People/Business

Picnic was Rainy but Great

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On a rainy Sunday in the crowded Sportsmen’s cabin during the annual picnic for Cpl. Steve Bixler, USMC, Kevin Goff and his grandchild, along with an unidentified youngster, examine some of the display material about Steve’s short, heroic career.

People/Business

Brewery Progress Snagged

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The caption of a photo in last month’s Observer reported that completion of the new Broad Brook Brewery (BBB) being constructed on South Street had been delayed. It turns out that the delay was prompted by a stop work order issued on March 28 by Suffield Building Inspector Ted Flanders. The underlying matters are complicated. Excavation for the 12,000-square-foot building on a small parcel in Mach One Industrial Park began in August or early September, and the foundation footings were poured later in September. A ceremonial “groundbreaking” was held on September 28, with Suffield officials and company officers happily celebrating the new business coming to town.

People/Business

Cormier Named Senior VP at FNBS

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Joseph Greco, President and Chief Executive Officer of The First National Bank of Suffield, announced on March 8 that James Cormier has been promoted to the role of Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking. “In the eleven years that Mr. Cormier has been with the bank, he has consistently displayed skills and personal qualities that have allowed us to grow our commercial lending business,” said Mr. Greco. “Those same qualities have resulted in steady career growth for Mr. Cormier, who has responded to his increasing responsibilities with aplomb. I am both happy to acknowledge his promotion and eager to see what comes next.”

Mr. Cormier began his career at the Bank in 2007 as a Commercial Credit Analyst, became an officer of the Bank in 2011 and was promoted to Vice President of Commercial Lending in 2015. He earned a BS degree in Finance from the University of Massachusetts in 2003 and in 2017 completed the American Bankers Association’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Wharton Leadership program.

People/Business

New Business Coming to South Street

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A Suffield entrepreneur who moved his family from one end of Halladay Avenue to the other recently is now planning to move his business from Southwick to a warehouse he will build on South Street. Jeff Wasilewski intends to move his third-party Amazon retailer business from Southwick, with eight employees now and plans for more. He had hoped to have broken ground by now, but a Suffield administrative snag interfered. He expects the delay to be brief. The planned 14,600-square foot warehouse will also accommodate Wasilewski’s Artisan Owl business, identified in his website as a multi-faceted business specializing in toys, housewares, books, games, jewelry and more.

People/Business

Family of Doctors

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From her apartment at Suffield by the River, Odette Makari looks toward the garden where a handcrafted tile reads, “In loving memory of Jack Makari.” Odette’s late husband died in May 2013. The tile was made by Celia Moffie’s daughter, Hannah Donnelly. Dr. Makari was a medical researcher. He and Odette came as newlyweds from their native Lebanon to Texas where he was appointed director of immunology at the Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Later established in New Jersey, the doctor developed the Makari Intradermal Skin test that detected cancer before it became clinically observable.

People/Business

Smooth Transitions … and What’s Happening in Today’s Real Estate Market

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Want to reduce stress and maximize the sale of your home? Come hear from experts in the field during this short presention on Wednesday, June 6 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the First National Bank of Suffield at 30 Bridge Street. Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited but all are welcome. Kindly reserve your seat by calling Toni at 914-420-1656.