People/Business

Cormier Named Senior VP at FNBS

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Joseph Greco, President and Chief Executive Officer of The First National Bank of Suffield, announced on March 8 that James Cormier has been promoted to the role of Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking. “In the eleven years that Mr. Cormier has been with the bank, he has consistently displayed skills and personal qualities that have allowed us to grow our commercial lending business,” said Mr. Greco. “Those same qualities have resulted in steady career growth for Mr. Cormier, who has responded to his increasing responsibilities with aplomb. I am both happy to acknowledge his promotion and eager to see what comes next.”

Mr. Cormier began his career at the Bank in 2007 as a Commercial Credit Analyst, became an officer of the Bank in 2011 and was promoted to Vice President of Commercial Lending in 2015. He earned a BS degree in Finance from the University of Massachusetts in 2003 and in 2017 completed the American Bankers Association’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Wharton Leadership program.

Organizations

Polish Heritage Society Meeting

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The June meeting of the Polish Heritage Society will be held on June 6, at 10 a.m. at the Suffield Ambulance Center. Sara Zak will discuss “The Polish Declaration of Admiration and Friendship for the United States of America.” This 111-volume “Birthday Card” was sent from Poland to the United States in 1926 to recognize our 150th anniversary of independence. Signed by political and cultural leaders as well as more than five million school students and their teachers, this document conveys Poland’s appreciation for U.S. support during their fight for independence.

History

Our Polish Heritage

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Irish immigrants were the first non-British to come to Suffield. They came in the early 1800s to make money working on the canal system. When the potato famine devastated Ireland, they emigrated in great numbers. The next group to diversify Suffield was from Prussia. Several were listed in the 1870 and 1880 Censuses but by 1900 they only numbered 45.

Through the Looking Glass

I Love Facebook

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It was my younger brother who pulled me into becoming a Facebook member. He’d been following the activities of his three kids on it and thought I should be tuned in to the activities of the younger generation as well. So I floundered around on my computer, filled out the member form, and managed to upload my picture up onto it. My first friends were members of my immediate family, but I came across more and more friends and relatives who were also on Facebook. After a high school reunion, some of my classmates “friended me” as well and I started learning about the lives of classmates I had lost touch with.

Churches

First Church Events

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First Church of Christ is holding the following events in June. All are welcome! Worship, Sundays, 10 a.m., Sanctuary

6/4: Community Conversations–Building Communities of Care. First Church participates in these conversations, held at Suffield Police Department–Amiel P. Zak Community Room. These conversations help promote healing, recovery, and healthy communities.

Government/Town

Firefighters 5k Road Race

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The Suffield Firefighters Association proudly announces the 22nd annual Firefighters 5K walk/run.  This year on June 3 at 9 a.m. sharp, The Suffield Firefighters will once again host the annual road race. The race route remains the same beginning on South Grand Street going south to Sheldon Street, then to Mountain Road and ending at Bruce Park. The event was re-named a few years ago and is now entitled a Paul R. Simison Memorial Annual 5K Road Race, named for Paul who was the founder of the race. Paul’s hopes for the race was to draw attention to health and fitness—an important attribute for firefighters as well as for volunteerism. Each year trophies and medals are awarded for the first place male and female winners in various age group categories.

Now and Then

Memorial Day

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Memorial Day holds a place of great honor in Suffield, in the nation. Many people cherish long memories of the Day: sunny morning parades, marching officials, scouts, leaders, police, fire and rescue departments marching with the high school band, veterans in the honor guard and members of the American Legion waving from open convertibles and timely, respectful attention. Histories abound of Memorial Day as originating after the Civil War to commemorate those who died in the war. Later, Veterans Day was established to honor all veterans who served our country in war and in peace. We think of military deaths that have occurred in recent years.

Churches

Second Baptist Church Capital Campaign

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“Our Doors Are Open – Let It Shine!” is the theme at Second Baptist Church as they kick off their 2018 Capital Campaign. For decades, the congregation at Second Baptist has invited the community to use their facility for community-based events. Today, the building is used on a regular basis by many community and civic organizations including the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, Suffield Academy, the Suffield Library for specific community activities, the Suffield Garden Club, Red Cross for regularly-scheduled blood drives, Grapevine meetings, Suffield Youth Theatre, Yoga class, and the Special Needs fellowship (in partnership with Suffield Parks and Recreation Department) which provides a social outlet for those with mental, physical, and cognitive disabilities. However, to keep the doors open for the foreseeable future, this historic building at 100 North Main Street, built in 1840, is in need of repairs, both interior and exterior. The majority of the projects will enhance the exterior of the building and include exterior painting, repair and painting of the six large columns facing Main Street and the refurbishing of the gold dome – which can be seen as far as West Suffield when traveling East.

Churches

Maker Fun Factory at Vacation Bible School

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Imagine a world where curious kids become hands-on inventors who discover they’re lovingly crafted by God. This is the goal of Second Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School to be held July 9-13 from 9 a.m. to noon. Day 1: God Made You (Ps. 139:14) – God lovingly creates people. (Genesis 1:26-2:4)

Day 2: God Is For You.

Churches

Where Faith and Adventure Meet

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Second Baptist Church is looking for High School kids to join us on our mission trips. For over 15 years Second Baptist Church has been traveling to the Dominican Republic. We have seen our mission trips play a crucial role in the lives of countless teenagers and we continue to believe every teenager should experience a mission trip. If you’ve ever been on a retreat, you know how that experience can build community. We travel together, play together, eat together, stay up late together, get up tired together… “Together” is a powerful word.

Suffield Observations

Forever young

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Thirty years ago this month, I said good-bye to a friend for the last time. It was short and far from meaningful. It was finals week, and I caught her at very stressful moment. I left campus a few days later, and she spent the following semester abroad. I didn’t have her address or number in London, but in truth I probably wouldn’t have written or called.

Organizations

Athletic Hall of Fame Seeking Board Members

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The Suffield Athletic Hall Of Fame honors both individual and team athletic excellence, and since its inception in 2001, it has recognized the athletic achievements of 64 individuals and 9 teams from Suffield. The accomplishments and credentials of the honorees are exceptional, and their stories and accolades are impressively on display in the main hallway at Suffield High School. In order to continue the important function of this organization, new members are periodically invited to join. Therefore, at this time we are seeking three to five new members who would be interested in contributing to this important civic organization and continuing with tradition of recognizing athletic excellence and accomplishments in Suffield. The only requirement for membership is an interest in the goal of this organization: to recognize individuals and teams who have demonstrated athletic excellence or made significant contributions to athletics in Suffield.

Organizations

Beauty and the Beast Auditions

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The Opera House Players are seeking a cast of all ages for Beauty and the Beast. Auditions will be held at the Broad Brook Opera House, 107 Main Street, Broad Brook Conn. Schedules:

Children’s Auditions (Age 10-15)

Sunday June 10 at 4 p.m.

Please be prompt as we will begin with a dance call and will finish with some readings and singing. Adult Auditions (Age 16+)

Sunday, June 10 at 6 p.m. and Tuesday, June 12 at 7 p.m.

Please be prepared to stick around after your initial audition is finished. A dance call will be held following the cold readings.