Personal Safety Program at Senior Center was a hit!
It was a full house at the Suffield Senior Center on October 6 as participants gathered for an empowering evening focused on personal safety and situational awareness. Hosted by Suffield Parks & Recreation and Suffield Youth Services, this very important program drew in many younger members of the community with their parents/caregivers to learn practical strategies for staying safe in everyday situations.
A good crowd gathered for the Situational Awareness and Personal Safety Session for Seniors, Tweens, Teens, and Everyone in Between.
The interactive session, titled “Situational Awareness and Personal Safety for Seniors, Tweens, Teens, and Everyone in Between,” was led by safety expert Cheri DeMaria, whose engaging presentation struck a chord with attendees. Participants included families, local residents, and even members of the Suffield Soccer Program, all eager to sharpen their safety skills.
DeMaria’s instruction focused on key areas such as improving situational awareness, understanding and trusting intuition, and learning simple yet effective self-protection techniques—no martial arts experience required. Special attention was given to high school and college students preparing to enter new and unfamiliar environments.
The evening began with a casual pizza-and-snack social, setting a welcoming tone before diving into the hands-on learning. Attendees of all ages participated enthusiastically, creating a vibrant, intergenerational atmosphere.
“This program wasn’t just informative—it was truly eye-opening,” said one attendee. “We left feeling more confident and aware, with practical tools we can use every day.”
Many thanks to all those that attended and to instructor Cheri DeMaria for instructing such an important class.
Holiday Fiesta Fun with Santa Coming to Suffield!
The holiday season is about to get a festive boost in Suffield as the Suffield Parks & Recreation Department, in collaboration with Youth Services and the Suffield Senior Center, hosts a Special Pizza Party Fiesta Dinner with Santa on Thursday, December 4, at the Suffield Senior Center, located at 145 Bridge Street.
This family-friendly event is open to all ages and abilities and promises an evening filled with holiday magic, delicious food, and joyful activities. Guests will enjoy a tasty dinner featuring pizza and nachos, have the opportunity to create holiday crafts and handmade gifts, and, of course, meet Santa Claus himself, who will be visiting straight from the North Pole.
To accommodate everyone, two seating times are offered: the first is from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., and the second is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Doors will open no earlier than 15 minutes before each seating. The cost is $10 per person for both children and adults. Children age 2 and under may attend for free but must be registered in advance by calling Pam at 860-668-3862.
Advance registration is required, and space is limited. Please be sure to register early at www.suffieldrec.com to secure your spot. This cheerful community gathering is a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season with family, friends, and a visit from Santa himself. Register at suffieldrec.com