Recent Stories

Sore muscles plus smiles equal success at spring cleanup day

The weather cooperated and over 40 community volunteers gathered for the spring Stony Hill Village Community Serve Day on Saturday, April 18. Even a black bear was curious to see the tractor, wood chipper, 20-foot dumpster and two large trucks for hauling away brush that were instrumental in our accomplishing so much.

Cancer Bike Ride to benefit Dana Farber

My name is Tim Nolan, and I’m a GMHS Class of 2018 grad who’s been fortunate enough to spend the last two years working as a sports anchor and reporter in Maryland — not all that long after I began this circuitous journalism route writing for the Drummer.

Wells Road third graders plant a tree

Trees are everywhere in Granby, but sometimes we need one more in a special place. This just happened at Wells Road School where teacher Kristen Lecco’s third grade class became fascinated by trees and decided the interior courtyard viewed from their classroom window, needed one.

An episode in Kelti’s life

This is the story of me and my human mother. I am a loving, 10-year-old Bichon Frise. I am white in color as all Bichons are. We are descendants of water dogs and poodles.

Browse & Borrow — July/August 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.

Mobile Mixology

There’s a new (but old) horse trailer in town! Enya Ferreira, a former Simsbury native now living in Granby, converted a 1970’s vintage horse trailer into a mobile bar.

Cleaning up in retirement

For many folks who decide to retire from a profession or trade to which they have devoted decades, moving on to the next stage of life can present some unknowns. Friends and family offer congratulations, followed by the big question, “So, what are you going to do with all that time on your hands?” That can often be a difficult question to ponder.

​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 […]

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 […]