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.

History

Hidden in Plain Sight Suffield’s History in Architecture

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Architectural historian Rachel Carley will present an illustrated talk on Suffield’s rich history in buildings on May 15 at 7 p.m. at the Suffield Senior Center, 145 Bridge St. Under the auspices of the Town of Suffield, Ms. Carley has recently completed a study of historic resources in the second phase of a town-wide effort to document significant sites. Support for the project came from the State Historic Preservation Office with funds from the Community Investment Act of the State of Connecticut.  Her research, which concentrated primarily on the west side of town, uncovered an important architectural legacy represented by colonial-era farmhouses, tobacco barns, and early 20th-century shopfronts, among many other building types. The survey includes 201 homes and buildings on Blossom Street, Copper Hill Road,  Forest Road, Halladay Avenue, Hill Street, Mountain Road, North Stone Street, Phelps Road, Ratley Road, Russell Avenue, Sheldon Street, Spruce Street, and Taintor Street.  Ms. Carley’s findings have been compiled in a report for public use, to be filed in the Suffield Town Clerk’s Office.  Her presentation will also include a brief discussion of preservation opportunities. All are welcome to attend so please come join in for a pictorial tour of part of Suffield’s history.

In Memoriam

In Memoriam

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Sheila Roberts Craven March 8 Age 62 Brian Thomas Bentley March 17, Age 35  Judith M. Spaulding March 19 Age 79 Sheryl Woods March 20 Age 63 Mariette P. Kennedy March 25 Age 90 Harry James Corbett Jr. April 8 William Paul Wing April 8 Age 91 Diane M. (Whitaker) Mandirola April 9 Age 71

Organizations

Silver Tea Set Donation

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The Suffield Woman’s Club (SWC), formed in 1894, was pleased to donate their silver tea set to the West Suffield Village Improvement Association (WSVIA), formed in 1903, at the SWC March meeting. Both clubs have a history rich in community service. The SWC has donated a tremendous amount of money and service to the town of Suffield. Many thousands of dollars have been donated in scholarships and awards, first responders, EAA and more over the years and, notably, a recent donation of $10,000 to the Citizens Restoring Congamond. The ladies donated 3605.5 volunteer hours in 2016 alone.

Government/Town

Senior Center News

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Every May, the Administration on Aging, part of the Administration for Community Living, leads our nation’s observance of Older American’s Month. The 2019 theme, Engage at Every Age, emphasizes that you are never too old (or young) to take part in activities that can enrich your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It also celebrates the many ways in which older adults make a difference in our communities. Participating in activities that promote mental and physical wellness, offering your wisdom and experience to the next generation, seeking the mentorship of someone with more life experience than you are just a few examples of what being engaged can mean. No matter where you are in your life, there is no better time than now to start!

Organizations

KML Gallery to Showcase Allyson Rowe

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The Suffield Arts Council will feature the debut of Suffield artist Allyson Rowe during the month of May in the Kent Memorial Library, located at 61 Ffyler Place. A recent graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University, Ms. Rowe holds a B.A. in New Media Studies, a major that combines Communication, Graphic Arts, and Computer Science. While at Eastern she collaborated with local organizations including the Windham Senior Center, Generations Health Insurance, CLICK Community Kitchen, and the No Freeze Project: Windham Region, to create logos, flyers, and brochures. Her show will be featured in the Pinney Gallery from May 1 through May 30. Allyson looks forward to this, her first public show, and will host a “Meet the Artist” Reception on Thursday, May 17, from 6 – 8 p.m. featuring light refreshments.

Farming/Nature

Large Farm Bought

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A recent land purchase in Suffield, the second largest parcel sold in recent decades, caught the attention of residents who feared a new subdivision was coming. They were pleased to learn that the buyer was a tobacco grower, and he was already preparing the land for planting. It was Robert P. Nowak, who has seed beds on Suffield Street and fields in that vicinity near Windsor Locks, who recently bought the 157-acre Bissell Farm, extending north from Mountain Road across from Spaulding School. Located in the geographic center of the town, the new Nowak parcel, once part of the Consolidated Cigar Corporation, has an interesting history. In the heyday of shade tobacco growing almost a century ago, the Bissell Farm (named for L. P. Bissell, the most prominent tobacco baron in town at that time) was a profitable shade tobacco plantation.

Farming/Nature

Nothing Proper About the English Sparrow

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Like any decent anglophile, I’m pretty attached to all things British. What’s not to love about their polite queuing, scones and clotted cream, the royals, the BBC, a good block of Stilton and, of course, the Beatles. In fact when I am listening to the voice in my head which narrates my days, it is none other than that of David Attenborough. So it would make sense for me to embrace another export from the Motherland, the English Sparrow. But this little bird boils my blood and does not hold any affection in my heart.

Organizations

Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Trolley Museum

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The Connecticut Trolley Museum is excited to honor mothers and grandmothers free admission with a paid adult or child admission on Mother’s Day, May 13. Spend a few hours with the family while enjoying all the museum has to offer. Take as many trolley rides as you would like operated by period dressed motormen. Learn historic information about each car you ride and how the museum began. Inside the Visitor Center you will find more static trolley cars and artifacts, a theater showing a short film about trolleys and a gift shop to buy that special souvenir.

Organizations

Calling All Campers!

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Travel back to 18th century colonial Suffield for a week of summer fun!  Monday, July 30 through Friday, August 3, children ages 8 to 12 can don period costumes (or wear their everyday summer clothes!) and participate in the activities that took place at the Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden each and every day. Campers will learn about creating textiles (dyeing wool and cloth, knitting, sewing, spinning and weaving), westward expansion and trade (exploring maps and uncharted land), and school and home activities (classrooms, gardens and crafts). Best of all is the opportunity to learn about the toys and play games of the past. Meet historic figures and design your own tour of the museum to share with family and friends. A special surprise will await all on the final day when music and dancing fill the air!

Organizations

Attic Tours at Phelps-Hatheway House

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At the start of each month from May through September, take the ever-popular 1st Saturday Attic Tour at the Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden! Guests will be permitted to venture beyond the museum stanchions with Connecticut Landmarks’  (CTL) staff for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the Phelps’ servant and attic spaces. View objects and collections from the 18th to the early 20th centuries and learn about historic Connecticut and the role the Phelps-Hatheway house played in the Suffield community. The series begins on Saturday, May 5th at 1:30 p.m. Take the Phelps-Hatheway House tour as well, and be sure to check out Lynda Montefusco’s art exhibition in the Visitor Center. 1st Saturday Attic Tours occur on May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4 and September 1.