The Suffield Observer | April 2025

XXVII, No. 3

By Johanne Presser

If you ever get invited to Muriel (Sam) Coatti’s house for any kind of lemon delicacy, go! For when it comes to lemons, we’re talking sunroom to table from a tree that in its heyday would produce well over three dozen lemons a harvest.

How, you may ask, did this Ponderosa lemon tree end up in Coatti’s possession? Well, back more than 50 years ago when Harold Remington was the town clerk, he brought some seeds back from a tree he had in Florida and grew one in his greenhouse. He loved that tree and delighted in distributing its lemons to town hall workers, who in turn were delighted to receive them.

With a population of just over 8,500 in 1972, everybody knew everybody and Remington’s penchant for giving his abundant lemons away became well known. So fond of this tree was he, that when he died in 1978, Judy Remington, his daughter in law and Assistant Town Clerk, asked

By Tony Peterson

In these divisive times, attending the interfaith Martin Luther King service at Third Baptist Church on February 23 was a pleasant one-hour break.

It was refreshing to join over 70 churchgoers, Blacks, Whites, Arabs, Jews, Christians and other ethnic groups to celebrate the civil rights leader’s life.

As the service began, visiting clergy and choirs advanced single file down the center aisle, singing “We've Come This Far by Faith.” Rocking left to right, they shuffled to the beat of the hymn in a memorable moment.

The Greater Suffield Interfaith Council co-hosted the event with Third Baptist Church. The Rev. Diann Bailey of First Church, who chairs the Council, opened the service with a

A Watchful Messenger

Lemonade, Anyone?

Sam, who also worked for the town as Registrar of Voters, if she would have a place for it. Coatti, who lives on Russell Avenue in a house built in 1778 and added to in 1820, was in the process of adding a sunroom and agreed to take it. Fortunately, she had decided to have a brick floor in the room and so was able to remove some bricks and plant the Ponderosa lemon tree in the middle of the room in the ground. And lest you think this sunroom is in an out-ofthe-way part of the house, I will tell you that it is smack dab in what used to be the front entrance to the house. You have to walk by it to get from the kitchen to almost anywhere else in the house.

The Ponderosa lemon is called the “King of Lemons” or “Giant Citron” and the tree can reach 12-14 feet at maturity. It has long evergreen glossy leaves that are lemon scented, and its fruit can measure up to six inches in diameter. It is great for juicing as its very thick skin helps retain more juice than

a normal lemon would, but it is very acidic. Coatti reports that she juices and zests the lemons and keeps both in the freezer. Shortly after receiving the tree, the house was damaged by the tornado in 1979, and the sunroom’s glass roof was blown off. It was replaced with a peaked ceiling with skylights on both sides and windows all around the room. It is a lovely addition to the house and when the tree flowers, Coatti says that the fragrance is wonderful.

“My kids used to call it the “bonk tree” both for the sound the lemons made hitting the floor and their heads,” chuckled Coatti.

The 12-foot tree used to have a set schedule blossoming in January after which the fruit would come out and take months to grow and ripen but now Coatti says it seems to be more continual with blossoming again in early summer and repeating the cycle. Fewer lemons (about 15 a year) are produced now that the tree is older, but a depiction of it,

reminiscent of its more plentiful days, was painted on the sunroom wall by Cindy Tower, an artist friend, in gratitude for Coatti letting her store paintings in her barn. Because the tree is in the ground, it does not need to be watered but it is not without the need for care. It can be susceptible to scale or an in-

MLK Service–A Welcome Pause

prayer asking God to help attendees “face injustice with courage and love.”

Prayers and reflections by Anne Alleva from the Hartford-Tolland Bahá’í Faith and Robin Henrie from Springfield’s Sinai Temple followed. Palestinian-American Nasser Saleh quoted from the Proph-

et Muhammad, who over 1,400 years ago preached that Whites had no superiority over Blacks nor Blacks over Whites, “except by piety and good action.”

Pastor Jeff Powell from The New Antioch Baptist Church in Hartford was the guest preacher. He advocated following the teach-

ings of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount and being the light of the world. Gradually, his pace and volume increased. A chord-playing pianist accompanied him.

Churchgoers started blurting “Yes, sir,” “Oh, thank you, Lord,” and other affirmations as the pastor continued ever faster and loud-

festation of aphids and since there is a roof over its head, it must be pruned back from the top. It’s a job but fortunately, Coatti has had Master Gardening training. The tree has now been in the house for almost 50 years and stands as a lovely remembrance of not only friendship but a long ago tradition. z

er. They stood, clapped and shouted repeatedly, waving extended arms. By the end of his preaching, Pastor Powell was rocking the small church like a Bruce Springsteen concert.

Before the service began, I had helped a frail older, black man in a wheelchair sit down by leaning over and extending my arm for him to hold as his nurse positioned him in his pew. He had a dignified air, and I couldn’t help wondering how many racial slurs, menacing glances and slammed doors he must have endured in his lifetime.

But with hope, one of the dreams of Martin Luther King will someday come true when we become “a land where men of all races, colors and creeds will live together as brothers.” z

Photo by Johanne Presser

Sam Coatti’s beautiful Ponderosa lemon tree stands tall.

Photo by Tony Peterson

Guest preacher Pastor Jeff Powell stirred the passions of MLK service celebrants.

Editorial Editorial

Solar Project

My wife Beth and I have lived in many towns and different states in our lives. One factor common to the different locations is that each community had people who stepped forward and went above and beyond. We in Suffield have many past examples of such people: Lester Smith, Sam Fuller and Janet Banks to name a few.

Recently I met with Bill Hawkins, Suffield Director of Planning and Development. Though not a resident he works tirelessly to better our community. For the past three years Bill, along with resident, Kevin Sullivan, has worked to bring a solar project to town that not only benefits the environment but brings the town additional income for 20 years.

The origin of this project came from the desire to help the environment and find ways to bring additional revenues into the budget. Bill and Kevin found Kirt Mayland, an attorney who specializes in environmental solar projects. The initial idea was to find a site that would not take away land that could be used for farming and minimize construction costs.

It was determined that the Suffield Landfill would be a good location. The project would need 5.8 acres. Unfortunately, the panels could not be located in the back of the landfill. The land in the back of the landfill has old landfill collections and other land needs to left open for future landfill needs. The location also has to be cleared of trees enough to allow the sun to shine on the panels. This means the project will be located near the front of the landfill 100 feet back from the road. When the project is approved it will have some landscaping to reduce its visibility from the road.

The project went out to bid and Verogy was selected and won the bid and will be responsible for construction, management, and maintenance. Beyond making the land available, there are no costs to the town. Verogy will be responsible for mowing the grass and maintenance on the solar panels.

The benefit of this project to Suffield is an annual $65,000 for twenty years or $1.3 million dollars over the life of the contract. At the end of twenty years, Verogy has three extension option periods of five years each that they could exercise at their discretion.

Scholarships Available

By Beth Chafetz

The solar project is far from finalized. It still must be approved by Planning and Zoning, Conservation Commission and a town meeting. This process will probably take at least four to six months or longer. If I have learned anything about politics, one is never certain which way the wind blows. Regardless of what the town decides, a big thanks to Bill Hawkins and Kevin Sullivan for their efforts to bring this project forward.

Mel Chafetz Editor of the Month

Community Tag Sale

By

Sustainable Suffield

Start gathering and pricing household items you’ll never use again to add to Sustainable Suffield’s master lists for our May 17 and 18 Community Tag Sale.

You have until May 10 to scan the QR Code in the accompanying photo and add your merchandise. This year, you can choose to run your tag sale on May 17, May 18 or both. We’ll separate your listings accordingly.

Then, Sustainable Suffield will advertise a link to the master lists on our website, Facebook page, Patch and flyers we’ll post throughout the town, including links to interactive Google maps created for each Tag Sale Day. Interested buyers can click the maps’ teardrop icons to display your street address and listed items along with those for all other tag sale participants. So, potential

buyers have two ways to find you.

To help you advertise your tag sale, we've created Sustainable Suffield-branded non-adhesive labels that you can tape to your homemade signs. You can get them in the office of Kris Lambert, Colin Moll’s executive assistant, on the second floor of the town hall. z

The Suffield Observer Board of Directors will sponsor a scholarship to Suffield residents who will be entering an accredited two or four-year college in September 2025. The scholarship is in memory of Samuel S. Fuller, the founder of the paper, and Robert O.Y. Warren, a former chairman of the board.

The $2,000 scholarship can be applied for by contacting the guidance department at Suffield High School or Suffield Academy, by requesting a form from the Observer office or online at www. thesuffieldobserver. com.

Scholarship applications must be completed and submitted to the Observer at inbox@thesuffieldobserver. com or the Observer office at P.O. Box 424, Suffield, CT 06078 by May 15, 2025.

Graphic by Anna-Kristin Daub-Murphy Scan the QR Code by May 10 to add your tag sale items to the master lists of what’s for sale townwide. RAIN DATES: May 24 and 25. For notifications, see Sustainable Suffield Facebook page.

TOWN GOVERNMENT

April Commission Meetings

Please check the Town of Suffield website for time, location or schedule changes.

Assessment Appeals Bd. Special Meeting

Thu., Apr. 24

7 p.m., Town Hall

Conservation Comm.

Tue., Apr. 8 & 22

7 p.m., Town Hall

Economic Dev. Comm.

Thu., Apr. 17

8:30 a.m., Town Hall

Education, Board of Mon., Apr. 7 & 21

6:30 p.m., SHS

Finance, Board of Mon., Apr. 14

7 p.m., Town Hall

Fire Commission

Tue., Apr. 8, 7 p.m. Fire Station, Ratley Road

Historic District Comm.

Mon., Apr. 7

7:30 p.m., Town Hall

Housing Authority

Tue., Apr. 8

6:30 p.m., Maple Court

KML Commission

Tue., Apr. 8

7 p.m., Town Hall

Parks & Rec. Comm.

Wed., Apr. 9

7 p.m., Town Hall

Permanent Bldg. Comm.

Thu., Apr. 17

7 p.m., Town Hall

P&Z Commission

Mon., Apr. 21

7 p.m., Town Hall

Police Commission

Wed., Apr. 23

7 p.m. Police Station

Selectmen, Board of Wed., Apr. 9 & 23

7 p.m., Town Hall

Social Service Comm.

Fri., Apr. 18

8:00 a.m., SCA office

Tree Fund Committee Thu., Apr. 17

3 p.m. SVAA Building

Veterans Memorial Expansion Comm. Mon., Apr. 14

6 p.m.

Police Station

WPCA

Tue., Apr. 8, 7 p.m. 844 East St. South

Zoning Board of Appeals Tue., Apr. 29

7 p.m., Town Hall

First Selectman’s Update

Colin Moll

Hello, Spring! We've "sprung ahead," gained an extra hour of daylight, and the sun is starting to feel a bit warmer. Before long, we'll be welcomed by the beautiful spring flowers that seem to appear out of nowhere, signaling the arrival of a new season.

As a town rooted in farming, we’re especially grateful for the changing seasons and eagerly anticipate all the joys they bring. Here’s a glimpse of what’s coming up.

• The Board of Selectmen is currently considering a Right to Farm Ordinance. While the State of Connecticut already has laws to protect the agricultural community from nuisance complaints and lawsuits when farming is conducted properly, this ordinance would reaffirm our town's stance and demonstrate our support for local farmers. Several towns in the state have already adopted similar ordinances, and given our town's rich agricultural history, I believe it's fitting for us to show our support through this legislation.

• The Permanent Building Commission has officially submitted their review and report on the Facilities Master Plan, detailing which buildings require

attention and offering recommendations for the necessary improvements.

Over the next few months, the Board of Selectmen will need to carefully evaluate how to prioritize these projects, considering both the costs and their impact on residents.

• To stay informed, be sure to look for "Facilities Discussion" on the Board of Selectmen agendas.

• We will be recognizing our veterans who served during the Vietnam Era on April 1 at 5:00 p.m. in the Suffield High School auditorium.

Special guests and legislative members will be in attendance, including: Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Congressman Joe Courtney, State Rep. Tami Zawistowski, and State Rep. John Kissel.

I look forward to seeing our veterans and their families for this special evening of recognition.

• Our annual Townwide Clean-up Day has been scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 8:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m.

Lunch this year will be served at the Senior Center from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. You can sign up through the Town website.

• Join the Trees for Suffield group on Wednesday, April 9, at Sunrise Park as they celebrate Arbor Day with a new tree planting. Sign-up on the Parks and Recreation webpage. The event runs from 5:00 p.m.7:00 p.m.

• Join me for my First Selectman Coffee Hours,

held on the first and third Friday of each month at Café Barista at 8:30 a.m.

• Veteran breakfasts continue the first Saturday of every month.

All vets are welcome to join at the VFW on Sheldon Street. The next breakfast will be held on Saturday, April 5 at 9:00 a.m.

• Our fourth annual Summer Fair is confirmed. Mark your calendars for the following dates: June 13, 14 and 15.

Fireworks will be on Saturday, June 14 at 9:30 p.m.

• Don’t forget to check out all the programs offered by our Community Services Department and the Library for this spring.

I’m frequently asked, almost daily, “Will you be running again this fall?” The answer is yes.

I’ve made the decision to move forward and seek another opportunity to serve our community.

With so many projects and funding initiatives underway, the strong support and connections I've built with residents, and my passion for the work, how could I say no?

Enjoy the warmer, longer days ahead. And remember, my door is always open. z

Open Mon-Sat 9 am to 6 pm

Town News You May Not Know

Compiled by Kate Spoto

Too busy to look up what’s going on in town? This article covers selected information from the minutes of various Town Boards and Commissions. If you want more detail, it can be found by going to suffieldct.gov, Agendas, Minutes, Recordings.

Board of Education

February 20

Open Choice Program Review and Seat Declaration – Superintendent Dunbar shared that school districts need to declare the number of seats they plan to make available in the Open Choice Program lottery by next week. Suffield is planning to offer 32 seats in various grade levels. Last year, the district offered 34 seats and received a total of 10 students. Currently, Suffield has 32 students in the Open Choice program throughout the district.

2025-2026 Budget – Superintendent Dunbar noted that the district is seeing some reductions in special education costs due to students moving out of the district. In addition, the state legislature is considering a $40 million relief package for excess cost reimbursement for districts in the current fiscal year that may allow for increasing expected reimbursement in next year's budget.

The Board of Finance liaison asked about any potential impact to the district's budget based on potential changes being made in Washington as a result of the new administration. Superintendent Dunbar noted that the district is actively monitoring developments as they unfold.

Board of Finance

February 10

Audit Report from Mahoney Sabol & Company, LLP – The scope of work included an audit of the Town's financial statements, Federal and State single audits, agreed-upon procedures on end of year school reports (EFS), and some non-audit services. The firm issued an unmodified opinion on the Town's financial statements, noted noncompliance of laws and regulations, and noted no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses over financial reporting.

Board of Selectmen

February 19

Discussion and appointment to fill the vacant position on the Social Services Commission through November 30, 2028

Selectman Chafetz moved to appoint Kristin Kling to the Social Services Commission through November 30, 2028. Vote: 2 in favor

(Chafetz and Hill) and 3 opposed (Bielonko, Harrington and Moll). Motion failed.

Selectman Harrington moved to appoint Timothy Reynolds to the Social Services Commission through November 30, 2028. Vote: 3 in favor (Bielonko, Harrington and Moll) and 2 opposed (Chafetz and Hill). Motion passed.

Discussion and appointment to fill the vacant position on the Kent Memorial Library Commission through November 30, 2027

Selectman Chafetz moved to appoint Fred Sweitzer to the Kent Memorial Library Commission through November 30, 2027. Vote: 2 in favor (Chafetz and Hill) and 3 opposed (Bielonko, Harrington and Moll). Motion failed.

Selectman Bielonko moved to appoint Julie Bodnar to the Kent Memorial Library Commission through November 30, 2027. Vote: 3 in favor (Bielonko, Harrington and Moll) and 2 opposed (Chafetz and Hill). Motion passed.

Discussion and approval of the FY 25/26 Selectman's Budget and refer to the Board of Finance

First Selectman Moll discussed the fiscal year 2025/26 budget, which had a 3.9% increase. The majority of the increase was due to insurance and public utilities costs. He also mentioned the potential for a 10% increase in insurance costs the following year. He explained that the budget

had been revised to account for potential salary increases due to union contracts and also mentioned that the Town has merged some positions in order to save costs.

Selectman Harrington moved to approve the FY 25/26 Selectman's Budget and refer to the Board of Finance. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Motion passed unanimously.

Planning and Zoning Commission February 24

Site plan application for a ground mounted solar array on the western side of the Suffield Academy property near Hill Street which was approved by the Conservation Commission on January 28, 2025. This solar array will provide electricity directly to the grid.

Bill Hawkins, Director of Planning & Development, read his report into the record, noting that the project meets or exceeds all regulations for height and setbacks. In an email report, Consulting Town Engineer Dana Steele recommended that the conditions of approval be revised.

Ms. Bromage moved for approval with conditions. The motion was seconded by Ms. Golembiewski and passed unanimously. z

By Bob Molleur and Ray Dalrymple

If you own a farm, grew up on farms or worked on a farm in Suffield, we want your story. We are co-authoring a book, a collection of stories from young and old on their farm experience in Suffield and how that impacted their lives. Stories are limited to 900 words and submissions must be in MS Word format. Photos are welcome and are limited to two per story. Please submit your stories to suffieldfarmstories@gmail.com. We want to hear from you. Our goal is to publish and have the book available by our Nation's 250th anniversary in 2026. z

From Town Website

The next Household Hazardous Waste Collection, Electronics, Recycling Collection and Document Shredding (2 box limit) will be on April 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be at Farmington High School, 10 Monteith Drive in Farmington.

April Fun Fact #1

Did you ever wonder how April Fool’s Day started? It is speculated that the custom of April Fools began in France during the 16th century, after the New Year calendar was moved from April 1st to January 1st. Those who continued to celebrate the April New Year were considered fools, and often the victims of practical jokes. Today we just like to have a little fun with our friends!

By Suffield Fire Department Captain Ron Carlson

Home

Fire Escape Planning

April provides perfect weather for your family to test your home fire escape plan. Plan Ahead! If a fire breaks out in your home, you may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire.

Your Plan:

• Make a home escape plan. Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows. Discuss the plan with everyone in your home.

• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily.

• Have an outside meeting place (like a tree, bush, fence post) a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet.

• Practice your home fire drill at night and during the day with everyone in your home. Do so twice a year.

• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.

• Include Contingencies, such as first floor sleeping areas and assistance

by other occupants, for infants and the infirm.

• Close doors behind you as you leave. If the Alarm Sounds:

• If the smoke alarm sounds, Get Out and Stay Out. Never go back inside for people or pets.

• If you must escape through smoke, Get Low and Go under the smoke to your way out. If needed, crawl on your hands and knees.

• Call 911 from outside your home.

Be Sure to Have:

• Working Smoke Detectors on each level and in each bedroom of your home

• Carbon Monoxide Detectors if you have any fuel burning appliances in your home.

According to a National Fire Protection Association survey: Only one of Every Three American households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan! z

West Suffield Village Improvement Association News

By Anne Borg

West Suffield Academy Hall Open for Rentals Academy Hall, run by the West Suffield Village Improvement Association, opens April 1 (through December 1) for rentals by individuals or organizations. We host all kinds of family events, parties, showers and receptions as well as meetings and can accommodate up to 100 people. Our rates

are very reasonable, and we offer a full kitchen, tables and chairs and an attractive historic setting. For photos, please see our website at westsuffieldvia.org. Call 860 668-4444 or Anne Borg at 860 668-7841 for more information.

Annual Tag Sale

The West Suffield Village Improvement Association will hold its annual tag sale at Academy Hall (1499

Mountain Road) on Saturday, April 26 from 9:00-2:00. Donations may be dropped off on Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25 from 9:00 to noon. We accept any of your household items except clothing. Call 860 668-7841 with questions. The WSVIA is a non-profit run by volunteers, and all proceeds of the sale are used to maintain our historic schoolhouse. We hope to see you there! z

Mon, Mar 24 - Wed, Apr 30

Tue, Apr 1

Fri, Apr 4

Fri, Apr 4

Fri, Apr 4

Sat, Apr 5

Sat, Apr 5

Sat, Apr 5

Mon, Apr 7

Tues starting Apr 8

Wed, Apr 9

Thur, Apr 10

Sat, Apr 12

Sat, Apr 12

Sat, Apr 12

Tue, Apr 15

Tue, Apr 15

Fri, Apr 18

Sat, Apr 19

Sat, Apr 26

Sat, Apr 26

Sat, Apr 26 to Sun, May 18

Sat, Apr 26

May 2,3,4,9, 10,11,16&17

Sat, May 3

Sat May 3

Sat, May 10

Sat & Sun,May 17&18

Sat, May 17

Sat, Jun 7

Fri, Jun 13 to Sun, Jun 15

Sat, Jun 21

Community Calendar

April 2025

KML Art exhibit - works by Berlin artist Eddie Hall. Regular KML hours, Pinney Gallery, w/Suffield Arts Council. (pg 23)

Vietnam Veterans’ Ceremony - 4:15 p.m. at Suffield High, recognizing those who served and fought during that time. (pg 3)

First Selectman Coffee Hour - 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., at Café Barista, 66 N. Main. 10% discount on your drink order.

Amphibian Big Night - 6:30 to 8 p.m. a Hilltop Farm. Register at: Hilltopfarmsuffield. org/Events. (pg 9)

First Friday Poker Night - Doors open at 6:30 p.m., play begins at 7 p.m. At VFW hall on Sheldon Street. $40 buy in includes a $10 donation. Must be 21 or older. Veterans’ Breakfast - 9:00 to 11 a.m. All Veterans and family members are welcome.

At the VFW Hall, 972 Sheldon St., WS.

Spring Rummage & Bake Sale - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at WS Congregational Church. Donations accepted between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on April 1 thru 4 or by appt. (pg 11)

Book Collection for the Annual Library Book Sale, 10:00 to noon. Drive up to the Mary Anne Zak entrance where volunteers will help you.

Bird Friendly Gardening w/ Jennifer McGuiness - Noon, in the Fellowship Hall at Second Baptist Church. Hosted by the Suffield Garden Club. (pg 33)

Citizens Police Academy, 6 p.m. every Tuesday, Apr 8 through May 20. At the Suffield Police Department. Contact gminer@suffieldct.gov to register.

Arbor Day Celebration - 9 a.m. at Sunrise Park, with Suffield Parks & Rec and Trees for Suffield. (pgs 9&31)

Meet the Artist reception with Eddie Hall - 6 to 8 p.m. in the Pinney gallery at KML w/Suffield Arts Council. (pg 23)

Work Day at the King House & Barn - 9 a.m. to noon, Bring work gloves. (pg 8)

Mobile Mamography at McAlister Intermediate School. Call Suffield Community Aid at 860-668-1986 to register for an appointment. (pg 16)

Genealogy Workshop - 10 a.m., in the Pinney gallery at KML, with the Sibbil Dwight Kent Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). (pg 27)

Table reading of the play Sex with Strangers - 6:30 p.m., by The Suffield Players at the Kent Memorial Library. (pg 25)

Cesar Negro, A Patriot on the Veterans Memorial - 7:30 p.m. in person/Zoom. At SVA with the Suffield Historial Society. Register at rsvphistory@gmail.com. (pg 13)

First Selectman Coffee Hour - 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., at Café Barista, 66 N. Main. 10% discount on your drink order.

Dancing with the Stars of Suffield - 6 p.m.,with at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 68 Bridge St.Tickets for Desserts and Dancing from recreation@suffieldct.gov. (pg 30)

Household Hazardous Waste Collection, 8 a.m. to noon at Farmington High School, 10 Monteith Drive. Electronics recycling and document shredding. (pg 4)

Town Clean-Up Day - 9 a.m. til noon, a light lunch follows. Pick up roadside litter for recycling or disposal. Sign up on the town website. (pg 8) Spring Bird Census - from April 26 through May 18. eMail artsikes@aol.com for more information and to get a bird checklist. (pg 15)

Tag Sale - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Academy Hall, 1499 Mountain Road, West Suffield. Donations accepted Thur., Apr. 24 and Fri., Apr. 25, 9 a.m. to noon. (pg 5)

Becky’s New Car by Chris Rohmann performed by the Suffield Players - 8 p.m., 2 p.m. matinees May 4 and 11. At Mapleton Hall. Tickets at SuffieldPlayers.org. Craft Fair at Hilltop Farm - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hilltop Farm. Outdoor spaces are 12’ square. Sign up now at Info@hilltopfarmsuffield.org. (pg 9) The King House Museum opens for the summer season - 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Free tours of the house and barn. (pg 8) PMC Kids Ride fundraiser for The Jimmy Fund - 8 a.m. at McAlister School. Kids ages 2 thru 17 are welcome to ride. Register at PMC.org/Suffield. (pg 29)

Community Tag Sale - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Set up in your own yard! Coordinated by Sustainable Suffield. Rain dates May 24 & 25. (pg 8) May Market - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Phelps-Hatheway House barn. Rain or Shine! Hosted by the Suffield Garden Club. (pg 33)

Household Hazardous Waste Collection - 8 a.m to 1 p.m., Simbsury Public Works Facility, 66 Town Forest Road. Electronics recycling and document shredding.

Suffield Summer Fair - Friday, 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday noon to 9 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Live music, rides & games. Fireworks on Saturday! (pg 3)

Suffield Farmers Market - 9 a.m. til noon. Suffield town green south. Locally grown produce and crafts. Every Saturday through September 27. (pg 8)

Local Scholarships Available for High School Seniors

By Beth Chafetz

There are several community organizations that provide scholarships for deserving high school seniors that parents and seniors might not be aware of. These scholarships include:

1. Polish Heritage Society: There are several college scholarships available to Suffield residents of Polish descent. The application typically includes some demonstration of interest in Polish culture or history.

a. Harriet Isray ScholarshipThe American Institute of Polish Culture - $2,000 - due June 30, 2025

b. Jennie Marconi-Javorski Scholarship – Polish Heritage Club of Greater Hartford$1,000, due May 1, 2025

c. Wladyslaw Zachariasiewicz Memorial Journalism Scholarship -American Council for Polish Culture - $5,000, due June 30, 2025

d. Kamylla and Czeslaw Kaszuba College Scholarship – Polish American Journal Foundation - $1,500 and $500, due June through August 2025

2. Suffield Community Aid – for more information about these scholarships see page 16 or contact SCA at 860668-1986.

a. James F. Coggins, Jr. Community Service Award- Suffield Community Aid (SCA) offers a $1,500 award to a graduating Suffield high school senior. The deadline is: Monday, May 5 by midnight.

b. Jane Purtill Fuller Scholarship for Nursing or Social Services Candidates - The Board of Directors dedicates an annual $1,500 needs-based scholarship in memory of Jane Purtill Fuller. Applicants wishing to apply are encouraged to complete the common application at Suffield High School or call SCA at (860) 668-1986.

c. Kathy Ostrowski Memorial Nursing Scholarship - SCA awards a $1,500 needs-based scholarship to a Suffield graduating senior, in pursuit of a nursing degree. Applicants wishing to apply are encouraged to complete the common application at Suffield High School or call SCA at (860) 668-1986.

d. Suffield Community Aid “Forward Focus” Scholarship - The SCA Board of Directors established this $1,500 needs-based scholarship to offer graduating Suffield High School seniors financial support as they pursue job and educational goals post-graduation. Applicants are required to submit a 250-word (max.) essay supporting their selection. The deadline to apply is Monday, May 5 by midnight. Contact SCA at 450 South St. Suffield, CT 06078 or by email at maryc@suffieldcommunity aid.org.

3. The Suffield Observer - one $2,000 scholarship in memory of Sam Fuller and Bob Warren are awarded to seniors each year; contact: thesuffieldobserver.com/schol arship-information for more information. The due date is May 15, 2025.

4. The Suffield Players a. Eugene Biggio Memorial Drama Scholarship 2025 -The Biggio Scholarship funds student education in the Dramatic Arts presented by The Suffield Players, Inc. Submission deadline: May 1, 2025. Contact The Suffield Players at suffieldplayers.org for more information on eligibility requirements and application procedures.

b. Robert Alcorn Memorial Arts Scholarship 2025 - the scholarship makes Arts Education more accessible to deserving students presented by Continued on Page 11

Compiled by Beth Chafetz Astronomy Week

First week in April

"Space isn't remote at all. It's only an hour's drive away, if your car could go straight upwards."– Sir Fred Hoyle, Astronomer

“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.”

– Arthur C. Clarke

International Children’s Book Day – April 2

“Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.”

– Mary Schmich

“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax all you need is a book!” – Dr. Seuss

“One of the greatest gifts adults can give—to their offspring and to their society—is to read to children”

– Carl Sagan National Read a Road Map Day – April 5

“Travel sparks our imagination, feeds our curiosity, and reminds us how much we all have in common.”

– Deborah Lloyd

“A road trip is a way for the whole family to spend time together and annoy each other in interesting new places.”

– Tom Lichtenheld World Health Day April 7

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn

“What most people don’t realize is that food is not just calories: It’s information. It actually contains messages

Food For Thought

that communicate to every cell in the body.”

– Dr. Mark Hyman

National Library Week

Second week in April

“I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card.”

– Laura Bush

"The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library."

– Albert Einstein

"Libraries were full of ideas – perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons."– Sarah J. Maas

National Sibling Day –April 10

"What causes sibling rivalry? Having more than one kid." – Tim Allen

“I grew up with six brothers. That’s how I learned to dance – waiting for the bathroom." – Bob Hope

President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act –April 11, 1964

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”

– Frederick Douglass

“The way to right wrongs

Pilgrim Barber Shop

CT 06078 • 860-668-0170

Moved to 35 High Street, Suffield, CT across from Coldwell Banker Realty as of April 1. 860-668-0170 or 413-244-7679

is to turn the light of truth upon them.” – Ida B. Wells

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

– Martin Luther King Jr. Passover begins - April 12

“The journey from slavery to freedom is one we need to travel in every generation. So, we were commanded to gather our families together every year at this time and tell the story of what it was like to be a slave and what it felt like to go free.”

– Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Webster’s Dictionary published – April 14, 1828

“If a word in the dictionary were misspelled, how would we know?”

– Steven Wright

“Merriam Webster added 200 new words and definitions to their 2024 dictionary. All the additions have demonstrated widespread use over time, and offer a window into the world to-

day. Here’s a small selection: freestyle, “an improvised performance especially of a rap,” and the jazzlike sounds of a jam band. More bookish diversions include true crime, a genre “that depicts and examines real crime cases,” and beach read, “a usually light work of escapist fiction (such as a thriller or romance.)” You can also lose yourself in a dungeon crawler, a video game "primarily focused on defeating enemies while exploring a usually randomly generated labyrinthine or dungeon-like environment.”

– merriam-webster.com

Pet Owner’s Day - April 18

“ Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life.”

– James Cromwell

“You cannot share your life with a dog … or a cat, and not know perfectly well that animals have personali-

ties and minds and feelings.”

– Jane Goodall Humorous Day – April 19

“The more you weigh, the harder you are to kidnap. Stay safe. Eat cake.”

– pinterest

“When the waitress asked if I wanted my pizza cut into four or eight slices, I said, “Four. I don’t think I can eat eight.” – Yogi Berra

“Remember, if you lose a sock in the dryer, it comes back as a Tupperware lid that doesn’t fit any of your containers.” – pinterest

Easter – April 20

"Easter is more than just eggs and candy. It is also about peace, love and family."

“Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal and new life.”

– Janine DiGiovanni Earth Day – April 22

“The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful”. – E. E. Cummings

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”

– Robert Swan National Garden Month

"The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul." – Alfred Austin

"Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace." – May Sarton

Community Clean-up Day

By Tony Peterson

Scan the QR code to register to participate in Sustainable Suffield’s annual Community Clean-up Day on April 26.

Sustainable Suffield will provide the bags, gloves and other supplies. You choose the area(s) you want to de-litter.

A light lunch follows. The registration form has all the details. Recruit your neighbors and friends and have them register, too. Help beautify Suffield during Earth Month! z

Suffield’s Farmers Market Coming Soon

By Ellie Binns

Spring is in full swing and with that the planning and planting season are under way for the 24th year of the Suffield Farmers Market which will commence on June 21. The plan is to offer an assortment of locally grown fresh fruits, produce and hand-crafted products in a central, convenient spot. Each year we rely on returning vendors from last season and work to attract new and unique vendors. We also encourage local non-profit organizations to join us from time to time

and have special events.

Details and weekly updates will be provided about any changes on our Facebook page, www.facebook. com/suffieldfarmersmarket.

Come join this weekly community event where you can buy seasonal products such as plants, shrubs, vegetables, meats, floral bouquets, honey, farm fresh eggs, fruits, berries, herbs, vegetable plants, garden art, jams, jelly, pickles, fudge, baked goods, hand crafted soaps and homemade items.

The Market is held rain or

shine (severe weather may cause a cancellation) every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on the southern Town Green conveniently located in the center of town. The Market will run through the end of September. Most of the farms in the market participate in the WIC coupon program and some of our vendors are now SNAP certified as well, for your convenience. Contact Ellie Binns ebinns@suffieldct.gov or 860-668-3848 for more information or to find out about being a vendor. z

King House & Barn Workday

By Sara Zak

The semiannual King House & Barn workday is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, starting at 9 a.m. The Historical Society welcomes anyone willing to lend a hand with typical springtime chores in the house, the barn, and on the grounds

While some projects require professional experience, most only require a willingness to get your hands dirty. (Work gloves or rubber gloves are recommended for

some projects.) This spring, we are specifically in need of an electrician and a tree specialist. Remember, professional services may be tax-deductible as an in-kind donation, and school students and Scouts can earn community service credit for their volunteer time. As a non-profit organization, without Town support, the Society relies on volunteers to help keep expenses down.

The Society is happy to make special arrangements

with anyone willing to donate services at times other than this workday. We would like to express our gratitude to Mike Kaplan at Zera Equipment for his help with a project in the barn. For more information about how you can help, please get in touch with Sara Zak at 860-668-7194.

The King House Museum & Barn will open for the season on May 3. If you are interested in becoming a docent, please get in touch with Jackie Hemond at 860-539-7367. z

A Craft Kitchen

A Craft Kitchen

Photo by Anna-Kristin Daub-Murphy VFW group from last year’s clean-up with their prize-winning bag of collected nips.

The Amphibians’ Big Night

By Danel Eitel

Every spring, when the weather warms up to at least 40 degrees, the snow is almost all melted and the ground is starting to thaw, a remarkable event known as Big Night occurs. On a warm, rainy evening all the amphibians in our area, including frogs and salamanders, migrate from the forest (where they spent the winter), to their vernal pools to breed. At least 80% of them will return to the pool in which they were born.

A vernal pool is a shallow depression in the ground that fills with water in the spring from melting snow and rain

Trees for Suffield Breaking Ground for Arbor Day

By Judith Hanmer

Trees for Suffield is breaking ground all over town in celebration of Arbor Day thanks to a generous grant from the J. Gladwin Cannon Trust, and services donated by Bill’s Landscaping.

We’re breaking ground on April 9 in conjunction with Suffield Parks and Recreation to plant a new tree at Sunrise Park. A demonstration by an arborist will highlight the event. For those who take part, sapling trees will be handed out with information of the best practices for their care and planting. Register through Parks and Rec. We’re breaking ground at Spaulding and McAlister Schools for new trees at each of their playgrounds. With good soil preparation and regular watering, the trees will grow and thrive along with the students.

The next groundbreaking news is that for all the newly planted Arbor Day

trees, Trees for Suffield will be using the TREE DIAPER advanced hydration system. This innovative watering system soaks pellets in water which are then enclosed in a material which will slowly release water into the soil until damp. As the soil dries more water seeps out. The system is divided into two halves to place around a tree when it is planted or to add to an older tree or bush. Rainwater is all that is needed to recharge this hydration system except in the case of very dry weather. The Tree Diaper system will be monitored by Trees for Suffield over the summer to see how effective it is and to evaluate the ease of use.

The Trees for Suffield Initiative is “Planting for Tomorrow”. Help us ensure a thriving tree canopy for generations to come. To learn more visit: www. suffieldct.gov/things-todo/trees-for-suffield z

Among the many amphibians migrating, the spotted salamander is a common sight in New England. These salaman-

and will dry out in the summer. This temporary existence means fish, who would gobble up the eggs and babies, cannot live in them. Vernal pools are critical breeding habitat for amphibians and are crucial for maintaining health and balance in many forest ecosystems. The spring migration often involves crossing a road or two, which puts the animals at risk. As you drive near wetlands on rainy spring nights, keep an eye out for wood frogs and salamanders on the road. Sounds of spring peepers and croaking wood frogs means that the breeding season has started, and the amphibians are on the move.

Continued on Page 14

Photo provided by the author

Photo by Paul Benjunas, CT DEEP Wildlife Div. A wood frog venturing out at night

Sacred Heart News First Church of Christ, UCC

By Rev. Joseph F. Keough,Pastor

April is the transition month from the season of Lent to the season of Easter. Our parish activities focus on a deeper understanding of the greatest mysteries of our faith: the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord. We invite all Catholics and those wishing to learn more about our Catholic faith to join us for some or all of the events and experiences this beautiful season offers. As the Lenten season wraps up there is still time for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays from 2:30-3:30 and Mondays during Lent from 6-7 p.m. Canon law requires all practicing Catholics to celebrate Reconciliation and Eucharist at least once a year.

We enter Holy Week with

the blessing of palm branches and our journey with Christ into the most prayerful week of our calendar. Our celebration of the Sacred Triduum begins on Holy Thursday, (April 17) with the Mass of the Lord's Supper beginning at 7 p.m. In this beautiful liturgy we remember the institution of the Eucharist. The tradition of visiting seven churches is also popular on Holy Thursday, honoring the ancient Christian churches of Rome. The church will remain open until 10 p.m. for private prayer time. The sanctuary is stripped as we move toward Good Friday.

Good Friday we will have the traditional 3 p.m. Service with the reading of the Lord's Passion, the veneration of the cross and Holy Communion.

Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Holy Saturday morning at 10 a.m. we will celebrate the Blessing of Easter Foods, a tradition popular in Poland and other Eastern European countries. Families decorate their Easter baskets filled with samplings of the anticipated Easter dinner. The Great Vigil of Easter will be Saturday, April 19 at 8 p.m. Please note there is no 4 p.m. Mass on Holy Saturday and no afternoon confessions. Easter Sunday, April 20 Masses will be at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.

All of this information is available on our parish web site at www.sacredheartct.com or on our parish Facebook page.

We look forward to sharing our life of faith with you at this wonderful time of the year! z

West Suffield Congregational Events

By Pastor Denise Peterson

The children of the West Suffield Congregational Church spearheaded a food drive! They made posters, gathered cans and food items, decorated the sanctuary and generally had an awful lot of fun doing it. Their Deborah Halladay Pierce Souper Bowl of Caring teaches the children, every year, that they can make a difference in the world. Together, they collected 483 food items for the town’s senior citizens, and they added $350 in donations from our soup luncheon to help those with food insecurity.

Empowering children from a young age means that they will grow up with a heart for making positive changes in the world; seeing their excitement, when we have events like these energizes the entire congregation. It is truly an intergenerational event focused on the children and their ability to inspire.

Onward and upward…I can’t believe Easter is almost here! There are so many oppor-

tunities for the sacred during this season. On April 13, during our 10 a.m. service, we will have a joyous Palm Parade, signaling Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

The next Thursday, April 17 at 6 p.m., is my favorite service of the year: Maundy Thursday. It is a solemn, peaceful service, during which the Easter story is read by the Church Deacons. As each scripture is read, a candle is extinguished, until the sanctuary is in darkness, and we all leave in silence. It is incredibly moving.

On Good Friday, we will open the sanctuary from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for reflection

and meditation. Members of our choir will fill the sanctuary with solemn, a cappella music. We invite anyone to come into the sanctuary during that time to find a peaceful space.

And then, of course, there’s Easter Sunday! On April 20, we will join in the celebration at the Sunrise Service. Our normal 10 a.m. service will fill the sanctuary with joyous music; we will be uplifted by the Good News of the Resurrection, and there will be a raucous egg hunt for the kids following church.

Please join us. Blessings on your day, Pastor Denise z

By Amber Bigley

First Church of Christ, Congregational UCC of Suffield, Connecticut is an open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. First Church welcomes all to join us in faith and worship Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m., in-person or through our YouTube livestream.

No matter who you are, or where you are, on life's journey, YOU are welcome here. Come as you are, for this is God’s house—a house of prayer for all people, and God welcomes each one who comes. First Church welcomes all new attendees, and those who have attended many years, to join us for worship for one minute, one Sunday, one month, one year…whatever calls to you!

Rev. Diann continues to run a dedicated and vibrant Wednesday morning Bible study group at 10 a.m. each week via Zoom; contact us for more information.

Our journey into the Lent Season for 2025 continues as we “Come Back to Life”, astonished at the rebirth of this season.

April 1, we will be celebrating the success of our Church World Services Hygiene Kit Collection! During coffee hour we will gather to put all the kits together to be shipped out to those who need them. All are welcome!

Holy Week begins on April 13 with our Palm Sunday Service. Palm Sunday recalls Jesus entering into Jerusalem; a reminder of the welcoming of Jesus into our hearts and of our willingness to follow him.

Our Maundy Thursday Service is April 17 at 7 p.m. in our Sanctuary. Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter, is observed in commemoration of Jesus Christ and the Last Supper with the Apostles.

Our Good Friday Service will be held at 12 p.m. on April 18 in our Sanctuary. Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death.

Easter Sunday, April 20, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with two services. The community Sunrise Service at Sunrise Park is at 6 a.m. All are welcome to attend this moving sunrise service. Our Easter Celebration Service will be held at 10 a.m. in our Sanctuary. All are welcome to join us.

Our Blessing Box is located right in front of First Church on High St and is open to our neighbors and community members to “take what you need; leave what you can”. We encourage our community to donate; please do not donate perishable foods or foods requiring refrigeration.

First Church hosts support groups in our building including Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous. Contact us for the full list of meeting information.

Questions and general inquiries should be directed to office@fcsuffield.org, or by leaving a message at 860-6687223. Pastoral needs can be sent to senior@fcsuffield.org, or by leaving a voicemail with the Rev. Diann Bailey.

Our staff and Minister are ready to assist you or provide information as needed; God Bless.

Email the church office with questions, general inquiries, pastoral needs, or to arrange an in-person appointment at First Church. May the warmth of God surround you today and every day. Blessings! z

Photo by Cathy Napolski

The food drive was a big success!

Second Baptist Church News

By Laura Burnaford

Words of Welcome from our Interim Pastor – Reverend James Leavitt

Greetings to all from Second Baptist Church. We welcome the arrival of spring with the new life that comes forth following the long winter months. Crocuses have bloomed, daffodils are poking up through the soil and trees are budding and we welcome the longer hours of daylight.

As we deal with the issues that confront us daily in the news cycle, the continuing war in Ukraine, the conflict in the Holy Land and so many other places, and seemingly deepening divisions within our society, let us take the time to remem-

Spring Rummage and Bake Sale

From a press release West Suffield Congregational Church will be holding its annual Spring Rummage and Bake Sale on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The proceeds from the sale of the generous donations that we receive each year go toward helping our church meet our annual budget needs.

Whether you are looking for a special treasure at a great price, looking to pick up items for someone you know for their first apartment or just stopping by to find a hidden treasure, come join us.

Donations are needed and we accept all types of items that are in good usable condition except for upholstered furniture, luggage and used baby carriers.

Donations can be dropped off at the church at 1408 Mountain Rd, West Suffield, Conn. Tuesday, April 1, 2025 through Friday, April 4, 2025 (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.) or by appointment by leaving a message for Scott Miller at (860) 463-7827. z

ber that we are all part of this human family. We have been created in the image of God and that is shared by all of us. We can celebrate the hope that comes to us through the Easter story, even in the midst of uncertainty and our differences.

As we enter the new month of April, we are in the middle of the season of Lent, approaching Holy Week, a very special time within the Christian faith, beginning with Palm Sunday on April 13. Anyone is welcome to join us either in-person or on-line through the link on our website, and we wish you all a very blessed season. And to our Jewish brothers and sisters, a blessed Passover.

Scholarships

Continued from page 6

The Suffield Players, Inc. Submission deadline: May 1, 2025. Contact The Suffield Players at suffieldplayers.org for more information on eligibility requirements and application procedures.

5. The Suffield Woman’s Club - SWC Community College/Trade School Scholarships. Suffield Woman’s Club (SWC) is offering two $1,500 scholarships to graduating Suffield High School seniors. Interested students are encouraged to apply through the Suffield High School common application. For more information, please contact Renee Wood at woodrenee@hotmail. com.

6. Suffield Rotary Clubsix 2025 Scholarships of $1,000

Our schedule for Holy Week is:

Sunday April 13, Palm Sunday, morning worship at 10 a.m.

Thursday April 17, Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. with Communion.

Easter Sunday April 20, 10 a.m. Easter Resurrection Service.

May the hope of the empty tomb carry you through the difficult times.

Peace and blessings to all.

Events for Children and Families

On Saturday, April 12 we are planning a Spring Scavenger Hunt and Bulb Planting event which is open to the community. Go to our website, www.SecondBap-

each. Check with SHS counselors’ office for more details. a. The Dr. Alfred Stafford scholarship b. Nick Mickelson scholarship. c.The Lev Ahrens scholarship.

tistSuffield.org and download the scavenger hunt. Bring your photos from the scavenger hunt to the Common Room at Second Baptist Church on April 12 at 10 a.m. There will be prizes, and we will plant a hyacinth bulb and make spring cards. This event is free - please RSVP to 860-668-1661 so we will have plenty of supplies. See you there!

Join us Easter Sunday morning (April 20) at 10 a.m. for an Easter Egg hunt and more!

Additional information for all service/program opportunities at the church are available on secondbaptistsuffield.org as well as our Facebook and Instagram sites. z

d. The Rotary Vocational scholarship e. The Warren Packard scholarship. f. The Elaine O’Brien scholarship. z

Dr. Harold R. Wissel February 10 Age 86

Sumner Fuller Bissell February 11 Age 96

Dennis Ashworth February 11 Age 76

Lucie Marcelle Marc February 14 Age 86

Donald Zukowski

February 15 Age 89

David C. Williams

February 18 Age 60

William T. Olihan February 28 Age 83

Muriel K. White February 28 Age 92

Anne (Christian) Barberi March 8

Age 104

Why Should Paul Revere Get All the Glory?

By Jackie Hemond, Suffield Historical Society

Paul Revere gets credit for being the rider who warned colonists of the approach of British soldiers. But Revere was not the only rider. There were others, perhaps 40 riders. Among them was Isaac Bissell of Suffield.

The riders carried a message from Joseph Palmer of the Massachusetts Committee of Safety. Committees of Safety consisted of leading men in each colony who opposed and undermined the British by passing laws and regulations prior to the Declaration of Independence in July 1776.

Here is Joseph Palmer’s message:

Wednesday morning near 10 of the clock—Watertown.

To all the friends of American liberty be it known that this morning before break of day, a brigade, consisting of about 1,000 to 1,200 men landed at Phip’s Farm at Cambridge and marched to Lexington, where they found a company of our colony militia in arms, upon whom they fired without any provocation and killed six men and wounded four others. By an express from Boston, we find another brigade are now upon their march from Boston supposed to be about 1,000. The Bearer, Isaac Bissell, is charged to alarm the country quite to Connecticut and all persons are desired to furnish him with fresh horses as they may be needed. I have spoken with several persons who have seen the dead and wounded. Pray let the delegates from this colony to Connecticut see this. —J. Palmer, one of the Committee of Safety

Unfortunately, Isaac’s name was mutated when the message was copied at each stop; he became Isaac

Russell, Trail Bissell, Train Bissel and Tryal Bissel. But through the centuries, the name which is generally credited for Isaac’s ride is Israel Bissell. A 2024 article by J.L. Bell (https://allthingsliberty.com/2024/06/thestory-of-isaac-bissell-andthe-legend-of-israel-bissell) corrects the confusion.

Israel Bissell (1742-1823) was living in East Windsor. He served for a month as a Continental soldier, married Lucy Hancock (1757abt.1843), and died in Hinsdale, Mass., with no mention of Revolutionary service on his gravestone.

Isaac Bissell (1749-1822) was born in Windsor, but was living in Suffield. He carried the mail between Boston and Hartford. He married Amelia Leavitt (1757-1809) on July 4th, 1776. They had fourteen children, several who died young. They moved to Hancock, New Hampshire but Isaac returned to Suffield after his wife died. He was buried here, although later reburied in Hancock. On April 20, 1775, Isaac rode from Watertown, traveling on the Upper Boston Post Road which from Springfield dropped straight south through Suffield, to Hartford, his final destination.

It was from Isaac’s ride that armed companies of men from Springfield, West Springfield, and Suffield immediately marched to aid Boston on the same day that Bissell rode through the towns. Captain Elihu Kent, Sr. (1713-1814) marched from Suffield with 59 men.

The next day, 52 additional Suffield men marched to Boston, led by Captain Daniel Austin (1720-1804). Isaac also marched to Boston either that day or the next. He served in the Connecticut Militia throughout the Revolutionary War, delivering the New Haven Alarm in July 1779.

An interesting aside is that Palmer’s message was sent from Hartford to Silas Deane, a member of the Wethersfield Committee of Safety and a delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Deane didn’t believe the veracity of the message. He did not know Palmer and was suspicious of the message because it arrived so fast. As a consequence, some town militias did not respond as quickly.

Isaac was due two pounds, one shilling for his ride but was not paid until April 23, 1776, a year later. First, he appealed to the Mass. provisional government which dissolved before his request was approved. His appeal to Joseph Palmer finally yielded results. These late payment documents identify Isaac Bissell as the real post rider.

Unfortunately, Suffield history does not commemorate Isaac. In Robert Alcorn’s book, The Biography of a Town, Isaac is portrayed as a poor blacksmith who was constantly in debtor’s prison, continuously bailed out by his patient brother-in-law Squire Thaddeus Leavitt, a wealthy merchant. Isaac deserves more credit than that. z

Suffield Observations

By Andy Sauer

Always Watching...

I honestly had no idea what I could’ve done to offend.

Driving through Hartford on a Saturday night on I-84, a car was riding my bumper so close the headlights were almost obscured. I switched to the middle lane, he switched. I moved to the right lane, he moved. I shifted into the exit lane right and he moved so close I thought he was going to hit me.

Then, in a flash, he hit the brakes and was gone.

Maybe he felt he made his point, whatever it was. Maybe it was some kind of high-speed Saturday night antics. Or maybe he saw the drivecam mounted on the rear windshield and projected a future in which a video of his driving created an unwanted level of distress.

I’ve got a great video of it.

Whether it’s road rage, distracted driving or the insane, reckless, grand-theft-auto speeding that has become commonplace on Connecticut highways, driving has become disturbingly high-risk lately. Combine that with an increasingly more litigious society, and you might reach the conclusion I did, that it could be useful to have video in the unlikely but not impossible event some reckless idiot has caused an accident.

Of course, these kinds of things can’t be anticipated so the camera has to run the second the car starts until the moment it’s turned off, which means your driving and anything you do or say could come under scrutiny.

I’ll give you an example: My newly driving-permitted daughter has been putting in her hours behind the wheel. My wife, who, despite the overwhelming urge to reach over, seize the wheel, and climb over her own child to apply the brakes, has been (for the most part) a model of patience and encouragement as her daughter learns to drive. Thanks to the drivecam, we have this humorous video during one of these drives where my wife says several times “you’re doing great, you’re doing great” to which, my daughter replies “thanks… but are you doing ‘great’?”

Knowing the possibility of family members finding proof of bad driving, incidents of poor behavior or attempts at hitting the higher notes of “Don’t Stop Believing” humorous enough to share with the world has the effect of tempering one’s driving habits. It kind of puts a spin on the old adage “get there safe and sound (and with a shred of dignity).”

That said, sometimes you can’t help yourself. As my daughter was practicing driving on her way to school last month, she lingered too long at the light at South Main and Suffield Streets. The driver behind us landed on his horn and tailgated us until he decided to race past us over a double-yellow, doing at least 60 mph in a 25-mph zone.

I lost it, and while I didn’t yell anything stupid the drivecam could pick up, I did communicate my anger and frustration with a single universally understood hand gesture.

Fortunately, the camera didn’t catch it, but it did catch the Honda running the stop sign at the railroad overpass.

I’ve got a great video of it.

April 3

There was a good attendance at the beefsteak supper and dance held by the Suffield Grange in Mapleton Hall.

The trout fishing season opened April 1st and many of the local anglers were on the brooks bright and early to get their share of the speckled beauties. No large catches are reported, but the fishermen report a crowded condition of the streams, a large proportion of the fishermen being from Massachusetts. About fifty fishing licenses have been issued from the town clerk’s office in this town, nearly half of them being from Massachusetts. In Thompsonville 250 licenses have been issued, more than half of which it is said are nonresident. The law in Massachusetts does not permit of trout fishing until April 15.

An effort is being made to find out from the Connecticut company just what disposition is to be made of the trolley tracks through the center of the town that have practically been abandoned. Many of the property owners are desirous of having the tracks removed and the space filled in and graded to conform to their abutting property, which will help to beautify the street. Most of the property owners are willing to do this work if the tracks are taken up.

April 10

Very few trout have been caught by Suffield fishermen since the season opened on April first. The brooks about this town have been well stocked the past few years. The cutting off of the timber along the spring brooks has been one of the principal factors in spoiling the trout fishing. After a rain the shade and leaf mold in the woods held back the water and it seeped into the brooks in small quantities for many days after the rains. Now with nothing to hold it back the heaviest rainfall runs off in a day or two and the brooks are too low for the fish to thrive.

April 17

The Village of Suffield voted

to buy a motor pumper for the fire department, at a price not to exceed $8,500…at one of the largest meetings ever held by the village. The vote was unanimous.

Thomas L Greer of [Suffield] was painfully injured….in Windsor Locks while assisting in loading a truck with cased tobacco. A case slipped and in trying to get out of the way Mr. Greer struck his back against one of the iron stakes at the rear of the truck. He was given medical attention and removed to his home in Boston Neck and it will be several days before he gets around again.

This town was visited by two thunder showers and the downpour that accompanied them caused several washouts on the dirt roads of the town. One bolt struck a large telephone pole on the West Suffield road [Mountain Road] and broke it off at the ground.

April 24

The body of an unidentified man was found in the Connecticut river…by John Markowski, the gate-tender at the head of the canal, near the farm of J. Edgar Phelps on East street. The body, according to Medical Examiner Caldwell, had probably been in the water more than a year. The body was in such a condition that it could not be identified. And there was no clothing on the body excepting shoes and stockings. Dr. Caldwell ordered the body removed to Cooper’s undertaking rooms and later in the day was buried in Woodlawn cemetery.

Thursday warmed up considerably and the afternoon was as warm as a day in June. Most of the growers have their tobacco beds planted, and report that the plants are starting in fine shape. Considerable fertilizer is coming in and the farmers are hauling it from the cars to the farms. The acreage this year will not be much less than last year, as many of the shade growers are putting in out-door tobacco this year. z

This is a picture of a home at 1125 Mountain Road. Delphina Clark gives the builder’s name as Dr. Oliver Wolcott Kellogg, and a build date of 1845-1852. This picture is part of a collection that is believed to have been taken between 1880-1885. Using Delphina Clark’s Land record collection, we know that the owner changed in 1865 to Charles M. Owen. The 1869 Suffield map has C. M. Owen living opposite the West Suffield Cemetery. Using the 1870 and 1880 Federal Census we find Owen’s family with three members and some hired help. Starting left to right Charles Milton Owen born 1827 East Granby, Conn., daughter Mary E. born 1868 in Suffield, wife Jane Louise McRoy born 1844 in Ireland [not Connecticut as stated on the Census] and farm hand, maybe Michael Eagan aged 24 on 1880 census, born in Massachusetts. The picture is probably nearer to 1885, being the daughter was only 12 on the 1880 census.

By Bill Sullivan

Finding Cesar

The Suffield Historical Society will meet on Tuesday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance at 205 Bridge Street in Suffield.

The Suffield's Veterans Memorial lists “Cesar Negro” among the Revolutionary War soldiers today, yet there is no narrative of Cesar Negro in our town’s record. Bill Sullivan’s American Studies students from Suffield Academy discovered twenty Cesar(s) in Connecticut’s Revolutionary War records. Cross-referencing a DAR record for a Cesar from Suffield, the archivist at the Connecticut Museum in

Hartford corroborated from their documents that Cesar from Suffield died at the pivotal battle of Saratoga. Wendy Taylor of Kent Memorial Library also helped the students discover a 1782 town clerk's record that listed all the men who served in the Revolutionary War from Suffield for at least three years. A “Cesar Negro” was in the middle of that list.

Come out and learn more

The Suffield Historical Society’s meetings are always open to the public, and newcomers are most welcome.

Attend in person or access the following link that will connect you to the Zoom

platform on Tuesday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Topic: Cesar Negro Time: Apr. 15, 2025 07:30 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https:// tinyurl.com/4v8859b8

Meeting ID: 874 6948 6622

Passcode: History. z

April Fun Facts #2

Many festivals occur in April. In Washington DC, there is the beautiful cherry blossom festival. New Orleans hosts its Jazz and Heritage Festival and Atlanta celebrates its annual Dogwood Festival. In St. Louis, thousands come out to participate in the annual Earth Day festival.

Photo submitted by Art Sikes

By Jackie Hemond

1. What do you suppose this ad in the February 22, 1895 issue of The Windsor Locks Journal was promoting?

“In these days of telephone, telegraph, electricity and steam, people cannot afford to wait days or as many hours for relief.

This is our reason for offering you…”

a. A bank loan

b. A one-minute cough cure

c. Forgiveness of sins

2. What is this Revolutionary War flag called?

a. Grand Union Flag

b. First Flag

c. Continental Colors

3. What was the meaning of the pine tree on a flag with the motto “An Appeal to Heaven” or “An Appeal to God”? The motto was a reference to John Locke’s treatise on the right to revolution. The flag was flown by six schooners commissioned by George Washington to intercept British ships entering the Boston harbor at the start of the Revolutionary War.

a. It commemorated the Pine Tree Riots.

b. It symbolized New England.

c. It symbolized independence.

4. From 1701 through 1878, the Colony (and later State) of Connecticut had not one, but two capital cities. What were they?

a. Hartford and Bridgeport

b. Hartford and New London

c. Hartford and New Haven

Suffield/Connecticut Trivia

5. One iconic symbol of the American Revolutionary War was constantly on tour throughout the nation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It appeared at countless state fairs, expositions and patriotic celebrations. It made stops in Connecticut in 1903. What was this symbol?

a. The Betsy Ross flag

b. Fragments of the Liberty Tree

c. The Liberty Bell

6. What happened to the Liberty Tree, a famous elm tree, planted around 1646 in Boston? It stood near the Boston Common in the years before the Revolutionary War, under which many protests against the British were held.

a. It was felled and used for firewood by Loyalists in August 1775.

b. It fell down in a windstorm just before the Battle of Bunker Hill.

c. It was tarred, feathered and burned by occupying British soldiers in early 1776 just before the British evacuated from Boston.

7. Yo ho ho! There be pirates in the Connecticut River. David Marteen was a Dutch pirate and privateer, associated with the famous pirate Henry Morgan. In 1665, Marteen reportedly sailed up the Connecticut River and deposited treasure consisting of $20 million in coins from a Spanish galleon. In what town was the yet undiscovered treasure supposedly buried?

a. Suffield

b. East Granby

c. Windsor

8. On December 31, 1865 through February of the next year, A.W. Putnam and his crew of treasure hunters, were led by Miss Caswell, a clairvoyant, who had a vision of pirate treasure (maybe Mar-

teen’s) buried in another area close by Suffield. Where did the clairvoyant lead the treasure hunters?

a. Agawam

b. Somers

c. Enfield

9. “ The Lost Washington Dollars” is yet another tale (true or not) of buried treasure which occurred during the Revolutionary War in our local area. A large cache of gold coins, ammunition and supplies belonging to the Continental Army were stolen by Loyalists from a tavern in 1779. The coins were buried but when the Loyalists attempted to recover the cache, they were attacked by Native Americans and all but one of the Loyalists were killed. The sole survivor fled to England without recovering the treasure. Where was this treasure supposedly buried?

a. Suffield

b. Windsor

c. East Granby

10. B enjamin Franklin’s son William who was the Royal Governor of New Jersey at the start of the Revolutionary War, broke with his father when he sided with England. Beginning in June 1776, William was imprisoned in Connecticut in four different locations. The first two prisons were in Wallingford and Middletown but William somehow continued to gather intelligence for the Loyalists. In 1777, he was transferred to another town where he was placed in solitary confinement in a filthy cell containing only a straw mat. He told Connecticut’s governor Jonathan Trumbull that he would rather be shot. Seven months later, after losing his hair, teeth and desperately ill, he was imprisoned in a house in another town. What were the last two towns where he was imprisoned?

a. Simsbury (Newgate Prison) and Suffield

b. Simsbury (Newgate Prison) and East Windsor

c. Litchfield and East Windsor

10. c. Litchfield and East Windsor. z

9. c. astE Granby. Again! The treasure was stolen from the Bates Tavern and buried near Salmon Brook.

8. c. ldEnfie in the Scitico section. The clairvoyant said that the pirates entered the mouth of the Scantic River from the Connecticut River.

7. b astE Granby and -may be also c. Windsor. Or maybe it never happened! From the Connecticut River, he sailed up the Farmington River and deposited the treasure near Salmon Brook. Another -ver sion is that he lived for a time in Windsor, burying the -trea sure in that town, until he was told to vacate. He dug up the treasure and moved it to East Granby. Stones with -mark ings were found near -Salm on Brook in the 1950s but no treasure was found.

6. a. tI was felled and used for firewood by Loyalists in August 1775.

5. c. eTh Liberty Bell

Amphibians

Continued from page 9

ders can range in size from one inch to six inches. They have striking black bodies adorned with bright yellow spots. Interestingly, these beautiful creatures are poisonous to predators, which helps protect them in the wild. Once the male spotted salamanders reach the vernal pool, they dance and sway to attract a mate. The females will lay a white or clear mass of 10-250 eggs and attach it to vegetation.

Wood frogs are also a key player in this springtime migration. Once they reach the vernal pools, they seek mates and communicate through quacking sounds. A male wood frog will attach himself to a larger female that is full of eggs. As they swim around the pond, the female releases her eggs and the male fertilizes them.

Once the eggs have been laid, the frogs and salamanders

3. llA three answers are -cor rect. The Pine Tree Riots were various acts of resistance by the northern colonists to -Brit ish rule starting in 1734. The most famous one occurred in 1772. The cause of the riots was a royal decree which -man dated that the largest of the white pines, one of the most popular trees used by the -col onists, could only be used for Royal Navy masts. Colonists rebelled and continued to cut the tall pines for their own use.

April Fun Facts #4 April has two birth flowers. Both the daisy and the sweet pea are considered birth flowers for the month of April. The sweet pea signifies blissful pleasure, while daisies represent childhood innocence, loyalty, and purity. two cities were too high, and declared Hartford to be -Con necticut’s sole capital city in 1873.

2. llA three answers are -cor rect. It is considered the first flag of the United States. The flag was first flown on -Decem ber 3, 1775 by John Paul Jones, then on New Year’s Day -Janu ary 1776 by George -Washing ton at his Cambridge, Mass. headquarters.

1. b. A one-minute cough cure

4. c. artfordH and New -Ha ven. The Connecticut -Gener al Assembly, met in Hartford and New Haven in -alternat ing years. In the early 1870s, the General Assembly -decid ed that the costs and -logisti cal headaches of maintaining government operations in quickly return to the woods they came from, only visiting water again to breed. The eggs have a short window of opportunity to develop, hatch and mature into their adult form before the vernal pool dries up. As you enjoy the beauty of spring in Connecticut, remember to appreciate the incredible journey of these amphibians during Big Night! Besides being cute, amphibians are important because they eat tons of insects and are a food source for many larger animals.

How to help:

If you see an amphibian in the road, move it with a wet leaf to the side in the direction it was heading.Cover your flashlight with red cellophane Want to learn more? Join us for our own “Big Night” with the amphibians at Hilltop Farm, Friday, April 4 from 6:30-8 p.m. For more information or to register for the program, go to our website: Hilltopfarmsuffield.org and click on the Events tab. z

Suffield’s Polish History

By Susan Maciorowski and Sara Zak

The March issue of The Suffield Observer briefly introduced Michael and Julia Maciorowski, also known as Mike and Julia Davis. Mike was one of the founding fathers of St. Joseph Church in the 1910s, and he played a significant role in establishing the Polish community (Polonia) in Suffield.

Mike and Julie immigrated to America in the 1890s. They initially lived and worked in Holyoke, where they met, and moved to Suffield about the turn of the 20th century. All indications are that Mike was a man of strong character, determined to set a good example for other immigrants to assimilate to their new home. He became a citizen in 1902 and registered to vote in Sept. 1904, just in time to participate in that year's presidential election.

Mike's granddaughter, Susan Maciorowski, writes, "In 1913, he became a charter member, serving as treasurer, of the Polish Republican Club, a focus of which was to educate Polish American voters how to complete ballots properly. He sponsored community picnics on his farm and organized parades, such as the Polish Roman Catholic Union rally parade of September 1914. While Michael quickly embraced his new country, he did not forget his homeland. In 1920, Michael became a member of the American Committee for the Defense of Poland, focusing on providing aid to Poland in its fight against Russia during the Bolshevik war of 19191921."

The tobacco farm that Mike and Julia bought from Hannibal Wright was a very profitable endeavor. With the help of his sons, he sold 16 acres of tobacco in 1907 and increased to 25 acres in 1911. In 1912, he contributed to the purchase of the property that became St. Joseph Church. In 1919, Mike was among the largest Polish farm owners in Suffield. Along with Michael Zukowski, Jim (Ziemkewicz) Davis, and Harry Zera, the Maciorowski farm was assessed at over $15,000. Susan adds, "In the 1920's, Michael became a member of the ad-

visory committee of the Connecticut Valley Tobacco Growers Association's 16th district, and then a director for that district. As part of that responsibility, in 1923, Michael served as spokesperson for Suffield's Polish tobacco farmers when they had grievances against the association. Also, in the 1920s, Michael became a director of the First National Farm Loan Association."

Unfortunately by 1929, several factors contributed to the loss of the Maciorowski farm. Mike and Julia sold it to Harry Reid and moved to Thompsonville. He died on June 6, 1930. His widow and several children moved to Northampton, Massachusetts. Susan finishes her grandparents' story by saying, "While no children of Michael and Julia Maciorowski remained in Suffield following the death of Michael, all of their children had fond memories of life on River Boulevard in Suffield throughout their lives. They and their descendants were grateful for what Michael and Julia were able to accomplish as poor immigrants to the United States and the welcome they received from the town of Suffield."z

Prescribed Burn in Southwick Raises Alarm

Where’s the Beetle?

Annual Audubon Spring Bird Census

By Renee Wood

It’s almost that time again! The annual bird census for Suffield will take place from Saturday, April 26 through Sunday, May 18. Checklists for bird species seen/heard will be provided by local Chairman Art Sikes (artsikes@ aol.com) at your request. Once a bird is identified in Suffield/West Suffield it should be checked off on your list. You might see 50 robins, but only one check-

mark per species is needed. The Merlin Bird ID is a very useful tool in identifying birds by sound. Other apps are available as well. When the census is done, lists are returned to Art who compiles them into a Town list and submits it to the Hartford Audubon Society. Grab a friend, your binoculars, your checklist and head out and about in town. And maybe experience the thrill of adding a new bird to your life list! z

Photo by Tom Frenaye

A plume of smoke rises above the Southwick Wildlife Management Area on Friday, March 14. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife had requested assistance from the Southwick Fire Department for the planned prescribed burn. According to the agency “A prescribed burn is a planned fire set intentionally by natural resource professionals to provide habitat for wildlife.” Fire maintains grassland for rare plants, birds and animals.

Photo by Joan Heffernan

Red-Winged Black Bird

Camp Scholarships

Available to Suffield Youth!

SCA has funding available to subsidize participation for financially eligible households to send their child to any camp(s) of their choosing. For more information or to apply, give us a call: (860) 668-1986.

Renters’ Rebate Program for Elderly & Disabled Residents:

The State provides a reimbursement program for renters who are elderly or disabled, and whose incomes do not exceed certain limits. SCA is taking applications starting April 1! Call for more info860-668-1986.

Parkinson’s Group Guest Speaker:

Tuesday, April 8 at 11 a.m. SCA will host Stefany Scilipou from the Parkinson’s Foundation and Amanda Brill, LCSW from Hartford Healthcare Movement Disorder Center to discuss the non-motor side of Parkinson’s Disease and the resources that the Parkinson’s Foundation offers.

Mobile Mammography— Reserve Your Appointment Today!

The Mobile Mammography van will be at McAlister on Saturday, April 12 providing screenings for women. Please call SCA to register for your appointment today: (860) 668-1986.

There is still time to apply for CT Energy Assistance Program: This government program helps offset the heating costs for financially eligible households. Please contact SCA to apply at 860-668-1986. More information on eligibility is available at: www.ct.gov/staywarm

Suffield Community Aid

SCA Scholarships and Awards:

James F. Coggins, Jr. Community Service Award- Open to Applicants!:

In memory of our late volunteer and Board member, James F. Coggins, Jr., Suffield Community Aid (SCA) offers a $1,500 award to a graduating Suffield high school senior who demonstrates selflessness, generosity, and concern for the Suffield community through their volunteer activities. Jim was highly engaged and passionate about the Suffield community and neighboring towns. Applicants for this award must live in Suffield but do not need to attend Suffield High School for consideration (e.g., may attend Suffield Academy, Loomis Chaffee, etc.). Applicants are required to submit a 500-word (max.) essay supporting their selection to SCA at 450 South St. Suffield, CT 06078 or by email at maryc@ suffieldcommunityaid.org. The deadline to apply is: Monday, May 5 by midnight.

Jane Purtill Fuller Scholarship for Nursing or Social Service Candidates:

To recognize the many contributions of our past employee and long-time supporter of Suffield Community Aid, the Board of Directors dedicates an annual needs-based scholarship in memory of Jane Purtill Fuller. This $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Suffield high school senior pursuing a nursing or social service field of study (e.g., social work, psychology, criminal justice, counseling, etc.). Applicants must live in Suffield but do not need to attend Suffield High School for consideration (e.g., may attend Suffield Academy, Loomis Chaffee, Northwest Catholic High School, etc.). Applicants wishing to

apply are encouraged to complete the common application at Suffield High School or call SCA at (860) 668-1986.

Kathy Ostrowski Memorial Nursing Scholarship:

Kathy Ostrowski was a beloved Suffield resident and former SCA Board member who had a passion for helping others within and beyond her commitment as a nurse. SCA awards a $1,500 needsbased scholarship to a graduating Suffield High School senior pursuing a nursing or social service field of study. Seniors who do not reside in Suffield but attend high school in Suffield will be considered (e.g., VoAg Program at SHS, Suffield Academy, etc.). Applicants wishing to apply are encouraged to complete the common application at Suffield High School or call SCA at (860) 668-1986.

Suffield Community Aid “Forward Focus” Scholarship: Created in 2024, the SCA Board of Directors established this $1,500 scholarship to offer graduating Suffield High School seniors financial support as they pursue job and educational goals post-graduation. Applicants must live in Suffield but do not need to attend Suffield High School for consideration (e.g., may attend Suffield Academy, Loomis Chaffee, etc.). This needsbased scholarship is offered to seniors who have committed to a trade or vocational school, 2-or-4-year college, or other identified job readiness program. Applicants are required to submit a 250-word (max.) essay supporting their selection to SCA at 450 South St. Suffield, CT 06078 or by email at maryc@suffieldcommunityaid.org. The deadline to apply is: Monday, May 5 by midnight. z

By Mary Curtin, MSW Director 860-668-1986

Food Support For the Suffield Community

Submitted by Liz McGann

Suffield Community Aid

450 South St – Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Meals on Wheels / Food Pantry

Outdoor 24hr/7day Food Cabinet suffieldcommunityaid.org (860) 668-1986

MaryC@suffieldcommunityaid.org

Requirements: Suffield Resident, Income documentation Food Pantry by Appointment

No financial requirements for Meals on Wheels

No requirements for Outdoor Food Cabinet

Foodshare Mobile Food Truck (Suffield Site) 1408 Mountain Rd (W. Suffield Congregational Church) (860) 668-2271 - Every other Tuesday 1:15 – 1:45 p.m.

CTFoodshare.org for schedule

Requirements: Connecticut Residents Only

Suffield Senior Center

145 Bridge St.

$5 Lunch Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday 12 p.m. Suffieldct.gov / (860) 668-3862

pleclerc@suffieldct.gov

Requirements: Reservations – (860) 668-8830

First Church of Christ

81 High St. Outdoor 24 hr/7 day Food Cabinet (860) 668-7223

No Requirements

Photo supplied by author

Thank you to the Windsor Federal Bank employees for the donations to support Suffield residents. From left to right: Jonathan Kozloski, Windsor Federal Bank AVP Branch Officer and Mary Curtin, Suffield Community Aid Executive Director.

Schools, Library and Scouts

SHS Student Musicians Receive All-State Honors

By Corey Killian, Suffield High School Director of Bands

Five Suffield High School musicians have been accepted into the Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) All-State Ensembles this year. Approximately 2,000 student musicians from across the state auditioned for the festival in February, with about 25% being accepted. To qualify for the audition, students had to be previously accepted into their regional festival, which took place in January.

The following students performed with the CMEA

All-State Concert Band and Choirs at Wethersfield High School on Saturday, March 29th:

Eliana Lavoie, sophomore vocalist, sings soprano as a member of the Suffield High School Choir. She was accepted into the CMEA Northern Region Festival in 2024 and 2025.

Sam Melendez, sophomore vocalist, sings alto in the Suffield High School Choir. She was accepted into the Northern Region Festival in 2024 and 2025 and performed in SHS Drama’s productions of Into the

Woods and The Wizard of Oz

Heidi Storey, senior french hornist, has been accepted to the CMEA Northern Region Festival in 2023, 2024, and 2025. This will be her first performance with the All-State Band. She plays the French horn with the SHS Symphonic Band, previously performed with the SHS Jazz Ensemble on trumpet, and was part of the pit orchestra for SHS Drama’s production of Into the Woods

Kylie Tinnirella, junior trumpeter, plays trumpet

in both the Suffield High School Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble. She was accepted into the Northern Region Jazz Ensemble in 2024 and 2025 and will perform with the All-State Concert Band in 2025. Kylie also participated in the pit orchestra for the SHS production of The Wizard of Oz and performs with the Greater Hartford Youth Wind Ensemble (GHYWE) at the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford.

Nayandeep Tummalapally, junior bass clarinetist,

plays bass clarinet and alto saxophone in the SHS Symphonic Band and is also a saxophonist in the SHS Jazz Ensemble. As a vocalist, Nayan performed as Jack in Suffield High School Drama Club’s production of Into the Woods in 2024 and the Tin Man in the 2025 production of The Wizard of Oz. He was accepted into the CMEA Northern Region Festival in 2023, 2024, and 2025. This will be Nayan’s second performance with an All-State ensemble, having previously performed with the CMEA All-State Band in 2024. z

Celebrating Spring Keeping Things Fresh

There's something absolutely rejuvenating about spring! After months of cold and dreary weather, many of us feel an urge to spruce up our homes and capture the energy that comes with the new season. Here are suggestions for some easy impactful transformations that can give your home a fresh feel!

First things first! Take time every season to declutter. Add a basket or two to consolidate items.

Edit down your decorative accessories to only your favorites for a cleaner lighter look. Put away the heavy throws and knit blankets and replace them with lighter fabrics. Mix it up with the things you love mixed with news finds. (Move away from themed rooms.)

Switching out artwork can instantly change a space.

Swap lampshades.

Update hardware, maybe in your kitchen or bedroom.

Add greenery to brighten spaces.

Fresh paint is always a simple and cheap way to update.

Budget for the bigger updates like kitchens and bathrooms.

If your change is a little larger and includes looking for a new home, we would be happy to help you with that process as well.

Robin, Melanie, and Cyndie

Eliana Lavoie Soprano

Sam Melendez Alto

Heidi Storey French Horn

Kylie Tinnirella Trumpet

Nayandeep Tummalapally Bass Clarinet

Celebrating Earth Day and Much More

By Justin Kaput, K-12 Science Coordinator

Well, it’s that time of year again, the time of year where mud clings to boots (and dogs) on every foray outside, the silence of winter is broken by the return of birds, and the red tips of maple trees look like signal flares foretelling change we all feel in our bones. Spring is coming friends, and with it a few updates from your friendly neighborhood K-12 Science Coordinator.

In February we were able to bring National Geographic Explorer, TED Fellow, and Netflix docudrama actor Dr. M Jackson to three schools in both auditorium and small group/classroom presentations for a talk about glaciers and the life of an

adventure scientist. Jackson is a geographer, glaciologist and science communicator. From stories of her life growing up in rural Alaska and Washington state to harrowing tales of life on the ice (including falling into a water filled crevasse in Alaska) to advice on how to create a TED talk, she was able to interact with and inspire hundreds of students throughout the day.

Next, this April, to celebrate good ol’ Mother Earth, the fair planet to which we all owe our very existence, we have something really cool planned. Dan Kinzer, another National Geographic buddy, is coming to town. Dan has been working with students on six continents (and has been to all seven)

for over twenty years, and when he’s not out in the Pacific on the Hokulea (think the big boat in Moana), a surfboard, or Dr. Bob Ballard’s ship, he’s exploring planet Earth. So, how is Dan helping SPS? Well, over the course of Earth Week we are going to be working on the concept of deepening students’ relationship with the place they live, because, well, planet Earth is pretty amazing (I mean, just look at the Grand Canyon for Pete’s sake…outrageous) and Suffield, though understated, is a pretty incredible place to be a kid.

To highlight this amazing awesomeness, we’ll be sending out Google Forms to all 3rd-12th graders asking them what they think is

amazing about their hometown. It could be that special oak tree in their yard, or a pond they fish in, the sandpit they ride their quad in (which I did a lot of as a whipper snapper myself), or the view from the Metacomet Trail in West Suffield. We’re encouraging them to talk with their families too, because by making the project intergenerational, we can tie a thread to the shared experience we all have of living in this beautiful town and connect kids with not only the place they know, but to the place their family knows as well. We’ll narrow the results of these submissions and over the course of the week, we’ll head out to explore some of these spots

with crews of kids we’re calling Earth Week Ambassadors. Along the way we’ll work together to create a story of Suffield to be shared with schools. It’ll be both classic, and futuristic (Dan’s an expert at creating Extended Reality (XR) worlds and just returned from Australia where he was doing work with an Aboriginal community), and we’re looking forward to the adventure.

AND - right on the heels of this event will be the second annual Ecology Explorers program on May 21-22. Similar to last year's event, we’ll host 2nd, 5th, 7th, and 10th graders at Suffield Land Conservancy’s McLean Outdoor Education Preserve for a day of learning about everything from insects to vernal pools to how to de-stress in nature. We’re a couple of volunteers short though, so if you know anyone who loves nature, kids, and has something to share, get in touch with me at jkaput@ suffield.org.

There’s more to say, but I’m over my word limit. In keeping with the message of being thankful for this beautiful town, go explore a little. And take a little one with you. I bet it’ll be worth it. z

Photo provided by author

Dr. M Jackson inspires middle school girls with the power of science.

Photo provided by author

TED Fellow Dr. M Jackson instructs 7th graders about the in’s and out’s of TED speaking for their upcoming TED Talk assignment.

Schools of Thought

Rotary Students of the Month News from the Suffield Board of Education

By Eric Hamylak

Congratulations to the Rotary Student of the Month for January, Tryell Khouri! According to School Counselor Mrs. Garfield, “Tryell exemplifies strong leadership both in and outside the classroom. As a Varsity Football captain, he leads by example, demonstrating dedication, teamwork, and a positive attitude on and off the field. His involvement in the Black Student Union (BSU) further showcases his commitment to diversity and community. Balancing academics with multiple part-time jobs, he consistently shows responsibility, work ethic and a strong sense of duty. Respected by both peers and adults, he is a true role model, known for his respectful demeanor and thoughtful approach to his responsibilities. He is a well-rounded individual with a bright future ahead.”

Art teacher Mr. Kudrle said, “Tryell has a great presence of calm and optimism as he engages with his peers and other teachers. A smile on his face helps give the calmness that everything will be okay, and his spark of engagement helps generate those around him to do more.”

Family and Consumer Science teacher Mrs. Haefner added, “Tryell is an outstanding leader in his kitchen group. He demonstrates exceptional leadership and teamwork, always encouraging and uplifting his team. His ability to provide valuable feedback and creative suggestions on recipes makes a significant impact. His seasoning skills are top-notch, and his dedication and positive attitude are truly inspiring. Tyrell consistently puts in great effort, making him an invaluable asset to the team.”

On March 5, the

Math teacher Mrs. Goodwin continued, “Tryell is a very personable, caring, funny and kind person. He is a hard worker and a very determined individual. I have known him since his freshman year, and he has grown to be a very mature young man.”

Academic Support Mrs. Silva said, “Tryell is one of our Black Student Union leaders and has been doing an exemplary job. He is patient and diligent when addressing the club’s needs. He has gone above and beyond and is able to handle whatever stress comes his way with a calm demeanor. I have watched this young man grow into a mature leader who I know I can count on. He represents what we look for in a student leader: a person who is able to balance academics, work, and life with a kind and confident manner.”

Congratulations to the Rotary Student of the Month for February, Quinn Boudreau! Mrs. Deming said, “Quinn is an active member in the school and local community. He has advocated on the state level for students with disabilities and served on a committee to discuss policy.”

Science teacher Mr. Grimard said, “I have had the pleasure to have known Quinn for his en-

tire high school career. Over the years, I have seen him grow from an unsure freshman to the mature confident person he is today. It may sound strange, but the word that comes to mind when I see Quinn is glue. Yes, glue, the super strong kind that is tenacious and is forever sticky. I have found Quinn to be one of those special individuals that help bind a community together. Sometimes overlooked, but always necessary to a thriving community. On several occasions I have seen Quinn reach out to individuals that he does not know and welcome them as if they were the best of friends. To this end, it is no wonder why so many students, (of all groups) find Quinn in their circle of friends. Among other things, Quinn is the President of the SHS Earth & Outing Club. In that lens, I have seen Quinn step up and do the difficult things, the hard tasks. Tasks that a good person and an excellent leader does when others shy away. I have seen him make sure that the job that needs to get done, is done and completed correctly with a positive attitude.” Mr. Grimard continued, “Quinn is generous with his time and over the years has volunteered to help in

By the Suffield Board of Education

In this article, the Suffield Board of Education shares information about its work supporting school district initiatives, promoting academic success, setting policy and adopting a budget. Please visit https:// www.suffield.org/ to learn more about our school district.

School Calendars Available for Next Two Years

The Suffield Board of Education recently approved calendars for the next two school years. The idea to approve multiple calendars at one time was presented by Superintendent Matthew Dunbar as an efficiency that would allow for more streamlined planning of district initiatives and professional development, as well as make it easier for team members and families to plan for breaks.

The 2025-2026 and 20262027 calendars are available on the district website.

Artificial Intelligence Policy

The Suffield Board of Education continues to explore the topic of Artificial intelligence

the maintenance of the Suffield Land Conservancy’s Outdoor learning lab, located across the road from the high school. Most recently, he and a friend created a student news segment that was aired (several times) on the national news showcasing last year's bioblitz and the importance of learning about our environment.”

Congratulations to the Rotary Student of the Month for March, Lourdes Lawson! World Language teacher Mrs. Tinnirella said, “Although I have not

(AI) and has placed a draft policy on First Read with a vote planned for the April business meeting. AI is a topic many Boards of Education are exploring as they consider opportunities and appropriate boundaries for students and staff.

The policy states in part, “As our schools prepare students for a future that demands adaptability, critical thinking and digital literacy, we recognize the potential of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other related technology tools.”

The district’s AI Committee helped inform the language in the policy, which is designed to ensure responsible use among teachers and students, protect student privacy, and foster a dynamic and engaging learning environment that equips students with tools for success in our digital world.

Suffield Board of Education members include Chairperson Maureen Sattan, Vice Chairperson Melissa Finnigan, Secretary Debra Dudack, Brian Fry, James Mol, Gianna Rossi, Michael Sepko, Greg Sparzo and Sam Toskin. z

had Lourdes in a classroom, she is a member of the Spanish Honor Society and has stepped up to help 'peer tutor' students in Spanish 1-3. She is willing to help others and is always respectful and cheerful. She also is active in athletics and from what I have seen (especially in spring track & field) she exemplifies leadership and kindness.”

Academic Support Mrs. Silva said, “Lourdes has been a strong leader for the Black Student Union this year. She

Continued on Page 20

Photo submitted by Eric Hamylak

Suffield Rotary honored three Suffield High School seniors at the Suffield Country Club. Left to Right: Lourdes Lawson, Tryell Khouri, Quinn Boudreau

New Eagle Scout

By Krystal Holmes

Troop 260 is proud to congratulate Joe Krar on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Troops 260 & 262 celebrated Joe at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.” Joe exemplifies these scouting ideals throughout his life.

Joe started in Scouts as a Cub and crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 260 in March of 2018. He earned his Arrow of Light and the Blue Nose 4 degree award in 2019. Joe was an Outdoor Ethics Guide as well as an excellent Quartermaster. A quartermaster is an important job, they manage all the scout gear for the many trips the scouts take, Joe always had the trailer well organized.

Joe has had many amazing adventures with Troop 260. He has participated in urban navigation events throughout the U.S. and internationally in Canada and Italy. He has canoed the Allagash Waterway plus other canoe trips in Connecticut. He has hiked many miles in the woods, explored underground cave systems and biked scenic byways.

As part of Joe’s trail to Eagle he earned the necessary 14 Eagle required merit badges plus 12 elective badges. For Joe’s Eagle Ser-

Rotary Students

Continued from page 19

brings a calm, kind, and levelhead to the BSU meetings. She is a thoughtful and considerate example for those around her. She is also a diligent student and works hard at her “work - life balance” which can be difficult when you're a student leader, varsity athlete and stellar student. It has been a pleasure getting to know Lourdes and she is very

Photo By Krystal Holmes

vice Project, he led a team to build a new podium and altar for the chapel at Sunrise Park. He also stained the benches and landscaped with fresh mulch. This project will have a lasting impact on Sunrise Park, ensuring the chapel remains a welcoming place for the community for many years to come.

Joe is more than just a scout; he is an honor student, who enjoys skiing and tennis and is currently working on his EMT certification. Joe is currently a senior at Suffield High School and plans to attend college in the future with an interest in biology.

Eagle is the highest attainable rank in the Scouts BSA program. Achieving this goal is no small feat, only 4% of Scouts persevere to attain the rank of Eagle. Joe has shown fortitude and the ability to lead and be a positive citizen. There is no doubt he will soar in life and do great things in the future. z

deserving of this honor.”

Business teacher Ms. Damseaux remarked, “Lourdes is a dynamic and engaged student who has leadership skills and is a role model among her peers.”

Math teacher Mr. Hefferon added, “Lourdes is kind and generous with her peers. She always carries a positive attitude.”

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Tryell, Quinn and Lourdes! z

Water Cremation: a Greener Alternative

By Tony Peterson

If you’re committed to sustainability even after death and plan to be cremated, you’re not alone. According to the Cremation Association of North America, 60.6% of deaths were cremated in 2023.

Flame cremation has been practiced for thousands of years. However, according to Time magazine, water cremation, a new method first used by U.S. funeral homes in 2011, is better for the environment. Its technical name is alkaline hydrolysis. Pets and farm animals have been cremated by water for years.

With aquamation, the deceased is submerged in a sealed stainless steel vessel containing a constantly circulated, heated mixture of 95% water and 5% potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, chemicals found in soaps and cleaners. Depending on various factors, tissues typically dissolve within six to 14 hours. According to Smithsonian magazine, one attraction of aquamation “is that it accelerates the way a corpse naturally disintegrates in the earth.” The remaining bones are ground into a powder finer than fire-cremated ashes.

Aquamation has been legal in Connecticut since 2016. The Green Cremation company, housed in the John F. Tierney Funeral Home in Manchester, first offered it in 2024. Owner Tom Tierney said he’s a regional pioneer; no other funeral home from Maine to North Carolina provides it. I queried ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence chatbot, which confirmed his claim. Note that in Mass., N.Y., N.J., R.I. and Del., aquamation is not yet legal. Tierney charges the same price as flame cremation: $2,995 or $3,995, depending on the

options chosen.

Tierney also offers aquamation services to funeral homes in the area, including Heritage and Nicholson & Carmon in Suffield. Fire and water cremation compared In a typical flame cremation, the deceased lies in a box or casket inside a chamber called a retort heated by natural gas, propane or diesel to 1,400º F to 1,800°F. The body is reduced to ashes after two to three hours. According to earthfuneral.com, “Each cremation produces 535 lbs of CO2, which is equivalent to a 609-mile car journey

aquamation equipment (there are also high-pressure versions), such as Tierney’s, the water and alkaline solution is electrically heated to about 200° F for up to 16 hours. Time magazine says it requires about 300 gallons of water per body but consumes 90% less energy than fire cremation. Boxes or caskets aren’t needed to hold the body, and no CO2 emissions are generated. Battery-operated implants needn’t be removed, and harmful chemicals don’t spew into the atmosphere. Aquamation produces 20% to 30% more remains than

in an average-sized car. In total, cremation produces about 1.04 billion lbs of CO2 each year in the U.S. alone.” Cake, an end-of-life planning blog, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) point out that toxic chemicals, such as mercury from dental fillings and resins from artificial hips, vaporize and escape up the smokestack. Fire Engineering magazine warns that battery-operated implants, such as pacemakers and insulin pumps, must be removed to prevent explosions in the retort. With low-pressure

flame-cremated ashes. According to the Cremation Association of North America, the alkaline water mixture used is sterile and discharges directly into a municipality’s sewer system.

Why aquamation is preferred

Tom Tierney said his customers choose water over flame cremation because it’s eco-friendly and gentler. In keeping with the national trends noted above, 60% to 65% of his customers choose cremation for final disposition, and 80% to 85% of those choose aquamation.

When I interviewed Tierney in early March, he was a couple of weeks shy of his first anniversary of launching his aquamation services. He had performed 194, far surpassing the 100 he had hoped for. He had also purchased a second aquamation station, which will be operating in late June. z

Joe Krar, Troop 260’s newest Eagle Scout

Photo: by The Green Cremation

At The Green Cremation company, a $210,000 aquamation unit performs one water cremation per day, according to owner Tom Tierney.

Aces High Scores Big!

By Melissa Pascarelli

The Aces High Robotics Team traveled to Wilby High School in Waterbury in March to face off against 36 other teams from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Aces High competed in 12 qualification matches. During the qualification matches the team experienced a lot of ups and downs as the students began to learn the robot's capabilities on a legitimate field. By the end of the matches, their record was 8-4-0 and were ranked 8th. They were chosen by the Number 1 ranked team #7407 Wired Boars from Choate to move into the finals.

With Choate and a Hartford team, 1991 The Dragons, they worked their way through the elimination matches. One match after another the team improved and ultimately came home with another blue banner.

Additionally, the Impact Award sub-team put together an amazing presentation featuring the depth and breadth of the impact on the local community. From STEM Clubs at WLHS and Suffield Public Schools, to supporting two Lego Robot-

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (or DOs), bring something different to the practice of medicine. We look beyond lab tests and symptoms to truly listen to patients and hear how their whole person experiences are involved. We also use our palpation and manual therapy skills to assess your joints and tissues for a more thorough diagnosis. Then we develop treatment plans based on medicine, manual therapies (osteopathic manipulation), therapeutic prescribed exercises, diet, social interaction, and more.

Students ‘SouperBowl’ Drive a Huge Success

Submitted by Gina OlearczykPrincipal, Spaulding School and Nikki Kupec- Spaulding School, Asst. Principal Students from Suffield’s two elementary schools, McAlister Intermediate School and Spaulding Elementary School, recently tackled hunger and essential needs through their annual "SouperBowl" initiative.

Partnering with Suffield Community Aid, students in grades PK-5 combined their school

ics Teams, hosting multiple blood drives, a food drive, and conducting an ongoing bicycle drive, donating over 115 bicycles to Ukrainian refugees since last summer, the team is making a better world for all. For their efforts they were awarded a prestigious Judges Award.

As of today, Aces High is currently ranked 8th out of nearly 200 teams in all of New England. At the end of March, they head to Western New England University to do it all over again. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or on The Blue Alliance

Current stats: 12 qualifying matches with an 8-4-0 record. Finals with a 5-0-0 record. Average match score of 86.33 z

Donations

to fill SCA

spirit with community service by donating non-perishable food items and toiletries while casting their votes for their favorite team to win the Super Bowl.

This spirited event took place during the week of February 3-7, leading up to the big game on Sunday, February 9. Thanks to the incredible generosity of families, the schools were able to donate thousands of essential items to Suffield Community Aid, making a significant impact on local families in need.

Students eagerly participated in the friendly competi-

tion, with both McAlister and Spaulding accurately predicting that the Philadelphia Eagles would emerge victorious. McAlister students collected an impressive 693 goods, while Spaulding School contributed 664 items, showcasing their dedication to both their teams and their community.

The McAlister Student Council played a vital role in organizing and executing the event, ensuring its success through their leadership and enthusiasm. Their commitment to giving back exemplifies the spirit of community service that is so valued in Suffield.

The annual “SouperBowl” event continues to be a highlight of the school year, fostering kindness, generosity, and teamwork among our students. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the families who contributed and made this initiative a resounding success. We look forward to continuing this tradition and making a difference in our community for years to come! z

Meet Cooper, a dapper 9-year-old neutered male Labrador retriever, owned and adored by Jodie Albano and her family. Cooper has been part of the clan since he was a rambunctious, bouncy, chew-up-everything puppy, and though more sedate as he’s aged, he still loves to steal flip flops and pool towels. He used to make a game out if it and make you chase him to retrieve the stolen items, but now he’ll drop them when asked. A good boy. Cooper went in for his yearly visit in November and had no symptoms. A full blood work up was done to get some baseline numbers. His liver values came back high. He was put on Denamarin, a liver support supplement, for 30 days and retested. Despite the supplement, his liver tests had increased significantly. Since there is a long list of things that might cause liver issues, the Albanos were referred to the Internal Medicine staff at Integrity Veterinary Center. Jodie describes what happened next:

“We had an ultrasound at Integrity in Northampton in December that showed his liver was smaller than normal and his lining was coarse. In addition to Denamarin, he was put on Ursodiol and Vitamin E. We then scheduled a consultation with Pieper Veterinary and ultimately had a laparoscopic liver biopsy performed. Based on finding very high copper levels in the biopsy, we determined he has Copper Storage Disease. In addition to his current meds, he was put on D-Penicillamine, Vitamin B-6. He also had to go on a low copper diet, including all treats. This treatment is more than likely life long.”

Copper Storage disease, sometimes called copper associated hepatitis, is a condition only recognized as common in Labrador retrievers in the past decade. While the cause is not yet fully understood in this breed, it is a multifactorial disease, involving a complex inheritance pattern and diet. Cooper is not unique in our practice, as we have several Labrador patients that are being treated for copper toxicity, including some sicker than Cooper and one that died from it.

Fortunately, Dr. Burke was able to diagnose Cooper early from routine blood tests, and we expect his condition to be controlled. His family can continue to play one of their favorite games: guess the time (in minutes) that it will take Cooper to destroy a new toy — it is typically under 20 minutes. For letting us share his story, we gratefully name Cooper our April 2025 Suffield Veterinary Hospital Patient of the Month.

Photo by Anish Jindal

And the win goes to Aces High Drive Team (l-r), Casey, Jack, Aidan and Katie.

Photo provided by the authors SouperBowl football field

Photo provided by the authors

ready

pantry.

Photo by Anish Jindal

2025 Robot - Black Swan

By Abby Wolcott

Suffield High School Winter Sports News The Humble Pigeon

By Amy Muska Director of Athletics

Suffield High School Athletics has ended a very successful winter season with all the teams and/or individuals qualifying for postseason play. The girls’ basketball team made it to the finals in the NCCC tournament and advanced to the quarterfinals in the state tournament. Hazel Qua broke the school scoring record in a single game with 42 points. In addition, she surpassed the 1000 points total as a sophomore. Our boys’ basketball team qualified for both the NCCC tournament and the first round of the state tournament. Wrestling had several standouts in the postseason with four NCCC Conference Champions, Class S Champion and two State Open Champions. The State Open champions qualified for New England’s. The girls ice hockey team played in the CCC tournament finals and the semifinals for the state tournament. The boys’ ice hockey team qualified for the first round of states. Both the girls’ and boys’ indoor track teams had individuals excel with all conference winners in the shot put, high jump, 4 x 800 relay and long jump. Two class M Girls State Champions and the school record broke in

shot put and high jump.

Spring sports began March 22; all sports schedules can be found on the athletic website.

All Conference Award Winners

All Conference

Basketball: Hazel Qua

Boys Track: Carter Gnatek, Jacob Gagnon, Ben Farroni, Christian Flanagen, Drew Organ, Josh Zenczak

Girls Track: Lauren Lawson, Lourdes Lawson, Ayden Darvill, Hayli Graham, Heidi Story

Wrestling:

NCCC State Champions: Peter Annis, Jackson Annis, Naser Saleh and Yasin Afrailov

NCCC All Conference: State Champions plus, Cal Thompson, Rogen Harrole, Cedrick Hardy, Max Blake, Matthe Keilasinski, Maddox Tamayo and Benjamin Navin

Boys Ice Hockey: Noah Boyd, Max Demers

Girls Ice Hockey: Emily Greene

All State Award Winners:

Wrestling: Class S Champion: Peter Annis, Naser Afrailov (runner up), Yasin Afrailov (4th place), Jackson Annis (6th place) State Open: Peter Annis (5th) and Jasmine Alfrailova (3rd), both individuals qualified to wrestle

Looking back, I cannot fault my parents for at least trying to civilize us. This included family vacations. If it were up to my three brothers and me, we would have only spent our vacations from school in a swamp or a patch of woods. We were only happy if we were pulling earthworms from the ground or catching snakes and keeping them in pillowcases. We used my mom’s best soup pot to capture unsuspecting bullfrogs and really did not want to bother with any of the finer things in life. But sooner or later my folks started to worry that they were raising a bunch of feral children, so my dad put his foot down and insisted that our next vacation be in a city and preferably one with a lot of history to it. We were not happy about his decision, and it made matters worse that he decided to have us write a report on this country as a “good healthy warm up” to a new kind of travel. Needless to say, none of us were very happy about the chain of events as we shuffled towards our next holiday. Once we touched down

in both the boys’ and girls’ New England tournament.

Girls Indoor Track: Class M Champion: Lourdes Lawson (Shot put) and Hayli Graham

in the city, my dad said the zoo was off limits and marshalled us to the art museum. We were jet lagged and weepy and missing our worms and garter snakes, and suddenly we were whisked around the museum expected to take in all the Baroque art. This was quite a stretch. We maintained various degrees of moroseness as we trudged from room to room. Sooner or later, my folks would come to their senses, and we’d find the nearest exit and race down the stone museum steps. And there, more often than not, we would find ourselves in some city square full of pigeons, and our hearts would take flight to be in space with these

(High Jump)

School Records/ Accomplishments

Girls Indoor Track:

Shot Put: Lourde Lawson

High Jump: Ayden Darvill

birds. We would chase them out of puddles, watch them circle the pedestrians and court each other all right out in plain view. Suddenly, we weren’t feeling so bad about our sojourn to the city.

Even here in Suffield, I have not forgotten about pigeons, and I see them on barn roofs across town or find them on my trips across the bridge. I did a little digging and learned that pigeons were introduced from Europe to the U.S. back in the 1600s. They were a food source and adjusted easily by being able to nest in barns and on window ledges and to eat a variety of seeds and grains.

Continued on Page 23

and Hayli Graham

Girls Basketball: Hazel Qua: Single Game Scoring Record: 42 points 1000 point scorer (sophomore)z

Photo by Joan Heffernan Although commonly seen in urban settings, pigeons can also be observed in agricultural areas foraging for grains, seeds and insects.

Cheers to a Happy 100th!

Submitted by Arianny Bravo

On February 26, 2025, Steffanie Bulgier hit a landmark birthday of 100 years young!

Back on that day in 1925, Steffanie was born in Steyr, Austria. After World War II, she left Europe to move to the USA. She has lived in Texas, Pennsylvania and California, but has called Connecticut home for the past 50+ years. Steffi was married to her love, Larry Bulgier, for 61 years and was a dedicated mother to Barbara, Mark and Paul. Larry and Steffi cycled up and down the long, windy roads of this area for many years. She is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to Bridge. Steffi spent years volunteering at the airport

Humble Pigeon

Continued from page 22

They were also known for their homing instincts and carried messages for our troops in World War I and II. Apparently, they sense the earth’s magnetic fields and can find their way home from long distances, even blindfolded. With such an important role it’s surprising they have not held much allure for the general public. I was prattling on pigeons the

and in her community. Hosting comes very naturally to her, even as a centenarian.

She loves nothing more than being around her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and Canadian relatives. Alles Gute, Steffi! z

other day with one of my smart and detail-oriented friends, and he mentioned that he had noticed a pigeonhole high up on the gable end of our barn. We went back and took a look and sure enough, there it is with its little gnome door into the loft. Pigeonholes, also known as dovecotes, were found on barns throughout New England and enable the pigeons to free range during the day and have access to a roost at

Suffield Arts Council Artist at KML

By Fran Milliken, Suffield Arts Coumcil

Works of art by Berlin artist Eddie Hall will be featured in the Pinney Gallery of the Kent Memorial Library, found in Suffield.

The show consists of works of art painted on windows, featuring vibrant acrylic colors and geometric patterns, inspired by architectural and design themes.

Hall is a self-taught artist, an active member of the Kehler Liddell Gallery, and has been featured and won critical acclaim and awards in solo and group shows throughout New England, in countless shows.

This show will hang in the gallery through April 30. A “Meet the Artist” reception will be held on Thursday evening, April

night. I wondered how many pigeons it housed in days gone by. A little reading on the subject unveiled that the pigeons were probably kept as meat. I must admit I am a little intrigued by the idea of cooking up some pigeon

10, from 6-8 p.m. This event is open to the public.

This show is made possible by the artist, the Suffield Arts Council, and the Kent Memorial Library staff. z

(often known as squab) in the near future. I am pretty good at burning a chicken breast or serving an inedible roast chicken so maybe venturing into the world of pigeon would be a step in the right direction. It can’t

get much worse and who knows, pigeon might become my go to meal moving forward. Besides, I read that pigeon meat is associated with strength and Lord knows, I need some of that! z

Steffanie Bulgier

Photo provided by the author

Art painted on a window

Kent Memorial Library

Director’s Corner

By Amy Vessella, Director

As I sit to write this column, I am finding it hard not to be distracted by the beautiful weather outside. It’s almost 60 degrees, and the sun is shining. I am anxious to spend more time doing the outdoor activities that I enjoy, such as taking nature walks, camping, going to car shows, and attending outdoor music events.

For others, an enjoyable outdoor activity

Movies at the Library

KML is showing movies again! Visit our website at www.suffield-library.org/ for more information, including this month’s movie showtimes.

Thursday Readers Book Discussion Group

Thursday, April 24 at 1 p.m.

Get together on the last Thursday of the month with other readers to discuss a book. Books are available at the library. Registration is not re-

might be gardening (not for me, however, as I tend to kill plants). Avid gardeners have often expressed their delight in tending to their garden beds and transferring fragile seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Since the last spring frost in Connecticut occurs around mid-May, gardening fans might be interested to learn about a new “program” we are in the process of setting up here at the library.

We are starting a seed library!

If you have never heard the term before, I am happy to explain it. Simply, our seed library is a place where you can “check out” seeds to plant in your garden…for free. It’s that simple! You don’t even need to bring us back any seeds.

quired. The April title will be “The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead.

Tech Time Every Wednesday 1:303:30 p.m.

Do you want help with your laptop, smartphone, or tablet? Don't let technology frustration hold you back - come to KML Tech Time on alternate Wednesdays! Whether you need help troubleshooting an issue, setting up a new device, or downloading eBooks and eAudiobooks, we've got you covered!

No registration required. First come, first served.

Rise to the challenge book discussion

Monday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m.

The seed library is made possible through a collaboration with the UConn Extension Master Gardener Program, who are generously providing the seed packets to us free of charge. We are all very excited to get this new program up and running and hope our community members will share stories of their gardening success with us.

If you are in need of gardening information when you are here to pick up some seeds, don’t forget to take a look at our other resources. We have lots of books on various gardening topics, and what we don’t have we can almost certainly find in our consortium.

Happy gardening! z

For more information or to register for a program, please stop by or call the library at 860-668-3896 or go online to suffield-library.org Follow us on Facebook. All programs are free.

General Programs

A book group for adults to read and discuss books that have been challenged and/or banned. Copies of the book will be available at the library. No registration required. Please be aware that this group discusses books which may include sensi-

tive topics. The April title is Dreaming in Cuban by Christina Garcia.

Fiber Friendly Wednesdays, April 2 and 30 at 4 p.m.

Do you enjoy knitting, crocheting, embroidering, or engaging in other fiber-related interests?

Bring a project you're working on or start something new! Join us on alternate Wednesdays for conversation, camaraderie, and fiber artistry. No registration required; marble table seats 10. Open to all ages; people under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Qigong for Spring Saturday April 26 at 10:30 a.m.

Ready to bid farewell to Winter? Spring energy is calling for growth and resilience! Like trees with deep roots, our practice will build strength and flexibility in both mind and body. Join us as we breathe, stretch, and move into a new season. Registration is required.

Baseball Trivia  Saturday April 26 at 1 p.m.

Is Shohei Ohtani already a Hall-of-Famer?

How did Elmer Flick ever get inducted? Test your baseball knowledge at Kent Memorial Library in Baseball Trivia! The contest will be led by Karl Cicitto, SABR researcher. Compete in two rounds of informative trivia questions to win prizes. One round focuses on Hall of Famers, present and future; the other will be about baseball books, films, and music. Expect surprises, food, and fun! Registration is required.

Continued on Page 25

KML Programs

Continued from page 24

Wanderlust Club

Wednesday April 30 at 2 p.m.

Wanderlust Clubwhere travel enthusiasts unite to celebrate the thrill of adventure and discovery. Come join your fellow travelers (or people interested in learning about different places) to swap stories, share experiences and travel tips!

Suffield Players

Tuesday April 15 at 6:30 p.m.

The Suffield Players will be here doing a table reading of the play “Sex with Strangers.” Light refreshments will be served during intermission. Please note that this play contains mature themes. So, you want to be a… Tuesdays April 8 and 22 at 6:30

Beginning April 8, we will begin running a new series every other Tuesday night. Right now, there are more young adults not headed down the 4-year college path and considering trades. But this program isn’t just for kids, it’s for parents, or any adult who’s thinking of switching careers or even if you’re just curious. Everyone and their questions are welcome. We will interview a different trade each Tuesday. Let’s talk about the realities of the job, salary, lifestyle, and what are the different avenues to get into that career. April 8 we will have IBEW Local 42 Electricians here. They do things like power lines and substation work. April 22 will be Law Enforcement night.

Kids and Teens Programs

Chick Hatching

The incubator is back and we’ll be hatching baby chicks again this month! Earth Day Crafts: Recycled Wildflower Seed Balls and Bottle Cap Bug Magnets

Tuesday, April 22 at 4 p.m.

Learn about recycling through crafts! We’ll make wildflower seed balls and bottle cap bug magnets. This program may be messy so please dress accordingly. Space is limited. Registration is required. Ages 5-12

Kids’ Poetry Writing Contest

Submissions Accepted Tuesday, April 1 through Thursday, April 17

Open to Poets in Grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12

Do you love writing poetry? In honor of Poetry Month, local students are

invited to submit one original poem for a chance at a poetry-related prize pack. Thank you to the Friends of the Kent Memorial Library for supporting this and other programs. For more information, including how to submit your poem, please visit our website www.suffield-library.org.

Rhyme Time

Fridays April 11 & 25 at 10:30 a.m.

Bring your singing voice on Fridays! We sing, dance, blow bubbles -- and have fun!

Drop in; no registration required. Recommended ages 0-5. Teen Nutmeg Book Club

Thursday, April 10 at 3:30 p.m.

Join us for our KML Nutmeg Book Club! Books will be available to check out at the library. Open to all people in grades 5-12. No registration required. z

SHS Sophomores Apply Now for Rotary Youth Leadership Award

By Natalie Donais

Each year Suffield Rotary Club invites Suffield High School Sophomores to apply for the Rotary Youth Leadership Award.

Applications for this year’s program to be held Saturday, May 31 at Springfield University are available now from Mrs. McCluskey or the Guidance Office at Suffield High. All applications are due NO Later than Thursday, April 10 to Mrs. McCluskey. (Please note this is the day before April break begins.)

Rotary District 7890 includes clubs from across Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a program for young persons that was officially adopted by Rotary International in 1971. Conducted at the 7890’s District level, RYLA offers our local

clubs a special opportunity to take part in developing leadership qualities and good citizenship among our young adults.

Our District can be proud of its RYLA Program because it achieves all these objectives:

1. To demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for youth.

2. To encourage and assist young adults in methods of effective leadership by providing them with training experience.

3. To publicly recognize the high qualities of many young adults who are serving their communities as youth leaders

Suffield Rotary sends two to three students who applied for this award and offers the opportunity to be selected by peers at the district RYLA. Those selected will attend a

Suffield Woman’s

weeklong Rotary RYLA Leadership conference with other students from across the globe in June 2026 at Carroll University in Wisconsin with their expenses covered by Rotary. One of our Suffield High RYLA participants from 2024 will be attending this June.

If you have a sophomore student or know of one, please encourage them to apply for this amazing opportunity. Each year the students who have represented Suffield come back enriched and energized by the program and other participants who they met and collaborated with, often creating continuing relationships.

For more information you can also contact Natalie Donais from the Suffield Rotary at: ndonais@ snet.net. z

Club to Participate in District Day

By Renee Wood Suffield Woman’s Club

(SWC) will join fellow member clubs of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Connecticut (GFWC/CT) North Central District at their annual District Day event on April 12 at Topstone Golf Course in South Windsor.

The day will include reports of GFWC/CT Officers, presentation of District Awards and 50-year anniversary pins and Club Presidents’ Reports. There will be a guest speaker

from Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center. The center helps patients with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and more through the use of therapeutic riding.

Following lunch, the meeting will reconvene with reports and the announcement of the winners of the annual photo contest. Winning photos will be entered in the GFWC/CT contest held at the annual GFWC/CT meeting in May. In addition to SWC, the North Central District includes clubs from Manchester, Windsor, Windsor Locks, New Britain & Newington/Wethersfield, Enfield, and Somers. z

Senior Center News

Lunch Menu – Lunches are $6 and include coffee, tea, cold beverage, and dessert. Please make your reservation by noon the day prior. Please bring your own container for leftovers.

Tues, April 1- Plain oatmeal, butter sandwich, day old cake

Wed, April 2-Homemade broccoli and cheddar soup, toasted tuna grinder with lettuce and cheese

Thurs, April 3-Cheese tortellini, garden salad, chicken salad, cucumber bites

Tues, April 8-Cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato on a roll, steak fries and onion rings, three bean salad

Wed, April 9- 2 hot dogs, chips, ice cream, peanuts and cracker jacks

Thurs, April 10-Chicken mushroom stroganoff, classic pea salad

Tues, April 15-Winner chicken casserole, Caesar salad, roll and butter

Wed, April 16-Ham steak with pineapple, mashed po-

By Lynette Roy

Like other months, the April calendar is filled with some interesting days of celebration: Sorry Charlie Day (6), 8 Track Tape Day (11), Take a Wild Guess Day (15) and Impossible Astronaut Day(23).

In honor of National Cordon Bleu Day (April 4), this month’s recipe is a different kind of lasagna. The choice was made because National Garlic Day (April 19) might not have gone over so well.

Chicken Cordon Bleu is thought to have been created by a Valaisian (Swiss) chef in the 1940s as a way to feed a large group of people. But some people dispute that and say that

Senior Center & Mini Bus News

By Peter Leclerc, Director of Community Services 860-668-8830

tatoes, vegetable

Thurs, April 17-Sweet and sour meatballs over rice, salad, roll and butter

Tues, April 22-Sloppy Joe’s on Italian garlic bread, salad, roll and butter

Wed, April 23-Ham and cheese pinwheels with mustard dip, apple salad

Thurs, April 24-Chicken fajitas sheet pan dinner with corn tortillas, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, salsa, chips, and Spanish rice

Tues, April 29-Tomato rice soup with grilled ham and cheese on rye

Wed, April 30-Chicken parmesan with pasta and sauce, salad, and Italian bread

Mini Bus

Mini Bus trips require five passengers and are weather permitting. Reservations for April trips will open on March 20. Please call (860) 668-3844 March 20 or after to make a reservation.

Festival of Flowers at Springfield Museum - Friday, April 4 - Pickups begin at 11:30 a.m. - Tickets are $16.50 per person

Lunch at Red Robin Tuesday, April 15 - Pickups begin at 11:30 a.m.

Shopping at Walmart Thursday, April 17 - Pickups begin at 8:30 a.m.

No Bus Friday, April 18

Lunch at Take Five in Feeding Hill - Tuesday, April 22 - Pickups begin at 11:30 a.m.

MGM Casino in Springfield - Tuesday, April 29 - Pickups begin at 9 a.m.

April Fools Trivia Game

Tuesday, April 1, 1: p.m.1:45 p.m.

Free! Join us for some April Fools themed fun and prizes!

Art Hour

Thursdays 10—11:30 a.m. FREE!

April 3—Decorating Gift Bags

April 10— Egg Decorating April 24—Chain Pull

Painting Armchair Travel to Japan Friday, April 4 - 10– 11:00 a.m.

FREE! We will be virtually traveling to Japan while trying Japanese snacks!

Card Making Class

Tuesday, April 8 - 9:30 –10:30 a.m.

Hosted by Karenoughcrafts & Boutique. $15 per person. To register, please call (860) 836-1326 by the Sunday before.

Painting a Gourd Birdhouse

Tuesday, April 8 1- 2:30 p.m.

Free! Paint a sunflower with Maggie on a dried gourd that can then be used as a birdhouse!

Themed Lunch: Take me out to the Ballgame!

Wednesday, April 9 - 12 p.m.

Included with lunch sign up on this day.

Up Close & Wild

Tuesday, April 15 - 2 - 4 p.m.

$5 per person. Register ahead. All ages welcome. Animal Embassy will bring us on an interactive, educational adventure with LIVE animals including a skink, tortoise, parrot, and more!

Earth Day Lunch

Tuesday, April 22 - 12p.m.

Included with lunch sign up on this day.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Lasagna

it originated in France in 1930 where the award-winning dish was named le Cordon Bleu (the Blue Ribbon). When Julia Child included the recipe in her cookbook, it became popular in the U.S. in the 1960s and 1970s. In fact, American soldiers in WWII developed a fondness for this dish and brought the recipe home to enjoy.

Recipe:

Ingredients

7 tablespoons butter, divided

2 tsp. minced garlic

½ tsp. onion powder

1/4 cup all purpose flour

3 1/2 cups milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided

1 8 oz..pkg. cream cheese-regular or low fat

2/3 cup breadcrumbs

1 9-ounce box ovenready lasagna noodles (12 noodles), cooked

4 cups cooked, chopped

chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)

2 cups cooked, chopped deli ham

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 9x13-inch pan with nonstick spray.

Melt 5 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute. Whisk in the flour and cook 1 to 2 minutes until nutty and fragrant but not brown. Whisk in the cream cheese and milk. Add the salt, pepper and onion powder and simmer 10 minutes.

Stir in 1/3 cup of the Swiss cheese, and cook an additional 5 minutes. Re-

Floral Class

Tuesday, April 22 - 9 a.m. and 7p.m.

Join local floral design instructor, Bob Whitney AIFD, to create a flower arrangement with guided step-by-step directions. Bring your shears! $30 per person.

Step by Step

Painting Class

Friday, April 25 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

$25 per person. Join Nina from Create and Paint Fun to paint something gorgeous! All supplies included!

Ted Talk & Discussion Tuesday, April 29 from 12:45 p.m. -1:30 p.m.

FREE! We will be watching a TED Talk by Vanessa Van Edwards on how body language is contagious followed by a discussion.

AARP

Safe Driver Courses

Upcoming Classes: May 28, July 23, Sept 10, Nov 19

For more information, please visit suffieldseniorcenter.com or call (860) 668-8830. z

move from the heat.

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the bread crumbs and stir occasionally until lightly golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside.

To assemble the lasagna: Spoon 1/3 cup of the sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Use 4 lasagna noodles to cover the bottom of the dish. Spoon 2/3 cup sauce on top of the noodles, followed by half of the chicken and ham, 1/2 cup Swiss cheese.. Repeat with another set of 4 noodles, 2/3 cup sauce, the rest of the chicken and ham. Finish by layering 4 more noodles, the rest of the sauce and the remaining cheese, this time including the mozzarella.

Cover the pan with a sheet of foil that has been sprayed with nonstick spray, and bake 20 minutes. Remove the foil, top with buttered bread crumbs, and bake an additional 20 minutes, until the cheese is gooey and noodles are soft. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. z

Photo submitted by the author

Chicken Cordon Bleu Lasagna

Book Review

By Jane Shipp

Loot by Tania James Knopf Publisher 304 pgs. 2023

What an extraordinary book this one is: a fascinating plot, with wonderful characters, excellent dialogue, and a chance to live temporarily in another era and another milieu. Loot is a historical novel in some ways, though that is not the only strength of its appeal. It is set in the final years of the 18th century and into the early years of the 19th, with a background of the British occupation of India and the ongoing rivalries between England and France.

The plot revolves around Abbas, a young and highly talented woodworker in the Indian village of Sriangapatna, Mysore. He is invited to the court of Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the area, and a genuine historical figure. He is required to be an assistant to Lucien Du Leze, a French clockmaker in the royal court, and the two of them are ordered to produce a mechanical tiger attacking an English soldier. Abbas is to do the woodcarving, and Du Leze will produce the sound system designed to deliver growls and groans from the automoton; it is meant to be as lifelike as possible, and a wonder to all who see it.

A battle ensues, in which

the British slaughter the local army, and in the melee which follows the tiger is given to a British colonel as a reward; ultimately he dies and his wife inherits the carving. Abbas must somehow manage to get to Rouen, where Du Leze lives, and then to England, where the the colonel's widow is keeping the tiger carving. His dream is to recover the automoton and repair it, and then display it to the public. Along the way Abbas meets Jehanna and the two of them embark on a somewhat shady enterprise at Cloverpoint Castle, with an unexpected outcome. The plot includes a bit of romance, a lot of racism, some violence, and a great deal of history delivered in an easily consumable way. It is a delightful read, a book the reader is sorry to finish. z

Support Child Abuse Prevention

By Ellen Peterson

Throughout April, when you buy from the Second Chance Shop and round up your bill or make a monetary donation, you can become eligible to win a $100 gift card.

It’s to benefit The Village for Families and Children’s “Pinwheels for Prevention” campaign supporting National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The Second Chance Shop, which sells gently used clothing and collectibles, is operated by 74 volunteers and donates all its profits to The Village in

Hartford. How it works

When you round up your bill or make a monetary donation in April, we’ll give you a web address or postcard with a QR code, that you scan with your smartphone. The links take you to the $100 gift card entry page. Fill out the entry form and you’re in the running.

Child abuse prevention

Proceeds from the “Pinwheels for Prevention” campaign will fund Village programs for local child abuse prevention. The Village says, “When a newborn is flagged as ‘at risk,’ we are notified to

follow and support a family from birth to age 5.” The nonprofit is currently helping over 200 local families. z

Round Up or Donate, Enter to Win

Genealogy Workshop at the Library

By Kaitlynn E. Webster

On April 12, at 10a.m., join the Sibbil Dwight Kent Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for a Genealogy Workshop. The DAR, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education, volunteerism and patriotism across the United States. The DAR library is one of the largest genealogical research centers in the country. The Sibbil Dwight Kent Chapter, established on June 10, 1896, has served the people of Suffield and Windsor Locks for nearly 130 years.

Our Chapter routinely hosts Genealogy Workshops to assist members of the public in discovering their ancestry. For those that are just starting out on their genealogical journey and are inter-

ested in the Workshop, and for those that have more experience researching their lineage but may be stuck or having difficulties, please bring any relevant materials, such as birth/death/marriage certificates, obituaries, fam-

ily lineage texts, etc., to the Workshop.

The Workshop will be held in the basement gallery of the Kent Memorial Library in Suffield. All are welcome and refreshments will be provided! z

Graphic by: The Second Chance Shop

Learn how you can win a $100 gift card from The Second Chance Shop in April.

Photo by Kaitlynn Webster Patriotism on display.

Historical Houses of Suffield

On North Street is a house built around 1723 by Lt. William King on a lot given to him by his father, James King. The lot was called King’s Great Field and the house is known as King’s Field House. William King (1695-1774) was a wealthy landowner, weaver and militia officer. He moved an earlier house to the property to form the rear of his new residence. The property was inherited by his son, William King, and then by his grandson, Seth King. The house was restored in the 1930s by Delphina Hammer Clark, author of Pictures of Suffield Houses (1940) and Notebooks on Houses in Suffield (1960).

The house on Halladay Ave was built in 1824 by George Fuller. It remained in the Fuller family until the Town of Suffield bought the property in 1887 to serve as a town farm. The house became the town’s “poorhouse” or “alms house”. The house was sold back to private ownership at auction in 1952.

Built on South Main Street for Henry Phelps Kent, a tobacco merchant, in 1872. It was designed in the Second Empire style by local architect John Mead. Later, for almost sixty years, it was the home of Samuel Reid Spencer, the prominent merchant and philanthropist who had bought and restored the King House Museum next door.

The house on High Street near the Green is an example of an eighteenth-century Cape Cod with very modern and large dormer windows. Known as the James Hall House, it was built in 1786.

Organizations

2025 Suffield Pan Mass Challenge Kids Ride

From a press release

The 2025 Suffield Pan Mass Challenge Kids Ride presented by Koverage Insurance Group, will be held on May 10 at the McAlister School. Now in its 14th year, the Kids Ride has raised over $580,000 for The Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber Cancer Institute through the Pan Mass Challenge.

“We look forward to gathering again with friends, volunteers, supporters and es-

pecially our riders and their families. We are very proud of what this day has become in Suffield and are extremely grateful for the support we have received. None of this would be possible without the hundreds of people that have taken the time to help in so many ways”, said Chris Nikolis, co-coordinator of the event. “This is a great town, and we look forward to our best Kids Ride yet.” For the first time, all proceeds from

all Kids Rides held will go directly to pediatric cancer efforts at Dana Farber…kids helping kids. Kids ages 2-17 are welcome to ride either of two safe, supervised courses. Younger children can ride the closed off middle school parking lot circle and older kids can ride a five-mile loop up Hill Street to Russell Street and back. The day includes a raffle/silent auction, with all guests invited to stay

for lunch, live music, the auction/raffle and a fun celebration. Terrific sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are also available.

In 13 years, the event has hosted over 1,600 kids and raised over $580,000 for The Jimmy Fund and fight against cancer. 100% of all proceeds and donations from the event go directly to The Jimmy Fund, both of which are among the highest rated charities in the country. In 45

years, PMC has raised over $1 billion for Dana Farber and The Jimmy Fund, including a record $75 million in 2024. To register to ride or volunteer and to donate, visit kids.pmc.org/Suffield. Supporters can also stay updated by following on Facebook at “Suffield PMC Kids Ride.” With any questions, or to become involved in any way, please contact Chris Nikolis at 860-796-3644 or  cnikolis@ cox.net. z

Photo provided by Christos J. Nikolis

Last year’s ride donations totaled $41,897. They ended the year at $67,662 through the Kids’ Ride and all the other events and initiatives.

Come See The Dancing Stars of Suffield

By Peter LeClerc

The 2025 Dancing Stars of Suffield! Join us on April 19 at Suffield's Fred Astaire Studio for an unforgettable event featuring some amazing "Celebrity Dancers" emceed by Chris Kellogg! Watch as Derek Donnelly (Blackburn Donnelly & Pa-

bon), Ashley Haller Fedigan (Hartford Symphony Orchestra), Neil Altieri (MassMutual), and Stephanie Salerno (Coldwell Banker) team up with the pros from Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Suffield to raise funds for the Bowling Buddies Group and Special Olympics.

And that's not all! We are thrilled to announce that Tony Dovolani, a former winner of Dancing with the Stars, will be joining us as a guest judge for this exciting evening of dance, desserts and giving. Joining Tony at the judge’s table

Routine exams including:

• Vaccinations

• Heartworm testing

• Microchip placement

• Routine diagnostics

Sick and emergency appointments as well as at-home euthanasia

are Anastasia Abrashin, an international dance competitor and multitime U.S. Dance Champion, and Anastasia Barhatova, owner of the Fred Astaire Studio in Suffield and professional dancer known worldwide!

Mark your calendars

Servicing Western MA and CT

and support a great cause while enjoying an incredible night of talent and fun! If you would like to support the event, email: recreation@suffieldct. gov. Tickets for the night of "Desserts & Dancing" are $80/person and seating is limited. z

PARKS & RECREATION NEWS

By Peter Leclerc/Donna Carney-Bastrzycki/Pam Cocca/Dan

By Donna Carney-Bastrzycki, Director of Special Programs

and Dan Leonard,

Recreation Supervisor

Register for Fun Spring Programs with the Suffield Parks and Recreation Department

April is for Arbor Day

Do you love trees? Suffield Parks and Recreation in partnership with The Trees for Suffield Initiative and the J. Gladwin Cannon Trust are planting trees in celebration of Arbor Day. Learn the simple but important steps for planting a tree to insure it grows to its full potential.

We’ve chosen a native tree variety to plant at Sunrise Park with your help. Native species are an important choice because they are the only trees that help support our native pollinators, birds and wildlife. We’ll also have an Arbor Day craft activity, pizza, and a sapling tree to take home with you. This enjoyable event will be held on Wednesday, April 9 from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. at the Sunrise Parks Upper Pavilion. All ages are welcome. Tree quantities are limited, and priority will be given to the first 30 households to sign up for the event.

Family Fun Day Spring and Easter Egg-stravaganza (New!)

Join us for an “Egg-citing” fun Family afternoon as we decorate Easter and spring crafts, play games, go on an indoor egg hunt and even have a surprise visit with the Easter Bunny with photos and pizza! This event is fun for all families and all ages. Please let us know if you or your child has any food allergies. You don’t want to miss this event!

The program will be held on Thursday, April 10 from 5:308:00 p.m. at the Suffield Senior Center and is for all ages.

Join the Fun: Bus Trip to Fenway Park for Red Sox vs. Braves! Baseball fans, get ready for an exciting trip to Fenway Park as the Boston Red Sox take on the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, May 17! The Suffield Parks & Recreation Department is organizing a hassle-free bus trip, so you can enjoy the game without worrying about traffic or parking. The bus departs promptly at 3:30 p.m. from the Suffield Senior Center. After arriving at Fenway Park around 5:35 p.m., you'll have time to soak in the atmosphere before the

7:15 p.m. first pitch. Trip Details Tickets: Right Field Grandstands Fee: $105 for residents | $110 for non-residents (includes bus & game ticket)

Don’t miss this chance to experience a thrilling night of baseball with friends and family! Spots are limited, so reserve yours today. For more details, visit Suffieldrec.com today!

Register today at Suffield rec.com. z

Pursuit Fitness, a Cutting-Edge Gym

By Chad Kuzontkoski, Economic Development Specialist

Elevate Your Fitness at Suffield’s New Cutting-Edge Gym: Pursuit Fitness

If you're looking for a gym that offers top-tier training, a supportive community and cutting-edge fitness solutions, look no further than Pursuit Fitness. Conveniently located off Route 159, right at the Windsor Locks line - Pursuit Fitness defines what it means to train smart and achieve real results.

A Gym Designed for Success

At Pursuit Fitness, the goal is simple: Move better. Feel better. Live better. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just beginning your fitness journey, this 1,800 sq. ft. facility offers the perfect environment to build strength, endurance, and confidence in a motivating, community-driv-

en atmosphere. With state-ofthe-art equipment, including Echo Fan Bikes, stationary bikes, rowers, barbells, kettlebells, and functional fitness tools like pull-up bars and jump ropes, every workout is designed to push you toward your full potential.

Small Group Training –Big Results What sets Pursuit Fitness apart? Their Small Group Training program. These fun, high-energy workouts allow you to train alongside like-minded individuals while receiving expert guidance from experienced coaches. Every workout is tailored to meet you at your current level, whether you’re looking to manage a chronic condition, boost athletic performance, or simply move and feel better in your everyday life.

Personalized Support & Virtual Training Options

Understanding that starting a fitness journey can be overwhelming, Pursuit Fitness offers a unique three-step approach:

1. Intro – Meet with the team to discuss your goals.

2. Plan – Work with experts to develop a custom fitness strategy.

3. Results – Follow your tailored program and track your progress.

For those who prefer to train from home, 1-on-1 virtual personal training is available, ensuring you can work toward your goals no matter where you are.

Save on Membership with HSA/FSA Funds

Pursuit Fitness believes in making fitness accessible and affordable. Through a new partnership with Truemed, eligible members can now use Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds toward membership fees. With an easy evaluation process, you can potentially save up to 30% on your fitness journey while prioritizing your health.

Join the Pursuit Fitness Community Today!

With flexible membership options, state-of-the-art

equipment, and a supportive fitness community, now is the time to invest in yourself. Whether you want to build strength, improve endurance, or simply move with confidence, Pursuit Fitness is here to help you every step of the way.

Visit Pursuit Fitness: 1300 East Street S, Suffield, CT 06078

Call: (413) 475-9650

Email: info@pursuitfitnessct. com

Website: pursuitfitnessct.com

Hours: Mon-Fri: 5:30 AM –7:30 PM | Sat: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Sun: Closed. z

The Suffield Observer

P.O. Box 424, Suffield, CT 06078

Tel: 860-668-7442, email: inbox@thesuffieldobserver.com and ads@thesuffieldobserver.com

Website: www.thesuffieldobserver.com

A volunteer, non-profit publication established in 1999 and published ten times a year.

Founder, Sam Fuller

The Observer is delivered free to all Suffield households.

Volunteers Who Work at The Suffield Observer

Officers

Chairman Jay Presser

Editor-in-Chief Beth Chafetz

Managing Editor Ann Kannen

Treasurer Ginny Bromage

Secretary Elizabeth Kaplan

Directors

Ginny Bromage, Mel Chafetz, Kacy Colston, Ray Dalrymple, Tom Frenaye, Will Hermann, Krystal Holmes, Ann Kannen, Dave Kannen, Elizabeth Kaplan, Scott Miller, Tony Peterson

Editorial Board

All directors and editors plus Johanne Presser

April Editor Mel Chafetz

May Editor Steve Smith

Staff

Editor-in-Chief Beth Chafetz

Assistant Editor Diana Simmons

Associate Editor........... Lynette Roy

Managing Editor Ann Kannen

Business Mgr. Ginny Bromage

Computer Tech Andy Preissner

Volunteer Mgr .Ray Dalrymple

Subscription Mgr. Guia Cuevo

Distribution Mgr. Dave Kannen

Webmaster Kathy Werth

Reporters and Columnists

Amber Dawne Bigley, Ellie Binns, Anne Borg, Darlene Burrell, Donna Carney-Bastrzycki, Beth Chafetz, Anna Cierocki, Kacy Colston, Mary Curtin, Ray Dalrymple, Tom Frenaye, Hollie Garrity, Judy Hanmer, Jackie Hemond, Karen Jason, Peter Leclerc, Sue Mayne, Lynn Mervosh, Scott Miller, Fran Milliken, Colin Moll, Mary Ann Muska, Jack Muska, Lisa Parker, Ellen Peterson, Tony Peterson, Jay Presser, Johanne Presser, Lynette Roy

Reporters and Columnists (cont’d)

Andy Sauer, Pinki Shah, Jane Shipp, Wendy Taylor, Becky Tobiasz, Lisa Trase, Bob White, Kerry White, Abby Wolcott, Renee Wood, Sara Zak

Advertising Staff

Manager......Ann Kannen

Graphic Designer Amy Abo Kathy Werth

Word Processors

Manager......Lynette Roy

Darlene Burrell, Beth Chafetz, Kacy Colston, Maria Elsden, Becki Fuller, Ann Kannen, Breeze Rickson

InDesign Team

Manager......Kacy Colston

Judy Edwards, Karen Jason, Ann Kannen, Sue Mayne, McKayla Mills, Lynette Roy, Renée Wood

Production Team

Beth Chafetz, Kacy Colston, Julie Dodds, Dian Friedman, Ben Fuller, Elizabeth Kaplan, Sue Mayne, Jay Presser, Andi Prusi, Lynette Roy, Aggie Schulte, Diana Simmons, Kathy Werth

Photographers

Beth Chafetz, Shannon Foley, Joan Heffernan, Karen Jason, Ron Kirschbaum, Mary Ann Muska, Ray Pioggia, Laurie Tavino, Becky Tobiasz

Proofreaders

Manager......Margery Warren

Beth Chafetz, Jan Peake, Johanne Presser, Jane Shipp, Kerry White, Renée Wood

Deadlines for May 2025 Issue

Submissions for articles should include the author’s name, address, telephone number and email. If applicable, include photographer’s name. Please send by email to: inbox@thesuffieldobserver.com

Submissions for ads should include the contact person, business name, billing address, telephone number and email All ads must be submitted as high-resolution images in .pdf (preferred), or .tif format. Please send by email to: ads@thesuffieldobserver.com

For either articles or ads, if unable to use email, submit a flashdrive or hardcopy (articles only) to the office on the lower level of the Suffield Village or mail it to our post office box. For articles, please use MS Word. All submissions will be considered to be property of The Suffield Observer.

Op-Eds Email Deadline: April 12

Articles Hard-copy only Deadline: April 10

Articles Email Deadline: April 12

Ads All Ads Deadline: April 10

Photos All Photos Deadline: April 12

Publish Date: May 1, 2025

The Suffield Observer

P.O. Box 424

Suffield, CT 06078

Tel: 860-668-7442

email: Inbox@TheSuffieldObserver.com and Ads@TheSuffieldObserver.com

Our Mission: To build a sense of community throughout the town of Suffield and to provide a forum where all sides of issues may be addressed. Our Organization: The Observer is written by, for and about the people of Suffield. We are an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization seeking to provide information and news about the town of Suffield.

Donations: There is no charge for the Observer, but we welcome donations to help pay for our rent, printing and mailing costs.

Advertisers: To advertise in The Suffield Observer, contact our advertising manager, at 860-668-7442, and we will be glad to help. We thank our advertisers for their support. We feel strongly that one way to build a sense of community is to support our local businesses.

Volunteers: If you would like to be a part of publishing The Suffield Observer, you would be most welcome. No previous experience necessary. Call Ray Dalrymple, 860-668-7711.

Guidance for all submitted articles: All Observer submissions must conform to the following criteria: They must be reasonable and civil, free of libelous or slanderous content, timely and of community interest. Any criticism must be directed at ideas, actions or decisions, not people. When writers don’t adhere to the criteria, the Observer will attempt to contact them. If writers do not agree to make necessary changes, the Observer reserves the right to reject the article. Articles attacking the actions of an individual or organization must be submitted by the 9th of the month to allow for the affected parties rebuttal, or that party is allowed a rebuttal in the following issue. The choice is up to the affected party. Responses must be in kind.

Letters to the Editor/OpEds: The Observer accepts letters/OpEds that are factual and of interest to the community. We strive to print a balance of all sides of an issue. Letters should not exceed 250 words, OpEds should not exceed 500 words. Only one letter /OpEd per writer is allowed every three months.We do not accept Letters to the Editor endorsing political candidates.

Business Articles: The Suffield Observer does not accept articles written by owners of a business that could be considered self-serving. Advertising space is available for such purposes.

Political Ads: In the interest of maintaining a level playing field, we accept no political ads but do print at election time a Suffield Voters’ Guide with input from the local candidates.

Articles: We look forward to content on community issues or topics which would contribute to the benefit of residents of the community. Contributions include poetry, community interest articles, short stories, personal profiles, etc. Article length typically ranges from 100 to 600 words depending on the subject.

Photos: Photos enhance articles, and sometimes a stand-alone photo with a good caption beats a short article. Please send photographs as attachments (not embedded in a document). For quaility printing send good resolution of 300 pixels per inch or higher.

Suggestions: We are a volunteer organization and we truly welcome suggestions that would improve the newspaper.

Subscriptions for The Suffield Observer

The Suffield Observer is delivered free to every household in Suffield. Subscriptions are available for out-of-town delivery. It is the perfect gift for friends who have moved away, college students or grandparents living out of town. Price: $50 per year (10 issues) Mail your check with your name, address and telephone number to: Subscriptions,The Suffield Observer, P.O. Box 424, Suffield, CT 06078

Garden Club Activities Signal Springtime is Near

From a press release

Surely the sound of birdsong in the morning is enough to make one want to put on some mudproof boots and get outdoors, and the Suffield Garden Club is ready to help you make that happen.

On April 7, guest speaker Jennifer McGuiness will present tips on how to make your garden spaces – large or small – more welcoming for songbirds. Jennifer’s approach emphasizes organic gardening and native plants, much preferred by the birds, as well as the insects they feed upon. Her book, Bird-Friendly Gardening, is “the definitive guide to planting a wildlife-welcoming home landscape filled with a diversity of native plants that feed, shelter, and support birds.”

And speaking of birds and plants, planning is well underway for the 2025 May Market, scheduled for May 17 at the Phelps-Hatheway Barn & Grounds. Fans can flock to the gorgeous display by On the Wing bird photography, and the ever-popular Member Plants

tent will offer affordable outdoor plants proven to thrive in our area. Big news: Roses are back, and to help you dig in, the Club will once again offer the amazingly helpful Spearhead Spades. (Once you try it you’ll wonder how you planted or transplanted without it!)

Save the Date: May Market, May 17, 9 a.m., rain or shine.

Bird Friendly Gardening Program: Monday, April 7, at the Second Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall, 100 North Main St., Suffield. Program scheduled for noon, following a short business meeting. The program is free and open to the public.

Anyone interested in volunteering to help beautify our community is welcome to attend a Garden Club meeting to learn more about the Suffield Garden Club and the good work they do in town. Organized in 1934, the SGC is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing Suffield’s green spaces, both natural and cultivated. Visit suffieldgardenclub.org for more information. z

Arbor Day Celebration

By Agnes Schulte

Since 1965 The Suffield Garden Club has sponsored a program on or about Arbor Day where-in each fourth grade student at McAlister School is given a tree to plant in their yard. On April 28, Bartlett Tree

Experts of Simsbury will generously provide the trees for this program. Our tree this year will be the Cup and Saucer Magnolia. The members of The Suffield Garden Club look forward to providing this program each year. z

Photo by Kathleen Horrigan

Garden Club to welcome author Jennifer McGuiness on April 7.

Photo by Kathleen Horrigan

Garden Club member Ruth Greenberger is a big fan of the Spearhead Spade.

Photo from Amazon

Tom Sayers with his photographs On the Wing.

Photo by Kathleen Horrigan

Prepare to load up on Member Plants this year!

Look No Further

By Kathy Werth Webmaster

The Suffield Observer offers online advertising. Unlike the print edition, where ads appear beneath articles on specific pages, ads in the digital edition appear beneath articles that our readers are actively viewing.

In February of 2022, we did an online only paper due to COVID concerns. We had 1,700 hits on our website, so we do have a healthy online readership to view your ads.

For advertisers with an online presence, such as a website or a Facebook page, we can include a link to it so readers can access more information by simply clicking or tapping on an ad.

To upgrade to online advertising, please contact Ann Kannen by email at ads@thesuffieldobserver. com or by phone at 860-6687442 z

Information compiled from NationalDay.com

National Walking Day is every year on the first Wednesday in April and takes place on April 2 this year. National Walking Day is a day to celebrate the easiest way to be the healthiest version of you. Walking for thirty to sixty minutes per day may sound like it isn’t much, but studies have shown that it can drastically improve your health and even help prevent ailments such as type II diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

Whether it’s John Muir’s

Let’s Get Walking!

spiritual journeys through the woods; pilgrimages to Mecca; or just a casual stroll through your local park, walking has always held a close, dear place in the hearts of humans. It’s no wonder that there are so many health benefits associated with it and also why National Move More Month and National Walking Day were created to promote this fantastic and surprisingly easy pastime.

Suffield has many places that make for great walking: Main Street, the Windsor Locks canal trail, the walk down Mountain Road, the

April

Fun Facts #4 & #5

The month celebrates the birth of Queen Elizbeth II, Leonardo da Vinci, William Shakespeare and Thomas Jefferson.

The first shots of the American Revolution started April 19, 1775. The Civil War, Spanish War and World War II all started in April.

Farmington Canal Heritage Trail at the end of Phelps Road, several of the Land Conservancy areas and the Southwick Wildlife Management area to name a few.

Here are some talking points to help promote walking.

National Walking Day Statistics

3.1 miles per hour — the average walking speed of a human.

500 miles — the walking duration a pair of tennis shoes lasts for.

50% — the percentage of Americans who exercise regularly.

6,000 — the number of steps a day that improves overall health.

65,000 miles — the distance a person walks in their lifetime.

10 miles — the distance it would take to walk every week to end 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every year.

20 minutes — the number of extra minutes of walking

it would take to burn seven pounds of body fat per year.

2,000 steps — the number of steps that equal one mile.

60% — the percentage boost human creativity gets from walking.

15 minutes — the time it takes to curb sugar cravings by walking.

• Walking is the most popular form of exercise in the U.S.

• Walking does wonders for our mood. It increases blood flow to the brain and improves our mood..

• Walking is a lifespan indicator. Walking speed tells us how long a person will live.

• Walking prevents diseases - It can help reduce the risk of colon and breast cancer.

• Hippocrates said it right when he said, “Walking is man’s best medicine.”

1. Walking gets us outside. Getting outside is an important element to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Walking is a great way to get outdoors!

2. It improves our health - Walking 10,000 steps per day is an effective way to improve your own health.

3. It's easy to do. No weights necessary. No running. No special skills or talents. Just get out there and walk! z

Photo by Joan Heffernan Glory of Snow

Photo by Joan Heffernan Spicebush, a native plant, a nice addition instead of forsythia

Photo by Joan Heffernan Fragrant Purple Hyacinth

Photo by Renee Wood

big umbrella.

Photo by Joan Heffernan Crocuses

Photo by Joan Heffernan Tulips

Photo by Joan Heffernan

PJM Rhododendrom

Photo by Joan Heffernan

April shower droplets on a pansy

Photo by Joan Heffernan

Trilleum at Lewis Farm