Over the past twenty-five years the Observer has covered many stories about local people, events and businesses. The following are some of the headline stories from our issues over the past 25 years.
Front page stories included the new high school building plans (2000), Highland Park Market is open (2001), a town survey by Smart Growth (2001), Emergency Aid celebrated 100 years (2002), community center plans were made (2002), elementary school students celebrated 100 days in school (2003), the Observer held a forum to discuss Town Manager vs Selectmen forms of government (2004), Zoning and Planning entered the final phase of review and revision of zoning regulations (2004), economic growth in Suffield was in good shape (2006), ice fishing on Congamond Lakes was highlighted (2007), the Selectmen supported a new library plan (2008) and Second Baptist and Sacred Heart churches went on a mission to the Dominican Republic (2008). A zero increase was sought by the BOF (2009), a committee studying the Bridge Street property recommended the building and property be saved (2009), the Bissell House was to become senior housing (2010), heavy snow in February collapsed roofs (2011), library work continued after it closed in September (2012), Hilltop Farm got work done on wetlands (2012), the Bridge Street property was still in limbo (2013), there was a public hearing on the library ADA project (2013), a forum was held regarding the Bridge Street property’s future (2014), Zoning and Planning held a meeting regarding a possible biodiesel plant (2014), WNPR came to the Suffield Ambulance Association (2015), Observer scholarships honored Sam Fuller and Bob Warren (2015, 2019, 2020, 2021), Chuckles the groundhog was booked by the local police (2016) and the police department boosted community contact (2016). A hydroponic greenhouse was planned (2017), litigation regarding the Smith Pond neighborhood was in process (2018), Suffield Social Services conducted a needs survey (2018), Suffield Sings held a concert (2028), Ffyler Street garage proposal was viewed by the BOS (2019) and ACES High, Team 96 worked toward another championship year (2020).
The Observer often highlighted people as well on the front page. Some people reported on over the past 25 years included Third Baptist Church’s choral director, Diane Dorsey (2002), Police Chief Mark Leahy (2003), Sam Fuller’s resignation as Observer President and editor-in-chief (2004), Marine Lt. Colonel Bill Moryto and U.S. Naval Reserve Captain Ed McAnaney and their meet up in Iraq (2005), social worker and nurse Jane Fuller (2005), teacher and Irish step dancer Eilis McGoary, Olympian luger Meagan Sweeney (2010), Harry Zera and his donation to the Polish Heritage Society (2010), Bill and Frankie Connelly (2011), Fire Chief Tom Bellmore, State Senator and attorney Charlie Alfano, Sr. (2014), new First Selectman Melissa Mack (2016), Olympian luger Emily Sweeney (2018), teacher, historian and columnist Mary Anne Zak (2019), Oscar winner Greg Butler (2020), White House intern Kyle Englander (2021), special Suffield contributors Warren Packard and Blair Childs (2021), artist Peggy McKinnon (2023) and dance instructor Zlata Dzhaman (2023).
We hope to provide a look into the past years, month by month, as we remember some of the front-page highlights.