Recent Stories

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.

A perfect pairing of food and fellowship

As a long-time Granby resident, I have frequently driven past the weathered sign reading “All Welcome Free Community Dinner Every Wednesday” in front of the community house on the south campus of Granby Congregational Church, 242 Salmon Brook Street, without much thought. I figured it was a church potluck or new member recruitment dinner. As I recently discovered, it is so much more.

Humans of Granby

Rob FisherApplications Support Specialist,Gerber TechnologiesAge: 46Tell about a book you are reading/ have read…I tend to read technical manuals since these fit with my occupation. I am also an avid photographer and recently read The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby. He uses humor in his manuals; one heading was “the other most important secret” where the secret, in fact, was just a good practical tip. A few weeks ago I was on a business trip to Shanghai and too […]

College 101: a program for 2017 grads

College 101 is one last down-and-dirty review of the real life decisions you will be making as freshmen, and what you need to remember to stay safe and keep your friends alive.Spend 90 minutes on Tuesday, July 25, at 7 p.m. to review what you need to know before you hit campus in August. Officer Tina Barrow of the Granby Police Department will review situational awareness. This is a key component of being safe in the bigger world beyond Granby’s borders.Hear from first responde […]

The annoying plague of ticks

By John Violette, DVMSummer is finally upon us. Seems like it would never get here. The cold wet spring brought us the plague of ticks. None of us can remember such vast numbers of ticks on our dogs and on ourselves. They typically die down during the hot, dry summer months and return in the fall. Hopefully this is the case this summer and we can return to walking our dogs in the fields and forests of Granby. In the meantime, tuck your pant legs into your socks and give your dogs flea and tick p […]

2017 Drummer scholarship awarded

Kathy Norris, president of Citizens for a Better Granby (CBG) presented the 2017 Drummer scholarship to Granby Memorial High School student Emily Brewer at the June 1 senior awards night. Emily will attend Hamilton College in the fall. […]

Granby student awarded Avon Arts scholarship

By Rita BondGranby Memorial High School senior Soul Leavitt was among four Farmington Valley graduating students who were awarded scholarships by the Avon Arts Association during a reception at the Simsbury Public Library on June 4, during the opening of the annual Members’ Spring Show.Leavitt received the Avon Arts Association Award for Excellence. Jessica Shin, from Simsbury High School, received the Helen Kilgus Award. Kevin Barch, also from Simsbury High School, received the Robert Ron […]

A visitor from Mystic Aquarium visited Kelly Lane to say “thank you”

By Amy Lupoli During the month of March the students, families and staff of Kelly Lane Primary School participated in the Pennies for Penguins fundraiser coordinated by Mystic Aquarium. The spare-change fundraiser was held in support of the South African penguin, a species at the highest risk of extinction in the animal kingdom. The wild population of the African penguin has declined by 70 percent over the past 10 years. Due to pollution and over-fishing, the penguins must travel farther an […]

Safe Dates Boot Camp

The Town of Granby Youth Service Bureau offered its Safe Dates Boot Camp for the first time over winter break. Nine of the 10 middle-schoolers provided 100 percent positive reviews of the program, despite not being thrilled that they had been signed up to take the class in the first place! Safe Dates explores healthy and unhealthy dating relationships. An evidence-based program, it is proven to reduce dating violence for the teens who complete it. The 10 one-hour sessions have been con […]

Local workshops offer solutions to solar energy generation in Granby

By David Desiderato “If you’ve ever thought about going solar, this is the perfect time,” Kent McCord told the crowd gathered for the second Solarize Granby Workshop on May 15. “Costs are down 70 percent compared to just five years ago, and we chose a great company—RGS Energy—for the Solarize Granby campaign,” he added.Solarize Connecticut is a statewide non-profit that helps towns choose high-quality installers, negotiate low group purchase prices, […]

Municipal Complex roads named for retiring town manager

The culmination of Bill Smith’s retirement party was the announcement that the two drives into Granby’s Municipal Complex, the development of which Smith had overseen, would be known as William F. Smith, Jr. Way. The crowd rose to applaud the announcement and honor its recipient.It was standing room only, with every seat in Holcomb Farm’s North Barn occupied and people two or three deep around the perimeter for the June 4 celebration honoring Smith’s almost 40 years of se […]

New town manager selected

John D. Ward of Vernon has been appointed as Granby’s new town manager, effective July 13. Ward will replace William F. Smith, Jr. who retired after 39 years.Ward has served as chief administrative officer for the Town of Vernon since January 2009. His responsibilities were very much the same as a town manager except he reported to the mayor and not a council or board of selectmen. He previously served on the Vernon Town Council and Board of Education. He was a practicing attorney from 199 […]

Wilhelm Farm awarded U.S.D.A. grant

By Shirley MurthaThe Wilhelm Farm on Rte. 189 in North Granby has been awarded a Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) of the United States Department of Agriculture for the period March 1, 2017 through September 30, 2019. The official title of the project is Wilhelm Farm: Demonstrations of Silvopasture and Other Agroforestry Systems. The NRCS demonstrations will include web pages, videos, fact sheets and onsite activities. They will be used by a […]

Celebrate Granby – scheduled for Sept. 21-23

Granby Chamber of Commerce and its sponsors are proud to announce that the annual Celebrate Granby event will take place in Salmon Brook Park, Sept. 21–23.This year promises to be as exciting and entertaining as every year before with a business expo, a crafter’s show, a carnival and live music from local favorite bands Outta Whack and The Bus Drivers. Also, new this year—fireworks! “Every year Celebrate Granby brings our community together to celebrate all th […]

Grad Night art competition winners

Granby Parents for a Safe Graduation announced the winners of the 2017 art competition. The first place entry will be used to design the invitation for the Granby Memorial High School’s safe graduation party. The winning design is featured on a complementary grad night t-shirt that all seniors receive. The grad night party is free to all graduating seniors and will be held this year on June 19 at the Farmington Valley YMCA in Granby. From l.: GMHS Principal Mike Dunn, Olivia McDougall […]

Planting a pollinator garden

There’s a new pollinator garden on the grounds of Cossitt Library thanks to local volunteers, Bosco’s Garden Center, and the Granby Department of Public Works. Look for more free library programs and workshops about gardening, pollinators and making better summer salads on the Granby Library’s websitewww.granby-ct.gov Photo by Holly Johnson […]

Exciting things happening at Wilhelm Farm

By Shirley MurthaFor those who still miss having the Wilhelm farm stand open and stocked with fresh vegetables and fruits in the summer, take heart. You will soon see the results of collaboration with Sven Pihl of CT Edible Ecosystems, who has leased some of the farmland and plans to grow some old favorites. Sven Pihl constructs a “high tunnel” on the Wilhelm Farm to serve as a holding area for transplants and seedlings. Photo by Shirley Murtha A native of Guilford, veteran of t […]

Troop 175 is the First Boy Scout troop in America to Visit Cuba since 1959

By John R. NiebTroop 175, boy scouts from Farmington Valley towns, became the first American troop to visit Cuba since 1959.On April 8 they left Granby at 4:30 a.m. for the Newark Airport to board a direct flight to Havana, Cuba.“It was awesome. We love setting records like this,” said Charles Brinegar, assistant senior patrol leader and life scout of Troop 175. “We were the first to go to Cuba, as well as to summit Mount Kilimanjaro and to enter the Amazon Rainforest.” […]

Four Paws up to Stop & Shop customers!

Stop & Shop would like to thank the generous donors who made their pet food drive a success. Eight full carriages of pet food were then donated to Bandits Place, Mary’s Kitty Corner, Southwick Animal Rescue, Simon Foundation, Granby Animal Control and Small Animal Rescue. Pictured from left are: Chris Willett, Rosanne Reis, Julia Ouellette, Jameson Krajcik and Rosia Kennedy. Photo by Sheila White […]

Humans of Granby

Rachel AbrahamsonGMHS Senior, caregiver at Small World Daycare, member of women’s a cappella singing group, chorus member at the high school and First ChurchAge 17bad about being a high school senior…These are the good things. I have a strategy for success that has been in place for several years now. I am very familiar with my school, its routines, and how to study in order to get good grades. I know all my teachers well and where to go to get help, even how to write a paper effect […]