Recent Stories

Out of Town — May 2024

Windsor fundraiser benefits grieving families, Granby-Simsbury Chamber Golf Tournament, Connecticut Trolley Mu-seum May events, and Regional Chamber of Commerce to hold symposium

History and arts hike set for Trails Day

The Torrington Trails Network and Torrington Historical Society will conduct a Trails Day Hike from the John Brown Birthplace site on John Brown Road, Torrington on June 1 at 10 a.m.

Memorial Day

We gather on the green, the sidewalks, and the roadways to honor and remember those who died in service to our country.

Community Serve Day is May 18

The next Stony Hill Community Serve Day will be Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m. to noon. This is a reschedule as the Granby Police Department cautioned that a closure of Salmon Brook Street for another activity would impact volunteers. 

The Montreal Protocol: A testament to global change

The Montreal Protocol, an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of ozone depleting substances (ODSs), showcases successful international cooperation. As one of the most widely ratified treaties in the United Nations’ history, its success provides hope for responding to other environmental issues.

Dedicate a flag to a veteran

The tradition of posting American flags in Granby has existed for more than 17 years and has provided a way to remind our citizens of the dedication and sacrifices made by our veterans, our families, friends, and neighbors.

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. 

Newest Salmon Brook veterinarian glad to be back home

By Shirley MurthaSamantha Marquis McNamara knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from the tender age of six years. Not just a childhood dream, the aspiration lead her to a BS in Animal Science at the University of Connecticut after graduating from Granby Memorial High School in 2005. From the friendly confines of her home state, Sam was off to the University of Prince Edward Island, where she received her degree to practice general veterinary medicine. After taking a few additional specialty cour […]

Meals-on-Wheels serves homebound residents

If you’re looking for a way to become more active in the community, consider becoming a Meals-on-Wheels driver. McLean’s Meals-on-Wheels drivers help deliver delicious and nutritious meals such as chicken parmesan, meatloaf and herb-encrusted cod to over 140 local homebound residents every year. Drivers are needed for routes in Avon, Canton, Simsbury, East Granby and Granby. Becoming a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer is easy. All you need is access to a reliable car and two hours to […]

First Church and South Church sponsor compassionate conversation on race

By Linda Calder“The greatest problem is not with flat-out white racists, but rather with the far larger number of Americans who believe intellectually in racial equality but are quietly oblivious to injustice around them.” -Nicholas KristofThe book, Waking Up White, by Debby Irving, will be the springboard for a gathering on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 4 p.m. at the First Congregational Church.  Members of the greater Granby community are invited to read the book, and attend and particip […]

Upper classman offers freshmen advice

Camden Robertson1. Don’t be scared! Freshman year is undeniably a new experience, but remember that your entire class is in the same boat! And furthermore, the classes above you, though they may not seem like it, were freshman once too.2. Challenge yourself! When choosing between an honors or an academic class, default towards the harder option if even part of you feels ready. You can always change classes after two weeks if you think the class is too difficult, but it is important to chal […]

Friends of Granby Public Library host 35th annual used book sale

By Carole BernardThe backpacks are getting dusted off and flip-flops are going into the back of the closet, but the  volunteers who put on the annual used book sale for the Friends of Granby Public Library are gearing up to work.This year’s sale will be held Friday through Sunday, Sept. 15–17, at Holcomb Farm in West Granby. Generous donors have flooded the Friends with hundreds of items, that a cadre of volunteers have worked on all summer long. Donated items were i […]

High School Report

By Tim NolanFall Sports PreviewFall athletics have begun at the high school. Consistent with CIAC rules, football was the first team to hit the turf on August 14th; all other teams started practicing on August 24. All seven teams: cross-country (boys and girls), field hockey, football, soccer (boys and girls), and girls volleyball have put in the work this past summer and hope to start the 2017–2018 school year on a high note. Captains Anthony Spica, a junior, and Nate Orluk, a senior […]

Granby Field Hockey earns silver at Nutmeg Tournament

By Taylorann VibertThe Granby Memorial High School Field Hockey Team competed in the Connecticut State Nutmeg Games, held at Veterans’ stadium in New Britain on July 18. This year, Granby had two teams competing in the high school division, but only one continued on to the final round. (From left to right) Back row: Taylorann Vibert, Abby Bascetta, and Gaby Sturgeon Middle Row: Haley Clark, Alana King, Georgia McDougall, Lauren Roy, and Heather Salter Ground: Nina DeGagne. Submit […]

2017 Granby teacher of the year

By Christopher TranbergThe Granby Public Schools proudly recognized Joy Cloukey as the 2017–18 Teacher of the Year at the district’s closing ceremonies on June 19. In celebration of Joy’s achievements and contributions to the students of Granby, she was joined on stage by her husband Ryan, children Owen and Tessa, as well as her parents. Joy is currently a fourth grade teacher at Wells Road Intermediate School who takes a “kids first” approach to her work. Since gra […]

September BOE Candidate Forum

RegistrarsIn honor of National Voter Registration Day, candidates running for the Granby Board of Education on the November ballot have been invited to attend a candidate forum being sponsored by the registrars office. The event will be held in the Town Hall meeting room on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. The public is invited to meet the candidates, learn about local issues, and understand the importance of voting and registering to vote. The statutory duties and responsibilities of our local bo […]

Governor’s executive orders could decimate municipal aid

By Michael B. Guarco,Chair, Board of FinanceAs the new state fiscal year opened on July 1, high drama intensified in Hartford. Governor Malloy took aim at changing the overall municipal aid categories given to towns while simultaneously looking to prod the legislature to do its job in passing a budget. In late June, an executive order came down from the Governor’s office and is still in place that reduced state aid to Granby by $3.1 million from the $5.5 million budgeted in April. The $5.5 […]

Residents opposed to town’s use of RoundUp

By Shirley MurthaAt the Aug. 7 meeting of the Granby Board of Selectmen, resident Marge Goslee requested that the town look into the Public Works Department’s use of the herbicide glyphosate (RoundUp) to control roadside vegetation. She noted that it is being sprayed on the vegetation on the bridges over various town streams and brooks, thereby entering the watercourses where it can cause harm to the animal life as well as good vegetation and presumably eventually make its way to residents […]

Town manager institutes spending freeze

Also pulled would be funds from the Mashantucket and Pequot Funds (distributions from the state casinos) and the Municipal Revenue Sharing Account, among others.The total loss in income to Granby from these cuts would be $5.5 million. In addition, this is the year that Governor Malloy has proposed that cities and towns pay one-third of the cost of teacher pensions, an expense to Granby of $1.5 million.At the meeting, Finance Board Chairman Mike Guarco noted that the $5.4 million represents […]

Autumn in Granby Means AppleFest at First Church

By Linda BetschCelebrate autumn in Connecticut at AppleFest, hosted by the First Congregational Church, located at 219 N. Granby Road! On Saturday, Sept. 30, the day starts at 9 a.m. with a church-wide tag sale. Early birds welcome! From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the tag sale continues with a wide variety of area artisans and vendors displaying their wares for sale. Come hungry and enjoy some delicious homemade goods. For the sixth year, enjoy this traditional taste of New England at this fu […]

Celebrate Granby scheduled for Sept. 21–23

The Granby Chamber of Commerce and its sponsors will host the annual Celebrate Granby event Sept. 21-23 at Salmon Brook Park in Granby.The event has been well attended in the past with its many offerings, including: a business expo, a crafters’ expo, food from local restaurants, a carnival, a classic car show and a beer garden. Local band favorites— The Bus Drivers and Outta Whack— will provide live music, and a fireworks display will cap off the celebration. &ldquo […]

Foxfield F.A.R.M. Foundation sponsors polo tourney

Simsbury Polo ClubFoxfield F.A.R.M. Foundation is a 501C3 organization was established for equine groundwork therapy to treat U.S. veterans dealing with the trauma of PTSD and related mental challenges.The program encompasses the use of rescued/retired sport horses, most specifically polo ponies, which provides a reciprocal synergy in the rehabilitation of human and equine. Susan Patricelli-Regan, president and founder of Foxfield F.A.R.M. (For A Recovery Mission) presents the “Best P […]

265 Salmon Brook Street

By Carol Laun, Archivist, Salmon Brook Historical Society This rather ordinary looking white house was once the imposing Federal-style mansion house of a wealthy Granby resident. In the more than 225 years since it was built, it has undergone huge renovations, additions and subtractions. When built, it was located very close to the southwest corner of Rte. 10-202 and Rte. 20. The house has been moved from its original site and has had even more architectural changes. It has now been divided […]

Sunday morning visitor

On May 28, about 7:15 in the morning, John Dewey was photographing a turkey that had come into his yard. In a split second he ran and then flew away. A coyote appeared about 20 feet from the house where he was photographing from a window. It stayed around a few minutes then was off into the woods. […]

Wells Road enrichment clusters – the icing on the (cup)cake

In the true spirit of the enrichment cluster model at Wells Road Intermediate School, six students have taken their Cluster experience to the next level. These students were a part of the Cupcake Boss cluster where they learned to make frosting, color it, and use various styling tips for different patterns. In addition, they learned how to mold fondant into decorations. Ultimately, they made and decorated cupcakes for the school staff.Students Nora Davis, Ali Dobbert, Bella Hassett, Sophia Karab […]

CSA for wine? You bet!

By Shirley MurthaGranby is definitely a Community Supported Agriculture town, with many of its farms offering the convenience of weekly shares of vegetables. It wasn’t a big leap for Lost Acres Vineyard to apply the concept to the wine industry as well. Not that shareholders have to go out to pick the grapes and make the wine—all they have to do is sign up for the distribution.Members commit to buying two cases of wine (24 bottles), either of the wine-maker’s choice or customiz […]