Schools/Sports

Career Forum Held at Suffield High School

By |

Suffield Police joined the Honorable Judge Jason Lobo, presiding juvenile judge at New Britain Superior Court, Attorney Jay Presser, a private attorney, and staff of the Connecticut State Police in a criminal justice and legal career forum held on January 29 for students at Suffield High School. Through a panel discussion as well as a lengthy question and answer session, the 20 students in attendance were exposed to various career fields and provided with several strategies to help prepare for these professions. And yes, Suffield High School School Resource Officer Kieselback provided donuts to the student participants (no stereotyping,  please). Hopefully our communities will see some of these Suffield young women and men protecting and serving in State Police grey or Suffield blue in the years to come!

People/Business

Local Equestrian Honored

By |

“I’m very proud of Gabriella and her horse. This is such a prestigious show and it’s an honor to qualify, much less to attend with your own horse and achieve so much together,” said trainer Danielle Barrasso, referring to her student, Gabriella Santaniello, a junior at Suffield High School who added the Premier Equestrian Award to her list of achievements at the 2018 International Friesian Show Horse Association World Show, October 2-7, in Springfield, Ohio.  Trainer Barrasso worked with Gabriella at the Sunny Hill Farm on North Street. In their very first IFSHA World Show appearance together, the Suffield teenager and her five year-old purebred Friesian mare, Rajasahara (Steffan-S x Senko Zon D), earned nine World Championships, 12 reserve championships, and a Top 5 in classes including costume, halter, (hunter and western) dressage, (hunter and western) equitation and pleasure, and showmanship. “She started riding at age five, and became my student when she was seven. She started out doing hunter/jumpers on my ponies before her parents bought Raja and waited for her to grow into her new horse.”

The wait, this Premier Equestrian Award winner has certainly proven, has been worth it.

Schools/Sports

Rotary Student

By |

Congratulations to Hannah Stack, who was chosen as the Rotary Student of the Month for January. Hannah is a senior at Suffield High School and is an Honors student. Hannah was chosen to be a student representative to our Board of Education. She has been a volunteer coach at the Special Olympics, where she met with students and encouraged children with developmental delays. Hannah was also responsible for teaching golf to children with disabilities.

Editorial

How much is that puppy in the window?

By |

  One of the interesting tools I use when writing or evaluating other people’s writing is software that measures readability. If writing is too complex, say college level, it may be too difficult for middle or high school students to read. If it’s too simple, then adults may not think the content is for them.   The major ingredients of difficult writing are long words, sentences and paragraphs.   In general, writing should be at the ninth grade level to reach 50 percent of adults.

Op-Ed

When the Library Returns to “the Big House”

By |

Happy New Year! For Suffield, one of the highlights of 2019 will be the re-opening of the Kent Memorial Library on North Main Street. What a joyous occasion that will be! The Friends of KML are especially looking forward to the pleasure of viewing the three large photos that were hung on the wall of the lower lobby in 1992, and were removed and stored for the recent renovations. Some Suffield residents may not be aware of how and why these photos came to our library.

Food for Thought

Food For Thought

By |

Facebook Is Launched

 February 4, 2004

“If you can’t stop thinking about someone’s update, that’s called ‘status cling’.”

– Jessica Park

“All I know is that I carried you for nine months. I fed you, I clothed you, I paid for your college education. Friending me on Facebook seems like a small thing to ask in return.” – Jodi Picoult

“It’s almost bed time, so I’ll just check my email, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and watch a season of my favorite show on Netflix. Real quick.” 

– coolfunnyquotes.com

“If Facebook has taught us anything, it’s that a lot of people aren’t quite ready for a spelling bee.” 

– coolfunnyquotes.com

Chinese New Year

February 5

Year of the Boar

“Happy New Year! Always welcome the new morning with a new spirit, a smile on your face, love in your heart and good thoughts in your mind.”

– sayingimages.com

First Barbie Doll Sold

 February 12, 1959

“If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?” – Steven Wright

“Little girls love dolls.

Organizations

Suffield Community Aid

By |

What’s happening at SCA this Month? Dementia Care Giver Support Group:

Build a support system and meet with others who understand. The group meets the last Tuesday of each month at 450 South Street, Suffield at 11 a.m. The next meeting is Tuesday, January 29. You do not need to be a resident of Suffield to attend. The group is led by a trained Alzheimer’s Association facilitator.

People/Business

Praxair Tour

By |

Praxair, formerly known as Union Carbide, is a global company headquartered in Danbury. Their Suffield facility, opened in 1966, operates 24-7, producing three cryogenic liquids: nitrogen, oxygen & argon. The facility has many clients across the northeast, serving many markets including aerospace, with such clients as Pratt & Whitney and other divisions of UTC. A Suffield delegation recently visited Praxair as part of an ongoing initiative by the Town to visit businesses, learn about them and examine how the Town can best serve the business community. Businesses interested in being visited are invited to contact Kevin Bielmeier at kbielmeier@cerc.com

Schools/Sports

Superintendent Search

By |

The Suffield Board of Education has begun the search for a new superintendent. The Board has engaged the services of the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) to facilitate the search process. The process is expected to take approximately 120 days, with the intent of a new superintendent assuming the role on or before July 1. Dr. Elizabeth Osga, a retired Connecticut Public School Superintendent, is serving as the NESDEC Search Consultant. 

The search process will have three phases:

• The initial phase will include a call for candidates and the development of an ideal candidate profile. A link to this survey was sent to all stakeholders via our electronic communication system the morning of Tuesday, January 22.