. Some of the prizes were dorm refrigerators, Lap Top computers, Ipods, printers, TVs, gift certificates, and other essentials for dorm life in the fall. Food was plentiful including pizza, subs, fruit and veggie platters, stuffed breads, desserts, and so much more.

All of this would have been impossible without a tremendous amount of help. Volunteers worked on the project since September planning an unforgettable night for the seniors. Many monetary and product donations were made by local businesses and private citizens. A complete list of all those who contributed to the worthwhile event, as well as pictures of the event, may be viewed on the District website (www.rsd17.org/hkhs/)on the Project Graduation link. The complete sponsor list will be available by mid July.

Keep in mind the businesses listed, and when their services are needed, please support them. The Project Graduation Committee and the Class of 2008 extend their thanks to all those who donated so generously, and made their night so memorable, and more importantly, SAFE. Please consider volunteering your time or talent to next year's event. (photos courtesy Project Graduation)

Trish Hatin
Chairperson
Haddam Killingworth High School
Project Graduation Committee 2008

LET THE WATER FLOW & THE TRAFFIC BE SAFE

As we enter the summer months and school related traffic diminishes, construction will begin on the Burr Hill Road Culvert just below Pond Meadow Road. This construction is expected to begin on or about July 7th and end by December 1st. During a great deal of the time of the project, Burr Hill will be closed to thru traffic. However, it is hoped that as the beginning of the new school year approaches, some effort will be made to accommodate bus traffic. Only time and progress will govern the possibility of this accommodation.

We beg your indulgence during this brief period of inconvenience and hope that you will understand the need for the length of duration of this necessary road project. Care will be given to the protection of the environment and the eventual safety of the vehicular traffic using this passageway.
Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Rich Cabral
First Selectman

Come out to the Library tonight for the Simply Super Summer Stories night from 7-7:30 p.m. PJs are optional! This Family Storytime will be held Tuesday nights in July (7/1, 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29). All ages are welcome. Call 663-2000 for more information.

by Susan Dean
Fourth grade students in Regional District #17 schools had the opportunity this May and June to experience what life was like for children in Killingworth's one-roomed schoolhouses in 1835. The restored Union School on Roast Meat Hill Rd. was the unique location for this project.

The Historical Societies in both Haddam and Killingworth coordinated efforts to run this project. This has become an annual event. Haddam residents, Marge DeBold and Sarah Neal, in period dress, were the school mistresses. Volunteers from both towns acted as the elder scholars. They included: Haddam: Esther Beierle and Al Deag, and Killingworth: Kathy Amoia, Carolann Annino, Frances Broach, Elaine and Frank Cunningham, Susan Dean, and Jan O'Sullivan.

The nine sessions (one and a half hours each) included a short history of the 1835 school system. Most of the financing for the town's schools came from the sale of land in the Western Reserve (Ohio). Good behavior was expected both at school and at home. Discipline at school could mean the dunce cap, switching with a branch or the ferule (unmarked ruler), or repetitive writing of a pertinent phrase on the blackboard. Boys and girls never sat together in the classroom or played together outside. Obviously there was no electricity or plumbing. The outhouse was a 3 and a half seater much to the amusement of all who participated this Spring. Summers in 1835 were to be spent at home helping with farming chores and babysitting.

Children learned by rote (as with math tables) and by memorization. Reciting in classes would earn many of these schools the name "Blab Schools". Students from age 4 through 18 would be included in the one-room school. They would bring their own schoolbooks and homemade notebooks. They could carry pocketknives to sharpen their quill pens. There were no wooden pencils, erasers, or readily disposable paper.

Killingworth students had some interesting comments to share after this experience.
Megan Toman: It was a great experience to see what people used to do. They could get whippings for not doing the rules. I thought the old desks were cool.
Jenna Schultz: I thought it was a lot different the way they learned their multiplication facts. They could get punished for any little thing.
Kathleen Hennessy-Thomas: One thing unique and special was the desks from the olden times. Kids of all ages would sit in those desks.
Max Pollak: Boys couldn't be with girls! Their recess was really short!
Rebecca Wang: The big kids and the little kids were mixed together. Women teach in the summer, men in the winter.
Matty Brandon: It was sort of strict. If kids played cards, climbed trees, or boys and girls played together, they'd be punished.
Peter O'Neill: They learned to write states' names on little chalkboards. The map was different from the one today. They didn't have California.

To read further on this subject: A Photographic History of Killingworth by Thomas L. Lentz, Killingworth Historical Society, 2004,; A Pictorial History of Killingworth: by Thomas L. Lentz, Killingworth Historical Society, 1976; Killingworth Tercentenary 1667-1967 : 1967, Tercentenary Committee.

Sunday June 22:
• 1:53 PM: Medical emergency, Overlook Farms
Wednesday June 25:
• 7:45 AM: Appliance fire, Chestnut Hill Rd
• 2:54 PM: Motor vehicle accident, River Rd
Thursday June 26:
• 7:27 AM: Medical emergency, Route 81
Friday June 27:
• 7:26 PM: Medical emergency, Dogwood Knoll
• 9:32 PM: Medical emergency, Pleasant Trl
Saturday June 28:
• 10:37 PM: Medical emergency, Route 148

HK Sports: Haddam-Killingworth High School Softball players dominated the recent 2008 Middletown Press All-Area team selections. Junior Lindsey Griswold, sophomore MaryKate Murray and junior Rachel Normandy were named to the first team and sophomore Kellie Moskey to its second team.

Four HK High School Boys Tennis players were named to The Middletown Press All Area Tennis team. Senior Joe Cerino, sophomore Patrick Gilhuly, senior Ryan Hawkins and junior Matt Waldman.

Junior Colleen Phelan was named to The Middletown Press All Area Girls Tennis team.

The HK Girls Outdoor Track placed senior Hannah Donadio and sophomore Jess Moore on The Middletown Press All-Area Girls Outdoor Track team.

Junior Matt O'Brien and senior Derrick Weiss were named to the 2008 Middletown Press All-Area Boys Outdoor Track Team.

Registration for Fall Baseball and Softball will begin on July 10 and run through August 1. The teams will be limited to a MAXIMUM of 12 players each. Teams will be formed based on the enrollment as of the close of registration.

The Fall Ball season for 8 thru 11 year-olds will start on August 18th with games commencing at the beginning of September and running through October. Each team will generally play two games a weekend and practice two nights a week. There is some travel involved to surrounding towns. Registration can be made in person on July 10 from 5 to 9 pm at the Killingworth Firehouse or by mailing the registration form (available at KYLbaseball.org). The cost is $50 per player. Please make checks payable to KYL. Please check our website for more information.

Come to the HK Recreation Department to sign up for Six Flags New England or Lake Compounce tickets at a discounted price. Save time and money and avoid waiting in the long ticket lines at the parks. Tickets are good ANY DAY of the season - but please check with the parks to find out the dates they are open to the public.

Six Flags New England Tickets will be available through September 1st at the HK Recreation Office and are good any one day for the '08 season. The fee is $27 Adults and Juniors (54" and up). There is a $1 handling fee per ticket. The total fee per ticket would be $28. Children under 36" are free. Tickets are good for the whole day. (Regular admission prices are $50 for Adults - that is a $22 savings).

Lake Compounce Tickets will be available from through September 1st at the HK Recreation Office and are good any one day for the '08 season. The fee is $24.95 for Adults and Juniors (ages 4 & up). There is a $1.05 handling fee per ticket. The total fee per ticket would be $26. Children under 3 are free. Tickets are good for the whole day. (Regular admission is $33.95 - that is a $7.95 savings).

For more information and how to sign up for discounted tickets, please call the HK Recreation Dept. at 345-8334 or visit us online at www.hkrec.com.