The Suffield Observer (https://thesuffieldobserver.com/page/287/)
The next time you visit Kent Memorial Library and hear giggling from the children’s department, it could be from kids transfixed by a puppet show.
After seven meaningful years, this year’s Run for Dustin will be our final race.
If you are tired of paying high cable TV prices then you might want to consider switching to an internet streaming service.
The Suffield Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 16 at 7 p.m. at the Suffield Senior Center. Guest speaker will be State Historian Walter Woodward who will tell the tale of treasonous times, angry politics and the Convention of 1818 that changed Connecticut’s Standing Order. Dr. Woodward is always an engaging raconteur, and his talk is sure to be lively and enlightening. The public is welcome to join members.
From the pages of the Windsor Locks Journal, selected and lightly annotated by Lester Smith, Historian of the Town and the Suffield Historical Society
On March 28, Julie Oakes, Facilities Director of the Public Works Department, issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for remediating the PCB problem at the Kent Memorial Library. Under the direction of the Permanent Building Commission, the RFP had been prepared by their environmental consultant, Bob May of Fuss & O’Neil. On April 4, seven companies sent representatives to the mandatory walk-through at the library building to evaluate the task. Bids for the work were opened on April 18. The response was a disappointing surprise.
Recently I went on a binge of reading books about North Korea. The books below are non-fiction, but I want to mention the novel Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. It shows the struggle of Korean people trying to carve out lives for themselves in Japan, both before and after World War II. The Japanese were extremely biased against Koreans. Resident Koreans were very rarely able to get full citizenship.
If you enjoy zany comedy as well as a good love story with a twist, get ready for the Suffield Players spring production of Sylvia by A. R. Gurney! Sylvia performs on May 3, 4, 5, 11, 23, *13, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. (*2 p.m. Matinee) at Mapleton Hall. The Story: Greg and Kate have moved to New York City to pursue new careers. For Greg, there’s still something missing … until he meets Sylvia, a stray pup with pizzazz (played by a human actress in the show!). Kate thinks Sylvia may be stealing too much of Greg’s attention, and appeals to her friends – even her therapist – to help her get her husband back on track.
The town of Suffield is full of friendly people and excellent police officers, and our new police intern enjoys working here. Noor Zaben, a student at Central Connecticut State University has joined the Suffield Police force as an intern hoping to become a dispatcher. Zaben’s college major is in Criminology. The Criminal Justice field really interested her, leading her to the decision to becoming a part of a police team. As a dispatcher, Noor must respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance, giving the fire department and police units an address if necessary.
Attending the fiftieth anniversary in 2009 of John Biggerstaff’s induction with the late William Hinson into Apollo Lodge #59 was an honor. Joining Louise at John’s induction into the West Suffield Congregational Church on April 8, 2018, was also an honor. The Biggerstaff family has been a constant in life. John’s grandmother was the first visitor to my first home. John’s father installed the pump in a later home; he also opened history on local Polish music gatherings having joined them with his mouth organ.
Steve and Jenny Gilbertson enjoyed walking their dog Bill on the lanes at beautiful Suffield by the River. They recently moved into a Villa here where Bill enjoys tethered exercise and plenty of fresh air with Kameron, the Gilbertsons’ black cat. A six–year–old springer spaniel, Bill, symbolizes much of Steve Gilbertson’s life. The pet represents the career Steve has had as veterinarian and pathologist researching cancer in canines. A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathology (ACVP) and member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AVMA), in 1983, Steve compiled and edited studies by four pathologists proposing canines as a scientific model for human mammary cancer.
May 4 is quickly approaching. It will be 12 years since CPL Stephen R. Bixler gave his life for our country. At times it seems like it was yesterday and other times a lifetime ago. Then there are the times that it feels like it really hasn’t happened and we are waiting for Steve to come home. The community of Suffield is coming together once again to honor and remember Stephen, at his Annual Memorial Picnic.
First Church of Christ, an open and affirming church, is offering the following events in May.
The chefs at West Suffield Congregational Church smile through the kitchen window as they await early risers who attended the Easter sunrise service at Sunrise Park.
Windsor Federal Savings is proud to announce the promotion of Maureen Sullivan to Vice-President – Retail Operations. “Maureen’s extensive retail banking experience has allowed her to successfully take on additional responsibilities”, George Hermann, President and CEO of Windsor Federal Savings stated. Joining Windsor Federal Savings with over 10 years of prior retail banking experience, Maureen rapidly advanced within her career from part time Teller to Branch Manager by taking advantage of bank educational opportunities and receiving recognition for her outstanding customer service capabilities. In July 2017, she was promoted to Assistant Vice-President.
This event is being held with funding from an Enhancement Grant from the Connecticut State Department of Education, Division of Family and Student Support Services Bureau of Health/Nutrition, Family Services and Adult Education, and contributions from the Greater Suffield Interfaith Council and with the partnership of the following organizations: Town of Suffield Youth Services and Police Departments, Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), North Central Regional Mental Health Board (NCRMHB), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Connecticut, Cross Street AME Zion Church, Advocacy Unlimited, Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR), and the Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement (CABLE).
When I was 15, I was sitting in on a driving lesson my friend Chris was getting from his dad. After practicing all the fundamentals, Chris was given the green light to drive home. It was sunny, the windows were open and an air of triumph permeated the car. Inexplicably, a bee flew into the moving car, hit Chris’ neck and landed right on the inside of his leg as he was driving swiftly down this stretch of road. As the bewildered bug began creeping up his leg, and as Chris was wearing shorts on that hot day, he let loose a stream of expletives, pulled the car over and, after deliberately putting it into park, jumped out and danced until the insect flew away.
The following table has been adapted from data provided by the Suffield Police Department.
On March 29, the Wheeler Clinic completed a second session of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to Suffield Police and first responders from the region. A previous training session had occurred on March 6. Both trainings were conducted in the Amiel P. Zak Community and Training Room at Suffield Police headquarters. As of March 29, over ninety percent (90%) of the staff of the Suffield Police Department have received this training, provided free of cost. This includes police officers, public safety dispatchers, uniformed Animal Control Officers, and civilian administrative staff.
Do you know how many volunteers we have at the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association (SVAA)? If you guessed 92, you would be correct. Sounds like a lot, but there’s always room for more. Volunteers are comprised of EMT’s, advanced EMT’s, paramedics and administrative support. In addition to the volunteers, there are three full-time employees, which include an Office Manager, a Paramedic, and the Ambulance Chief, Art Groux.
At a recent Rotary meeting I was listening to the achievements already accomplished by our SHS Student of the Month. It left me with confidence that the young lady would proceed to accomplish “big things” in life. A friend who attended suggested that it was too bad that we so often lose track of many successes achieved by the people who often go on to achieve major successes in their chosen fields. The friend noted that perhaps the Observer could provide information about the many people whose stories and accomplishments would either bring pride with the thought that “I knew that kid was going to make it”, or perhaps a “wow” recognition when you utter out loud “I didn’t know our neighbor did that.”
At the editorial board meeting people were excited about such an endeavor but aware that it was not an undertaking we could do on our own. Limiting such a series to those whose accomplishments the editors were aware of would inevitably but unfairly leave out the stories of many with equal or even more impressive successes.
The Town of Suffield would like to remind residents that they may, free of charge, bring their unwanted electronics to the Suffield Landfill, 2715 Mountain Road. Hours are: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Accepted materials include, but are not limited to: computers, laptops, iPods/PDAs, printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, monitors, TVs, cell phones, tablets, ebooks, video games, game consoles, VCR/DVD players, cameras and stereo equipment, remotes, keyboards, computer mice, modems, microwave ovens, and small appliances. Unaccepted materials include: NO smoke detectors, NO ballasts, NO propane tanks, NO paint, NO household hazardous waste (NO lighter fluid, liquids etc.), and NO appliances containing freon (air conditioners, refrigerators, and dehumidifiers).
