Arts Festival Off to a Good Start

The wide-ranging presentations at the Suffield Arts Festival offered the town an opportunity to enjoy a free sample of local music, dance, drama, mime, comedy, painting, crafts and more. The Suffield Youth Theater (SYT), always adventurous, tackled this as their summer event on Saturday, July 14. There was much to enjoy. In addition to SYT regulars, there were performers from the Around Town Two singers, Red Door Theater, Springfield Drama Studio, Moxie Dance Center (West Hartford), Suffield High’s Improv Club, the “Time Was” trio and musicians and artisans and artists of various genres. Several large tents were set up, and as this was an all-day affair, SYT arranged for a variety of food vendors and other amenities.

A Colorful Boat Parade

It’s not the kind of parade with marchers in step, but the motif was Patriotism, and patriotic spirit was certainly evident with the splendid red, white, and blue trappings on many of the boats that circled Middle Pond on Saturday, July 7. This traditional event held by Citizens Restoring Congamond was bigger than ever this year. The event began at about 5:00 p.m. with music from the PA system to entertain as boats gathered at anchor in front of the performance stage at Babb’s Beach. Some headed in to tie up on the beach, carefully avoiding the half-dozen kids swimming. (Signs warned that no life guard was on duty.)

This being an Independence Day celebration, the event started with Kristina Perez, 12, singing “God Bless America,” followed by “America the Beautiful.” Kristina, from Avon, is the granddaughter of Scott and Ginny Graves.

Volunteer Appreciation at Hilltop

Torrential rain was not an auspicious start to Saturday, August 4, but the afternoon turned lovely for the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic hosted by The Friends of the Farm at Hilltop. Joan and Tom Heffernan of Suffield were honored as FOFAH’s 2018 “Volunteers of the Year.”

Joan is an amazing gardener! She takes care of the landscaping around the two historic farmhouses and has been a big help with the butterfly, hummingbird, and pollinator gardens. Joan and husband Tom have also taken on creation of the new “corn crib” garden on the east side of the farmstead. Last, but not least, Joan is quick to share the beautiful nature photos she takes around the farm and the open space.

SWC Fall Mum Sale

The Suffield Woman’s Club (SWC) will be selling 9” fall mums on Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23 at Sacred Heart Church after each service.

Enfield Loaves and Fishes

Enfield Loaves and Fishes (Soup Kitchen) is in need of garden vegetables. Please put in an extra plant or two and share your crop. We are located at 28 Prospect St., drop-off time 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call Priscilla 860-741-0226.

Successful Blood Drive

The Suffield Woman’s Club (SWC) held its annual Red Cross Blood Drive recently at the Second Baptist Church. The drive collected 21 productive pints of blood which equals up to 3 lives saved. The SWC would like to thank the American Red Cross for all their work setting up and working the blood drives (especially ours!), our Club volunteers, bakers and sandwich makers and a very special thank you to all the donors who take time out of their busy schedules to come out and donate. You made a difference in someone’s life.