The Suffield Observer | September 2025

XXVII, No. 7

A

Watchful Messenger

Garden Club Volunteers Bring Beauty to Phelps-Hatheway Gardens

By Lisa Parker, Suffield Garden Club

Summertime brings many visitors to the historic Phelps-Hatheway House, not just to enjoy the house itself, but to take a timeless stroll through the gardens, lovingly tended by volunteers from the Suffield Garden Club. “I love coming here in the early

By Tony Peterson

The Friends of the Farm at Hilltop (FOFAH) is hosting its fourth annual Oktoberfest at Hilltop Farm on October 4th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“We’ve been fortunate to once again book the popular Simsbury band, Organized Chaos, who’s electrified attendees in the past,” according to FOFAH Treasurer Christine Davidson. “The dancing never seemed to stop.”

Catering the event, which will offer seating in a large outdoor tent and inside the historic Hilltop barn, is Silvia’s Cafe of Enfield. Davidson said the buffet menu will consist of:

• German Wine and Beer

• B eef Stroganoff

• Chicken Schnitzel

• German Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Sausage with Sauerkraut

• Roasted Red Potatoes

• Stuffed Cabbage

morning with the other volunteers,” said Club president Joyce Zein. “Each year the garden becomes more and more lush and beautiful, and it takes many hands to keep it looking its best.”

Lynn Mervosh, Phelps-Hatheway site administrator and Garden Club member, is equally enthusiastic about this year’s display. “Although the temperatures and humidity have been warm for the gardeners, the plants and trees are having their day in the sun -- quite literally! Bees, butterflies, birds and bunnies seem to be happy and thriving.” The gardens are carefully planted with a variety of annuals and perennials to ensure there is ever-emerging color and fragrance from Spring through Fall.

Despite the tender, expert care, these gardens suffer some of the same ills we

notice in our own yards, especially given how wet this year has been. “Unfortunately, the lilacs have struggled for a few years with a fungal disease, so we will most like-

ly need to research a treatment, says Mervosh. “We try to use as many natural remedies as possible.”

You can visit the Phelps-Hatheway gardens at 55 South Main Street in Suffield. The Suffield Garden Club welcomes volunteers who love to dig in the dirt! To join, visit www.SuffieldGardenClub.org. z

Hilltop Farm to Host Oktoberfest

• Ziti Pasta Marinara

Mixed Green Salad

• Homemade Bread

• Apple Strudel

• Chocolate Cake

“Tickets are $95/each, and you must be 21 or over to purchase them,” said Davidson. Go to the “Events”

page on the Hilltop Farm website and click on the Oktoberfest listing to buy tickets, she said. “We will email guests their e-tickets.” Davidson said, “FOFAH is grateful to Oktoberfest patrons and is hoping for another large turnout since

all the funds raised go to the maintenance of Hilltop buildings and grounds, which can easily amount to over $100,000 annually.” The non-profit is run solely by volunteers. There are no paid employees, she noted. z

Oktoberfest Tickets Now Available!

We want to invite you to a great event at Hilltop on Saturday, October 4! Oktoberfest is a special occasion.

Tickets are now available for your purchase. Join your friends and neighbors for wonderful food, drink and a great band. Oktoberfest has been the hallmark of this big night at the Farm. We wanted you to know before tickets sell out and then there will then be a waiting list as in the past. Don't miss out on this enjoyable, adult evening at the Farm! Purchase your tickets today at https://www.zeffy. comcketing/2025-okto berfest-tickets

We hope to see you at 2025 Oktoberfest!

Photos by Lynn Mervosh

The gravel path invites visitors to stroll through the gardens, while red coneflowers welcome hungry birds and butterflies.

Photo by Patrick McMahon

Last year’s Oktoberfest drew over 280 guests, according to the event’s organizers.

School Return

Going back to school in the fall has always been a bittersweet feeling, but this year it is even more bitter and even more sweet.

As I approach my senior year of high school, all of the fall activities I look forward to every year are suddenly going to be a last. I will be playing my last season of Suffield soccer. Since I joined Suffield soccer in 3rd grade, I always looked up the girls on the high school team. They were so old. I went through elementary school, middle school, and still that time felt far away. Then I became a freshman, and was a part of making a senior night for the first time. But even then, senior year for me was barely visible in the distance. Now this year, I won’t plan senior night. I won’t make a poster, I won’t wrap blue streamers around the poles, and I won’t spend an hour making cups in the fence look legible. Class of 2026 will be in the spotlight, and I don’t think any of us felt it coming so soon. I will miss everything that makes fall fall for me here.

I grew up going to Suffield on the Green every year. I would walk there with my family, I would walk there with my friends, and now I can drive there. I’ve seen the senior class dunk tank booth since before I was in elementary school, and now it will be labeled with “Class of 2026.” While I’m sad these things won’t be a constant in my life for much longer, it brings me even more excitement to be able to enjoy them once more soon. I won’t be able to take it all for granted any more. I want to cherish all the time I have left here, I want to appreciate the school that I get to attend, and the people that I get to be surrounded by for one more year. That means noticing small moments in my day that make me feel connected to people, and connected to this town.

I don’t understand how time moved so fast, but with this school year starting soon it is a reminder to slow down every day: to appreciate seeing my family and my friends, and to appreciate all of the aspects of school, of sports, and of Suffield that have ultimately made me grateful to call this my home.

Phoebe Kaplan Student Editor of the Month

At the War Memorial nearby,

By Kacy Colston, Volunteer

Be a part of the Suffield Field of Flags this Veterans Day. Honor the dedication of those who have served and are serving our coun-

Field of Flags

try. Veterans, first responders and personal heroes can be recognized with an Honoree tag. Sponsor one flag at a cost of $30, or four for $100.

Proceeds to benefit Town of Suffield Veterans Initiatives. Deadline to sponsor November 1. Email FieldofFlags@suffieldct.gov for details. z

Town Political Parties Prepare for November Elections

By Beth Chafetz

The following people have been nominated by their political party for races in the upcoming November Town elections. The names were current at the time of publication. The Observer will have a Voters’ Guide available in our October issue with more detailed information on the candidates.

Democrats (I) indicates incumbent

First Selectman Jim Irwin

Board of Selectmen  Kathy Dunai Board of Selectmen Pete Hill (I)

Board of Assessment AppealsBrad Czarnec, Krystal Holmes (I) Board of EducationJames Mol (I), Dustin Rose Board of Education (2 yr)Aaron Marcavitch

Board of FinanceTom Frenaye

Board of Finance alternateGlen Garrity

Fire CommissionAmanda Thibedeau, Dan Vindigni

Planning and Zoning CommissionJeff Girard (Alt to full), Jen Metcalf Planning and Zoning Commission altKristen Kling

Police CommissionBill Boucher (I), Kristina Hallett (I)

Water Pollution Control AuthorityDan Holmes (I), Michael Blanchette

Unaffiliated

First Selectman Rick Sotil

Republicans (I) indicates incumbent

First Selectman - Colin Moll (I)

Board of Selectmen - Klaire Bielonko (I)

Board of Selectmen - Kathy Harrington (I)

Board of Finance -

Brian Kost (I) , Michael Haines (I)

Board of Finance alt -

Brad Belcher, Candace Forsman

Board of Education -

Sam Toskin (I), Greg Sparzo (I), Saeed Akbay

Board of Education (2yr)Giana Rossi (I), Maureen Sattan (I)

Board of Assessment AppealsNorm Noble

Planning & Zoning CommissionJacob Byrnes (Alt to full), Frank Bachiero

Planning & Zoning Commission altArt Christian II

Police Commission -

David Shute (I)

Fire Commission -

Peter Yeskey (I),Vic Mathieu (I), Jacek Bucior (I)

Water Pollution Control AuthorityBen Frost, Nic Shute

Town Election Day, November 4, 2025

Photo by Lester Smith

a group is seen visiting Suffield’s Field of Flags on the Center Green. They included several veterans, all members of the Fox Hollow Gun Club in West Suffield, who came with family members and friends to discover their sponsored flags. The Field of Flags made a lovely scene that nice morning.

TOWN GOVERNMENT

September Commission Meetings

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

ACCE

Thurs., Sept. 18

7 p.m., Town Hall

Board of Assessment Appeals

Tues., Sept. 16

5-7 p.m. Town Hall

Conservation Comm.

Mon, Sept 8 & 22

7 p.m., Town Hall

Economic Dev. Comm.

Thurs., Sept 18

8:30 a.m., Town Hall

Education, Board of Mon., Sept. 8 & 22

6:30 p.m., SHS

Finance, Board of Mon., Sept. 8

7 p.m., Town Hall

Fire Commission

Tues., Sept. 9, 7 p.m. Fire Station, Ratley Road

Historic District Comm.

Mon., Sept. 8

7:30 p.m., Town Hall

Housing Authority

Tues., Sept. 9

6:30 p.m., Maple Court

KML Commission

Tues., Sept. 9

7 p.m., Town Hall

Parks & Rec. Comm.

Wed., Sept. 10 7 p.m., Town Hall

Permanent Bldg. Comm.

Thurs., Sept. 18

7 p.m., Town Hall

P&Z Commission

Mon., Sept. 15 7 p.m., Town Hall

Police Commission

Wed., Sept. 24 7 p.m., Police Station

Selectmen, Board of Wed., Sept. 3 & 17 7 p.m., Town Hall

Social Service Comm.

Fri., Sept. 19. 8 a.m., SCA Office

Tree Fund Committee

Thurs., Sept. 18 3 p.m. SVAA Building

WPCA

Tues., Sept. 9 7 p.m., WPCA 844 East St. South

Zoning Board of Appeals

Tues., Sept. 30 7 p.m., Town Hall

First Selectman’s Update

Colin Moll

As summer winds down and the crisp air of fall begins to roll in, there’s no shortage of activity happening around Town. From community celebrations and races to important infrastructure updates and sustainability initiatives, September is shaping up to be a busy and exciting month in Suffield. Whether you're joining us for Suffield on the Green, attending one of our community events, or just looking to stay informed on Town projects, there’s something here for everyone. Read on for a look at what’s happening around Town and how you can get involved.

September 4, the Town will be hosting an Appreciation BBQ for any residents who serve on one of our Boards or Commissions. Employees, along with their families, are also welcome. The event starts at 5:30 and is held at Sunrise Park. Looking forward to seeing our amazing volunteers and staff!

Suffield on the Green is September 6 and 7! You can find me at multiple Town organization tents or working at the Rotary food hut.

September 6 is also our Veteran’s Breakfast and the Parks and Recreation 5k and 10k race.

On September 8, Sustainable Suffield will be rolling out its final composting program at the Middle School. Thanks to Anna-Kristin Daub-Murphy and the entire Sustainable Suffield task force for successfully starting these programs in our schools and Town.

Sustainable Suffield will also host another Repair Café at the Community Services building on September 27. Look for more details on the Town website.

Coffee at Café Barista continues the first and third Friday of the month. Feel free to stop by if you have questions or concerns.

Check out events and programs held by the Library and Community Services Departments on our Town website.

These are some updates on Town projects and operations:

We recently agreed to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with Library Union. The Town agreed to higher wages while the Library Union agreed to medical insurance changes that allow for significant cost savings in the future.

The Board of Selectmen recently approved funding to replace the scoreboards at the high school softball and baseball fields for $108,000.

The 50% state funded HVAC units continue to get replaced at the high school. Due to supply delays, some units will need to be replaced during the school year. A big thank you to

Chairman of the Permanent Building Commission, Kevin Goff and Vice Chairman, Glenn Neilson who have been managing this project and continued to push it forward, even through all the delays.

The Permanent Building Commission will be wrapping up the RFP process in September for a consultant on the Facilities Master Plan that will be looking at renovations or replacement at the Middle School and Fire House HQ. We had a good turnout for the walkthrough with eight interested companies in attendance.

The section of Mountain Road from Stone Street and Main Street has been completed by the State. Thank you to everybody for your patience. The road looks great.

The Town-wide Radio Project continues with Goosetown Communications securing and prepping radio parts and work on tower locations. Thanks to our First Responder Chiefs, and especially Chief Canon for their continued work on this.

Enjoy the cooler Fall weather and great events this month. And as always, my door is always open.

Monday September 1

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

July 14

Superintendent’s Report

• Superintendent Dunbar said the STEAM Lab renovations at Suffield High School are well underway with flooring and paint jobs completed.

• The district continues to pursue a proposed local special education site for outplaced students and has had initial conversations with an architect and Kevin Goff, Permanent Building Commission (PBC) Chair.

• The Suffield Middle School Library Media Specialist position has been filled.

• Suffield High School received the resignation of a chemistry teacher, and that position has been filled.

• Special Services positions have been filled with the exception of the Suffield High School special education teaching position.

• Spaulding School has filled the one-year contract for an art teacher.

• A number of paraeducator positions have been filled.

Business Manager's Report

• Business Manager Eric Remington said there is no update for food services or transportation.

• The bus contract is up for renewal and is being worked on.

• FY26 expenses show both positive and negative departures from budget.

Electricity costs are being watched closely.

• Special education outplacements continue to be a budget concern.

• Mr. Remington reviewed the major projects currently underway including the flooring project at Suffield High School and the modulars at Spaulding School.

• He said an RFP has gone out to hire a consultant for the Suffield Middle School building project and fire station that lists a potential referendum date of November 2026.

• The bridge behind Suffield High School leading to Spaulding School is currently open to pedestrians only.

• Mr. Remington said 15 of the 18 rooftop units for Suffield High School are being delivered and are expected to be installed prior to the start of school. The remaining three units will be here by the end of the calendar year.

Discussion and Approval of School Lunch Prices for 2025-2026 School Year

• Mr. Remington said the food service program is governed by the United

States Department of Agriculture (USDA). He said the district has not increased the price of lunch in four years and compared Suffield Public Schools lunch prices with other districts. The recommended increase for school lunches for the 20252026 school year is $0.25.

• Finnigan moved, Sattan seconded to approve the increase of school lunch prices for the 2025-2026 school year by $0.25 across the district. Dudack, Finnigan, Rossi, Sattan, and Toskin voted in favor of the amended motion. Sparzo abstained. The motion passed 6-0-1.

Board of Selectmen

August 6

• Appointment to Kent Memorial Library Commission

• Selectman Hill moved to appoint Fred Sweitzer to the Kent Memorial Library Commission to fill the remainder of Joe Craven's term through November 30, 2027.

• Vote: 4 in favor (Bielonko, Chafetz, Harrington and Hill) and 1 opposed (Moll). Motion passed.

• Selectman Harrington moved to approve the transfer of funds to replace the scoreboards at Suffield High School and refer to the Board of Finance. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Motion passed unanimously.

• First Selectman Moll reported on his initial meeting

Observer Volunteers Needed

The Observer is looking for volunteers to work at the paper in the following areas:

1. Reporters/Writers – volunteers interested in writing about Suffield happenings.

2. Downloaders – volunteers who can download submissions.

3. Preppers – Computer knowledge helpful; volunteers use a computer program that formats a Word document.

4. InDesigners – computer skills needed; InDesign creates the computer layout for the paper.

Most jobs have flexible hours, and the time involved on average is around three hours a month. And, there’s always chocolate available! Please contact us at inbox@thesuffieldobserver.com or call and leave a message at 860-668-7442.

with the Affordable Housing Task Force. The group will be exploring options for expanding the Housing Authority and identifying potential funding sources to support future efforts. Another meeting is scheduled for September. State Representative Tammy Zawistowski is also assisting the Task Force in locating possible funding opportunities.

• First Selectman Moll reported that, after years of effort, the Town has been approved for a Supplemental First Responder designation. This approval allows the Fire Department to serve as a backup for medical emergencies when needed.

Fire Commission July 22

Chief Cunningham provided an update on the FullTime Firefighter recruitment process.

• Following the completion of the written and oral

examinations, final interviews were conducted with the top three candidates by Chief Cunningham and Director of Human Resources, Karin Ziemba.

• Chief Cunningham recommended extending a conditional offer of employment to the top-ranked candidate.

• Additionally, he proposed the establishment of a hiring list to retain the remaining two candidates from the current pool. The hiring list would remain active for 24 months, expiring on July 22, 2027, and would be used to fill any future vacancies that may arise during that period.

Commissioner Mathieu moved to approve the Chief's recommended candidate for hire and to establish a hiring list. Commissioner Bucior seconded the motion. All in favor 4-0. Motion passed unanimously. z

$6,000 Matching Grant Announced!

By Sue Mayne

Make a gift to Trees for Suffield by October 31 to double your impact! Sustainable CT has offered up to $6,000 in a 1:1 crowdgranting match to

support our 10-Year Tree Planting Plan. Learn more and donate at: www.patronicity.com/ welovetrees and help us reach our goal before the deadline! z

Captain’s Corner:

Campus Fire Safety

By Suffield Fire Department

Captain Ron Carlson

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), September and October are the peak months for fires in dormitory properties, with cooking being the main cause of these fires. Fires most commonly occur during the evening hours between 4 p.m. and 12 a.m. and on weekends. Approximately 25% of all campus fatalities follow a party. NFPA and the Center for Campus Fire Safety (CCFS) recommend the following when choosing a dorm or off-campus housing for students:

• Make sure you can hear the building alarm system when you are in your dorm room.

• If you live in a dormitory, make sure your sleeping room has a smoke alarm, or your dormitory suite has a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in each living area as well as the sleeping room.

• If you live in an apartment or house, make sure smoke and CO alarms are installed in each sleeping room, outside every sleeping area, and on each level of the apartment unit or house. For best protection, all smoke alarms in the apartment unit or house should be interconnected so that when one sounds, they all sound.

• Never remove batteries or disable the alarms.

• Learn your building’s evacuation plan and practice all drills as if they were the real thing.

• If you live off campus, have a fire escape plan with two ways out of every room.

• Check your school’s rules before using electrical appliances in your room.

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking.

• Cook only when you are alert, not sleepy or drowsy from medicine or alcohol.

• Keep combustible items away from heat sources and never overload electrical outlets, extension cords, or power strips. Many fires are caused by

SUFFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT

portable light and heat sources, like space heaters and halogen lamps.

• Use battery-operated flameless candles. They can look, smell and feel just like real candles.

• Clear exits / hallways / stairs. In case of a fire, you’ll need to leave quickly.

• Leave quickly when the fire/ smoke alarm sounds. Time re-

trieving items increases your chances of being trapped. Leave everything and GO.

• When charging electronic devices: Only use the battery and charging cord that is designed for the device. Do not charge under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch. And do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged. z

Wandering Through

Photo by Christine Cooke

A black bear comes out of a stream in back of 42 Brandywine Lane, behind Christine Cooke's house.

May thru October

Month of September

Saturdays in September

Through October 31

Mon, Sep 1

Wed, Sep 3

Fri, Sep 5

Fri, Sep 5

Sat, Sep 6

Sat, Sep 6

Sat & Sun Sep 6&7

Sat & Sun Sep 6&7

Sun, Sep 7

Wed, Sep 10

Thur, Sep 11

Thur Sept 11

Fri, Sep 12Sun 28

Sat, Sep 13

Sat, Sep 13

Sun, Sep 14

Sun, Sep 14

Thur, Sep 18

Fri, Sep 19

Tue, Sep 23

Sat, Sep 27

Fri, Oct 3

Sat, Oct 4

Sat, Oct 4

Oct 10,11,12,17

18,19,20&24

Wed, Oct 15

Sat, Oct 25

Fri, Oct 31

Sat, Nov 1

Community Calendar

September 2025

Artists of Suffield art exhibit at The King House Museum! Opens for the summer1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday’s and Saturday’s. Free tours of the house and barn. (pg 14)

KML Art exhibit works by East Granby artist Lori Rapuano - Opening Sept 2. Regular KML hours, Pinney Gallery, w/Suffield Arts Council. (pg 28)

Suffield Farmers Market - 9 a.m. til noon. Suffield town green south. Locally grown produce and crafts. Every Saturday through September 27. (pg 15)

Suffield artists work on display in Bradley Airport! View work by Deb Pileika, Judi Tustin and Cindy Zien. (pg 28)

Labor Day Holiday - no school, town, state and federal offices closed.

Hartford Audubon Society Bird Walk - 8:30 to noon, Hilltop Farm Suffield. Enter at the work day sign entrance and park near the red barn.

First Selectman Coffee Hour - 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., at Cafe Barista, 66 N. Main. 10% discount on your drink order. (pg 3)

Friends of KML Book Sale EARLY BIRDS!, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. - at Sacred Heart Church, $5 admission. (pg 36)

Veterans Breakfast - 9:00 to 11 a.m. All Veterans and family members are welcome. At the VFW Hall, 972 Sheldon St., West Suffield.

45th Annual Parks & Rec Road Race - Kid’s fun run prior to the 10k, 5K and Walk with music, a bounce house and more. It’s a great family atmosphere! Register at runsuffield.com.

Friends of KML Book Sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - at Sacred Heart Church, free admission (pg 36)

Suffield on the Green - Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. or 4 p.m., Fun, food, crafts, community & Kid Zone. Knights of Columbus and Suffield Rotary hosting (pg 36)

Rotary Chicken BBQ - 10 a.m. till the chickens are all gone. On South green at the corner of Mountain & High Street. Tickets $14. (pg 36)

Reducing Light Pollution in Suffield - 6:30 p.m. Kent Memorial Library. Discussion with Lights Out CT partner Leo Smith from Dark Sky International. (pg 24)

Meet the Artist reception with Lori Rapuano - 6 to 8 p.m. in the Pinney gallery at KML w/Suffield Arts Council. (pg 28)

SHUTE-N-SAFE golf outing at Crestview Country Club – Benefit for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Register by calling Dave Shute at (413)896-1122.

The Big E - 8am to 11pm - Eastern States Exhibition, 1305 Memorial Ave, West Springfield. Details at www.thebige.com

Bald Eagle Golf Outing at Suffield Country Club – Benefit for The Friends of the Farm at Hilltop. Register at HilltopFarmSuffield.org/Events.

Vintage Base Ball - The Westfield Wheelmen vs. Wethersfield Red Onion, 11 a.m., on Stroh Field at Hilltop Farm, 1616 Mapleton Ave, Route 159.

Meet and Greet with artist in residence Gina Trusiewicz - 1 - 2 p.m. In the visitors center at Phelps-Hatheway House. Free.

Open Tour Sunday at The Phelps-Hatheway House - 1- 4 p.m. Tickets at https:// ctlandmarks.org. Last tour at 3 p.m.

Books & Beyond with Monica Wood author of How to Read a Book - 7 p.m. via Zoom. Register at Suffield-Library.org. (pg 25)

First Selectman Coffee Hour - 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., at Cafe Barista, 66 N. Main. 10% discount on your drink order. (pg 3)

Stage reading of a play with The Suffield Players - 6:30 p.m., at The Kent Memorial Library. No registration required. (pg 25) Repair Café FREE! - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Senior Center. Get your tools sharpened and household items repaired. (pg 8)

KML Art exhibit works by East Granby artist Lori Rapuano - Opening Sept 2. Regular KML hours, Pinney Gallery, w/Suffield Arts Council. (pg 28)

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.

Reigning Cats and Dogs art exhibit features Christine MacClintic and Stephanie Garofalo. Through Dec 4. At WORK_SPACE in Manchester. (pg 29)

A Rock Sails By performed by the Suffield Players - 8 p.m., except 2 p.m. matinees Oct 12 and 19. Mapleton Hall. Tickets at SuffieldPlayers.org.

Join the Suffield Greater Together Community Fund! Info at https://www.hfpg. org/SuffieldCF. (pg 14)

Vintage Base Ball - The Westfield Wheelmen vs. Lisbon Tunnelmen, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Stroh Field at Hilltop Farm, 1616 Mapleton Ave, Route 159. Trees for Suffield MATCHING GRANT deadline! Donations to the 10-Year tree planting plan are matched at www.patronicity.com/welovetrees. (pg 4)

Field of Flags - Deadline to sponsor flags is Saturday, Nov 1. $30 for on flag, $100 for 4 flags. Email FieldOfFlags@SuffieldCT.gov. (pg 2)

Lawsuit Against Town Inches to Conclusion

By Jay Presser

The long-running legal dispute between Maryanne (“Annie”) Hornish and the Town of Suffield (later amended to include Connecticut’s Department of Agriculture as a second Defendant) is closer to conclusion.

The case arose out of the tragic death of Janet D’Aleo on November 6, 2019, in the Hornish’s home while she was visiting Annie Hornish’s mother.

It was clear that the Hornish’s dog, who had been with them since June 2019, was involved in the incident, and Ryan Selig, the town’s animal control officer, issued a quarantine order for the dog that day. In November of that year, he issued a “disposal order.” The Hornish family appealed to the Agriculture Department, resulting in a hearing presided over by Bruce Sherman, who served as the final decision maker.

As is generally the case there are often factual “disputes” during litigation, and the typical legal process involves a “factfinder”, in this case Sherman, determining “the facts”. Those facts are generally deemed “the facts” of the case and relied upon during subsequent appeals. Therefore, they are likewise referred to in this article as “facts”, although presumably some may dispute the correctness of such factual determinations.

An administrative hearing was held on June 2 and 4, 2020 during which the parties introduced documentary evidence and presented testimony.

On October 20, 2020, it issued a proposed final decision, recommending af-

firming the disposal order, subsequently confirmed in a final order on December 21, 2020.

These facts as found included the critical determinations that during the November 2019 visit the Hornish’s dog, unprovoked, attacked and bit D’Aleo numerous times, resulting in her death. (Annie Hornish was not home at the time the attack began but returned home at some point during the incident.)

The Hornishes appealed to the Superior Court. Largely bound by the facts as determined, the claims now involved constitutional claims and that the hearings were unfairly conducted.

On November 13, 2023, the Superior Court issued a decision that the statute was constitutional and rejected all other challenges, dismissing the Hornish’s administrative appeal. Another appeal was filed, this time to the state’s Court of Appeals.

On July 29, 2025 the Court of Appeals rejected all the claims and upheld the prior orders.

While it is unclear if the plaintiffs will seek to appeal to the Connecticut Supreme Court, even if an appeal is taken, it is within the discretion of the Supreme Court whether they wish to hear the appeal or deny the appeal and bind the parties to the Court of Appeals decision.

The ruling comes just several months after a state Superior Court judge ordered the Hornishes to pay more than $76, 000 to the town for outstanding boarding fees.

Since 2022, the town has covered the cost of boarding the dog. z

Compiled by Beth Chafetz

Labor Day - September 1

“Nothing will work unless you do.” – Maya Angelou

“Labor Day is a time to honor the legacy of the labor movement and the ongoing pursuit of social and economic justice.” – Nestasia National Grandparents Day

September 7

“Love is the greatest gift that one generation can leave to another.”

– Richard Garnett

“One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grandbaby around the finger of a grandfather.”

– Joy Hargrove

“Most grandmas have a touch of the scallywag.”

– Helen Thompson

“You will never look back on life and think ‘I’ve spent too much time with my grandchildren.’” – Unknown International Literacy Day

September 8

“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”

– B.B. King

“Reading gives us somewhere to go when we have to stay where we are.”

– Mary Schmich

“Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price tag is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.”

– Walter Cronkite

“When I say to a parent, ‘Read to a child’, I don’t want it to sound like medicine. I want it to sound like chocolate.”

– Mem Fox

“At times I think to myself, ‘Drop the book and get stuff done.’ Then I laugh and turn the page.” - Pinterest

Food For Thought

World Trade Center Attack

September 11

“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.”

- Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl

“One of the worst days in America’s history saw some of the bravest acts in Americans’ history. We’ll always honor the heroes of 9/11. And here at this hallowed place, we pledge that we will never forget their sacrifice” – President George W. Bush at the Pentagon in 2008

"On this day... 19 years (September 10th) ago, 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights. 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning. 343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift. 60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol. 8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift. None of them saw past 10:00 a.m. Sept 11, 2001. In one single moment life may never be the same. As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today and tonight before

Pilgrim Barber Shop

11 High St. • Suffield, 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

you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted."

– Unknown

National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15-October 15

“The point is not to pay back kindness, but pay it forward.”

– Julia Alvarez

“The number one issue in the Hispanic American community is ‘How do I leave my children better off than myself?’” – Marco Rubio

“One of the hardest parts of life is deciding whether to walk away or try harder.”

– Hispanic saying Citizenship Day September 17

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty... that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United

States of America…" – from the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance

“The government is us; we are the government, you and I.”

– betterworld.net

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

– Margaret Mead Constitution Day September 17

“Don’t interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.” – Abraham Lincoln

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

– Amendment I of the Constitution

International Talk Like a Pirate Day – September 19 Celebrate at Kent Memorial Library! World Gratitude Day September 21

"We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count."

– Neal A. Maxwell

"Let us remember that, as much has been given us; much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds."

– Theodore Roosevelt

"May you be strengthened by yesterday’s rain, walk straight in tomorrow’s wind and cherish each moment of the sun today."

– Ojibwe Saying Supreme Court established September 24, 1789

“Presidents come and go, but the Supreme Court goes on forever.” – William Howard Taft

“It is essential that justice be done, and it is equally vital that justice not be confused with revenge, for the two are wholly different.”

– Oscar Aria National Dog Week 4th week of September

“A dog is the only thing on Earth that loves you more than you love yourself.”

– Josh Billings

“The dog is the god of frolic.” – Edward Ward Beecher

“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.”

– James Herriot

The Talented Fixers of Suffield’s Repair Cafes

By Tony Peterson

Meet the 13 skilled volunteer repairers–commonly called fixers–who work at Sustainable Suffield’s Repair Cafes.

They range in age from 27 to 85 years old and include two married couples. About half are retired, and half still work. Five are women and eight are men.

Two have electrical engineering degrees, and one is a mergers and acquisitions expert. Another installs hardscapes. One specializes in cybersecurity, while another sells homemade jams, jellies and gifts through her small shop. There’s a master electrician, a former business administrator and educator from Suffield Academy and a former Kent Memorial Library administrator.

Their talents are as diverse as their backgrounds, and they all volunteer one day each calendar quarter to repair broken household items for residents of Suffield and surrounding towns.

Committed volunteers

As co-chair of Sustainable Suffield, I admire their passion. I watch as they lug multiple heavy bins filled with tools to the Repair Cafes, along with some repair supplies.

They’re a relaxed group who joke, ask for advice from

one another and exchange repair tips throughout the day.

We provide them with commonly used repair parts, like lamp switches and wire, bike chain links and lubricants, epoxies and super glues, with funds generously donated by visitors. We also use the funds to provide lunch for them and to pay for coffee, homemade muffins, and cookies for everyone.

Our 13 fixers sharpen dull scissors, knives, chainsaws, and garden tools, and repair household items, including lamps and small appliances, wooden furniture and cabinet doors, ceramics, jewelry clasps and links, bicycles, and clothing with ripped seams, missing buttons, and nonworking zippers.

Why the fixers fix

When I asked the fixers why they’re so committed, here were a few of their emailed responses that reflect comments I’ve heard from many in the group.

Frani Leonard noted, “If the skill that I spent a lifetime learning can help someone keep a favorite lamp or something else, I consider that time well spent. I haven't seen a repair shop around in many years now. Where is someone supposed to take something to be fixed? There just isn't any

place to go. So, it usually gets thrown out and a new one is bought, when the old one can be easily repaired.”

Frank Ludorf remarked that he wanted “to see a reduction of electronic waste. I'd like to see people change their perceptions about how much is fixable, and to have everyone consider fixing things instead of immediately junking them.”

Jim Baker replied: “I really enjoy bringing life into older items that some think have reached the end of their usefulness. I think this has become even more important with so much of what's sold today being seen as disposable.”

That’s what Repair Cafes are all about: extending the life of fixable household items and reducing landfill waste.

Our next Repair Cafe is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, at the Suffield Senior Center on 145 Bridge Street, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come with your broken household items, and our fixers will try to repair them on a first-come, first-served basis.

We currently need additional sharpeners. If you are skilled and interested, or know someone who is, please email us at sustainablesuff ield@SuffieldCT.gov. z

Photo by Tony Peterson

Back row (L to R) Frani Leonard, Rich Savino, Gerry LaPlante, Jim Baker, Dan Kruger. Front row (L to R) Ernie Begin, Dorian Taylor, Linda Colson, Libby Begin, Shawn Murphy. Missing are Brian Caron, Catherine Lanyon and Frank Ludorf.

Repair Cafe Needs Volunteer Sharpeners

By Tony Peterson

Whether you sharpen by hand, with a grinding wheel, a belt sander or some combination, Sustainable Suffield needs your help.

Recently, when the task force hosted Repair Cafes, they’ve been overwhelmed by townspeople seeking sharpening of kitchen knives, scissors, gardening tools, chainsaws and more, according to co-chair Anna-Kristin Daub-Murphy. She said the group has two volunteer sharpeners, but needs additional skilled people.

“For our volunteer fixers, Sustainable Suffield provides homemade muffins, cookies and coffee throughout the day along with a

sandwich lunch,” noted Daub-Murphy.

“We have 13 fixers. They sharpen dull scissors, knives and garden tools and repair household items, including lamps and small appliances, wooden furniture and cabinet doors, ceramics, jewelry clasps and links, bicycles, and clothing with ripped hems, missing buttons and nonworking zippers.”

Sustainable Suffield's next Repair Cafe is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, at the Suffield Senior Center on 145 Bridge Street, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To volunteer as a Repair Cafe sharpener, email Daub-Murphy at sustainablesuffield@SuffieldCT. gov. z

Bradley Airport Construction

By Ray Dalrymple

Bradley International Airport is undergoing runway and terminal construction projects scheduled for completion in November of 2025. Runway 6/24 which runs north and south, BDL's longest runway, is closed for rehabilitation work, including milling and resurfacing, electrical upgrades, and other safety enhancements. Additionally, two major terminal projects are in progress to improve passenger flow

and functionality.

Runway Construction:

• Runway 6/24 is closed for the duration of the project, which is estimated to be complete in early November 2025, according to Bradley Airport Instagram.

• The project includes milling and resurfacing of runway 6-24 and taxi areas, as well as electrical upgrades to lighting and weather sensors.

• Runways 15/33 and 1/19 will remain open

during the closure, offering several instrument approaches.

• There will be some weekend closures of Runway 15/33 for construction at the intersection with Runway 6/24.

• These closures will be limited to 0000L-0530L (midnight to 5:30 AM) and will be hard closures with no exceptions, according to FAASafety.gov.

source: Excerpts from AI Overview. z

Beautiful Summer Flowers

Photo by Anna Kristin Daub-Murphy

Sustainable Suffield Repair Cafe sharpeners Jim Baker on the left and Shawn Murphy.

Photo submitted by author

Bradley Airport Runway Construction is underway.

Photo by Joan Heffernan

Scarlet Sage and Canna Lilies proudly show their colors.

Together for Joy!

By Amber Dawne Bigley

September brings the First Church of Christ, UCC family back to the Sanctuary for worship beginning on Sunday, September 7th! Kick-Off Sunday is a time of regathering, reconnecting, and taking the first steps of a new faithful journey Together for Joy!

More about worship or other exciting opportunities?

Swing by the First Church booth Saturday or Sunday during Suffield on the Green! Friendly faces will be ready to welcome you and share the exciting ways that First Church embraces their faith family and lives into the mission of support and service.

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 at-

tendees, 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!

The Sonotori bell choir regathers at the beginning of September, preparing selections for the upcoming church season. Their moving and powerful performances are sure to enrich anyone’s worship experience! Our chancel choir sings again, with rehearsals beginning on Wed, September 3rd at 6:30pm in the Choir Room. All are welcome! No singing experience required- adults and high school age youth are welcome! Contact the church office for more information or to connect with our Director of Worship Arts, Amy Pott.

First Church of Christ, Congregational UCC of Suffield 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 a.m., in-person or through our YouTube livestream.

Our Blessing Box is located right in front of First Church on High Street 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 Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous in our building weekly. Contact us for the full list of meeting information.

Questions and general inquiries should be directed to office@fcsuffield.org. Email the church office with any pastoral needs or to arrange an in-person appointment at First Church. In-office hours are Tuesday- Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

God Bless! z

Sacred Heart News

By Father Joe Keough, Pastor

Hope you had an enjoyable summer! September brings its own "busy-ness" as the school year begins and vacations wind down. As we get back on track with our routines, we look for special moments to enjoy with family and friends and our Lord.

The month of September begins with our participation in Suffield on the Green. We host the Friends of the Library Book Sale in Fr Ted Hall. Our Knights of Columbus assist in the events on the green as well as selling great food, beverages and snocones. The parish will also have a booth on the green so please feel free to stop by and say hello. Our booth will also be where you can pick up a free ticket for a train ride around the green. This was a

big hit last year with almost 800 people of all ages getting on board. With the continued generous support of our Knights of Columbus we are happy to offer it again. We are also getting back on track with our faith life. More opportunities for prayer and service are coming to our parish and community this month. A beloved Catholic devotion, the rosary, will be added to our Sunday mornings on the first Sunday of each month beginning this month. The rosary will be prayed on Sunday, Sept. 7th. at 8:00 AM. This is a beautiful way to get back on track with daily prayer or introduce it to a younger family member. Rosaries and information about how to pray them are available in the vestibule

of the church. Monday, September 15, we will also have special devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows. Please join us for a holy hour and rosary from 6-7 p.m. that day. All are welcome to join us in prayer!

Reminder: we will not be returning to the three Masses on Sunday. Sunday morning Masses are at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. and of course Saturday evening at 4 p.m. Please find one that fits your schedule and join us at the Eucharist!

For more information about upcoming events at the parish, follow us on Facebook and our website http://www.sacredheartct.com . Our weekend and daily Masses (8:00 AM) are live streamed on our Facebook page and YouTube for those who cannot join us in person. z

Second Baptist News

From a Press Release

Second Baptist Church Starts Up New Program Year! Join us for worship and communion in our sanctuary at 100 North Main Street on Sunday, September 7 at 10 a.m.

Come and visit with friends and members of Second Baptist Church at our booth at Suffield on the Green, September 6 and 7. We would love to talk to you, will take prayer requests, and have a craft and a fun game for the kids.

Soup Kitchen Ministry Saturday, September 13. Serving a meal for anyone in need at the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen at South Congregational Church in Springfield, MA. If you would like to participate, please call the church office at 860-668-1661.

The congregation has been supporting this ministry for approximately 35 years!

Welcome Back Sunday –September 14 - 10 a.m. Join us as we officially begin the program year. The Hot Cat Jazz Band will lead the music during the worship service. To learn more about Second Baptist Church and our many programs, join us after the church service for a special Fellowship Time.

Beginning, Sunday, September 21 – Reflection, Study, and Prayer – 9 a.m. - Library. This time prior to the worship service is an opportunity to settle your mind and soul for the week. All are welcome!

Sunday, September 28 –Potluck Luncheon - Following Worship – Fellowship Hall. The Diaconate will be hosting a Potluck Luncheon. The Pastoral Search Committee will be providing an update on their progress and soliciting additional information from the congregation of their priorities for the next settled pastor.

Monday, September 29American Red Cross Blood Drive – Noon-5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. For an appointment, please visit redcross blood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS 1-800-733-2767.

Looking ahead:

For the Fair on November 1st we are looking for crafters of all ages. The fair is a great way to kick off your holiday shopping. Please contact the church office if you would like to reserve a table. We will also have our tag sale which will benefit many ministries in the church. Items for the tag sale can be dropped off after September 7.

Mission Trip Opportunity: Looking for a mission trip of faith and adventure? We have a great opportunity for you. During the month of January 2026, we will be taking a weeklong trip to the Dominican Republic to work with schools, medical clinics and the elderly who need repairs done. The trip is a great way to see God’s work in action - if you are interested call the church 860-668-1661.

Contact the church office (office@secondbaptistsuffield. org or 860-668-1661. if you are interested in participating in any of the above opportunities. Additional information for these and other activities/ opportunities at the church is available on secondbaptistsuffield.org, along with our Facebook and Instagram sites. On the website, there are links for the Sunday morning bulletin and "Weekly Wednesday Write-Ups" with upcoming events and updates on the various ministries in the congregation. There is also a link to the church’s YouTube channel for you to participate in past Sunday services. z

West Suffield Congregational Church News

By Denise Peterson

Yay, it’s time to reopen!! West Suffield Congregational Church starts our opening weekend the same way every year by participating in Suffield on the Green where we man the “bead booth”. Children, teenagers, and some grown-up children come and play. They sort through buckets of beads and make themselves bracelets and necklaces. I get the biggest kick out of the boys that make bracelets for their moms and girlfriends (they’re so careful to pick out just the right beads). I will get to meet all sorts of new people and pet a bunch of dogs to boot. SOTG has

become one of my favorite events of the year, please stop by our booth to say hello. The morning of the seventh we open for worship at our usual 10 a.m. Service. We will have a bounce house and goodies for the kids as well as a potluck so that we can sit down and catch up with each other after a busy summer away. There is such a feeling of homecoming on this Sunday, because our church is truly a place of community and deep relational ties. Church usually starts a few minutes late the first few weeks of service because everyone is in the pews catching up on what they’ve missed over the

summer. I love that. Finally, we have an exciting announcement at WSCC! We are starting a new children’s choir, and I am over the moon about it. There’s something about kids singing in worship that makes everyone’s day go a little better. One of my favorite church memories revolves around a song I taught the preschoolers in my last church. There was this adorable little girl named Charlotte, she was not yet three and she was very proud about having learned her ABCs. As the kids got up to sing. “God made the flowers“ Charlotte launched into what would have to be the loudest singing of her ABCs she

had ever accomplished. She stood straight as a soldier and belted it out like a Broadway star. She sang every letter with gusto. The kids kept singing their song, Charlotte kept singing hers, and we all went home with giant smiles on our faces. It was so precious. I can’t wait to hear our own children, singing their best Church songs!

So, come for the fun, stay for the sharing, the relationships, the beauty and wisdom of the Scriptures, come for the laughter and the occasional tears, the inspiration and joy. It’s all part and parcel of life in our church. Welcome.

Blessings on your day, Denise. z

Paul Harris Award Recipients

By Don Miner

Suffield Rotary Club recently recognized two people for exemplary Service Above Self by designating them as Paul Harris Fellows.

The award, made possible by a significant donation to the Rotary International Foundation, is presented annually by the club at a dinner in June.

This year’s recipients were Jed Dery and Ron Carlson.

Jed is a ten-year member of Suffield Rotary and is an outstanding contributor to all the club’s activities. He is part of the “cooking team” for the annual Chicken Barbecue, showing up at 5:00 a.m. to light the fire. Jed is also an integral part of the golf tournament committee where planning begins months in advance of the annual August event. Jed serves the Suffield community as manager of the Nicholson and Carmon Funeral Home.

Interestingly, Jed’s father was a Rotarian in Western

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Massachusetts and was also recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.

Jed has demonstrated excellence in Service Above Self to Suffield Rotary Club.

Ron Carlson is a captain in the Suffield Fire Department and a 53-year member.

His major assignment for many years has been public outreach and fire prevention training for the community and particularly the schools. To this end, Ron created EDITH, a kindly and funny elderly woman who teaches fire safety, including skills like STOP, DROP and ROLL and escaping from a smokefilled room.

In recent years, Ron has

become an integral part of the Friends of the Windsor Locks Canal. Ron is also an active caver and regularly takes scout groups to explore caves.

Professionally, Ron was an airport firefighter at Bradley Airport and then Assistant Chief of Security and Safety at Hamil-

Heather Parshley

June 18

Age 49

Christopher Theodore

June 18

Age 67

Linda Rutz

June 18

Age 87

Rita S. Firtion

June 30

Age 76

Regina L. Dickinson

July 7

Age 79

John Mariano

July 9

Age 86

Claudia Hepner

ton-Standard Division of United Technologies. Ron has exhibited outstanding Service Above Self to the Suffield community. Since 1975, Suffield Rotary has named 88 people as Paul Harris Fellows, including 55 club members and 33 non-members.

Rotary was founded by Paul Harris in Chicago in 1905 and has grown to 1.4 million members in 46,000 local clubs in nearly 200 clubs worldwide. The Rotary Foundation provides millions of dollars in funding for a variety of humanitarian projects, most notably $750 million in the effort to eradicate polio. z

July 10 Age 89

Robert M. Moore

July 23

Age 76

Kolby Zielinski

July 27

Age 22

I Am a Proud Descendant of Immigrants

By Wendy Taylor

Who was your first immigrant ancestor? What countries did your ancestors live in? What jobs did they do? What traditions and items did they bring with them? Have you ever wondered about them? I often wonder, and am especially drawn to family stories, and thoughts of their daily life.

My most recent immigrants were Scots who arrived in 1880 from Glasgow. They were carpet weavers and worked at Bigelow in Thompsonville. The Northern Irish ancestors in my family tree settled in Suffield, making the trip across the ocean around 1850; they grew tobacco here. The Acadians (now Nova Scotia) probably wouldn’t have come on their own if they hadn’t been deported to Connecticut by the British, in 1755, for being “French neutrals”. When my Prussian ancestor arrived

in 1726 after ten-weeks at sea, he wrote home, “It is certainly a good country.” After twelve years of living here he still felt the same: “Neither must you believe the stupid talk of people who say that the contents of letters are changed. Anyone may write what he wants to, he may have contempt for this country or praise it. It is definitely a good country where people need not live in a pitiful way.” My Swedish ancestors left Skaraborg in 1627, and the first English ancestor was a guy who fell off a ship named Mayflower in 1620. My North African ancestors were also here long before we were a country, their descendant fought in the Revolution in 1777 when Black people were allowed to join. Did they perhaps arrive in 1619 on the first ship to bring enslaved people to this part of the continent? Did any of my ancestors mar-

ry into the tribal nations already here when we arrived, and squatted on the land?

My ancestors were primarily farmers, with a mix of sail makers, ship captains, blacksmiths, doctors, lighthouse keepers, seamstresses, policemen, riggers, teachers, privateers, pirates, rumrunners and – librarians. They were, and are, veterans of the Seven Year War, the US Revolution, War of 1812, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Cuban Missile Crisis, Iraq… Some went a little crazy leaving families in the East to pan for gold in the West. And my favorite surname? Love. Though Fahrenstück is the most fun to pronounce.

I wonder what it was like to leave their homes and come to a new land across an ocean.

Who was *your* first immigrant? Do you ever wonder? z

Our Polish Heritage

By Sara Zak

The Polish Heritage Society has recently received a carved wooden plaque in memory of the Goodusky family of West Suffield. They, like the Maciorowski family, noted in the April 2025 issue of "The Observer," did not leave a legacy. However, Steve Goodusky, the only surviving Goodusky of his great-grandparents, has maintained some contact here and has donated the plaque to the Suffield Historical Society, parent organization of the Polish Heritage Society. It will be displayed in the tobacco exhibit of the King House Museum & Barn.

Andrew, known initially as Gudsky and by several other variations of the name, immigrated to the United States in 1891. The 1900 census duti-

fully categorized him as Russian/Polish. He was, however, Lithuanian, a distinction that he was never able to claim legally since he died before his home country regained independence. Andrew and Eva were married in 1885 and had their first child, Nellie, in 1886. Andrew emigrated in 1891. His wife and child came across the Atlantic Ocean four years later.

Shortly after the birth of their second child, Andrew purchased 70 acres of land, known as the "Old Warner Place", for $2,100 in December 1898. The current address is 2720 Mountain Road. In 1912, the Hartford Courant reported that he planted eight acres of tobacco on his farm. When he died of cancer in 1915 at the age of 55, he was recognized as

a prosperous farmer. Andrew was also one of the first Poles to become a registered voter in 1900.

Nellie, the firstborn of seven children, married her nextdoor neighbor, Joseph Bishop, in 1906. The Prekop family continued to live at what is now 2800 Mountain Road. In 1924, the Gooduskys and the Prekops granted an easement to the Hartford Electric Light Company to "erect, construct and maintain a suitable line of poles, towers, electric wires and other necessary appurtenances" to bring electricity to West Suffield. In many ways, granting that right-of-way could be considered the Goodusky family legacy after all. So, the next time you make a trip to the town landfill, think of the Goodusky Family. z

Suffield Observations

By Andy Sauer

Happy New Year!

One of the many pious fictions humans entertain is the start of the calendar year.

We observe the “new year” on January 1, a relic of an ancient republic’s start of its senate session. We all know when the year really starts: The First Day of School.

The First Day of School, no matter where you live or even what date it is (August 28 in Suffield), signals the start of just about everything.

Whereas January 1 opens a season of cold weather, long nights and often empty resolutions, the First Day of School represents a fresh start. Whatever mistakes you made last year, forget about them. You got your grade, and you leveled up. It’s a new year with new classes, teachers, classrooms, books, assignments, teams, schedules and clothes. Yes, there are higher expectations and harder challenges, but let’s cross those bridges when we get there. On the First Day, it’s a clean slate!

It’s a chance to rebrand yourself. In high school, I ran with a toxic clique of, for lack of a better word, Freaks. There was the cliche “leader” that loved to pit us against each other. I broke with the crew in 10th grade, but one of my fellow minions went full-on makeover: He joined the cross-country team as a junior, made varsity and became an accomplished runner. Right before graduation, he and I debriefed on our Freakish past, and we came to regard those days as far removed and foreign as past lives.

Maybe it’s all the schedules we download, the textbooks we’re assigned or the calendars we put on the refrigerators, but an entire course of events seems to germinate from The First Day of School. There’s a narrative of assignments, tests, games, events, meets, performances, breaks, midterms and finals that takes shape and concludes nine months later on The Last Day of School.

I have never not known a year without a First Day of School. I was born to parents in graduate school. I did my own education run for 17 years and married a woman who went to dental and graduate schools. I had three kids, two of whom are still in school. If you factor future grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I imagine I’ll be experiencing First Days of School for the rest of my life.

If I were a revolutionary, I would propose realigning the calendar year to start on a nationally designated First Day of School on September 1 and make it a big deal – speeches, ringing of bells and fireworks. But I’m getting too old to tilt at windmills, and the New Year’s Eve Industrial Complex is far too powerful and entrenched in our culture to enact meaningful change. Everyone loves a party and any excuse to sleep late.

The First Day of School is not about sleeping in, it’s about getting up and looking forward to another year of promise, optimism, excitement and even unanticipated drama here and there.

When the race finally concludes next summer, there will be a real reason to celebrate. And the weather will be perfect.

100 Years Ago in Suffield

Selected from the pages of the Windsor Locks Journal and lightly annotated by Wendy Taylor of Kent Memorial Library.

September 4

It is stated upon good authority that a meeting of the Ku Klux Klan was held in Mapleton hall last Friday evening. About forty attended the meeting and were addressed by a speaker who explained the organization as far as possible to those present. It is said that several of those in attendance signed up at the close of the meeting. So far as known this is the first meeting of the clan held in this town.

September 11

The body of Charles BaThieen [gravestone: Charles BaThein], a native of Burma, India, who died several weeks ago in a sanitarium in Pennsylvania, was brought to Suffield... The boy’s parents desired the body be sent here for burial, as he has wished it when a student at the Suffield School under the guardianship of Rev. Jesse Smith, a former missionary in India…The burial was at the Old cemetery.

The cloth covering of a shade tobacco field in the western part of the town, belonging to the American Sumatra Tobacco Company, was burned… causing a loss of several hundred dollars. The tobacco had been harvested so that the only loss was the cloth.

The registrars finished compiling the voting lists Tuesday and the names of 1404 electors have been placed on it…There are 77 persons who will have a chance to become voters on September 19, when the selectmen, town clerk and registrars will have examinations in the town clerk’s office.

This staid old New England village has been in a turmoil this week and conventions and traditions have been shaken from their very foundations…The trouble started some time ago over some differences of opinion between members of the Village Improvement Society and members of the Wide Awake Club. This developed bitterness…reached its culmination in the arrest of J. O. Burke…on the charge of entering a

public building unlawfully.

A special meeting was conducted Tuesday night on the call of the clerk of the village, and at that meeting new by-laws were accepted. Some members asserted that the meeting was illegal because it had not been called by the committee.

After the acceptance of the bylaws a motion was made to depose the committee elected last spring, and an entirely new committee was elected…

The legality of the proceedings was openly questioned and Wednesday a complaint by the supposedly deposed committee…resulted in the warrant being issued for the arrest of Burke… It is alleged Mr. Burke opened the doors for Tuesday night’s meeting which, the deposed committee says, was an action done without authority.

September 18

The annual public finance board meeting of the town was held…at the Town hall, with a small attendance of voters.

September 25

[J.O.] Burke was found guilty after a lengthy hearing. Owing to the attendance, which numbered several hundred, the case had to be heard at the Town hall.

Harold Haskins…suffered a painful injury to his left hand at his home…while occupied in changing an automobile tire. The tire suddenly slipped off the rim where he was holding it and badly lacerated his hand. Dr. Joseph A. Gibbs found that one finger was so badly torn that it was necessary to amputate it.

A special meeting of the Village of Suffield will be held…to see what action the village will take in regard to selling one-half of its interest in the hose house, the new Red fire pumper, the Knox chemical and fire truck and all other fire fighting property of the district.

A Moment in Time

Old Photos Invited from Our Readers

Hair Wreaths

By Jackie Hemond, Suffield Historical Society

Hair wreaths gained the greatest popularity in the Victorian era (1837-1901).

Queen Victoria (1819-1901) popularized decorative hair pieces by wearing a necklace made with hairs from her deceased husband Prince Albert. Hair wreaths are often thought to be a way that people memorialized deceased people, but they also served as a type of family tree decoration with hair from different relatives, living and dead, or given as a token of friendship. They may have been just a decoration with no deeper

meaning. In certain instances, horsetail hair was used as a filler. Hair in different colors could be ordered by catalog or in stores. Patterns and instructions on how to make the wreaths were printed in numerous magazines. In addition to wreaths, hair decorated brooches, necklaces, lockets and pins. A popular activity was to place braided hair in poetry books.

The design of the wreath varied. A horseshoe shape could signify that the deceased ascended to heaven or it was simply a good luck charm. Another popular design was a circular wreath. A newly deceased person’s hair might be placed in the center of a circular wreath. Hair was formed into flowers, swirls and knotted patterns with wire. Seeds, buttons and beads were woven in. The wreaths were placed in a deep frame or a shadowbox and hung on a wall. Hair wreaths

can be achingly beautiful if a little ghoulish.

Suffield’s King House Museum has a hair wreath in the upstairs Victorian Parlor. You can see it on Wednesdays and Saturdays when the King House Museum & Barn is open from 1 to 4 p.m. until October 11. At the same time you can view the Artists of Suffield Summer Exhibit. https://www.lancastermoah.org/single-post/remembering-the-dead-hair-art https://saukcountyhistory. org/the-hair-wreath https://www.eriehistory. org/blog/hair-wreaths z

Miss Ruth Anderson left…for Ithica, N. Y., where she will take up a course in physical culture [older term for physical fitness]. Open Mon-Sat 9

Provided by Art Sikes

This photo is titled “North West District – East Society” or the Hasting Hill School. It’s located just north of First Baptist Church on Hill Street. This picture was probably taken in the early 1950s. Kent Memorial Library has several pictures of the inside in their collection. Does anyone else have other pictures?

Photo by Jackie Hemond

Photo of various hair ornaments

Photo by Jackie Hemond

Photo of the Hair Wreath at the King House Museum & Barn

Mostly Suffield Trivia

By Jackie Hemond

1. There are two things which are known as the “Notch” in this part of Connecticut. The Southwick Notch refers to geography and is the square notch which dips down to North Granby in the otherwise straight northern border between Connecticut and Massachusetts. The other “Suffield Notch” refers to…

a. Furniture

b. A tobacco tool

c. A tree

2. When Suffield was first settled, was it a “nucleated village”, which means individuals settled on small house lots in a compact village? Yes or no.

3. In the seventeenth through the nineteenth centuries, what was the criteria for the location of homes?

Select all answers that apply.

a. B eing close to the road

b. B eing close to a water

source

c. Adequate drainage

4. The Pocumtuck Native Americans had a village in West Suffield called Mayawaug. What was their form of government?

a. Clan mothers

b. Tribal councils

c. Sachems

5. By 1691, how did Suffield people get to Enfield?

a. By ferry

b. O ver a bridge

c. They didn’t go to Enfield.

6. The Ferry Tavern and Riverman’s Hotel was built by Comfort Smith in 1775.

According to Robert Alcorn in his Biography of a Town, it served Revolutionary soldiers. Where was it located?

a. Down by the Connecticut River, near the location of the Thompsonville Bridge.

b. On East Street, across from Bridge Street.

c. On the east side of Main Street, across from where the entrance of the Suffield Country Club is now.

7. By 1900, how many round trips by train were between Hartford and Suffield?

a. Ten

b. Five

c. Two

8. How many current personnel in the Suffield Police Department have served or are serving in one of the branches of the military?

a. Ten

b. Five

c. Seven

9. The Police Department has 30 employees. How many live in Suffield?

a. Twenty

b. Fifteen

c. Eleven

10. When was the Suffield Police Department formed?

a. 1932

b. 1942

c. 1922

Greater Together Community Fund Seeks New Members

By Fred Sweitzer

The Suffield Greater Together Community Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is now accepting applications for new members of its committee.

With generous funding and support from the Hartford Foundation, the Suffield Greater Together Community Fund awards grants of up to $7,500 to local nonprofit organizations. Detailed information about the Suffield Greater Together Community Fund, and past award recipients can be found on our web page, www.hfpg. org/Suffieldcf.

The committee meets twice a month, typically on Wednesday evening for 90 minutes. Meetings are currently held on Zoom. In addition to reviewing grant applications (general-

ly once a year), the committee focuses its attention on issues including:

• Continuous improvement of the Fund’s Request for Proposals and application review process.

• Promoting awareness of the Suffield Greater Together Community Fund and its activities.

• Using proactive strategies to ensure that nonprofit organizations are aware of grant opportunities.

• Utilizing technology to improve communication, resource sharing, and record keeping.

• Recruiting and retaining committee members.

The committee seeks to have a membership that reflects the diversity of the Suffield community, possessing an array of complementary skill

Summer Exhibit at King House Museum

By Jackie Hemond

The summer exhibit at the King House Museum & Barn is a unique and stimulating display of artistic talent. The walls of the house are full of artwork created by local painters, photographers, and handcrafters in all mediums, genres, and sizes. The artists are from Suffield, and some of them are affiliated with 880 Burbank Studios. If you haven't had a chance to stop by and enjoy this presentation and a little Suffield history, remember, you only have a few weeks left to do so.

Regrettably, we have experienced several days this summer when the heat index has precluded us from opening

the museum. We understand the disappointment this may have caused, and we are hopeful that cooler days are just around the corner. We welcome visitors on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m.

If all goes according to plan, this will be the last summer that the King House Museum & Barn will have to close on hot days. The Historical Society is committed to enhancing your experience and envisions installing an air conditioning system in the spring. However, all this fantastic art will be gone by then, so come in before our last day of the season on October 11. z

sets, life experiences and the ability to work collaboratively with one another and with Hartford Foundation staff. Eligible applicants must be a resident of Suffield and at least 14 years of age. Candidates for elected office, elected officials, and their immediate family members may not serve on a committee. Previous experience in community organizations or in grantmaking is not needed. The committee values diversity and encourages individuals with diverse lived and professional experiences to apply. Members serve two-year terms and are eligible for reappointment for additional terms, not to exceed six consecutive years. A link to the application is on our web site. The committee will begin reviewing applications on October 15. Applications received after that date will be considered in the next committee membership cycle, most likely in Fall 2026 .If you have questions, email us at suffield@hfp gcommunity funds.org. z

Answers

6. c. On the east side of Main Street, across from where the entrance to the Suffield Country Club is now.

5. a. yB a ferry located near where the old -Thomp sonville Bridge was.

4. c. hemsSac were chosen because they -demonstrat ed leadership qualities and belonged to a prominent family; they could be male or female. During colonial times, women were less apt to become sachems as the colonists preferred to deal with men.

Most town roads during that time were built after the construction of -resi dences.

2. No. eTh first intent, in 1670, was to settle the town in a loosely formed community with -residenc es spread out in large lots mainly along two roads, on East Street (known then as Feather Street) and Main Street (known then as High Street) and the “Western Division.” In 1676, when the town was resettled again after the Native Americans attacked the town during King Phillip’s War, there was a shift to a more -com pact settlement. At least ten men moved their -res idences from the western part of town to High Street, although not all of the -set tlers moved to the central village. 3. b. and c. but not a.

“Suffield Notch” is found in a highboy chest at the King House Museum in Suffield.

1. a. Furniture. To save money and time, an -un known early Suffield -wood craftsman did not include a dovetail joint when making drawers for chests and -bu reaus, leaving a square open notch at the back of the drawer. An example of this

Suffield Farmers Market

Photos by Janet Winter

Marjorie Rollet Begin of Merry Mite Wild Gardens offers “tried and true, like Grandma grew…” a little bit of everything including pottery, flowers, plants, annuals, shrubs, fresh eggs, garden sculptures, etc.

Claudia Cupe, owner of Granny’s Doggie Treats of Enfield, provides a healthier choice for dogs.

Photo provided by Christine Cooke Farmers Market abundance for all.

Blossoms from “Julie The Garden Fairy” of Willow View Farm.

Amanda Thibedeau and Kathy Dunai from Cupola Hollow Farm offer produce and products grown/made of their farm including distinctive jams, jelly, relish, pickles, native honey, dip mix, goat milk soap, popcorn, fudge, breads, pies, muffins, and gift baskets.

Danielle Blanchette and her daughter Sydney of Nellie’s Sweet Treats of Suffield.

Photo provided by Christine Cooke

Teddy Drewnowski is hard at work at the Farmers Market on the Green with all the other local farmers. He has been on the farm for 28 years (the farm is 100 years old). Teddy does everything. He picks corn, does tobacco, takes care of the cows and many other things throughout his many years at the farm. He has a hard work ethic, keeps smiling, aims to please and is fast and friendly with the customers.

This is Julie Harrison, owner of Julie The Garden Fairy, along with her flower truck, "Sweet Pea” at the Suffield Farmer’s Market.

Register for the Flu Shot Clinic:

Suffield Community Aid

By Mary Curtin, MSW Director 860-668-1986

What’s happening at SCA this Month?

Registration is open for the Flu Shot Clinic on Wednesday, October 8 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. This event is co-hosted with the Suffield Senior Center, in partnership with North Central District Health Department. Please call SCA to register today: 860- 668-1986. Generation Power- Providing Rebates on Fuel: Generation Power (formerly Operation Fuel) will be open for applications Sept. 2-10. You can apply for assistance with your home heating or utility bills. Call SCA with questions or to make an appointment to apply.

Meals-on-Wheels: Free meals delivered 5 days per week by SCA volunteers. The program is open to Suffield Seniors 60+ who are homebound. There are no financial qualifications in order to participate. If you’re interested in enrolling or referring to a loved one, please call SCA for more information.

Suffield Sidekicks! – Open to Seniors 65 and older:

Sign up for Suffield Sidekicks to get free assistance with light household chores, yard work and/or tech assistance from Suffield Teens. Please contact SCA to apply at: 860-668-1986 or email Lauren at laurenm@suffieldcommunityaid.org.

Ongoing Programs and Updates:

Blood Pressure Screenings at the Suffield Senior Center: Suffield Community Aid sponsors free blood pressure clinics for residents of all ages at the Suffield Senior Center on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 11 a.m.– 12 p.m. No appointments are needed.

Caregiver Support Group: Join Nicole Matson from Home Helpers at SCA for a support group for caregivers of individuals with cognitive loss. The group will meet at Suffield Community Aid on September 30 from 11a.m. – 12 p.m. Please call

SCA to register 860-668-1986.

Durable Medical Equipment: SCA maintains a small medical loan closet of walkers, commodes, bed rails, canes, crutches, and more for Suffield residents at no cost. Stop in or give us a call if you or a loved one could benefit from a short-term or permanent loan.

Housing Repair Assistance Program: Suffield Community Aid’s Housing Repair Assistance Program was created to help low-to-moderate income residents obtain necessary home repairs. Applications are open. Please contact SCA to apply: (860)668-1986 or email Mary at maryc@suffieldcommunityaid.org.

Renter’s 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. Rebates are based on a percentage of income versus

rent & utility expenses. SCA is scheduling appointments now. The program ends September 30.

Social Services Consultations: Need help with elder care planning or applying for benefits? Meet with Lauren Marino, LMSW, for free social services consultations. To schedule a time, please call Suffield Community Aid at (860) 668-1986.

Stay Warm This Winter! –We Are Taking Applications for the CT Energy Assistance

Program (CEAP):

This government program helps offset the winter heating costs for financially eligible households. SCA is taking applications now in preparation for the November program start date. Please contact SCA to apply at: (860)668-1986 or email Beth at beths@suffieldcommunityaid.org.

Thank you to Representative Tammy Zawistowski, the Suffield Police Department and all who supported the Stuff a Cruiser event! z

Food Support For the Suffield Community

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 by Jamison Bazinet

Pictured Left to Right: SCA Board member, Alan Fahrenholz, Board President, Elizabeth Kaplan, Suffield School Resource Officer Alex Scata, Suffield Police Officer Zeke Donnelly, SCA Social Services Coordinator, Beth Sheridan, Representative Tammy Zawistowski, Suffield Police K-9 Handler Officer Randy Roman and Police Cadets Mateo Ayala, Jack Fitzgerald, and Niko Orlowski. Thank you to all who generously donated to our “Return-to-School” Backpack Program! We are eternally grateful for your support, which ensures that Suffield students kick off the school year with everything they need!

bserved

Schools, Library and Scouts

Suffield Girl Scout Earns Highest Award

From a press release

Beatrice Marcavitch, a Suffield High School 2025 graduate, was awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. This Award, which requires at least 80 hours of work on a service project, serves as a capstone to the time as a Girl Scout and signifies the commitment to improving a community through leadership, creativity, and dedication.

Beatrice started Girl Scouting as a third grader in Greenbelt, Maryland as part of Troop 27. As part of that troop, she learned outdoor skills, personal development skills, and financial skills. The troop went on ski trips, camping trips, STEM focused programs, and hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail. After moving to

Suffield, she participated as a “Juliette” (independent) scout. During this time, she supported other local troops in outdoor skills and special programs. Beatrice had previously completed a Bronze Award (a troop group project) and a Silver Award (a smaller, independent community project). For her Silver Award, Beatrice educated the public about the importance of personal safety for teenagers. Her Gold Award project was focused on music participation for students in public schools. The Music Legacy Program was designed to encourage students to continue to pursue music beyond their required courses. Studies show that learning to play an instrument or sing in a group strengthens your brain. It improves memory, problem solving, and language skills. Music helps you manage your stress, express yourself and build confidence.

It’s not just about hitting

the right notes - it’s about learning skills that will stay with you for life. When you join a music program, you become part of a team where everyone works together to create something amazing.

Music isn’t just an activity; it is a way to grow, connect and succeed.

Beatrice developed a website, handouts, and curriculum. She met with multiple groups of students and pre-

While attending Suffield High School and heavily participating in the choir and other musical groups, I found my passion and my favorite people. However, there has been a severe lack ot new students participating in music programs in high school after elementary or middle education. This project aims to tackle that and improve that status of music education in Suffield.

sented with a small team of high school music students. Her advisor was Anthony Ferreira and she worked with Laura Noonan at the Middle School This program will be continued by the High School. Find out more at: https://marcavitch.my.canva. site/musiclegacyproject

Beatrice is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Music with a concentration on Music Business at Hofstra University this fall. She was recognized for her work and transitioned to the next part of scouting life during a joint Girl Scout Crossover held at Sunrise Park on June 16. At that time, she was presented with a lifetime membership. She will receive her official Gold Award recognition at a special ceremony by the Council in June of 2026. Congratulations Beatrice!

Beatrice Marcavitch

By Matthew Dunbar

As we step into the 2025–2026 school year, my second as your superintendent, I am both proud of the progress we’ve made together and excited for the road ahead. Building upon our strong foundation of academic excellence, student well-being, and innovative teaching and learning will remain our focus. My commitment remains simple but unwavering: to ensure that every student in our care thrives.

Kindness Matters

Every student and staff member deserves to learn and work in a safe and supportive environment. This priority is shared by our Board of Education and is my most important charge as superintendent. This year, we are taking

Schools of Thought

A Message from the Superintendent

an intentional step forward by introducing a “Kindness Statement” into every school handbook. Inspired by the Meghan Voisine Foundation, the statement affirms that mean behavior, unkind words, discrimination, racism and any form of hurtful conduct have no place in our schools.

To ensure these words lead to action, each school now has a climate committee—including students, parents, and staff—dedicated to promoting a positive school culture and addressing concerns before they grow.

Key Initiatives for 2025–2026

We have exciting district-wide initiatives that will advance learning and strengthen our schools this year:

• New Elementary Reading and Mathematics Program

This is the second year of our implementation at Spaulding and McAlister Schools. Early results show student engagement is up, and achievement is growing. Our teachers and administrators deserve tremendous credit for embracing this change and making it a success.

• Enhancing Instructional Strategies

At the secondary level, teachers will collaborate on innovative, student-centered practices that meet diverse learning needs. We will also explore appropriate uses of Artificial Intelligence to support teaching and enhance learning opportunities.

• Expanding Place-Based Learning

Using our local environment and community as a classroom fosters curiosity, problem-solving, and physical well-being. Over the next five years, we aim to become a state leader in place-based education by giving our students learning experiences they will carry with them for life.

• Opening of the SHS STEAM Lab

Thanks to the support of our community, the new STEAM Lab at Suffield High School opened this fall. This cutting-edge space blends advanced technology with traditional tools, creating new opportunities for innovation in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

Middle School Building Project

It is clear from the report of the Permanent Building Commission that a new or newly renovated middle school will be necessary to ensure a safe and appropriate learning environment for students and staff. We look forward to collaborating with town officials and sharing why a middle school building project will improve teaching and learning for decades to come.

The support of the community is the foundation of every successful school district and what makes Suffield so special. Together, we will make this a year of growth, innovation, and lasting impact for every student in Suffield. z

Welcome Back from the Board of Education

By Suffield Board of Education

As we begin a new school year, the Suffield Board of Education would like to welcome back all of our students, families, and staff. A special thank you goes out to the many educators, custodians, and administrators who spent their summer preparing our schools for a successful start.

New Board Goals

Over the summer, the Board updated its goals to better reflect what we are all

here for: helping students succeed. We are focused on making learning rigorous and meaningful, supporting safe and welcoming school environments, partnering with families and the community, and being thoughtful stewards of our resources. These priorities shape everything we do.

Facility Upgrades

We’re also excited to share progress on several facility improvements. At Suffield High School, a new STEAM

(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) room is opening thanks to the support of the Boards of Finance and Selectmen. The transformation of the former woodshop into a modern, hands-on learning space will feature 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, robotics, and additional equipment. By combining cutting-edge technology with traditional tools, the lab will support new career and technical education courses, providing all

students with access to a dynamic, future-ready learning environment.

tinuing about the possibility of a new or renovated middle school, with a referendum potentially taking place in 2026. The Board looks forward to working closely with the Town of Suffield and expert consultants as we explore next steps together and thoughtfully plan for the future of our district.

Connect With Us!

We encourage families to stay connected. Our meetings are open to the public, and community feedback is always welcome. Here’s to a great year ahead!

Also, at the high school, the HVAC system is undergoing a major upgrade with the installation of eighteen new rooftop units. This multi-million-dollar project, funded equally by Suffield taxpayers and a state grant, will provide consistent temperatures and increase energy efficiency. At A. Ward Spaulding Elementary School, updates include renovating the modular classrooms and replacing all concrete walkways. McAlister Intermediate School has two renovated bathrooms as well as outdoor campus improvements. We are grateful to the teams working hard to bring these upgrades to life.

Middle School Building Project

Conversations are con-

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

Schools of Thought

Middle School Launches Food Scrap Collection Program

By Anna Kristin Daub-Murphy

The Suffield Middle School is scheduled to launch a permanent food scrap collection program on August 28 for sixth graders and September 8 for seventh and eighth graders, according to Sustainable Suffield’s co-chair Anna Kristin Daub-Murphy.

It will become the last of Suffield’s schools to join in collecting its food scraps.

“This is exciting to finalize our school food scrap initiative,” said Daub-Murphy, “and for sixth graders, there will be no learning period since they collected food scraps at McAlister School last year.”

She said an informal committee comprised of school personnel, the company hauling away the food scraps, and Sustainable Suffield is planning fun kickoff presentations that will likely include videos, demonstra-

By Patti and Mike Voisine

We are happy to report on another year of successful projects funded by the Meghan Voisine Kindness Matters Grants. Students, teachers and youth organizations applied for grants in the Fall of 2024. Criteria for the projects included the promotion of kindness, friendship, inclusion, respect, connection and service to others. These grants honor the life of our daughter Meghan and promote kindness in our Suffield Community. We were proud to fund several projects over the past school year.

For a second year Spaulding and McAlister Art teachers invited students in grades 2, 3 and 5 to participate in the Empty Bowls Project. The project included the making of clay bowls by the fifth grad-

tions and prizes for correct answers from the kids.

She credited Suffield Middle School Principal Ken Smith for his solid support, along with Joann Moriarty, director of Suffield youth services and Daniel Pestrichello, municipal accounts manager from USA Waste & Recycling.

She offered special praise for Julia Porter from the middle school’s chapter of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. “Sustainable Suffield values student-led initiatives, and is thrilled that the FCCLA student leaders enthusiastically jumped in during their summer off to help plan the launch for grades seven and eight.”

Daub-Murphy said that during the 2024 September-June school year, the high school, Spaulding and McAlister schools collected a total of 13,242 pounds of food scraps. She’s hope-

ful that with Suffield Middle School coming online, the total could increase by an additional 4,000 to 5,000 pounds.

According to her statistics, when the food scrap totals from the town dumpster behind the town hall are included for the same nine-

month school year, Suffield kept 26,762 pounds of food scraps from the landfill. Suffield Academy, which has its own food scrap collection program, diverted 64,200 pounds of food scraps during the same period.

So, in total, counting the

Kindness Matters

ers which were dried and fired in the kiln and then painted by students in grades 2 and 3, all part of their art lesson. The bowls were then sold at the Soup and Sing Concert. Empty Bowls is a grass roots project by artists and craftspeople around the world to raise money for food related charities. Proceeds from this project were donated to the Suffield Community Aid Food Bank.

At McAlister, the Global Read Aloud Kindness Club, a small group of students, met for 6 weeks to participate in the global read aloud. This is a program where communities across the globe read the same book together and then connect. They worked with a school in Ontario, Canada to discuss the very powerful book, And Then, Boom. The

book tells the story of a young boy who ends up homeless and starving. As they discussed the book, the students moved from literature as a window to literature as a sliding glass door, asking HOW they could help people like Joe, the main character. They came up with several activities to help young people in need. They packed Blessing Bags for the homeless, made fleece blankets for the cold, served a meal for the hungry at a local soup kitchen, conducted a drive to collect gently used suitcases and backpacks for those in foster care, helped organize the town’s food pantry and even created a pantry

at McAlister. This was an impactful project for all involved.

town dumpster, schools and Suffield Academy, 90,962 pounds–over 45 tons–of food scraps were kept out of the landfill the last school year, where they would have created dangerous methane, a global-warming gas much more potent than carbon dioxide. z

At McAlister, a grant to Mr. Gianni funded the purchase of the game 9 Square in the Air to be used in the Physical Education curriculum, as well as a Field Day station. The game is loads of fun and is developmentally appropriate for students of all cognitive and motor abilities. The game includes students of all abilities, statures, sizes and skill levels and keeps the students engaged and moving the whole time. It also includes opportunities for students to work independently, in pairs or in trios. The laughter was fun and infectious. We witnessed tentative students

The Fifth Grade Student Council at McAlister decorated flowerpots with quotes and inspiring messages about growth and kindness. After decorating the pots, students planted a houseplant in each one. The students then delivered the pots to different organizations around town, including the library, schools, Suffield Community Aid, where they were delivered to seniors, town hall and randomly given out to people in town. The plants were beautiful and the pots were very special with such a sweet kindness message. Continued on Page 20

Photo by Anna Kristin Daub-Murphy

To introduce their new food scrap collection program, Suffield Middle School will be holding instructional presentations similar to this one. Pictured is the 2023 launch of the Spaulding School food scrap program.

Continued from page 19

who weren’t sure if they wanted to participate, laughing and having a ball after just a few minutes of play.

At SMS, a project was submitted by Mrs. Pfaff to build community and connections centers around Lego building stations open to all sixth graders. This hands-on activity provides a space where students gather around a table and build together allowing new friendships and connections to form. Invitations to participate go to students who are struggling to make connections, students who need to mediate situations with other sixth graders, students with different needs and abilities or languages, as well as students who need a gathering place that is low-key. Model students are able to connect with kids who may not be in their everyday friend group. Mrs. Pfaff reported some amazingly heartwarming interactions and will continue this project with future students.

An eighth grade flex group’s Kindness Grows Project involved growing tulips in the back garden of the middle school. Students harvested and wrapped the flowers and made special handmade gift tags including kind and positive messages. Staff members purchased the bouquets and then gave them to another staff person. These bouquets provided joy and happiness to both the purchaser and the receiver of the flowers.

The Suffield High School Girl’s Lacrosse Team again held a Kindness Matters/Morgan’s Message dedication game which promoted inclusion while voicing support for those in our community who struggle with mental health, specifically student athletes. Spreading the importance of mental

health in student athletes is a goal of the team, and they believe it begins by being supportive teammates who value friendship and relationships over wins and losses. This year the team played Rockville High School and provided both teams with special t-shirts displaying the kindness message. Also included in this project were clinics for youth lacrosse teams in Suffield where the message was imparted, and like last year, these youth teams were included in the dedication game.

Crafting our Way to Wellness was a project by The Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club at the High school. The project was a Craft and Relaxation Workshop hosted as an after-school activity and was designed to help with mindfulness and mental health and involved hands-on activities like relaxation, guided meditation stations, mindfulness pamphlets, and an eye mask making station. These activities were replicated from a summit for LGBTQ+ students which some of the club leaders attended. All students were welcomed to the workshop.

Lelia Risdon, presently a senior at SHS, sponsored an open-mic night in April where student musicians, artists and writers were welcomed to share their talent in a community space. This project was open to all grades K-12 and created an opportunity for kids to express themselves in a safe space and meet other kids who share artistic interests. The event provided fun and friendship to all that attended and participated.

Katie Tini created The Pen Pal Project Club that builds connections between generations in a way that is inclusive and eye-opening. The club brings together students at the high school as well as senior citizens from the community to connect and share experiences through the art of letter

writing. Having somebody to guide you through your time in high school and share wisdom of personal experiences is a beautiful way to learn, connect and grow as a human. Kate’s project will continue into the 25/26 school year.

Alexandra Eddy’s Developing Artists Project consisted of starting a club that teaches leadership to high school students as they mentor younger students in the After-School Program at Spaulding. Art activities and lessons provided connections and friendships between older and younger students in a fun-filled way.

Our Grant Committee would also like to congratulate Erin Hespelt for winning the Meghan Voisine Kindness Matters Scholarship. This is a scholarship that is not applied for by the student but is awarded to a student who has been nominated by a teacher or staff. The criteria is a student who consistently embodies qualities like compassion, generosity, empathy and respect for others. They should be inclusive of all and an ally to everyone, especially those in need of a friend or support system. Erin was described by her teacher as kind, fun, and huge-hearted, but also willing to take a stand against wrongdoing, injustice, disrespect and in defense of those who don’t have a voice. Erin will be attending Salve Regina University to study nursing in the Fall. We wish Erin all the best as she continues her education and carries her kindness beyond the town of Suffield.

We are so grateful for all of the support and beautiful acts of kindness that Suffield students and teachers brought to our community. Their passion to do beautiful things for their peers, students and our community is something that we should all commend.

We look forward to this Fall when applications for the Meghan Voisine Kindness Matters grants will be opened again and hope that our students and teachers keep this beautiful movement going. z

All photos provided by the authors. Global Read Aloud Kindness Club

SHS Girls Lacrosse Team dedication game

McAlister students waiting to play “9 Square in the Air”game

“9 Square in the Air Game”

Empty Bowl Project

Global Read Aloud Kindness Club

By Jane Shipp

Thea Cosgrove is an impressive young woman. She is poised, articulate, and focused. A junior at Suffield High School, with a strong program there, she has an even stronger demand on her time and energy outside of school. Every afternoon she leaves SHS and goes to a local dance studio, where she trains until 10:00 or even later. She spends her time there practicing various routines, in both a group format and individually, in preparation for a major dance competition taking place in Belgium in late November. And this is not her first international dance competition; last year she represented the U.S. in Poland. She also travels to New York on weekends from September to November to practice for Team USA.

Thea attends classes at the "Dazzle" Studio in Feed-

Young Dancer to Compete in Belgium

ing Hills. The competition is sponsored by United States Tournament of Dance, which also runs Team USA; the six-day event itself is organized by the International Dance Organization, with 90 countries represented and 70,000 dancers competing. There are many categories for a dancer to choose from; Thea reports that the three most popular are jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop. There are both group and solo routines, and several age tiers, ranging from preschoolers to adults.

Thea began dancing lessons at the age of three and was competing at five. She does ballet, tap, jazz, hiphop, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theater. At the international competition, awards are given at each age level and in each category. The event functions much like the Olympics, with elaborate preparations and

Fall Beauty

accompanying music for each presentation. It's a BIG deal! It's a big deal for reasons other than the dancing: the participants make new friends, establish networks, develop enormous self-discipline, learn to balance the various parts of their lives, and Thea does all of this without any signs of stress.

As she looks toward her college choices, Thea, like all college-bound juniors, is investigating her opportunities. She would like some day to be a physical therapist, specializing in dance therapy. But wisely, she realizes that there's plenty of time to explore many avenues before she makes a final decision. With the impressive skills she has already acquired, as well as the important habits that go along with those skills, she is certainly bound for a happy future. And she deserves it! z

Photo provided by the family

Thea Cosgrove with dance award and invitation.

Photo by Joan Heffernan

A delicate butterfly enjoying a vibrant chrysanthemum.

A Perfect Day for Golf and Memories

By Jay Presser on behalf of the Suffield Rotary

Many described it as the perfect day for golf. The weather was superb as eighteen teams, and more than ninety players, participated in the 34 Annual Glenn T. Packard Golf tournament. Under a bright sun and moderate temperatures for eighteen holes of golf at the Oak Ridge Golf Club, two food stands on the course provided grilled lunches and drinks for the golfers. This was followed by an hour of an open beer and wine bar with hot and cold hors d'oeuvres in the club house, with an opportunity to win a plethora of great raffle prizes, including a 65” TV and three nights at a recently refurbished Airbnb in Tolland, Mass.

For those who do not know, for thirty-four years this golf tournament has honored the

memory of Glenn T. Packard, who at the age of 31, was tragically killed in an accident on I-91. Glenn was a National Honor Society student at Suffield High School, where he played three varsity sports: soccer, basketball, and baseball. He was an All-State soccer player and a member of the State Soccer Championship Team from Suffield High in 1978. Following his tragic death, his friends Mark and Karlene Sullivan created a foundation in his name and funded it by starting an annual memorial golf tournament in his honor. The objective of the foundation was to enhance the quality of educational and recreational sports in Suffield. The tournament, now run by the Suffield Rotary Club, continues to honor Glenn and raise money for worthwhile town projects, while providing

a venue for old and new friends to come together.

Over the years proceeds from the tournament have funded or contributed to the funding of the Suffield Rotary Hut at Suffield High School (SHS); the Packard Soccer Field at Bruce Park; dugouts and batting cages for baseball and softball teams at SHS; the Bruce Park’s pavilion; athletic field emergency defibrillators throughout the town; the Sunrise Park Playground; new baseball/softball batting cages for Suffield Little League; tennis and basketball courts at the Suffield Recreational complex; playscapes at Spaulding and Bridge Street schools; lights at the SHS track (including lacrosse and soccer fields); the timing tystem for the SHS track teams; goals for SHS field hockey; scoreboards (soccer at Packard Field, SHS lacrosse, the SHS swim team, the Middle

School and McAlister School basketball courts); goals for soccer fields at Bridge Street and Spaulding Schools; bleachers and benches at various athletic fields throughout town, and more.

The tournament traditionally has a 50/50 raffle on hole four, where players who enter (and all did) get a raffle ticket. Those who make it to the green on their first shot then have a chance of being selected for 50% of the contributions. While traditionally the remaining 50% goes to the Rotary to use for the purposes described above, this year it was designated as the Mark Stewart 50/ 50 Raffle. This was to honor Mark Stewart, who passed away in March of this year.

A classmate of Glenn’s, Mark played with him on many teams, including the state championship soccer team. Mark earned numerous state

championships and was inducted into the Suffield Athletic Hall of Fame. After high school, Mark enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and served while attending the University of Hartford, where he played varsity soccer and majored in mechanical engineering. Mark’s faith guided his life. At Third Baptist Church he was active in the choir and taught Sunday School. For the past 20 years, Mark and his family were active members of First Central Bible Church in Chicopee, where he served as an usher, greeter, Sunday School teacher, and trustee and, ultimately, deacon. Therefore, this year, Rotary’s share of the 50/50 raffle will be donated in his memory to the church Mark served the past twenty years.

Lastly, Rotary wishes to thank all those who contributed as sponsors, whether as “Eagle Sponsors”(Windsor Federal Bank, PeoplesBank, The Muska Family); “The Beverage Cart Sponsors”(Mark Sullivan and Chris Noe); “Cart Sponsor (Heritage Funeral Home); “The 19th Hole Sponsor” (Dowd Realty Group); Major Sponsors (including Ocean Air Transportation) and numerous tee sponsors, whose signs dotted the entire course. We plan to be back next year and hope to see you there. z

Photo by Don Miner

Stagg Team: Paul Pace, Jordan Schroth and Mel Chafetz.

Photo by Don Miner Beneski Team: David Beneski, Ted Beneski, Frank Beneski, Steve Noe, Doug Packard.

Photo by Don Miner

Paul Muska Team: Will Lord, Rich Lord, Amy Muska, Jasonn Barbarotta, Paul Muska.

Photo by Don Miner

Jack Muska watches Kathy Devanski make the putt.

Photo by Don Miner

SVAA Team: Hunter Sopelak, Jackie Guzie, Jackie Ellis, Todd Cushing, Jackie Hornish.

Photo by Don Miner

Mark Sullivan Team: Chris Noe, Mark Cervione, Robert Packard, Larry Tavino, Mark Sullivan

By Amy Muska

Suffield High School Athletic Corner

Our Suffield High School Spring Athletic Teams in Action Class S State Boys State Tennis Champions

During the Spring 2025 season, the Suffield Boys Tennis Team made school history, winning the first state championship in varsity tennis. During the season, they made progress throughout their matches at all singles and doubles spots. A little past the halfway point of their season, they scored two big victories over Haddam Killingworth (with an exceptional comeback by junior Tommy Bishop at #2 singles) and Morgan that showed their promise and helped to build the confidence needed to go all the way in the state tournament.

In the state tournament, after wins over Westbrook and Granby, the team was facing off against defending state champion and number 1 seed Stonington, a tennis powerhouse. In an intense match, the team showed early promise with a strong showing by Niko Kappen and Nayan Tummalapally at #3 doubles, winning 6-1, 6-0. At #4 singles, Harrison Stauffer played his best

match of the season, taking the win at 6-2, 6-4. Suffield’s #1 Josh Zenczak and #2 Tommy Bishop lost against the very strong top two players from Stonington.

In the three other matches - #3 singles, #1 doubles, and #2 doubles - Suffield lost the first set only to fight and come back to take the second set. At #3, Nate Burke lost in a hard fought third set, which meant Suffield needed to take the last two doubles matches to win.

At #1 doubles, senior Donovan Burrows and sophomore Jackson Davis showed all the progress they had made during the season by playing their best tennis and beating a stellar #1 doubles team, taking it 10-7 in a third-set super-tiebreak.

Now it was all down to the #2 doubles team of senior Nick Diana and sophomore Joe Zenczak. After losing the first set, they rallied and took the second 6-4. In the third set super-tiebreak, Joe and Nick actually fought back from a four set-point deficit and later fought back a fifth to win 13-11. The entire team swarmed onto the court, cheering and lifting them up for their win.

The next day, the team faced off against North-

west Catholic in the state final. Once again, the team showed its doubles dominance, winning all three of the matches in straight sets, which meant they needed a win in singles. They got two victories from their #1 and #2 singles, Josh Zenczak and Tommy Bishop. Tommy won his match in straight sets and Josh came back after losing the first set, winning with a strong performance and securing Suffield’s first ever state championship in tennis and the first state championship trophy for a Suffield varsity team in several years. Congratulations to a stellar team that worked together all year to improve with every one of its players. The boys tennis team was coached by Carl Casinghino.

Fall Sports

Suffield High School fall sports season kicks off on Monday, August 18. The fall schedule for each team can be found on the CIAC (ciac. fpsports.org) website or the Suffield High School Athletic website. Come watch the following teams play supporting our athletes as the tackle conference and then state competitions.

Girls Soccer led by our new head coach Tracie Kelly

Boys Soccer led by interim coach Mark Cervione

Girls XC led by Caitlyn Howes

Boys CX led by Dom Casolari

Girls Field Hockey led by Chase Lambert

Girls Swimming led by Kim Marker

Girls Volleyball led by Larry Plano. z

NCAA Champion Girls Tennis

along

Led

juniors Camille Fawthrop and

the

team were NCCC GIrls Tennis Champions and Class M Girls Tennis State Runner Ups. The girls played a hard-fought match against Daniel Hand at Hall High School in West Hartford for the Class M State Title. The team was coached by Dianne Remington, first year tennis coach.

NCAA Champion Boys Baseball

Ansonia and Stonington on the way to the finals. At the state finals it was a hard-fought game against St.Joseph’s of Trumbull at Palmer Field the night before graduation. The baseball team is coached by Bill Gaynor.

NCAA Champion Girls Lacrosse

10% discount to Suffield residents at our Enfield location

Photos provided by Amy Muska

Girls Lacrosse: Led by seniors Arianna Nikolis, Maggie Nikolis, Annie Vincent, Leila Kollmorgen, Emily Griggs, Libby O’Hara and Claudia Skoczylas the girls lacrosse team were NCCC Champions and advanced to the semifinals in the Class M Girls Lacrosse State tournament. They beat Weston and conquered Ellington for the third time during the season to advance to the semifinal game. The team was successful all season and achieved many goals and new records. The girls lacrosse team is coached by Becky Klein.

Photos provided by Amy Muska Boys Baseball Players: Led by seniors Noah Schermerhorn, Will Winiarski, Dashel O’Dell, Colin Faber, Logan Bonazelli and Dylan Holmes. The boys baseball team were the NCCC Baseball Champions and Class M Boy Baseball State Champion Runner Ups. They had quite a season tackling

Photos provided by Amy Muska Boys Tennis Players: (Standing) Arnav Ukidwe, Jackson Davis, Harrison Stauffer, Tommy Bishop, Nick Dianna, Donovan Burrows, Coach Carl Casinghino, Jaylon Brew, Josh Zenczak, Nayan Tummalapally, Nate Burke, Joe Zenczak, Niko Kappen, Calvin Adappoor, Joseph Krar. (In Front) Avishkar Kasiliya and Eric Wu

Photos provided by Amy Muska Girls Tennis:

by seniors Maya Sadaria, Izzy Potter, Kate Remington

with

Kylie Tinnirella

girls tennis

Kent Memorial Library

Director’s Corner

By Amy Vessella, Director

Lots Going on at KML!

Summer is often synonymous with activity— whether it's a packed calendar of family vacations, outdoor adventures, or simply longer days spent doing things we love. For many of us, it’s a

Library Activities

Please note that Kent Memorial Library will be closed on Saturday, September 6 for Suffield on the Green and the annual Friends of KML Book Sale.

Programs for Adults

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.

Books and Beyond

Discussion with Monica Wood

Thursday, September 18 at 7 p.m. on Zoom

Please join us via zoom to discuss  How to Read a Book with the author Monica Wood. *Registration required, copies of the books are available at the library and on Palace Project and Hoopla.

A charming, deeply moving novel about second chances, unlikely friendships, and the life-changing power of sharing stories. How to Read a Book is an unsparingly honest and profoundly hopeful story about letting go

time to break free from our mundane routines and dive into more exciting experiences. For the library, it is also the time when we are at our busiest! Therefore, it seems fitting to take some time to reflect on all the amazing things that happened at the library during the past few months.

The highlight of summer at the library, by far, is our Summer Reading program. Did you know that this program is not limited to kids? In fact, we have one for adults too. Let’s take a look at some super Summer Reading stats!

In total, we had 1,205 Summer Reading Participants of all ages! We gave out 3,503 raffle tick-

of guilt, seizing second chances, and the power of books to change our lives. With the heart, wit, grace, and depth of understanding that has characterized her work, Monica Wood illuminates the decisions that define a life and the kindnesses that make life worth living.

Thursday Readers Book Discussion Group Thursday, September 25 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 required. The September title will be “Isola” by Allegra Goodman.

Rise to the Challenge Book Club: The Great Gatsby Bash!

Saturday, September 20 at 1 p.m.

Join us in reading and discussing books that have been challenged and/or banned. September’s discussion will be a little different, as we discuss The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald in honor of the

ets for 41 prize baskets. Some of our most notable programs were the Kids’ Room Mystery, Polymer Clay Sculptures, Shark Slime, a Kombucha Presentation, and the Adult Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party.

As you can probably imagine, after a hectic and fast-paced summer, the arrival of fall offers a welcome opportunity for library staff to reset and begin working on our fall and winter programming. We are hard at work planning some exciting things for the upcoming months. I highly recommended keeping an eye on our social media feeds to see what we have in store this fall!

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

100-year anniversary of its publishing. We’ll enjoy Gatsby-themed refreshments before watching the film version of the novel. Copies of the book will be available at the library. No registration is required.

Book Discussion

Wednesday September 24 from 2 – 4 p.m.

International Mystery Book Club Discussion with BJ Smith! Don’t miss out on another wonderful book discussion series led by B.J. Smith at Kent Memorial Library. Please join us for any or all discussions on mystery books taking place around the world. The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

*Registration required Rabble Readers

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Tuesday September 16 at 7 p.m.

Rabble Readers is a new book club at KML for adults. We’ll read fantasy, sci-fi, horror, anything Escapist Lit. We will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. Copies of

the books will be available at the library, no registration required.

The September title is Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Light Pollution Awareness

Wednesday, September 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Together, we will explore the impact of artificial lighting on our natural environment and dis-

Continued on Page 25

General Programs

continued from page 24

cuss sustainable solutions to mitigate its effects. The presentation will include insights from leading experts in the field, interactive discussions, and practical tips on how we can all contribute to reducing light pollution. Whether you are interested in preserving the beauty of the night sky or protecting the delicate ecosystems that depend on natural darkness, this event promises to be both educational and inspiring. We look forward to your participation in this important conversation. Registration required.

Medicare Educational Seminar

Wednesday, September 17 from 2 – 3 p.m.

In this seminar we would cover information like the basics of Medicare, how to enroll in coverage if you are new, the difference between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage and help guide you in finding a best plan that works best for each individual! Bring your Medicare questions and

leave with knowledge and confidence! *Registration required

Suffield Players Stage Reading Tuesday September 23 at 6:30 p.m.

The Suffield Players will be back at KML to do another great reading, play to be determined, check our website or newsletter for details. Light refreshments will be served during intermission. No registration required.

Mahjong

Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Join us for a morning of American Mahjong!

Make new friends as you play one of the world’s oldest tile-based games. For Adults -Basic knowledge of the game required. Please bring your 2025 NMJL (National Mahjong Junior League) card. Registration required.

Gluten-Free Group Chat

Monday September 15 at 6:30 p.m.

A gluten-free diet has become more and more popular over the last decade. This group is for folks who want to figure out how a gluten-free diet works and how it might work for them. Whether

you’ve been gluten-free for decades or want to explore it for the first time, you’re welcome to come share your experience, ask questions, share recipes and resources, and just generally chat about food.

After her own gastronomic struggle, Liz has been gluten-free for fifteen years and counting. She may not be a leading expert, but she is happy to share her story and what she’s learned and just talk about food. This will be a monthly event, no registration necessary.

Kids and Teens Programs Rhyme Time

Fridays September 5, 12, 19 & 26

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

Drop in; no registration required. Recommended ages 0-5.

Pirate Week!

September 12-19 during regular library hours

Calling all future swashbucklers! Come to the library during pirate week for a Pirate Scavenger Hunt! Follow the clues and find the treasure! You may keep one item from each treasure chest you

find. Open to all ages, no registration required.

Younger captains may need assistance from their first mates! Remember, September 19 is Talk Like a Pirate Day!

The Kids Who Read Books Book Club

Thursday, September 18 at 3 p.m.

Join us for the next meeting of the Kids Who Read Books Book Club! We’ll be discussing Wings of Fire: The Lost Heir by Tui T. Sutherland. Books will be available to check out at the library. Open to all people in grades 5-12.

Registration is not required

Drop in Lego Build  Saturday September 27 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Stop into the Children’s Room between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and build a 77-piece Lego Mickey or Minnie Mouse. It’s yours to take home and keep! Ages 6+ can do this independently, younger kids that want to participate can do so with parent assistance. While supplies last.

Revenge of the Kids’ Scary Story Writing Contest Submissions Accepted Monday, September 22

through Saturday, October 11

Open to Authors in Grades 1-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12

The Scary Story Contest returns for our spookiest year yet! We’re looking for the scariest, most imaginative tales. Open to all students from Grades/Grade Equivalents 1 through 12. The top three stories in each age group will win prizes. Thank you to the Friends of the Kent Memorial Library for supporting this and other programs. For more information, including how to submit your story, please visit: www. suffield-library.org/children/scary-story-contest/

Fall Story Time with Miss Wendy Miss Wendy will be doing a Fall Story Time series, check our website and newsletter for details and to register! Fall Story Time will begin in September and continue through the season. z

Kent Memorial Library – So Much More to Offer!

By Abby Wolcott

There is a lot to love about Suffield and over the past year I have been intent on showing my grandkids some of my favorite places. We have scooted on the ice at Stoney Brook Park, picked blueberries at Kuras farm, checked out all the gravestones at Woodlawn Cemetery, looked at the calves at Hastings farm and listened to birds at Sunrise Park. But one place in Suffield was on our radar all year, in good weather and bad, and each visit proved to be a home run. That was the Kent Memorial Library. I would find myself heading up the steps with a grandchild or two in various states of dishevelment. But no matter that

we are strangers to a hairbrush, each time we rounded the bend to the children’s department we were blown away. The KML team had all sorts of tricks up their sleeves which helped to extract the grandchildren from their remora-like grip on my leg. And before I knew it, they were toddling off fully engaged in the activity planned for the morning One day the kids learned how to write their names in serious jet-black paint using Chinese characters, another day they got to make friends with a baby goat and rub his velvety ears. In the spring, they watched the eggs roll around in the incubator and the magic happened for kids and grown-ups

alike when they hatched into chicks. No one could resist. Just this past week I popped in with my two granddaughters and they got to paint rocks and make necklaces and as if that wasn’t great enough, they were encouraged to spin for a prize for the summer reading program and then had time for a puppet show and a whole bag of books. The staff made it all so fun and I knew a lot went on behind the scenes to make

the children’s program so appealing. And on those dark days of winter when the grandkids are not in tow, I love the library as an escape. The Garden Club has lovely displays of exotic amaryllis bulbs of every color and other times they balance that with locally grown forsythia which is pushing the spring forward. There are art exhibits which inspire dioramas to critique, and if all else fails, I like to check

out the display of books. My favorite is the color wall of books as you head up the ramp. It is a vision that stops you in your tracks. The titles jump out at you and make me want to run home and spend the day rearranging all my claptraps. So, it is no surprise that the Library is a big draw for us. It’s the books and so much more. If you are looking to add some wonder or inspiration to your day, head on over. z

By Bethany Sullivan Lunches

Lunches are $6 and include tea, a cold beverage, and dessert. Please make reservations by noon the day prior. Please bring your own container for leftovers. Menu is subject to change.

Tuesday September 2: Two hot dogs, baked beans, corn on the cob

Wednesday, September 3: Chicken cordon bleu, roasted carrots, Caesar salad

Thursday, September: Ham, egg, cheese casserole, oven roasted potatoes, corn muffin

Tuesday September 9: Sweet and sour meatballs over rice, toasted pita

Wednesday, September 10: Meatloaf with mashed potatoes covered in gravy, vegetable

Thursday September 11: Million-dollar ravioli casserole, lemon parmesan salad, bread and butter

Tuesday, September 16: Tomato soup, grilled cheese, chips

Wednesday, Sepember 17: Chicken pot pie, cucumber salad, roll and butter

Thursday, September 18: Stuffed pepper, tossed salad, rye bread

Star Award goes to Caroline Wilke

Caroline Wilke has been named to the American Heart Association Connecticut Board of Directors

During her 19-year career with CVS Health, Caroline Wilke, Vice-President, Human Resources, has led Human Resource Centers of Excellence, Human Resource business partner team and enterprise intiatives.

Caroline graduated from the College of Holy Cross with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Religious Studies, with a concentration in Women’s Studies.

Senior Center & Mini Bus News

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

Tuesday, September 23:

Pepperoni pizza Sloppy Joe on a roll, carrot, celery, and cucumbers with dip

Wednesday, Sepember 24:

Hawaiian baked Huli Huli chicken, Hawaiian macaroni salad, bread and butter

Thurday, September 25:

Baked kielbasa, sauerkraut, baked potato, roll and butter

Tuesday, September 3:

Caesar Salad with crispy chicken, roll and butter

Mini-Bus Trips

Mini Bus trips require 5 passengers and are weather permitting. Reservations for September trips will open on August 20. Call 860- 6683844 to make a reservation.

Shopping at Trader Joe’s in Manchester - Tuesday, September 2 - Pickups begin 8:30 a.m.

Lunch at Angelina’s in Enfield - Friday, September 5 - Pickups begin 11 a.m.

Shopping at Westfarms - Tuesday, September 9Pickups begin 9 a.m.

Shopping at WalmartThursday, September 11Pickups begin 8:30 a.m.

Bus to the Big E - Tuesday, September 16 - Pickups begin 9:15 a.m.

Lunch at Longhorn - Friday, September 26 - Pickups begin 11 a.m.

Clinton Crossing & Lunch at Fish Tale - Tuesday, September 30 - Pickups begin 8:15 a.m.

Documentary on Rita Hayworth

Tuesday, September 2 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. FREE! Join us to watch and have movie snacks!

Art Hour

Thursdays 10—11:30 a.m. FREE!

September 4— Jewelry Making

September 18 — Sponge Painting

September 25– Marbling Pendants/Bracelets

Card Making Class

Tuesday, September 9: 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

$15. Hosted by Karenoughcrafts. To register, please call 860-836-1326 by the Sunday before.

Gene Christian’s 100 Birthday!

Wednesday, September 10 12 p.m.Included with lunch sign up on this day.

AARP Safe Driver Courses

Upcoming Classes: Sept 10, November 19

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. $20 AARP Member; $25 Non-Member by cash/check to the instructor. An additional $5 fee is paid directly to the Center.

Armchair Travel to Russia

Monday, September 15 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. FREE! We will be virtually traveling to Russia while trying Russian food.

Name that Baby

Tuesday, September 16 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. FREE! Can you match the celebrity to their baby pic?

Drum Circle/Lunch Sponsored by Youth Services

Monday, September 22 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. FREE! 4+ can participate in drum circle. Bring a pillow/mat if participating. Intergenerational, must register. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Agriscience Senior Center Project

Men’s Brunch & Sports Trivia

Monday, September 29 12—2 p.m.

For men 60+. $5. If you are not a senior center regular, you eat free! If you are a senior center regular but bring a friend who is new, you eat free! Following scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, oven home fries, fruit cup, and dessert, Dan will be running Sports Trivia with prizes for winners & a door prize. Call 860-6688830 to reserve your spot!

Pumpkin Carve & Paint

Tuesday, September 30 1p.m.-2 p.m. FREE! Carve or paint your pumpkin!

Fundraiser for the Kitchen Fund at Sunrise Park Friday, October 10 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Sunrise $20 per ticket. Listen to live music while enjoying BBQ bone-in chicken breast, baked potato, baked beans, roll & butter, dessert, and beverages.

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

Star Award goes to Candace Pereira

Windsor Federal Bank Welcomes Candace Pereira as Vice-President, Business Development & Portfolio Manager.

“Candace takes genuine care in building relationships with her customers and is highly skilled in financial analysis and risk managment,” said Mike Moriarty, Executive Vice-President, Chief Lending Officer. “Her addition deepens the roster of our experienced team, benefiting both our customers and the Bank as it continues to expand its business offerings.”

Candace brings nearly 20 years of experience in commercial lending, having held roles as Senior Credit Analyst, Commercial Lending Offer, AVP-Commercial Portfolio Manager and , most recently,VP+Commercial Lender at Florence Bank.

Candace obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in management from the University of Massachusetts and is currently pursuing an MBA.

Photo by Sharonm Bruno

In May, Suffield’s Vocational Agriscience Center students gather at the Suffield Senior Center to plant beautiful flowers that they had grown in the raised flower beds that they built. The two raised flower beds were donated by Home Depot along with all the soil to fill the beds.

Book Review

By Jane Shipp

The SafeKeep By Yael van der Wouden

S. Schuster 2025, 373 pages

The Safekeep is in some ways a historical novel--in other ways, and more important ways, an exploration of the kind of damage that wartime experiences can have on those who were children at the time. But most of all it is a story of atonement. It is set in Holland just after World War II. It is a bittersweet tale, predictable in that it was a finalist for the Booker Prize, an award that never tries to steer clear of difficult topics. Some readers may be uncomfortable about its sexual descriptions, but they seem somehow secondary to the plot, especially after the heartwarming ending.

The book centers around the family life, dysfunctional though it is, of Isabel, Hendrik, and Louis, siblings who are barely co-existing. In fact they are not living together in the family home, purchased by an uncle during the war. Isabel lives there, pathologically trying to protect the furnishings; the brothers come and go, briefly. Isabel is a shuttered human being, both literally and metaphorically. She is lonely, but cannot admit another human being into her life, particularly not Eva, Louis's latest girlfriend. Louis cannot sustain a relationship, Isabel can't begin one; only Hendrik has found peace, in a homosexual relationship which the others disapprove of.

Because of a business trip, Louis forces Isabel to take his paramour Eva into their home for an extended period. What develops next is sudden and unexpected, painful in the extreme. Although this is a debut novel, the author is skillful, producing tight, unadorned prose that paints an acute picture of the situation--acute but also astute. Feelings are raw until both women are ill, and the reader absorbs the sense of doom as a breakup occurs. The ending is also unexpected, but rewarding. After ten years there is a resolution between the two women, and it is a relatively happy one-- it leaves the reader breathless but also drawing a sigh of relief. This is a book well worth reading, but not the usual snug and pleasant summer read; it must have caused quite a sensation in Holland when it became public. Yael van der Wouden is a new author worth keeping an eye on. z

No Such Thing as an Endless Summer

By Abby Wolcott

This summer with the passing of Brian Wilson, the creative genius behind the Beach Boy sound and a master of harmony and escapism, my world became a less happy place. I was reminded of the days in high school when the Endless Summer album came out prompting me to squeeze lemon juice in my hair and to seek out peasant blouses to adopt the California girl look. I had loved listening to the Beach Boys songs back when there wasn’t a care in the world. Summer days were layered with trips to Hardees and getting a burger and a Looney Tune promotional glass and swimming in ponds. The only surfing I did was on the radio. Those days were followed by nights without jackets wandering the sidewalks, laughing with friends, listening to the night noises and going out for soft serve. There was always time to put the LP on the turn table, even in the late hours, as long as we kept the volume down. With all that singing about cars and surfing, it seemed fitting that I would head to Long Island Sound chasing some boy with the Beach Boys soundtrack in my head. The chase did not always result in a prize, and when I found myself solo again, I could always take solace in my bird companions. Pretty soon I noticed a bird that I had not seen inland, the osprey, and he was pretty impressive. I was looking at his huge stickfilled nest on the telephone pole and watching him hover over the water in search of fish. So riding around

on Route 1 and scanning the marsh, I started to see more and more of this bird of prey that had rebounded since the ban of DDT. I would watch them dive into the water and more often than not, come out with a fish in their talons. That action was enough to return me to my senses and get my mind off boys. Temporarily.

As time marched on, I found a boy who could put up with me, and as an added bonus he was willing to look at birds. We noticed the occasional osprey here in Suffield, often at Sunrise Park or sometimes fishing in the river. These migratory birds of prey live on fish and use their keen eyesight and impressive talons to assist as they dive into the water feet first. When they catch a fish they maneuver it so that it is head first making a more streamlined flight back to the nest. The osprey lays several eggs, but there is a gap between hatching.

This enables the oldest chick to reign supreme in times of less food, or allows for siblings to thrive if food is plentiful. The young clamor for food around the clock, and the parents do their part to fish and look after their chicks until they are ready to fledge. And as the weather gets cooler they have migration on their mind and set off for warmer climates for the winter months.

So, despite what Brian Wilson said, there is no endless summer here in New England. The osprey know that as they get ready to head south. And I guess maybe Brian knew that, too. I took a deep dive into all things Brian Wilson lately and learned in a podcast that he was not a surfer and was afraid of water. Which goes to show that you can write a whole bunch of amazing stuff if you follow your mind and don’t get too bogged down in reality. I am all in with that. z

Photo by Joan Heffernan

Osprey are easily identified by their white heads, brown back and brown line through the eye. Look for white underparts and an M-shaped form as they migrate singly in late summer or early fall.

Suffield Arts Council Exhibit at KML

By Fran Milliken Suffield Arts Council

The Pinney Gallery of the Kent Memorial Library in Suffield will feature a collection of work by a fine artist and teacher from East Granby, Lori Rapuano.

This show will open September 2 and remain in the gallery through September 30. A Meet the Artist reception is slated for the evening of Thursday, September 11, from 6 – 8 p.m.

Lori’s interest in art goes back to her childhood, and was encouraged by her family, all the way back to her great grandmother. It continued through high school and her majoring in Studio Art at Smith College. She holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut.

Long active in the art community, she is a member of the Northeast Watercolor Society, the Connecticut Watercolor Society, the Academic Artists Association, and is on the Board of the Tobacco Valley Artists Association.

Her work has received

much recognition through the years, including multiple First Place and Best In Show awards. She shares her experience through teaching classes at the East Granby Parks and Recreation on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please see the website for more information: East Granby Rec.com.

In addition, Lori is in the business of assisting other artists by providing scanning and giclee printing of their work, through “Fine Art Reproductions,” a home-based business.

Don’t miss this fine collection of watercolors by a truly gifted artist. z

Local Artists Show at Bradley Airport

From a press release

Three Suffield artists’ work is on display at Bradley Airport until the end of October. Deb Pileika and Judi Tustin, members of CT Creative Collaboration, both have their exhibits at the entrance cases. Cindy Zien’s work is displayed in the Sheraton corridor. All three exhibits are located pre-security, so anyone can come view them.

Deborah Pileika is “passionate about recycling and repurposing and has created works of art with this philosophy in mind. Inspired by nature, these unique and one-of-a kind pieces are created using paper from various publications and scraps of fabric, fibers and threads from her various fabric projects. The fiber textures are non-restricted and react to the static electricity drawn by the glass frame, creating a three-dimensional effect.” Bottom right photo. For more information, contact her at dlpileika@gmail.com

Judi Tustin’s work is “inspired by the beauty of the outdoors, nature and vibrant moments captured through her travel photos. She particularly enjoys painting landscapes, seascapes, flowers and archi-

tecture. She has recently embraced plein air painting, capturing the essence of her surroundings in and around her hometown.” For more information, contact her at jdtustin@cox.net

Zien’s work centers around “bringing the out-

side in”. Top photo. Her art pays tribute to nature in its many forms as she guides natural elements into elegant sculptures of art which also function as lamps, luminaries, trays and more. For more information, contact her at zienonmain@gmail.com z

Painting by Lori Rapuano

From a press release

Two Suffield artists and longtime friends, Christine MacClintic and Stephanie Garofalo, will have their work featured in the upcoming art show Reigning Cats & Dogs at WORK_SPACE in Manchester, Conn. The exhibit runs from October 3 to December 4, 2025, and promises to be a colorful, playful celebration of the deep connections

Organizations

Two Local Artists Featured in Reigning Cats and Dogs Exhibit

between people and their animal companions.

According to the show’s description, Reigning Cats & Dogs invites artists and animal lovers alike to unleash their imagination in depicting the joy, inspiration and mischief our furry—and not-so-furry—friends bring to our lives. The exhibit is open to all media, welcoming works that feature every-

thing from regal cat portraits to whimsical dog doodles, sculpted snouts and even interpretations of beloved birds, bunnies and bearded dragons.

For MacClintic and Garofalo, both known for their expressive and heartfelt paintings, the show offers an opportunity to combine their artistic talents with their shared love of animals. Visitors can expect to see unique

and engaging works that reflect not only the artists’ individual styles but also their mutual appreciation for the beauty, personality, and humor of pets.

The exhibit will be held at WORK_SPACE, 903 Main Street, Manchester, CT, with an opening reception on Friday, October 3. For gallery hours and more information, visit workspacemanchester.com z

Dowd Realty Spotlight on Suffield

A Community Building Program Suffield SideKicks

Would you like to be part of a new program in town that promotes community and support for each other? With hard work from Danna Gaunter, the Social Services Commission received funding through a grant to support Suffield Sidekicks. (Look for more details in the article from Joann Moriarty.) This summer’s pilot was a huge success and is now broadly available.

If you’re a senior and would like some help, we have teens eager and able. If you’re a teen and would like to work, meet with Joann and become part of the crew. If you don’t quite fit those categories but are excited about the program and new relationships, you may donate through Suffield Community Aid (who is managing the grant).

In addition to getting some work done, we’re connecting youth and seniors, some of whom have been feeling trapped at home after Covid. This is a beautiful way for us to make new connections and provide support!

Teens contact Joann Moriarty Youth Services 860-668-3329

Seniors contact Lauren Marino Community Aid 860-668-1986 or Bethany Sullivan Senior Center 860-668-8830

Donors contact Mary Curtin Community Aid 860-668-1986

All photos provided by Christine MacClintic

Paintings by Christine MacClintic and Stephanie Garofalo

Historic Suffield

is now the official residence of the

In 1824, this Federal style house was built for Charles Shepard. Shepard was a lawyer who practiced in Suffield from 1820 to 1829 and in Hartford from 1830 to 1850. He also represented Suffield in the state assembly from 1826 to 1828. The house was later home to the Fuller family.

The origins of the West Suffield Congregational Church go back to 1743, when Suffield‘s Second Ecclesiastical Society was formed. Its first church building was constructed the following year, on what is now the southwestern corner of the West Suffield Cemetery. A second meeting house was constructed at the intersection of Mountain Road and North Grand Street in 1795, replaced by the current church, built on the same foundation, in 1839-1840. Church parlors were added in 1897 and an educational wing in 1958.

Photo from Connecticut Landmarks

Ebenezer King built this elaborate Federal-style mansion, with two porticos in 1795.

In 1811, he sold the house to William Gay, the son of Ebenezer Gay and a prominent lawyer and postmaster of Suffield, who ran the post office from his house. The house came to be known as the Gay Mansion and remained the possession of descendants of the Gay family until 1916. The house

headmaster of Suffield Academy.

Photo from Connecticut Landmarks

This house was built in 1850-1870 by Ephraim West. The house acquired its current appearance when decorative elements were applied that had been removed from the First Congregational Church during renovations after the 1938 hurricane.

Photo from Connecticut Landmarks

Photo from Connecticut Landmarks

PARKS & RECREATION NEWS

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

By Donna Carney-Bastrzycki, Dan Leonard and Pete Leclerc

It Was a Fantastic #SummerinSuffield

From sunny days to starry nights, #summerinsuffield was packed with fun, friends and fantastic programs as we offered a wide variety of events that showcased the town’s community spirit. From youth camps and fitness events to outdoor concerts and movies, the season was packed with ways for residents to connect and make lasting memories.

We kicked off the summer with a full lineup of day camps:  Kids Korner/Morning Munchkins Camp, Sunrise Day Camp, and  Adventure Camp. These programs were filled with enriching experiences — everything from arts and crafts to team-building games, plus exciting trips to Puddletown, Babb’s Beach, Farmington River Tubing, and Brownstone Adventure Park. For sports enthusiasts, individualized sport camps like our partner program,  2-4-1 Sports, offered skill-building fun in a supportive environment.

Our sincere thanks to the  Suffield Fire Department and  Wilcox Rentals of Suffield for helping make our big camp days and Family Days extra memorable.

A standout of the summer was the return of Concerts on the Green, sponsored by  PeoplesBank. These evenings brought music lovers together on the town green, providing great entertainment, warm weather, and a relaxed at-

mosphere where neighbors could connect and enjoy themselves.

Outdoor movie nights were also a hit, with families gathering under the stars for a lineup of great films. Special thanks to The Stephanie Salerno Team for generously sponsoring this beloved tradition. Our Suffield Night at the Yard Goats was also a hit, and we were able to recognize all the efforts of our dedicated volunteers under the spotlight of the Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford.

For residents looking to stay active, the summer offered multiple running events. The  5K races, Running Club, and weekly  Ready to Run Series  brought together athletes of all levels. We are incredibly grateful to Kimberly Bermani and family for coordinating the well-attended races, and to  Chris Stack, Physical Therapist and owner of Verasity Performance & Recovery, for leading the Ready to Run sessions.

We also hosted several  special event programs, including Zoom nights for our  Bowling Buddies Group, July birthday celebrations, game night, Situational Awareness and Safety Training Night with Cheri DiMaria, Energy Efficiency night partnership with Sustainable Suffield and a festive Summer Beach Bash-themed party in August.

None of this would be possible without our incredible team. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our  year-round staff, seasonal counselors, lifeguards, and all support staff who worked tirelessly to ensure every program was safe, fun, and well-run. Your dedication is the heartbeat of our success.

Suffield is truly a fantastic place to live, work, and play. We hope your  #summerinSuffield was filled with unforgettable experiences. Thank you for being a part of it!

What’s Next?

As we turn the page to

Chris Colli Broker/Owner

Cell: (860) 716-7168  Email: chris@chestnutoak.com Office: (860) 668-0234 Fax: (860) 668-4672 www.chestnutoak.com

@chestnutoakre 76 Mountain Road, Suffield, CT 06078

fall, we’re excited to bring you  new fitness, Halloween, holiday, and sports

programs for all ages. Be sure to check out the full schedule at suffieldrec.com.

And don’t miss our big fall event! Join us in kicking off  Suffield on the Green weekend at the  45th Annual Suffield Parks and Recreation Department’s 10K Road Race, 21st Annual 5K, 2.5 Mile Walk, and  Kid’s Fun Run, presented by PeoplesBank. The event takes place on  Saturday, September 6. With over $1000.00 worth of prizes and gift cards for division winners, you don’t want to miss this event.

To register, visit:  www. runsuffield.com.

To volunteer, visit:  www. suffieldrec.com z

Daughters of the American Revolution

Photo by: Donna Carney-Bastrzycki

Campers enjoying #summerinsuffied at Sunrise Park Camp

Photo provided by Judith Hanmer

Sibbil Dwight Kent Chapter of the DAR cared for our Veterans in the Old Cemetery this past summer. Honored and resting in peace.

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 Krystal Holmes

Directors

Mel Chafetz, Kacy Colston, Ray Dalrymple, Tom Frenaye, Will Hermann, Krystal Holmes, Elizabeth Kaplan, Gerry LaPlante

Tony Peterson, Jay Presser

Editorial Board

All directors and editors plus Johanne Presser

September Editor Phoebe Kaplan

October Editor Ray Dalrymple

Staff

Editor-in-Chief Beth Chafetz

Assistant Editor Elizabeth Kaplan

Associate Editor Lynette Roy

Managing Editor ....... Ann Kannen

Business Mgr. Ginny Bromage

Computer Tech Andy Preissner

Volunteer Mgr .Ray Dalrymple

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, Kate Spoto, Wendy Taylor, Becky Tobiasz, 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, Ray Pioggia, Laurie Tavino, Becky Tobiasz

Janet Winter

Proofreaders

Manager......Margery Warren

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

Deadlines for October 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: September 12

Articles Hard-copy only Deadline: September 10

Articles Email Deadline: September 12

Ads All Ads Deadline: September 10

Photos All Photos Deadline: September 12

Publish Date: October 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.

Garden Club News

By Lisa Parker Local Farmer and Garden Club Team Up to Bring Cheer to Suffield House Residents

For many years, volunteers from the Suffield Garden Club have met with residents of local nursing homes and assisted living facilities to create colorful flower arrangements together. Volunteers help participants arrange flowers into fresh bouquets that they can bring back to their rooms or put on their dining tables. “This is one of our most popular programs,” commented Suffield House Director Scott Emmons. “Residents look forward to it all week long!”

On August 13, the volunteers were thrilled to be joined by Julie Harrison from West Suffield’s own Willow View Farm. “We were so lucky to have Julie join us this week,” commented one long-time volunteer. “Her beautiful flowers and natural enthusiasm made the morning even more delightful.” Harrison was equally enthusiastic. “It brings me great joy to share my flowers with people,” she said. “This year the dahlias are so abundant and so colorful. Everyone was smiling, including me.”

It’s no wonder that the slogan on Julie’s delivery van reads “Happiness Blooms Here.”

The Suffield Garden Club has been hosting their Garden Therapy program for decades, and prior to the pandemic were active at Parkway Pavilion in Enfield and the Suffield House. Emmons was quick to invite the program to return once it was safe to gather. He even contributes flowers from his own yard.

“We source flowers and greens wherever we can,” said Garden Therapy Chair Sally Peters. “We purchase from wholesalers and retailers at times, but at this time of year our own gardens yield the best blooms.”

“Floral arranging is much more than putting flowers in a vase,” added Emmons. “Horticultural therapy harnesses the therapeutic benefits of nature, offering a unique way to improve mental, emotional, and physical well-being.”

Garden Therapy volunteer Erin Calender brings her two young daughters when they’re not in school. “They love to help, and It’s good for them to learn the importance of giving time and talent to those who need it,” said Calender.

Willow View Farm is located 1321 Sheldon St. West Suffield. Visit their floral shop or visit them online via Facebook and Instagram or at juliesharrison.com.

The Suffield Garden Club, organized in 1934, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the natural environment as well as the beautification of Suffield. New members are welcome! To become a volunteer, donate fresh flowers, or see the wide range of SGC activities, visit www.SuffieldGarden Club.org. z

All Photos by Lisa Parker

A Craft Kitchen

A Craft Kitchen

Volunteers Julie Harrison and Larry Peters enjoy the support of the youngest volunteers to distribute flowers to residents.

Suffield House residents create showy bouquets thanks to Julie Harrison and the Suffield Garden Club.

Julie Harrison (left) and Garden Club volunteers prepare blossoms for the Garden Therapy program at Suffield House. Volunteers (l to r) Larry Peters, Joyce Zien, and Betty Gilbert.

Garden Therapy Director Sally Peters assists Suffield House residents with flower arranging.

Look No Further

By Kathy Werth Webmaster

Say you saw it in the Observer

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

By Lynette Roy

Starting with this month’s recipe, I’m planning to find recipes which include a key ingredient from a particular state. So, starting with Alabama, this month’s recipe contains pecans.

Alabama is one of the biggest producers of pecans (Carya illinoinensis) in the United States! In fact, it is the state nut, having been designated as such in 1982. The state has many pecan trees. There are 9,000 acres planted in pecan trees which produce an annual income of an estimated $10 million dollars. Pecans are harvested in the fall when the nuts fall from the trees. After the nuts are picked up, they are cleaned and the shells are cracked open to get the yummy nut inside.

Pecans are native to North America, specifically the central and southern United States and parts of Mexico. They are the only major tree nut indigenous to the continent. The word "pecan" itself is derived from the Algonquin word "pacane," meaning "a nut that requires a stone to crack,"

Pecans are rich in healthy fats, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. In fact, they contain the same amount of nutrients as blueberries. They are known for their high antioxidant capacity, particularly due to the unique form of vitamin E called gamma-tocopherol.

Interesting Facts

1. Antioxidant Powerhouse: Pecans rank highest among all nuts in their total antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting against cell damage caused by free radicals, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases. The unique form of vitamin E (gamma-tocopherol) in pecans is a potent antioxidant.

2. Heart Health Benefits: Pe-

Punch Bowl Cake Recipe

cans are rich in fats, which are considered healthy fats. Studies have shown that consuming pecans can help lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while also improving other markers of cardiovascular health. Research suggests that pecans may also help reduce the risk of gallstones, high blood pressure, and abdominal fat.

3. Brain Health: Pecans are a good source of vitamin E and choline, both important for brain health. Some research indicates that pecans may protect against motor neuron degeneration.

4. Other Potential Benefits: Pecans may help reduce inflammation. They may also play a role in reducing insulin resistance and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Research suggests that pecans can be a part of strategies to manage obesity.

5. Genetics and Hybrids: Pecan trees are members of the walnut family and are classified as hickories. They readily hybridize with other hickory species, producing hybrids known as "hicans". Pecan genetics is a field of ongoing research, with studies examining the DNA of commercial pecan varieties.

Another interesting fact is that no two pecan trees are identical. Each tree is unique because it hosts male and female flowers. This results in nuts with different shell thickness, size, quality and taste. Today’s more popular tree varieties include Elliot, Desirable, Gafford, McMillan, and Amling, all of which are scab (a common pecan disease) resistant, require less fertilizer and produce higher crop yield in less time.

Pecans were taken to the moon in the Apollo 11, 13 and 16 space missions because they are perfect for research condi-

tions in space and on spacecrafts. They are nonperishable and compact, making them the ultimate gravity-defying snack and they continue to be a food in today’s space program.

So, with all the benefits that come from eating pecans, we might be able to stretch things a bit and say that having a piece of Punch Bowl Cake might be good for you?

What Is a Punch Bowl Cake?

A punch bowl cake is much like a trifle: an assembly of layers of cake, fruit, and cream quintessentially Southern, and it’s easy to make.

This punch bowl cake recipe keeps it simple with classic cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, and whipped topping. Ask a Southerner what a punch bowl cake is, and you might get several different answers depending on personal preference and experience. There are different versions of this cake such as using different fillings: blueberry pie filling with chopped almonds, strawberry pie filling and chopped pecans or apple pie filling and chopped walnuts for a fall-forward favorite Recipe:

Baking spray

1 (15 1/4-oz.) pkg. yellow cake mix (such as Pillsbury)

5 cups whole milk

2 (5.1-oz.) pkg. vanilla pudding and pie filling (such as Jell-O)

4 cups sliced bananas (from 7 medium [6 oz.] bananas), divided, plus more for garnish

2 (20-oz.) cans crushed pineapple, drained and divided

2 (21-oz.) cans cherry pie filling, divided

1 1/2 cups sweetened coconut flakes (from 1 [14-oz.] bag), divided, plus more for garnish 1 1/2 cups roughly chopped

fresh pecans, divided, plus more for garnish

1 pint heavy cream ¼ cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla whole red maraschino cherries with stems.

Directions

Cook cake:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare cake in a 13- x 9-inch baking pan according to package directions. Let cool completely in baking pan on a wire rack for about 30 minutes.

Make pudding: Meanwhile, follow directions on the package. Cover and let cool.

Cut cake:

Cut cooled cake into 1-inch cubes (about 14 cups total).

Start cake layers:

Place half of cake cubes (about 7 cups) in an even layer on bottom of a large (2 gallon) punch bowl or any very large bowl.

Scoop half of pudding

mixture (about 2 1/2 cups) over cake cubes, spreading pudding to edge of bowl.

Arrange 2 cups of the banana slices in an even layer over pudding layer in punch bowl.

Top banana slices with 1 can of the pineapple followed by 1 can of the pie filling.

Sprinkle pie filling evenly with 3/4 cup each of the coconut and pecans.

Make whipped cream:

Pour the heavy cream in a chilled metal bowl. Add the sugar and beat on high speed until stiff peaks form. Add vanilla and mix at low speed to blend flavor.

Chill cake:

Repeat layers once, beginning with cake cubes and ending with whipped cream. Cover and chill for at least 8 hours.

Garnish and serve:

Just before serving, garnish with cherries and additional bananas, coconut, and pecans. Serve cold. z

Punch Bowl Cake

54th Annual Suffield on the Green and Craft Fair

Saturday, Sept 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Sept 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bounce houses - Alpacas - Free Train ride - Live Music - Crafters - Food Galore - Rope Walk - Face Painting - Performers and much more....

Friends of KML Annual Book Sale

By Beth Chafetz

The Friends of Kent Memorial Library’s annual book sale will take place again this year at Sacred Heart Church’s Father Ted Hall located at 446 Mountain Road, Suffield, CT. There’s plenty of parking and you don’t have to worry about bad weather.

Sale hours:

Friday, Sept. 5: 6 p.m. - 8

p.m. – Early bird sale: $5 admission; Friends members FREE

Saturday, Sept. 6: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. free admission.

Sunday, Sept. 7: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., free admission. Everything half price!

We have collected over 25,000 donated books, DVDs and jigsaw puzzles, in more than 60 book cat-

egories including antique and rare, children's, history, fantasy and mystery. Standard prices are 50¢ for paperbacks and $1 for hard cover. Newer, rare, and special books are individually priced.

Come browse and stock up for your winter reading!

All proceeds benefit Kent Memorial Library. z

Sunday Chicken BBQ

Suffield On The Green Dog Photo Booth

By Gayle Demko

On Sunday, September 7, Suffield On The Green will feature a photo booth in lieu of the canine contest.

Bring the family including your pet and visit our dog photo booth from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for your free 4 x 6 photo! z

Scan to begin your journey!

Photo provided by Gayle Demko Suffield On The Green dog photo booth

Photo provided by Amy Reay

Rotarians are up well before the crack of dawn to get the chickens on the pit every year. Rotary Families and the Interact Club (Suffield High School Rotary) comes together at daybreak to put together 800 chicken dinner boxes in preparation of the chickens coming off the grill.