Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/page/170/)
First pitches have been thrown, lawns fertilized, plants mulched, and everyone is out and about enjoying the warm weather. Before summer gets into full swing is a great time to visit with our friends and family by going out for ice cream, taking a walk on the rail trail, or meeting up at the park. Enjoy the weather and the wonderful parks in our great town!
Highlights from the meetings held on April 22nd and May 6th, 2024
With warming weather, more people will be walking, biking, and riding horses on our scenic roads. A we drive around, let’s do our part to keep our roads friendly and safe.
Robert Simmons, 98, of North Granby passed away peacefully on May 3. He leaves behind a legacy of community volunteerism and service in the U.S. Navy during WWII and the Korean War.
Check Town of Granby website or call Town Manager’s office to verify date, time, location, and get information on how to participate on Zoom, if needed.
In the official minutes of the March 6 BOE meeting under Public Comment, Mike Kramarenko read a letter on behalf of a parent who could not attend the meeting. The highlights of that meeting in the May issue of the Drummer included the same reference. However, the official minutes failed to explain the underlying incident referenced in the letter, so unless you view the video of the meeting online, you have no knowledge of its content or reference.
Wells Road School’s Jim Whitten emceed the well-attended Gran-Bee trivia competition on April 19 at Granby Memorial High School. The event raised money for the Granby Education Foundation’s community grants program.
Highlights from the meetings held on April 3rd and 17th, 2024
Highlights from the special meeting held on April 16th, 2024
Sometimes, life sends you exactly where you need to be.
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Treasure seekers flock to the Salmon Brook Historical Society’s annual May flea market. Photo by Peter Dinella […]
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.” […]
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 […]
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 […]
Alan Addley is the 2017 recipient of the Outstanding Superintendent Award given by the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education Alumni Board. Addley was recognized on March 18 at the Neag School’s 19th Annual Awards Ceremony in Storrs.Addley received his Ed.D. from UConn’s Neag School of Education in 2014. Prior to this, Addley earned his Connecticut Intermediate Administrator Certification in 1997 and a Connecticut Superintendent certificate from the Executive Lead […]
By Kim BeckerThe 14th annual Gran-Bee trivia challenge was once again a rousing success. In addition to raising money for local education projects, we found Waldo! Granby Public Schools Superintendent Alan Addley emceed for the first time dressed as the beloved character famous for his Where’s Waldo? Book series. When characters as famous as this one attend, you know the Gran-Bee is truly making a difference!Thirty-two teams competed for bragging rights as the 2017 winners. The Holcomb Har […]
Help identify the Granby Libraries’ needs now and in the future by filling out the survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3N3GTJD from June 5 -19. Hard copies of the survey will be at both libraries. Thank you for your participation! […]
GRADE 8 HIGH HONORSDina Alfarone, Olivia Ashe, Spencer Bennett, Nicholas Boyd, Zachary Brewer, Caroline Burnett, William Caley, Aniela Cashman, Ashley Coon, Jenna Cox, Jack DeGray, Riley Dehner, Ty delosReyes, Ashlyn Dixon, Sean Dowd, Daniel Ennis, Angela Everett, Addy Fede, Ryan Fett, Madeline Gilmore, Aidan Goodrow, Meggie Hennessey, Jacob Ivanov, Aiden Kaczka, Eleanor Karabetsos, Alexis Klein, Isabella Krumm, Grace Lemoine, Hanna Lloyd, Anna Lombardo, Tyler Mackowski, Abigail Maher, Chase McG […]
by Shirley MurthaA very large crowd of Granby residents, high school athletes and members of Granby’s government boards gathered at the high school on May 17 to witness the naming of the track field after Dennis J. Lobo. Lobo was being honored in his 51st year of coaching track and cross country not only for his accomplishments, but also for the impact he has had on so many Granby youth, according to principal Mike Dunn and Superintendent Alan Addley. A number of former students and their […]
A Granby resident is needed to fill a vacancy on the Agricultural Commission. If you are interested in this position, call the Democratic Town Committee Chairman Jim Lofink at 860-810-0274, Republican Town Committee Chairman Mark Neumann at 860-978-4808, or the town manager at 860-844-5300. […]
It’s time for the 2017 Joseph B. Nilsen Memorial Golf Tournament. Join the Granby and Bradley Regional Chambers of Commerce for another fun-filled day on a great course for a great cause at Crestview Country Club, 281 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam, Mass., on Monday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Registration Includes: putting green, 18 holes of golf, greens fees and golf cart, social hour, deluxe dinner buffet, contests and raffle prizes. Fees are $600 for a foursome, $750 for a f […]
By Kim BeckerPressure is mounting on the schools and Town in light of the revenue shortfall facing the State. Governor Malloy’s revised budget demands almost $4 million from Granby, including cuts to the ECS and shifting the cost of the State’s contributions to the teachers’ pension fund to municipalities. Though the Town passed a budget last month, deep funding cuts will make it difficult to maintain services. The Board of Education and the school administration ha […]