Recent Stories

 “Gerry’s Flowers” Brighten the Granby Town Green

By Doreen McWhirterNow in its fourth year, the garden at the intersection of Routes 10/202 and 20 in Granby provides a splash of color and classic beauty to the town green. This year a memorial plaque has been placed in the garden to commemorate the garden’s founder, Gerry Palmer. The plaque was designed by her sons, Justin and Jordan, and coordinated locally by her friend, Beth Matlack, using donations made by many family members and friends.  Gerry established the current ga […]

Update on the plans for the Holcomb Farm arboretum

By Eric LukingbealAs was noted in the most recent issue of the Drummer, the notion of an arboretum at Holcomb Farm is now under study. This is not a new idea. Rather it was the idea of Tudor and Laura Holcomb as expressed in the terms of the deed by which they gave their farmland to the University of Connecticut. They stated that an arboretum would be among the uses that they approved. Now, the town owns the land without restrictions.The idea of an arboretum captured the interest of several resi […]

Off to training

guiding eyes dog – submitted photo Bette is heading to training at Guiding Eyes for the Blind after a special blessing at First Church. This is the second puppy that was raised by the Cappelli family of North Granby that will assist the blind to foster independence and fulfillment for a person in need. We wish Bette much success in her lifetime of service. […]

South-of-the-Border dinner and music night planned

Sen ctr mariachi band Prepare for a fun night out on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. and bring your friends. The Granby Senior Center hosts an enjoyable evening full of great music and dinner with a Mexican flair—but not too spicy. The Fiesta Del Norte Mariachi Band has thrilled audiences throughout New England for over 25 years with its musical skill, high energy and cultural authenticity. Cost is $15 per person. Please call 860-844-5350 to reserve a place. […]

Celebrate Granby set for Sept. 16-18

The annual “Celebrate Granby” event sponsored by the Granby Chamber of Commerce will take place this year at Salmon Brook Park. The three-day celebration will kick off on Friday, Sept. 16 and will end on Sunday, Sept. 18 on the following schedule: Friday 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. – p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.A carnival with games and rides, as well as local food vendors offering selections from their menus will run all three days. There will also be: live […]

Young fifers and drummers, their inspiration at home and away

By Polina R. CrottyMarquis of Granby Junior Ancient Fife and Drum corps wants to thank the Hampstead Hill Club for inviting the members of the corps and their families to celebrate the Fourth of July in the club’s relaxing and friendly atmosphere. The Marquis, known to Granby residents for their part in Granby’s Memorial Day parade, delivered a more intimate performance at this holiday gathering, which was followed by the traditional Fourth of July feast, generously provided by Hamps […]

​Granby Education Foundation gets $2,500 grant from GoodWorks Insurance

GoodWorks Insurance recently gave a $2,500 GoodWorks Community Grant to the Granby Education Foundation (GEF). Based in Glastonbury, GoodWorks Insurance is a regional independent insurance agency with other Connecticut offices in New Milford, Avon and Columbia.“The people at GoodWorks Insurance are truly committed to Granby and to furthering the vital mission of our foundation,” said Kristina Gilton, Chair of the GEF’s annual Gran-Bee.Since its founding in 2000, GEF has raised […]

​Granby Artists Open Studio Tour to Showcase New Members

By Lori Catlin GarciaThe Granby Artists Association will hold their annual Open Studio Tour Saturday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 16 at home studios throughout the Granby area. In addition, Lost Acres Vineyard will again host a group of artists on both days of the tour.The group is very excited to showcase the work of three new members this year. Barbara Schmitt is a landscape architect and owner of B Designs. She is also a young, creative chain saw artist and a painter. Her sculptures are whimsica […]

​La Cucina Frutteto (The Orchard Kitchen)

Running a kitchen, raising a family, and dreaming of Italyby Susan AcceturaIf months had mascots, September’s would surely be the apple. Symbolizing the beginning of fall, the gift for the teacher, and all things cool and crisp. This summer has been anything but cool and crisp. The scorching and waterless July turned supple green lawns into flaxen crisps. Blossoms wilted and gardens stalled. This is pure botanical conjecture, but perhaps the lack of rain drove the roots deeper, so when the […]

​Granby Food Bank Acknowledges Generosity

By Andrea Boyle​ The Granby Food Bank Program would like to thank all of the donors who make a significant difference in its ability to offer food assistance to qualified Granby residents.In addition to a number of individual and business donations, the program is extremely grateful to the Granby Youth Lacrosse team members for giving back to the community with a $500 contribution to the Granby Food Bank, and to the sixth grade students at The Bear Paw Store at Kelly Lane School who chose […]

Granby artist awarded cultural arts grant

In an effort to support and encourage the preservation of skilled traditional arts and crafts, the Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program (CCHAP) at the Connecticut Historical Society (CHS) announces its 2018-2019 grant recipients. These awards are given to mentor artists in the Southern New England Apprenticeship Program who intensively teach their expertise to student apprentices and help sustain cultural expressions that are important to their ethnic and occupational communities.

Bank sponsors Salvation Army Holiday Store

Simsbury Bank made a $2,500 sponsorship contribution to the Salvation Army as part of WTIC NewsTalk 1080’s annual Holiday Store program. Additionally, the bank facilitated the collection of toys for children of all ages.

A warm gathering under a cold moon

While the idea of hiking to the top of a mountain on a cold dark night in the middle of winter might not appeal to everyone, it certainly appeals to many, as evidenced by the fact that more than 40 people showed up to do just that with the Granby Land Trust (GLT) on December 23. The hike started at dusk on the GLT’s Seth and Lucy Holcombe Preserve on Silver Street and ended in complete darkness, with a cozy gathering at Emery Farm on Loomis Street.

New equipment to clear new sidewalks

Have you seen the latest addition to Granby’s Public Works Department? You are sure to see the bright orange machine this winter so keep an eye out for it.

Public Works

Tuesday, Dec. 25, and Tuesday, Jan. 1, are holidays for Paine’s. All Tuesday through Friday trash/recycling pickups will be delayed by one day for those two weeks.

Winter Hints

Winter storms and snow removal can be a challenge. Public Works employees do their best to keep the roads passable and safe.

Lost Acres Vineyard hosting indoor farmers market

Over 12 local farms will be at Lost Acres Vineyard for a Holiday Farmers Market, Saturday, Dec. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Locally grown and produced wine, a wide variety of produce, meat and specialty products will be available at the indoor market at Lost Acres Vineyard, 80 Lost Acres Road, North Granby.

Granby Community Fund needs your help

As I, once again, sit at my kitchen table sending thank you notes to the Granby Community Fund contributors, I’m always thrilled by the community members who year after year make a donation and am even more excited when a neighbor or business donates for the first time. Nearly 5,000 requests are mailed out each year resulting in approximately 500 donations from our community, both residential and business.

College Highway Roundabout

With the State of Connecticut facing a proposed 2 and 2.6 billion dollar deficit budget for the next two years at least, it behooves all of the state agencies, especially the DOT, to pay special attention to state spending. With that thought in mind, the best thing that we can do for the College Highway (Route 10 and 202), Notch Road and East Street proposed roundabout is to cancel the project all together.