Recent Stories

Granby Student Achievement: Year-over-Year Growth in State Assessments

At the Sept. 17 meeting, the Granby Board of Education received test score results from the prior year’s Smarter Balance (SBAC) tests. These results, coupled with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) assessment and the PSAT and SAT scores provide guidance to the board—and more importantly the administration and the teachers—of what additional work or changes need to be implemented to help our students achieve their best.

Our highways and byways evolved with the times

Last month, I described how, as a result if the flood of 1955, Granby became an island when the bridges and roads on Routes 9, 189, 20, and 10 were washed out or badly damaged, so that no one could get in or out of Granby. Our town green was literally an island as it is surrounded by Routes 10, 20 and 189 (formerly known as Route 9). Here is a brief history of roads through picturesque Granby.

John W. Conley

Colonel John Conley, former resident of Simsbury and North Granby, passed away peacefully at his home in Mays Landing, NJ, on Friday, August 22, 2025 surrounded by his family, after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 69.

Fall at Stony Hill Village

Granby Homes for Senior Citizens, which operates Stony Hill Village, will hold its annual Friends of Stony Hill Village meeting on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the community room at 259 Salmon Brook Street.

From standards to success: curriculum in Granby Public Schools

Instruction in Granby Public Schools is guided by our Vision of a Graduate: we aim for every student to become a resourceful learner and an effective communicator who contributes positively at the local, national and global levels. Our curriculum is based on state standards that outline the knowledge and skills students should acquire during their K–12 education in order to graduate ready for college and career.

Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve a haven for birds

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.

GLT hosts spring ephemeral walk

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.

Fun and fitness at the YMCA

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.

Companion gardening

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.

Buy Big Y shopping bags in June

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!

Gran-Bee celebrated its 20 years milestone in style

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.

Gran-Bee celebrates 20 years in style!

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.

Chamber of Commerce golf classic teed up community spirit

On Friday, May 16, the Granby-Simsbury Chamber of Commerce hosted its much-anticipated Annual Golf Classic at the picturesque Simsbury Farms Golf Course. With the early morning rain giving way to sunny skies, more than 100 local business leaders gathered for a day filled with camaraderie, competition and commitment to community.

Valley Pre-School celebrates 50 years with Nannie Brown

For half a century, Nannie Brown has remained a dedicated and passionate presence at Valley Pre-School. Her wisdom and experience influenced countless children, parents and teachers since she took on the role of lead teacher in 1975. Brown served in this role until 2011, when she “retired” from teaching, but she did not go far!

Salmon Brook hosts annual rubber duck race

The third annual Granby Grange Rubber Duck Race, sponsored by Lincoln Tech, was held on May 10 at Salmon Brook Park and was a tremendous success. With beautiful cold weather and high spirits, the event drew a lively crowd and community participation. Over $1,400 in prizes were awarded to the top 16 rubber duck winners and the last place winner.

The wrens return

Two years ago, I purchased a bird house thinking how lovely it would look in my tiny garden. I wasn’t sure if birds would ever nest in it, but I followed online instructions on how and where to situate it and a few weeks later I saw twigs sticking out from under the roof. We had a nest in progress—a wren! She’s back this year and another nest was built.

Tree Swallow

Jay Harder’s photo of a tree swallow is one of several by Granby Land Trust members during Spring Migration Walks in Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve.

Davis painting to hang at country club

On April 23, Susan Regan of the Sylvia Davis Art Foundation presented an oil painting to Dick Zanini, director of history at the Wethersfield Country Club. The painting was completed by Sylvia Davis Patricelli in 1961 and reflects the practice tee at the 1961 ICO championship at the club.

Silver Street Glass at Wadsworth Atheneum

Annukka Ritalahti and Mark Gottlieb were pleased to be invited to the Wadsworth Atheneum’s 42nd Fine Art and Flowers exhibit April 25–27. It was the pair’s second invitation to be part of the display of arts and crafts, paintings and sculptures throughout the museum. Live entertainment, including music, was part of the festivities.