Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/page/21/)
Two food drives held this summer at the Granby Stop & Shop benefited both the Granby and Hartland Food Banks, which work together to share resources to feed the hungry.
Last month we shared photos and crew notes on some of the crew, and we are delighted to introduce the rest!
Closed bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) at the Granby Land Trust’s Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve in North Granby.
At its Aug. 18 meeting, the Granby Board of Selectmen (BOS) unanimously approved a revised long-term Lease and Use Agreement with the Friends of Holcomb Farm, marking an exciting new chapter for the farm and the Granby community.
Who remembers the Blizzard of 1978? Or the 24 inches of snow Granby received in early 2011? Or the 2011 October snowstorm when we lost power for over a week? How about Superstorm Sandy in 2012?
A rare leucistic ruby-throated hummingbird was spotted by Granby resident Denise Canora in her expansive flower garden, which is frequented by a steady flight of birds, butterflies and other pollinators.
Fifty-seven years ago, a group of dedicated Granby volunteers created a unique youth organization. The vision of those ambitious residents became Marquis of Granby Ancient Fyfe and Drum Corps.
Troop 76 B (boys) and Troop 76 G (girls) are linked Scouts BSA troops in Simsbury, drawing members across the Farmington Valley including Granby, Avon and Canton. Anyone interested in joining a troop focused on scout-led leadership, personal growth and outdoor adventure are invited to join.
Anne McSwain, of Granby, was named to the dean’s list at Smith College for the 2024-25 school year.
Leon Totten V, of Granby, was named to the dean’s list at the University of North Dakota for the spring semester.
Kiley Schneider and Maureen VonHassel, both of Granby, graduated from Fairfield University in May.
Andrew LaCroix was named to the dean’s list at Boston University’s College of Engineering for the spring semester.
Highlights from the meeting held on July 9th, 2025
Photo by Jim Watso during the GLT Spring Migration Walks at Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve.
Textile volunteers at the Salmon Brook Historical Society happened across a blue wool military coat last year. The coat appeared to be from the Civil War era. A detailed search of our records found no information about this coat, but a handwritten signature was discovered inside its left sleeve. In flourishing cursive, it states “C. A. Coffin, Co. A.”
In the final days of the school year, students at Granby Memorial High School receive their yearbooks and flip through the pages filled with memories, signatures and well wishes. It is a beloved tradition that has endured for generations.
I recently found a small book, The American Soldier’s Creed, in my grandfather’s papers. My grandfather, Elmer C. Vreeland, proudly served in WWI and the creed (reprinted in this article) depicts the ideals for which his generation was fighting.
So delighted to share this recipe—I made it many moons ago for a Cook sister’s gathering and birthday celebration for our mom. Horseradish is a great addition, just enough to add spice and flavoring but not enough to send tears down your face! This is a perfect salad for summer gatherings or barbecues, and might taste even better the next day—if there is any leftover.
The Granby Community Garden, located at 79 Hungary Road, officially launched its growing season on May 3 with its annual work day, drawing a strong turnout of returning gardeners and enthusiastic newcomers alike.
In the park June greets us with her roses.
Their beautiful colors and sweet scents give us Hope and Peace.
Many readers will remember Tom Nystrom. His life was full of service to the Town of Granby: Boy Scout troop leader, senior van driver, Sunday school teacher, 100-time blood donor. He drove the Marquis of Granby bus and won the Granby Congregational Church chili contest.
The McLean Game Refuge (MGR), Connecticut’s largest private wildlife sanctuary, needs a new headquarters to continue the important work to study, maintain and preserve its 4,415 acres.
Take A Breath community forum, a non-partisan informational session on several key topics of interest, was held at the East Granby Senior/Community Center on April 26.
The Granby Land Trust’s (GLT) annual spring migration bird walks at the Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve delivered exciting sightings again this Mother’s Day weekend. Despite the somewhat windy conditions, participants identified 50 bird species on Sunday and 48 species on Monday.
On a beautiful late April evening, GLT member Aubrey Schulz helped a group of 24 participants locate and identify spring ephemeral plants on the GLT’s Mary Edwards Mountain Property in North Granby.
The seeds are planted—let the season begin!, A Successful 2024, Joe O’Grady is our Businessperson of The Year!, At the starting gates for 2025, Feed your soul with a tree trail walk, and Save the date!
Friends of Granby Homes for Senior Citizens, Inc. held its spring Community Serve Day on May 3 at Stony Hill Village, Granby’s 49-unit affordable senior housing community.
As the temperatures rise and school lets out, the YMCA is buzzing with energy, excitement and opportunity. From athletic programs that honor legacies to brand-new playgrounds and innovative family fitness classes, this summer at the Y is shaping up to be one of the most active and enriching yet.
Welcome to June—the biggest planting month of the year. The soil has warmed up, making the ground a wonderful host for new, young flower and vegetable plants. With the threat of frost behind us, we can safely plant summer gardens.
The Big Y grocery store in Simsbury has selected the Citizens for a Better Granby (publishers of the Drummer) to receive a portion of the sales of its Community Bags during June. The $2.50 reusable bags both benefit the environment by reducing the use of paper and plastic bags and yield a $1 donation to CBG. That sounds like a WIN-WIN to us!
Wells Road School’s Jim Whitten repeated his Master of Ceremonies duties at the April 25 Gran-Bee trivia competition at Granby Memorial High School. Funds from the trivia contest and auction benefit the Granby Education Foundation’s community grants program.
Rob Flanigan took this photo at Enders Falls on May 10 with his Canon R8.
On April 25, the Granby Education Foundation (GEF) proudly celebrated the 20th Annual Gran-Bee—marking two decades of trivia, teamwork and transformative community giving. This beloved fundraiser, held at Granby Memorial High School, brought together friends, families and neighbors to compete in a spirited trivia competition and to bid on a buzzing silent auction—all in support of GEF’s mission to fund innovative educational grants in the community.