The Arts

Barbara Crouse Memorial Concert Series 

By |

By Jerron JorgensenThis fall, First Congregational Church of Granby celebrates the return of the Barbara Crouse Memorial Concert. The 2015-2016 concert season marks the second year honoring the memory of the series’ namesake, longtime Granby resident and inspirational music leader Barbara Crouse, by providing  audiences with a variety of enlightening and entertaining concerts ranging from Classical to Contemporary.The series begins Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. with The Asylum Quartet. […]

The Arts

Quilt Happening features sampler from Civil War era

By |

By Shirley Murtha The 27th annual Summer Quilt Happening at Lost Acres Orchard on August 8 featured a wonderful quilt that provided a morning of entertainment for those who attended. Many years ago, the late Polly Hall gave Ginny Wutka the charming quilt, a sampler made of 42 squares, each with its own design. Hall did not have much information about the quilt, except that from the fabric used it was probably made during the Civil War. (When no other documentation exists, quilts are dated from […]

The Arts

Farmington Valley Chorale starts rehearsals

By |

The Farmington Valley Chorale, a non-auditioned group of 80 to 100 men and women, begins rehearsing for its December presentation of Magnificats by Vivaldi, Mozart and Stanford, on Sunday, Sept. 13, 7 to 9 p.m. at Simsbury United Methodist Church, 799 Hopmeadow St. (Rte. 10), Simsbury. Starting on Sept. 20, all subsequent rehearsals will be held on Sundays at the Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation, 55 Busy Hill Rd (Rte. 167), Simsbury. The group will present Vaughn Williams’ Dona Norbis […]

The Arts

Bruce Porter Memorial Music Series kicks off 2015-2016 season

By |

By Laura Mazza-Dixon The Music Ministry at South Congregational Church is pleased to announce the 2015-2016 Season of the Bruce Porter Memorial Music Series. Four events will be presented in the upcoming season, thanks to the support of an Artscape grant from the Greater Hartford Arts Council and the generous donations received from those in the Farmington Valley community who have attended concerts at South Church for the past several years. The 2015-2016 Season of the Bruce Porter Memorial M […]

The Arts

Local band performs at area Fourth of July Celebration

By |

By Laura Miller The Variations, a Granby band, was selected to perform in the Battle of the Bands at the Enfield Town Celebration on July 11. The Variations played six songs, including two originals, and many fans of the band were in attendance. “When we started the band, we weren’t sure where it was going to go, but no doubt in the time we’ve been together playing music, we have certainly found and are continuing to develop our love of performing music individually and as a c […]

Verse

Local author’s book illuminates cultural awareness for special needs individuals

By |

In her newly published book, Set Apart: A Mother’s Steps to Peace, available through Westbow Press, local author Martha Griffin-Weis speaks for the special needs population.  By illuminating the need for cultural awareness, with a light hearted, storytelling style.  Ms. Griffin-Weis creates an entertaining and engaging story for anyone who has ever known and loved a special needs individual. Some Granby landmarks are mentioned in this heartwarming and inspirational real-life page […]

Verse

Library News

By |

Granby Public Library Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Cossitt Public Library Tuesday, Thursday: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 3 – 8 p.m. Saturday: 12 – 5 p.m. Holiday Closing: Both libraries will be closed Sept. 5 through 7 for the Labor Day weekend. Find us online Town of Granby (www.granby-ct.gov); also, use the links to join us on our blogs, Facebook page and Pinterest boards. Phon […]

The Arts

Local dancers compete for national titles

By |

Local dancers compete at American Dance Awards National Competition for national titles By Kathy Green Five local students from the Dance Slipper in Southwick, owned by Brenda Barna, will be competing for national dance titles at the American Dance Awards (ADA) National Championship in Hollywood, Florida, July 4–11. In March, the studio competed at the ADA regional competition in New Haven, and three dancers were recognized for their outstanding performances. Alexandra Klinkowski, 16, o […]

The Arts

Marquis of Granby welcomes new director

By |

By Lori Catlin Garcia The Marquis of Granby Ancient Fyfe and Drum Corps welcomes a new corps director, Kimberley McCord. “We are all so thankful that someone of Kim’s caliber has stepped forward to assume this position,” says former director Audrey Lampert, who retired following the Granby Memorial Day celebrations this year. “It’s very important for organizations to have smooth transitions and this one should be as seamless as possible. Kim has volu […]

The Arts

Reminiscences of a long-time music teacher

By |

Article submitted by Laura Mazza-Dixon  This year Windy Hill Guitar Studio celebrates 25 years of providing guitar lessons and classes for children and adults in the Farmington Valley. When I look at the photo of students gathered beside the school bus acquired in 1992 to bring our young guitarists to the elementary schools for concerts during the school day; or the one of Rachel Orr, Rachel Rising and Alex Uhl, ages four and five, performing a holiday recital at the F.H. Cossitt Library […]