Editorial

It’s a Great Day for the Irish!

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Having grown up in Hungary Hill in Springfield, I developed great pride in my Irish heritage. Hungary Hill was named because of the immigrants who came from the west coast of Ireland during the great potato famine. Not long after the famine, an epidemic of tuberculosis struck the same area causing more immigration to the United States. Many of the new settlers found their way from County Kerry to the Hill which was fondly called “Home of the Irish.”

The pride that the Irish have in their country is overwhelming. Many countries have invaded Ireland but the Irish always fought back and succeeded.

Editorial

How much is that puppy in the window?

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  One of the interesting tools I use when writing or evaluating other people’s writing is software that measures readability. If writing is too complex, say college level, it may be too difficult for middle or high school students to read. If it’s too simple, then adults may not think the content is for them.   The major ingredients of difficult writing are long words, sentences and paragraphs.   In general, writing should be at the ninth grade level to reach 50 percent of adults.

Editorial

Should I Change My Name Too?

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I have a Google alert set up for my last name. I seldom see alerts, either because there are not a lot of Colstons around, or because they are not doing anything newsworthy. The last big flurry of alerts led me to follow the football career of Marquis Colston (maybe a relative)? Last year I started to see alerts for “Countering Colston.” It’s a nonprofit organization in England, dedicated to decolonizing the city of Bristol, and specifically campaigning against the celebration of Edward Colston (definitely a relative). My dad, who died when I was eight, told me stories about the amazing Edward Colston, and all the wonderful things he did to benefit the people of Bristol.

Government/Town

Highway Garage Plan Chosen

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At their meeting on February 13, the Suffield Board of Selectmen took a significant step in their effort to move the Highway Garage operation away from Ffyler Place. They voted to enter negotiations with one of the three proposals for a new highway garage that have been studied in recent months. All three proposals were discussed at the meeting, and new presentations about two of them were heard. In prior years, the Town had considered a proposal to buy the existing Moosehead Logging headquarters building on Austin Street, adapted for use as the highway garage. This plan was first considered in 2015 and was approved by the Selectmen and the Board of Finance in 2016, but did not go forward.

Homepage Featured

A Class Act!

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When I hear the term “a life well lived,” I often wonder what the speaker means by those words. When I think of Mary Anne Zak, who turned 90 a few days ago, I don’t have to wonder; all who know her can attest to her life, well lived—and it’s not over yet! This is no eulogy. Mary Anne may be best known today for her column in the Observer, but long-time residents of Suffield will remember that she was for many years, a teacher of English at Suffield High School. A long and happy teaching career such as Mary Anne’s often defines a life—and although she had other equally important careers, such as mother and wife and community leader, she remains an educator at heart.

Homepage Featured

Observer Accepting Scholarship Applications

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The Suffield Observer Board of Directors will sponsor two scholarships to Suffield residents who will be entering an accredited two or four-year college in September. The two scholarships are in memory of Samuel S. Fuller, the founder of the paper, and Robert O. Y. Warren, a former chairman of the board. Each $1,000 scholarship can be applied for by contacting the guidance department at Suffield High School or Suffield Academy, by requesting a form from the Observer office or online at https://thesuffieldobserver.com/scholarship-information/. The Samuel S. Fuller Scholarship is open to any Suffield resident who plans on studying journalism or communications and has a background of community service. The applicant is required to write a 500-700 word essay or give a five-minute presentation in an electronic medium about something he or she loves to do, bringing to life the applicant’s enthusiasm, emotion and passion for the topic.

Organizations

Another Eagle Flies at Troop 260

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Sometimes it’s not easy to find a workable date to celebrate a new Eagle Scout’s achievement, and Mickey Barron’s Eagle ceremony had to wait for Christmas break at Emmanuel College, in Boston, where he’s beginning another long achievement trail: he hopes to go to medical school and do some good for humanity from that vantage. The Eagle ceremony was held on January 8 in Fellowship Hall at Second Baptist. In Cub Scouts and as a youth leader in Boy Scout Troop 260, Mickey did quite well, reaching the roles of Senior Patrol Leader and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. Younger Scouts regarded him as an example to follow, and he won just about every special award the Troop can offer. His 39 Merit Badges for individual topics totaled almost twice the number required for the Eagle rank.

Organizations

125 Years and Counting

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Women in Suffield have a proud history of taking the lead in community service. This is certainly true for the Suffield Woman’s Club (SWC). Whatever the century, giving back to the town and beyond has always been a priority. In 1894, 10 women gathered at a private home to form a reading club, with programs ranging from history, art and music to lectures, some of which were sponsored for the town. In the early 1900’s, according to minutes and written history of the club (compiled by Connie C. Upson in 1976), there was some “…community activity such as a small contribution to the Emergency Aid Association then being formed…and a committee appointed to confer with the Selectman about putting rubbish cans in the park and enforcing their use.”

In 1920, the club provided a float for the Sesquicentennial parade at a cost of $1750.

Through the Looking Glass

Whittaker’s Witness

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My husband and I were discussing the latest political positions taken by Alan Dershowitz, a liberal law professor whose critiques of our current president have sometimes been positive and sometimes negative.

Parks and Rec

Sign Up Now for Suffield Parks and Recreation Winter Programs

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Suffield Parks and Recreation releases its 2019 winter programming with registration which is beginning now at www.suffieldrec.com. The lineup includes a focus on family fitness and wellness with activities like Cheerleading Fun and Adult CrossFit joining perennial favorite, Men’s Recreational Basketball. 

“We are particularly excited to kick off recurring Family Friday Nights with a Frozen Sing-a-Long on Friday, January 11,” noted Parks and Recreation Director Peter Leclerc. “These events promise fun for the whole family.” The sing-a-long is open to the public and free of charge, with donations accepted to benefit Suffield Community Aid. In addition to fitness, enrichment, cooking, arts and crafts, Suffield Parks and Recreation continues to meet the needs of all Suffield residents by offering inclusive special needs programming like the Bowling Buddies and Outing Group. 

The group fosters friendships, socialization, community involvement and independence. 

“I am very proud of the staff and the work they do to fill this important need in our community,” stated First Selectman Melissa M. Mack. The department welcomes volunteer help.

Parks and Rec

Summer Camp Hiring

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The summer, luckily, will be here before we know it and the Parks and Recreation Department is accepting applications and interviewing for several key positions for the summer. Camp Directors, Camp Counselors, Junior Counselors, Certified Water Safety Instructors, Life Guards and Gate Attendant positions are available for qualified candidates. Applications may be downloaded at www.suffieldrec.com Please apply before Thursday, March 28 to Suffield Parks & Recreation Department located at 97 Mountain Road. 

Parks and Rec

Sign Up For Fun Winter and Spring Programs!

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Get fit and have fun! We have a variety of fun, new programs for Youth and families this winter and spring at the Parks and Recreation Department. For a full listing of all of our programs and to register, please visit www.suffieldrec.com.

Parks and Rec

Babysitter Safety 101

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The Parks and Recreation Department is offering an entry-level course intended to teach age appropriate skills necessary to care for children of all ages using team babysitting, mother’s helper and individual babysitting concepts. The course focuses on safety with emphasis on prevention. Basic first aid and obstructed airway management for a conscious choking adult/child and infant will be covered. Other topics include hand washing, diapering, bottle-feeding, personal safety, interview skills and many more topics. The course is four hours.

Parks and Rec

Bowling Buddies had a Blast!

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The Suffield Parks and Recreation Department’s Bowling Buddies group and families celebrated at their annual Holiday Banquet on Tuesday, December 18. It was held again this year at the Suffield Country Club’s Sunset Tavern. The Sunset Tavern is a terrific location for the party. The staff are wonderful and the food was delicious and plentiful. The holiday party was filled with excitement as everyone celebrated the holidays with friends and family.