I would like to thank all of you who purchased Meals On Wheels "Wheels" during the month of March. All the proceeds from the sale of the "Wheels" go directly to our Meals On Wheels program that delivers more than 57,000 nutritious meals annually to homebound seniors in Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Killingworth, Chester, Deep River, Essex, and Madison.

Adams Supermarket in Deep River, Robert's Food Center in North Madison, Colonial Market in Essex, Walt's Food Market in Old Saybrook, and H. L. Reynolds Co. (Jane's Store) in Lyme sold the "Wheels" at their registers. We appreciate and thank these fine stores for their support of seniors in our area.

Since 1974, the Estuary Council of Seniors, Inc.'s mission has been to promote senior's quality of life, community involvement, and independent living. Annually the ECSI provides nearly 90,000 nutritious meals, transportation to 1,600 medical outpatient appointments outside the nine-town Estuary Region, well over 1,000 free preventative health screenings, and social and exercise programs too numerous to count.

For information on our programs, or to find out how you can volunteer to help, please call 388-1611.

Thank you.
Paula C. Ferrara, Executive Director
Estuary Council of Seniors, Inc.

HK Sports: The HKHS Varsity Baseball team bounced back to get their first victory of the season over Valley Regional, 7-1.

Chris Bova started on the bump for the Cougars, who quickly staked him to a 2-0 lead after the first inning. Bova made sure he did his part with six innings of work. He scattered six hits, struck out five, and allowed an unearned run.

Offensively for HK, Steve Landell led the way with a 1-2 performance that also saw him drive in two runs, score two runs, and steal three bases. Sean Zapatka (1-3, 2 runs, SB) and Brian Ludington (1-2, 2 runs, RBI) also had nice days.

HK improves to 1-1 with the win and will now wait until Wednesday to host Cromwell in a 3:45 contest.

The HKHS Boys Tennis team won its second match of the 2009 season by defeating Coginchaug on the H-K courts Friday. Sweeping the singles, H-K was lead by Junior Patrick Gilhuly at #1 winning a close match against Coginchaug's Greg Frank in straight sets. All the other singles matches were won in straight sets by the Cougars with Senior Co-Captain Matt Waldman winning at #2 over Chris Smith, Junior Verun Ravishanker over Mike Finley at 3, Sophomore Andrew McCurdy at #4 over Mike French of Coginchaug and Junior Jon Lehane at #5 winning in a walk over..

Doubles play was more hotly contested with Coginchaug's Derek Cuneo and Mike Smith forcing a first set tie break against H-K's Kyle Kelsey and Robby Sheahan before falling in straight sets to the Cougar duo. 2nd doubles went to Tyler Montesi and Mark St. Lawrence of the Cougars, beating Joe Oblon and Brian McDuff of Coginchaug in two close sets.

The Boys Tennis team opened the season Wednesday with a home win against North Branford. "It was so cold today, I can only give both teams praise for staying out there and attempting to win", said Cougars coach Pakus. We even had some snowflakes falling during a few of the matches.

Patrick Gilhuly of H-K won # 1 singles with a straight set victory over Dwight "Dewey" Boatman (6-0,6-3). The match at #2 singles went three sets with the Cougars' Varun Ravishanker winning (7-6 TB 7-3, 2-6, 7-5) over Rick Angiolo. "Spectators were watching the end of that match from their cars because it was so cold. Those two guys and that match went on forever, said coach Pakus." #3 singles went to the Cougars sophomore Andrew Mc Curdy (6-1, 6-2) over Mike Gangi of North Branford. North Branford took the 4 and 5 singles matches with Mike Angiolini defeating H-K's Grant Armstrong (6-0,6-0) and Vince Stellato defeating Jon Lehane in a hard fought (7-5, 7-6 TB 7-5) match.

Kyle Kelsey and Robby Sheahan of H-K defeated Cole Manceri and Jake Seaman at #1 doubles (6-4, 6-1) while Juniors Tyler Montesi and Mark St. Lawrence defeated AJ Farkash and Tyler Charterverdi (6-4, 7-6 TB 13-11) at #2 doubles.

HK Sports: The HKHS Lacrosse team defeated Sacred Heart Academy, 12-10, in its season opener. Cougar scorers were: Gorman (5), Anderson (4), Pollack (2) and Litebich. Ferguson had 9 saves in goal.

The Girls Tennis team blanked Coginchaug, 7-0 yesterday at the high school courts. Insingles play, Colleen Phelan won 6-2,6-1; Caitlin Gilhuly won 6-3,6-2; Nicole Brooks won 6-2,6-2; and Ashley Griswold won 3-6,6-4,6-3. In doubles, Hannah Surman and Casey Scully won 6-1, 6-3; Anna Brundage and Kelsey Hawkins won 6-2,6-1 and Brittany Timothy and Meg Wright won 6-3,2-6,6-2.

An Important Message from the Fire Marshal

The Forest Fire Danger remains HIGH throughout Middlesex County with warm weather and continued LOW humidity forecasted through this week.

NO outside burning should occur whenever conditions are deemed by the DEP to be High, Very High, or Extreme.

Connecticut's woodland areas are in the spring fire season which runs from Mid March to mid to late May. This is the time of year when deciduous trees are bare of leaves and the spring sun heats up and dries out the woodland litter that makes up forest fuels. As each day grows longer and the direct sun light gets stronger this heating mechanism dries out leaves, grasses, twigs, small branches and decaying material in the soil. Along with the windy days evaporating any recent rain, the heat from the sun makes these fuel sources dry out extremely fast and with the smallest ignition source will burn rapidly and will spread very fast on the forest floor.

The burning of leaves, grasses and garden vegetation is prohibited because of air pollution considerations. Garden materials and leaves should be composted.
The Department of Forestry Service, of the DEP, offers the following steps to Connecticut homeowners to protect your family and home:

• Make a fire safe zone around your house. Clean all flammable vegetation and debris from at least 30 feet around the house and any outbuildings;
• Prune away the lower limbs of evergreens that are within the fire safe zone. Evergreens catch fire easily during dry periods and burn quickly;
• Remove any limbs which overhang the roof or chimney;
• Regularly remove leaves and needles from gutters;
• Don't store firewood within this fire safety zone;
• Use fire resistant roofing materials;
• Mark your driveway entrance and house clearly with your house number;
• Make sure firefighters can access your home, prune away limbs and trees along your driveway which don't allow fire truck access to areas around your home;
• Have an escape plan-- and practice it;
• Follow state and local open burning laws;
• Do not leave any outside fire unattended until they are completely safe and dead out;
• Dispose of all wood ashes in a metal bucket; soak them with water before dumping them.

To the Editor:
One of the budgetary cuts being considered by the state is to reduce the Life Star emergency helicopter presence in Connecticut from two helicopters to one. Such a cut would save dollars at the expense of lives. It goes under the heading "What are they thinking?"

I know that my granddaughter is alive today attending college because of the professionalism of the Killingworth Fire and Ambulance Associations and their immediate access to a Life Star helicopter awaiting them at KES. No time was lost between getting my granddaughter out of her car, onto the helicopter, and into the Yale-New Haven emergency room. Medical personnel told us again and again how crucial that time sequence was to her recovery. What might have happened had a single helicopter been on a mission elsewhere?

I am sure there are many stories like mine, family members and friends alive today because of highly trained Life Star teams and their time saving air lifts for the critically ill or injured.

There are undoubtedly budget cuts that should be made. In a predominantly rural, small town state like ours, cutting Life Star's presence in half is simply not an acceptable one.

Kathleen Amoia

HK Sports: The Haddam-Killingworth Varsity Baseball team opened up its 2009 campaign on a down note with a, 5-0, loss to the Morgan Huskies. Steve Landell went seven innings on the mound.

The Cougars looked good in the early going as they had several opportunities to score with less than two outs, but could not capitalize. Meanwhile the Huskies used a four-run fifth inning to catapult themselves to a win.

For HK, Sean Zapatka was 2-4 with a stolen base, and the only Cougar with a multiple hit game. HK is now 0-1 on the young season and will look to rebound Friday as they host the Valley Regional Warriors at 3:45.

The HKHS Softball team fell to Morgan, 7-5. Lindsey Griswold went 6 innings for the Cougars in the loss. Rachel Normandy and MaryKate Murray each had a pair of hits. Read more about the game in the Middletown Press

The Girls Tennis team fell to North Branford, 6-1. Number 2 singles Caitlin Gilhuly was the lone winner for HK.

The Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission held its annual Fishing Derby last Saturday at Irene Sheldon Park. The Pond was stocked with trout earlier in the week. Despite the gray day more than 30 young anglers and their parents came out to test their skills and more than 30 fish were caught. Prizes were awarded and everyone left with a souvenir for their efforts. The Commission would like thank Ron Imbriglio for helping organize the derby and the Country Cloverleaf Store for donating the bait.

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Inland Fisheries Division began its annual spring trout stocking on March 4th, and expects to have 386,000 trout stocked throughout the state by Opening Day on April 18, 2009. Chatfield Hollow State Park is one of 11 water bodies in Connecticut have been designated as Trout Parks. Trout Parks are located in easily accessible areas to enhance trout fishing opportunities for young anglers and novice anglers as well as for those with mobility challenges. The frequent stockings, generally between Opening Day and Memorial Day, will greatly increase an angler's chances of catching a fish, making it a more attractive "fishing hole", particularly to children and families.

Young Anglers at Sheldon on Saturday. Photo courtesy D. Colonia

My appointment last year as Senate Chairman of the General Assembly's Environment Committee has given me a platform to try to improve the quality of our lives in Connecticut. We have been on a roll during the last year, approving a fund to acquire open space, a climate-change initiative to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and a five-cent return on water bottles. Our legislation on climate change led the nation as we commit ourselves to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, to becoming more energy self-reliant and to going "green."

During the current session of the General Assembly, the Environment Committee has already approved some significant other initiatives:

• Granting more authority to the Department of Environmental Protection for the enforcement of our environmental standards. This initiative was motivated in part by Atlantic Wire’s enormous pollution discharge into the Branford River, killing a large clam population.
•As a result of a Madison experience, we approved a bill requiring the State Department of Public Health to notify our local legislative bodies of any drinking water found to be contaminated above the levels established by the federal Environment Protection Agency.
•Establishment of a Municipal Green Fund for environmentally friendly projects and preservation of open space.
•Seeking to maintain our rivers and wetlands with 100 foot buffer zones between the rivers/wetlands and any development.
•Restrictions on several toxic chemicals including Bisphenol-A, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and pesticides in daycare centers.

It will take strong advocacy to get these bills approved by other committees, both houses of the General Assembly, and by the Governor.

Despite the above achievements, much of the environmental agenda remains unfinished as a result of our large budget deficit. The recent statement of one pro-environment organization is significant: "Funding for environmental protection has shrunk over the last two decades. As a result, Connecticut struggles to protect open spaces, environmental enforcement suffers, state parks and forests are falling apart, and urgent clean energy investments in solar power and energy efficiency are underfunded."

Dorothy Mae "Dottie" Dorothy "Dottie" Mae Brainard, 83, formerly of Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook, wife of the late Olyn B. Brainard, passed away on Saturday, (April 4, 2009) at Chesterfield Health Care Center in Chester. Born in Middletown, she was the daughter of the late Ernest J. and Ida (Freund) Malcarne. Dottie lived in Old Saybrook for many years and worked at EIS Brake Manufacturing in Middletown as a bookkeeper for many years. She is survived by a sister, Carolyn Ryan of Truro, Nova Scotia; a daughter-in-law, Anna Brainard of Killingworth; two granddaughters, Tina Hetrick and her husband, Edward, of Portland and Tara Fitzgerald and her husband, Jerry, of Mystic and two great granddaughters, Alyssa and Alexis. Besides her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her son, Gary E. Brainard. There will be no services and interment will be at the convenience of the family. Friends may call on Thursday, April 9 from 5-6 p.m. at the Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dottie's name may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society CT Chapter, 705 North Mountain Road, Suite G 102, Newington, CT 06111. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

An open house at the Middletown Regional Vocational Agriculture Center, at Middletown High School, 200 LaRosa Lane, will be Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m.

Students from the following towns are eligible to apply: Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Hampton, Essex, Guilford, Haddam, Killingworth, Madison, Middlefield, Middletown, Portland, Old Saybrook, Rocky Hill and Westbrook.

For information, call 860-704-4599 or e-mail isaacsonr@mps1.org.

- Homeowners and Totally Disabled Tax Relief Program - State and Local
- Additional Veterans Exemptions
- Motor Vehicle Exemption for Active Members of the U.S. Armed Forces

Homeowner and Totally Disabled Tax Relief Program - The Assessor's Office is scheduling appointments for residents to complete the application for the Homeowners and Totally Disabled Tax Relief Program through May 15, 2009. The filing period is February 1st through May 15th. Those HOMEOWNERS at least age 65 (by December 31, 2008), or totally disabled, whose total maximum income for the 2008 calendar year, including Social Security is $30,500 if single/unmarried or $37,300 if married, may apply at the Assessor’s office during this filing period.

Homeowners whose income levels are over the State limits of $30,500 and $37,300 may still qualify for Killingworth's local Senior & Disabled Tax Relief Program if the total maximum income does not exceed $40,000. Residence at current address must be longer than 12 months to qualify.

Both programs, State and Town, are for tax relief of Real Estate on the 2008 Grand List.

Please call 663-1765 extension 506 between the hours of 8am and 4pm Monday through Friday for an appointment AFTER YOU HAVE FILED YOUR INCOME TAX. Applicants must show proof of all income.

Additional Veteran's Exemption - The Assessor's Office is continuing to schedule appointments for veterans with qualifying income to complete the applications for the State and Town Additional Veteran's exemptions. The deadline for filing an application with the Assessor for the Veteran’s program only is October 1, 2009. The filing period is February 1st through October 1st.

Income reported is for the 2008 calendar year. The 2008 qualifying incomes are the same as for the Homeowners Program, maximum income of $30,500 for single/unmarried and $37,300 for married. Income from all sources including interest, dividends, pensions and Social Security must be included.

The maximum income is different for veterans with a 100% V.A. determined disability. The single/unmarried applicant maximum is $18,000 (adjusted gross income only) and the married applicant maximum is $21,000 (adjusted gross income only). Social Security income is not considered.

Filing is required biennially. Individuals who last filed in 2007 should file this year. Veterans that are filing for the Homeowners Tax Relief Program should apply for their Additional Veterans exemption at the same time. The filing for the Additional Veteran's exemption will be applicable to property on the October 1, 2009 Grand List.

Connecticut Armed Service Members Motor Vehicle Exemption - Applications are being accepted for exemption of one motor vehicle for Killingworth residents who are active members of the United States Armed Forces. Active members of the Armed Forces are entitled to a full exemption of one motor vehicle. Armed Forces are defined as "US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force and any reserve component thereof including the National Guard."

To receive the exemption, an application must be filed annually. Filing is not to be later than December 31st following the date the property tax is due. The filing deadline on the current 2008 Grand List is December 31, 2009. Forms can be picked up at the Assessor's office or by calling the Assessor at 860-663-1765 extension 506.

Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, spoke with the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee on Sunday evening. She said she is running because "of the huge brain drain going on in Connecticut. I would like to make this state a place where young people come back to live and raise families." She spoke of her interest in small businesses, in preserving open space and farmland, and in fostering smart growth, and she answered questions for over an hour. The KDTC meets on the first Sunday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Killingworth Library; all are welcome!

Photo courtesy D. Killian

Elsbeth Kane, student at Backstage Dance Center in Killingworth, was crowned Dance Masters of America Connecticut Teen Miss Dance Saturday, April 4th. Elsbeth Kane, an eighth grader from Essex, won first place in the teen division this past weekend at the annual Dance Masters of America dance competition in Bristol, CT with her tap solo "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead", choreographed by Alicia Monaco.

Kane is currently a member of Backstage Dance Center's competitive dance team, and has been dancing for nine years. She began dancing at Backstage eight years ago, and has been a member of the competitive dance team for the last six years. At thirteen years old, Elsbeth is the youngest member of the Senior Dance Team for the 2008-2009 dance season. Backstage Dance Center, run by Stacey Nagel Lankarge and Michelle Cretella Soliwoda, along with all her team members were ecstatic over Elsbeth's win this past weekend and wish her the best of luck at Nationals this summer!

Dance Masters of America will be sending Elsbeth Kane to Washington, DC with the chance to compete against all the other Title winners from across the United States and Canada this summer. Along with performing her tap solo, Elsbeth will be attending dance classes and interviews for the chance to win National Teen Miss Dance.

As of present, Elsbeth's three team members: Barbara-Ruth Hickey - Sophomore at HKHS, Jordan Keegan - Freshman at Hand High School in Madison, and Samantha Hogan - Sophomore at Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden, plan to attend Nationals in Washington, DC along with Elsbeth to compete with their four group numbers, which also scored high enough to move onto Nationals from this past weekend.

Along with Nationals, Elsbeth plans to compete at the 'Kids For Kids' dance competition this April along with the other Backstage Dance Center Competitive Team members. Kids for Kids in an organization that strives to improve the lives of children through charity events to raise money, and awareness, for childhood diseases, aliments, and needs. Elsbeth also performed in Kids for Kids Toys for Tots toy drive this past winter with her team mates, and looks forward to another fun filled weekend of dancing and charity work. Story and photo courtesy S. Hogan

The Killingworth Library Tuesday Book Discussion Group will meet on April 14th to discuss "The Reader" by German law professor and judge Bernhard Schlink. What at first appears to be a coming of age story in post war Germany evolves into one of secrets, horror, and ultimately compassion. The Los Angeles Times wrote of the book "It is a formally beautiful, disturbing and finally morally devastating novel." A recent movie version won much acclaim and an Oscar for Kate Winslet.

The discussion begins in the library meeting room at 1:00 and newcomers are always welcomed.

Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven and the City of New Haven will hold a free public screening for head and neck cancers on Friday, May 1, from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., at the New Haven Hall of Records, 200 Orange Street. The fourth annual screening, called Check up from the neck up: The five-minute exam that can save lives, is in honor of Dr. John Joe, a young, talented and compassionate head and neck cancer surgeon at Yale-New Haven Hospital who suddenly passed away in 2006.

More than 500,000 Americans each year are diagnosed with head and neck cancer, which can attack the nose, sinuses, mouth, ears, throat, larynx, thyroid, saliva glands and lymph nodes in the neck. Fifty percent of those diagnosed will die within five years making early detection essential.

Clarence Sasaki, M.D., chief of otolaryngology at Yale-New Haven Hospital, and the Charles W. Ohse Professor of Surgery at Yale School of Medicine, urges people who have a history of these symptoms to be screened:

• Family or personal history of smoking
• Sore throat that persists for more than six weeks
• Hoarseness lasting longer than three weeks
• Presence of blood in their saliva or sputum
• Persistent ear pain

"Although the number of people who develop head and neck cancers is only 3 percent of all new cancers diagnosed in the USA, these diseases can be devastating," said Dr. Sasaki. "This screening is a great way to get a very quick, basic exam by an ENT physician."

To register for the free screening, please call 203-688-2000; walk-ins are welcome.

Sunday: March 29:
• 13:18 Fire Alarm, Route 148.
Monday: March 30:
• 00:00 Fire Alarm, Route 148.
Tuesday: March 31:
• 09:27 MVA, Route 81.
• 13:01 Automatic Alarm, Grace Lane
Wednesday: April 1:
• 06:03 Medical Call, Livemore Trail.
• 11:02 Medical Call, Saddlebroook Drive
Saturday: April 4:
• 13:18 Medical Call, Chittenden Road.

June S. Martindale 81, of Killingworth, died Friday April 3, 2009, at Middlesex Memorial Hospital. She was the widow of Harold R. Martindale. She was born in Meriden and was employed as a credit analyst for Ponds/Unilever for 32 years. She is survived by her 3 children, Gary Martindale of Killingworth, David Martindale of Deep River, and Carol Martindale of Ivoryton. June also leaves 4 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services and burial will be private. The Swan Funeral Home 80 East Main St. Clinton has charge of the arrangements.

The Lions Club held it Annual Spring Egg Hunt at KES yesterday morning. Despite spring hiding for another couple of days, the young egg hunters turned out for treats, fun and to meet one big bunny!

Photos courtesy T. Gannon