Got Music?

One Saturday evening this past March, I sang with the other 80 members of the Springfield Symphony Chorus (SSC) in Springfield’s beautiful Symphony Hall. It was a concert filled with well-known music from 16 Broadway classics including Oklahoma, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Chorus Line, and Phantom of the Opera. The hall was filled with appreciative Broadway music fans entertained by Springfield Symphony’s (SSO) amazingly talented orchestra directed by Maestro Keven Rhodes and the SSC. The SSC tends to sing primarily classical music (our Mahler concert is in the spring), but the Chorus has been invited to sing in a variety of non-classical concerts over the past few years, which, as a diverse music lover, has been a hoot! In 2017, I was lucky enough to be part of a group of 30 SSC singers who got to work with the SSO to sing “background music” as part of a Video Games Live concert, which is dedicated solely to music from video games.

Read Across America Inspires Kids

Spaulding School continued its annual celebration of Read Across America with several events the week of February 25. Monday was Wear Green Day – along with green clothing we saw some green hair! In addition, preschool was joined by Miss Connecticut, Bridget Oei, as a guest reader. Tuesday was Hat Day – we saw everything from baseball caps to Cat in the Hat hats! Wednesday was Wacky – the hairstyles and clothing choices definitely made it a Wacky Wednesday!

Welcoming Father Mathieu Isaac

You may notice a new face around town and at Sacred Heart Church. Father Mathieu Isaac is new to Suffield and will be in residence at the Sacred Heart Rectory. Father Mathieu Isaac came to the United States from Haiti in 2010 after the earthquake, and he returns to Haiti annually. He has had assignments in numerous Connecticut parishes since being ordained on May 12, 2012, in the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.

Is There a Writer in You?

Do you like to write? Do you enjoy finding out what’s happening in Suffield? The Observer is looking for people who would like to write articles for the paper. We can help you with ideas and mentor anyone who is interested. The articles are typically between 350 and 500 words and due by the 15th of each month.

Looking for the Original Volunteers

We will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Suffield Observer in May. We have located over two thirds of the original volunteers and are seeking your help to contact the following volunteers whose names appeared on the masthead of the very first edition so that they can be included in this special celebration. Please email inbox@thesuffieldobserver.com or call the office at 860-668-7442 with contact information. Thank you! Dick Labouchere, Scott Sylvia, Michael Gilbert, Elizabeth McGuire, Skip Morell, Joan Treiber, George Unruh, Joe Cadieux, Jessica Drew, Nancy Hall, Henry Hallas, Louise Hallas, Betsy Hedden, Mike Cooper, Anna Ferry. 

Women’s History in Suffield

The Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame organization teaches us that “women’s lives have been filled with rich experiences, and their daily contributions are an invaluable part of our history that has too often been overlooked.” 

With that insight in mind during the winter term, Suffield Academy’s American Studies class reviewed the history of Suffield with a focus on women’s history and now look forward to making a multimedia presentation during the Suffield Historical Society meeting on April 23 at 7 p.m. 

The meeting will be held at the Suffield Senior Center. The meeting is open to the public, and newcomers are most welcome. 

Please come out to learn more about women’s history in Suffield and email Bill Sullivan with any questions regarding this program: bsullivan@suffieldacademy.org 

Ag Expo Coming Soon

The Suffield Regional FFA Chapter will be holding an Ag Expo at the Suffield High School located on 1060 Sheldon Street West Suffield, Conn. The Ag Expo will run on Wednesday April 10 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and provides countless opportunities for hands-on activities related to all areas of agriculture.