To the Editor:
I knew a grand old man of Washington, D.C. who had been a behind-the-scene adviser to a half dozen presidents. His way of greeting everyone, from busboys to CEOs, was to pump their hand and say, "You're a great American!" Today I'd like to say to Linda Dudek and to Gina Regolo, "You're a great Killingworthy!" They are painting the meeting room at Town Hall - donating their labor. Earlier this year, they spent a weekend painting some of the other offices in the building. How many towns have people who would volunteer to do that?

And our citizens do contribute to this great town, in spades. From building playing fields to paying their taxes without shenanigans - Killingworth has a terrific compliance rate, and Michelle Nuhn tells me there are no big problems this year once again - our townspeople recognize the importance of our community and make it stronger.

So, thank you, Gina and Linda, for contributing your time and energy. And thanks to all the other great Killingworthies, who make this a special place to live.

Cathy Iino
Selectman

Members of the cast of BIG The Musical appeared on WFSB's Better Connecticut yesterday morning. The cast performed a short medley to promote this weekend's performances that are being held at the HK Middle School. Producer and star, Chris Solimene said the kids had a blast preparing the segment. He said rehearsing with the TV director was a new experience for some. Solimene said the experience really adds to the many exciting benefits of having Artful Living produce musicals in the community.

BIG performances are tonight and Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. There are still tickets available for a all shows. Advanced tickets can be purchased on the BIG website or at the door a half hour prior to the shows. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Healthy Communities-Healthy Youth Coalition, a program of Youth and Family Services of Haddam Killingworth, Inc.

The cast of BIG with Better CT hosts Scot Haney and Kara Sundlun

The cast rehearses prior to the show. Photos courtesy S. Cornell

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering Horseback Riding Lessons this summer for ages 6 & up. Classes run for 4 weeks. The fee is $135 (non-residents add $10). Participants can go on either Mondays, Tuesdays, or Fridays starting the week of August 4th for four weeks. There are two time slots, 5:00 - 6:30 pm and 5:30 - 7:00 pm. There is a max. of 3 participants per time slot. There will also be a Saturday time slot from 11 - 12:30 pm.

This beginner horseback riding class will cover grooming, saddling, riding, safety skills, as well as fun games. Lessons are geared for the novice rider. All equipment will be provided. English saddle will be used. More advanced students who have taken this class before are welcome. Please note - instructor may have to pair participants up according to age and ability. Classes are held at the Dream Meadow Farm at 412 Candlewood Hill Road in Higganum.

Please call the HK Recreation Department at 345-8334 for more info.

According to the Hartford Courant, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is suing modular home builder Bowden Development and company owner Lloyd L. Bowden of Old Saybrook over the alleged shoddy construction of "uninhabitable and unsafe" homes sold between 2004 and 2006.

Blumenthal said he is seeking $500,000 in reimbursements for homeowners who had to correct problems with homes built by Bowden. Complaints were filed by residents of Chester, Clinton, Haddam and Killingworth. Jody Hawes, of Killingworth, one of the homeowners who filed the initial complaints with the Department of Consumer Protection, said she hopes Blumenthal's action will bring some relief from the problems with the modular home she purchased from Bowden nearly four years ago.

Carolyn C. Molloy, age 66, of Killingworth, formerly of Cheshire, died peacefully on Tuesday after a long illness at home with her husband Brian Molloy at her side. Carolyn was born on November 5, 1941 in Passaic, NJ to Lawrence Casazza and Annabelle Roper. The youngest of three children, she graduated from North Plainfield, (NJ) H.S. in 1960. After earning an A.A. at Centenary College in Hackettstown, she went on to work as a flight attendant for American Airlines before settling down with Brian to raise a family. A natural caregiver, she went on to earn her LPN at Eli Whitney Technical in Hamden. During her 19 years of service at St. Raphael's Hospital she received her RN through Regents College. She continued to care for her patients up until the time of her illness. Carolyn had an immense love of life and varied interests. She loved to cook, garden, golf, paint, entertain, travel and was a member of varied organizations including her favorite, the BLT IIs. Even throughout her illness. Carolyn never lost her wonderful sense of humor. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter Lisa Kelly of Killingworth and son David Molloy of Portland, OR, and 5 grandchildren: Hanna, Nathan, and Julianne Kelly, and Abigail and Madeline Molloy. Her youngest son Michael Molloy predeceased her.

Carolyn's family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, July 25 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Sisk Brother's Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Ave, Hamden, and a memorial service will be held at the Killingworth Congregational Church, on Route 81 at 10:00 am Saturday. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to: Connecticut Parkinsons Working Group, 132 Highwoods Dr., Guilford, CT 06437 or Connecticut Hospice at Middlesex Hospital, CT 06457.

The Killingworth Library Association is happy to announce that Lenny and Joe's Fish Tale on Route 1 in Madison is contributing its carousel ride profits to area libraries during the week of July 27 through August 2. Last year the Killingworth Library's share of the proceeds was $500. A fun ride for the kids can benefit our library throughout that week while adults and kids enjoy a shore dinner.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department still has openings in children's swim lessons. Classes are conducted at the HK High School Pool and are for kids ages 4 and up (must be able to participate in a group instructional setting). Levels offered are Pre-Beginner, Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, and Swimmer. Daytime lessons meet Monday through Friday. There are openings in our last session this summer conducted August 4 - 8th from 9:00-9:40 am and 9:50-10:30 am

The fee is $35 ($30 with new pool membership) and $45 for non-residents. Please call 345-8334 for more information, availability, and to register.

According to the Hartford Courant, The regional homeless shelter, Eddy Shelter in Middletown, asked the 14 Middlesex County towns its serves to donate their share of the funds needed for housing, food, case management and clothing. This is a new fund raising appeal for the agency.

First Selectman Richard Cabral recommended the town pay a $5,500 donation, the largest of any of the communities outside Middletown. Cabral was told that 58 shelter nights were ascribed to Killingworth. The town's 2007-2008 tab for shelter services was $4,756.

The 2,039 shelter nights ascribed to the 14 Middlesex County towns outside of Middletown were amassed by 36 people. The nights ascribed to Killingworth were for one person, a fact not included in the fund raising letter and e-mails. The shelter estimates the cost of 24 hours of care is $82.

The Eddy Shelter is a 30-bed shelter, on the grounds of Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown, that expands to at least 40 beds during the winter. It has an annual budget of $282,000. It gets funding from the state Department of Social Services, the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Middlesex United Way, the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, and grants and donations.

"Five Skies", a novel by Ron Carlson, is the selection for the August 12th meeting of the Tuesday Book Discussion Group. It is the story of three men who have come to the mountains and buttes of southern Idaho to work on a massive construction project. One reviewer credited Carlson's vivid and poetic representations "of the Idaho landscape and its changeable weather and ....its variable skies" for creating what in effect becomes another main character in the story.

Discussion begins at 1:00 p.m. in the Killingworth Library meeting room. Newcomers are always welcome.

Agenda
Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
Town Office Building

1. Call to Order
2. Pledge Of Allegiance
3. Resolution for Burr Hill Road
4. Water Pollution Control authority / Septic Resolution Review
5. Adjournment

Click to read more about the WPCA resolution in the Hartford Courant.

U.S. Representative Joe Courtney will host a Telephone Town Hall meeting for the residents of the Second Congressional District on Thursday, July 24 from 7:20 PM - 8:20 PM. Call (877) 229-8493 and enter the passcode 13035 to participate. You will then join your neighbors and friends for a dialogue with Courtney.

Courtney said, "A Tele-Town Hall allows you to participate in a discussion with me and thousands of your neighbors, about the important issues facing our lives and our region. Embracing this new technology will make it easier for you to talk about the important issues facing your life and family. My goal is to be as accessible as possible to the residents of the Second Congressional District."

Courtney will be able to take questions, but because of the volume of callers expected, the number of questions may be limited. However, you will be able to leave me a message after the call to let Courtney know what you are most concerned about should you not be able to ask your question.

This year's scores for Region 17 students on the Connecticut Academic Performance Test given to tenth grade students showed improvement in all areas compared to the 2007 scores. Haddam-Killingworth High School sophomores scored 66.7 percent at or above goal for mathematics this year compared to 60.9 percent last year. Students scored 72.3 percent at or above goal in science compared to 65.6 last year. In reading students scored 68.9 percent at or above goal compared to 57.8 last year and in writing, students scored 79.1 percent at or above goal compared to 66.3 percent last year. In all areas Region 17 tenth graders scored in the 90th percentile at or above proficiency and well above the state averages.

Students scored similarly well on the Connecticut Mastery Tests for grades three and seven showing improvement in most areas and scoring well on the new science CMT. The Region's fourth, fifth and sixth graders however scored lower than last year in math, reading and writing. Results for grade eight testing were mixed with improvement in math, improvement at or above proficiency in reading and writing, but slightly lower scores in percentage at or above goal.

Skyhawks Lacrosse Camp
This camp is for children in ages 8 - 14 and meets Monday through Friday, July 28 - August 1 from 9:00 - 12:00 pm at the HK High School Multi-Use Field. The fee is $105. Non-residents may register for an additional $10. Lacrosse is growing in popularity! Skyhawks Lacrosse programs have been designed for the beginning and intermediate players. Players will improve stick-handling, cradling, dodging, passing and shooting skills through fun games and activities designed by Skyhawks. Our Lacrosse program is non-contact, but protective equipment - Girls and Boys must must bring protective glove and eyewear (goggles or helmet with face shield), mouthpiece, lacrosse stick, two snacks and water. Elbow and shoulder pads are recommended but not required. Fee includes a T-shirt and player skills evaluation form.

Major League Soccer Camps
The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering Major League Soccer Camp this summer from August 4 - 8 at HK High School Multi-Use Field in Haddam. The camp will be held from 9:00--12:00 pm for boys and girls entering grades 1-3, and from 2:00-5:00 PM for boys and girls entering grades 4-6. The fee is $115 (includes shirt and ball). There is a $5 discount 2nd child and $10 discount for 3rd child. Non-residents please add $10. The camp is designed to meet the skill level of all players. The "Nippers Program" (Gr. 1- 3) will focus on teaching the basics of control, dribbling, passing, heading, & shooting with emphasis on small-sided games. The "Intermediate Program" (Gr. 4 - 6) will focus on challenging players to develop ball skills & improve team concepts.

For more information or to register please call 860-345-8334.

To the Editor:
By Romy C. Schultz
For the third time this year the mailbox of my tenants has been destroyed by vandals. The ugly path of destruction along Green Hill Road bore witness that they were not the only victim. This time it was particularly hurtful because the wrecked box replacing the previous pray was made by a friend who insisted that the vandals would not touch it because they will respect an artisan's work and leave it alone. It is truly sad that the sculptor's belief in the goodness of mankind has been smashed to smithereens along with his work of art.

I wondered once again what kind of pathetic twisted mind would find pleasure in the obliteration of a mailbox. I concluded, also once again, that I can not fathom such inane behavior. Could it be a mentality that might find pleasure in torturing a pet, per se? Read more

The Haddam-Killingworth High School Class of 1988 will hold its 20th class reunion on August 30th this year at the Westbrook Elks Club. The reunion committee is hoping to connect with some "missing" classmates.

They are looking for contact information for Melvin Dennis, Mark Erikson, Tracy Harvey, James Herlth, Frank Hegar, Ian Jones, Wanda King, Dennis McNeil, Thomas Miller, and Niloofar Vakili. If anyone has information on these people, please contact Christi Smith Stille at 508-869-2311 or through the class website at hkclassof1988.com