Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/page/172/)
The full May and June calendars and the buzz of excitement from our students tells us that the end of the school year is approaching. The activities and enthusiasm of our students and staff are high energy right now as everyone is focusing on exciting end-of-year activities, spring sports, field trips, prom, concerts, senior outings and awards celebrations.
Half-way through the school year, Granby Memorial High School junior Ben Lavigne was appointed the second student representative to the Board of Selectmen, joining senior Chas Orluk in reporting scholastic and sports news from the school.
Call it ignorant, but I generally ignore the announcements that blare across the high school intercom system each morning. Ask any GMHS student, and they will likely attest to committing the same offense. However, one spring morning during my freshman year, with the sun gleaming across my desk and my mind clear from distractions, I turned my ear to the wave of advertisements and reminders spouting from the ceiling speakers.
Granby seniors Ben Weber and Nathan Griswold concluded their G-4s 4-H Robotics experience with a trip to the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas. Middle schoolers Dylan Hamilton and Emma Doherty assisted as pit crew.
Pack a picnic, bring a blanket and enjoy smooth tunes from the Wells Road Intermediate School, Granby Memo-rial Middle School and Granby Memorial High School jazz bands. This free event starts at 5 p.m. at the bandshell in Salmon Brook Park. Presented by the Granby Public Schools music department.
The countdown is on! Only two weeks remain until the event Granby Parents for a Safe Graduation (GSPG) has been planning all year! GSPG has been working hard to create a memorable evening to celebrate the Class of 2024.
Samantha Kovaleski, East Granby, a freshman engineering major, achieved the dean’s list at UConn.
Granby resident Emma Edelman, IEA Nationals April 26, 2024, Tryon International Equestrian Center, 8th Place in the Open Over-Fences
Granby resident Jaira Paine paced the Endicott College Gulls Women’s Lacrosse team to a 17-9 victory in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship game May 4 over three-time defending champion and top-seeded Roger Williams.
Bluebirds are being welcomed all over town this spring! Whether it has anything to do with climate change, it seems that there are more than usual appearing in our backyards. In addition to having difficulty contending with killing winter temperatures, another factor in their dwindling numbers in our area during the past several decades is that house wrens, tree swallows, alien house sparrows and starlings have crowded the gentle blues out of nearly all available nesting places.
By Susan Altieri, CCMA, IIAssessorThe Town of Granby is in the process of beginning state mandated revaluation for October 1. State law now requires all municipalities to conduct a revaluation every five years. Revaluation is the equalization of property values by estimating the current market value of all properties in town. Its purpose is to value all property by the same standards at the same point in time.The town has hired Vision Government Solutions to assist the Assessor’s office wi […]
By Shirley MurthaAt the March 6 Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Manager Bill Smith reiterated his concern that services will need to be cut to adhere to the Board of Finance’s directive for no increases in town operations for the upcoming fiscal year. In addition to a minimum of money expected from the state, the state is asking Granby to provide $1,514,998 to support the teachers retirement fund. This will have a serious impact on the budget. With other state revenue cuts, it would chang […]
The Civic Club will meet on Thursday, April 20, at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center. Civic Club member Alicia Unger will tell about her journey with cancer and how the Livestrong Program at the YMCA was a major part of her journey. In Alicia’s words, “A stake in the ground. A line in the sand. Taking back some of what cancer has taken.” This is what the Livestrong Program at the Farmington Valley YMCA is all about. The program is marketed as a free, 12-week fitness program for […]
By Jim GlenneyIt’s time to sign up for a garden plot and enjoy all the benefits of growing your own vegetables and flowers. The gardens are located just north of Ahrens Park on Hungary Road and are divided into an organic section and a conventional one. A pump well provides a water supply. The cost is $5 for a 20 x 20 foot plot. No new 20 x 40 foot plots will be issued this year until all requests for plots have been met. Last year’s gardeners wishing to reserve the same plots need t […]
By Tracy CavacutiThe Granby Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet and awards presentation on March 5, 2017, at Brignole Vineyards in East Granby. John French opened up the evening speaking about the previous and upcoming year. He touched on a bigger and better-than-ever Celebrate Granby event for 2017. President and CEO of Windsor Federal Savings George Hermann served as guest speaker. Herman gave an excellent and informative speech covering everything from the current and future lending r […]
By Kate BogliYou know it’s “cool” to eat local—to call yourself a locavore, wear a man-bun and grind your own fair trade coffee. You feel good about yourself because your banana farmer in South America is getting paid a fair wage and you know the names of your local farmer’s kids. But really. What’s in it for you to shop local? I mean, it’s expensive and it’s time consuming, right? Maybe not so much when you consider the whole picture.TRUST. Do you […]
Do you or your organization have a great idea for a project or activity to enrich life in Granby? Citizens for a Better Granby (CBG), publisher of the Granby Drummer, awards grants to support activities that provide the community with enrichment and educational opportunities not funded through the town budget or other funding sources.Grants of $150 to $1,000 support local guest speakers, authors; theatrical and musical productions by students, local groups and out-of-town professionals; the purc […]
The “Green Eggs and Ham” breakfast has become an annual affair in Granby.With a visit from “The Cat in the Hat” and an opportunity to fish for “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish,” many “Things” had a wonderful time. The event was sponsored by Granby’s Parks and Leisure services. […]
By Tim Nolan, High School ReporterImagine Render is a nonprofit organization that strives to “create positive and lasting change through the arts, education and projects that build community.” Its main project is Empty Bowls. Empty Bowls has become an international effort to raise funds and awareness towards the fight against hunger. This spring will be the 27th edition of the event, and its outreach has continued to spread each year. Seven years ago, that outreach extended to Granby […]
A group of citizens is seeking input from the community regarding establishing an ethics committee for the town of Granby. It has posted a survey on its website: www.granbytaxpayers.orgAn article in last month’s Drummer asked for participation, but there has been a relatively small response. The majority, 69 percent of respondents, answered “yes.” Comments included, “thank you for this” and “pleased if there were a forum to pose inquiries on legitimate topics […]
By Kathleen MackThe Friends of Granby Public Library (FOGPL) are gearing up for the 2017 Annual Used Book Sale at Holcomb Farm, but your help is needed!As always, the success of the 35th Annual Used Book Sale will be due entirely to the generosity of donors and volunteers. This year, the Friends are looking for volunteers who can help in a variety of ways, such as: collecting sturdy boxes (boxes with covers, like copy paper boxes is a plus), sorting and boxing donated items at Holcomb Farm throu […]
By Kim Becker“Hiving” a hankering for trivia? “Bee-ing” grumpy about the winter weather? The “buzz” that has people thinking Spring is the 14th Annual Gran-Bee on April 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Trivia questions on topics ranging from Granby, music, and history plus jokes, and silly costumes make a fun family event.Want to “bee” a part of it? There is still time to register your swarm, um, team of friends, colleagues, or civic […]
By Andrea BoyleThe Farmington Valley VNA would like to publicly acknowledge and thank every individual, family, community, civic and student group, business, and association for their recent outpouring of generosity toward the Granby Food Bank Program and call attention to several of those groups.The Granby Ambulance Association, the Gables Homeowners Association, and the Farmington Chapter of UNICO were kind enough to take up collections of food and funds at their annual holiday parties. A $500 […]
Granby students joined over 200 public school board members, superintendents and students from Connecticut Public Schools to meet with legislators during the annual Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) “A Day on the Hill” event to voice their opinions about the importance of investing in public school education.“Public school systems throughout Connecticut are facing very serious consequences if the Governor’s proposed budget passes as is,” stated R […]
The Granby Camera Club will meet on Monday, April 3, at the Granby Senior Center at 7 p.m. Jay Harder will lead a program on taking panorama photographs. The scavenger hunt words for this month are colors, sweet and favorite. To learn more about the club, visit www.GranbyCameraClub.com. […]
By Scott WoodamanRace ChairmanThe Granby Road Race celebrates its 46th year on Saturday, May 6, at 8:30 a.m. at Granby Memorial Middle School. Seven years ago, the Granby Road Race merged with the Farmington Valley YMCA as the organization’s premier fundraising event in memory of David Schupp, Jr. Granby is fortunate to have one of the oldest road races in Connecticut right in its own backyard. The Granby Road Race is a 5K and 10K race that is run on road and trails. B […]
Lunch for the Mind, Fifteen Minutes to Live: Wednesday, April 19, 12:30 p.m. Presented by Jason Scappaticci, lecturer from Manchester Community College. Understand the events surrounding the sinking of the RMS Lusitania. The sinking turned public opinion in many countries against Germany and contributed to the American entrance into WWI. Register by calling 860-844-5350. Cost is $5, bring your own lunch, desserts and beverages provided.Medication Management: Thursday, April 27, 1 p.m. Presented […]
By Tim RickisDid you know that Forest/Wildfire season is upon us? Lost Acres Fire Department wants to keep you safe during brush fire season. Because leaves and grass have not greened yet, there is an abundance of dried-out and exposed materials that are ideal for wildfires. It’s also when residents begin yard cleanup, cookouts and campfires, all of which can easily ignite the dried leaves, twigs and grass.Granby requires a permit from the Open Burning Official for open burning, and there […]
By Peggy LareauA vibrant legacy has emerged from a strong bond between Seth and Lucy Holcombe and their veterinarian and friend, Harry W. Werner, VMD. With an estate gift of over $5 million, the Holcombes of North Granby endowed an academic chair and innovative equine center at the University of Pennsylvania veterinary school (Penn Vet) in the name of Dr. Werner, an alumnus. Dr. Werner operates Werner Equine with his wife and practice manager Susan, based at their mini-farm in North Granby.&ldqu […]
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Sundays: closed until NovemberCossitt Public LibraryTuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 to 8 p.m.Saturday: 12 to 5 p.m.Pre-registration is required for many programs. Call 860-844-5275 (GPL Main Desk); 860-844-5284 (GPL Children); 860-653-8958 (Cossitt) Cossitt Library recently hosted fly tying workshops with Orvis instructors. Visit the library’s new websit […]