The Suffield Observer | Page 293 | A Watchful Messenger

Bringing Endless Joy to Kids: a 43-year-old Tribute

By Tony Peterson | April 1, 2026

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.

7th Annual Dustin Doyon Memorial Road Race

After seven meaningful years, this year’s Run for Dustin will be our final race.

Cut the Cord

If you are tired of paying high cable TV prices then you might want to consider switching to an internet streaming service.

Want To Better the World? Be a Volunteer!

By Beth Chafetz, Co-Editor of the Month | April 1, 2018

One of the most rewarding things anyone can do is volunteer for something. It can often be difficult to fit volunteering into our busy lives, but research has shown that it’s good for us. “Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. Volunteering and helping others can help you reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose. While it’s true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you’ll experience, volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge amount of time out of your busy day.

Editorial

It’s About Time!

By Mel Chafetz, Co-Editor-of-the-Month | April 1, 2018

I have lived in Suffield since late 1984. I worked in the Suffield Public Schools for 23 years as a school administrator and was Acting Superintendent of Schools in 2016. I have served on the Board of Selectmen for four years, and still have another one and half years left on my term. In 1984-85 when I arrived in Suffield, the annual town expenses not including debt or school budget were $3,970,902 according to the 1984-85 Annual Town Report. This year the Selectmen are recommending a budget approaching $16 million, subject to approval by the Finance Board and a vote at the Town Meeting.

Farming/Nature

The Lenten Rose

By The Suffield Observer | April 1, 2018

The Lenten Rose (Hellebores Orientalis) should be appearing in gardens in late winter, but its appearance may be a little later this year due to the recent nor’easters.

Organizations

$1,000 Scholarships Still Available

By Beth Chafetz | April 1, 2018

The Observer is looking for worthy high school students interested in a $1,000 college scholarship. The Sam Fuller and Robert Warren one-year scholarships are for full-time students residing in Suffield and attending a four-year college in the fall. They should be planning to study history, communications, journalism, creative writing, political science or research and should have community service experience. The applications can be obtained from the SHS or Suffield Academy guidance offices or online at http://thesuffieldobserver.com/scholarship-information/. The deadline for applications is April 15.

Government/Town

Update on Road Projects for 2018

By Gerald Turbet, Town Engineer | April 1, 2018

During 2016 and 2017 most of the $9 million of bond funding appropriated at the end of 2015 was utilized for 39 miles of road improvements as follows: 9.5 miles of pavement overlays; 26.4 miles milled and paved; and 3.1 miles reclaimed and paved with drainage improvements.

Schools/Sports

SHS Walkout Becomes Vigil

By Mia Frare, SHS Student | April 1, 2018

Exactly one month after the Parkland shooting, a majority of the schools in the country walked out of their school at precisely 10 a.m. in the morning. Suffield High School joined along, 135 students signed up to walk out of class at 10 a.m. to walk to the auditorium. After the students piled in, high school senior Madison Kadamus leads the group into seventeen minutes of silence. Every minute, Kadamus would say one name of the seventeen victims of the shooting. The entire auditorium was enveloped in silence, the only noise coming from the occasional squeak of a chair and a cough here and there.

Schools/Sports

Visiting Teachers See American Special Ed at Spaulding

By Lester Smith | April 1, 2018

Five schoolteachers from China came to Suffield to learn about good methods for educating special needs students. The Yale-China Association in New Haven, collaborating with the Center for Children with Special Needs (CCSN), in Glastonbury, is undertaking a project to build programs and services for children with autism in China. As described by Suffield School Superintendent Karen Berasi, CCSN had been asked “to provide the delegation with an opportunity to see high-quality programming that encompasses evidence-based, structured Applied Behavioral Analysis programming for students with autism and other complex needs in the public schools.” Aware that Suffield was known for its exemplary special ed program, leaders of the project escorted the visiting teachers to Spaulding School on March 9. Helped with skilled translation by Dr. Helen McCabe, of Yale-China, and Dr. Mark Palmieri, assistant director of CCSN, they spent the day in discussion with Dr. Dianna Kolodziey, Suffield supervisor of special ed and other Suffield school system personnel as well as in visiting several classrooms. Dr. Berasi had commented, “We want our guests to see in person what can be accomplished with high-quality teachers, motivated administrators, and good staff training and development.”

People/Business

Barletta Joins Windsor Federal Savings

By From a press release | April 1, 2018

Windsor Federal Savings is pleased to announce that Nadine Barletta has been named as Vice President – Loan Administration & Operations. Nadine brings nearly twenty years of commercial lending and operations experience with her to Windsor Federal. Her most recent position, with United Bank, focused extensively on commercial and residential loan servicing in northern Connecticut.

Columns

Where in the World is the Observer?

By The Suffield Observer | March 1, 2018

The Observer seems to be more durable than we expected, for here it is, taken along by Alan and Rob Fahrenholz while cage diving for great white sharks off Neptune Island in Southern Australia.