Killingworth resident and Chester Rotary Club member Annie Stirna will be at the Killingworth True Value store TODAY, Saturday September 5th from 8:00 a.m. to introduce two Rotary opportunities to residents. She is interested in hearing about any interest in having a Rotary Club in Killingworth or in a joint club with Chester. She will also be providing information about Rotary International's Polio Plus program: a worldwide effort to eradicate polio.

Youth and Family Services of Haddam Killingworth is offering three special programs for middle school students this fall.

GIVE (Great Initiatives Volunteering Everywhere)
Open to all 7th and 8th grade students, GIVE is a community service and leadership club sponsored by Youth and Family Services. Students will participate in worthwhile projects dedicated to the improvement of our community. Past projects have included collecting Holiday gifts for under privileged children and blazing a trail between Haddam Killingworth Middle School and the Killingworth Community Gardens. This group is limited to 10 students for each eight week session, early registration is encouraged.

Advisor: Youth and Family Services
Fee: $40.00 (Checks payable to HKYFS, Scholarships available @ 345-7498)
Details: Thursdays 3:00-4:15
Start Date: 10/08/09Tween Tribe
Every girl deserves a Tribe of her own; a circle of friends she can count on! At Tween Tribe, the focus is friendship and fun. Girls express themselves through art, performance and stories, learning to use their unique gifts to make friends and navigate the social challenges of the tween years. Tween Tribe, "an innovative, creative, effective program" (Pediatric Psychiatrist Dr. Ann Hess), is brought to you by The Tween Scene LLC and Youth and Family Services. Build confidence, courage, and connection so you can "Kick the Clique and Join the Tribe!"

Leaders: Sarah Suatoni & Macdara MacColl, www.tweentribe.com
Details: Wednesdays 3:00-4:15 in the Food Room
Fee: $80 for eight sessions, Space is limited (Checks payable to HKYFS, Scholarships available @ 345-7498)
Start Date: 10/07/09Homework Transition Club
This weekly group is offered to students in grade 5 at HKMS. Students will have a chance to do their homework, enjoy a snack, and have the opportunity to discuss the transition from elementary school to middle school. Sponsored by Youth and Family Services, students will be provided a safe and nurturing environment to explore issues related to the challenges of middle school while learning tools to ensure their success. The group will run from October through May in eight week blocks.

Advisor: Youth and Family Services Clinical Staff
Fee: $40.00 (Checks payable to HKYFS, Scholarships available @ 345-7498)
Details: Thursdays 3:00-4:15
Start Date: 10/08/09

To the Editor:
David L. Denvir
On September 15, 2009 a primary election will be held at the All-Purpose Room at Killingworth Elementary School, for registered Republicans to select November's candidates for Selectman, Town Clerk, and Town Treasurer. The party-endorsed candidates are incumbent office holders: Selectmen Fred Dudek and Richard Cabral, Town Clerk Linda Dudek, and Town Treasurer Claudette Lagasse. Click to Read Full Letter

Construction work on the Reservoir Road Bridge continues to progress towards a late November opening. First Selectman Richard Cabral reports the project is on schedule, with the only question being whether the road will be able to be paved before winter.

Sunday, September 20th is the date for the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee's "Fall Chowder and Chili Festival" at the historic Old Grange Hall. The fun begins at 4:00 and includes live music, beer, wine and absolutely the best chowder, chili, and homemade breads this side of anywhere. Mark your calendars. Donations are $30 for individuals and $50 for couples. Children under thirteen are free. Checks may be sent in advance to the KDTC at P.O. Box 752 , Killingworth, Ct. 06419 or handed in at the door.

Come out for fun, music, good conversation, and the opportunity to talk to our local Democratic office holders and candidates and several state representatives. This year's election process promises to be exciting. Warm up for it with bowls of chowder and chili. For more information call K.Amoia at 860 663 3130.

To the Editor:
Helen S. Mahoney
In response to a letter printed several days ago and as a member of the recently-discharged Charter Revision Commission, I would like to clarify several misleading statements made in reference to the recommended changes to the town's charter. Click to Read Full Letter

The novel "Rules for Old Men Waiting" by Peter R. Pouncey is the selection for the September 8th meeting of the Tuesday Book Discussion Group at the Killingworth Library. Pouncey, a classicist, is a former dean of Columbia College and president emeritus of Amherst College. This is his first novel.

Writer and film director Peter Davis says of the author and his story "Pouncey has wrought an almost inconceivable amount of beauty from pain, loss, and war" and cradled it all in the grace of an enduring love.

Discussion will begin at 1:00 in the Killingworth Library meeting room. Newcomers are always welcome.

If your child is chronically inflexible and easily frustrated, chances are you are feeling discouraged and exhausted. Help is available which does not involve sticker charts or yelling.

Join our support group and learn about the calming effect of the "Collaborative Problem Solving" model which teaches the skills that are lacking in children with behavioral challenges.

"CPS" is articulated in the books The Explosive Child and Lost at School by Dr. Ross W. Greene and Treating Explosive Kid by Greene and Dr. J. Stuart Ablon.

The group is facilitated by Divinna Schmitt who has been trained by THINK:KIDS in the Department of Psychiatry at Mass General Hospital (thinkkids.org).* We meet the third Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM at the Killingworth Library. Call 860 876 0236 to register and learn more.

* On-going support is also provided by Think:Kids under the direction of Dr. Ablon. This support group is independent of and has no direct affiliation with Think:Kids or the Department of Psychiatry at the non-profit Massachusetts General Hospital.

Did you know that the bear population in Connecticut may be growing by 10-20% per year? Visit the Killingworth Library between September 1st and September 14th to learn more about these wild neighbors. The library is hosting a display board on black bears, courtesy of the Connecticut DEP Wildlife Division. The board features stunning photos of bears in the wild and scientists in the field. Handouts include bear fact sheets, activity pages for children, and a quick-tip card of "What To Do" if you encounter a bear.

Want to know even more? Come to the library on September 10th for a Black Bear program! Details coming soon and also available at the library and its webpage.

To the Editor:
By Eileen Boulay
I am a registered republican, but I do not vote party line. However, I do vote for who I feel is the best candidate. My profession requires much time spent in the town hall specifically, the town clerk's office. The position of town clerk, I feel is one that can not be "stepped into". Most of the successes of the transactions that I perform with the town clerk are based on the clerk's knowledge and experience, which is essential for this position. I believe that Linda Dudek does in fact have the knowledge, compassion and experience for this position. Click to Read Full Letter

---

To the Editor:
By Kathy McCurdy
This is an election year for Killingworth and though it is not yet September, a political sign has appeared that I find irritating. The Republican Town Committee has already come up with a slate of fine, community-minded, long-term residents and yet signs have unexpectedly appeared all over town putting forth four unknowns who are challenging not only the Republican Town Committee's decision but the positions of Selectman, Town Clerk and Treasurer. Who are these unknowns? Click to Read Full Letter

There is excitement in the air! Region 17 Schools are open for classes and school officials, teachers and parents would like you to be extra careful on the roads. There are new and old faces waiting at the bus stops and they all need to know that as a community we will look after them and keep them safe. The speed limit in school zones is 25 mph.

Leave a little extra time in the morning so buses can safely load children. Encourage your teen drivers to stay within the speed limit when heading to and from the high school. Allowing buses to enter and exit the schools in the morning and afternoon will shorten the ridetime for our children and allow kids to get to school and back home on time.

Region 17 bus drivers are well trained and professional, please be courteous and give them the space and time they need to pick up and deliver our children home safely.

KES Principal Rita Peretto (right) and Kindergarten Para-professional Joyce Callahan (center) direct students off buses as Schools Superintendent Gary Mala looks on.

Voter Registration Information

The Killingworth Republican Registrar of Voters will hold a voter registration session at the Killingworth Town Hall, 323 Route 81 TODAY, Tuesday September 1, 2009 5 pm - 7 pm.

All mail-in Voter Registrations must be postmarked by September 10, 2009.

In person Voter Registration will be accepted until noon Monday September 14, 2009.

Only registered Republicans may vote in the Primary September 15, 2009. If you are unsure of your affiliation please call the Registrar of Voters 860-663-1765 ext 216 or stop by our during our office hours Tuesdays 1-4 pm and 5-7 pm.

Sunday: August 23:
• 20:53:49 Medical Call, Route 80.
Tuesday: August 25:
• 09:24:52 Medical Call, Route 81.
Wednesday: August 26:
• 07:17:42 Structure Fire, Deep River, Commercial Drive.
Thursday: August 27:
• 20:18:49 Lost Person, Kelseytown Road.
• 22:27:32 Structure Fire, Chestnut Hill Road.
Friday: August 28:
• 10:26:14 Automatic Alarm, Chestnut Hill Road.
• 15:36:11 Automatic Alarm, Route 81.
Saturday: August 29:
• 23:16:03 Medical Call, Burr Hill Road.

To the Editor:
By Kathleen Amoia
For several decades Killingworth has been fortunate to have professional, highly qualified candidates running for Town Clerk and Town Treasurer. That is the reason both parties have cross endorsed candidates for these offices. Competence, integrity, knowledge, and work ethic were the criteria, not party affiliation. Click to Read Full Letter

---

To the Editor:
By Jeff Yazmer
On Thursday, August 27th, we all received a copy of the proposed revised Killingworth Town Charter. It is hard for residents to make an informed decision when they are not supplied with a basis of comparison from the old charter to the new proposed charter. How much of our hard earned money was spent making copies for each of us to receive only half of the information. How much of our tax dollars will be going to fund these newly created positions? Click to Read Full Letter

The Schumann Lecture Series 2009 presents "Fossil Fun" this Friday, Sept.4th
at the Meigs Point Nature Center amphitheater at 7:00pm in Hammonasset Beach State Park.

Meg Enkler, Park Manager from Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, will speak about
"Fossil Fun - Step Back into the Early Jurassic Period".

Participants can see and touch the footprints of dinosaurs that lived in Connecticut 200 millions ago. Travel back in time to learn what Connecticut was like in the Mesozoic period. The audience will have an opportunity to examine dozens of casts of dinosaur fossils and models.

Learn how dinosaurs were different from all other reptiles and how their descendants are still with us today. Handouts and giveaways for adults and children will be provided.

Free admission to the Park after 6:30pm. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Hammonasset.

Representative Joe Courtney will host a public Town Hall forum on Wednesday, September 2 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss health insurance reform. The forum, which is open to all Second District residents, will be held at Montville High School located at 800 Old Colchester Road in Oakdale.

According to Courtney, he has hosted or participated in more than fifteen public forums throughout the expansive Second Congressional District. In August, he participated as a guest at a public forum in Woodstock with nearly 350 attendees, co-hosted a telephone town hall with AARP in which almost 9,000 district seniors participated and hosted a meeting with employees of L&M Hospital to discuss how the proposed health insurance legislation will impact their hospital.

Rep. Courtney said, "To continue gaining valuable and constructive input from you and all of my constituents, I hope that you will take the time to join me for this important public Town Hall meeting. To learn more about the proposed legislation, please visit my website. There you will find the bill and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)."

The Arts Center at Killingworth offers a new six-session Fashion Illustration Series with artist Gloria Nilsson. Participants will focus on proportion, live model quick sketching, foreshortening, action and balance. They will start with a full color illustration/collage using gesture drawings that will be completed throughout the program. In addition to teaching Fashion Illustration, Ms. Nilsson paints landscapes en plein air and studio still lifes, working in watercolor and oils. Her work has been exhibited in numerous juried shows, solo exhibitions, public venues and outdoor exhibitions in Connecticut. Ms. Nilsson has studied under painters Ellie Bender, Karen Winslow and Diane Aeschliman and has been honored with several awards.

The cost of the Fashion Illustration Series is $160 (materials not included) and runs from 10-12pm on Saturdays, September 19, 26; October 3, 24, 31; and November 7. Space is limited. Call to register (860) 663-5593. The Arts Center at Killingworth, 276 North Parker Hill Road, Killingworth, CT. 06419. Visit us online www.artscenterkillingworth.org

L-R: Brittany Correia, North Haven; Erin Hutchinson, Killingworth; and Isabella Jibilian, Madison. Photo courtesy Arts Center

To the Editor:
By Claudette Lagasse
And it should concern all Killingworth Republican voters! Why is a Republican primary being held on September 15th that includes unseating a very qualified true Republican Selectman, Fred Dudek? Fred Dudek was overwhelmingly endorsed by the Republican Caucus and has served the town of Killingworth for many years. Fred's volunteerism starts in 1967 to present day as a member of the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Co., during which time he served 17, one year terms as Fire Chief. He served on the Board of Tax Review for 4 years, Board of Finance for 8 years, and has served as a Selectman since 2004. Click to Read Full Letter

---

To the Editor:
By Charlie Gragg
As a part-year resident and registered Republican voter, I wanted to weigh in on the heavy campaign issue of experience, to speak favorably for Ms. Dudek's and Ms. Lagasse's contributions to my second home town, and to encourage support for the recent cross-endorsements. I have invested 10 summers of my time and money in restoring one of Killingworth's many old farmhouses, initially attracted to the community's rural character and historical charm, and since then inspired by the genuineness and common sense New England outlook of the many townspeople I have met. Click to Read Full Letter