Recent Stories

Teacher Appreciation Week

National Teacher Appreciation is a week-long celebration in recognition of teachers and the contributions they make to education and society. It is held in the first full week each May to provide an opportunity for students, their parents and school administrators to show appreciation and to acknowledge the significant impact educators have on students, schools and communities.

Granby taught me to dream big

When Mike Noyes prepared to leave the small-town he grew up in at the start of his freshman year at UConn, he did not have an exact plan for what lay ahead of him. He knew he liked basketball. A state champion with the Bears in 2013, it was obvious that he had a knack for it. Ten years later, his connection to the sport has taken him to places not even he could have imagined.

High school choir students participated in All-State choirs

Five GMHS Choir students were selected to participate in the 2024 CMEA All-State Honor Choirs. Luke Ranicar, Camden Bouley and Kiara Badowski were selected to perform with the All-State Mixed Choir under the baton of Dr. Arienne Abela while Sierra Ashe and Haritha Ramesh performed with the All-State Treble Choir conducted by Dr. Jamie Hillman.

Eleanor Roosevelt touched many lives

I noted with interest the article submitted by Sarah Merrill of Granby Racial Reconciliation (GRR) regarding the personal and political friendship between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune, one of the nation’s most powerful Black political figures through the 1930s and 40s.

In Town Focus — May 2024

Camera Club, National Day of Prayer, Women’s Breakfast, Buy a bag to support the Drummer, Preserve Our Properties Day, Men’s Breakfast, Civic Club, Rotary Club May Events, and Vendor Opportunities

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 […]

Youth Services Bureau: Fall is here!

The Youth Service Bureau is looking for local students interested in picking up extra cash helping other community members stay on top of Fall clean ups. Call to register for the Youth Employment Service.StressRX, a program focused on teaching both relaxation techniques as well as targeted study skills, is still being offered. Check out the YSB website or Facebook page to find the dates the program will be offered throughout the school year.Takes a Village parent support group will be meeting th […]

Human of Granby

Stanley HayesCo-owner with son and wife of House of Hayes farm(Sweet Pea Farm)Age: 59Where did the name “Sweet Pea Farm” come from?Years ago my wife acquired a herd of goats. At that time my mother used to grow Freezonian peas. Since every herd was given a name, hers became Sweet Pea because these goats liked to eat the sweet Freezonian peas. Our farm actually dates back to the 1830s and the Hayes families were some of the first settlers in Granby during the 1690s to early 170 […]

Let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater

By Alan Addley, Ed. D., Granby Superintendent of SchoolsLike many other Connecticut residents, my eldest son is currently planning to leave the state and relocate to North Carolina for a more prosperous future. Meanwhile, here we are again, another month has passed, school is up and running and, at the time of this article going to print, the State Legislature and Governor have still not been able to pass a budget. Given the Governor’s promise to veto the most recent Republican budget prop […]

YMCA 200 meter medley relay swim team crushes state record

By Shawneen BuckleyThe Farmington Valley YMCA Tsunami Swim Team completed its summer season with stellar team and individual performances marked by individual, team and state records, state and regional championships, and national achievements. The successful May to August summer season, included short-course (25-yard pool) and long-course (50-meter pool) swim meets requiring exceptional commitment and dedication by coaches and team members.At the Connecticut Long Course Age Group Championships, […]

Rebecca rocks the Hall of Fame

By Shirley MurthaBy all accounts, the acceptance speech given by Granby’s Rebecca Lobo was one of the best ever; certainly the best of that night, September 8, 2017. That was the night the women’s basketball player, now WNBA analyst, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Accompanied by her family and escorted to the podium by her college coach, UConn’s Geno Auriemma, Lobo used humor and poignant stories to describe what this accolade me […]

Going for the Gold Teaching music to children

By Rachel AbrahamsonChildren have musical capabilities that, when nourished, can change and improve their lives. However, many preschools, daycares, and even homes, lack music. Children deprived of music may be more restless and even have a decrease in brain development. If teachers and parents incorporate music into daily routines, both child and teacher will enjoy a variety of physical and mental skills and also find an appreciation and joy in music. By introducing music to children in early a […]

​Revaluations to be mailed mid November

By Susan Altieri, CCMA, II, AssessorState Law requires all municipalities to conduct a revaluation every five years. The State of Connecticut requires that Towns perform a revaluation so that all properties can be brought to current market value and contribute an equitable portion of the total tax burden. Granby’s last revaluation was completed in 2012 and the Assessor’s Office has been engaged in the process over the last 16 to 18 months for the 2017 revaluation.The Assessor is in t […]

​Granby Senior Club Café

Grab-n-Go! or Sit-n-Stay! Every Friday beginning Oct. 20, the Granby Senior Club Café will  offer soup and a sandwich for only $5. Lunch includes a cup of soup and your choice of one of two sandwiches. You can eat your meal at the center or take it to-go. Menus will be posted at the Senior Center and on the website at www.granby-ct.gov/senior-services.This new service is a great way to enjoy the company of friends throughout the winter months. Walk-ins are welcome, though we will ser […]

​Granby UNICO to hold Festa di Ottobre fundraiser

By Bob MarxBeer and Wine tasting, an Italian dinner, live entertainment, “tea cup” raffles and a Silent Auction will highlight Granby UNICO’s annual Festa di Ottobre beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday night, Oct. 9, at the Cambridge House Brew Pub in Granby. Tickets are available in advance at the Cambridge House, Village Cork and Keg or from any UNICO member for only $35. Enjoy appetizers and an Italian dinner featuring such items as antipasto, fried ravioli, stuffed breads, c […]

​Learn the artistic process from local artists

All are invited to join the Granby Land Trust and the Granby Artists Association as they host an art talk, where area artists will discuss the artistic process and the methods they use to create their art.The discussion will be led by two incredibly talented artists who live in Granby and support the Granby Land Trust: Laura Eden and Bill Simpson. They will discuss their works and engage other artists in the discussion, as well. The event will take place in the Lost Acres Vineyard Ar […]

Music and Magic and Mayhem… Oh my!

Please join the Sound of New England Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, for an evening of amazing a cappella and magnificent magic at their Music, Magic and Mayhem show. Sweet Adelines Chorus Special guests are 2017 North Atlantic Regional quartet champions, Boston Accent, and professional magician David Coraro.Don’t miss this fantastic show to be held on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford, 335 Bloomfield Avenue in West Hartford […]

Veteran’s Tribute Concert

Mark your calendar for Thursday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. for a Veteran’s Tribute Concert with the Governor’s Foot Guard Band @ Valley Brook Community Church. The concert is co-sponsored by the Granby Senior Center, Valley Brook Community Church and Resilience Grows Here. […]

See and hear the Marquis of Granby

By Madeline ChristensenThe Marquis (mar-kwis) of Granby has been on the road and busy this summer. The corps participated in several events including the Deep River Muster (the nation’s largest fife and drum muster), Nathan Hale Muster, the National Muster held in Patterson, NY, and closing the summer with the Westbrook Muster. As is tradition, the corps took its summer camping trip, sightseeing through New York’s Hudson Valley. Stops included were a guided tour of West Point, c […]

Carving out a life in birds

By Tim NolanPaul Morrissette sits on his back deck. It is an early morning in May 2010. The chorus of life echoes from the dense woods beyond him. He sips his coffee slowly, savoring its taste and the moment. He reminisces of a childhood spent finding a similar joy and peace from nature, kayaking on the Farmington and hiking in Vermont. That was before he was laid off from his job as a printer for an insurance company two months earlier. In retrospect, Paul humbly says he was lucky, […]

Granby Agricultural Commission hosts Open Farm Day

The Granby Agricultural Commission is sponsoring a free Open Farm Day on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Farms will open their gates to host demonstrations, tours, offer samples and more. Farmers will be onsite to greet visitors and answer any questions. Returning Farm Day attendees will be pleased to find old favorites such as the Hay Bale Toss at Maple View Farm and tractor rides at Lost Acres Orchard, and will also discover some new additions to the annual festivities. For the first […]

Maple View Farm — Granby’s #onestopshop for local food

“Most people don’t realize we have so much land right here in the center of town. They see horses up front and watch us teaching lessons and summer camps, but they don’t realize we have 50 acres here, with about half in hay fields, pasture land and light woods,” said Kate Bogli, owner of Maple View Farm. “When you stop by our Farm Store it can be a little tricky to see all the animals as well.” That’s because the Boglis run a pastured-based livestock far […]

Local cyclist bikes to raise money to cure cancer

By John R. NiebOn Aug. 5 and 6, Terry Nolan of West Granby biked 192 miles in the Pan Mass Challenge to help  raise $48 million for research and cancer care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.The Pan Mass Challenge is an annual bike-a-thon created in 1980 by Billy Starr, executive director, bicyclist, and fundraiser for the event. The PMC contributes more money than any other athletic event. At the finish line are Terry Nolan, his wife, Donna and their children, Tim, Maria and Joh […]

Adventure Club hikes Outer Island

By Lori BlackburnThirteen seniors, part of the Adventure Club from the Granby Senior Center, braved the 90-degree heat to hike Outer Island, part of the Thimble Island Chain off the coast of Connecticut. This was the first outing for the newly re-formed club and everyone enjoyed the scenery despite the hot weather. The club is led by Judy Cooper and Donna Snyder. The Adventure club has several activities planned for the upcoming months including kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing, bowling […]