Recent Stories

The school year coming to a close

The full May and June calendars and the buzz of excitement from our students tells us that the end of the school year is approaching. The activities and enthusiasm of our students and staff are high energy right now as everyone is focusing on exciting end-of-year activities, spring sports, field trips, prom, concerts, senior outings and awards celebrations.

Just go for it!

Call it ignorant, but I generally ignore the announcements that blare across the high school intercom system each morning. Ask any GMHS student, and they will likely attest to committing the same offense. However, one spring morning during my freshman year, with the sun gleaming across my desk and my mind clear from distractions, I turned my ear to the wave of advertisements and reminders spouting from the ceiling speakers.

4-H Robotics team compete at world championships

Granby seniors Ben Weber and Nathan Griswold concluded their G-4s 4-H Robotics experience with a trip to the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas. Middle schoolers Dylan Hamilton and Emma Doherty assisted as pit crew.

Jazz in the Park scheduled for Friday, May 31

Pack a picnic, bring a blanket and enjoy smooth tunes from the Wells Road Intermediate School, Granby Memo-rial Middle School and Granby Memorial High School jazz bands. This free event starts at 5 p.m. at the bandshell in Salmon Brook Park. Presented by the Granby Public Schools music department.

Dreams that started in Granby came true

Granby resident Jaira Paine paced the Endicott College Gulls Women’s Lacrosse team to a 17-9 victory in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship game May 4 over three-time defending champion and top-seeded Roger Williams.

The Bluebirds are back!

Bluebirds are being welcomed all over town this spring! Whether it has anything to do with climate change, it seems that there are more than usual appearing in our backyards. In addition to having difficulty contending with killing winter temperatures, another factor in their dwindling numbers in our area during the past several decades is that house wrens, tree swallows, alien house sparrows and starlings have crowded the gentle blues out of nearly all available nesting places.

Adventures in Sustainable Eating

By Alicia NewtonIn today’s society, people refuse to purchase produce due to a small bruise, scratch or deformity. Little do they know that the slightly imperfect food is just as delicious, if not better, than the pristine-looking food. Students concerned about the relationship between food sources and consumers have enrolled in From The Ground UP, a high school leadership program offered by Nourish My Soul a local nonprofit.  Examples of sushi and pumpkin miso soup prepared […]

Messenger Memorial gets spiffed up in time for holidays

When he finished preparing all the Department of Public Works plows for the winter, Robbie Bahre noted that the V-plow in front of the DPW building needed some sprucing up. He asked Deputy Director Joel Faria for permission to do that. The answer was “yes,” and there just happened to be a set of decals in stock for the lettering needed.  From l., Robbie Bahre, Robert Stickles and Joel Faria stand by the newly refurbished V-plow at Public Works. Photo by Lisa Pyatt Rob […]

Stop & Shop, Granby Police team up for holiday toy drive

Rosia Kennedy would like to thank the Granby Police Department for teaming up with her to run a Christmas toy drive at Stop & Shop. It’s the second year she has asked them to join her and they were happy to oblige. Baskets of toys were set on registers and cashiers asked customers to help, and WOW they did! People also stopped by outside to drop off toys and gift cards. Pictured are Rosia Kennedy and Detective Tina Deltatto. Submitted photo Thanks to Detective Tina Deltatto, […]

Comforter project expands as 29 years of Quilt Happenings comes to an end

By Shirley MurthaFor 29 years, Ginny Wutka produced Quilt Happenings in summer, late fall and early spring at Lost Acres Orchard. The Happenings included a lecture on some aspect of quilting history, new and vintage quilts, kits and fabrics for sale, news of area quilt clubs and light refreshments from the Farm Kitchen. For the summer Happening, the kitchen made available an extensive buffet enjoyed by patrons sitting outdoors under the apple trees. Comforter Project quilts were delivered t […]

Foxfield F.A.R.M. donates to GCC toy drive

Foxfield F.A.R.M. donated a very cuddly bear to the Granby Chamber of Commerce December Toy Drive at the State Line office drop off site. Pictured L-R: Rose Stone, State Line Customer Service Rep and Susan Patricelli-Regan, President of Foxfield F.A.R.M. Equine Therapy for Veterans with PTSD foundation.  Tax-deductible donations may be made by mail or PayPal online at our website: foxfieldrecoverymission.org […]

Plight of New England dairy farms examined

Granby Land Trust, Simsbury Land Trust and Friends of Holcomb Farm host documentary screening Forgotten Farms, a documentary about New England dairy farms, will be shown Sunday, March 11, at 2 p.m. in the Simsbury Public Library Lower Level Program Room. The screening will be followed by a question and answer period led by the filmmakers Sarah Gardner and Dave Simonds, along with area dairy farmers. This event is offered free of charge thanks to sponsorship by the Granby Land Trust, Friends […]

Selectmen welcome new student liaison

By Shirley MurthaGranby Memorial High School junior Serra Tickey has been appointed the 2018 student liaison to the Board of Selectman. Serra’s interest in the different branches of government lead her to apply for the position, which she hopes will keep her educated in the town’s current events and issues. She will report on high school happenings at each Board of Selectmen meeting. Serra Tickey Serra is a busy person at GMHS where she is a member of the French Honor Soci […]

2018-2019 Kelly Lane Primary Schoolkindergarten registration is March 19

Kindergarten registration will be held at Kelly Lane Primary School, 60 Kelly Lane on Monday, March 19 between 5-7 p.m.Children who will be five years of age on or before January 1, 2019 must be registered for 2018-2019 school year. Parents choosing not to enroll their eligible child for Kindergarten must complete an option form exempting their child from school attendance. Children do not have to be present for registration.All forms can be downloaded from the Kelly Lane Primary School web page […]

Board of Selectmen report Proposal initiates action on Evonsion property

by Shirley MurthaGranby resident Tom Vaughan presented his unsolicited concept for the use of the former Evonsion property at 107 East Street to the Board of Selectmen at its Nov. 20, 2017, meeting. A long-time farmer, Vaughan despaired that as the cost of insecticides and herbicides was rising, crop yields were reaching plateaus or even decreasing. Just as important to him was the fact that his children’s allergies were becoming quite severe, and he was not happy with the thought of their […]

Sneak Peek: Lunch for the Mind programs for the spring

By Eileen LonghiThe Granby Senior Center Civic Engagement Education Team has been hard at work finding different programs to please Lunch for the Mind attendees. We think we have succeeded for our spring initiative. If you are interested in dreams, the history of Granby, armchair travel and the smell of roses, we are pleased to share a “sneak peek” of the following programs.Wednesday, March 21 at 12:30 p.m.: Dreams and Waking Dreams with Natalie Griffin, founder and owner o […]

Marquis of Granby celebrates 48th season with awards banquet

By Madeline ChristensenMarquis of Granby Jr. Ancient Fyfe and Drum Corps held its annual Awards Banquet on Jan. 6 in Cook Hall at the First Congregational Church. The corps opened the evening by playing a short concert to over 100 attendees, including family members, instructors, alumni and past directors. The banquet is a special and beloved event. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the corps members’ many accomplishments and soak up the culture of a truly unique organization. It is a […]

Trivia game night out for Granby DTC scholarship fund

By Jim LofinkPlease support the DTC Scholarship Award that benefits Granby High School seniors, and join us for a Trivia Game Night Out and Silent Auction. This year the event will be held at the Salmon Brook Park Gathering Room on Friday, Feb. 2, from 6:30–9 p.m. It will be a family-friendly event and chili, soup and snacks will be served. Participants at last year’s Political Trivia scholarship fundraising event at Lost Acres Vineyard. Submitted photo Think you know a lot o […]

PTO Corner

The start of the new year is a time of reflection as our organization gives thanks to the many volunteers and community partners who generously donated their time and resources to support the Granby PTO.The school year opened with an ice cream social for the incoming pre-K and Kindergarten classes at Salmon Brook Park; a back to school breakfast for parents at Lite-n-Up on the first day of school; and the merchandise committee hosted a booth at Celebrate Granby festivities.  The Spe […]

​Camera Club

The Granby Camera Club will meet on Monday, Feb. 5, at the Senior Center at 7 p.m. The program will feature guest photographer Gary Melnysyn with a program on Yellowstone National Park. The Granby 4H Photography Club has been invited to the meeting. The scavenger hunt words are winter, bark and favorite. To learn more about the club visit www.GranbyCameraClub.com. […]

Granby Land Trust acquires properties in Broad Hill Road area

The Granby Land Trust has expanded its holdings in the Broad Hill Road area through the recent acquisition of two generous gifts of land. Marty Blackington, a longtime resident of Granby, donated 8.45-acres of land, located at 33R Broad Hill Road to the Land Trust, and Beverly Goodwin of Charlotte, Vermont, who is a descendent of the Fancher and Holcomb Families of Granby, gave a 6.82-acre parcel of land located at 29R Broad Hill Road to the Land Trust.

Good Company presents It’s a Wonderful Life Dec. 16

By Jessica PietrosantiHerstory Theater, in partnership with Good Company Theater of Granby, presents the holiday classic It’s A Wonderful Life with a twist! It’s a Wonderful Life; a Live Radio Show by Joe Landry, is performed in the style of old-time radio theater, including a sound effects artist. This cozy, heartwarming production will take place on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at South Congregational Church Hall in Granby.George Bailey, Zuzu, Clarence the Ang […]

Local girl to perform in the  Albany Berkshire Ballet Nutcracker

Hundreds of student dancers will perform with the Albany Berkshire Ballet (ABB) this season on the 43rd annual tour of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. The coveted role of Clara will be performed by 11-year-old Granby native, Emily Rickis for the one o’clock matinee performance on Dec. 16 at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Mass. This will be Emily’s sixth year performing in ABB’s Nutcracker. Her past roles include reindeer, mini mouse, clown and first act party ch […]

Dinella-goats & pumpkins

Photo by Peter Dinella Even goats love pumpkins Treats at Sweet Pea FarmAt the Hayes Farm (Sweet Pea) on East Street, the goats are the real winners on Halloween. No trick or treat here, only lots of treats one day later. […]

Granby residents celebrate diverse holidays in December

By John R. NiebFor centuries, people have celebrated either Christmas or Hanukkah, or both, during the month of December. Christmas, a Christian holiday, takes place on December 25 and celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated for eight days and nights to commemorate the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees after its desecration by the Syrians in 165 BC. When the Jews relit the Temple’s eternal fla […]

Eagle Scout installs new cemetery signs

By Shirley MurthaKurt Bryant needed a service project to fulfill a requirement for becoming an Eagle Scout in his troop Venture Crew 2015. The project needed to benefit the community and allow him to display leadership. He found the perfect job when he met with Department of Public Works Director Kirk Severance. Eagle Scout Kurt Bryant and Director of Public Works Kirk Severance stand beside one of the new cemetery signs installed by Bryant as part of his service project for Granby. photo b […]