Organizations

Editor’s Note

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The April issue of the Suffield Observer will only be available online so that we could comply with good health practices and protect the health of our volunteers, limiting direct contact between people. Whereas the print edition requires that many volunteers work together in close quarters, a skeleton Observer crew has prepared the submissions for this issue, much which can be done remotely.

Coronavirus Updates

HEALTH DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS NEW SUFFIELD CASE OF CORONAVIRUS

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I am saddened to report that the North Central District Health Department confirmed this evening an additional coronavirus case in Suffield.  At this time, that is the extent of the information available.  While this news is not unexpected, I share the community’s concern for one of our neighbors.  I wish I was not ending your day with this news.  Please continue to practice social distancing, take care of each other, and stay well. Melissa M. MackFirst Selectwoman

Coronavirus Updates

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 3-25-2020

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Effective Monday, March 23, 2020, the Governor required businesses to suspend in-person operations for all non-essential functions via Executive Order #7J. In a statewide call on Friday, the Governor clarified that the order does not apply to municipalities and municipal CEOs should decide who are essential and non-essential town employees.

Coronavirus Updates

Donations of Personal Protective Equipment Wanted

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The State of Connecticut is coordinating donations of personal protective equipment through the United Way to address current shortages. Donations are being accepted from the general public, businesses, and philanthropic organizations.

People/Business

A Tale of Harry, the Last Hipolit

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Upon walking into Harry Kozikowski’s house, the prettiest Victorian house on North Main Street, I smelled a deep rich aroma wafting from the kitchen. Beef stew, I thought as I waited for Harry. Harry’s mother, a Polish immigrant, was a domestic on the Phillips farm on East Street. His father, also from Poland, became a farmhand for the Phillips after he married Harry’s mother in 1922. They were married in Suffield’s first St.

Government/Town

Senior Center & Mini Bus News

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Do you have concerns about falling? The Suffield Senior Center and the CT Healthy Living Collective will be running A Matter of Balance class!

Parks and Rec

Spring into Action with Parks & Rec

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Spring is finally here and it is a great time to sign up for many new and enriching programs for the whole family. Whether you are looking to get fit, learn a new skill or hobby or just have an enjoyable night out making new friends, we have a program for you!

Keep Your Lawn Healthy: Aerator Anyone?

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A yard can become hard packed from frequently walking or playing games on it or lawn mowing. A hard-packed lawn may not efficiently receive much needed water, air, nutrients, seeds, etc. Aerating involves cutting little openings in the soil to create small reservoirs, which will bring benefits of water, oxygen, fertilizer, etc. down into the root zone. Indications that

a lawn needs aerating:

Lawn is full of water after the rain

Frequent driving on the lawn with a car or other transport

If it’s hard to stick a pencil or similar item into the soil’s surface

It’s hard clay soil

Bare or thin grass areas

Soil compaction

When to use

a lawn aerator?

Farming/Nature

Legacy Trees and their Storied Existence

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When we were growing up, my best friend and I liked to channel our inner primate by heading for the trees. We’d spend lazy afternoons climbing towering white pines with all their branches about to give way. We’d be gone for hours and come home reeking of sap. That was something we could live with, as it was a small price for freedom and a bird’s eye view. We weren’t the only ones climbing trees to pass the time.

People/Business

Old Friends Reunited at NEAM

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After John Gloria retired from Hamilton Standard in 1999, he volunteered to work in the restoration crew at the New England Air Museum, where he encountered an old friend. It was a surprise reunion, one that probably hadn’t happened before at the museum. His old friend was a Grumman Albatross amphibian, a.k.a. Grumman HU-16E, the very one he had flown regularly in Alaska for the Coast Guard. The sturdy aircraft, one of a type first delivered for service in the USAF, but later flown by the Navy and Coast Guard as well, had been used by the Coast Guard for search and rescue over 20 years in several locations. John had flown it regularly, based in Kodiak, Alaska.

Organizations

Friends of Suffield Invite Grant Requests

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Are you involved with a non-profit organization that could use a little extra funding? The Friends of Suffield, a volunteer organization committed to enriching our town and giving back to the community, is pleased to announce our annual call for grant requests. Applications are due by April 1.

Government/Town

Recycling and So Forth

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Not every, but most of the markets where we shop have containers somewhere near their entrance where you can recycle many other plastic materials besides the plastic bags, which have been phased out. For example – containers for lettuce, carrot, bread, or anything with a recycle symbol on it. If there is not a symbol, just put it with your regular trash. If you need more information about how to maximize your plastic recycling, go to http://www.recyclect.com. Something that I have been doing to eliminate wasting paper is to call or send a letter to those who are sending mail asking for charitable donations that I don’t wish to contribute to, and asking them to take my name off their list.