Great Outdoors

GLT and Holcomb Farm Host Bear Talk

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Granby Land Trust and Holcomb Farm host bear talk By Trish Percival*UPDATE*  Due to the overwhelming response, the location has been changed – it will now be held in the Granby Senior Center.  Thanks, Jill Ford (Administrator at Holcomb Farm.) As the black bear population continues to rebound in Connecticut, it is important that people better understand these magnificent creatures. To help Granby residents of all ages learn more about bears, the Granby Land Trust and Holcomb Farm w […]

Great Outdoors

Taking Care of a Tree for 54 years!

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Granby resident takes care of a tree for 54 years By John R. Neib For 54 years, Granby resident Dale Usko has nurtured a grapefruit tree, and that’s longer than she’s known her husband, James. “I’ve known my husband for 44 years,” she said, “the tree’s part of the package that came with me that he had to accept.” When Usko was 12 years old, she planted a seed from the grapefruit she had for breakfast one morning, because she and fellow student […]

Great Outdoors

Locally Grown Column

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Maple View Horse Farm, Salmon Brook Street February was tough with all the snow and cold (check out the picture) even though things are less spread out here in the winter than in the summer, that’s still a lot of snow to trudge through and move. Animals and farmers are always happy to see the calendar turn to March with its promise of longer days, warmer temperatures and seeds sprouting. Even if you still get blasted with some cold, the end is in sight. We’ll start teaching beginner horseback r […]

Great Outdoors

Holcomb Farm Updates

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East Side Fields Before snowfall, volunteers made their final assault for 2014, pushing back the overgrowth at the edges of the east side fields and battling invasive growth, such as the dreaded Oriental bittersweet, autumn olive and multi-flora rose. On your next trip by the Farm, check out the progress in the field diagonally across from the farmhouse. Much of the brush along the decrepit fencing paralleling Simsbury Road has been removed, swaths of brush at the field edges has been cut out, […]

Great Outdoors

Holcomb Farm Prospered in 2014

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Fresh Access Accomplishments and Plans Holcomb Farm’s Fresh Access program prospered in 2014, supplying over 10,000 pounds of fresh, chemical-free vegetables to those who cannot access them readily. Fresh Access provided substantial pounds of produce to the Granby Senior Center and the Hispanic Health Council in Hartford. These vegetables included lettuce, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, potatoes, cabbage, zucchini, chard, hot peppers and much more. But that’s not all. The program made ma […]

Great Outdoors

Community Garden Reservations Due

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By Jim Glenney Believe it or not, it’s time to reserve a garden plot. The Granby community gardens are located at Ahrens Park on Hungary Road. The gardens are divided into organic and conventional sections. Water is supplied by a well.  The cost is $5 for a 20×20 foot plot and $10 for a 20×40 foot plot.  Last year’s gardeners wishing to reserve the same plots need to submit payment by April 20. After that date plots will be given out on a first-come basis. Last year there was a waiti […]

Great Outdoors

Warm For The Winter

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Warm for the Winter By Shirley Murtha If you live in a house bordered by woods, you most likely have a mouse problem when fall arrives. The little deer mice and white-footed mice are relentless in finding ways to get into our homes to escape the cold winter temperatures. In November, I intended to clean out the bluebird nesting box in my back yard, but I was too late: a tiny creature had already constructed the extensive nest pictured here. It measures almost eight inches in depth, comprise […]

Great Outdoors

Granby Ag

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Lost Acres Orchard, Lost Acres Road Winter has arrived here at Lost Acres Orchard. Things slow down as the weather gets colder. Our new (seasonal) hours are Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 12:30 to 5 p.m. (We are closed Monday through Thursday.) We will make fresh soups, breads, pies, and quiche each week and keep our freezer stocked with potpies, more soups, mac and cheese, cinnamon buns, and other goods. Watch for our Orchard News on Thur […]

Great Outdoors

More than just a quilt

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More than just a quilt By Shirley Murtha The 26th annual summer Quilt Happening at Lost Acres Orchard on August 2 featured Granby resident Lorraine German of Mad River Antiques, who explained the importance of quilts as a form of not only artistic but also political expression at a time when there were very few avenues available for women to make their views known. In fact, prior to and during the early 1800s, women were considered their husband’s property, with the husband having the final sa […]

Great Outdoors

Granby Horse Council hosted Equine Obstacle Play Day

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Granby Horse Council hosted Equine Obstacle Play Day By Joan Davis On Sunday July 13, 27 riders converged on the horse exercise area in Salmon Brook Park for the first Obstacle Play Day. Taking horses through obstacle courses is an activity which is growing in popularity among equestrians. Leading or riding horses, ponies, donkeys and mules through, over, under and around various objects builds confidence, courage and trust in the rider and the animal. There were pool noodles to walk throug […]