Recent Stories

BOE welcomes new member

I hope that you and your family are enjoying those last few beach days but feel, as I do, a sense of excitement as we turn to the new school year ahead. Before we launch into what promises to be an exciting year, I wanted to update the community on a few changes on the Granby Board of Education. 

Planning for autumn

As September begins and summer ends, it’s time to look ahead to fall. School buildings are preparing to open doors and welcome back students and families, and fall sports are gearing up for the new season.

New principal for GMMS

Cheri Burke, Granby’s superintendent of schools, announced that Heather Tanis has been selected as the principal of Granby Memorial Middle School.  

IWWC public hearing continued to SEPT. 13 

At an Aug. 9 public hearing, a 48-unit, four-story apartment complex proposed for 37 Hartford Avenue by Vessel Development of New York, was presented to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (IWWC) for permit approval of its storm water management plan. The review and permits are required because the site includes 932 square feet of wetlands. 

Your Support Matters!

Welcome to the Drummer’s first issue this autumn! During the past several months, we’ve successfully completed our transition to a new editorial team and we’re excited to continue bringing Granby’s news to you in print, on our website and on social media.  

GMHS civics students host BOE Candidate Forum

In honor of National Voter Registration Day, candidates who are running for the Granby Board of Education on Nov. 7, have been invited to attend a Candidate Forum sponsored by the GMHS Civics Department and the Registrars of Voters Office, in the Granby High School Auditorium on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.

Letters to the Editor

Help CT corporate taxes benefit Granby, Book Sale was success!, Embracing Our Agrarian Roots, and Lack of Parent Engagement at BOE Meetings 

Warm For The Winter

Warm for the Winter By Shirley Murtha If you live in a house bordered by woods, you most likely have a mouse problem when fall arrives. The little deer mice and white-footed mice are relentless in finding ways to get into our homes to escape the cold winter temperatures. In November, I intended to clean out the bluebird nesting box in my back yard, but I was too late: a tiny creature had already constructed the extensive nest pictured here. It measures almost eight inches in depth, comprise […]

Singing Valentines

Sound of New England quartets delivering singing valentines Feb. 13-14 This Valentine’s Day, let the Sound of New England Chorus deliver your heartfelt message with a song. On Friday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sound of New England Chorus, an award-winning chapter of Sweet Adelines International, will send quartets on the road throughout Greater Hartford and surrounding towns to deliver “singing valentines”—a cappell […]

NEAM Events

NEAM Events Open Cockpit Day Feb. 15 The New England Air Museum will hold its next Open Cockpit Day on Sunday, Feb. 15. On that day, visitors will be permitted to climb into the cockpits of up to eight vintage aircraft, a full-motion flight simulator and one static flight simulator. The open cockpits include the Vietnam era “Huey” helicopter; the North American F-100 Super Sabre jet fighter; the Coast Guard HU-25 Falcon; the Lockheed F-104C Starfighter and more. Museum educators […]

Bereavement Support Group

Bereavement Support Bereavement support group will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Farmington Valley VNA’s Simsbury office at 8 Old Mill Lane. It doesn’t matter who you’ve lost, or how long ago; any adult who is grieving the loss of a loved one is welcome to share their feelings and receive support from others who are experiencing similar situations. There is no charge to participate in this free program, but pre-registration is requested by calling 86 […]

Granby Ag

Lost Acres Orchard, Lost Acres Road Winter has arrived here at Lost Acres Orchard. Things slow down as the weather gets colder. Our new (seasonal) hours are Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 12:30 to 5 p.m. (We are closed Monday through Thursday.) We will make fresh soups, breads, pies, and quiche each week and keep our freezer stocked with potpies, more soups, mac and cheese, cinnamon buns, and other goods. Watch for our Orchard News on Thur […]

Wells Road Welcomes A New Flag

Wells Road Intermediate School welcomes a new flag By Grace Yoder and Kathy Waddington Last spring, Grace Yoder, now a 5th grade student at Wells Road, spoke to her principal, Dr. Anna Forlenza-Bailey about making a school flag for Wells Road. Grace had been thinking about this idea during morning announcements and wondered, “Why does America have a flag and not Wells Road School?” Grace shared her plans to create a school flag with Dr. Bailey and the project was underway. […]

Wells Students Donate Pajamas

Wells students donate pajamas to the Pajama Program Wells students donate pajamas By Kierstan Pestana The students at Wells Road Intermediate School completed a collection of pajamas for area children that ended with a Pajama Day on Dec. 12. This is the fifth annual drive to support The Pajama Program, a non-profit organization that provides new, warm pajamas and books to children in need, many who are waiting and hoping to be adopted. In the first four years, the […]

Production of Peter Pan

The cast of Peter Pan Good Co. Theater and GMHS produce Peter Pan By Jennifer Moreau Good Co. Theater and Granby Memorial High School are collaborating on a production of Peter Pan set for early March. Directors Nikki Currie Huggard and Karen Kudish have selected some top-notch high schoolers, middle schoolers and elementary students to perform in their rendition of Peter Pan. Expect some major surprises along the way as Peter Pan (Abby McMillan), Wendy (Jessica Man […]

Rovers Welcome New Board Members

Granby Rovers new board members (l.-r.): treasurer, Troy Milbrandt; secretary, Rich Dixon; facilities, Shawn Bosco; girls’ programs, Chris Cramer. Rovers welcome new board members By Rob Miltenberger At its Dec. 3 year-end board and coaches meeting, the Granby Rovers Soccer Club welcomed four new members to its board of directors: Rich Dixon, Secretary; Troy Milbrandt, Treasurer; Chris Cramer, Girls Program Director; and Shawn Bosco, Field/Facilities Director. Tod […]

Granby PD Welcomes New Officers

Granby chief with new officer Michael DeSimone Granby PD welcomes new officers Granby Police Chief Carl Rosensweig welcomed two new officers at police department ceremonies in December. Officer Michael DeSimone has been a resident of Southwick, Mass. for most of his life. His experience growing up nearby will serve him well as a Granby police officer. DeSimone graduated with honors from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., with a degree in criminal justice. He studied […]

Public Works Director Named

Kirk Severance, director of Public Works Public Works director named Town Manager William F. Smith, Jr. has appointed Kirk Severance as Granby’s director of Public Works. Severance served as deputy director of operations in Granby for seven years and has been with the Department of Public Works since 1984. Severance maintains several certifications relating to roads, hazard communications, tree-warden, and an environmental protection certificate to operate a landfill […]

Marques of Granby Celebrates!

Fyfe instructor Jen Wick presents the “Most Improved Fyfer Award” to Helen Newman Marquis of Granby celebrates 45th Season By Lori Catlin Garcia Members of the Marquis of Granby Jr. Ancient Fyfe and Drum Corps gathered on Jan. 3 in Cook Hall at the First Congregational Church to celebrate their 45­­­th season. The corps opened the evening by playing a short concert to a gathered crowd of over 100­­ attendees, including family members, instructors and past director […]

Protects Yourself From Shingles

Protect yourself from shingles If you contracted chickenpox as a child, there is a one-in-three chance the virus will be reactivated as shingles. The chickenpox virus remains in your nervous system and can reemerge at any time, without warning, for no known reason. Unfortunately, there is no way to determine who will develop shingles, when it may occur, or how long it will last. Studies have shown that shingles most commonly occurs in those ages 60 and older, and that the rash, resulting com […]

Staying Safe (and warm!) this Winter

 Staying safe (and warm!) this winter Ice skating, snowball fights, sledding, warming up by the fire—aaah, the joys of winter! It’s fine to indulge in these cold-weather activities if you are also vigilant about your safety. Hypothermia most often results from remaining in cold temperatures for an extended period of time. If your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, your core body temperature may drop dangerously below 95 degrees, and the brain will begin to &ldq […]

VNA Director Leaving Post

VNA director Muir FIN Farmington Valley VNA director leaving post By Andrea Boyle After more than 25 years of service as Executive Director of the Farmington Valley Visiting Nurse Association, Incy S. Muir has announced her retirement from the agency, effective July 10, 2015. She and her husband plan to relocate to the White Mountain region in Maine next summer. A life-long resident of Granby, Muir describes this transition as “bittersweet” since she will be leaving a community […]

VNA Holiday Donations

The Farmington Valley VNA accepted a donation for the Granby Food Bank Program from GMMS X-Factor Boys Club members. Pictured are: (back, from l.) Xavier Jurado, David Stewart, Conrad Ginz, Mark Torres, Mrs. Volikas, and Layne Cramer; (front) Aaron Murdock, Ayden Lidesri, Alex Stelly, and Francis Mikalonis. Submitted photo […]

Senator John Kissel Interview

Senator John A. Kissel (R) District 7 with CTVV Host Susan Regan at the Legislative Office Building. Submitted photo Senator John Kissel—an honest dialogue with CT Valley Views Senator John Kissel, (R) 7th District, one of the longest serving senators in the Connecticut State Senate, provides his view of our state’s status and the fiscal hurdles and options confronting the legislature in the 2015 session. In his interview with CTVV’s host Susan Regan, Senator Kissel, as […]

Benchmarking Urban Outreach in CT

CTVV Host Susan Regan with Hartford Public Access TV executive director Gil Martinez and Regina Roundtree, founder of Connecticut Black Republicans and Conservatives at the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford. Submitted photo CTVV: Benchmarking urban outreach in Connecticut A central objective to re-invigorating the Greater Hartford area and many of Connecticut’s larger cities is the necessity to clearly communicate to urban residents that an understanding of the challenges […]

George E Tuffin

George E. Tuffin 1917 – 2014 By Carol Laun George Tuffin was the quintessential volunteer. He was involved in many aspects of town government, from constable to First Selectman. He served on town boards and on building committees for the Town Hall and Town Garage. He was a member of the Library Board. He was instrumental in organizing the Senior Men’s Breakfast and also drove the Senior Van. He was active in the First Congregational Church. He was a member of St. Mark’s Lo […]

Letter from John Kissel

Do you oppose border tolls? “Border tolls would raise a substantial amount of money for this state.” That’s what the co-chair of the state legislature’s Transportation Committee said recently. So brace yourselves, Granby Drummer readers. The issue of building border tolls has returned at the State Capitol. If built, the tolls could cost between $3 and $7 per car. This could all happen by 2017.  I oppose border tolls. A hearing on the proposal could be held in Hart […]