Op-Ed

When the Library Returns to “the Big House”

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Happy New Year! For Suffield, one of the highlights of 2019 will be the re-opening of the Kent Memorial Library on North Main Street. What a joyous occasion that will be! The Friends of KML are especially looking forward to the pleasure of viewing the three large photos that were hung on the wall of the lower lobby in 1992, and were removed and stored for the recent renovations. Some Suffield residents may not be aware of how and why these photos came to our library.

First Selectman’s Update

First Selectman’s Update

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One of my favorite leisure activities – working on puzzles – has proven an invaluable asset in this job. The many Town initiatives I am eager to see to fruition are like a puzzle; the big picture requires all the smaller pieces to fit together.

Letter to the Editor

Dog Rescue

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Dear Editor,

I am the owner of Falcon, the rescue Aussie that escaped from me on November 18, 2018 and was captured on November 23, 2018. I wish to thank the Town of Suffield, the two ACOs, the police, and the Suffield Forum. I especially want to thank the group of women on Hill Street that are the real reason why I have my dog back. If it was not for their patience and treats, I believe the dog would probably be cruising around the Oxen Hill Farm area. Special thanks to the Vet Tech who I observed taking her time to have the escape artist eat food out of her hand and slowly put her finger through his collar.

Editorial

Is Kindness Dead?

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It is easy to think that there is not much kindness in our very divided world. I looked up a simple definition of “kind” in Merriam Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary, which is meant for use by new English language learners. Their definition is “… showing a gentle nature and desire to help others….wanting to do good things and to bring happiness to others.”

About two months ago, I was surprised when a gentleman ahead of me in the checkout line of a dollar store, swept my few items into his pile and said “I got this”. Not expecting his kindness, I first reacted with “Oh, those are mine.” Then I realized he meant to pay for my items. I felt really touched and also had the desire to “pay it forward,” so I paid for the few items the woman behind me was buying. She too was surprised and repeatedly thanked me, telling me the items were to decorate her classroom for special needs students.

Editorial

The Invisible People

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Most of us are traveling on a highway once in a while, especially on a holiday, and stopping at a rest stop. Have you ever really looked at someone pushing a mop around on the floor or cleaning a restroom? Well, there they are in a thankless job for a probably minimum wage with no future promotion. And no tip jar. Many others get tips like a waitress or hairdresser and in other service jobs.

People/Business

A Story of Sweetheart Farmers

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Carol and Harrison Griffin were high school sweethearts who will soon be celebrating their 50th anniversary! Carol grew up on a farm here in Suffield, Harrison grew up on a farm in East Granby, and they met in high school when they both were in 4-H. Harrison’s Polish family farm dated from 1647 (the farm has been recognized as having been in the same family since the birth of the Constitution), and Carol’s family came from Ireland in the late 1800s. They dated and then graduated from Suffield High School (since East Granby didn’t have a high school at that time) when the high school was what is now McAlister Intermediate School. Both Harrison and Carol went on to college at the Hartford Branch of UConn.

Organizations

New Publisher

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While traditionally our paper was contained in one section, starting this month we will now have two sections. Breaking into multiple sections will provide possible opportunities for further improvements. We are using a new printer, the Rare Reminder Printing Company operating out of Rocky Hill, Conn., to print and arrange for delivery of our paper to the post office in a timely fashion. The Rare Reminder comes highly recommended and has been very helpful in our transition. We are hopeful that this change will help avoid some of the late transmission problems. Because we have to submit a day earlier this requires strict enforcement of our submission deadline of the 15th of the month for publication in the next issue.

People/Business

Pentimento Brings Beauty to Inaugural Ball

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Being a floral designer is not all a bed of roses. Just ask sisters Tamara Pezzente and Paula Gallo, owners of Pentimento, a Suffield floral design company, who are regularly up before the crack of dawn to get to the 5 a.m. opening of the Boston flower exchange. The Suffield residents, who started the business about 30 years ago, have been catering to the rich, famous, and politically connected as well as every-day folks who appreciate their artistic touch and aesthetic. Their artistry and easygoing way, combined with their knowledge of all things that grow and an ability to translate a bride’s vision into memorable arrangements led them to be chosen a Best of the Knot (wedding publication) in 2016. Gallo, who loves her job, credits her sister with being “the artistic one” who started out doing the flowers for her church, but Gallo is likewise creative.