Recent Stories

Short walks help your heart

Numerous studies support exercise and cardiovascular health protection. We know this, but putting it into practice is hard.

A dream of Nationals for a GMHS senior becomes reality

Most people know Loretta Lynn as a famous country music star, but Brody Landheer knows her name because of Lynn’s connection to the Amateur National Motocross Championship.

Living with ticks

Ticks are present at Holcomb Farm. Those of us who walk the trails have noticed an increase this spring over prior years.

District studies achievement gap 

By Kim Becker ​In  response  to  a  Board  of  Education  query  earlier  this  calendar  year,  district  administrators  presented raw  data  relating  to  the  systems  achievement  gap. The  data  focused  on  problem  areas  for  students  with special  needs  and  those  from  the  Open  Choice  progra […]

Pot is not for Pets

As you all  know, Connecticut has a medical  marijuana law that allows for medicinal use under certain conditions.  Our  state  has  also  removed  jail  time  for  possessing  small  amounts  of  marijuana.  The decriminalization  has  lead  to  increases  in  cases  of  accidental  exposure  of  pets  across  the  country  and  in our & […]

First Church commemorates Transgender Day of Remembrance

​By Audrey LampertThe First Congregational Church of Granby will host a community event to commemorate the Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20, at 6 p.m., to be followed immediately by a free dinner and informal Q and A session.The Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual event that seeks to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice in the prior year. The first event was held in the spring of 1999 in San Francisco as a memorial service to honor […]

​Pizzicato and Puppies featured in Memory Café Programs

By Marilyn SponzoOn Nov. 5, Tara’s Memory Café will host violinist Kate O’Brien, who will delight audiences with music from a variety of genres—elegant classical, swing and jazz, country fiddling, popular songs and ethnic music. She’ll also share the secrets of her custom violin and play personal favorites on request. The program will take place at the Granby Senior Center, 15C North Granby Road, from 2 to 4 p.m.O’Brien has been playing violin in orchestras s […]

GMHS presents Inherit the Wind

This November the Granby Memorial High School Drama Club presents Inherit the Wind. This powerful courtroom drama is based upon the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, involving a teacher from Tennessee who defied state law and taught the theory of evolution in his classroom, instead of the state-mandated theory of Creationism. This drama thrives on the intense disputes between lawyers based on William Jennings Bryan, a strict interpreter of the Bible, and Clarence Darrow, a defender of science and the ri […]

​Westfield State University names Squire Bressor to Hall of Fame

By Dave CaspoleLoren “Squire” Bressor has been named the 2015 Hagan Award recipient by the Westfield State University Athletics Hall of Fame Committee for his long-time contributions to the athletics department at Westfield State. Bressor received the award at the Athletics Hall of Fame banquet as part of homecoming festivities.Bressor served as Westfield State’s tennis coach in the 1970s and was also an adjunct professor at the University. He has been a part of the Westfield S […]

​Community efforts to help neighbors in need

By Andrea BoyleThe Farmington Valley VNA’s Granby Food Bank Program is the grateful recipient of the recent generosity of Geissler’s Supermarket and the Archdiocese of Hartford.On Sept. 26, Geissler’s Supermarket in Granby hosted a food drive to benefit the Granby Food Bank Program and the East Granby Food Pantry. Along with Geissler’s store staff, volunteers from each Food Bank encouraged patrons to “fill the truck” that was parked in front of the store with […]

​Local family gives gift of Guiding Eyes dog

By Kim BeckerEmily Newman spent eighth grade on a labor of love and hope for a stranger she may never meet. That stranger will be the constant companion of Kelley, a yellow Labrador retriever puppy that Emily trained as a companion for a visually impaired person.Kelley stayed with the Newmans for 17 months as she learned basic house and walking manners and politely socialized in many different arenas. Emily and Kelley became a familiar sight at the grocery store, school, and library; amazing kid […]

Class of 1975

The Granby Memorial High School class of 1975 held its 40th reunion over Labor Day weekend. On Sept. 5, the group gathered at Vito’s by the Water in Windsor. Thirty-five classmates and others enjoyed an evening of reminiscing and celebration. A few words were spoken by friends on behalf of lost classmates. DJ music was provided by Sonic Sound of Granby. A few former faculty members joined in the festivities.The class also held a pot luck picnic the following day at Salmon Brook Park for about […]

​Women’s Breakfast

On Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 8:30 a.m., the Granby Women’s Breakfast Group will have breakfast served by the Granby Men’s Senior Breakfast Team headed by Leon Lanata. At 9 a.m., local resident Kathy Morgan will present a program entitled My Travels to Tanzania. For reservations, call Corinne Dickerson at 860-653-9891. Cost is $3 per person. […]

​FV-VNA Events

Blood Pressure ScreeningsThe Farmington Valley VNA’s free blood pressure screenings are available without appointment Mondays, Nov. 2, 10:30–11:30 a.m. at Hartland Town Hall, 22 South Rd., E. Hartland; 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., at East Granby Senior Center and Nov. 16, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., at East Hartland First Church Parish House; Tuesday, Nov. 3, 9–10:30 a.m., at the Farmington Valley YMCA and Thursdays, Nov. 5, 12, 16 and 19, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., at Granby Seni […]

Swedish Pancake Breakfast and More

​The Youth from Pilgrim Covenant Church are hosting a Swedish Pancake Breakfast and Scandinavian Bake Sale on Saturday, Nov. 21, 8:30 – 10 a.m. at Pilgrim Covenant Church, 605 Salmon Brook Street, just before the state line. 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& […]

​MS Support

A support group for those with Multiple Sclerosis meets the second and fourth Monday of each month, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Granby Senior Center. Significant others and caregivers are welcome to attend. For more information call 860-653-1986 or 860-428-2463. […]

Granby Lions Christmas tree sale

​With the holidays rapidly approaching, the Granby Lions Club is getting ready for its annual Christmas tree sale. Five hundred trees will arrive from the Maine forests on Saturday, Nov. 28. At their Bank Street location, Granby Lions volunteers will assist customers to select and carry trees to their vehicle. The trees are six- or eight-feet-tall and will sell for $35 and $40. Profits from the sale are invested in Granby through high school scholarships, the Granby Senior Center, special […]

​Bruce Porter Memorial Music Series

From Bach to Broadway: A Vocal Feast will begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, as part of the Bruce Porter Memorial Music Series at South Congregational Church at 242 Salmon Brook Street. Soprano Michelle Fiertek, baritone Robert Barefield and organist Stephen Scarlato join together for an afternoon of music for voice, organ and piano.Supported in part by an Artscape Grant from the Greater Hartford Arts Council, the concerts in the Bruce Porter Memorial Music Series are f […]

Boy Scout Annual Wreath Sale

​Granby’s Boy Scout Troop 125 will hold its annual wreath sale downtown during the holiday season. Sales will be held at the municipal lot on Bank Street on Friday, Nov. 27, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 28, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 29, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wreaths are supplied by Pat’s Greenhouse, Granville, Mass. The troop thanks you in advance for your continuing suppor […]

Senior Club

​The Senior Club is again selling amaryllis bulbs for holiday giving. The Merry Christmas bulb presents gorgeous orient red blooms on a 12-inch stem. Those who bought last year have raved about their beauty! You can place your order at the Senior Center, at the Nov. 4 Women’s Breakfast, or through any member of the Senior Club or Commission on Aging. Orders are due by Nov. 13 and will be available for pick up on Nov. 18. The bulbs make a wonderful hostess gift for Thanksgiving or the Decem […]

Barns, garages, operating hours and a land swap addressed by Planning and Zoning

By Elaine JonesAt its Sept. 22 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission heard and approved two applications for construction of barns-garages, and a special permit modification to expand operating hours at a farm store. It also discussed the possible transfer of land between the Granby Land Trust and a developer to improve access to land trust property.James Wood presented an application for a special permit to construct a barn/garage in excess of 1,000 square feet at 97 Peterson Road. The ga […]

​Perfect day for Music at Celebrate Granby in the Park

 Laura Mazza-DixonWindy Hill Guitar Studio students made music all day long on Sept. 26 at the Granby Chamber of Commerce event Celebrate Granby in the Park.During the day, children and adults stopped by to listen and learn about the lessons and classes offered by studio director, Laura Mazza-Dixon. Guitarists Nicholas DeFranzo, 12, of East Granby and Erin Keener, 15, of Granby, played pieces by Latin American composers Hector Ayala and Bartolomeo Calatayud and lute duets from Renaissance E […]

Holcomb Farm’s Harvest Dinner and silent auction

You’re invited to attend an elegant harvest meal and silent auction that celebrates the spirit of the community while helping to feed hungry families, to be held Saturday, Nov. 7, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Metro Bis Restaurant, 731 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury.Seating is limited so don’t delay purchasing tickets for this once-a-year event. Tickets are $90 per person, are not refundable and may be purchased through this secure web site: holcombfarm.org/harvest-dinner. Many exciting items continue […]