The Suffield Observer (https://thesuffieldobserver.com/page/212/)
Trees have both common and scientific names, such as Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus).
The Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association (SVAA) has been recognized on the national stage as the 2026 EMS Agency of the Year by the National EMS Management Association.
Pictured during construction in November, the interesting new playground at Sunrise Park faces the boat launch area at White’s Pond. The design is whimsically delightful, with interesting challenges for young kids.
In Connecticut, we believe all students have the ability to learn, grow and rise to the challenge of high expectations. The Connecticut Next Generation Accountability System helps us deliver on our promise of a high quality education for all by creating a more comprehensive, holistic picture of how our students and schools are performing. What is the Connecticut Next Generation Accountability System? Connecticut’s Next Generation Accountability System is a broad set of 12 indicators that help tell the story of how well a school is preparing its students for success in college, careers and life. The system moves beyond test scores and graduation rates and instead provides a more holistic, multifactor perspective of district and school performance and incorporates student growth over time.
Enfield Loaves and Fishes (soup kitchen) are in need of volunteers every Monday through Friday. We are open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Call Priscilla or Mike at 860-741-0226.
This year, eight Cub Scouts of Pack 266 successfully completed their multi-year program of activities and learning, advancing to become Arrow of Light Cubs and cross over to become Boy Scouts. The Blue and Gold Banquet with its Arrow of Light ceremony and Boy Scout welcome was held in Father Ted Hall at Sacred Heart Church. It began with the usual recognitions and the tale of how the overall Boy Scout program began in The U. S., narrated nicely by Mike Cremmins, former Cubmaster and now Scoutmaster of Troop 260. Then the candles were lit – one for each recitation of the various parts of the Cub Scout promise, law and motto. As a Boy Scout archer sent arrows into a target, each Cub was named and given his credentials and a plaque with his own Arrow of Light.
Troop 260 honored two new Eagle Scouts on January 7 in their traditional Eagle Scout Court of Honor at Second Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall. For their Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement level in Scouting, each planned, gathered funding and assembled the required work crew for an approved community service project. Robert Gilleran installed six small footbridges at key locations on the trail around White’s Pond at Sunrise Park. Jackson Smith created a prayer garden on the grounds of Our Lady of the Lake church in Southwick.
Comb that mullet, tease your big hair, grab your boom box, put on those neon duds or acid washed jeans and head to the SFES auction gala “Back to the 80”s!
Girls soccer team coaches Tim Percoski (left) and Brittany Whiteley (right) are pictured with Carly Matthews, who received her Class L All-State Soccer Award February 10 at the Aqua Turf. Congratulations, Carly!
Congratulations to Nora Shanks who was chosen as the Rotary Student of the Month for February. Nora is a senior at Suffield High School. Nora is a member of the National Honor Society, where she has volunteered at our annual Volleyball Marathon, the Suffield River Cleanup and the NHS Blood Drive. She is also a member of the World Language Honor Society, as well as a member of the Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy. Nora has been involved with Suffield High School’s Interact Club during her four years of high school, and is a member of the Executive Board.
Congratulations to Auneye’ Armstrong and Veronica Partain, who were nominated by their teachers, to receive the Connecticut Association of Schools High School Arts Award.
The cast and crew of Suffield High School’s Spring Musical, The Sound of Music, under the direction of Patty Piellucci, Mary DiRoberts and Kelly Blais are preparing for the show scheduled to run March 12, 13 and 14. Special thanks to Joe Grimard for his set creation and Lori Foss for her tireless work with costumes. Please contact the school at 860-668-3810 for ticket information.
Congratulations to Gretchen Gustafson who received the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Award.
HOBY is a leadership training that empowers students to become strong, compassionate youth leaders. Students will develop the confidence and skills to make them effective leaders in the home, school, and community. The HOBY Organization states, “We believe in the potential of today’s youth. The HOBY mission is to inspire and prepare future young leaders for a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation. HOBY empowers young people to dream big, make an impact, and change the world.
Our leadership programs are designed to prepare students to turn their ideas and goals into reality.
Congratulations to Abby Halasi-Kun, who was chosen from among the junior class to receive the Connecticut Scholars Award, formerly known as the Governor’s Scholars Award.
This award is designed to honor the academic achievements of a select group of Connecticut high school junior year students. Students nominated must be in the top 5% of their class. The finalists will be chosen based on their PSAT scores and a timed one-hour essay. Finalists will be invited to attend the Connecticut Scholars Luncheon in May. They will receive a plaque and the opportunity to enrich their studies on a college campus before their high school graduation.
Suffield Public Schools Food Service is pleased to introduce our new concept of a Sharing Table.
The Sharing Table is a place where students can place unopened food and drinks that they choose not to eat or drink. This provides an opportunity for other students to take additional helpings of food or beverages from the Sharing Table at no cost to them. The Sharing Table is available to encourage sharing of unwanted items and prevents them from being thrown away. If a student is still hungry after finishing his or her meal, he or she may pick up items from the Sharing Table. Items from home may not be placed on the Sharing Table.
For more details, please email bgashi@suffield.org.
Hello Suffield residents! McAlister Student Council members are working on a project this month to help the animals in Australia. As you know, the koalas, wallabies and other animals are in danger from the wildfires spreading so fiercely. We decided that it would be helpful to collect money to assist the animals from the wildfires.
Please visit the Suffield Public Schools Facebook page for more information on how you can donate toward this cause. We need donations by March 27.
The earth is our only chance to live. We have to stop climate change. It is not only us that will suffer, animals will too. People think that the earth is so big that we can’t do much harm to it. Wrong!
For more information about any of the programs call SCA at 860-668-1986.
Thomas Drakeley has announced his retirement as superintendent of Stony Brooke and Sunrise Parks after having held the position for 14 years. Tom, with significant assistance from his wife Maryfran and their three now-youthful adult children, Sheila, Molly and Thomas, have served the town and park visitors splendidly throughout those years and will be greatly missed. A lifelong resident of Suffield, Tom leaves behind a legacy of deep caring for Sunrise Park and all its resources. During his tenure, Tom oversaw and was instrumental in many improvements at the park, such as the rehabilitation of the pavilion. He also provided thoughtful input to a number of successful park-based Boy Scout Eagle projects.
The Town of Suffield Conservation Commission will be seeking candidates to fill the Sunrise Park and Stony Brooke Park Superintendent position. Interested applicants should look for more information on the Town of Suffield website under Our Town / Town News / Job Openings.
John Spencer, the new chief of the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association, stated that he applied for the position because he appreciated the bond that exists between the community and the association. He feels that this relationship is very strong for such a small town. The Granby resident has been associated with ambulance work since 2017 when he served with the American Medical Response (AMR) of West Hartford. He later served on the Granby Ambulance as a paramedic and then joined the AMR of Springfield. The graduate of Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass.
