Recent Stories

Thanksgiving Tree at Library

A tree at Granby Public Library has been growing leaves, not shedding them. Visitors have been adding leaves marked with things that make them thankful. Lots of thanks-giving in Granby!Caption: Photo by Deborah Kulwich […]

Clothes Closet opens to meet local needs

By Kim GaudreauValley Brook Community Church held its first Clothes Closet on Oct. 4. The Clothes Closet offers free clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and children at no cost. The idea came about after Valley Brook member, Donna Crombez assisted with the Salvation Army Clothing drive at the church last year. Crombez said, “It was always on my mind and my heart to reach out and help others in our community. There are many people in Granby and other surrounding towns who cannot […]

Go see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

Don’t miss a chance to share this funny, heartwarming play with your whole family. Start the season off with good cheer and this show produced by Good Company Theater. Performances are Saturday, Dec. 3, at 3 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. at South Church, 242 Salmon Brook St. Tickets are $12 and are available at GoodCompanyTheaterCT.org, at Granby Pharmacy and at the door.Caption: Photo by Audrey Laird […]

Valley Pre-School buzzes with bee knowledge

By Andrea BurnsChildren at Valley Pre-School (VPS) learned how bees help fruits like apples grow, during a visit from local beekeepers.“Honeybees are big helpers in the apple orchard,” said Joyce Custer of West Granby. “The honeybee flies from one apple blossom to another and spreads the blossom’s pollen around.”The visit from the beekeepers is timed each year with a field trip to Lost Acres Orchard so the children can see the connection first hand. The beekeepers a […]

Granby residents celebrate Thanksgiving in many different ways

By John R. NiebSince the first Thanksgiving in 1621, holiday traditions have been passed down and some have changed. Granby families each have their own special traditions.Arleen O’Meara celebrates Thanksgiving with her husband, Lawrence, her three children and two grandsons. O’Meara’s celebration is held at her house or one of her children’s houses. They cook and serve traditional Thanksgiving fare of turkey and all the fixings. O’Meara’s daughter makes the p […]

Scout Troop 125’s excellent adventure at Quonochontaug Salt Pond

By Chris Kardys,Senior Patrol LeaderThe canoe outing, put on by Boy Scouts Troop 125, was a great success. The troop explored the Quonochontaug salt pond behind Quonochontaug Beach in Charlestown, R.I. The Scouts launched their canoes at the state boat launch. There were seven canoes and nine scouts and four adults. They paddled out to the flats around the salt marsh and saw bluefish blitzing. The water was boiling with bluefish chasing a school of baitfish. The fish quickly swam under the canoe […]

Granby Football captions

Clean getaway!Jack Hauser (Granby’s top rusher) breaks away for a 87 yard touchdown run vs. Lewis Mills at a recent home game. Photo by Jay HarderTim Nolan drops back for a pass vs. Lewis Mills. Photo by Jay Harder Photo by Jay Harder […]

Land Trust facilitates the health of the Salmon Brook watershed

By Shirley MurthaThe Granby Land Trust’s acquisition of many significant pieces of property, whether outright gifts or conservation easements, has played an important role in maintaining the health and viability of the Salmon Brook watershed. By keeping development away from many of the streams feeding the watershed, the water remains free of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, road salt and myriad other chemicals.This was one of the main points of a lecture given by retired Kingswood-Oxf […]

You are needed

Granby residents are needed to fill vacancies on the Agricultural Commission and the Conservation Commission. If you are interested in serving on either of these commissions, contact the Democratic Town Committee Chair Christine Chinni at GranbyDemocrats@gmail.com, the Republican town committee Chair Mark Neumann at 860-653-9668, or the Town Manager at 860-844-5300.

Small towns urge lawmakers to oppose forced consolidation of school districts

The Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) is urging lawmakers to oppose bills that would force the consolidation of smaller school districts, including SB-457, which requires school districts serving less than 2,000 students to consolidate with larger school districts, and SB-454, which requires schools to be consolidated into mega districts serving 40,000 students. “Consolidation does not always produce cost savings.

Crafting the FY20 budget

On March 6, I will present the FY20 Administrative Budget to the Board of Education. The budget is a spending plan that is responsive to the needs of the district, a Board of Finance budget guideline of 4 percent, a huge State budget deficit, and a proposed Governor’s budget that reduces $254K in State educational funding to Granby. 

Over the years, in response to the significant economic challenges, the district has taken steps to reduce its budget by realizing line-item efficiencies and closing a school.

Chamber of Commerce installs new officers and board of directors

New Chamber of Commerce officers installed are (from l.): John Laudati, president; Mary Anne Guarco, past president; Todd Baily, director; Lindsay Allen, director; Annelise Hurley, director; Frank Schoenrock, treasurer; Kevin Riggott, director; Scott Riley, first vice president; Jamie Rice, second vice president, Brian Guarco, director; Bob Marx, director. Missing from photo are: Vicky Mosteanu, Meg Statile, Tim Baker, Kathy Ungerleider, and Tony Roda.

Granby hosts forum on state’s fiscal stability and economic growth

Granby was provided an opportunity at the town’s Senior Center, co-moderated by First Selectman Scott Kuhnly and Susan Patricelli Regan, to hear an exclusive presentation on the state’s fiscal status and challenges, given by Robert E. Patricelli, co-author of the document 2.0 Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth manifesto. Patricelli is the co-chairman on the State’s Fiscal Stability Commission along with Jim Smith, former president and CEO of Webster Bank.

PTO Corner

March is proving to be a busy month for the PTO. The spring session of our after-school chess program begins on March 4 and will meet on consecutive Mondays through June 3.

It’s not all Rainbows and Unicorns

A confidential support group for tweens and younger teens who have experienced anxiety and depression will meet on Friday’s beginning March 19 from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m.

Each session will focus on reinforcing positive coping techniques using a framework of cognitive behavioral and mindfulness techniques. Art, music, meditation and other expressive activities will be included with guided discussions and sharing.

Prepping for Empty Bowls fundraiser

GMHS student Madeline Peling glazes a bowl made by fellow student Brian Boyle (not pictured) for the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser to be held in the high school commons area March 22, from 5-7 p.m. The event is hosted by the National Honor Society.

GMHS production of Grease is March 15-17

Granby Performing Arts at GMHS is back again, with this year’s spring musical: Grease by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey and in cooperation with Samuel French Publishing and directed by Nikki Currie-Huggard. It’s 1959, and Rydell High School’s senior class is in rare form.