Editorial

Got Music?

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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.

Schools/Sports

Read Across America Inspires Kids

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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!

Churches

Welcoming Father Mathieu Isaac

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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.

Organizations

NEAM Announces Women Take Flight Event

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The New England Air Museum will hold its annual Women Take Flight event on Saturday, March 9, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in commemoration of Women’s History Month and in conjunction with Women of Aviation Worldwide Week. Visitors of all ages are invited to celebrate women’s contributions to aerospace history through a variety of hands-on activities, special events, and lectures. This year’s keynote speakers include Shaesta Waiz, Founder and President of Dreams Soar, Inc. In 2017, Ms. Waiz became the youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single engine aircraft when she completed a journey that took her to 22 countries in 145 days. Born in an Afghan refugee camp, Ms. Waiz is the first female certified civilian pilot from Afghanistan. Ms. Waiz will speak about her experiences at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and will be available to meet with visitors from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Additional keynote speakers include Mary Anne Cannon, Vice President of Commercial Programs at Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford, Connecticut; and Kristi Fleischmann, Managing Director of Acrojet Aerospace Solutions in Stratford.

Schools/Sports

Sports Equipment Collected for Reuse

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In November, I attended the first ever Student Athlete Advisory Board meeting hosted by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC). As one of three representatives for our area, I was tasked with sharing what we are doing in Suffield to promote sportsmanship and community involvement and bringing home new ideas. At the conference, students got together into small groups to discuss possible community service initiatives for our Class Act Councils. My group came up with the idea of a used sports equipment drive. I thought this would work well at Suffield High School because most students play sports throughout their whole lives, so I took the idea back to SHS, and we decided to offer the incentive for students to bring in used gear for free admission to any home basketball game.

Organizations

FOS Egg Hunt and Bunny Visit

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It’s back! By popular demand, the “Welcome Spring! Egg Hunt and Bunny Visit,” hosted by the Friends of Suffield, returns to town this year. Perfect for families with young children, the activity-filled event takes place Saturday, April 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Spaulding Elementary School. Volunteers are busy planning a variety of hands-on fun, which will be posted on www.friendsofsuffield.org.

Organizations

SGC Accepting Grant Applications

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If your town organization has a new or ongoing project which supports Suffield Garden Club’s purpose, we invite you to apply for a grant of up to $300. Projects which “stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening and the art of flower arranging; aid in the protection of trees, plants and birds; encourage civic beautification or instill a respect for the environment” are all eligible. In evaluating applications, priority will be given to projects that emphasize benefits to the community and/or community involvement and participation. Applications must be submitted through a non-profit organization. Scouts, students and teachers should apply through their troop or school.

Government/Town

Valentine Couple Crowned

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Suffield’s new Valentine King and Queen smile to their subjects. Bill Brennan and Margaret Matuck won the draw and held their royal audience on February 9 following a generous mid-day dinner presented at the Senior Center by the Friends of Suffield and served by student volunteers to approximately 80 celebrants.