StoneBridge Craftsmen of Killingworth, received multiple awards from the Connecticut Flower & Garden Show for their display. The awards that they won were Best Landscape Design, Best Stonework, Best Statement of Intent, and also Best Use of Structure. Stonebridge competed in the event with other Connecticut landscape companies. The Connecticut Flower and Garden Show theme for this year was "The Spice of Life".

The display presented for the show consisted of 790 square feet and featured an Italian countryside home based in the heart of Italy. Stonebridge built a stucco house, stone archway, patio, and stone fountain reminiscent of the European countryside. Stonebridge's theme was based on good friends, family, and good food "the Ultimate Spice of Life". StoneBridge Craftsmen is a family run business and offers both landscape construction and home remodeling services.

Photo courtesy D. Quinn

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is proud to have one of our own Local Hotshot winners win at the State Contest level on March 6th in East Hampton. Lizzy Anderson, from Killingworth, was the winner of the Girls 13-15 year old division with 101 points!

After the local contest, our winners advanced to the County Level held in Groton on February 13th and competed against other local winners from surrounding towns. Winner of the County level compete in the State Contest on March 6th in East Hampton. HK Rec has had a couple of top finishers over the years: Alex Pollack was runner up in 2004 and Brett Zanardi was the 1998 Champion.

This recreational program is designed to promote basketball enthusiasm as much as basketball skill, fun, physical fitness, friendship and good sportsmanship. Each player has three one-minute rounds to shoot from "hotspots" placed on one half of the court. The contest challenges a player's speed, shooting, dribbling, and rebounding ability. The Hotshot Contest is sponsored by the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association (CRPA), Mr. Trophy, the East Hampton Parks and Recreation Department, and the Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department.

For many years, Connecticut was known as the insurance capitol of the world, and it gained that reputation by the protection of its insurance companies which charged among the highest premiums in the nation. While Connecticut is no longer the insurance capitol, it continues to act that way. With respect to health insurance, both sick people and health providers are being slammed.

The nonpartisan Connecticut Office of Legislative Research recently disclosed that out of the 23 most recent rate increase applications by our health insurance companies, 19 were approved exactly as submitted. The rate increases, on an annual basis, averaged about 15%, and increases at such a rate have been granted by the Connecticut Insurance Department each of the last five years. The dramatic multiplier effect of the Insurance Department's approvals is obvious.

The travesty of this premium increase pattern comes from the fact that our health insurance companies are reporting extraordinary profits. For example, last year Connecticut's four largest health insurance companies reported combined profits of $12.2 billion, up an astonishing 56% from the year before. These large profits were achieved not only by the premium rate increases granted by our Insurance Department but also by the sad fact that the insurance companies covered fewer patients than in previous years.

Many species of birds of prey-including hawks, falcons, owls and bald eagles-make Hammonasset Beach State Park their home or migratory way station, and the public will have a chance to encounter some of them at a Birds of Prey Prowl at the park's Meigs Point Nature Center.

The free event, presented by predatory bird experts Christine Cummings-Secki, Todd Secki and Grace Krick from A Place Called Hope, a raptor rescue center in Killingworth, will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 20. It will begin with a close-up introduction to four live hawks and owls, followed by a guided walk. "Prowlers" may see wild resident and migratory birds of prey, including peregrine falcons; ospreys; cooper's, red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks; and perhaps bald eagles.

Space is limited to 150 people, so participation is by pre-registration only. Contact the Meigs Point Nature Center at (203) 245-8743 or (203) 245-8745 to register.

Tenor Mark Hale and Pianist Elizabeth Hastings will perform Songs of Faith, Hope and Love - Music from Broadway, Opera, and the Silver Screen on Friday, March 26, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at the Haddam-Killingworth Middle School Auditorium.

Proceeds from this concert will benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of Haddam-Killingworth. Suggested Donation: $15 Adult $10 Children (12 and under) Tickets: boytenor@comcast.net or call 860-663-1742.

The Killingworth Republican Town Committee is hosting a St. Patrick's Day Fundraiser on Saturday, March 13th, 6PM at 32 Wolf Hollow Lane. The cost per person is $25 ($50 per couple). Please contact Nancy Gorski at 860-663-5602 or nancy_gorski@comcast.net for more information.

Enjoy a Spring Wine Tasting at the Old Town Hall, 273 Rt 81, Killingworth, CT on Friday, March 26th at 7:30 p.m. This is a fundraising event and for $20.00 per person you can enjoy wine tasting led by a wine expert and to a sampling of cheeses and treats. Our next event is Summer Wine Tasting on Friday, May 14th. Buy tickets for both events and save $10.00. For tickets contact the Congregational Church in Killingworth at 860-663-1789 or kwcongchurch@yahoo.com, www.killingworthchurch.org

Backstage Dance Center's ten year old tap protégée, Kaitlyn Maurais, stunned crowds Saturday March 6th 2010, at Dance Masters of America CT annual dance competition. Kaitlyn was crowned Junior Miss Dance of Connecticut with her tap solo "Showtunes", choreographed by Caity Branigan. While her teammate, Samantha Hogan, placed First Runner-up in the Miss Dance competition with her pointe solo "Gravity", choreographed by Melissa Yarnall.

Kaitlyn, is an extremely ambitious member of Backstage Dance Center's competitive dance team, holding the youngest position on their Junior team. She excels far beyond her years in multiple facets of dance and continues to stun both her teachers and teammates.

Kaitlyn has now qualified to move onto the National Competition in Texas this July, to compete for the title of National Junior Miss Dance against other title holders from across the United States and Canada. While there, she will not only perform her tap solo, but participate in judged classes and an interview session. Her teammates at Backstage Dance Center wish her the best of luck this summer!

You are cordially invited to an afternoon of wonderful music..."THE FOUR SEASONS PLUS" on Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 4 PM at "The Little Church in the Wilderness" Emmanuel Episcopal Church .

Violins, Piano and Voice with David Ewart, Patrick Walsh, Violins; Leslie Garman, Piano and Voice. Featuring Bach's Double Violin Concerto, pieces by Tartini, Saint Saëns, and others and several motion picture themes.

Admission $20, Students $10, Children free
50 Emanuel Church Road, Killingworth, CT
Reception following the concert For information or directions call 860-663-1109 or visit www.churchinthewilderness.org

HK Sports: HKHS Boys Swimming and Diving Team Wins Invitational

The HKHS Boys Swimming and Diving team hosted an Invitational meet Saturday and emerged victorious. Teams came from all around Connecticut with the final outcome HK 245, Northwest Catholic High School 189, Suffield High School 70, and Granby Memorial High School 62. Coach Ross Hanson commented, "The end of season Invitational was a fantastic meet. The team was the most pumped up for an event I've seen all year and it showed with almost every person on the team getting a personal best time. I am very excited to see them perform at states." First place finishes came from Ryan Buys in the 200 Freestyle (1:54.64) and the 100 Butterfly (54.50); Jeff Ludington in the 100 Backstroke (1:02.10); Ryan Blewett in the 100 Breaststroke (1:08.30); Reece Gesick in Diving (181.90); Ludington, Blewett, Buys, and Jamie Verney in the 200 Medley relay (1:46.54); and Buys, RJ Moore, Verney and Ludington in the 400 Freestyle relay (3:34.17). Second place finishes included Blewett in the 200 IM (2:21.54); Verney in the 50 Freestyle (24.56) and 100 Backstroke (1:04.04); Moore in the 100 Butterfly (1:00.79); Ludington in the 100 Freestyle (51.66); Richie Afragola in the 100 Breaststroke (1:12.88); Blewett, Clayton Rountree, Tanner Kahre, and Moore in the 200 Freestyle relay (1:42.01).

Next, HK will participate in the State Championship Meets. To participate in the State Trials, swimmers and divers must meet the qualifying standards dictated by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC). Gesick is the lone HK diver to qualify for the Diving Class S States which will be held at Plainville High School on Wednesday, March 10th at 5:30 PM. The Class S State Trials for swimming will be held at Plainville High School on Saturday, March 13th at 3:30 PM. HK qualifiers for the swimming Class S State Trials are Moore in the 200 IM and the 100 Butterfly, Blewett in the 100 Breaststroke and the 200 IM, Buys in the 200 Freestyle and the 100 Butterfly, Verney in the 50 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke, Ludington in the 100 Backstroke and the 100 Freestyle, and Afragola in the 100 Breaststroke. HK’s fastest relays will also swim in the State Trials. The relays are Ludington, Blewett. Buys, and Verney in the 200 Medley relay; Blewett, Rountree, Kahre, and Moore in the 200 Freestyle relay; and Buys, Moore, Verney, and Ludington in the 400 Freestyle relay. Write up and photo courtesy M. Hughes

A walk-a-thon has been planned for Saturday, March 13th within the Beechwood community to help raise awareness for Haitian earthquake victims. Any money raised will be sent to Doctors Without Borders to support their efforts in Haiti. Walkers and sponsors from Killingworth and area communities are welcome to join. Many have already signed up and include folks from five years of age to 85.

The walk will begin at 11:00 a.m. from the Beechwood Clubhouse on Swan Lake Trail and will cover about a mile of the community's roads. Walkers will return to the clubhouse for coffee and donuts. Those who would like to join this effort but cannot do the walk are welcome to be sponsors. For more information about the event or about being a sponsor, call Ginnie at 860 663 1884.

HK Sports: Three Haddam-Killingworth Cheerleaders were selected to be a part of the 2010 Shoreline All Conference Cheer team. The team is made up of twenty girls chosen from the Shoreline Basketball Conference.

The girls tried out in three elements: cheer, dance and jumps. Based on the top scores, the top ten are chosen for the First team and the second ten chosen for the Second team. The Cheerleaders were recognized before the start of the boys basketball Shoreline Championship game Cromwell vs. Hyde Friday March 5th at Haddam-Killingworth High School.

First Team plaques were awarded to Seniors and 4 year Co-Captains Camille Kostek and Kelcey Bartolotta and to Sophomore Julie Vegliante. This is the 2nd year that Julie has made First team, and the 3rd year Camille and Kelcey have made First Team All Conference. Photo courtesy C. Kostek

Monday: March 1:
• 13:16:43 Medical Call, Route 81.
• 14:21:11 Medical Call, Swan Lake Trail.
• 15:29:25 Medical Call, Fire Tower Road.
• 20:26:35 Chimney Fire, Little City Road.
Wednesday: March 03:
• 20:22:00 Structure Fire, Durham, Main Street.
Friday: March 05:
• 18:23:05 MVA, Route 81.

Agenda
Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
Monday, March 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Office Building

1. Call to Order
2. Pledge Of Allegiance
3. 3. Approval of Minutes of Meeting held February 22, and Special Meetings of February 23, 25, and March 4, 2010
4. Visitors: Concerning Items on the Agenda
5. Tax Abatements & Refunds:
6. Vacancies:
    (A) Cable Advisory Council - 1 (B) Conservation Comm. - 1 (C) Estuary Council of Seniors - 2 (D) CRERPA Rep. BOS -1 (E) Housing Partnership- 3 (F) Parmelee Steering Comm. 1 (G) Public Health agency - 1 (H) Town Office Building Comm.- 2
7. Appointments:
8. Old Business:
    A. Charge for Public Health Agency
    B. Municipal Website
9. New Business:
    A. Bid Opening for River Road Bridge #04712
    B. MLUC - Hilary Kumnick re. STEAP Grant
    C. Approval of 2010/2011 budget & authorization to take to Board of Finance
    D. Approval for First Selectwoman to execute documents for a Connecticut State Library for Historic Preservation Grant
10. First Selectwoman's Comments
11. Selectmen's Comments
12. Visitor Comments: General
13. Adjournment
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