Recent Stories

Drumrolls

Ashley Bristol, of Granby, received the 2024 New England Scholar awarded by the University of Connecticut. This honor is awarded to students who earn a GPA of 3.7 or higher for both the fall and spring semesters of 2023.

Reflections

One nice morning in the spring of 1988 I happened to meet up with my neighbor, David Hildreth, at our mailboxes on Day St. Dave was one of the original founders of Citizens for a Better Granby, the non- profit that publishes The Granby Drummer. He was a thoughtful, soft-spoken man and all-around great neighbor. On that day, Dave suggested that I write a column for the Drummer on veterinary medicine. How could I say no?

Many reasons to celebrate May

The beautiful month of May is named after the Roman goddess Maia who oversaw the growth of plants. That seems very appropriate since in the natural world both wild and cultivated flowers are blooming, while birds are singing, swooping and nesting. 

Andy Laplante relishes life’s drama

If you have ever shopped at the Granby Cumberland Farms, you have encountered the smiling welcome and kindly service of Andy Laplante. He is a large man in many ways: in his big heart; in his thoughtful, friendly behavior; in his unflappable love of life. He is also a man who hones his talents for his own and others’ pleasure.

Connection to nature is central theme of upcoming exhibition

Granby’s Alexander Anisimov is truly a master-of-all-trades artist. From crafting mosaics to painting with oil, from drawing in ink or graphite to collecting driftwood, Anisimov can take the world around us and create thoughtful art pieces.

A story of a Granby war hero

On a walk through the Granby Cemetery in Section A, you may notice a monument that’s nearly 15 feet tall. This monument belongs to Richard E. Holcomb, a Granby Civil War hero killed at Port Hudson, La. on June 14, 1863.

Browse & Borrow — May 2024

Registration is required for most library programs. To register, visit granby-ct.gov/Library, and click on “Register for a Program” or call the library at 860-844-5275. To learn more about upcoming programs, sign up for the library’s monthly eNewsletter.

Meet me at the Center — May 2024

Please visit granby-ct.gov/senior-services or check your Center Life Newsletter for a complete listing of health services, support groups, clubs and ongoing activities.

Charlie and Joan Katan honored by Land Trust

At its annual meeting on Oct. 22, the Granby Land Trust bestowed its highest honor—the Mary Edwards Friend of the Land Trust Award—on Charlie and Joan Katan of West Granby. Charlie, a geologist by training and a naturalist by inclination, was a founder of the GLT. He volunteered for years, providing wise counsel to the board; leading many woodland hikes and other educational activities; and acting as an effective spokesman for the land trust. Joan gave horseback riding le […]

Resident honored by Habitat for Humanity

West Granby resident Ralph Eustis (pictured on right) was honored with Hartford Habitat’s Outstanding Construction Volunteer award for his exceptional service to Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity. Director of Construction Kris McKelvie presented the award at Habitat’s Volunteer Appreciation Celebration on October 18, 2017, at the Mark Twain Museum. Eustis, a seasoned construction volunteer, is one of Habitat’s “Weekday Saints” who volunteer tirelessly y […]

Foxfield F.A.R.M. charity celebrates Veterans Day

Foxfield For A Recovery Mission charity was established in April 2016 to provide an Equine Groundwork Therapy program for Veterans with PTSD. Their outreach to the community has been through partnerships with Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center and Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital. From l.: Susan and Bill Regan, Foxfield F.A.R.M.; Justine Ginsberg, RN community health coordinator FVHD; Leesa Philippon, Gold Star mother and RGH coordinator FVHD; Sean […]

Lions Club conducts annual vision screening

This is the fifth year that the Granby Lions have checked the eyesight of young children in Granby. Of the 728 children the Lions checked in October, 40 needed to see an eye doctor. This percentage of referrals improved this year. Screening includes four daycare centers, preschool, kindergarten and first grade at Kelly Lane School, and third, fourth and fifth grades at Wells Road School. Caption At Wells Road School, from l.: Jodi French, school nurse; with Lions eye screeners Stan […]

The History of Daylight Saving Time and how it began

By John R. NiebSetting the clocks ahead one hour in spring begins Daylight Saving Time for the year. The change from standard time during the summer months, and back one hour to Standard Time in the fall takes better advantage of natural daylight. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and ends at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November. When people set their clocks ahead one hour, they lose an hour of sleep, but gain an hour of sleep when they set their clocks back o […]

8 East Granby Road

The center hall house at 8 East Granby Road was probably built about the same time as the neighboring houses (4 East Granby Road and 2 Park Place were both built in 1805). It was a Federal style when new, but many changes and alterations through the years caused people to think it was a Victorian structure.A lot of 9.5 acres was sold by Heamon Holcomb to Andrew D. Hillyer in 1804 for $161. 14. It was located “a little east of the head of Salmon Brook Street.” No house was mentioned i […]

Local therapist pens guide for effective living

The celebration of the publication of Heather A. Lagace’s latest book, I Am in My Life for Keeps: A Course in Thriving will be held at F.H. Cossitt Library on Friday, Nov. 17, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.  A licensed professional counselor and an adjunct professor at both the University of Hartford and the University of Connecticut, Lagace has written a book that offers practical suggestions for ways to reflect on our lives and inspiring ideas for creating the conditions for mak […]

​GLT Art Talk: Learn about the artistic process

Join us on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 7-9 p.m., for a fun, casual and free event, where we will discuss a number of the works of art that are part of this year’s Granby Land Trust Juried Art Show, Celebrating New England’s Natural Beauty. Complimentary light refreshments will be served and Lost Acres Vineyard wine will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle.Artists Laura Eden and Bill Simpson will lead an interactive discussion with a number of artists who are in the show, givi […]

Camera Club

The Granby Camera Club will meet on Monday, Nov. 6, at the Granby Senior Center at 7 p.m. The meeting topic will be Painting with Light. The scavenger hunt words are: ablaze, polygon and favorite. To learn more about the club, please visit www.GranbyCameraClub.com. […]

Our Town set for Nov. 3-5 at GMHS

By Kate HosackGranby Memorial High School announces its fall play, Our Town by Thornton Wilder, Nov. 3-5, in the school’s auditorium. The play is directed by Nikki Currie-Huggard. The students have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into this influential and introspective work that reflects on the gravity of simple everyday life. The play follows the lives of ordinary citizens in Grover’s Corners, N.H.  Twelve years worth of ups and downs, stagnation and change. The whole story (w […]

Granby’s support of agriculture ranks high in state

By Shirley MurthaRepresenting Granby’s Agricultural Commission, chairman Michelle Niedermeyer distributed copies of the Planning for Agriculture publication assembled jointly by the American Farmland Trust and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities to the Board of Selectmen at its October 2 meeting. Acknowledging the important contributions farming makes to many state communities in terms of quality of life, economy, preservation of land and leveraging federal and state grants, the a […]

Get outside and enjoy the fall festivities

By Rachel HennessyRecently the days have been getting darker earlier, the nights are becoming colder, and the leaves are turning into brilliant shades of rust and amber. After months of humid and heavy air, fall has finally arrived in Granby. For many, fall is their favorite season because it is the perfect temperature for bringing out sweaters and scarves. Heading further into the season, here are some fall festivities you can try with your family. The lawn at South Congregational Chur […]

Buy your Cookies by the Pound Dec. 9 at South Church

By Carole BernardAs the busy holiday season looms, a timesaver is as welcome as a foot massage after a day at the mall. The little elves at South Church are busy and can help you cross cookies off your to-do list!At the annual Cookies by the Pound sale this year, you can satisfy your sweet tooth, be prepared with a short-notice hostess gift, or simply provide a baked-from-scratch dessert for the family. A wide variety of sweets will be available, from crunchy to soft, with or without nuts, as we […]

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 […]