Recent Stories

Design for Life — Sarah Byrnes follows her heart

Hard work and determination have led goldsmith and jewelry designer Sarah Byrnes to realizing a dream: to make her living by weaving original gold, silver and gemstone designs into other people’s lives.

Coming Home to Granby

I recently was unexpectedly hospitalized for five days, and while I definitely didn’t want to be there, I encountered some kind and caring people.

Parks & Recreation

Preschool Programs, Youth Programs, Fall Sports, After School Programs, and Adult Programs

Hay Day

One sunny June day as the farmers arose, Ma said to Pa “It’s time to go mow!”

Ask your Friendly Farmer

Dear Friendly Farmer,
My daughter has a pet rabbit and we like to feed it a little hay from time to time. Since we only need a little bit at a time, I usually just buy a bale at my local feed store, but the last time I went, hay DOUBLED in price! What gives? Can I get it cheaper from a local farmer?
Signed,
Hay Now

A new pastor, a new church, an exciting future

Granby Congregational Church, UCC has called the Reverend Liz Miller to serve as its Designated Term Minister. At the end of this three-year period, Pastor Liz will have the option to accept the role and duties as the church’s Senior Minister.

Got Pollinators?

The signs are all over town, as Granby residents celebrate the essential role that bees, bugs and birds play in the health and vitality of our world.

Browse and Borrow — September 2023

Unless noted, programs are free and are at the Main Branch. Registration is required for all programs. To register, visit the library’s website (granby-ct.gov/Library) and click on Library Calendar, or call the library at 860-844-5275.

GAA to Host Annual Open Studio Tour

By Lori Catlin GarciaCome and experience the Granby Artists Association Open Studio Tour on October 16 – 18. Thirteen Artists will be showing new works, primarily in their own studios. Among those showing and demonstrating will be potters, a lamp maker, painters, a cork artist, glass workers and jewelry makers.For the first time, the artists will invite the public to an opening night celebration, with most locations open on Friday, October 16 from 5 – 8 p.m. (5 – 7 p.m. at Lost […]

​Kelly Lane School and Schlimpoon

By Judy Siegel“Kelly Lane Kids are the best in the world,” is something I have always said. I was lucky enough to spend twenty years of my life teaching third and fourth grade at my ‘home away from home.” During those years, my rhyming stories featuring a secret friend, Schlimpoon, were an integral part of my classroom.She was pink, green, and yellow,Certainly not a fellowBecause of the sandals she was wearingAnd the sunglasses through which she was staring!Some of my stu […]

GLT Art Show

Granby Land Trust and Granby Artists Association Host tenth annual Paint Out and Juried Art ShowBy Trish PercivalOn Oct. 29, the Granby Land Trust and the Granby Artists Association will officially open their tenth annual juried art show, featuring artworks that highlight New England’s natural beauty. “We live in a beautiful corner of the world,” says Land Trust President Rick Orluk. “Ten years ago, we had the idea to celebrate the beauty that surrounds us by inviting art […]

 Granby Girl Scout Troop #60289 earns Bronze Award

Girl Scout Troop 60289 of Granby has earned the Bronze Award, the highest award that Girl Scout Juniors (grades 4-5) can earn.For its Bronze Award project, Troop 60289 planted a garden and donated the produce to people in need. The girls took multiple sessions to come up with a plan. They discussed their goals, what they wanted to learn, what supplies they would need, who they would ask for help, and what vegetables they wanted to grow. They consulted an expert at Meadow View Farm in Southwick, […]

​@thebarn opens

Proprietors James and Sandy Chen, two of the Farmington Valley’s top restaurateurs have  designed a true fine dining experience named @thebarn, a  new contemporary steakhouse and wine bar located in the center of Granby at 17R East Granby Road.The 170-seat, 4,000 sq. ft. venue caters to every guest’s tastes, featuring a full service bar, upstairs lounge, raw bar, and multiple dining areas including a three-season patio. The bar features a discerning wine list selected […]

​Village Cork and Keg replaces Center Spirit Shop

If you’ve been by the Village Shops in Granby Center, then you’ve seen that Center Spirit Shop has changed hands. Village Cork and Keg has replaced the long-time package store. Sean Muckle is the manager; his partners are his parents, Paul and Robin Muckle of Barkhamsted. This is their first venture together.Muckle started in the wine and spirit business at the age of 19 at a large Watertown package store. By the time he was 22, he was managing that store. Muckle learned the b […]

DAR Essay Contest

​The Abigail Phelps Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution is sponsoring an American History Essay Contest for students in grades five through eight. All students who attend public or private schools in the Farmington Valley as well as home schooled students are invited to participate.The topic is “March 22, marks the 250th anniversary of the Stamp Act. Passed by the British Parliament in 1765, this new tax required all colonists to pay a tax on every printed piece of paper the […]

DAR Awards

​The Abigail Phelps Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution of Simsbury was proud to present to several local residents and businesses certificates of award signed by the President General NSDAR, Mrs. Lynn Forney Young, for proper use, correct display and patriotic presentation of the flag of the United States of America.On August 27, Joan Anderson, Chapter Chairman of the Flag of the United States Committee, along with member Nancy Mellow, visited five locations to present the awards […]

Catching Fish

Caleb Hill, left, of Granby, and his fishing buddy Ian Montgomery, of White Creek, N.Y., pose with a 10 lb. drum that Caleb caught in Lake Champlain near the Hill family camp at Willsboro Point, N.Y. Photo submitted by Wayne R. Bailey […]

GrassRoots and Tender Care team up!

Tender Care Learning Center and Grass Roots team up for home town funTo make the most of the final days of summer, the East Granby and Granby Tender Care Learning Centers held an old fashion ice cream social. Over 100 parents, children and teachers came to enjoy the delicious and unique flavors that Grass Roots have to offer. Families sat on blankets and chairs on the town green socializing while children enjoyed a treat and played with their friends. The mascot for Tender Care learning, Tender […]

Westminster School to hold admissions open houses

Westminster School invites prospective students and their parents to attend one of its admissions open houses to be held Oct. 6 and Nov. 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on campus at 995 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury.The evenings provide an introduction to the range of programs offered to Westminster students and include presentations by students and faculty about student life, the curriculum, the faculty, the arts, athletics and college counseling. Prospective students and their families also will be abl […]

​Open Farm Day at Holcomb Farm

Sept. 13 gave us another successful day to celebrate farming in Granby. Holcomb Farm is grateful to the Granby Agricultural Commission for planning and executing a day where all our farms are showcased and appreciated.At Holcomb Farm CSA, visitors poured in throughout the day to tour the growing fields and learn about the Community Supported Agriculture farm share program. The Farm Store at Holcomb Farm was also popular with Open Farm Day visitors.Other Open Farm Day attractions at Holcomb Farm […]

​First Church dishes the dirt on community garden

By Marilyn SponzoRemember the old adage: good things come to those who wait? The First Congregational Church community garden is certainly a case in point.Three years ago, a few intrepid gardeners, all members of First Church, decided to grow popcorn to distribute in the community. On a small plot generously donated by the Granby Grange, they planted their first crop—and waited. After a long, hot, dry summer only a few straggly ears emerged.Fast forward to 2015.  With an additional ye […]

Stop&Shop Pet Food Donations

​Rosia Kennedy recently ran a pet food drive at Granby’s Stop and Shop for local animal shelters. Customers donated more than 1,000 items for Mary’s Kitty Corner and Bandit’s Place.In addition, Stop and Shop donated several gift cards to Susan Dwyer’s wildlife rehabilitation operation. Above, Christine Willett, Granby S and S Store Manager, and Susan Dwyer.  […]

Barbara Crouse Memorial Concert Series 

By Jerron JorgensenThis fall, First Congregational Church of Granby celebrates the return of the Barbara Crouse Memorial Concert. The 2015-2016 concert season marks the second year honoring the memory of the series’ namesake, longtime Granby resident and inspirational music leader Barbara Crouse, by providing  audiences with a variety of enlightening and entertaining concerts ranging from Classical to Contemporary.The series begins Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. with The Asylum Quartet. […]

Appalachian Mission Trip

Eighteen youth and 10 adults from First Congregational Church of Granby spent August 8-15 in Guyan Valley, West Virginia on a mission trip sponsored by the Appalachia Service Project. During their stay, participants built porches, wheelchair ramps, staircases, refinished floors and bathrooms, and painted and sided houses utilizing woodworking skills that they had learned in pre-trip classes. Working on an access ramp are, from l., JC Lapointe, Spencer Kimble and Seth Reinhardt. […]

​Angel Horses, Inc needs volunteers

By Shannon LeydonDo you love working with animals? Well, you may enjoy volunteering with the Angel Horses and their friends. Angel Horses are a group of retired therapy horses that have come here for their final home. The horses currently living at the barn are Sonny, Doc, D’Artagnan, Cinder and Keeper. There are also goats (Gladys, Elvis and Buddy) donkeys (Ashley and Kiko) and a sheep named Sheepie. If they didn’t come here, they could have been sent to auction, and that outco […]

Granby COC kicks off education series:

The Granby Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the kick-off of its Community Education Series in October. The first seminar in the series will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the Farmington Valley YMCA from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Attendance is free and the presentation is open to the public.Jean Keating, Pharm.D. and Beth Galloway, store manager at Granby Pharmacy, will present a program on preventing the misuse and abuse of prescription medications. The topic will be pr […]

Farmington Valley Chorale starts rehearsals

The Farmington Valley Chorale, a non-auditioned group of 80 to 100 men and women, begins rehearsing for its December presentation of Magnificats by Vivaldi, Mozart and Stanford, on Sunday, Sept. 13, 7 to 9 p.m. at Simsbury United Methodist Church, 799 Hopmeadow St. (Rte. 10), Simsbury. Starting on Sept. 20, all subsequent rehearsals will be held on Sundays at the Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation, 55 Busy Hill Rd (Rte. 167), Simsbury. The group will present Vaughn Williams’ Dona Norbis […]

Quilt Happening features sampler from Civil War era

By Shirley Murtha The 27th annual Summer Quilt Happening at Lost Acres Orchard on August 8 featured a wonderful quilt that provided a morning of entertainment for those who attended. Many years ago, the late Polly Hall gave Ginny Wutka the charming quilt, a sampler made of 42 squares, each with its own design. Hall did not have much information about the quilt, except that from the fabric used it was probably made during the Civil War. (When no other documentation exists, quilts are dated from […]