Interact at the Festival
The Putnam Rotary Club’s Interact Club took part in the Feb. 28 Fire and Ice festival in Putnam. Club members carved an ice block in the shape of a soup can to remind people of food insecurity. They collected $86 for their fund-raiser for the Heifer project which helps families in Third World countries obtain sustainable food sources. The Putnam Rotary Interact Club is a regional club for students ages 12 to 18. The next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. March 10 at the Putnam Public Library. For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Top photo (courtesy) From left: Calleigh Levesque, Bailey Benton, Sam Hachigian, Keegan Porter, Kenzie Porter, Alyssa Daniels. Missing from photo Matthew Rybacki. Middle photo: Later the Interactors were joined by Rotaract and Rotary Club members and helpers. Above: The Putnam Rotary Club ice sculpture's "Boots on the Ground" represented the club's service to the community. Linda Lemmon photos.

.

Advancing patient access at Westview Health Care Center
DAYVILLE — Anna Honore, APRN, FNP-C, is the newest member of Westview Health Care Center’s in-house team of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.  She brings a strong commitment to patient advocacy, preventative care, and expanded access to medical services in joining the staff of the Dayville facility.  As part of Westview’s General Nurse Practitioner Program, she provides care to patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings; working alongside Kerri Sauer, APRN-DNP, and James Allentuck, AGNP-C to support continuity of treatment across the organization’s skilled nursing and outpatient rehabilitation services.
Honore earned both her bachelor’s in biology and in nursing from Southern Connecticut State University through the institution’s Accelerated Career Entry program.  This academically intensive pathway helped prepare her for challenging and diverse clinical experiences.  Just after completing her undergraduate degree, she began her career as an Emergency Medical Technician in New Haven.  In this role, she responded to patients from a wide range of backgrounds and medical needs.  
Upon her certification as a Registered Nurse, Anna worked in the Emergency Department at Yale New Haven Hospital; in the Urgent Care Clinic at Cornell Scott Hill Health Center; and in the Medical/Surgical Inpatient Nursing Units of the Hospital of Central Connecticut.
Continuing to find experiences that strengthen her abilities to support patients through complex medical and social challenges is a strong part of Anna’s motivation.  
She has provided specialized care in addiction treatment settings and carries enduring empathy from that work as she looks to help underserved patient demographics.  
Anna went on to complete her Master of Science degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Worcester; further expanding the patient population she serves.
She maintains a focus on closing gaps in health care access and helping patients navigate barriers that may prevent them from receiving consistent treatment.  
She emphasizes preventative care and patient education while remaining prepared to address acute medical concerns as they arise.  
Her approach centers on understanding the full context of each patient’s needs and advocating for the resources necessary to support long-term wellness.
Westview’s General Nurse Practitioner Program is certified to provide care for patients ages 13 and older; expanding access to primary and follow-up medical services for residents of the surrounding community. 
 Westview Health Care Center continues to advance its mission of “Caring for Generations” by growing its team of nurse practitioners and broadening treatment pathways for patients and families throughout the region.

.

Snow storms, aka budget killers
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Watching closely will be the watchwords for town budgets after the massive snow storms.
Like many towns, Putnam is looking at a winter budget line item overflowing with red ink. Town Administrator Elaine Sistare said Benjamin and Calvin have put the Highway Department budget $170,000 over budget. And the budget for road salt is $45,000 in the red.
In addition to road salt, the budget covers overtime and contracted services (i.e. bringing in companies with heavy equipment).
There is a contingency fund but the town will be watching all the budgets very closely, she said. The selectmen will be consulting with the Board of Finance, too. By the time the town gets close to the end of the fiscal year (June 30), other line items may have extra and the money can be moved. “We are watching all accounts,” she said.

.