Recent Stories

Oak Hill School celebrates 130 years

Susan Regan, host of CT Valley Views, interviewed Ana Wittig, chief administrator of Oak Hill School in an informative dialogue about this venerable institution that is celebrating its 130th year serving the citizens of New England communities.

Granby Grange Agricultural Fair will be September 9

Come see your neighbors’ skills and produce at the Granby Grange Agricultural Fair on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone is invited to show off their baked goods, vegetables, jams, jellies, art or needle work and vie for the blue ribbon and a cash prize.

Art brings joy and pride to Valley Pre-School

By Kim BeckerAs the weather turns warm and the buds begin to bloom so does the Valley Pre-School Art Show. For over 10 years, the school’s four-year-old classes have spent the year creating masterpieces for the much-anticipated annual event. On display are pieces in an array of media, driven by a rich curriculum and the children themselves. The stones and other natural objects the children used to explore math concepts such as patterning, counting and sorting, inspired one installation of […]

HUMANS of GRANBY

By Emma Smith Rosemary Wolcott Rosemary WalcottAge 68English teacher 20 years, currently retired. Consultant- HS Sr. college application essaysTell us about your dreams…A recurring dream comes to me in September. It is the first day of school and I am assigned to teach a subject I have no background in for five periods a day to classes of 28+ students. There are no textbooks and the technology in the room is not working.My dreams for the future are that my children’s and grandchil […]

Grad Night 2016 art contest winners announced

​Granby Parents for a Safe Graduation has announced the winners of the 2016 art competition. The first place entry will be used to design the invitation for the Granby Memorial High School’s safe graduation party. The winning design is featured on the complementary grad night t-shirts which all seniors will receive. The grad night party is free to all graduating seniors and will be held this year on June 13 at the Farmington Valley YMCA in Granby.​GMHS Principal, Dr. Mary Gadd, […]

Granby Horse Council awards scholarship

By Joan DavisThe Granby Horse Council is proud to announce that James Novak of Granville, Mass. is the recipient of the 2016 Granby Horse Council scholarship. James has been riding horses since he was 7 years old. He is a senior at Westfield High School and will be attending Findlay University in Findlay, Ohio, in August. He is enrolled in the equestrian program with a focus on Western riding and training, specializing in reining.​  The council offers a $500 scholarship annually […]

BOE, town watch state budget woes closely

By Kim BeckerThe Hartford Courant reported that the state legislature and the governor have reached agreement over the state’s budget and response to a nearly $1 billion fiscal shortfall. This is necessitating across-the-board cuts, and as many as 2,500 state workers will likely lose their jobs. Of greatest immediate concern to towns and cities across the state are proposed cuts to municipal grants, education cost-sharing grants, and assistance with transportation and special education cos […]

Passport to Connecticut Libraries “eminently rewarding”

By Virgil PaggenNot long after I moved with my family to North Granby, I happened upon the Frederick H. Cossitt Library, a small outpost in comparison with the West Hartford library I previously frequented. It didn’t take long for Margaret Vastoff, librarian, to acquaint me with all that Cossitt offered; it quickly became a valued resource.Among the 50 states, Connecticut ranks 48th in size; only Delaware and Rhode Island are smaller. However, with more than 260 public libraries, I found t […]

Third and fourth graders learn more about their own interests

​By John R. NiebWith enrichment clusters, third and fourth graders in the Granby schools can learn more about their areas of interest. Enrichment clusters are collaborative learning environments where students can investigate and learn about areas of interest that they have and want to learn more about. They are a multi-week cooperative learning experience for students.“They provide a process for students who may be gifted in different ways to show their strengths and learn from and […]

A new way to donate to the Community Fund

The Granby Community Fund is introducing a new way for donors to contribute to favorite local organizations. Online shoppers may go to smile.amazon.com, where they will find the exact same low prices and selection as Amazon.com, with the added bonus of one-half percent of the purchase price being donated to the GCF.Whether shopping for graduation, wedding, holiday, baby or birthday gifts, a percentage of your purchase will help the following Granby non-profit organizations: Granby Parents for a […]

Gran-Bee is a grand success

By Kim BeckerOn April 22, the Granby Education Foundation presented one of the town’s favorite family-friendly community events, the Gran-Bee. Twenty eight teams competed to see which one knew the most trivia (see panel for sample questions). With families and kids of all ages playing along, each Swarm was cheered as the finalists flew to the top.With Scott Kuhnly, Granby’s First Selectman, confidently emceeing, team Bee S, sponsored by Tony Bussman Painting Co., dominated the hive t […]

Wells Road community bonds through One School One Book Program

By Kim BeckerIn late February, dollar signs and other weird symbols appeared on the walls of Wells Road School. In March, Mrs. Frost, the media specialist, came to a school assembly dressed in a lemon costume. It definitely wasn’t going to be an average school day!After seeing a One School One Book program in action during a school visit, Dr. Anna Forlenza-Bailey, school principal, suggested to the staff that Wells Road should try the program, too. With a generous grant from the Granby Edu […]

​Town to continue recycling and waste reduction efforts

By Shirley MurthaTo continue encouraging residents to recycle and reduce landfill waste, the Board of Selectmen approved the Town Manager’s request to appropriate $18,722 from the Solid Waste Fund to be used in four major areas.1. Hazardous Waste Collection: Granby manages this initiative independently. It was previously managed in collaboration with the Metropolitan District Commission and the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority.2. Compost Bins: Encourages residents to reduce the town’ […]

Students explore the wonder of natural sciences at Valley Pre-School

By Jodi D’AngeloFrom learning how plants store energy to make food, to examining skulls to determine what different animals eat, each month unveils another chapter of the natural world at Valley Pre-School.“My goal is to inspire curiosity, develop observation skills, expand the horizon of a young child’s view, and create an ongoing connection with the natural world,” said Nannie Brown, the natural sciences teacher at Valley Pre-School. Although Brown retired as a lead teacher at the scho […]

​South Congregational Church is the new location for Granby Farmers Market

The Granby Farmers Market is making a comeback at a new location right in the center of town. Community members will be able to get their fresh produce directly from farmers, as well as purchase local crafts, soaps and more while enjoying incredible live music and participating in special events. The market will run every Tuesday this summer from 3 to 6 p.m. beginning on June 7 and ending on August 30 at South Congregational Church. Local college students, Amanda Zyzdorf and Danielle Sturge […]

​Sign up for Memorial Day activities

The Granby Memorial Day Association invites town officials, the fire department and its auxiliary, Scout units and other civic and social groups to take part in the annual parade and program on Monday, May 30. First-time parade participants, and organizations wishing to have a concession on the green must be registered with Parade Marshall James O. Hall (860-653-3819).The honorary parade marshall will be Maurice J. Brassard who served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. The parade […]

Principals selected as Kearns closes

By Kim BeckerSuperintendent Dr. Alan Addley announced his choices for principals  for the revamped district. Kim Dessert will stay at the primary level (Pre-K–Grade 2) at Kelly Lane School. Dr. Anna Forlenza-Bailey and Susan Henneberry will remain at Wells Road Intermediate School (Grades 3–5) and the Middle School (Grades 6–8), respectively. The surprise comes at the high school. Dr. Mary Gadd, the current principal, will be replaced by Mike Dunn, the popular principal of Kelly Lane […]

National Football Foundation recognizes two GMHS seniors

By Shirley MurthaRoger Pearl, a member of the Northern Connecticut Chapter of the National Football Foundation, presented Granby Memorial High School seniors Connor Field and Dominic Pagano the foundation’s annual scholar-athlete award on March 31.Made up of administrators, coaches and businessmen, the local committee chooses recipients on the basis of academic achievement, athletic accomplishments and community leadership. Pearl noted that Field and Pagano had received the highest possibl […]

In Town Focus

​GAA Spring ShowThe Granby Artists Association announces a new spring show of member’s artwork at the Simsbury Library in the downstairs program room and display case, from May 2 through May 31. The library hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.The public is invited to a reception for the artists on Thursday, May 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the program room. This is a free e […]

Granby Pharmacy now prescribing, dispensing Narcan

Narcan, a life-saving drug used in the event of an opioid overdose, can be prescribed by pharmacists. Granby Pharmacy is now prescribing and dispensing Narcan to patrons seeking the drug. Narcan, also known as naloxone, is used in the event of a suspected opioid overdose. Opioids include prescription pain medications and heroin.“This is a great opportunity for pharmacists, the most accessible healthcare professional, to get this lifesaving drug into the hands of people who need it. If I am […]

Granby 5K Challenge runs June 19

The Granby Bear 5K Challenge has become a fun-filled tradition for the Granby community and the Granby Memorial High School Booster Club is looking forward to offering its third annual event. This year’s race takes place on Sunday, June 19, at 9 a.m.  Advertisement for Swim Center at Westminster School The run starts and ends at the GMHS track.  It’s a fun event for the whole family, with a 5K division and also a Kid’s Fun Run after the 5K. This year the […]

Exhibit focuses on Granby’s children—photographs, toys and textiles

By Jean PotetzThe Salmon Brook Historical Society’s 2016 summer exhibit will focus on Granby children featuring photographs of them, the toys they played with and the clothing they wore. In addition, several quilts will be on display including an embroidered red-work quilt that would delight any child. Many of the quilts are from local Granby families.The entry to the Weed-Enders House will feature a large wooden wagon from the Beman family with a framed photograph of its owner, three-year […]