The Suffield Observer (https://thesuffieldobserver.com/category/columns/page/46/)
Boy Scout Troop 66 Spring Vacation Trip
Troop 66 sent four photos from the spring vacation trip taken by eight adventurous Boy Scouts to Philadelphia and vicinity. Clockwise from upper left: the Scouts took the Observer along as they visited Rocky at the Museum of Art, saw some ships at the Navy Yard, toured the exhibits at Independence Square and learned some Revolutionary War history at Valley Forge.
Memorial Day holds a place of great honor in Suffield, in the nation. Many people cherish long memories of the Day: sunny morning parades, marching officials, scouts, leaders, police, fire and rescue departments marching with the high school band, veterans in the honor guard and members of the American Legion waving from open convertibles and timely, respectful attention. Histories abound of Memorial Day as originating after the Civil War to commemorate those who died in the war. Later, Veterans Day was established to honor all veterans who served our country in war and in peace. We think of military deaths that have occurred in recent years.
Price of Freedom by Rosemary Rowe and Nicolas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie
It was my younger brother who pulled me into becoming a Facebook member. He’d been following the activities of his three kids on it and thought I should be tuned in to the activities of the younger generation as well. So I floundered around on my computer, filled out the member form, and managed to upload my picture up onto it. My first friends were members of my immediate family, but I came across more and more friends and relatives who were also on Facebook. After a high school reunion, some of my classmates “friended me” as well and I started learning about the lives of classmates I had lost touch with.
It has been said that “good things come to those who wait.” The patient people of Suffield have certainly waited long enough for the Town Hall renovation. Here I offer the fruits of over 13 years of the Town’s labor, expended in the form of discussions, studies, plans and proposals, and that the “good things” are finally near at hand. The Permanent Building Commission (PBC) and I support housing the majority of town employees under one roof. Reasons include:
• Improved customer service
• Ease of use for residents and those doing business with town
• Greater collaboration among employees
• Savings of over $100,000 annually in leased space
• Freeing commercial space to contribute to real and personal property tax rolls
To that end, PBC considered three options on May 10. Two plans renovate the existing building and incorporate an addition.
Thirty years ago this month, I said good-bye to a friend for the last time. It was short and far from meaningful. It was finals week, and I caught her at very stressful moment. I left campus a few days later, and she spent the following semester abroad. I didn’t have her address or number in London, but in truth I probably wouldn’t have written or called.
Barbara (Berube) Leone April 13 Age 82 Dorothy (Seatland) Hinckley April 17, Age 91 Leslee Yuodis April 18 Age 81 Francesco “Frankie” Vono April 18 Age 79 Brianna Mailloux April 19 Age 18 Gertrude Johnson April 30 Age 99
Attending the fiftieth anniversary in 2009 of John Biggerstaff’s induction with the late William Hinson into Apollo Lodge #59 was an honor. Joining Louise at John’s induction into the West Suffield Congregational Church on April 8, 2018, was also an honor. The Biggerstaff family has been a constant in life. John’s grandmother was the first visitor to my first home. John’s father installed the pump in a later home; he also opened history on local Polish music gatherings having joined them with his mouth organ.
