Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/page/20/)
The Friends of Granby Public Libraries (FOGPL) closed the books on another highly successful annual sale in late July, raising more than $13,938.26 to support the town’s libraries.
Each September we try to predict the intensity of the peak autumnal display. It’s more than a coin toss, as foliage reports take rainfall, sunshine and temperature into consideration.
At the Sept. 2 Board of Selectmen meeting, First Selectman Mark Fiorentino congratulated Jessica Diglio-Tsaptsinos on her appointment to the board of education.
Track in Granby has had a successful 2025. The boys team had a record of 11-2. The girls team record was 10-3.
Kathleen Anne Estrada-Bernard, 72, of Granby, Connecticut, passed away on August 21, 2025, in Hartford, surrounded by her loving family. Born on December 6, 1952, in Mount Kisco, New York, Kathleen lived a life filled with laughter, compassion, and warmth.
How would Granby officials respond to a town-wide emergency? Imagine an extended drought where brush fires were popping up all over town and the fire department was stretched thin. What if homes, businesses and a school burned? What if water was in short supply and wells were running dry? What if Granby needed to open and run shelters for those displaced by the fires?
Red leaves, orange pumpkins, and bittersweet vines.
Do you cry when the leaves fall?
It is with great excitement that Kelly Lane School welcomes its new principal, Kim Loveland, who joined the school this fall. Stepping into her 11th year as an elementary principal, she brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to fostering a supportive and thriving school community.
I hope you try this recipe while the farmstands are full of produce. While visiting my husband’s cousin in Italy in August, she served us the most delicious caponata as an appetizer. There are lots of variations but this recipe is closest to the one we had. Enjoy!
“At Valley Brook Community Church, serving children, their families and the community is important,” said Chelsea Smith, children’s ministry director, “so when we realized a playground would help us do just that, we started the process by dreaming and praying.”
The Granby Board of Selectmen would be the first to tell you that they have had very fine student liaisons over the years, including the most recent representative, Ben LaVigne, who has set the bar quite high. In fact, it took several minutes for First Selectman Mark Fiorentino to read the proclamation at the May 5 BOS meeting listing his many accomplishments in academics, sports and community involvement.
Sydney Henry, a senior at Granby Memorial High School, has been awarded a scholarship from The College Club of Hartford, Inc., a distinguished organization with a long history of supporting women in higher education.
The 2024–25 school year may be coming to a close, but the Granby Board of Education continues to build an exciting momentum. Before sharing what we have in the works, I wish to thank everyone who voted to support the budget. The board of education worked very hard to provide the best possible options for students with a keen eye on ensuring the best value for taxpayers—now, and in the future.
Feline asthma is very similar to asthma in humans. It is described as a chronic, progressive inflammatory respiratory condition that causes narrowing of the airways leading to coughing and wheezing. According to a study by Cornell University, about 1–5 percent of felines have feline asthma. This translates to approximately 800,000 cats in the U.S.
Since 1983, the Friends of Granby Public Libraries (FOGPL) have held the very popular Used Book Sale. This year it will be held on July 25, 26, and 27 at Holcomb Farm. The Friends will start accepting donations in late June.
Mock traffic stops can be valuable experience, Bradley Regional Chamber of Commerce Busi-ness Symposium, Celebrate summer at the Mark Twain House, Hartford Chorale holding open auditions, Volunteers needed at historical society, Suffield Players announces 2025–26 season, and Celebrate Children’s Day on June 1
On May 9, the Youth Service Bureau’s Youth Action Council, in collaboration with the Farmington Valley YMCA, hosted an 8th-grade dance for the future Granby Class of 2029!
Camera Club, Men’s Breakfast, Civic Club, SBHS News, Women’s Breakfast, and CT Trails Day
The Youth Service Bureau is piloting an after-school chess drop-in starting late July on Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. If you have someone in grades 6 to 9 that would like to grab a friend and a board and join us, please contact AnneMarie at the YSB to register. Ahcox@granby-ct.gov or call 860-845-5355.
If there is enough interest, we will start the last week of July. With sufficient participation, we will continue into the next school year.
A new chapter of PFLAG is being established this month to serve members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families and friends. The group’s first in-person meeting will be an informal cookout on Sunday, June 22 at 3 p.m.
The workshop will be held Saturday, June 7, 2 to 4 p.m. at The Whisk’s new location, 15 Hartford Avenue, Granby.
Registration is required for all library programs unless otherwise indicated. To register, visit granby-ct.gov/Library, and click on “Register for a Program” or call the library at 860-844-5275. To learn more about upcoming programs, sign up for the library’s monthly eNewsletter. For the most updated information on dates and programs, refer to the library’s online calendar.
The Granby Artists Association presents its annual All Members Show at East Granby Public Library from June 5 to June 26. Since 2002, the association has worked to create a vibrant and supportive community for the arts in Granby. This show features work by your favorite artists as well new people, including Granby high school students, which brings an exciting diversity to the 2D and 3D presentations.
Granby Racial Reconciliation (GRR) invites you to join them on Saturday, June 14 to celebrate Juneteenth!
The Granby-Simsbury Chamber of Commerce (GSCOC) held its Annual Meeting on May 1 at Holcomb Farm, drawing more than 75 local small business owners and community members. The evening celebrated the region’s entrepreneurial spirit, recognized key leaders and ushered in the chamber’s leadership for the upcoming year.
The students of Granby Memorial High School are coming together in a powerful show of support for one of their own. On Friday, June 20, from 6 to 9 p.m., GMHS will be the site of a special benefit concert for Jake Rossi, a cherished senior currently undergoing treatment for cancer.
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.
One year ago, Karen Young showered kudos on Granby’s community garden in an article entitled, It takes a village to make a garden grow, published in The Granby Drummer in May 2024.
David Desiderato’s column, NOT WANTED, has appeared in The Granby Drummer since 2020. His writings identify invasive plant species and suggest eradication methods, warn of “bad bugs” like the spotted lanternfly, and commiserate with fellow gardeners who recoil from the dreaded jumping worm.