Babb’s Beach and Park Opening

Babb’s Beach & Park will be opening this month for the second season. This gem of a park is located on Congamond Lake in West Suffield. Beginning June 23, patrons to the park will be greeted by gate attendants who will welcome you and point you in the right direction to park in the upper lot or to access the lower lot for handicap parking. The beach and park will be open daily, 9:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. and earlier as the sun begins to set earlier in August. Suffield residents may visit the park free of charge with proof of residency and non-residents will be charged $20.00 per vehicle.

Cocktails in the Hatheway Garden

Join us to celebrate summer, local food and Connecticut history at the Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden! On Friday, June 15, from 6 to 9 p.m., savor farm-to-table offerings by The Federal, wine, and signature cocktails at Connecticut Landmarks’ signature summer event Cocktails in the Hatheway Garden. Tour the 18th-century Phelps-Hatheway House and splendid garden, lovingly maintained by the Suffield Garden Club for over 50 years. Enjoy music by The Chris Marolda Duo, who will have you out of your seat and dancing! Bid on a variety of Connecticut productions and experiences in our silent auction.

SWC Donation Preserves Garments

The Suffield Woman’s Club (SWC) proudly presented the Suffield Historical Society with a $7,200 donation to preserve the garments in the attic at the King House Museum. The SWC first learned about these garments from Pam Baldini, who did a presentation at a Club meeting last year. Ms. Baldini had been working on a catalogue of the garments for her degree at UConn. The project was researched by the SWC Giving Committee, who determined that the project would benefit the many visitors to the museum and future generations, and it would be devastating if these garments were lost. The Club members agreed by voting to donate the funds.

NEAM Activities

Open Cockpit Day

The New England Air Museum will hold an Open Cockpit Day on Father’s Day, Sunday June 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Helicopter Day

On Saturday, June 23, NEAM will feature many of the helicopters in its extensive collection. For the first time, the museum will display over 20 helicopters and equipment. Some of the helicopters will be open to the public for tours. The program will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but the museum will remain open until 5 p.m.

Family of Doctors

From her apartment at Suffield by the River, Odette Makari looks toward the garden where a handcrafted tile reads, “In loving memory of Jack Makari.” Odette’s late husband died in May 2013. The tile was made by Celia Moffie’s daughter, Hannah Donnelly. Dr. Makari was a medical researcher. He and Odette came as newlyweds from their native Lebanon to Texas where he was appointed director of immunology at the Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Later established in New Jersey, the doctor developed the Makari Intradermal Skin test that detected cancer before it became clinically observable.

The Great Blue Heron Exchange

The way I see it, there were many advantages to growing up with a whole slew of brothers. We spent most of our days crawling around in the dirt or rerouting streams using mud and sticks. And when we were cooped up inside, we had a book entitled The World We Live In. We pored over its oversized illustrations, including those of dinosaurs. It fired our imaginations, and I still get the chills when I leaf through it.

In Memoriam

Barbara (Berube) Leone April 13 Age 82 Dorothy (Seatland) Hinckley April 17, Age 91 Leslee Yuodis April 18 Age 81 Francesco “Frankie” Vono April 18 Age 79 Brianna Mailloux April 19 Age 18 Gertrude Johnson April 30 Age 99

Senior Center News

Beginning in April, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began sending new Medicare cards to beneficiaries. The new cards are being sent to decrease Medicare beneficiaries’ vulnerability to identity theft by removing the Social Security-based number from Medicare identification cards and replacing it with a new unique Medicare Number. Although an exact time has not been specified for Connecticut, the roll-out for Connecticut residents will be after this month (June). Here’s what you need to know before they arrive:

• Make sure your address is up to date because Medicare will be sending it to the location associated with your Social Security account. To update your address information, contact Social Security at 800-772-1213 or go on-line to www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

BBQ Kick Off Planning for SOTG

Do you enjoy the annual festivities at Suffield on the Green? Are you someone who likes giving back to the community? If so, please join us at the Friends of Suffield’s first-ever Summer BBQ to kick off planning for the 2018 Suffield on the Green (SOTG) & Craft Fair. Our dinner meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 12, beginning at 6 p.m.

The Friends of Suffield, the civic group that puts on SOTG annually, is looking for people to help with all aspects of this year’s event – from planning out activities, music and booth locations, to assisting with setup just prior to the weekend’s happenings. This year’s Suffield on the Green & Craft Fair will take place September 8-9.

Friends of Suffield Awards Grants

Local community service got “a shot in the arm” on May 8 at the Suffield Senior Center when the Friends of Suffield presented several local organizations with grants to fund their activities in 2018. Representatives from groups across town—ranging from Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to the Crossroads Food Pantry and Emergency Aid Association—took part in a brief awards ceremony to accept their checks and pose for a photo. People from other local organizations receiving grants attended on behalf of the Second Baptist Church, The Suffield Players and the Parks & Rec Department of Suffield. Each year, the Friends of Suffield donates the proceeds it raises through activities and special events, most notably Suffield on the Green & Craft Fair, back to local non-profit groups for projects that enhance the community. A sampling of how this year’s grant monies will be spent includes: canoe rental for Girl Scout “Camporee”, fuel assistance, tools for farming activities, and children’s eye test equipment.