Editorial

Learn Life’s Lesson While Young

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After coaching softball for over 25 years at recreational, Little League, travel, and high school varsity levels, I have a few tips for parents and coaches. First, let me say that 99% of the girls’ parents (and the girls!) were a delight to deal with and some remain good friends long after their daughters have given up the game. For the most part the parents were realistic about their daughter’s talent and sincerely cheered on her teammates. As somewhat of an athlete myself before the days of Title IX when girls’ sports were at the bottom of the heap both in funds provided and opportunity, I relished the chance to be on a team, and to strive with others to accomplish a common goal. It was disappointing to me that the softball team my senior year played a schedule of 7 games while the baseball team played 21.

Government/Town

The Town Hall Saga

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More than two and a half years ago on October 8, 2015, the Town voted at referendum to “appropriate $5,130,000 for renovations and improvements to Suffield Town Hall and authorize the issue of bonds, notes or temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $4,385,000 to finance said appropriation.” Since that time, movement towards a renovated Town Hall has taken several turns. The most recent is the Permanent Building Commssion’s (PBC) proposal to raze Town Hall and replace it with a new, more efficient building. The following timeline, based on information from the minutes and attendance at PBC meetings and minutes of the Board of Selectmen (BoS) from 2015-2018 illustrates the history. From October to December of 2015 PBC met and discussed hazardous material abatement in Town Hall (asbestos, lead, etc.) and where to move town offices when abatement started. The need for “swing space” was necessary, and locations such as 203c Mountain Road, Ffyler Place and the old CVS building were among the possibilities.

Organizations

PMC Kids Hit New Record

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The variable light rain on May 12 drove the post-ride activities of the PMC Kids Ride indoors, but a great batch of Suffield youngsters – 207 in all, ages 3 to 16 – weren’t deterred from their commitment. And the pre-event fundraising to provide the entrance fee and much more had been completed in the preceding months, so this year’s Kids Ride brought in $52,541 for cancer care and research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This was a new record for the Suffield event. As before, the Ride began in the McAlister-Middle School parking lot, under the Suffield Fire Department’s giant American flag. Older kids rode their bikes up Hill Street to Russell Avenue and back, about two and a half miles.

Schools/Sports

SHS Principal Named

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It is with pride and great pleasure that I announce the appointment of Mr. James Blain as the incoming Principal of Suffield High School. Mr. Blain was interviewed and approved by the Board of Education after a rigorous process. Three finalists were interviewed by a committee of 19 members including BOE members, students, parents, an administrative assistant, faculty, and school and district administrators. The process included focus groups to characterize the desired candidate qualities, a structured interview, a performance task and interview, and small groups to engage in conversation. Mr. Blain’s authentic leadership skills and passion for educating the whole child make him a great fit for Suffield Public Schools.

Organizations

EAA News

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What’s Happening at the EAA This Month? James F. Coggins, Jr. Community Service Award Open to Applicants:

In memory of our late volunteer and Board Member, James F. Coggins, Jr., the EAA offers a $1,000 award to a graduating Suffield High School senior who demonstrates selflessness, generosity and concern for the community through his/her volunteer activities. Applicants are required to submit a 500-word essay supporting their selection to the EAA at 450 South Street, Suffield 06078 or email to janetf@suffieldeaa.org. The deadline to apply is midnight on Monday, May 14. Jane Purtill Fuller Scholarship for Nursing or Social Service Candidates:

To recognize the many contributions of our past employee and long-time supporter of the EAA, the Board of Directors dedicates an annual needs-based scholarship in memory of Jane Purtill Fuller.

Organizations

A Year in the Home and Garden

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The Suffield Garden Club will hold a monthly meeting on Monday, May 7, at 11:45 a.m. at the Second Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall.  Coffee, tea, a light lunch, and a short business meeting are followed by a guest speaker at 1 p.m.

This month we’ll hear from Julie Harrison, a horticultural expert with years of experience in landscape design. Julie’s talents with plants and design don’t stop at the garden because she has a passion for interior decorating as well. Her work inside the home blends subtle luxury with botanical influences to create a natural bridge between the home and garden. Her business, Natural Elegance Design, is based on the principle that a good design has a natural look and elegant feel. Julie will present creative and imaginative designs infused with her own unique sense of style, both in the home and the garden.

Suffield Garden Club

Hang ‘em High

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Container plantings are a wonderful way to display flowers and greenery which adds curb appeal and charm to a home. I love to see classic window boxes brimming with vigorous florals. Traditional urns showcasing shrubs/flowers are a huge favorite of mine too. Hanging planters are popular and likable as well; the caveat here is to hang ‘em high to prevent knocks to the noggins. Have fun creating your own floral displays in containers filled with a commercial potting mix.

Organizations

It’s May Market Time!

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Spring is a busy time for everyone, and the Suffield Garden Club is really busy right now. Our members are getting ready for our annual May Market at the Phelps-Hatheway House Barn in Suffield. As always, our May Market is held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Saturday, May 12 before Mother’s Day. And yes, admission is free. Members are making unique garden ornaments, casting tufa planters, and digging and potting up plants from their perennial gardens.

Organizations

Volunteers Needed at the Observer!

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Did you know that the Observer, your community newspaper is run by friendly and dedicated volunteers? If you are interested in helping to keep this vital community resource running smoothly, please consider volunteering your time and energy. Some of our volunteer jobs (which include training) are:

Downloaders – download articles from email and put articles into the computer system. Preppers – retrieve articles from the system and put them in column format. InDesigners – need to have computer system skills, but we will teach anyone who has the desire to learn.

People/Business

New Housing Project Taking Names

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The first units of the large new apartment complex on East Street South are approaching completion, and their management office is taking applications now for June occupancy. An ad with contact information appears below. Public planning for what was then called the Hamlet began with a hearing before the Zoning and Planning Commission three years ago in March 2015. Mark O’Neill, a Suffield developer, proposed a large apartment and condo complex of 166 units on a 31-acre parcel south of Stony Brook behind private homes on the east side of East Street South. On the project’s east side were the Suffield Waste Water Treatment Facility (aka the sewer plant) and the Windsor Locks Canal.

Library

Winners of the Lester Smith Photography Contest

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The contest was conceived as a celebration of Lester Smith, our inquisitive man of Suffield, and his first ninety years. The prize awards were funded by the Friends of the Library. Best in Show

Robert W. Lyons for Autumn at 467 S. Main

Faces in Suffield

1st prize Emily Boone for Charlotte Loves Hastings Farm! 1st prize Jenna Sun, grade 10, for (Untitled)

1st prize Ethan Coleman, grade 5, for (Untitled)

2nd prize Stacey Coleman for (Untitled)

Suffield Landscapes

1st prize Adaline Coates-Cooney, grade 11, for Suffield in a Bubble

1st prize Rebecca Rowe-Kent for After the Storm

1st prize Isabella Coleman, grade 3, for (Untitled)

2nd prize Ariel Gragnolati for Fog on White’s Pond

2nd prize for Cormac Sullivan, grade 8, for Eagles at Hilltop

3rd prize Arthur M. Sikes, Jr. for Suffield Tenement

3rd prize Olivia Zacchia, grade 10, for Summertime Vines

Suffield History

1st prize Joan Heffernan for Mapleton Hall

1st prize Sean Noble, grade 4, for Central New England Railroad Cow Pass

2nd prize Vincent James Barnes for Thank You

3rd prize Bev Sikes for At Rest Alone

History

King House Museum Exhibits

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This summer the King House Museum welcomes two special exhibits; One celebrating the 275th Anniversary of the founding of the West Suffield Congregational church and the second showcasing the history of Hilltop Farm.

Organizations

Polish Heritage Society Meeting

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It was standing room only at the April meeting of the Polish Heritage Society (PHS)! Pat Cosma arranged to have Susan Urban, a Polish folk artist from West Springfield, talk about and demonstrate “wyncinaki”—Polish paper cutting. Then she coached attendees through the process of making one of their own. The PHS hopes to have her back next year to demonstrate “pisanki”—decorated Easter eggs. The May meeting of the PHS will be held on May 2 at 10 a.m. at the Ambulance Center.

History

Our Polish Heritage

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Last month’s Polish Heritage article referred to a time that the country of Poland did not exist on the map. For almost 150 years (1772 – 1918) the territory was seized by, and partitioned between, Russia, Prussia and Austria in a series of negotiations in 1772, 1793 and 1795. The neighboring countries took over Poland, imposed their own forms of government and attempted to dissolve what our ancestors knew as their Homeland. Since serfdom was the social order throughout most of this time period, our Polish ancestors, the peasantry, were oppressed not only by foreign entities but also by their own countrymen, the nobility. Throughout the decades Poles resisted and rebelled many times.

Organizations

Conservancy Spring Programs

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Suffield Land Conservancy’s Annual Spring Programs are a wonderful opportunity to connect with the outdoors, discover wildflowers, explore the forest and uncover different species of birds that are right in your very own backyards. Open to the public, please join us for each of these outdoor adventures with your friends and family members. Annual Bird Watching Hike will be held on Saturday, May 5 at 8 a.m., rain or shine. The location of our new property is on the east side of South Grand Street near the East Granby line (no sign for the town change) between houses at 1324 and 1466 where there will be a temporary sign marking the area for the walk. Drive down a short access road where you will find a place to park off the road.