Graduates
Alyssa Arends of Brooklyn graduated Magna Cum Laude from Quinnipiac University earning a bachelor’s in history and political science. In addition, she earned a place on the Dean’s List with honors for distinguished academic achievement for the Spring 2024 semester.
At commencement Alyssa was honored to receive the Political Science Outstanding Senior Award from the College of Arts and Sciences. This fall, Alyssa will continue her academic studies at the University of California Irvine to pursue a PhD in political science.
She is the daughter of Lisa and Jeff Arends.

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Visits
Congressman Joe Courtney, left, visited the kids at the Westview Child Care Center as part of his visit to Westview. Courtesy photo.


Courtney
visits
Westview
DAYVILLE — United States Congressman Joe Courtney (CT—2nd District) visited the growing family of organizations at Westview Health Care Center recently.  He visited the Country Living at Westview Commons when it was under construction; Westview Commons and the recently opened Westview Child Care Center.
This special stop-by was coordinated by Representative Courtney connecting with the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.  Elle-Jordyn Sherman, executive director of the NCCC, stressed the importance of gathering Quiet Corner businesses and organizations with elected officials:
She said: “The Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce is committed to addressing our regions workforce needs.  In meeting with area businesses, a continued concern is access to affordable and accessible childcare in our region.  Northeastern CT is considered a childcare desert—which means there are not enough childcare seats as there are number of children under the age of 5.  This creates a huge gap in our workforce.  By collaborating with partnering agencies, businesses, and legislators, we are exploring innovative solutions to increase the number of childcare facilities, available seats, and qualified talent.”
Sherman said: “Knowing Westview Health Care’s innovation to address the childcare desert with their own workforce, in creating Westview Child Care Center, we knew Westview would be the best place to bring the Congressman to tour their facility and talk with area stakeholders about the childcare crisis.  It was the start of advocating for more seats, funding, and solutions to this barrier in NECT.  We look forward to continuing this essential conversation in our region.”
Courtney said: “It’s clear from our roundtable discussion, organized in partnership with Elle-Jordyn Sherman, the Executive Director of the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce, that David Panteleakos, Katy Holzer, and their great team at Westview have met a critical need for both employees and families across northeastern Connecticut.  Westview Child Care Center’s long waitlist—which is not unique to Westview—is a clear signal that we still have a great deal of work to do to increase access to care.  In Congress, I’m working to pass legislation that makes it easier for more businesses to start child care centers for their employees and communities.”

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Freedom Fest a success despite the clouds

By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The intent was to give the community an old school community day after COVID-19.
Robert Challinor Jr., one of the organizers of the Albert Breault VFW Post’s Freedom Fest, said this is the post’s third year giving the community the Freedom Fest.
Both inside the post’s home on Providence Street and across the street on the lawn of St. Mary of the Visitation Church, every family fun event, plus music, plus food were all there.
The VFW organization came up with the idea of an old-fashioned festival for free for communities served by the VFW. Challinor said it’s a success through the hard work of volunteers and through the graciousness of sponsors. One of the main sponsors, Putnam Area Foundation, sponsored the Rolling Video Games trailer that offered teens a multitude of video games.
Sponsors also included: Staples, Frito Lay, Pepsi, Automatic Rolls, Fluid Coating Technology Inc., bankHometown, ERW, Centerville Bank, Putnam Sheet Metal, JB Concrete, Jewett City Savings Bank, and many more.
The rain held off and plenty of families roamed the “fairgrounds,” enjoying the bands, food booths, the dunk tank, face painting, the Bounce House, information on the Scouts, information for veterans, all kinds of games and much more.




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Commander Jon Drew in the dunk tank.

Wingit entertains

Glenn Burke, aka Waldo. Linda Lemmon photos.





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