Submitted by Elaine Jackson
(March 22, 2024) — Tickets are now on sale for the 13th Annual Haddam-Killingworth Hall of Fame induction dinner to be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., at The River House in Haddam. Tickets are $45 each. There will be a cash bar and an Online Silent Auction. This year’s five inductees are:
Rudolph “Rudy” Durinick
Rudolph “Rudy” Durinick began his volunteer service in the Connecticut State Police Auxiliary. When Rudy heard about the town of Haddam needing EMS service, he thought it would be interesting and explored the idea by taking an EMT class. By the time Rudy was done with his class, Haddam had its ambulance ready to go. On July 1, 1977, Rudy began what would be a lifetime of service to the community. He has served terms as both Vice-President and as President and has responded to thousands of calls. Some calls were more memorable than the next, but Rudy always told his patients that he wouldn’t leave without seeing a smile. Rudy also volunteers with the Rifle Squad at the Memorial Day Parade and he has been part of this team for the past ten years.
Jack and Ginny Murphy
Jack and Ginny Murphy moved to a home next to the Haddam Congregational Church in 1979, after the birth of their son, Bobby. After the move, Ginny discovered that she was related to William Clark who was one of the founders of Haddam. Jack and Ginny made lifelong friends through their many acts of service to the town, including building a raft for the Connecticut River Raft Race and then as members of the Jaycees and the Haddam Junior Women’s Club. Jack was president of the Jaycees and Ginny was on the board and on multiple committees for the Junior Women’s Club. In addition, both Jack and Ginny volunteered for Haddam Co-Op Nursery school, the Haddam Elementary School and Haddam-Killingworth Middle School PTOs as well as Haddam-Killingworth High School Project Graduation. Jack coached Haddam Little League Baseball and Softball. Ginny coached Park and Rec Soccer and they were both involved with Haddam Congregational Church (Now UNHCC).
Sarah Wright Neal
Sarah Wright Neal grew up in Winchester, Massachusetts, and every summer her family came to Haddam to live in the old family homestead. Sarah’s roots run deep in Haddam, as she is a direct descendant of one of Haddam’s founding families, the Brainerds. Her children attended the district schools, and Sarah began volunteering at the Haddam Historical Society. In 2005 Sarah began her tenure as the Society’s education coordinator and taught programs for elementary and middle school students, Scouts, and homeschoolers. Sarah also created the popular summer program “A Week in the Life of an Early American Child,” where girls and boys spend the week baking, doing crafts and even chores with Mrs. Thankful Arnold (Sarah). Sarah and her husband, David, are members of Valley Bible Church in Haddam, where they teach Sunday School and host a home Bible study. Sarah also serves on the Haddam Sustainability Committee.
Amber Newcomer
Amber Emily Newcomer was born in Hartford and lived the first years of her childhood in East Hartford. The youngest daughter of an abusive, alcoholic, drug-addicted father and an unguided teen mother, her early life was filled with chaos and strife. These early traumatic experiences would lay the foundation for Amber’s eventual endeavors to serve her community. In 2013 Amber and her family moved to Killingworth. She quickly joined the HK Moms Group where she and her youngest daughter made lifelong friends. A few years later she was given the opportunity to lead this amazing group and, in 2015, the idea for the HK Backpack Program sprouted and was formed with the help of the HK Moms Group. In the nearly nine years of its existence, the HK Backpack Program has grown to serve all five schools in Regional School District 17, and has provided food assistance to hundreds of children and their families. Amber is very proud of the work they do and is so grateful to her dedicated volunteers. Amber feels truly blessed by the love and support the Haddam/Killingworth community showers on the HK Backpack program. In addition, Amber is a member of the Killingworth Women’s Organization and is a long-time volunteer with the Chester Fair. She firmly believes that we all have a duty to make our community better, to be the change you wish to see in the world, and she isn’t done yet!
NOTE: Tickets for the dinner must be purchased by May 1, 2024. No tickets will be sold at the door. If you are interested in reserving a table or purchasing tickets, please contact Elaine Jackson (860-424-6178) or Lisa Wiese (860-301-7608) at hkhalloffame09@gmail.com
In addition, congratulatory ads may be purchased for the program booklet. The deadline for ads is April 30, 2024. Prices are ¼ page $25, ½ page $50, Full Page $100. Please contact Elaine Jackson at hkhalloffame09@gmail.com.
Please make checks payable to HK Hall of Fame and mail them to P.O. Box 24, Higganum, CT 06441.
For more information, please contact Elaine Jackson or Lisa Wiese at hkhalloffame09@gmail.com
