Government/Town

Town Hall RFP Issued

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The project to renovate the present Town Hall is moving forward, and the Request for Qualifications and Proposal was published on February 22. Actually there were two closely related RFP’s issued, one for the architectural and engineering design work (A/E) and one for a “Construction Manager at Risk” (CMR). The two were, for the most part, identical, but they differed in certain key areas, and the two sets of responses, required by March 21, were to be evaluated separately. (The Observer’s printing schedule did not permit reporting on those responses.)

At the March 7 meeting of the Permanent Building Commission, Facilities Director Chris Matejek reported that seven architects and three construction managers had shown interest and had participated in the mandatory walk-through at the building on February 28. The A/E proposal request calls for complete design services, including schematic design, design development, and the necessary construction drawings, along with construction advice and “close-out,” all in close cooperation with the selected CMR. The CMR is expected to work closely with the selected A/E contractor throughout the preconstruction phase and then be responsible for the actual renovation work as defined in the specifications, all at a guaranteed maximum price.

Organizations

Women’s History in Suffield

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The Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame organization teaches us that “women’s lives have been filled with rich experiences, and their daily contributions are an invaluable part of our history that has too often been overlooked.” 

With that insight in mind during the winter term, Suffield Academy’s American Studies class reviewed the history of Suffield with a focus on women’s history and now look forward to making a multimedia presentation during the Suffield Historical Society meeting on April 23 at 7 p.m. 

The meeting will be held at the Suffield Senior Center. The meeting is open to the public, and newcomers are most welcome. 

Please come out to learn more about women’s history in Suffield and email Bill Sullivan with any questions regarding this program: bsullivan@suffieldacademy.org 

Organizations

Polish Heritage Meeting

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The Polish Heritage Society will meet on Wed. April 3 at 10 a.m. in the Suffield Ambulance Center. Jim Turek will lead a discussion about the Polish farmers who settled here and contributed to the rural beauty of the Suffield community.

People/Business

SHS Grad Now Hartford Cop

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Suffield’s Kate Butler taught in Manchester briefly after her studies at Eastern Connecticut State University (Class of 2017) focused on education and history, but she decided to follow in the family footsteps and is now a “fourth generation crime fighter.” That’s the inscription in the nice shadow box her father, Matt Butler, presented to her shortly after her graduation from the Hartford Police Academy as a new hire of the Hartford Police Department. The centerpiece of her father’s shadow box was his own badge as a Special Agent of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, from which he had retired as Agent in Charge of the NCIS Training Academy in Georgia after a long career in responsible NCIS positions all over the world. Kate’s paternal uncle, Dan Butler, spent seven years as deputy assistant director of the NCIS, then became executive director of the USAF Office of Special Investigation. And their father was also in law enforcement, as was Kate’s great-grandfather. Her maternal grandfather, Dr. James Pattillo, served five years as the Suffield health officer.

Churches

Lent and Easter Services at Second Baptist

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The Second Baptist Church invites you to join us for any or all of the following events in the season of Lent. Book Group – Sunday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. We begin our conversation on The Art of Living by Thich Nhat Hahn. Palm Sunday Worship, April 14 at 10 a.m.: “When Silent Voices Sing: Encounters With Christ.” This is a choral drama presented by the Second Baptist Sanctuary Choir and guests. Maundy Thursday Worship, April 18 at 7 p.m. This is a combined service with the Third Baptist Church which will include the celebration of Communion, the Passion story read from Matthew’s Gospel, hymns and anthems.

Easter Sunday Worship, April 21 at 10 a.m. Celebrate in song, spirit and word this Holy Day of resurrection. 

Churches

Crossroads Food Pantry

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For the past six years, in addition to operating the Crossroads Food Pantry, the West Suffield Congregational Church has partnered with Foodshare to offer a town site to hold a Mobile Food Truck. The food truck is a pantry-on-wheels for people who are in need of food assistance and visits towns in Hartford and Tolland Counties. Food choices vary from week to week but usually include several types of fresh produce. Our Mobile site is restricted to people living in the state of Connecticut. Founded in 1982, Foodshare is the regional food bank serving Connecticut’s Hartford and Tolland counties, where 121,000 people struggle with hunger.

Churches

Easter Breakfast at WSCC

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West Suffield Congregational Church will be hosting a continental breakfast this year after the Suffield Easter Sunday Sunrise Service on April 21. Immediately following the service, we will be serving donuts, bagels, muffins, fruit, hard boiled eggs, and coffee. All are welcome to join us in the church hall at as we celebrate Our Risen Lord. 

Churches

First Church Events

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The following events are happening in April at First Church, An Open and Affirming Church. Worship is held every Sunday at 10 a.m. All are welcome!! Six Week Lenten Study Online via Zoom, continuing Mondays at 7:30 p.m.

Entering the Passion of Jesus: A beginner’s Guide to Holy Week. To join this study, please contact Rev. Diann H. Bailey associate@fcsuffield.org

April 1 & 8 – Qi Gong, 10 a.m. in the Chapel. $10 per class.

Churches

When Silent Voices Sing

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Please join us on Sunday, April 14 at 10 a.m. for a very special Palm Sunday service featuring the presentation of When Silent Voices Sing. 

A choral drama by Tom Long and Allen Pote is a fresh retelling of the gospel story from the perspective of three women: Mary, the mother of Jesus; Rachel, the woman caught in adultery; and Mary of Magdala. The Second Baptist Church Sanctuary choir and guest vocalists will be directed by guest conductor Lorraine Cetto and accompanied by Jean Aldrich-Jones on piano, Celeste Cannon on flute, Harry Kliewe on oboe, Tom Gotwals on trumpet, and Chris Latournes on percussion. Don’t miss this powerful Holy Week presentation with a special message and beautiful music. 

Churches

Welcoming Father Mathieu Isaac

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You may notice a new face around town and at Sacred Heart Church. Father Mathieu Isaac is new to Suffield and will be in residence at the Sacred Heart Rectory. Father Mathieu Isaac came to the United States from Haiti in 2010 after the earthquake, and he returns to Haiti annually. He has had assignments in numerous Connecticut parishes since being ordained on May 12, 2012, in the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.

Churches

MLK, Jr. Remembered

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This year’s interfaith service at the Third Baptist Church honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, January 21, was held almost five weeks later on February 24, and that was two years after the last such observance in town – both delays having been caused by weather problems – but the event made up for the delays with its enthusiastic spirit and the forcefulness of the messages offered. The little church was close to full when Suffield’s Interfaith Choir and members of Third Baptist marched slowly in with the customary powerful opening spiritual, We Come This Way by Faith. Portions of the service were led by representatives of three Christian churches plus the Islamic, Jewish, and Baha’i faiths, including readings significant to the occasion. Hana Saleh of the Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts summed up the spirit of the occasion with one of King’s excellent quotes and added “Let’s work together to fulfill Dr. King’s Dream!”

The main message of the afternoon was delivered in a traditional manner by Third Baptist’s new pastor, Rev. David E Penn, with the expected enthusiastic response from his audience. Perhaps in deference to the interfaith audience, his address was not overlong, but he had time to make strong points about the need to overcome hatred and intolerance, likening the task to David’s task against Goliath.

Suffield 350th Anniversary Committee

Be a 350th Sponsor

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The 350th Committee has lots of exciting events, programs and projects in the works for Suffield’s anniversary celebration, and we need your financial support now to make them a reality. Please consider becoming a 350th Sponsor. There are multiple levels of sponsorship available with recognition at events and in promotional materials. To learn more about sponsorship levels please check www.tinyurl.com/Sponsor350, send an eMail to Suffield350@gmail.com or leave us a message at 860-758-0115. Thank You!

Suffield 350th Anniversary Committee

What’s Your Suffield Story?

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One plan for Suffield’s 350th anniversary celebration is to republish Robert Alcorn’s book, The Biography of a Town, along with a Volume 2, which would be a compilation of Suffield stories from the last 50 years that brings us from the late 1960s, when Alcorn’s book left off, through the past 50 years to 2020. Our tentative idea is to call it 50 Stories for 50 Years. We are looking for residents (or former residents) who have a story to tell. The stories might be about growing up in Suffield, about the farming community, about your church, your committees, your non-profit group, education, real estate, development in town, etc. and how these stories have evolved over the past 50 years from the 1960s to now.

Suffield 350th Anniversary Committee

Suffield 350th Trivia Quiz – April Questions

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1. A man born in Suffield, although ordained as a minister, preached a popular vegetarian “religion.” He urged his listeners to eat dark, coarse bread and crackers and abstain from meat. Who was he? a. Virgin Graham

b. Lindsey Graham

c. Bob Red Mill 

d. Sylvester Graham

2. In 1841, President Benjamin Harrison named Francis Granger of Suffield to be the Postmaster General of the United States.