Over the past twenty-five years the Observer has covered many stories about local people, events and businesses. We thought it might be interesting to highlight some of the front-page news to remind us what was happening in town. The following are some of the headline stories from our July/August issues over the past 25 years.
The Fireman’s Carnival and their 5K race was a front-page story several times over the past 25 years, as well as recognition of the many Observer scholarship recipients. Other stories included the Second Baptist Church roof collapse (1999), selection of an architect for the new high school design (1999), the Recreation Complex completion (2000), the opening of the Suffield Farmer’s Market (2001), many Relay for Life successes (2003, 2004, 2017), SHS and Suffield Academy graduations (2010) and SHS graduation with the COVID car parade (2020). The Suffield Middle School band plays for the Suffield House residents (2005), Memorial Day services and parade (2006), the pausing and restarting of the Town Center project (2006) the new Ambulance Center has its open house (2007) and the Extreme Makeover television show comes to Suffield to “make over” the Hill family’s house (2009). The Bissell Inn renovations slow (2011), the Hatheway House is recognized as one of Connecticut’s Cultural Treasures (2012), there is an internal investigation concerning Suffield Police Department (2015), the Packard Tournament remembering Glenn Packard celebrates its 25th year (2016), Babb’s Beach gets a cleanup (2016), SHS Golf Team wins the Division III championship (2017), the Police Department holds its National Night Out celebration (2018) Kent Memorial Library has its grand re-opening (2019), the dedication of the Remington Street Bridge named in memory of Petty Officer Dustin L. Doyon takes place (2021)and the Summer Fair is a big hit (2020).
The Observer often highlighted people as well on the front page. Some people reported on over the past 25 years included Selectmen candidates Elaine Sarsynski and Rod Dilllman (2001), George Love, a Pearl Harbor survivor (2001), Ann and Bob Carroll for their volunteer work (2003), Chuck Boyd and his trek up Mt. Everest (2004), Roz Luongo and her work with the Airline Ambassador program (2007), philanthropist Anna Grant Dehoff (2008), Dr. Peter Coombs, volunteer in Haiti (2008),Suffield Teachers of the Year Carl Casinghino (2011) and Kris Pryce (2011), and Observer Suffield Pride recipients Brian Claughsey (2018) and Jenny Sansom Nye (2019).
We hope to provide a look into the past years, month by month, as we remember some of the front-page highlights.