Recent Stories

Correction

The November issue invited people who wanted to volunteer their help with the roundabout garden to text Harry Jones. We apologize that there was an error in the phone number. The correct number is 413-297-1259.

Now that the auction is over…

Every time election season rolls around, we are inundated with hyperbole about what the national and state candidates will do for the citizenry, with the unspoken part being what it will cost us, as if it comes without a price tag.

Social Services

The focus of the Social Services Department is to coordinate existing federal, state, regional and local services, to increase community awareness of these services and to develop new programs to meet the needs of Granby residents.

American Plan Rescue Act money apportioned

Granby’s portion of the American Plan Rescue Act funds ($3.6 million), a federal stimulus bill passed in March 2021 to help the country recover from the economic and health effects of the COVID pandemic, must be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024.

DPW Winter Advice

Winter storms and the resulting snow removal can be a challenge for all Granby residents. We do our best to keep the roads passable and safe. Please note the following suggestions, ordinances and rules to ensure a safe winter season for all.

Girls volleyball finish second in state tourney

Going into the 2024 volleyball season the GMHS girls volleyball team had many goals, including winning the NCCC Regular season, the NCCC Tournament, making it to the State Championship finals, and having an undefeated season, among other difficult goals.

Miscast Cabaret one day only!

Valley Student Theatre (VST) will bring musical magic and daring performances to Granby Memorial High School with two showings of Miscast Cabaret. The highly anticipated event, which promises to break all casting rules, will take place on Dec. 7, 2024 at 2 and 7 p.m.

Drumrolls

Westfield State football landed FB Dylan Disabella, of Granby, on the first team for the 2024 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference all-conference team.

Granby Grunts host open shop day

On January 7 the Granby Grunts High School Robotics Team #3146 kicked off its 2023 competition season. The team has been busy designing and building its new robot to complete this year’s set of complex tasks. To showcase the team’s progress to date, on February 11 the Grunts invited the team’s sponsors, family and community members, and district, town and school officials to their Open Shop Day.

Scholarships

Citizens For A Better Granby annually offers a $1,500 scholarship to a GMHS graduating senior who is pursuing higher education in journalism or a related field.

Social Services

The focus of the Social Services Department is to coordinate existing federal, state, regional and local services, to increase community awareness of these services and to develop new programs to meet the needs of Granby residents. For more information about any of the following programs, contact Director Sandy Yost at 860-844-5351. Office hours are weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lessons on leashing your pet

One of the most important lessons you can teach your dog is to walk politely on a leash. As I know all too well, it can be a frustrating lesson! But if you are successful, you will not only have more fun with your dog, but you will also greatly improve his health and quality of life.

Granby celebrates Juneteenth, Saturday June 17

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 17. Granby Racial Reconciliation (GRR) will host the second annual Granby Celebrates Juneteenth festival at Salmon Brook Park—a free, public arts and education festival from 3 to 9:30 p.m.

Public Works

Shredding event: In conjunction with the Granby Lions Club, a shredding event will be held at the Granby DPW, 52 North Granby Road, on Saturday, May 20 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Salmon Brook Music Series

The Salmon Brook Music Series is thrilled to present Nova Scotia’s critically acclaimed folk singer-songwriter Dave Gunning in a return engagement on Friday April 21, at Granby Congregational Church/South Campus, 242 Salmon Brook Street, Granby.

JOY

After the darkness of winter, with the April sun, the forsythias’ buds open.

“The Florida girls are coming!”

For nearly 25 years, from 1944 to 1968, hundreds of teenage girls from Florida cities like Sarasota, Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando, and Miami—came to Camp Manitook in Granby to stay for two months and worked the shade-grown tobacco fields in the Farmington Valley.

Empty Bowls Fundraiser date change

The GMHS National Honor Society’s annual Empty Bowls event has been moved to Thursday, April 20, from 5 – 7 p.m. in the newly-constructed cafeteria at GMHS.

Keep your kids talking

It’s so important to keep the lines of communication open with our kids and to be a safe audience with whom they can share their worries, fears, and feelings.

Granby to participate in Neighborhood Assistance Act Program

The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) has announced the 2023 Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act Program Proposal. This program provides tax credits to businesses that make cash investments in qualifying community non-profit programs.

Someone you’d like to meet: Gail Altschwager

It’s no secret that our town is blessed with many talented and accomplished folks who work to make Granby a safe, comfortable and welcoming community. We know their names, we see their pictures, hear them at meetings, or even read about them in the Drummer.

Invasives — for the bees and with butter

By the end of April, or earlier in warm years like this one, common wild blue violets provide early spring color, both in our yards and on the forest floor. The yellow violet is an uncommon treat, like a tiny ray of sunshine amid the brown leaves and winter duff.