First Church commemorates Transgender Day of Remembrance

​By Audrey LampertThe First Congregational Church of Granby will host a community event to commemorate the Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20, at 6 p.m., to be followed immediately by a free dinner and informal Q and A session.The Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual event that seeks to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice in the prior year. The first event was held in the spring of 1999 in San Francisco as a memorial service to honor […]

​Pizzicato and Puppies featured in Memory Café Programs

By Marilyn SponzoOn Nov. 5, Tara’s Memory Café will host violinist Kate O’Brien, who will delight audiences with music from a variety of genres—elegant classical, swing and jazz, country fiddling, popular songs and ethnic music. She’ll also share the secrets of her custom violin and play personal favorites on request. The program will take place at the Granby Senior Center, 15C North Granby Road, from 2 to 4 p.m.O’Brien has been playing violin in orchestras s […]

GMHS presents Inherit the Wind

This November the Granby Memorial High School Drama Club presents Inherit the Wind. This powerful courtroom drama is based upon the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, involving a teacher from Tennessee who defied state law and taught the theory of evolution in his classroom, instead of the state-mandated theory of Creationism. This drama thrives on the intense disputes between lawyers based on William Jennings Bryan, a strict interpreter of the Bible, and Clarence Darrow, a defender of science and the ri […]

​Westfield State University names Squire Bressor to Hall of Fame

By Dave CaspoleLoren “Squire” Bressor has been named the 2015 Hagan Award recipient by the Westfield State University Athletics Hall of Fame Committee for his long-time contributions to the athletics department at Westfield State. Bressor received the award at the Athletics Hall of Fame banquet as part of homecoming festivities.Bressor served as Westfield State’s tennis coach in the 1970s and was also an adjunct professor at the University. He has been a part of the Westfield S […]

​Community efforts to help neighbors in need

By Andrea BoyleThe Farmington Valley VNA’s Granby Food Bank Program is the grateful recipient of the recent generosity of Geissler’s Supermarket and the Archdiocese of Hartford.On Sept. 26, Geissler’s Supermarket in Granby hosted a food drive to benefit the Granby Food Bank Program and the East Granby Food Pantry. Along with Geissler’s store staff, volunteers from each Food Bank encouraged patrons to “fill the truck” that was parked in front of the store with […]

​Local family gives gift of Guiding Eyes dog

By Kim BeckerEmily Newman spent eighth grade on a labor of love and hope for a stranger she may never meet. That stranger will be the constant companion of Kelley, a yellow Labrador retriever puppy that Emily trained as a companion for a visually impaired person.Kelley stayed with the Newmans for 17 months as she learned basic house and walking manners and politely socialized in many different arenas. Emily and Kelley became a familiar sight at the grocery store, school, and library; amazing kid […]

Class of 1975

The Granby Memorial High School class of 1975 held its 40th reunion over Labor Day weekend. On Sept. 5, the group gathered at Vito’s by the Water in Windsor. Thirty-five classmates and others enjoyed an evening of reminiscing and celebration. A few words were spoken by friends on behalf of lost classmates. DJ music was provided by Sonic Sound of Granby. A few former faculty members joined in the festivities.The class also held a pot luck picnic the following day at Salmon Brook Park for about […]

​Women’s Breakfast

On Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 8:30 a.m., the Granby Women’s Breakfast Group will have breakfast served by the Granby Men’s Senior Breakfast Team headed by Leon Lanata. At 9 a.m., local resident Kathy Morgan will present a program entitled My Travels to Tanzania. For reservations, call Corinne Dickerson at 860-653-9891. Cost is $3 per person. […]

​FV-VNA Events

Blood Pressure ScreeningsThe Farmington Valley VNA’s free blood pressure screenings are available without appointment Mondays, Nov. 2, 10:30–11:30 a.m. at Hartland Town Hall, 22 South Rd., E. Hartland; 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., at East Granby Senior Center and Nov. 16, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., at East Hartland First Church Parish House; Tuesday, Nov. 3, 9–10:30 a.m., at the Farmington Valley YMCA and Thursdays, Nov. 5, 12, 16 and 19, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., at Granby Seni […]

Swedish Pancake Breakfast and More

​The Youth from Pilgrim Covenant Church are hosting a Swedish Pancake Breakfast and Scandinavian Bake Sale on Saturday, Nov. 21, 8:30 – 10 a.m. at Pilgrim Covenant Church, 605 Salmon Brook Street, just before the state line. This is a donation breakfast benefiting the youth groups. Swedish pancakes, bacon, sausage and breakfast beverages will be served by the youth, and delicious Scandinavian and other home-baked goods will be available for sale.The Senior High Youth Group (grades 9& […]