Recent Stories

Drumrolls

Drummer writers again honored by press club

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Proudly exhibiting their award certificates from the Connecticut Press Association for pieces they wrote that appeared in 2022 issues of The Granby Drummer are, from left, Skip Mission, Shirley Murtha, Patricia Brandon, Jennifer Benson and Mark Fiorentino.

People

Granby Ambulance Association’s fall fundraiser takes off

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The Granby Ambulance Association (GAA) hosted its annual fall fundraising event at the New England Air Museum in October. The event drew supporters from across the area to raise essential funds for emergency medical services (EMS) in the towns of Granby, East Granby and East Hartland.

People

Granby’s police are appreciated

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Granby Stop & Shop presented Officer Nicole with a cake to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication of members of the Granby Police Department.

Opinion

Electric vehicles and unintended consequences

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Electric vehicles (EVs) are hailed as a sustainable solution to reduce environmental impact by reducing emissions from traditional fossil fuel-powered cars. However, the production of EVs is not without its environmental challenges.

Opinion

Parents are the guardians of our future government

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Things, especially education, that affect and influence us in our childhood shape the kind of adult we turn out to be. And so, as in nature, children are a product of their environment as in the expression “as the twig is bent, the tree is inclined.”

School & Sports

Granby Memorial High School Homecoming Weekend Begins September 24!

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By Deb Ranicar The 2015 Granby Memorial High School Homecoming Weekend, sponsored by the GMHS Athletic Booster Club, is set to begin on Thursday, September 24, and plans are already underway so that students, families, and the entire community will have the opportunity to witness some of the most exciting competitions of the high school fall sports season! Fans will enjoy home games and a meet with our Cross Country, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Football, and Boys and Girls Soccer T […]

School & Sports

DTC Scholarship awarded

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The annual Granby Democratic Town Committee Scholarship was awarded to Kevin Bates during the Senior Awards ceremony held in June. Kevin will be attending the University of Connecticut, and has been accepted into UConn Special Program in Law. Each year the DTC scholarship is awarded to a deserving Granby Memorial High School senior that has demonstrated positive engagement in the political process and exemplifies the DTC mission of Making Granby a Better Community.  Kevin’s applicat […]

Fun & Rec

Animal Talk

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There is a new field in veterinary surgery that is exciting and growing called Interventional Radiology (IR) and Interventional Endoscopy (IE). These are useful tools in human medicine that are now being applied to companion animals.  I recently became aware of these new methods when my son (who is a veterinary student) worked for the summer as an IR research assistant at the Animal Medical Center (AMC) in NYC. The AMC is the first veterinary facility to offer a complete service in these te […]

Town/Govt

July meetings resolved permit issues

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July 14 Meeting The Planning and Zoning Commission heard three public hearings at its July 14 meeting and approved all special permit applications The owner of 163 Hartland Road requested a special permit for an accessory apartment for his mother, who will be living with him. The existing ranch-style home, constructed in 1959, contains 1500 square feet with three bedrooms and 1.5 baths. The accessory apartment will be located within a proposed addition of 560 square feet connected to the front […]

Town/Govt

Grounds keeping is his specialty

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By Shirley Murtha Have you noticed how attractive and well-kept Granby’s municipal properties are? Back in June and July, the “Blue Billow” and pink “Invincibelle” hydrangeas that border the main entrances to the Town Hall and Meeting Room were worthy of inclusion in Better Homes and Gardens. Plantings behind the police station and along the driveway next to it are also stunning, and not just in high summer. These delights are the work of one very special Public Works employee, Chris Lesiak. […]

Town/Govt

Lost Acres Fire Department annual election/appointment results

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by Tim Rickis The Lost Acres Fire Department held its annual meeting on July 14. The LAFD election results are: Chief – John Horr Jr. President – David Demchak Vice President – Bill George Jr. Treasurer – John Reek The Chief is responsible for assigning officers to ensure the safe and effective operation of the department. Chief Horr’s appointments for 2015-2016 are: Assistant Chief – David Sprafke Deputy Chief – Bill Lee Deputy Chief – Ti […]

School & Sports

DTC Scholarship awarded

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The annual Granby Democratic Town Committee Scholarship was awarded to Kevin Bates during the Senior Awards ceremony held in June. Kevin will be attending the University of Connecticut, and has been accepted into UConn Special Program in Law. Each year the DTC scholarship is awarded to a deserving Granby Memorial High School senior that has demonstrated positive engagement in the political process and exemplifies the DTC mission of Making Granby a Better Community.  Kevin’s applicat […]

Great Outdoors

Open Farm Day 2015

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Open Farm Day 2015– Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Information is available on the website, www.granbyAG.org. Clark Farm at Bushy Hill 29 Bushy Hill Road, Granby Bushyhill.com In June of 2010 Allen and Becky Clark purchased the 75-acre orchard from Hal and Nora Law. Since then, the Clarks have continued to honor what the Law family began and now that the rehabilitation of the Apple Store and the Creamery has been completed, this farming family&rsq […]

Town/Govt

September Activities

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September Activities Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at the Granby Senior Center located within the Municipal Complex at 15 North Granby Road. Annual membership dues are just $5 for Granby residents and $10 for non-residents, due on Sept. 1. Please call 860-844-5352 for additional information. Special Opportunities All About Eyes with Primary Eye Care: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m. Learn about the latest in cataracts, glaucoma, dry eyes floaters and eye lid surgery. No charge. T […]

Great Outdoors

Local girls compete in national pony event

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By Andrea Bugbee Five members of the Granby Pony Club competed in the 2015 Pony Club National Championships East held July 22–26 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Va. These members are: Emma Forster, 13, of Bloomfield; Teagan Lapuk, 15, of Granby; Kiera Roddy, 15, of Granby; Jenna Turrini, 16, of Southwick, Mass. and Faith Wang, 15, of Southwick, Mass. All riders in Pony Club Championships previously qualified by attaining top scores at regional rallies throughout the country. […]

Great Outdoors

Granby Ag hosts Open Farm Day


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By Pam Burek The Granby Agricultural Commission is sponsoring a free Open Farm Day on Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be demonstrations, tours, or other activities with the farmer onsite and ready to answer any questions you may have. Highlights include a Hay Bale Toss with prizes for men’s, women’s and children’s winners at Maple View Farm. The Granby Pony Club will offer pony rides for a small fee at Lost Acres Vineyard and more. You can find the complete schedul […]

Great Outdoors

Granby Apple Fest

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First Church of Granby AppleFest September 19 By Linda Betsch First Congregational Church of Granby (FCC) will host its fourth annual AppleFest on Saturday, September 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the church grounds, located at 219 North Granby Road (Rt. 189). All ages and stages are welcome at this fun-filled community event and will be held rain or shine, using  indoor and outdoor covered spaces. The event will feature over 30 vendor and craft booths, a tag sale of gently-used, hand-sel […]

Town/Govt

Public Works

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Transfer Station Extended Hours: The Transfer Station will be open on Wednesdays 8 a.m. until noon beginning Sept. 9. The extended hours will be in effect through Nov. 18. Trash Holiday: Monday, Sept. 7, Labor Day is a holiday for Paine’s Inc. and all trash/recycling pickups will be delayed by one day that week. Hazardous Waste Collection: The next collection of Household Hazardous Waste will be Saturday, Nov. 7, 8 a.m. to noon, at the Simsbury DPW, 66 Town Forest Road, Simsbury.   […]

School & Sports

2015 Grad Night Thank You

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Thank You for making the Safe Graduation Party a success. The 2015 Safe Graduation Party was held June 18, the evening of graduation, at the YMCA in Granby. This fun-filled, substance-free event was open to all graduates from the Granby Memorial High School (GMHS). The event featured a photo booth, laser tag, chair massages, volleyball tournament with a best costume award, caricature artist, ping pong, magician, balloon artist, airbrush artist, plus a raffle where the grand prize was a Micros […]

Fun & Rec

Park & Rec News

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Director: Tom Tyburski Office Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Open 24/7 at www.GranbyRec.com for program registration. Telephone: 860-653-8947 Fax: 860-653-0173 Website: www.GranbyRec.com. We accept MasterCard/Visa/Discover for payments. Program/Trip Registration: All programs/trips are based on a first come basis and space availability and require advance registration; payment must accompany registration. Please register early to avoid disappointment. Scholarships: Recreational and leisure opportun […]

Town/Govt

September Candidate Forum

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Jaimee Kidd, center, served as an intern in the Registrars’ office. She is pictured here with Registrars Laura Wolfe (left) and Sarah Thrall (right). Submitted photo In honor of National Voter Registration Day, all the candidates on the November ballot have been invited to a candidate forum sponsored by the Registrars Office. This event will be held in the town hall meeting room on Monday, Sept. 28, at 6:30 p.m. The registrars are excited to be working with the Granby Memorial High School Civ […]

Town/Govt

Town to participate in Clean Energy Pledge

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By Shirley Murtha A representative from Eversource, formerly Connecticut Power & Light, attended the Aug. 17 meeting of the Granby Board of Selectmen to explain the company’s Clean Energy Communities Municipal Pledge proposal and encourage participation. Originally proposed in 2010 by CL&P, the pledge is a non-legally binding statement that the town will attempt to reduce its energy consumption by 20 percent by the year 2018. Eversource awards points for various energy-saving acts such […]

Town/Govt

The Opening and Closing of School?

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As students prepare for the first day of school, you can feel the excitement and anticipation of another school year. We extend a special welcome to families new to Granby and to students who will be joining the school system for the first time. As usual, the summer flew by! Summer activities included curriculum institutes for teachers; professional development for teachers and administrators; facility and technology enhancements; the launching of a new website; safety upgrades; the hiring of […]

People

African students learn entrepreneurship skills in Granby

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Dave Emery (l.) discusses Granby agriculture with Benjamin Kobina Ebo Dadson, Walter Ford, Raya NanaAdjoa Fylla and Esther Korsah. By Marilyn Sponzo Granby recently played host to seven African students studying entrepreneurship through the Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders on Social Entrepreneurship. This is a five-week program sponsored by the U.S. State Department and hosted this year by the University of Connecticut’s Global Training and Development Institute. The […]

People

Farmington Valley VNA appoints new director

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The Farmington Valley Visiting Nurse Association’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Nancy A. Scheetz, Advance Practice RN, Board Certified, as the agency’s new Executive Director. Ms. Scheetz is a Certified Clinical Specialist with the American Nurses Credentialing Center and is licensed as a Registered Nurse and an Advance Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Connecticut. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Fairfield University an […]