In Town Focus
In Town Focus — September 2026
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Women’s Breakfast, Camera Club, Men’s Breakfast, Civic Club, Granby Bible Study, and SBHS News
Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/page/18/?trk=public_profile_project-title)
Women’s Breakfast, Camera Club, Men’s Breakfast, Civic Club, Granby Bible Study, and SBHS News
It is September again (already), school has started and the gardens and farm stands are overflowing with bushel baskets of vegetables. This month’s recipe for marinated vegetables makes great use of any and all of the garden treasures in a healthy way!
For six years the Sadoce Wilcox House, built in 1800, has been under an extensive restoration and, in his award-winning article, local historian Mark Williams highlighted the “gradual unfolding of all that this historical resource has to offer.”
The Granby Community Fund at the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation is pleased to announce it will be accepting grant applications for projects that strengthen the wellbeing, vibrancy and resilience of the Granby community. Applications open Sept. 15 and are due by midnight on Nov. 15.
The Salmon Brook Historical Society was one of many organizations that played a significant role in this year’s 250th Anniversary celebration of our nation in Granby.
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.
September is National Senior Center Month—celebrate with us!
As summer begins to wind down, we’re taking a moment to reflect on all of the fun, growth, and connection that happened at the Farmington Valley YMCA this summer. Our camps were filled with field trips, swimming, games, friendships and plenty of opportunities for kids to try something new.
Wilkinson, Karen Shaw (Nutter), 74, wife of the late Victor Nutter, April 19
Odlum, Karen Mary Laubach, 76, wife of the late Jerome Odlum, May 30
Seven years ago, the National Park Service added the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook to the National Wild and Scenic River System, joining the previously designated Upper Farmington River.
The designation recognizes the rich biodiversity, cultural significance, geological features and recreational opportunities within the watershed.
Construction progress continues, FOHF Annual Meeting is June 28 in the New Farm Store, News from around the Farm, Meet the Farm Crew: Farm Store Manager Melody Smith, and Coming events
If you’re not familiar with the Holcomb Farm Tree Trail located on the hill across from the entrance to the North Barn event facility, this would be a good time to check out its newest addition. It’s not a new tree—it’s a kestrel nest box placed 12 feet in the air, on the right a short way up the entrance trail.
June is bear season in Granby.
According to Connor Hogan, director of the McLean Game Refuge, there are currently at least three sows with cubs in the eastern portion of the Game Refuge and likely at least one more mother bear with cubs in the west.
There is a day in June celebrating yellow, appropriately named Yellow Day. In the psychology of color, yellow is linked to joy, and “the happiest day of the year” was started by psychologist Cliff Arnall to balance Blue Monday, the saddest day of the year, which occurs on the third Monday of January.
I always enjoy sharing tried-and-true favorites from my recipe box, and this one has become a longtime favorite for good reason. I first brought this salad to a friend’s Labor Day picnic years ago, and after several people immediately asked for the recipe, I knew it was a keeper!
Near the center of town, community gardeners work the soil in the tradition of Granby’s agricultural past. On Hungary Road, in Ahrens Park, kids enthusiastically play ball near the south entrance while gardeners use the next entrance for the Granby Community Gardens. Just as enthusiastically they plant, water and care for their little bit of nature.
“Companion planting” is a good way to think about relationships in the kitchen garden. This is a method of gardening where plants are situated alongside one another for mutual benefit: tomatoes and basil, marigolds and squash, cabbage and thyme, cucumbers and radishes for a few. Each relationship offers something different, whether it’s pest control or shading the soil, attracting pollinators or improving soil fertility.
More than 100 people volunteered their time to help clean Granby’s roadsides as part of the Granby Land Trust’s 2026 Earth Day Roadside Cleanup.
School Superintendent Burke and Town Manager Walsh will be issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking an independent consultant to examine how the Town of Granby and Board of Education (BOE) operations could benefit from a “Centralized Administrative Unit” (CAU) that would serve both the Town and BOE administrative functions.
The motion to approve the 2026-27 budget DID NOT PASS, with 1,166 YES votes and 1,539 NO votes.
The board of directors of Citizens for a Better Granby (CBG) is pleased to announce the hiring of Josh Anderson as the new managing editor of the Drummer. He began his duties on April 1, and he succeeds Heather Lockwood who will continue as a Drummer volunteer.
Something significant is taking root at Holcomb Farm—and an open invitation to the entire community.
Granby Artists (GA) presents its annual All Members Show at the East Granby Public Library, 24 Center Street, June 3–28, with an Artists Reception on Thursday, June 12, 5–7 p.m.
The Connecticut Press Club, founded in the 1970s, is composed of writers, editors, authors and other media professionals. Each year media outlets throughout the state are invited to submit pieces of their published work in a variety of categories. In January, the Drummer submitted 13 articles written by its volunteers in 2025 for consideration—and in April were notified that nine of its writers received awards.
Next Steps, Upcoming events, High School Registration Drive, and Poll workers are needed
The 250th Declaration of Independence anniversary warrants a look at the “riddle” of Thomas Jefferson. His resumé as a Founding Father includes being the key writer of the Declaration and the third president. The first amendment’s freedom of religion and the wall of separation between church and state also bear his “mark.”
The largest litter of bear cubs ever recorded in Connecticut was spotted in Granby this April. After a long, cold winter, a mother black bear emerged from the woods with a litter of five cubs.
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.