Recent Stories

Granby Artists accepting scholarship applications

Graduating high school seniors who are permanent Granby residents are cordially invited to apply for the 2024 Granby Artist Association Annual Scholarship. The scholarship is a cash award of $1,000 given to a student of higher artistic skill to be utilized toward upcoming college expenses.

Drumrolls — February 2024

Andrew La Croix of Granby was one of seven students recognized by Kingswood Oxford School for exceptional academic promise demonstrated by their outstanding performance on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in October 2022.

Civic organizations in town: The Freemasons of Granby

In the July/August Drummer edition, I wrote about how Granby was full of volunteers, mentioning many organizations such as the Granby Club, Bridge Club, and the Boy and Girl Scout chapters. One organization I overlooked was the Freemasons of Granby, a very early civic organization and the oldest fraternal organization in the world.

Thoughts on cycling

By Eric LukingbealJust how hard would it be to make bicycle commuting practical for the ring of suburbs around our major cities? Drivers’ negative or even hostile attitudes toward cyclists is, in my book, a large reason why it isn’t more popular.For 40 years, I worked in downtown Hartford about 20 miles from my home in Granby. Cycling was—and still is—my chosen form of daily exercise. I probably average 5,000 miles per year on country roads, but I tried commuting to work […]

Stony Hill Village board president retires

June 2 marked the end of an era at Stony Hill Village, one of Granby’s low-income housing facilities. Long-time Granby resident Ted Christensen, the president of the board of directors at Stony Hill, tendered his resignation to the other board members. Ted and Sandy Christensen with 1st Selectman B. Scott Kuhnly. Ted’s 42-year career at Stony Hill very nearly spanned the existence of the village, which was founded in 1972. Ted became president of the board in 2000. Ted&rsq […]

November Lunch for the Mind: Poetry, a Reflection of Life

Poetry has a long history as early poems evolved from folk songs to the epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey and beyond. Whereas, modern poetry is often less structured and is used to inspire, heal and often portrays the poet’s feelings and state of mind. If you are interested in poetry or have written your own poems, the November Lunch for the Mind program will satisfy the poet in you. Granby’s own Laura Mazza-Dixon, poet, musician and teacher, will present Poetry, a Reflection of Life […]

GMHS Football

Keon Lawrence #12 breaks through to gain some yards in the Bears 14-7 victory over Ellington Sept. 29.  Photo by Jay Harder, Granby Camera Club […]

Students pose questions during BOE candidate forum

By Debora TimmsStudents from Granby Memorial High School had the opportunity to question candidates seeking election to the Board of Education during an hour-long candidates’ forum on Sept. 27. The event was held to honor National Voter Registration Day and was hosted at the Town Hall by Registrars Laura Wolfe and Paul R. Willis and moderated by John Adams.All of the candidates on the ballot for the Nov. 7 municipal election participated in the forum. They received a list of questions draf […]

2018 GMHS Grad Night help and support needed

By Thérèse MulveyThe GMHS Grad Night is held at the Granby YMCA every year on graduation night and offers a free, fun-filled, substance-free event in June of next year. The 2018 event cannot happen without volunteers to help with food, room set-up, decorations and chaperoning. […]

You are needed

Granby residents are needed to fill positions on boards and commissions. There is one vacancy on the Agricultural Commission; one on the Park and Recreation Board, and five on the Herbicide and Pesticide Study Committee.  If you are interested in serving your town in any of these positions, call the Democratic Town committee Chairman Jim Lofink, 860-810-0274; republican Town Committee Chairman Mark Neumann, 860-653-9668; or the Town Manager, 860-844-5300. […]

Swedish Pancake Breakfast and More

The Youth from Pilgrim Covenant Church are hosting a Swedish Pancake Breakfast and Scandinavian Bake Sale on Saturday, Nov. 18, 8–10 a.m. at Pilgrim Covenant Church, 605 Salmon Brook Street.  This is a donation breakfast benefiting the youth groups. Swedish pancakes, bacon, sausage and breakfast beverages will be served by the youth, and delicious Scandinavian and other home-baked goods will be available for sale.The Senior High Youth Group (grades 9–12) meets Thursd […]

​Artists’ 10th annual Holiday Gift Show at Holcomb Farm

By Annukka RitalahtiThe Granby Artists Association will host its 10th annual Holiday Gift Show, Dec. 2-3, at the Holcomb Farm Learning Center. This is truly a “buy local” event! Eight of the association’s talented members will have an array of items including paintings, prints, note cards, lamps, bowls, jewelry, calligraphy, glass art vessels and ornaments.  Jean-Luc Godard will show new designs etched on medallions cut from storm-damaged limbs from the Gr […]

Stand Down Day 2017 and Foxfield F.A.R.M. Veterans’ Foundation

On Friday, September 22, Foxfield F.A.R.M. of Granby joined 100 other charity organizations at the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs in Rocky Hill, for its annual Stand Down Day, which has been held since 1992. Initially, this event addressed the issues of homeless veterans, but now it encompasses a broad range of support including medical, dental, legal, career, insurance and social services, among many others and it is enthusiastically attended by 1000 current and former military pers […]

Humans of Granby

Lauren YargerTheater critic, playwrightand producerMember of Drama DeskOuter Critic’s Circle, NY and CTAge: 57Tell about your job…I cover Broadway and off-Broadway shows in New York City along with Connecticut professional theater. I write critiques for the Bushnell, Goodspeed, Westport Playhouse, Theater works, Hartford Stage and playhouses in New Haven. My busiest season is the spring, then summer and fall. Winter is quieter as often the venues are having seasonal productio […]

DAR: Revolutionary for 125 Years, 1892-2017

The Ellsworth Memorial Association hosted a tea to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Connecticut Daughters of the American Revolution and honor members with 40 years or more of service. It was held at the Oliver Ellsworth Homestead in Windsor. The Connecticut State Society DAR was organized on Feb. 20, 1892, and was one of the first to appoint a state regent. The program included a lookback at the founding of CTDAR and its early leaders and tributes to six Honorary State Regents and tw […]

Salmon Brook Historical Society, Antique Gas Engine / Tractor Exhibit

The SBHS will have its annual Antique Gas Engine and Tractor Exhibit. Located on the campus at 208 Salmon Brook Street, the exhibit will be held Saturday, Sept. 30 with setup at 7:30 a.m., show 9 a.m.  to 3 p.m. (weather permitting). Please contact Don Rethke at 860-549-6687 or flushbewithyou@yahoo.com to exhibit your antique gas engine or tractor. A food booth offering donuts, hot dogs and beverages will be open. Free parking and admission.Fall Flea MarketThe SBHS will hold […]

Good Company to present Putnam County Spelling Bee

By Jessica PietrosantiGood Company Theater has started rehearsals for its hilarious fall production of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. In a school auditorium, home of the Putnam Porcupines, six peculiar students compete in a spelling bee, guided by three adults who have their own personality quirks, as each character attempts to deal with the struggles of growing up. Nate Strick, Jason Maur, Luis Hilerio, Cliff Gibson, Danielle Lawrence, Julia Bussell and Karen Vinic rehearse fo […]

Granby Artists annual open studio tour is Oct. 14-15

By Debby ReelitzThe Granby Artists Association will hold its annual Open Studio Tour Saturday and Sunday, October 14-15, at home studios throughout Granby. In addition, Lost Acres Vineyard will host oil painter, Alexander Anisimov, on both days of the tour. Anisimov, a classically trained Russian artist, will be creating charcoal and sepia portraits for visitors. The portraits will take 15 to 20 minutes and cost only $25. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made at: 860-408-1671. […]

​October Art show to support Granby Land Trust

By Trish PercivalThe Granby Land Trust and the Granby Artists Association are in their 12th year of showcasing inspiring art for an important cause—to help protect the land, water, and wildlife of Granby. To date, the Land Trust has protected more than 2,500 acres of open space, forests, wildlife habitat, agricultural land, water buffers, ecologically sensitive areas, and scenic vistas in Granby.Celebrating New England’s Natural Beauty is the theme of this extraordinary juried show; […]

At House of Hayes, the cows are milking themselves

By Shirley MurthaIf you weren’t among the many visitors to the House of Hayes dairy farm (Sweet Pea Cheese) on Open Farm Day, you owe it to yourself to drive over to observe the new robotic milking process. Seemingly out of a science fiction novel, the cows now milk themselves 24/7, relieving the Hayes family of the chore that used to take 3 1/2 hours twice a day.It takes just a little training to teach the cows to enter the milking station, which they happily do repeatedly to enjoy the gr […]

MeadowBrook residents adopt Phoebe the bunny

With a special welcoming ceremony, MeadowBrook of Granby residents welcomed Phoebe the Bunny to their home. Phoebe has a long soft coat and loves to be held and brushed. She is calm and sensitive. She loves fresh vegetable and yogurt treats, and will bring smiles to the face of residents at MeadowBrook of Granby for many years to come. Dorothy Annulli and Director of Therapeutic Recreation Nicole Matson with Phoebe the bunny. MeadowBrook of Granby offers a wide variety of pet therapy […]