Thoughts on 2025

Already the new year moves quickly by. Some of our New Year’s resolutions may have slipped by us, but we can always begin again—

Local Girl Scout earns Gold Award

Mackenzie Janski has earned the highest award offered by Girl Scouts USA (GSUSA), the Girl Scout Gold Award. Mackenzie was recognized at her Gold Award Pinning Ceremony on Jan. 12, at Pilgrim Covenant Church. In recognition of her dedication and hard work to benefit all Granby citizens, the Granby Board of Selectmen presented a proclamation to Mackenzie on Jan. 6, and the State Legislature issued its own proclamation during the ceremony.

A new life for Belmeade Signs

This is a heart-warming story in more than one way. Let’s start with saying goodbye to Jean-Luc Godard, original artist and owner of the local company known as Belmeade Signs.

Fresh take on a worship song

Patrick Fitzgerald, worship arts director of Valley Brook Community Church, recently released a new arrangement of a worship song called Not in a Hurry. The song was originally recorded by United Pursuit and Will Reagan in 2017, and it features a theme of patiently pursuing a relationship with God.

John Myers embraces life

He’s known as “John the Englishman” by frequenters of Starbucks. But behind John Myers’ British accent lies curiosity, intelligence, skill, creativity, humor and above all, gratitude for a second chance at what by any measure is a life well lived.

Winning a national poetry award

On Jan. 14, 2016, I had a heart attack but having never had one before, I thought I was just feeling sick for some reason. I ignored the symptoms and then on Sunday, Jan. 17, I had another.

Stony Hill Village: a little-known community asset

Have you ever driven through the center of Granby and seen the large sign that says Stony Hill Village? The sign stands between the Brignole, Bush and Lewis offices and the Small World Learning and Childcare Center at 259 Salmon Brook Street. Many of us have driven by for years and thought it was an apartment complex. It is much more than that.

Don Shaw gives CNN an interview about Jimmy Carter

Granby resident Don Shaw received a call on Dec. 30 while he and wife Peggy were packing food bags at Granby Congregational Church’s Open Cupboard Pantry. It was from the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut, telling him that representatives of the Isa Soares Tonight show that airs on CNN International in London wanted to interview him about his experiences and memories of working with former President Jimmy Carter who had died the previous day.