Government/Town

Captain’s Corner: Lithium – Ion Battery Safety

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The October National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Prevention Week slogan for this year is “CHARGE into Fire Safety – Lithium-ion Batteries in Your Home.” Lithium-Ion batteries are used to power many kinds of devices including smart phones, laptops, e-scooters and e-bikes, e-cigarettes, smoke alarms, toys, cordless vacuum cleaners, power tools, vehicles, and countless other items. These batteries store a large amount of energy in a small amount of space. If not used correctly or damaged these batteries can catch fire or explode. Please consider the following safety tips:BUY only listed products• Purchase and use devices that are listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.• Many products sold online and in stores may not meet safety standards and could increase the risk of fire. CHARGE devices safely• Always use the cables that came with the product to charge it.• If you need a new charger, buy one from the manufacturer or one that the manufacturer has approved.• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.• Charge your device on a hard surface. Don’t charge it under a pillow, on a bed, or on a couch.

Schools/Sports

Building Momentum This Fall

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The new school year is well underway, and the energy in our schools is a reflection of the excitement that comes with fall. Our team members and students are diving into learning, exploring new connections, and taking advantage of all that Suffield Publi Schools has to offer.National Bullying Prevention MonthOctober is National Bullying Prevention Month, a reminder for all of us to focus on creating schools where every student feels safe and valued. In Suffield, this commitment shows up through the Kindness Matters movement, created in memory of Meghan Voisine. The program gives students the chance to lead projects that spread compassion and inclusion in everyday ways. This year, the district incorporated a Kindness Statement into each school’s handbook to reinforce our commitment to a learning environment where hurtful behavior, words or actions of any kind are not welcome.

Churches

Together for Joy!

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For every time there is a season – October at First Church welcomes autumn! First Church continues offering worship at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the Sanctuary, entering into a season of thankfulness and giving.First Church welcomes all new attendees, and those who have attended many years, to join us for worship for 1 minute, 1 Sunday, 1 month, 1 year…whatever calls to you!The First Church 2026 giving campaign has begun! The ministry and mission of First Church rely on the generous giving of members of the church and the Suffield community. Through the years, First Church has continued to be a beacon of inspiration and hope to others, supporting mission activities locally and worldwide. Learn more about First Church’s impact all month long as speakers, newsletter articles and more share stories and history of the ministry and faith call of First Church and its community.

Uncategorized

Scouting in the Land of Fire and Ice

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Troops 260, 262 and Venturing Crew 261 had an epic summer adventure in Iceland, and wow, what a trip it was! After two years of planning and fundraising, 26 Scouts and leaders finally set out on a journey they’ll never forget.The adventure kicked off in Reykjavik, where they wandered through streets lined with museums, art and interesting food. Some of the adults even braved Iceland’s infamous fermented shark (hákarl)— however we’d recommend the hot dog. Photo by Sarah Thomas Scouts pose together before visiting Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s iconic waterfalls. But it wasn’t all about the city.

Churches

New Director of Music Welcomed

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Copper Hill United Methodist Church of East Granby is pleased to announce that Juliana Hall has been named as our Director of Music as of June 2025. Juli Hall began studying the piano with her mother when she was six years old and has played in churches from the Midwest to the east coast for more than 50 years, including the past 30 years in the Farmington Valley. During that time, she has been a regular at churches in Avon, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, and Waterbury and most recently served as pianist and music director of the East Granby Congregational Church. Juli is also a well-known composer of classical art songs, having received a master’s degree in composition from the Yale School of Music and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Her music has been performed by more than 800 singers and pianists in three dozen countries on six continents, including concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Library of Congress, and abroad at St.

Suffield Rotary Welcomes New Club Members

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A Community Tradition Continues with Fresh Faces and Renewed PurposeThe Suffield Rotary Club gathered in the heart of town to celebrate a tradition as enduring as the community itself: the induction of new members. The historic Suffield Country Club played host to an event that blended ceremony, camaraderie, and the unyielding spirit of service that defines Rotary.New Beginnings: Welcoming the Next Generation of Rotarians

Photo submitted by the author Natalie Donais, Rotary club president, with new members: Dian Friedman, Stephanie Salerno and Karlene Sullivan, new member sponsor

Each new member brings fresh energy, new ideas, and a renewed commitment to our mission, voice-echoing the inclusivity and optimism for which the club is known. This year, the Suffield Rotary welcomed three new members, each from diverse backgrounds, professions, and walks of life, yet all united by a common desire to give back. Below is a short overview of three of those new members.Dian Friedman is a Suffield resident and joins us after many years as an educator in Massachusetts. Upon retirement she continued to work in the Suffield Public Schools as a tutor and substitute teacher.

Government/Town

SUFFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT INCIDENT REPORT – August 2025

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REASONSStructure fireMobile property (vehicle) fireNatural Vegetation fireEmergency medical service (EMS) incidentCombustible/flammable spills & leaksChemical release, reaction or toxic conditionElectrical wiring/equipment problemService call, otherPerson in distressWater problemSmoke, odor problemPublic service assistanceUnauthorized burningDispatched and canceled en routeWrong location, no emergency foundSteam, other gas mistaken for smokeFalse alarm and false call, otherSystem or detector malfunctionUnintentional system/detector operation (no fire)TOTAL: 53# OF CALLS11122122221111142917

Mutual Aid Given: 1Mutual Aid Received 2

Schools/Sports

SHS UNICEF Club Raises Funds

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SHS’s UNICEF Club raised $835 and collected 57 bags of food on a weekend in June to benefit UNICEF. One of their collection locations was in front of Suffield Village Market. From left to right, Anna-Maria Nastase (president), Ariella Cuevas, Madisyn Beyers, Hannah Avila (treasurer), Olivia Nicora (VP) collect donations in front of Suffield Village Market. Mya Johnson (historian) and Saanvi Nalla (secretary) were also part of the project.

Churches

West Suffield Congregational Church News

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We have a Christmas tree at West Suffield Congregational Church that gets decorated every month. When I came into church for Rally Sunday, I was greeted by the most beautiful tree yet. Running down the center of it was the words “Welcome Back”, with the initials WSCC at the top. Welcome back was written in beautiful script on cards in Korean, French, Norwegian and many other languages. The tree was decorated with hydrangeas and ribbons.

Organizations

West Suffield Village Improvement Association Meeting

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There will be a meeting of the WSVIA on Monday, October 6th at 7pm at West Suffield Academy Hall, 1499 Mountain Rd, West Suffield. All are welcome. We are going to be discussing what direction our association needs to take concerning West Suffield Academy Hall. At this point we rent out the building for social events. The reduced number of rentals has forced us to look at our options.