Great Outdoors

Exciting things happening at Wilhelm Farm

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By Shirley MurthaFor those who still miss having the Wilhelm farm stand open and stocked with fresh vegetables and fruits in the summer, take heart. You will soon see the results of collaboration with Sven Pihl of CT Edible Ecosystems, who has leased some of the farmland and plans to grow some old favorites. Sven Pihl constructs a “high tunnel” on the Wilhelm Farm to serve as a holding area for transplants and seedlings. Photo by Shirley Murtha A native of Guilford, veteran of t […]

Great Outdoors

Hungry Hearts dinner a delight for the eyes as well as the palate

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By Shirley MurthaPast recipient of Granby’s Community Service Award, Sandy Flagg is a community treasure. She is a woman of endless compassion who always finds a way to make life better for those who are in need of something. Nine years ago, she felt that Granby residents could benefit from having a community meal one night during the week where families and singles would get together and share not just the food, but also friendship. With donations of money and food, and South Church’s generous […]

Great Outdoors

What are the benefits of eating local?

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By Kate BogliYou know it’s “cool” to eat local—to call yourself a locavore, wear a man-bun and grind your own fair trade coffee. You feel good about yourself because your banana farmer in South America is getting paid a fair wage and you know the names of your local farmer’s kids. But really. What’s in it for you to shop local? I mean, it’s expensive and it’s time consuming, right? Maybe not so much when you consider the whole picture.TRUST. Do you […]

Great Outdoors

THE LOFT, A NEW CASUAL DINING EXPERIENCE IN GRANBY

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By Tracy CavaciutiWhen James and Sandy Chen opened @thebarn in 2015, they beautifully renovated the building at 17R East Granby Rd. that has been a gathering place for Granby people for decades. The restaurant offers an exceptionally fine dining experience, a now famous Happy Hour and Sunday Brunch, catering services and special event services.Grateful for the success of their two restaurants in Granby, Han Asian Cuisine and @thebarn, the Chens put out a call to the community asking for feedback […]

Great Outdoors

La Cucina Frutteto – Winter Glow

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By Susan AcceturaEat local—eat seasonal—eat a rainbow a day. Summer is one thing, with our gardens full of tomatoes, zucchini, peaches, peppers, raspberries, blueberries, basil, we scarcely need to visit the grocery store at all. A walk through the garden can determine the menu. Autumn abounds with pumpkins, potatoes, acorn squash, apples, pears, quince. But winter in Connecticut? Good luck with that.These days in the big supermarkets we can find almost every fruit and vegetable any […]

Great Outdoors

Holcomb Farm offers turkeys for holiday meals

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Holcomb Farm CSA is again offering fresh, locally grown, pasture raised turkeys for your holiday meal on a pre-order basis. These are fresh, not frozen, turkeys. Due to our limited cooler space, pre-ordered birds must be picked up on Tuesday, Nov. 22, between 3 and 7 p.m. We cannot hold turkeys overnight.Ekonk Hill Farm can supply turkeys from 10 pounds to 40 pounds—you decide and order the size that works best for you. Ekonk will match your order as closely as possible but there is no gua […]

Great Outdoors

A Perfectly Simple Apple Pie

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By Susan Accetura“Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness.” (Jane Austen)It’s apple season here in Connecticut. From a pomologist’s perspective, this has been a challenging year. A mild winter resulted in apple blossoms swelling a bit early, subject to damaging spring frosts, and a rainy blossom time in May wasn’t motivating to the pollinating bee brigade. The summer drought has kept some varieties on the smaller side, but at least all of t […]

Great Outdoors

Granby Farmers Market season comes to a close

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The Granby Farmers Market has officially concluded its first season, and what a success it was! The new project began in June, and took place at South Congregational church every Tuesday this summer. After an amazing opening day, the Granby Farmers Market became a place for the community to shop, gather, explore and have fun.Many local businesses were featured at the market, having the opportunity to spread the word about their products, as well as promote healthy and local eating to the communi […]

Great Outdoors

​La Cucina Frutteto (The Orchard Kitchen)

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Running a kitchen, raising a family, and dreaming of Italyby Susan AcceturaIf months had mascots, September’s would surely be the apple. Symbolizing the beginning of fall, the gift for the teacher, and all things cool and crisp. This summer has been anything but cool and crisp. The scorching and waterless July turned supple green lawns into flaxen crisps. Blossoms wilted and gardens stalled. This is pure botanical conjecture, but perhaps the lack of rain drove the roots deeper, so when the […]