People/Business

Suffield’s Best

By |

At a recent Rotary meeting I was listening to the achievements already accomplished by our SHS Student of the Month. It left me with confidence that the young lady would proceed to accomplish “big things” in life. A friend who attended suggested that it was too bad that we so often lose track of many successes achieved by the people who often go on to achieve major successes in their chosen fields. The friend noted that perhaps the Observer could provide information about the many people whose stories and accomplishments would either bring pride with the thought that “I knew that kid was going to make it”, or perhaps a “wow” recognition when you utter out loud “I didn’t know our neighbor did that.”

At the editorial board meeting people were excited about such an endeavor but aware that it was not an undertaking we could do on our own. Limiting such a series to those whose accomplishments the editors were aware of would inevitably but unfairly leave out the stories of many with equal or even more impressive successes.

People/Business

VP Retail Operations Named at Windsor Federal Savings

By |

Windsor Federal Savings is proud to announce the promotion of Maureen Sullivan to Vice-President –  Retail Operations. “Maureen’s extensive retail banking experience has allowed her to successfully take on additional responsibilities”, George Hermann, President and CEO of Windsor Federal Savings stated. Joining Windsor Federal Savings with over 10 years of prior retail banking experience, Maureen rapidly advanced within her career from part time Teller to Branch Manager by taking advantage of bank educational opportunities and receiving recognition for her outstanding customer service capabilities. In July 2017, she was promoted to Assistant Vice-President.

People/Business

Honoring Suffield’s Hometown Hero CPL Stephen R. Bixler

By |

May 4 is quickly approaching. It will be 12 years since CPL Stephen R. Bixler gave his life for our country. At times it seems like it was yesterday and other times a lifetime ago. Then there are the times that it feels like it really hasn’t happened and we are waiting for Steve to come home. The community of Suffield is coming together once again to honor and remember Stephen, at his Annual Memorial Picnic.

People/Business

Story of a Compassionate Cancer Veterinarian

By |

Steve and Jenny Gilbertson enjoyed walking their dog Bill on the lanes at beautiful Suffield by the River. They recently moved into a Villa here where Bill enjoys tethered exercise and plenty of fresh air with Kameron, the Gilbertsons’ black cat. A six–year–old springer spaniel, Bill, symbolizes much of Steve Gilbertson’s life. The pet represents the career Steve has had as veterinarian and pathologist researching cancer in canines. A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathology (ACVP) and member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AVMA), in 1983, Steve compiled and edited studies by four pathologists proposing canines as a scientific model for human mammary cancer.

People/Business

Doyon Road Race

By |

The Doyon family and Kyle Englander are hosting a 5K Memorial Road Race in memory of ET2 Dustin L. Doyon of the Unites States Navy, who lost his life while serving on the USS John S. McCain on August 21, 2017. Dustin was known by his shipmates as a world class athlete, and for running the decks every day while deployed. Dustin’s passion to run started in Suffield Middle School and followed him into his years at Suffield High and Pope Francis High, Springfield. Proceeds of the road race will help support the Dustin Doyon Scholarship Fund. This fund was established in 2017 to offer opportunities to graduates of both high schools, who have that same desire to run, and drive to further their education.

People/Business

New Housing Project Taking Names

By |

The first units of the large new apartment complex on East Street South are approaching completion, and their management office is taking applications now for June occupancy. An ad with contact information appears below. Public planning for what was then called the Hamlet began with a hearing before the Zoning and Planning Commission three years ago in March 2015. Mark O’Neill, a Suffield developer, proposed a large apartment and condo complex of 166 units on a 31-acre parcel south of Stony Brook behind private homes on the east side of East Street South. On the project’s east side were the Suffield Waste Water Treatment Facility (aka the sewer plant) and the Windsor Locks Canal.

People/Business

Lake Road Improving, Slowly

By |

In our February issue, the Observer published a description of the pavement problems on the newly-relocated Lake Road, and First Selectman Melissa Mack provided a comprehensive description of a remediation program in her Observer column in March. The program had been worked out with input from residents along with planning sessions with Town Engineer Gerry Turbet, Highway Foreman Mark Cervione, and representatives of Crestview Construction, the Southwick company that now owns the major portion of the new road. Crestview had built the road as one of the conditions of their purchase of the property to harvest sand and gravel from elsewhere on the 74-acre parcel. Viewed on March 12, just before the heavy, wet snowfall, the road had no significant potholes, but its surface was largely a rather coarse gravel that made for a noisy ride. From the First Selectman’s report, one can expect that this surface, being built up where required, will eventually be covered with processed aggregate and finally paved.

People/Business

Barletta Joins Windsor Federal Savings

By |

Windsor Federal Savings is pleased to announce that Nadine Barletta has been named as Vice President – Loan Administration & Operations. Nadine brings nearly twenty years of commercial lending and operations experience with her to Windsor Federal. Her most recent position, with United Bank, focused extensively on commercial and residential loan servicing in northern Connecticut.

People/Business

A DIY Project?

By |

On a sunny day in early February with a bit of remaining snow, three carpenters on a double-manlift scaffold assemble the interesting roof structure of this impressive house on Hill Street, just north of St. Joseph Cemetery.