Daniel Hand High School senior Nicole Poulter was named the winner of the 2009 Shoreline Idol competition last night in the HKHS auditorium. Poulter, from Madison, sang a beautiful rendition of a Barbra Streisand song to wow the judges and take the crown. First runner up was Kelsey Crawford from Westbrook High School and second runner up was Katie Armstrong from Hale Ray High School. Poulter will receive a $1000 scholarship provided by Lenny and Joe's Fish Tale Restaurants and a one hour recording session at Riverway Studio in East Haddam donated by Idol judge Ira Sakolsky. The lone entry from Haddam-Killingworth High School was 15-year old sophomore Dane Paracuelles. He received high praise from the judges for his voice quality and strength.

The Shoreline Idol Competition and the Annual Holiday Telethon raised more than $14,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Call in votes received during the telethon and rebroadcasts along with the judges opinions from last night's performances determined the winner. The judges were Ira Sakolsky, Edward Tyler and Tre Johnson. The show was emceed by John "Cadillac" Saville.

Shoreline Idol Winner Nicole Poultor and First Runner Up Kelsey Crawford

Robert Smith died Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at the Maine Veterans Home, Augusta, ME Originally from Killingworth and Orange, he was the husband of the late Margaret A. Smith. Born in Waterbury, May 22, 1922 to the late Viola E. and John H. Smith. Graduated from West Haven High School and received an honorable discharge from the Army Air Corps. After owning his own oil burner business in Orange, he became partner and service manager for Tracey and Son, New Haven. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion, Post 127 in Orange. He enjoyed traveling, photography, working outside, stamp and coin collecting and he loved a good party! He is survived by sons, Robert Smith (Lee) of Batavia, IL, John D. Smith (Peggy) of Chester Springs, PA, daughter Patricia A. Cloutier (Russell) of Warren, ME, sister Jane Boppert. Grandchildren Christopher Daddio, John Michael Daddio, Tannis Smith, Stephanie Smith, Philip Smith, Christy Smith, David Smith, Tina Sutton, Michele Marquis. Great grandchildren Tanner and Felicia Sutton and Natasha Rodrigues. Brother of the late Claire Murray and Marge Murray. The family wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks for the fantastic care and consideration that was given to Bob during his stay at the Maine Veterans Home.

Funeral will depart from the Keenan Funeral Home, 238 Elm Street, West Haven on Saturday at 9 AM for the Interment in River Bend Cemetery, Westerly, RI.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering the American Red Cross Babysitting Course this winter. Session I will be from January 29th - February 12th and run from 6:15 - 8:30 pm at the HK Old Middle School Room A-114. The fee is $70 and includes a Red Cross Babysitting Manual and Certificate. Non-residents please add $10. There will be additional sessions in March and April as well as a CPR course for babysitters on April 28th and 30th. The course is for students ages 11 - 15, and is designed to prepare them for babysitting.

This American Red Cross Program has been updated to include Basic Child Care, First Aid for breathing and bleeding emergencies, and injury prevention as well as covering other important topics to prepare young adults for babysitting. Students will not become certified in CPR or 1st Aid, but will gain knowledge. This class is an excellent opportunity to help students build self-confidence as well as job leadership, and decision-making skills.

For more information and how to register, call the HK Recreation Dept. at 345-8334.

HK Sports: The HKMS Girls Basketball team traveled to Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School and came away with a win, 37-27, Thursday. HK led at the half by only 4 points (17-13) but fought their way back with their impressive defensive press in the second half. Anna Fetteroll scored 10 points for the Cougars, followed by Maya Savino with 9 points.

In the JV game, the girls were again impressive with a, 26-3, win. Jennifer Venuti scored 5 points for HK, while Carly Brownell, Lauren McCann, Erin Buckley, Madison Derita scored 4 points each. Lizzie Anderson, Kiley Anderson each contributed a pair.

Join artist and teacher Aleta Gudelski for an initial Art Portfolio Consultation on Sunday, January 25th, 1:30-3:30pm or Saturday, January 31st, 11-1pm. These preview sessions are for those interested in applying for BFA visual arts programs. Ms. Gudelski will offer an overview of general portfolio requirements and help participants set goals. For those interested in more comprehensive portfolio preparation, in-depth and hands-on workshops will be offered in the Spring. $10 for initial consultation.

The Arts Center at Killingworth will also offer a Knitting Workshop with graphic artist and designer Kimberly Conner on Sunday, January 25th, 1-4pm. She will challenge you to create a beautiful and elegant lacy wave scarf. Experiment with new colors and textures to create a one-of-a-kind accessory. Basic knitting skills required: Casting on, knit and purl stitches, and binding off. Cost is $50. Space is limited, register in advance. The Arts Center at Killingworth, 276 North Parker Hill Road, Killingworth, CT.

To register call (860) 663-5593 or email artscenterkillingworth@gmail.com. Check out our upcoming events online at www.artscenterkillingworth.org.

A Message to Residents from U.S. Representative Joe Courtney

You've likely heard about YouTube, the online video sharing website that allows individuals to broadcast video clips on the web. I want to let you know that I have started posting my videos of official Congressional events and television news coverage. This serves as another resource for you to follow the work I am doing on your behalf.

Anytime you want, you can now visit www.youtube.com/user/repcourtney and watch recent clips from my committee hearings, television interviews, and other special events.

Additionally, you can subscribe to my YouTube channel so that when I add a new video, you will be notified.

ALFORNO
a first class ticket to Tuscany
1654 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook
860-399-4166
www.alforno.net

Cuisine: *** Service: ***
Ambiance: ** Price Range: $$ Wine Menu:****, $*
Hours Sunday-Thursday, noon to 9 pm; Fri-Sat noon to 10 pm

Food critics often disagree with published promo-write ups. After reading unwavering glowing reviews of a restaurant, I wondered why, with the same persistent regularity, I am the unlucky one being served a hockey-puck filet, a soggy beef Wellington, or fish that announces its arrival long before it's placed in front of me. And why is it that often the only one who noticed that the French cuisine is French in description only is I? Yet sometimes I get my reward. Not when my predictions for failure proved accurate which makes me sad, not proud; but when my assessment of excellence has been verified. The public finally caught up with me: Zagat 2008 lists Alforno as one of America's top 1000 restaurants! Read more

Your comments and suggestions are always welcome to the editor@killingworthtoday.com

The Madison Youth Wrestling Club is having a great year with many areas wrestlers from surrounding towns participating in tournaments throughout the state. Sunday, January 18th was host to the Berlin Blast Tournament. Although the weather was questionable, there were over 400 wrestlers from Connecticut who attended. MYW had several place in the medal rounds. Gold medals were earned by John Ruggero, Luke Bernardo, Kevin Wivell and Zack Roth. Silver went to Joey Ciotti, Matthew Elias, and Owen Gottlick. Liam Sullivan, Peter Elias, and Austin Buchetto took home bronze.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering 2nd Grade Basketball on Saturdays, January 31st - March 14th (No class 2/21) from 10:30 - 12:00 PM at the Killingworth Elementary School gym. The fee is $50. Non-residents may register for an additional $10. This is an instructional program to teach 2nd grade boys and girls the fundamentals of basketball. Skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, & defense will be taught. A great way for young players to prepare for the youth league.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering Indoor Soccer for Adults. The program is being held on Sundays, 2 - 3:30 pm at the New MS gym (21/25 and 2/8 will be held at KES instead and 3/22 and 3/29 will be at the HK HS). The program meets until March 29th (no 2/15). The fee is $55. Non-residents may register for an additional $10. This is an excellent opportunity for social interaction while exercising. Please wear indoor soccer shoes or sneakers.

For more information, please call the HK Recreation Department at 345-8334 or visit www.hkrec.com.

First Selectman Richard Cabral welcomes the artwork of Killingworth Elementary School students from Alexis Kelsey's art classes to his Town Hall exhibit this month. The artwork will be on display and open to public viewing through the month of January.

Art Teacher Alexis Kelsey and First Selectman Richard Cabral with 4th Graders Gianna Cipriano, Alexia Nuhn, Christopher Raccio, Dominique DeLuca, Aleksandra Glynn, Izzy Crocker, Luke Bauer and Julia Hall; 3rd Graders Tessa Pasqualini; 1st Graders Emersyn Conklin, Amanda Watrous, Dylan Kasperzyk and Kindergarteners Charles Martino and Kimball Grier. Missing from photo: Kristen Altman and Richard Vaughn

The Hartford Courant has posted letters on its website from grade school children to President Elect Barack Obama. Some of the letters are from Mrs. Bacewicz's 1st Grade Class at Killingworth Elementary School. The letters are genuine and kind expressions of welcome to the our new President on his Inauguration Day.

Click to view the letters.

Sunday: January 11:
• 10:45:44 Medical Call, Beechwood Road.
Tuesday: January 13:
• 08:59:39 Automatic Alarm, Route 79.
• 14:55:54 Medical Call, Livemore Trail.
Wednesday: January 14:
• 12:13:13 Medical Call, Route 81.
• 14:27:53 Structure Fire, Madison, Route 79.
Thursday: January 15:
• 15:24:43 Medical Call, Route 148.
• 16:40:48 Automatic Alarm, Roast Meat Hill Road.
• 22:19:22 Automatic Alarm, Roast Meat Hill Road.

Make it a Day On... Not a Day Off!
During the 1950s and '60s, civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized the power of service to strengthen communities and achieve common goals.

Initiated by Congress in 1994, King Day of Service builds on that legacy by transforming the federal holiday honoring Dr. King into a national day of community service grounded in his teachings of nonviolence and social justice. The aim is to make the holiday a day ON, where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to improve lives, bridge social barriers, and move our nation closer to the "Beloved Community" that Dr. King envisioned. With thousands of projects planned across the country, the 2009 King Day of Service on January 19 promises to be the biggest and best ever!

"The greatest birthday gift my husband could receive is if people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrated the holiday by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others."
                                        - Coretta Scott King

For the past two weeks, three principals from Shangdong Province in China have been visiting District schools on a "Sister Schools" exchange through the Connecticut Department of Education. Last Wednesday evening, RSD 17's Sister School Coordinator Ernest Nagler and Healthy Communities Healthy Kids coalition of Haddam and Killingworth co-hosted a pot-luck dinner with traditional American dishes to honor the guests at the HK Middle School.

Liu Zhixiao of the Dongying Experimental School, Shi Zhaohai of the Liaocheng Shuicheng Middle School and Senior Teacher Yuan Fengying with the Weihai No.7 Middle School of Shandong spent their 10-day trip visiting the District's schools, area attractions, and meeting with residents, school administrators, teachers and students.

First Selectmen from both Killingworth and Haddam read official proclamations resolving to support this global initiative and the gathering was serenaded by a quartet of the area's best talent. Stacey Grimaldi of Higganum, Jessica Nevins from of Chester, Chris Solimene of Killingworth and Peter Bailey of Clinton sang America the Beautiful and a traditional Chinese folksong that clearly touched the delegation.

The gathering enjoyed a wide selection of traditional American cuisine and browsed displays arranged by the Historical Societies from Killingworth and Haddam as well as art from the middle school classes.

Region 17 will reciprocate the visit this spring when HKMS principal Mim Wagner and 2007-2008 teacher of the year Kate Sawyer O'Mara travel to China's Shangdong Province to learn about the educational system and meet with school officials and students.

According to the Connecticut State Department of Education, in 1986 Connecticut established a trade agreement with Shandong Province, Peoples' Republic of China. In January 2003, the Shandong Provincial Education Department and the Connecticut State Department of Education signed an education agreement connecting the two entities, the first education agreement at that level with China. The agreement called for the formation of sister schools to facilitate cultural exchange for students and educators. Today there are more than 100 school to school partnerships between Connecticut and Shandong. The Sister School field study is the flagship program to establish new sister schools in Shandong Province. The ten day program has been conducted annually in April since 2004 and supports two participants each from ten schools to initiate a new school partnership in Shandong.

Sister Schools Coordinator Ernest Nagler welcomes the guests.

Members of the delegation browse the middle school art display with HKMS teacher Kate Sawyer O'Mara (right)

Stacey Grimaldi, Jessica Nevins, Chris Solimene and Peter Bailey perform the traditional Chinese folksong, Mo Li Hua (Jasmine Flowers)

The Killingworth Scholarship Association is offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are residents of Killingworth. Applications must be submitted by e-mail and are available through our website at www.KillingworthToday.com/KSA. The application deadline is March 31st.

The application process involves completion of a questionnaire and an essay, followed by an interview for promising candidates. Interviews will be held in late April and early May.

The Killingworth Scholarship Association has awarded over $85,000 to many outstanding students over the last two decades. Each year, the committee, which consists of community volunteers, reviews applications from an impressive group of young men and women. Based on their academic achievement, character, leadership skills, and participation in school and community activities, the committee selects several students for the scholarships. Income is not a consideration. The amount of each scholarship varies depending on both the number of successful applicants and the amount of money contributed.

If you are interested in supporting our students, please send your tax-deductible contribution to: The Killingworth Scholarship Association, Inc., c/o Robin Chasse, Treasurer, PO Box 653, Killingworth, CT 06419.