Daylight Savings Time begins tomorrow Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 a.m. Remember to set your clocks ahead and use the opportunity to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

ROADSIDE TRASH

With warmer weather upon us, homeowners' thoughts turn to cleaning their homes, gardening and yardwork. Most of us seem to make many more runs to the Transfer Station at this time of year while doing our Spring clean-ups. Unfortunately, all of this additional activity leads to an increase in the amount of trash along our roadsides.

Please secure your loads as you transport items to the Transfer Station. The litter along our roadsides is unsightly and the clean-up starts with each one of us. If we each do our part we will see the difference as will our friends who live in neighboring communities, while driving through Town.

Killingworth is a beautiful community that has been blessed with magnificent natural surroundings. Helping to keep our town clean demonstrates local pride and an appreciation of the natural blessings bestowed upon us.

Richard Cabral
First Selectman

Would you like a learning environment that is fun and where your child is encouraged to share, socialize and create? Enroll your preschooler in the Killingworth Nursery School by calling 663-2950.

Three-year old classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Four-year old classes meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Terrific Tots classes for two-year olds with a caregiver will be offered Monday through Friday mornings (*one class weekly/10 week session/3 sessions per year).

The Killingworth Nursery School Association is a non profit, interdenominational, cooperative preschool. The Killingworth Nursery School is located on the lower level of the Congregational Church of Killingworth at 273 Route 81.

John (Jack) L. Crump, 76 of North Port, FL formerly of Killingworth, CT passed away Friday, February 6, 2009 at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte. John was born November 3, 1932 in Guilford, CT to Alfred R. and Ann (Theiss) Crump. John served with the United States Marine Corp. during the Korean War. In 1996 John was voted North Port Business man of the year. He was a member of North Port VFW Post #8203 serving as a three time past commander, North Port Rotary Club, North Port Shrine Club and the Loyal Order of the Moose No. 764 in North Port. John moved to North Port in 1986 and opened North Port Auto body were he retired in 1996. John is survived by son, Russell Crump and wife Barbara of FL and daughter, Michelle Crump all of North Port, FL.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to VFW Post 8203, 4860 Trott Circle, North Port, FL. 34287-3419.

Andrea Schull and Joan Wilson of the Killingworth Women's Organization (KWO) presented a check for $250 to Healthy Communities Healthy Kids Coalition co-chairs Tanja Moriarty and Hilary Kumnick at the recent HCHK meeting at the HKMS library. The KWO hosted a lecture by Dr. Rezi Yavari, a nationally-known endocrinologist, who spoke on healthy living practices last November and voted to donate the proceeds from the ticket sales to HCHK. HCHK is Haddam and Killingworth's prevention coalition and operates under the auspices of Youth and Family Services of Haddam-Killingworth, Inc.

Photo courtesy L. Valley

Killingworth based Stonebridge Craftsmen received the originality award "Best Representation of What a Homeowner Can Do" from the Connecticut Flower & Garden Show in February. StoneBridge participated in the event creating a landscape display based on the theme of the show "Red, White, and Blue; America the Beautiful". The display presented for the show consisted of 780 square feet and featured a colonial homestead of the late 1700's. StoneBridge built a colonial house complete with stone walls and gardens reflecting a time of simplicity. StoneBridge Craftsmen is a family run business, and offers both landscape construction and home remodeling services.

HK Sports: Behind 17 points from junior Jordan Shultz, the HK Girls Basketball team advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class M state tournament with a, 50-38, victory over Greater Hartford Classical Magnet Thursday evening at the packed fieldhouse. The Cougars were down by 2 points at halftime and came out in the 3rd quarter with stifling defense, holding the Gladiators scoreless from the field in the quarter and outscoring them 13-2 to take a 9 point lead into the final period. In addition to Shultz, all of the Cougar starters contributed on both ends of the floor as Shelby Van Huysen had 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals; Allie Rand had 9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals; Deanna Loso (4 points) and Emily Anderson (6 points) each had 10 rebounds and 3 steals and Anderson blocked 5 shots. The Cougars are 21-4 as they head into the quarterfinal round on Wednesday, March 11th versus third-seeded Berlin at a site yet to be determined.

HK defenders Deanna Loso, Emily Anderson and Allie Rand swarm a Classical Magnet player in the Cougars state tournament win at the fieldhouse on Thursday evening. Photo courtesy E. Anderson

Dear Editor,
I wonder if anyone else would be interested in organizing a Roadside Clean-Up Day in Killingworth. When we are out walking our dogs on Roast Meat Hill Road we are overwhelmed with how much roadside trash there is this year. Too much to keep up with in our walks. Are others noticing more trash on the roads than usual this winter and would it be a good idea to clean-up the roads before the spring? Maybe if it became a town effort more driving people would be thoughtful about what's flying out of their trucks (or hands) and onto our roads. I don't really know how to organize this but I would be glad to participate.

Cathleen Adams

Come join St. James Episcopal Church in Higganum for its annual Corned Beef Dinner on Saturday, March 7the from 5-7:00 p.m. The dinner includes Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes and homemade desserts. Tickets are $8 for Adults, $7 for Seniors and $5 for Children. Take out dinners are available. For more information, pleas e call 345-2445. The church is located on the corner of Route 81 and Little City Road.

Wettish Field Informational Session

In prepararation for tonight's Wettish Field informational meeting, the Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission would like to provide a copy of the design plan from
engineers Weston & Sampson. Click to download the plan (1MB).

The meeting will be held tonight between 7:00 and 8:00 PM in the HK Middle School cafeteria. Residents of Killingworth are invited to attend and questions from the audience will be entertained.

"The Post-American World" by Fareed Zakaria is the nonfiction selection for the March 10th meeting of the Tuesday Book Discussion Group at the Killingworth Library. Zakaria's book was chosen as one of the 100 Notable Books of 2008 by the New York Times. It was described as a "relentlessly intelligent examination of power that focuses less on American decline than on the rise of China, trailed by India." The discussion begins at 1:00 in the library meeting room and newcomers are always welcome.

Region 17 Schools Superintendent Gary Mala presented his 2009-2010 budget proposal to the Board of Education last night. He said the balance between what the district believes is its moral and ethical obligation to children and the state of our economy were heavily weighed in the process. Mala's budget, in the amount of $36,837,051, reflects an increase of 1.75% over last year's budget. Killingworth's share, based on 45.29% of the student population and $485,100 in projected district revenue would be $16,463,953. Mala said the budget was arrived at after making reductions from requested and existing items totaling $905,000.

Mala said approximately 92% of the budget is controlled by non-discretionary costs in the areas of contractual obligations with regard to salaries and benefits for existing employees, transportation costs, special education and other tuitions, payments of debt obligations and facility expenses including fuel and utility costs. The budget reflects a 5.25% increase in salaries ($1,059,161), a 19.4% increase in special education and other tuitions ($103,848), a 16.7% decrease in learning programs ($170,622) and a 26.81% decrease in technology($96,753).

With the addition of three elementary teachers achieved through re appropriation of existing resources and the decline of 49 kindergarten students, average class sizes can be reduced at several elementary grade levels. Parents spoke out in force this budget season in favor of smaller class sizes specifically in grades K-3. Mala's budget projects a district wide average decrease in Kindergarten from 16.33 to 16.30; Grade 1 from 18.27 to 17.80; Grade 2 from 22.50 to 18.20 and in Grade 3 from 21.60 to 18.00.

Mala's budget also reflects $427,077 in funding for improvements to district facilities, funding the debt service obligation in the amount of $2,412,769 and funds to maintain the cycle of replacement of technology, the virtual high school at HKHS and HKMS and funding for professional development.

Review the budget presentation online in several forms at www.rsd17.org. The Board of Education will hold several budget committee meetings this month at the central office as well as a joint meeting with the Boards of Selectmen and Boards of Finance from Killingworth and Haddam on March 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the middle school. All meetings are open to the public. The budget referendum in both towns will take place on May 5th.

Due to Monday's snowstorm, Killingworth Elementary School's Read Across America Day has been postponed until Monday, March 9. The kickoff will be at 9:00 a.m. in the gymnasium. The theme this year is KES Loves to Read - March Book Madness. The children will be challenged to read 10,000 books by April 7th, the day after the real March Madness ends. Some of the HKHS basketball players will be coming to KES that day to "psych" up the kids. There will be guest readers throughout the day, as well as middle school students in the afternoon to read to the kindergarten and first-graders. In the spirit of helping others, students who wear favorite hats, blue and white, or Husky-wear will pay $1 or donate a new children's book. The money and books will be donated to St. Raphael's Family Health Center.

If there is another snow day on the 9th, then it will be held on Tuesday afternoon. If there is a delay on the 9th, then it will be Monday afternoon.

HK Sports: The sixth-seeded HK Cougars Girls Basketball team opened up Class M state tournament play at home on Tuesday evening with a, 60-48, victory over the Woodland Hawks. HK was led by Allie Rand with 16 points and 7 rebounds, Shelby Van Huysen with 15 points and Emily Anderson with 11 points and 7 blocked shots. Deanna Loso scored 8 points and snagged 3 steals, Jordan Shultz had 6 points and 7 rebounds and Lauren Muise rounded out the HK scoring with 4. The Cougars are now 20-4. In the second round, HK will host the 11 seed, Classical Magnet, on Thursday evening at the fieldhouse. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

HK sophomore Emily Anderson goes up for 1 of her 7 blocked shots in the Cougars' victory at the fieldhouse on Tuesday evening. Photo courtesy E. Anderson

The Arts Center at Killingworth will host its annual evening of Jazz on Saturday, March 14 at the Living Rock Church in Killingworth. Headlining this year is New York pianist, Aaron Goldberg and his Trio, drummer Clarence Penn and Omer Avital on bass. Goldberg, who has performed with Joshua Redman and toured with the Wynton Marsalis Quartet is described by Redman as "one of the most exciting, inventive and lyrical pianists with boundless imagination, burning intensity and abundant soul." Opening the evening is 17 year-old award winning Hartford area drummer Jimmy Macbride, voted "Outstanding Student Soloist of the Year" by Down Beat Magazine in 2006 and 2008.

The evening will be set in a café-style environment with appetizers and desserts. Tickets: $25 Adults, $15 Students, $10 Children 12 and under. The event is a sellout every year, please reserve early. All credit cards accepted. Call (860) 663-5593 or mail checks to: The Arts Center at Killingworth, 276 North Parker Hill Road, Killingworth, CT 06419. www.artscenterkillingworth.org

Running Brook Farms on Route 80, will host a series of gardening and landscaping seminars this spring. The seminars are open to the public and most are free. There is a fee for the landscaping consultation in April. Space is limited, please email runningbrookfarms@comcast.net or call 860.663.5522 ext. 302 or 303 to register.

Saturday, March 14th 10:00am
Your Guide to Starting Seeds successfully
Come and learn from a pro how to successfully start your own seeds at home!
No fee to attend.

Saturday, March 21th 10:00am
Spring Transplanting, the Next Step!
How to manage all those seedlings and prepare them for the garden! One of our experts will also demonstrate how to plant the newest garden container garden: the Earth Box planter. No fee to attend.

Saturday, March 28th 10:00am
Preparing and Installing New Lawn
Has the winter been tough on your grass? We will cover everything you need to know on how to improve your lawn's performance and how to replace and install a new lawn. No fee to attend.

Saturday, April 4th 10:00am
Preparing the Spring Garden for a Successful Season!
We will show you what you need to know to get your roses, perennials, and shrubs off to a great start and how to fertilize and prepare your soil. No fee to attend.

Saturday, April 25th 10:00 - 12:00am
Designing and Planting Your Landscape
We can help you solve your landscape's problems. Sign up for a 30 minute consultation at the nursery with one of our professionals and bring with you photos and dimensions of your garden or landscape. Our pros will help you find the perfect solution! Cost: $30 per Consultation.

Saturday, May 2nd 10:00am
Container Gardening and Combination Planters!
You have seen our fabulous combinations here at the nursery and have seen them in magazines. Now you can come and see how to create your own planters using annuals like Proven Winners! No fee to attend.

The Killingworth Library is closed due to winter storm Demi. The sign-ups for our children's spring programs will start at 10am on Tuesday, March 3rd. You may sign up in person or by phone, at 663-2000. Enjoy the snow!

Region 17 Schools are CLOSED

The Killingworth Cub Scout Pack 18 held its annual Pinewood Derby on Saturday morning, February 27th, at the Killingworth Elementary School. The Cub Scouts built mini-racers and competed in multiple heats to determine the winners. The 1st and 2nd place winners of each rank will continue on to the regional competition in Durham next month. Cub Scouts range in grade from 1st to 5th.

This year's Derby was dominated by the Smith Family. Wolf scout Parker Smith placed first in his rank and his car won the distinction as 'Most Original'. Later in the races, Parker's older brother Morgan also placed first in his rank of Weblos 2. Their father, Jim Smith, is owner of Broken Arrow Art Studio, and also a proud sponsor of this year's Pinewood Derby Race.

Overall 1st - Ethan Gramola | 2nd - Christopher Roccio | 3rd - Ben Chasse
Tiger 1st - Parker Wills | 2nd - Brian West | 3rd - Luke Sodergren
Wolf 1st - Parker Smith | 2nd - Johan Freeman | 3rd - Joseph Signore
Bear 1st - Ethan Gramola | 2nd - Trevor Hines | 3rd - Ted Atwood
Weblos 1 1st - Christopher Roccio | 2nd - Ben Chasse | 3rd - Kai Franceschi-Hoffman
Weblos 2 1st - Morgan Smith | 2nd - Arnold Moore | 3rd - Peter O'Neil

Congratulations to all of our participants and a big 'Thank You' to our volunteers who made it all possible. Pack 18 would like to thank the sponsors of this year's cars for supporting its efforts and RSD 17 for allowing the use of their facilities.

Sponsors: All Points Technology Corporation; Attorney Andrew O'Neill; Broken Arrow Art Studio, Burns & McDonnell, Essex Savings Bank; Kempora Karate, Killingworth Garage and Weston & Samspon.

(l-r) Morgan Smith (Weblos 2), Jim Smith (father) and Parker Smith (Wolf) with their winning cars. Photo and story courtesy R. Chasse.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering the American Red Cross Babysitting Course this winter. There will be a session on Thursdays, March 5th - 19th from 6:00 - 8:15 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 session in 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.

Property transfers as reported by the Killingworth Town Clerk's office for the period January 1 - January 31, 2009:
• Eugene Gargulo to Louise F. Gehert, Lot 2 Route 148 3.13 A for $539,900.00.
• Raymond G & Barbara M. Gaugush to Chet T. Maura & Melissa Ferrier, Route 81 3.41 A + Ease + Acre for $410,000.00.
• Wells Fargo Bank NA-TR to Stephen G. & Kristen A Demartino , Lot 4 Autumn Ridge Beech Tree for $338,000.00.
• Arbie Myron Dale Jr. by Exec to Cory Lefebvre, Chestnut Hill highway 15.0 for $340,000.00.
For previous property reports, click here.

Wednesday: February 25:
• 15:14:52 Wires Down, Route 80.
• 20:20:42 CO Detector, Warwickshire Drive.
Friday: February 27:
• 15:55:42 MVA , Route 81.
• 16:25:42 Medical Call, Kenilworth Drive.
• 19:57:28 Automatic Alarm, Route 81.
Saturday: February 28:
• 12:08:46 Medical Call, Beech Tree Ridge.

The Friends of Hammonasset invites you to attend its 10th annual meeting on Tuesday March 10th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial Town Hall on the green in Madison. Following a brief business meeting, Chris Cryder will give a presentation entitled "Climate Change: How Will Long Island Sound Adapt?" Cryder is the Director of Habitat Restoration for Save the Sound, a program of the Connecticut Fund for the Environment. Come learn about how Long Island Sound is already changing in light of warming temperatures, and what we can anticipate about its future.

Friends of Hammonasset was formed as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization in 1999 with a mission to provide environmental education, serve as an advocate for and preserve the integrity of the natural resources of Hammonasset Beach State Park. Today, Friends of Hammonasset has an active Board of Directors and approximately 400 members who volunteer their time and efforts toward a variety of environmental events and programs which benefit the park and public.

Refreshments, including a 10th anniversary cake, will be served. This event is free and open to the public. Please visit www.hammonasset.org for more information.

The Shoreline League of Democratic Women (SLDW) is creating a local consumer guide for reusing and recycling items of all kinds for its 2009 Green Lifestyle Fair being held on Saturday, April 4, at the Clinton Town Hall. If your church, school, day care, animal shelter, senior center, consignment shop or any other organization holds an annual tag or rummage sale, or has a need for recyclable items such as used books, clothing, household goods, computers, electronics, vehicles, cell phones, eyeglasses, linens, CDs, records, videos, toys, craft items, or sports equipment, please contact Christine Rogers at 860-767-3143 or via email: chrannrog@comcast.net. The deadline for inclusion in the SLDW Recycling Resource Guide is March 13, 2009.

The 2009 Green Lifestyle Fair will feature guest speakers and exhibitors offering valuable insight into real world energy alternatives, conservation initiatives, and the most pressing challenges affecting our environment today. There is no admission fee. For more information on the event, visit the SLDW web site at www.SLDW.org.

The SLDW draws membership from the towns of Old Saybrook, Lyme, Old Lyme, Essex, Centerbrook, Ivoryton, Deep River, Chester, Killingworth, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Guilford and Branford.