Director’s Corner

Director’s Corner

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Pumpkins: More Than Just Fall Decor

When autumn rolls around, one of the most iconic symbols of the season is the humble pumpkin. From its bright orange color to its versatile uses, the pumpkin has become an important part of our fall traditions. Did you know this popular squash is botanically considered a fruit because it originates from a flower? I am sure I am not the only one who always thought it was a vegetable! Whichever you consider it to be, the pumpkin has a rich history that extends far beyond pumpkin pies and Halloween decorations.One of America’s oldest native crops, pumpkins have been cultivated for more than 6,000 years.

People/Business

Suffield’s Newest Centenarian

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Suffield Senior Center was host to a very special celebration on Wednesday, September 10, as Eugene Christian – known affectionately as “Gene” to his many friends – turned 100 years of age while surrounded by friends and family. Decked out in a birthday sash proclaiming him “Birthday King” and a crown that suited him almost too well, Gene beamed as center members lined up to wish him happy birthday. Photo submitted by the author Gene with his great granddaughter Francesca dancing at the event to Polish polka music. Gene’s roots in Suffield run deep. Born in 1925 in the upstairs of a house his parents rented on South Street, he later co-owned Christian Farms with his brothers.

Organizations

Local Artist Featured During October in KML Gallery

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Since 2002, the Suffield Arts Council has provided displays of local artists’ work in the Pinney Gallery of the Kent Memorial Library, found in the center of Suffield. These shows have been arranged through the efforts of longtime West Suffield resident, Fran Milliken. Mr. Milliken volunteered for this job while serving as President of the Tobacco Valley Artists Association, a title that he held for ten years. He agreed to serve as a VP in the role of gallery coordinator. This is his 23rd year in that capacity.

Schools/Sports

Blue Ribbon Winners

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Members of the Little Aces & Mini Aces teams earned some blue ribbons at this year’s 4-H fair in Somers for their presentation and demonstration of their robot and accompanying research project.L- R Luke Osowiecki, Sawyer Prusi, Rohan Gupta, Leila Prusi and Dean Prusi

Schools/Sports

The Votes Are In!

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Suffield Girl Scouts were once again collecting votes at Suffield on the Green. The previous two years Suffield Girl Scouts accepted votes for the ever important Suffield’s Favorite Girl Scout Cookie (Thin Mint, of course). On the “ballot” this year: Suffield’s Favorite Spot. Photo by Erica BoucherL to R: Ella Kettles, Annalise Boucher

In the running: A. Ward Spaulding School, McAlister Intermediate School, Suffield Middle School, Suffield High School, Kent Memorial Library, Sunrise Park, Hilltop Farm (NOT the Creamery!) and Town Hall/Green.And the honor goes to … A. Ward Spaulding School (117 votes)! Second place goes to Kent Memorial Library (92 votes), which was closely followed by Hilltop Farm (85 votes) and Sunrise Park (83 votes).

Schools/Sports

A Vision for Place-Based Learning

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In an ideal world, education would be linked to where we live. Educators would be tapped into local parks, industry, culture, and museums. They would know where the local streams, forests, and fields are, and have the appropriate contacts, resources, and support to bring those experiences into the school day. In so doing, learning would be immersed in the community, both the built and the natural. By the time students graduate, they would feel a deep connection to the place that enriched their lives and laid the groundwork for a future of inspired citizenship, deeply rooted stewardship values, and in more ways than can be explained with words, a strong connection to home. Place-based learning is what we want for Suffield students, and we are building the platform to make it happen.

Schools/Sports

Color Run Seeking Local Business Sponsors

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On October 4, 2025 the Suffield Elementary PTO (parent-teacher organization), a registered nonprofit organization, will host its first Color Run fundraising event for elementary school families Students will run the course and get “color blasted” with cornstarch-based dust (non-toxic, biodegradable). Photo provided by Meadow Farms Fundraising: Color-A-Thon promotional packet

Students have spent the last few weeks fundraising on their individual online pages to help the PTO provide students with enrichment activities throughout the school year and to provide school staff with much deserved appreciation. It’s not too late for local businesses to jump in and sponsor our event! We have four sponsorship levels to choose from, but welcome donations of any amount:The H2O VIP ($100 donation): Help us keep our participants hydrated throughout the course! Your company gets an Island Ad and link on our Event Website.

Schools/Sports

Suffield High School Athletics

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The 2025 Fall athletic season is now under way! The athletes have been working since late August in preparation for this year’s season. The days leading up to these anticipated competitions have been filled with hard work, laughter, team bonding, and plenty of Suffield spirit. The season is in full swing, with the teams competing against the surrounding towns. Many teams were successful with their first games of the season.

Schools/Sports

SHS UNICEF Club Raises Funds

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SHS’s UNICEF Club raised $835 and collected 57 bags of food on a weekend in June to benefit UNICEF. One of their collection locations was in front of Suffield Village Market. From left to right, Anna-Maria Nastase (president), Ariella Cuevas, Madisyn Beyers, Hannah Avila (treasurer), Olivia Nicora (VP) collect donations in front of Suffield Village Market. Mya Johnson (historian) and Saanvi Nalla (secretary) were also part of the project.

Schools/Sports

Building Momentum This Fall

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The new school year is well underway, and the energy in our schools is a reflection of the excitement that comes with fall. Our team members and students are diving into learning, exploring new connections, and taking advantage of all that Suffield Publi Schools has to offer.National Bullying Prevention MonthOctober is National Bullying Prevention Month, a reminder for all of us to focus on creating schools where every student feels safe and valued. In Suffield, this commitment shows up through the Kindness Matters movement, created in memory of Meghan Voisine. The program gives students the chance to lead projects that spread compassion and inclusion in everyday ways. This year, the district incorporated a Kindness Statement into each school’s handbook to reinforce our commitment to a learning environment where hurtful behavior, words or actions of any kind are not welcome.

Schools/Sports

Teachers’ Coach Earns Teacher of the Year

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For Suffield Teacher of the Year, Heather Goldstein, it was a combination of job devotion, perseverance and the enduring influence of a former awardee that helped make her achievement possible. “I love, absolutely love working here in Suffield. It’s like my second home,” she said. Photo by Tony Peterson Teacher of the Year, Heather Goldstein (center), with Suffield Superintendent of Schools Matt Dunbar and former Assistant Superintendent Zawawi. This year marked her fifth nomination for Teacher of the Year and her third selection as a building finalist, one step away from earning the award.

Organizations

Suffield Community Aid

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What’s happening at SCA this Month? Photo by Mary Curtin Thank you to Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association (SVAA) for the backpack and supplies for our Return to School Backpack Drive. Pictured left to right: Lorianne Nutini, Jackie Guzie and Doug McIntos from SVAA. In-Person Bereavement Support Group Starts Oct. 10:Masonicare is partnering with Suffield Community Aid to offer a 6-week, in-person support group for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

History

Correction

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There was an error in the September Observer on the page of historic house photos. The caption for the Gay Mansion states that it is now the home of the Suffield Academy headmasters. That is incorrect. They live at the Gay Manse. We apologize for the error.

History

Suffield Trivia

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At the time of the American Revolutionary War, the militia in Connecticut consisted of small companies of men from a particular Connecticut town who occasionally mustered on the local Common. True or false.Is there a difference between a militia and minutemen? Yes or no.Anthony Austin (1632-1708), a first proprietor (settler) in Suffield was also the first, though purportedly reluctant, teacher in the town. He played a part in the founding of our country. What was it?a.

Uncategorized

A Moment in Time

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Old Photos Invited from Our Readers

Photo provided by Art Sikes from the KML Archives Inside the Hill Street School Last month we featured the Hill Street school from the outside. Here is what it looked like on the inside. It looks like it is set up for about 35 students, with lots of blackboard space and a stove to keep everyone warm in the wintertime.

History

100 Years Ago in Suffield

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October 2 Spaulding gardens is increasing the capacity of their output by erecting a new greenhouse about 300 feet long. This, added to the present plant, will make one of the largest plants of this kind in this section October 9 The house owned and occupied by Joe Smith was burned to the ground Wednesday night, with its contents. The fire started about 10.45[p.m.] and in a short time was blazing fiercely. Fortunately, Mrs. Smith had not gone to bed as she was waiting for Mr. Smith, who is employed in a paper mill at Windsor Locks and returns home on the 11 o’clock bus. Mrs. Smith smelled smoke and aroused the children sleeping upstairs and they had just time to get outside with what clothing they were wearing.

History

The Suffield Border Wars

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One of the things I have most enjoyed about living in Suffield is the people who live here. My neighbors are always quick to lend a helping hand, whether it’s letting someone borrow a tool, helping haul brush to the dump or calling one another to get kids and pets indoors when a bear is spotted in the neighborhood. Beyond that, there’s a shared sense of courtesy. When someone is planning work near a property line, we check in with one another, consult, and make sure everyone is comfortable before moving forward. It reminds me of that old expression, “good fences make good neighbors.” But what happens when those fences—or more accurately, those boundaries—are not clear at all?

Columns

In Memoriam

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Helen Goncher August 11 Age 99 Gil Reid August 13 Age 83 Mary Grabowski August 23 Age 82 Mary Margaret Tracy August 31 Age 92 Paul Zisk September 5 Age 90 Alice Dahms September 6 Age 94 Mary Lou Rodgers September 9 Age 81

Churches

Second Baptist Program Year Continues!

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As the program year evolves, new opportunities for spiritual growth and mission work continue to present themselves. Opportunities for strengthening and sharing our faith and Biblical knowledge occur through worship as well as through small group opportunities: • Sunday Mornings – Reflection, Study, and Prayer – 9:00 a.m. – Library. This time prior to the worship service is an opportunity to settle your mind and soul for the week. • Sunday, October 5 – World Communion Sunday – 10:00 a.m. – Sanctuary –This day is celebrated by Christians worldwide to demonstrate unity across denominations and cultures, symbolized through the sacrament of Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper. • Beginning Tuesday, October 7 – Weekly Bible Study – Library – 11:30 a.m. This begins a weekly series of study that will continue through the program year.

Churches

New Director of Music Welcomed

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Copper Hill United Methodist Church of East Granby is pleased to announce that Juliana Hall has been named as our Director of Music as of June 2025. Juli Hall began studying the piano with her mother when she was six years old and has played in churches from the Midwest to the east coast for more than 50 years, including the past 30 years in the Farmington Valley. During that time, she has been a regular at churches in Avon, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, and Waterbury and most recently served as pianist and music director of the East Granby Congregational Church. Juli is also a well-known composer of classical art songs, having received a master’s degree in composition from the Yale School of Music and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Her music has been performed by more than 800 singers and pianists in three dozen countries on six continents, including concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Library of Congress, and abroad at St.