Youth & Family Services of H-K Inc is hosting a fundraiser for an evening baseball and family fun at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, home of the CT. Defenders. Tickets are $8.00 and half of the proceeds go to Youth & Family Services of H-K, Inc. There will be a spectacular fireworks display immediately following the game. Please join us to cheer on the CT. Defenders on Friday, August 21 for a 6:35 pm game. If you would like to purchase tickets please call Ann at 345-7498 or send email to ann@hkyfs.org.

After the month-long contest/registration, the Town Clerk's Office officially named 'Snickers', a 7-year-old black Labrador Retriever, the Town's Top Dog, Monday. Carla Reilly's enthusiastic pup was chosen from all entries to wear the #1 Dog Tag in Killingworth this year. Snickers enjoys swimming at the beach and finding the proper footwear for her owners. She was also awarded a bag of treats and toys, supplied by the Town Clerk's staff. First runner-up is Wendy Cianci's 8-month old, Shepard/Labrador mix, 'Bailey'. Cianci said Bailey was overwhelmed when she heard the news. She will wear the #2 tag and was also given a bag of treats. Second runner up and #3 tag holder is Nancy Long's yellow lab 'Lilly'. Lilly was unavailable for comment.

Town Clerk Linda Dudek said it was a funny coincidence that the winners were all female labs. She said similar contests are held in other towns and this year Asst. Clerk Dawn Mooney proposed it and took charge of the publicity. Dudek said the fun contest did increase registrations by about 75 dogs. The town normally licenses about 1275 individual dogs per year. That number does not include kennels. Dudek said they would continue the contest next year.

By State Statute, all dogs 6-months and older must be registered each year during the month of June. Late registrations are charged a fee of $1 per month.

Animal Control Officer Marion Smith chooses the winners Monday.

Town Clerk Linda Dudek, Dog Owner Patrick Reilly, Asst. Clerks Dawn Mooney and Michele O'Toole with Top Dog 'Snickers'.

The Clerk's Office staff with Bob Kopeck and Nicole Cianci and their dog ' Bailey'.

In an effort to provide cost savings to bus riders and increase bus ridership, the Estuary Transit District will introduce a new type of fare to the Estuary region for use on its 9 Town Transit (9TT) services. Beginning July 20th, a new monthly pass will offer a heavily discounted alternative to the current cash fare and ten-ride ticket book options.

The new monthly pass will allow riders to take unlimited on-route trips on any shuttle route for one calendar month. Passes will cost $45, and will be available beginning the 20th of each month for the upcoming month (i.e. August passes will go on sale on July 20th). Off-route trips will cost an additional $1.25 per trip.

The passes will be valid on all 9TT shuttle routes, which includes the Shoreline Shuttle, Riverside Shuttle, Niantic Shuttle, and the Mid-Shore Express. Monthly pass holders will still be able to transfer for free to Dattco's 'S' Route to New Haven, South East Area Transit service to New London, Middletown Area Transit throughout Middletown, and CT Transit to Hartford.

Monthly passes will be available for purchase at the Estuary Transit District's offices located at 455 Boston Post Road Suite 202B in Old Saybrook. Office hours are Monday through Friday 6:00 AM until 6:30 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Cash or checks are accepted. There are no age or disability restrictions for pass purchase or for use of any 9 Town Transit service.

The Estuary Transit District provides public transit service to Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook through its 9 Town Transit service. Connections are provided to New Haven and New London/Norwich bus services and Shoreline East Commuter Rail.

Route maps and schedules are available online at www.9towntransit.com or by calling 9 Town Transit at 860-510-0429.

Artful Living is proud to present THE SOUND OF MUSIC at the new state-of-the-art theater of HK Middle School on July 31, August 1,2,7,8 & 9. Fri, Sat at 7:30 pm and Sun at 2:00 pm. $18 for adults, $12 for children 12 and under and seniors 65 and older. Tickets, directions and times can be found on line at www.killingworthtoday.com/soundofmusic

This Rodgers and Hammerstein masterpiece is sure to thrill young and old alike. This story reminds us all to "climb every mountain, ford every stream, and follow every by-way till we find our dream" in a time when hope and inspiration are so very needed. You will be absolutely enchanted by this cast of 100+ local and regional actors and our 15 - piece professional orchestra musicians who bring such favorites to you as: Do Re Mi, My Favorite Things, The Sound of Music, The Lonely Goatherd, Climb Every Mountain and so many more! Go online today or call 860-389-1363 for more information and group rates. This production benefits Youth and Family Services of Haddam-Killingworth, Inc.

Marcia Maslo as Maria and Biff Carrington as Captain Von Trapp with the Von Trapp children.

Haddam Killingworth Youth and Family Services and Artful Living have partnered to present the "Artful Living Summer Theater Camp", offering classes in singing, dance and theater for all students ages 9-14. Community-theater Producer and resident HKMS Drama Director, Christopher Solimene is working with HKMS Choral/Band teacher, Joel Spineti and Marti Spineti who is professionally trained with dance and theatrical movement. This week-long camp (August 10-14) is perfect for those kids who want a comprehensive musical theater experience while being conveniently located in our own community (at our state-of-the-art MS Auditorium). For more information, please go to www.hkyfs.org or call Chris at 860-389-1363.

The Code of the Town of Killingworth, a compilation of the ordinances and regulations of the town, is available on the internet.

The following are included in the E-Code: Town Charter; Ordinances and Special Acts; Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations; Road Regulations and Subdivision Regulations. You can view the E-Code by visiting www.ecode360.com. You can even search on key words or phrases.

Please note that since the publishing of the Code in June 2008, several changes have been made and not yet reflected. Simply contact the Town Clerk's office at 663-1765 ext. 502 for details regarding recent changes.

The Killingworth Youth League 2009 Fall Baseball/ Softball Registration will open today from 5pm to 7:30 at the Killingworth Fire House.

The Fall Ball season will run from the beginning of September through the end of October. Each team will generally play two games a weekend and practice two nights a week. There is some travel involved in Fall Ball to surrounding towns. This program helps to develop and prepare players for the next level of play. Players will get a lot of playing time in a short season. Registration can be made in person on Wednesday July 8 from 5 to 7:30 pm at the Killingworth Fire House.The registration form can be downloaded from our web site KYLbaseball.org or picked up at the registration.

Registration is now open and will run through August 1, 2009. Mail in registration must be received by August 1st. The cost is $50 per player. Please make checks payable to KYL

When the Killingworth Women's Organization learned about the "Adopt a Room" program at The Eddy Shelter, they decided they wanted to be involved. The Eddy Shelter is an emergency homeless shelter for single adult men and women in Middlesex County. Despite what you might think, Killingworth is not immune to homelessness. During the period from July 2008 to March 2009, the Eddy Shelter logged 44 nights of shelter for Killingworth residents.

The Mission of Eddy Shelter of Middlesex County is to provide leadership in identifying and promoting innovative solutions to ending homelessness, while allowing for each individual's unique capability. They accomplish this by meeting basic human needs with a warm bed and hot shower, providing skills to live in the community, resources and referrals to end homelessness and support to decrease the return to homelessness by utilizing prevention techniques.

Located on the grounds of Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown, the shelter has the ability to house 30 adults. The number of beds increases to 40 during the winter months. Case management is provided to shelter guests to help them obtain housing, connect them with health resources, if needed, and employment opportunities. The shelter is involved with the statewide campaign, Reaching Home, to end homelessness in the state of Connecticut by creating 10,000 units of supportive housing over the next 10 years.

Services provided include:
• Assistance with securing housing
• Clothes are available for shelter guests through donations from the community
• Access to healthcare
• Crisis Intervention
• Counseling
• Access to mental health and addiction services if needed

The KWO invites you to learn more about the "Adopt a Room" program and The Eddy Shelter at their July 8th meeting at the Killingworth Library, starting at 7:00 with a social ½ hour, followed by the Eddy Shelter presentation and a short business meeting. For more information about the KWO, contact Michele Early at (860) 663-1496 or michele@micheleearly.com. For more information regarding Eddy Shelter of Middlesex County, please contact Mackenzie Tyson, Program Manager, at 860-343-5520 or via email at mtyson@theconnectioninc.org.

State Senator Ed Meyer, the Senate Chairman of the Environment Committee, welcomed as "long overdue" a new law which took effect July 1 that strengthens the penalties for killing someone while operating a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

"We are finally applying the drunken driving laws that we have for motor vehicles to boats, and rightfully so. It has been a long time coming and it is long overdue," said Sen. Meyer. "Public safety is not just for our highways but for our waterways as well."

Senate Bill 832, "An Act Concerning Boating Safety," passed on unanimous votes in both chambers of the General Assembly and in the two committees - Environment and Judiciary - which oversaw the legislation (Sen. Meyer serves on both of those committees.) The bill was signed into law on June 29.

Under the old state law, the crime of "reckless operation of a vessel in the first degree while under the influence" included killing someone while operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The penalty was a fine of between $ 2,500 and $ 5,000, up to two years in prison, or both. The new law creates the crime of "manslaughter in the second degree with a vessel," which is a class C felony punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, a prison term of up to 10 years, or both.

Connecticut has approximately 6,000 lakes and ponds, seven navigable rivers, and more than 600 nautical miles of shoreline to explore. More than 100 boat launches are open to the public; 18 of them offer access to salt water.

According to the New Haven Register, Christopher DiStefano, 21, of Killingworth, was visiting the beaches of Normandy for the University of New Haven's Art and Science Summer Study Abroad Program when he was approached by a distraught French couple trying to save their children.

DiStephano swam out into the water after seeing a child caught in the waves and saved the boy and girl from drowning. Read more about the story and Distephano's reflections on the rescue taking place on such a historic beach.

The Arts Center at Killingworth is seeking Connecticut realist and modern painters, sculptors and crafters to be part of its 5th Annual 2009 Autumn Art Trail. There are two ways to participate: 1 - Be part of a two-day Outdoor Arts Festival at beautiful Clinton Landing in Clinton,Conn. Demonstrate, discuss and sell your artwork. Artists must participate both days of the Festival and supply their own tent (10'x10' maximum), tables and chairs. As there are a limited number of spots available for art display tents at Clinton Landing, early registration is recommended. Registration Form and $40 Participation Fee are due by August 31st, 2009 and should be mailed to the Arts Center. 2 - Open your working Art Studio to visitors. Demonstrate, discuss and sell your artwork. Artists must have their studios open both days of Autumn Art Trail Weekend. Registration Form and $50 Participation Fee are due by August 31, 2009 and should be mailed to The Arts Center at Killingworth, 276 North Parker Hill Road, Killingworth, CT 06419. To download the Full Prospectus and Registration Form, visit www.artscenterkillingworth.org. Questions? Call (860) 663-5593 or email artscenterkillingworth@gmail.com.

Killingworth eighth grader, Zack Roth, recently returned from his fourth consecutive year at the week long Matt Light / New England Patriots football camp in Norton Mass. Roth was named the Outstanding Running Back and Honorable Mention Outstanding Linebacker at the 2009 camp. He was chosen from a field of over forty running backs and over fifty potential linebackers in his age group. The awards are based on hard work, leadership and outstanding ability shown throughout the week. He was presented the award at the end of the week by Matt Light, OT for the New England Patriots.

Monday: June 29:
• 11:43:54 Medical Call, Beechwood Road .
Thursday: July 2:
• 14:40:17 Medical Call, Beechwood Road.
• 15:02:52 Wires Down, Paper Mill Road & River Road.
• 22:40:05 Medical Call, Green Hill Road.
Saturday: July 4:
• 14:23:02 Fire Alarm, Route 81.

The Killingworth Chamber of Commerce selected three students from Haddam Killingworth High School as recipients of the 2009 Presidents Award. Each student receives a $325 award. This year's honorees are: Anna Brundage, Hannah Sturman and Stephanie Venuti. Scholarship recipients are identified by the high school guidance department.

(l-r) Stephanie Venuti, Chamber President Tom Houpert, Anna Brundage and Hannah Sturman. Photo courtesy F. Phelan