Submitted by Kathleen Amoia
(June 12, 2025) — On a perfect evening, in a perfect setting at School Marm’s Farm Orchard and Trails, Ellen and William Oppenheimer hosted a Killingworth Community Fund celebratory picnic on June 5, 2025. The event was generously sponsored by Turnbridge/CT Clinical Services, Killingworth; WJ Financial Advisors; Cloutier & Cassella, Attorneys at Law; the Connecticut Burns Care Foundation; Lover’s Lane Farm/Michele Sokoloff; Janice and Jerry Markham, and Connecticut Water Services, Inc..
Under a blue sky and surrounded by newly mowed grass and shade trees, picnickers enjoyed a variety of wraps and salads attractively set out in the Oppenheimers’ gazebo along with the offerings of a hot dog truck. Food was catered by The Kitchen at Futures Inc., an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for independent living for people with disabilities.
A treasure hunt designed by the hostess involved adventuring around the property. (photo above). It was enjoyed by children and adults and age-appropriate prizes were awarded.
The highlight of the evening followed as KCF Chairman Wally Jones (photo above) announced the grant recipients for this Spring. The nonprofits receiving grants included:
- The Little League Challenger Program
- Animal Alliance Welfare League, Inc.
- The Killingworth Women’s Organization
- Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore
- Pathfinders’ Deer Lake Summer Camp
- Shared Harvest Garden at Parmelee Farm
June is also the time for awarding the scholarship bequests entrusted to the Killingworth Community Fund. This year the Laura K. Englebright Education Award went to Haddam- Killingworth High School Seniors Clare Link and Abby Sirignano, and to Xavier High School senior Owen Jones. The Marjorie Kirk Ullrich Fine Arts Education Award is to be given to the Wentworth Institute of Technology for Jayani Bennett.
As the sun began to set, desserts were served and gift bags distributed. Conversations wound down, and the Oppenheimers were thanked for their generous hospitality. It was another good night for Killingworth’s nonprofits, its volunteers, and the Killingworth community, all in keeping with the Killingworth Community Fund at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County motto, “Good People Doing Great Things.”
Photos by Annie Stirna
