Recent Stories

History

250th Freedom Fun Facts

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It’s good to revisit the freedoms we have and rediscover some seldom discussed “Fun Facts.” We should ponder our history as it goes beyond the indictment of the king and his abuses found in the Declaration.

Animal Talk

Heartworm disease: Prevention and treatment

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In Connecticut, it is estimated that there are 6–25 cases of heartworm infection diagnosed per clinic per year. While most of these cases are dogs that have been transported from other areas of the country where heartworm infections are more common, like the Southeast, some are home-grown cases. There have been increasing numbers of cases over the past 15 years of heartworm disease.

Granby nonprofits, your free ad could go here!

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As announced in October, Citizens for a Better Granby, publisher of the Drummer, received a grant from the Granby Community Fund with the intention of helping other Granby nonprofits raise their visibility within the community.

Events

Libraries’ book sale donations wanted

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The Friends of the Granby Public Libraries’ 43rd annual Used Book Sale will be held at Holcomb Farm, 113 Simsbury Road, West Granby. Preview Night is Friday, July 24, 5–8 p.m. with a $10 entrance fee. The regular sale is Saturday, July 25, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Last chance sale is Sunday, July 26, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. with $10 per bag or donation.

In Memory of...

In Memory of…

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Andrews, Norman Wilson, 78, husband of Kathleen Terry Andrews, March 23
Andrews, Kathleen Terry Andrews, 79, wife of the late Norman Wilson Andrews, April 22

Great Outdoors

Ice cream trucks and icebox cakes

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Summers in the 1950s included gleaming white Good Humor trucks whose jingling bells announced that frozen treats had arrived. I’d beg my parents for change and dash to the curb for a creamsicle or toasted almond bar.

Fun & Rec

Safe Grad extends heartfelt thanks to community

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On June 11, Granby Memorial High School graduates celebrated their achievements at the 40th annual Graduation Night Party held at the Farmington Valley YMCA. Organized by Granby Parents for a Safe Graduation, the event, which is free of charge for all graduates, welcomed 105 graduates, representing 80 percent of the Class of 2026.

People

DPW Open House

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Granby’s Department of Public Works hosted an Open House on May 16, and was joined by the Granby Lions providing a free shred service.

Fun & Rec

Meet me at the Center — June 2026

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If you are a Granby Senior Center member, please register for programs through SchedulesPlus.com/granby If you are not a member of the Granby Senior Center or you do not have access to a computer, please call 860-844-5352.

Fun & Rec

Bountiful Bliss and Booty

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Vien, Osterreich; Donnerstag Abend, 1976
I descend the concrete stairs and find myself in a large, dark basement room filled with women, smoke and conversation. It’s the weekly Frauenbewegung gathering where women congregated after dusk in Vienna in that era to offer each other support and camaraderie.

History

Banners celebrate 250 years of independence

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In recognition of the semi-quincentennial anniversary marking the birth of our country, residents and visitors of Granby will notice upwards of 40 banners installed on lampposts in and around the center of town. The Granby Celebrates America250 banners were installed on May 14, just one of many initiatives planned by the Granby America250 Committee leading up to July 4.

People

Town hosts Animal Shelter Open House and rabies clinic

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On May 9, thanks to Town Clerk Jen Espinal and Animal Control Officer Jen Abalan, the public was invited to an Open House at the Animal Shelter on Salmon Brook Street to view the recent upgrades in the facility. At the same time, dog and cat owners also got their pets vaccinated against rabies and/or renewed their licenses.

The Arts

Granby Artists All Members Show

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Granby Artists will present its annual All Members Show from June 3 to June 28 at East Granby Public Library. This show features work by your favorite local artists, as well as new member artists and GMHS students, which brings an exciting diversity to its exhibition of 2D and 3D art pieces.

Events

Women meet Emmy winner

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On May 6, the Women’s Breakfast Group welcomed three-time Emmy winner Sarah Cody whose talk and slide show centered on her book, Around Every Corner of Connecticut.

People

Memorial Days

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Every Memorial Day for the past 14 years my husband and I have risen at dawn and made our way to  the Over the Mountain Burial Ground in West Suffield (OTM) to watch the Marquis of Granby. We first entered the hallowed grounds 15 summers ago to consider final resting spots for our daughter and Marquis member, Jacky, and ever since the Marquis has kept vigil with us.

Friends of Holcomb Farm

Kestrel nesting box added to the Tree Trail

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If you’re not familiar with the Holcomb Farm Tree Trail located on the hill across from the entrance to the North Barn event facility, this would be a good time to check out its newest addition. It’s not a new tree—it’s a kestrel nest box placed 12 feet in the air, on the right a short way up the entrance trail.

Great Outdoors

Bear season in Granby

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June is bear season in Granby.

According to Connor Hogan, director of the McLean Game Refuge, there are currently at least three sows with cubs in the eastern portion of the Game Refuge and likely at least one more mother bear with cubs in the west.

Great Outdoors

June and the color yellow

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There is a day in June celebrating yellow, appropriately named Yellow Day. In the psychology of color, yellow is linked to joy, and “the happiest day of the year” was started by psychologist Cliff Arnall to balance Blue Monday, the saddest day of the year, which occurs on the third Monday of January.

Great Outdoors

June is the start of picnic season

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I always enjoy sharing tried-and-true favorites from my recipe box, and this one has become a longtime favorite for good reason. I first brought this salad to a friend’s Labor Day picnic years ago, and after several people immediately asked for the recipe, I knew it was a keeper!

Great Outdoors

A gardening adventure awaits

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Near the center of town, community gardeners work the soil in the tradition of Granby’s agricultural past. On Hungary Road, in Ahrens Park, kids enthusiastically play ball near the south entrance while gardeners use the next entrance for the Granby Community Gardens. Just as enthusiastically they plant, water and care for their little bit of nature.

Great Outdoors

Gardening for the plants

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“Companion planting” is a good way to think about relationships in the kitchen garden. This is a method of gardening where plants are situated alongside one another for mutual benefit: tomatoes and basil, marigolds and squash, cabbage and thyme, cucumbers and radishes for a few. Each relationship offers something different, whether it’s pest control or shading the soil, attracting pollinators or improving soil fertility.