EAGLE SCOUT — Victoria McKay, a sophomore at Beacon High School, in December became an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Scouting, and is pursuing a Gold Award, the highest rank in Girl Scouts. She joined Pack 3001 when the Scouts first began allowing girls and later became a member of Troop 86. For her Eagle project, Victoria and a group of volunteers built a 9-foot-long, three-compartment compost bin for Stony Kill Farm in Fishkill. Her older brother, Allen, is also an Eagle Scout.
SHARPSHOOTERS — The Knights of Columbus Loretto Council No. 536 sent six boys and girls to the district free-throw competition on Feb. 23 at Hopewell Junction and all six advanced to the regionals on March 9 in Poughkeepsie. From left are Jack Fitzgerald (age 14, who made 23 of 25 shots), Diarmuid Cotter (11), Cormac Cotter (9), Bennett McConville (10), Alivia Amato (10) and Natalia Corless (12).
TOP STUDENTS — The Beacon Elks Lodge on Feb. 12 recognized three Haldane Middle School Students of the Month for January. From left: Sharon Haviland of the Elks, Henry Budney (Grade 6), Michael Beglan (Grade 7), Everett MacIntyre (Grade 8), Jeanine McAuley and Cathy Oken of the Elks. Students are nominated by their teachers and receive a gift card donated by Cold Spring Pizza.
HARM REDUCTION — The Putnam County Department of Mental Health recently installed a harm-reduction vending machine outside the Department of Social Services in Carmel. The machine is stocked with free Narcan opioid-testing kits and safe disposal kits. Shown are Paul Tang, director of mental health, Sara Servadio, commissioner of mental health, Renee Prato, adult mental health coordinator and Lauren Johnson, dual recovery coordinator.
