Recent Stories

Drumrolls

Kathleen Bernard

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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.

Events

Granby participates in emergency preparedness exercise

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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?

School & Sports

Kim Loveland is new Kelly Lane principal

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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.

Great Outdoors

Caponata uses seasonal vegetables

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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!

People

Volunteers build playground at Valley Brook

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“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.”

Thank You to our loyal Advertisers!

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Simply put, without our advertisers, the Drummer would not exist.
The amount of advertising determines the length of each issue of the paper, and local support pays for printing, technology, postage, and other costs associated with publishing a newspaper.
If your business advertises with the Drummer, we thank you.
If you are a customer of one of our advertisers, we hope you will thank them.

People

Life coach mom and son connect through recording Advice is Optional podcast

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Nestled against Granby’s northern border near the Southwick notch, is Kristal Fiorentino’s yoga studio. The property, home to Fiorentino’s family as well as horses, donkeys and pets, is accessed by a 1,000-foot driveway, its length shaded by trees. Clients loved the serene property so much that they rebelled when Fiorentino’s growth inspired her to consider a larger, offsite location.

Fun & Rec

Browse & Borrow — May 2025

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Registration is required for library programs unless 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.

Drumrolls

Karl Edward Peters

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Karl Edward Peters, 85, of Granby, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Born June 6, 1939, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to the late Norman Julius and Lethel (Wolter) Peters.

Town/Govt

Help us find you in an emergency

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During an emergency it’s important that responding emergency personnel quickly identify your house. Finding your home, especially at night, is quite challenging if your address numbers are hidden, unreadable, unlit or missing entirely. This results in delaying emergency responders from getting to your emergency quickly.

Salmon Brook Historical Society

Frank Kearns’ Legacy

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Tucked away off Canton Road lies an abandoned elementary school— named the Frank Kearns School. Though the building now stands empty and may soon be replaced by new development, the legacy of the man behind the name should not be lost to time. Frank Kearns, a dedicated public servant and visionary, made lasting contributions to education and agriculture in Granby. His story deserves to be told.

Drumrolls

Women’s Chorale group awards scholarships

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The West Hartford Women’s Chorale is proud to announce its 2025 recipients for two $1,500 scholarship awards. From an exceptionally talented pool of applicants, the WHWC Scholarship Committee has chosen Nairobi Mouning from Granby as one of its recipients.

People

Meet Pastor Dong Hyun Choi

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There’s excitement in the air at Simsbury United Methodist Church (SUM) as it welcomes a new pastor, Dong Hyun Choi (Pastor DH), on July 1.

Drumrolls

Melba Trott Griffin

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Melba Trott Griffin, born in Framingham, Massachusetts on June 3, 1927, completed her journey and passed away at home with hospice care on March 21, 2025.

Events

Calling artists to the 2025 All Members Show

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The Granby Artists Association (GAA) presents its annual All Members Show at the East Granby Public Library from June 5 to June 26 with an artist reception on Thursday, June 5 from 4 to 6 p.m.

NOT WANTED

Mays, Shoulds and Musts

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May is the number one month for gardening, and that means decisions! What to add, what to subtract, what to divide—and how to cope with the relentless multiplication of invasive plants.

Great Outdoors

Bumble bees—the queens of the pollinators

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Most people know that bees are one of the most important pollinators of not just our pretty flowers, but also many of our important food crops. You are probably picturing a cute little honeybee perched on the edge of a blossom right now, and you would probably be surprised to learn that it’s not the little honeybee that is the best at pollination but rather the big ole bumble bee!