PUTNAM — Staff at Day Kimball Healthcare, with help and guidance from the artists at Artique – a Paint Bar in Putnam, have been volunteering their time to paint one mural of a local landmark each month for the last four months, to beautify one of the main stairwells at Day Kimball Hospital. The series of murals was completed this week.

The murals are based on photographs taken and submitted by DKH employees. Each mural represents one of the four seasons, and each has a unique story behind when and why the photo was taken as well as some special connections to those in the Northeast Connecticut community.

The project was spearheaded by DKH’s employee Wellness Committee in an effort to provide employees with a way to relax, unwind and get to know each other better outside of working hours, while also helping to beautify the hospital with art that has a strong community connection.

The first mural was painted in May and features a spring scene from the Putnam River Trail. The mural was based on a photograph taken by DKH employee Dennis Gagnon.

The second mural was completed in June and features a summer scene of the sunflowers at Buttonwood Farm in Griswold. The photo the mural was based on was taken by Abby Soriero-Durand, oncology social worker at Day Kimball Hospital.

In July the third mural was unveiled. It featured an autumn scene of Hibbard Farm in Woodstock. The original photo of the scene was taken by John Rondeau and submitted by Patricia Holland-Caprera, director of the Hematology/Oncology Department at Day Kimball Hospital. This mural is particularly special because Hibbard Farm has belonged to the family of Susan Hibbard, who also works in the Hematology/Oncology Department, for generations. This year, Susan celebrates 40 years of work and dedication at Day Kimball Hospital and her family celebrates 100 years of dairy farming at Hibbard Farm.

The final of the four murals was unveiled in August and features a winter scene from a river in Pomfret, based on a photograph submitted by DKH staff member Jessica Dingwell.

The public can see the murals in person at Day Kimball Hospital in the stairwell across from the cafeteria. 

 

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Teacher of year

PUTNAM — Amy Beth St. Martin was named Putnam’s 2015/16 Teacher of the Year.  

St. Martin is a Putnam High School graduate who returned to teach business education at Putnam High School in 1997. St. Martin has an associate’s degree in business administration from Dean College, a bachelor’s degree in marketing along with a Graduate Certificate in Business Education from Central Connecticut State University. In addition, she holds a master’s degree and Professional Certificate in Administration from Sacred Heart University.  

St. Martin has served as Department Chair, class adviser and as an adviser for Putnam High School Plastic Team during her tenure.   Each year, local teams work with local plastic manufacturers to create and market an innovative product. Under St. Martin’s leadership, the Putnam High School team has won the competition twice.

Superintendent William Hull said, “Amy Beth is an example of the wonderful and dedicated teachers in the Putnam school system.   She has implemented innovative and creative strategies into to her classroom.  She has embedded real-life examples into to her teaching, making learning interested and meaningful for her students.   She is also extremely dedicated to the Putnam community, volunteering in a host of activities. We are proud to have Amy Beth as this year’s Teacher of the Year. ”

 

POMFRET — The Pomfret Recreation Department will present the following:

Men’s Over 30 Basketball: Starting 10/5/15 through 3/28/16 in the PCS Gym. Time:  6:30 to 9:00 pm – Pick up style basketball. $25 per person

Friday Night Basketball: Friday Nights Starting Nov. 6 – Jan. 29 , 3rd & 4th Grade boys and girls play from 6:30 -7:30 pm, 5th & 6th Grade boys and girls play 7:30 – 8:30 pm. Just for fun, co-ed pick-up style basketball. $25 per person

If you need any other information regarding these events please go online to www.pomfret.gov/recreation , email:  B. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact the Recreation Department at (860) 974-1423.