Great Outdoors

CSA for wine? You bet!

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By Shirley MurthaGranby is definitely a Community Supported Agriculture town, with many of its farms offering the convenience of weekly shares of vegetables. It wasn’t a big leap for Lost Acres Vineyard to apply the concept to the wine industry as well. Not that shareholders have to go out to pick the grapes and make the wine—all they have to do is sign up for the distribution.Members commit to buying two cases of wine (24 bottles), either of the wine-maker’s choice or customiz […]

Great Outdoors

Planting a pollinator garden

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There’s a new pollinator garden on the grounds of Cossitt Library thanks to local volunteers, Bosco’s Garden Center, and the Granby Department of Public Works. Look for more free library programs and workshops about gardening, pollinators and making better summer salads on the Granby Library’s websitewww.granby-ct.gov Photo by Holly Johnson […]

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 […]