Recent Stories

Fall social offered a grand old time

Rainy skies did nothing to dampen the spirits of more than 125 Granby seniors and special guests gathered at the North Pavilion Barn at Holcomb Farm on Oct. 6 for a senior fall social.

Granby Artists Holiday Gift Show at Pilgrim Covenant Church

The Granby Artists Association (GAA) will host its annual Holiday Gift Show at Pilgrim Covenant Church on Saturday, Dec. 2, for one day only. Shop for original works of art created by your favorite local artists. Bring a friend and discover the talents of your neighbors.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks to our Creator for the Blessings in our lives—

Nothing Stays Here!

On a recent Saturday morning I ran into three guys and spent an hour or so talking trash with them. I do not mean that we got on each other’s cases, not because we had previously met, but rather we had a great conversation about a subject near and dear to all three guys’ hearts: TRASH. More accurately, the recycling thereof.

SBHS flea market – May 13

Flea MarketThe Salmon Brook Historical Society will hold its annual Spring Flea Market on Saturday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Salmon Brook Historical Society. To donate items (no clothing) to the society, drop them off at SBHS on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and noon. Anyone interested in being a vendor can contact Dave Laun at 860-653-3965 or Todd Vibert at 860-653-9506. Want to volunteer? Call Todd Vibert.Come and see what is selling and visit with friends at this fun Granb […]

2017 Granby revaluation underway

By Susan Altieri, CCMA, IIAssessorThe Town of Granby is in the process of beginning state mandated revaluation for October 1. State law now requires all municipalities to conduct a revaluation every five years. Revaluation is the equalization of property values by estimating the current market value of all properties in town. Its purpose is to value all property by the same standards at the same point in time.The town has hired Vision Government Solutions to assist the Assessor’s office wi […]

Town Manager highlights probable cuts in budget

By Shirley MurthaAt the March 6 Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Manager Bill Smith reiterated his concern that services will need to be cut to adhere to the Board of Finance’s directive for no increases in town operations for the upcoming fiscal year. In addition to a minimum of money expected from the state, the state is asking Granby to provide $1,514,998 to support the teachers retirement fund. This will have a serious impact on the budget. With other state revenue cuts, it would chang […]

Civic Club

The Civic Club will meet on Thursday, April 20, at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center. Civic Club member Alicia Unger will tell about her journey with cancer and how the Livestrong Program at the YMCA was a major part of her journey. In Alicia’s words, “A stake in the ground. A line in the sand. Taking back some of what cancer has taken.” This is what the Livestrong Program at the Farmington Valley YMCA is all about. The program is marketed as a free, 12-week fitness program for […]

Sign up for Community Gardens

By Jim GlenneyIt’s time to sign up for a garden plot and enjoy all the benefits of growing your own vegetables and flowers. The gardens are located just north of Ahrens Park on Hungary Road and are divided into an organic section and a conventional one. A pump well provides a water supply. The cost is $5 for a 20 x 20 foot plot. No new 20 x 40 foot plots will be issued this year until all requests for plots have been met. Last year’s gardeners wishing to reserve the same plots need t […]

Granby Chamber presents annual awards

By Tracy CavacutiThe Granby Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet and awards presentation on March 5, 2017, at Brignole Vineyards in East Granby. John French opened up the evening speaking about the previous and upcoming year. He touched on a bigger and better-than-ever Celebrate Granby event for 2017. President and CEO of Windsor Federal Savings George Hermann served as guest speaker. Herman gave an excellent and informative speech covering everything from the current and future lending r […]

What are the benefits of eating local?

By Kate BogliYou know it’s “cool” to eat local—to call yourself a locavore, wear a man-bun and grind your own fair trade coffee. You feel good about yourself because your banana farmer in South America is getting paid a fair wage and you know the names of your local farmer’s kids. But really. What’s in it for you to shop local? I mean, it’s expensive and it’s time consuming, right? Maybe not so much when you consider the whole picture.TRUST. Do you […]

CBG offers grants

Do you or your organization have a great idea for a project or activity to enrich life in Granby? Citizens for a Better Granby (CBG), publisher of the Granby Drummer, awards grants to support activities that provide the community with enrichment and educational opportunities not funded through the town budget or other funding sources.Grants of $150 to $1,000 support local guest speakers, authors; theatrical and musical productions by students, local groups and out-of-town professionals; the purc […]

 Empty Bowls fundraiser is April 28

By Tim Nolan, High School ReporterImagine Render is a nonprofit organization that strives to “create positive and lasting change through the arts, education and projects that build community.” Its main project is Empty Bowls. Empty Bowls has become an international effort to raise funds and awareness towards the fight against hunger. This spring will be the 27th edition of the event, and its outreach has continued to spread each year. Seven years ago, that outreach extended to Granby […]

Ethics exploratory committee seeks input

A group of citizens is seeking input from the community regarding establishing an ethics committee for the town of Granby. It has posted a survey on its website: www.granbytaxpayers.orgAn article in last month’s Drummer asked for participation, but there has been a relatively small response. The majority, 69 percent of respondents, answered “yes.” Comments included, “thank you for this” and “pleased if there were a forum to pose inquiries on legitimate topics […]

Volunteers needed for annual book sale

By Kathleen MackThe Friends of Granby Public Library (FOGPL) are gearing up for the 2017 Annual Used Book Sale at Holcomb Farm, but your help is needed!As always, the success of the 35th Annual Used Book Sale will be due entirely to the generosity of donors and volunteers. This year, the Friends are looking for volunteers who can help in a variety of ways, such as: collecting sturdy boxes (boxes with covers, like copy paper boxes is a plus), sorting and boxing donated items at Holcomb Farm throu […]

GEF has grand plans for the Gran-Bee

By Kim Becker“Hiving” a hankering for trivia? “Bee-ing” grumpy about the winter weather? The “buzz” that has people thinking Spring is the 14th Annual Gran-Bee on April 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Trivia questions on topics ranging from Granby, music, and history plus jokes, and silly costumes make a fun family event.Want to “bee” a part of it? There is still time to register your swarm, um, team of friends, colleagues, or civic […]

Generous neighbors provide food for friends

By Andrea BoyleThe Farmington Valley VNA would like to publicly acknowledge and thank every individual, family, community, civic and student group, business, and association for their recent outpouring of generosity toward the Granby Food Bank Program and call attention to several of those groups.The Granby Ambulance Association, the Gables Homeowners Association, and the Farmington Chapter of UNICO were kind enough to take up collections of food and funds at their annual holiday parties. A $500 […]

Granby students promote investment in public school education during “A Day on the Hill”

Granby students joined over 200 public school board members, superintendents and students from Connecticut Public Schools to meet with legislators during the annual Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) “A Day on the Hill” event to voice their opinions about the importance of investing in public school education.“Public school systems throughout Connecticut are facing very serious consequences if the Governor’s proposed budget passes as is,” stated R […]

Granby Camera Club

The Granby Camera Club will meet on Monday, April 3, at the Granby Senior Center at 7 p.m. Jay Harder will lead a program on taking panorama photographs. The scavenger hunt words for this month are colors, sweet and favorite. To learn more about the club, visit www.GranbyCameraClub.com. […]

46th annual Granby Road Race is May 6

By Scott WoodamanRace ChairmanThe Granby Road Race celebrates its 46th year on Saturday, May 6, at 8:30 a.m. at Granby Memorial Middle School. Seven years ago, the Granby Road Race merged with the Farmington Valley YMCA as the organization’s premier fundraising event in memory of David Schupp, Jr.  Granby is fortunate to have one of the oldest road races in Connecticut right in its own backyard. The Granby Road Race is a 5K and 10K race that is run on road and trails. B […]

April Happenings

Lunch for the Mind, Fifteen Minutes to Live: Wednesday, April 19, 12:30 p.m. Presented by Jason Scappaticci, lecturer from Manchester Community College. Understand the events surrounding the sinking of the RMS Lusitania. The sinking turned public opinion in many countries against Germany and contributed to the American entrance into WWI. Register by calling 860-844-5350. Cost is $5, bring your own lunch, desserts and beverages provided.Medication Management: Thursday, April 27, 1 p.m. Presented […]

LAFD: It’s brush fire season!

By Tim RickisDid you know that Forest/Wildfire season is upon us? Lost Acres Fire Department wants to keep you safe during brush fire season. Because leaves and grass have not greened yet, there is an abundance of dried-out and exposed materials that are ideal for wildfires. It’s also when residents begin yard cleanup, cookouts and campfires, all of which can easily ignite the dried leaves, twigs and grass.Granby requires a permit from the Open Burning Official for open burning, and there […]

A bond, a gift and a legacy – the Holcombes and Dr. Werner

By Peggy LareauA vibrant legacy has emerged from a strong bond between Seth and Lucy Holcombe and their veterinarian and friend, Harry W. Werner, VMD. With an estate gift of over $5 million, the Holcombes of North Granby endowed an academic chair and innovative equine center at the University of Pennsylvania veterinary school (Penn Vet) in the name of Dr. Werner, an alumnus. Dr. Werner operates Werner Equine with his wife and practice manager Susan, based at their mini-farm in North Granby.&ldqu […]