The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) (Anoplophora glabripennis) is an invasive insect from China that attacks and kills many healthy hardwood trees, including maple, boxelder, birches, elms, horsechestnut, poplars, and willow. This beetle is a threat to our nursery, maple syrup, and forest product industries. If established, ALB would cause severe environmental and aesthetic damage to our urban trees, forests, and parks. ALB has been present in Brooklyn, New York, parts of Long Island, and in northern New Jersey for a number of years.

The recent discovery of the beetle in Worcester, Massachusetts, increases the risk to Connecticut's trees. Early detection of infestations and rapid response are crucial to successful eradication of the beetle. "Over several years, we have been conducting surveys for ALB in southeastern Connecticut because of its presence in nearby Queens, New York", said Dr. Kirby Stafford, State Entomologist at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), "additional help in looking for this beetle is important, particularly since its discovery is so near our northern border". CT DEP foresters, Cooperative Extension, Tree Wardens, and others are already assisting CAES in keeping an eye out for the beetle.

The adult ALB is ¾ to 1½ inches long, glossy black with white spots on the back. There are distinctive black and white bands on each segment of the long antennae. This beetle is often confused with our native Whitespotted Sawyer, which is bronzy-black with smaller or no white spots and no distinctive white bands on the antennae. Good quality photographs of suspect beetles or tree damage can be sent to CAES.StateEntomologist@po.state.ct.us or call Dr. Stafford at (203) 974-8485. According to Dr. Stafford, "we get a number of submissions of Whitespotted Sawyer beetles, but that is fine as it means people are looking for ALB. We appreciate that. However, live insects or wood samples should not be mailed or brought to us as ALB can readily escape many containers and spread the infestation. Our inspectors can come out to a suspect site to make identifications." Beetles can be killed by freezing them for two days and shown to inspectors.

On infested trees, females will make rust-colored holes where she lays her eggs. The large half-inch or more well-defined holes (sometimes with sap flowing out of the trunks and branches) mark where one beetle exited the tree. It is very important that any trees detected with signs of ALB (exit holes, egg sites, running sap) or life stages of the beetle be immediately reported to CAES or the USDA-APHIS-Plant Pest Quarantine office in Wallingford, CT. Our two agencies have the state and federal statutory responsibility, respectively, for dealing with plant pests like ALB. Dr. Stafford says "do take pictures; collect notes that may help with identification of an infestation, and report insects or damage to us. We can determine if the insect is the Asian longhorned beetle or some other species and respond accordingly". U.S. Forest Service, USDA-APHIS-PPQ identification fact sheets, and additional information on what to do about suspect invasive insects are available on the CAES website (www.ct.gov/caes). Photos by APHIS Ken Law

Regional School District No. 17 recently announced its policy for determining eligibility of children who may receive free or reduced price meals served under the National School Lunch Program.

Local school officials have adopted the following family size and income criteria for determining eligibility:

The following income guidelines will be used in Connecticut from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 for determining eligibility of participants for free and reduced price meals and free milk in the Child Nutrition Programs. Click to download Connecticut State Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs guidelines.

Will the real elitist please stand up.

John McCain and the Republican Party have been successful over the past few weeks in painting Barack Obama as an elitist who is out of touch with American values. According to Politico, John McCain, when asked about how many houses he and his wife own, responded by saying he doesn't know. "I think - I'll have my staff get to you," McCain told Politico in Las Cruces, N.M. "It's condominiums where - I'll have them get to you."

Newsweek had estimated this past summer that the couple owns at least seven properties. McCain who has stated he wears $500 shoes, told Pastor Rick Warren during a faith forum on Sunday that his threshold for considering someone rich is $5 million dollars, a careless comment he quickly corrected.

According to Newsweek McCain, is very very well-off, if you account for his wife's fortune. Cindy McCain inherited control of her fathers beer distributorship, the largest in Arizona, and has an estimated worth of more than $100 million.

To the average busy American a news sound bite can seem more appealing than a newspaper article full of details. This is one of the main reasons why the Newsertainment of FOX is so popular. To the average American a one word answer comes across as decisive while a while a thoughtful detailed answer seems to them to be unsure, academic and elitist.

How can someone who has spent the past thirty years in Washington, taking full advantage of all of the insider perks that he claims to want to reform actually be more in touch with average American values than Barack Obama? Based on the fact that John McCain has no idea how many houses he owns shows us clearly who the real elitist actually is.

Tim Withington

Helen Slubowski Coppa, 86, of Killingworth, formerly of Orient Lane, North Haven passed away Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at the Middlesex Hospital Shoreline Clinic, Essex. She was the wife of the late Louis E. Coppa. Born in New Haven on May 9, 1922; daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Tokarz) Slubowski. Helen lived in North Haven most of her life before moving to Killingworth with her daughter; she served in the U.S. Army Air Corp and afterward as a machine operator for the former Winchester Repeating Arms, then for Uhls - Summerdale Tobacco. Helen was an avid reader; enjoyed watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune on the television; enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and snacking on her sweets. Mother of Valerie Coppa with whom she had resided and the late Joyce Friedler. Grandmother of Stacey Cole and her fiance Jeffrey Murzyn, Jeremy Friedler and his girl friend Abbey Coffin. Predeceased by brothers, Joseph, Sigmund, Edward, Henry and Stanley Slubowski , Michael Stemborski, Jean Warsawski, Pauline Zielinski and Sophie Conlon.

Her Funeral Procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave., Saturday morning at 9:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Therese Church at 10:00. Interment with full military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Friday from 5 to 8 pm. Should friends desire memorial contributions may be made to a charity of ones choice. www.northhavenfuneral.com

The Haddam-Killingworth Cougar Aquatic Team announces that registration for the new season is now open and the season begins on September 22nd. More information and registration forms are available at www.eteamz.com/cougaraquaticteam.

CAT is a U.S. Swimming team offering children in Haddam, Killingworth, and surrounding towns three levels of swim training with a professional coaching staff. The three levels are

1. Mini-CAT - Ages 12 and under: This NOVICE program is designed to introduce those swimmers who have graduated from a lesson program and who are ready for the next step in competitive swimming. MINI Cat specializes in the development of technical stroke skills as well as enhanced fitness levels, yet prioritizes fun and safety in the water. Coaches are dedicated to teaching children all the sport has to offer through organized practices, games, and competition. Mini-CATs practice 3 days per week for one hour, October 2, 2008 through February 14, 2009. The cost for the season is $350, plus $50 meet fees and $55 USA Swimming Registration fee.

2. CAT Lite - Ages 8 - 18: This new program is designed for athletes who cannot devote the time commitment necessary for a year round swim career. The team provides support in a positive environment while establishing proper technique and practicing ETIQUETTE. CAT Lite allows swimmers to bond with each other through practices, as well as games and outside activities. Swimmers may transition to CAT anytime during the season as their time and skills allow. CAT Lite practices 3 days per week for 1.25 hours beginning September 22 through March 2009. The cost for the season is $700, plus $50 meet fees and $55 USA Swimming Registration fee.

3. CAT - All Ages: This program offers athletes the opportunity to succeed at the highest achievable level in the sport of swimming. In addition to individualized and group training, CAT offers challenges, competitive opportunities, support and encouragement for every swimmer. CAT swimmers compete in USA meets at the state, Regional, and National level. The focus of the Cougar Aquatic Team is to progress swimmers to a superior level in their training and performance through proper technique development and hard work. To begin at this level, children must be able to swim at least 100 yards without stopping and perform all four strokes. CAT swimmers are in the pool 6 days per week for 1½ - 2 hours, including 1 hour per week of strength training outside of the water ("dryland" workout). The CAT season is divided into Short Course (September - March) and Long Course (April-July). Fees are $800 for Short Course only; $700 for Long Course Only; or, $1,275 for both Short and Long Course (a savings of $225). Both Short and Long Course each carry an additional meet fee of $150, and a USA Registration fee of $55.

All three levels are run by Head Coach Michael Krajewski. He has been a coach for CAT since 2003, and became Head Coach in the fall of 2007. All interested swimmers may register for any level of CAT by completing and mailing registration forms from www.eteamz.com/cougaraquaticteam . We welcome your inquiries as well: please contact Robin Gibbons, President, at 345-7711 or r4peace@comcast.net.

By Rachael Leombruno, LMFT

This September marks the 19th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Recovery Month is a nationwide initiative sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment devoted to honoring the millions of people who are pursuing a life of recovery or actively seeking treatment. According to the most recent statistics, there are currently 22.6 million Americans who are suffering from substance use disorders. Substance abuse effects all populations regardless of age, ethnicity, or financial status. It affects not only the person in need of treatment, but everyone whose lives they touch. It hurts children and families, and communities as a whole. Substance abuse is treatable, however, and many who receive treatment are able to go on to live healthy, productive lives.

In honor of those who have succeeded in recovery and for those who are just starting to seek help, Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services is joining in the efforts of Recovery Month by helping to spread information to all those affected by this very treatable disease. This month on our website, www.HKYFS.org, we have organized many useful links to informative materials relating to substance abuse, treatment, and prevention. Whether you are searching for information on how to speak to your child about alcohol or drugs, or looking for treatment options for a family member or friend, there are many websites offering information geared towards adults, teens and children.

The counseling department at HKYFS would also like to announce the continuation of its High School Boy's Support Team to begin in October. This weekly group provides an opportunity for students to share their current struggles with others in a supportive and confidential environment facilitated by a licensed therapist. Students are able to provide feedback about substance use issues and other stressors they may face at school and in the community in a structured setting. Because of the group's past success, we have also added a similar group for high school girls as well. For more information about these and other counseling services available, please call Youth and Family Services at (860) 345-7498.

Please join us in celebrating Recovery Month to support and encourage those in our community pursing healthy and happy lives.

On Sunday, Chatfield Hollow State Park was the site of the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Nine former members of the CCC, their families and friends were in attendance for a picnic lunch and program under pine trees planted by the corps many decades ago.

The CCC was one of President F. D. Roosevelt's New Deal Great Depression Programs. Its purpose was to provide employment to young single men, many from the inner cities. Between 1933 and 1942, more than three million men served in the CCC camps throughout the country. The pay was $30 per month with $25 being sent home to the family. The program kept the young men out of trouble, employed and gave them a strong sense of accomplishment.

The camp at Chatfield Hollow, Camp Roosevelt, was named after its founder. The men worked in conjunction with Haddam's Camp Filley and Madison's Camp Hadrey. The 17-28-year-old men built 23 miles of truck trails including Jericho Road and Cedar Swamp Road. They also renovated the forest ranger's station, constructed the Oak Lodge Nature Center, a lumber shed, garage, a brick charcoal kiln, the picnic shelter, a wooden fire tower and created the dam to create Schreeder Pond.

George Diekewicz, 93, in attendance Sunday, joined the CCC in 1933 and spent 2 ½ years at Camp Roosevelt. He worked as a wood chopper while in the camp and went on to work in construction when he left.

Sunday's celebration included a history walk, an axe throwing exhibition and sessions recording the stories from the CCC Camps. The Chatfield Hollow crew did a wonderful job cleaning up the Oak Nature Lodge and even constructed a wheelchair ramp so the historical display was accessible to all. Similar celebrations will take place all over the country this year.


Several former members of the CCC. George Diekewicz is on the far right.

According to published reports, State police late Monday continued to investigate a bank robbery earlier in the day in which an armed man made off with an undisclosed sum of cash. No one was injured in the robbery just after 1:45 p.m. at the Citizens Bank at 6 Killingworth Road, but surveillance photos released by state police show the man pointing a black handgun in the direction of a teller.

State police described the suspect as 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a stocky build. He was wearing a mask, dark color sweat pants and a dark, hooded sweatshirt, and was carrying a blue and red plaid beach-style bag, police said. The man left in a white, older sedan that might have a New Hampshire license plate with the numbers 1575783, police said.

Anyone who was in the area of the bank and might have seen anything suspicious at the bank or in the surrounding area is asked to call state police at (860) 399-2100. Anonymous tips also may be sent via cell phone text message to the "Text A Tip" system by dialing CRIMES (274637) TIP711 and the message.

After much planning and fund raising, the installation of lights at Haddam Killingworth High School's track will begin this week with poles, wires, electrical wiring and a concrete foundation being installed on Little City Road to eventually bringing power to the field.

Almost three years ago, the HK Cougars Touchdown Club - with the blessing of the Regional School District 17 Board of Education - began raising money to install lights on the high school football field.

After the fund raising started it was decided that the lights would not be installed on the football field, but on the track. This will allow fans, athletes and other facility users to access the track at night. This will also allow the high school football, soccer and track and field teams the opportunity to have games and meets under the lights.

While the group has raised more than $100,000, they are still short of their goal to see the project through to the end (including relocation of the concession stand and installation of bleachers). If you would like to make a financial or in-kind donation to the Touchdown Club, please contact: Pete Digioia, Chairman: 860-662-0657; Bill Silas: 860-227-0626; Al Sheahan: 860-463-7541.

You may also mail your tax-deductible contribution to: H-K Cougars Touchdown Club Lighting Fund, c/o Liberty Bank, P.O. Box 345 Higganum CT 06441

The week of July 7-11th six members of the Killingworth Junior Volunteer Fire Company, Amanda Drew, Chad Golembeski, Kevin Gorman, Tanner Kahre, Steven Kindschi and Anthony Venuti, attended the Cadet Training Class at the CT. Fire Academy in Windsor Locks. Instead of spending a week of their summer vacation swimming, partying, and picnicking they chose to go to the Fire Academy. They spent a week in full fire gear in sweltering heat so they could learn more firefighting.

The first day of camp one member was overcome by the heat and was sent to the hospital to get IV fluids and then released. When given the option to return home he instead stated he was going back to the academy to continue his training. This is the commitment these young men and women have given to give back to their community.

The classes included learning about team work and discipline. They learned many way to roll hose and use it correctly, how to use a ladder properly and do search and rescue. Each was required to climb a 5-story fire tower advancing hose lines and transporting victims from inside to safety. Each student had to learn how to force a door open, put out controlled pit fires, but the most impressive learning experience was putting out a mock airplane fire and search the plane for victims.

Junior Firefighters with Rescue Lieutenant Ralph Knockwood. Photo courtesy R. Knockwood

The Friends of Hammonasset presents the Schumann Lecture series on Thursday evenings in September. The series of free lectures are sponsored by Liberty Bank and will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the St. Andrew's Church in Madison. This is the second year of the popular lecture series honoring Bob Schumann-Madison resident, National Audubon Society Board member, Friends of Hammonasset contributor, and environmentalist. The lectures address a variety of environmental topics presented by well-respected speakers from Connecticut and New York. Admission is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, so please call 203-245-9192 for information and reservations.

The first lecture will be held on Thursday September 4th. Kasey Jacobs, Program Coordinator of the Citizen's Campaign for the Environment (CCE), will give an interactive multi-media presentation entitled The Burning Truth of the Climate Crisis: Answering the Call to Action. Her lecture will introduce the basic science behind climate change, the global and regional impacts, and most importantly real-life examples of what people and governments are doing individually and collectively. Jacobs was chosen from a select group to participate in a rigorous training program, led by Nobel laureate Al Gore and the Climate Project. Participants will be given the opportunity to take action to combat climate change.

These presentations are supported by the Henry Whitfield Museum, the Madison Historical Society, Friends of State Archaeology, Citizens for a Clean Hammonasset River, the Charlotte E. Evarts Memorial Archives, and the Shoreline Greenway Trail Committee.

Notice of Special Town Meeting

The Electors of the Town of Killingworth and all those qualified to vote in meetings of said Town are hereby notified and warned that a Special Town Meeting will be held in the auditorium of the Haddam-Killingworth Middle School, 451 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 8 p.m., to consider and act upon the following items of business:

1. To consider, discuss and vote upon the re-appropriation of the remaining $95,542.60 in the Wettish Property Development budget to the FY 2008/2009 budget.

2. To consider, discuss and vote upon the transfer of $300,000 of general Fund surplus to the capital budget for the cost of completing improvements to the "Burr Hill Project" including but not limited to the replacement of the culvert and bridge, the relocation of the overhead lines and the reclamation of adjacent road property during construction.

The HK Recreation Department is looking for a Volleyball Attendant to help supervise our Adult Co-ed Volleyball League. Hours are 7 - 10 pm on Wednesday evenings beginning in October. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. For more information, please call the HK Recreation Dept. at 345-8334.