Recent Stories

Focus on Education

Stretching budget to support every student

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Each spring, the development of the school district budget brings an important conversation to our community. As superintendent, I understand that our schools represent both one of Granby’s greatest strengths and one of the largest investments our taxpayers make each year. Our responsibility is clear: to provide the best possible opportunities for our students while being thoughtful stewards of public resources.

College Scholarships

2026 GAA Annual Scholarship

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Graduating high school seniors who are planning to pursue further education in the visual arts are invited to apply for the 2026 Granby Artist Association Annual Scholarship. The scholarship is a cash award of $1,000 given to a graduating senior with advanced artistic skills to be used for upcoming college expenses.

The Arts

GAA Meet the artist event

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GAA and the Granby-Simsbury Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored a reception on March 9 for GAA’s Simsbury Public Library Art Exhibition. More than 90 people enjoyed refreshments and viewed the many works on display by GAA exhibiting members. The next GAA exhibition will be the annual All Members Show at the East Granby Public Library in June.

School & Sports

From Read Across America to Read Across Granby

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In celebration of Read Across America Week, members of the National English Honor Society from Granby Memorial High School paid a special visit to Kelly Lane Primary and Wells Road Intermediate schools, spending time reading with elementary students and sharing their love for reading.

Our pages are overflowing!

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Once again Drummer contributors delighted us with more material and photos than we could publish in our print pages. Please see the BONUS PAGES online by following this link.

Events

Stony Hill cleanup day is May 9

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Community Serve Day at Stony Hill Village will be Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at 259 Salmon Brook Street. Stony Hill is a senior living community managed by the nonprofit Granby Homes for Senior Citizens. Volunteers will work together by helping improve living spaces and outdoor areas.

People

Jeff Sturgeon: a local new author

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Jeff Sturgeon has called North Granby home for more than 20 years. A proud Navy veteran and retired correctional lieutenant, Sturgeon’s life has been defined by service, discipline and an unwavering commitment to his family and community. He and his wife of 33 years, Jennifer, raised their daughters, Danielle and Gabrielle, here in Granby.

In Memory of...

Sally Carr Smith

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Sally (Carr) Smith, 89, of Granby, CT, beloved wife of the late Walter H. Smith, passed away at her home on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Sally was born on July 7, 1936, In Winthrop, MA, daughter of the late Preston A. and Annette E. (Sears) Carr.

Events

Holiday gift sale and book gift tree at Granby Library

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For the month of December, the Friends of the Granby Public Libraries will have several tables set up for gift giving this holiday season. The sale begins Monday, Dec. 1 at the Granby Public Library and will continue during regular open hours throughout the month while supplies last.

Animal Talk

Common Toxin Series: Chocolate

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Most people who have pets know that chocolate is toxic to dogs. It is the most well-known toxin as well as a very common one. Chocolate is also toxic to cats, though we do not see our feline friends ingesting chocolate as often as our pups. But why is chocolate toxic?

People

75 years loving horses

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Betty Hart, a Granby native, is pictured with a horse 75 years ago side-by-side with a photo taken this year by her granddaughter, Granby Police Officer Nichole Abalan.

People

Where the windows glow

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There’s a moment in December when the world seems to pause. Long gone are the warm afternoons of autumn. We can all feel that first cold day. There are fewer pedestrians on the streets, dusk pulls in earlier and puffs of white drift across the hills and valleys. After a snowfall, a sacred silence settles in.

Drumrolls

And the winner is …

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Scott Rhoades, of Storrs, won the Marty and Don Wilmot Award for his acrylic painting, Kindred Spirits. The work depicting the giant moose and tiny turtle amid reflected autumnal glory earned the top prize at the 2025 Celebrating New England’s Natural Beauty Art Show hosted by the Granby Land Trust and the Granby Artists Association at Lost Acres Vineyard.

Town/Govt

2026 Plan of Conservation and Development Committee formed

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An 11-member committee appointed by the planning and zoning commission is working on updating the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development, more commonly referred to as the “POCD.” The POCD is a guiding document used by town government and the public, that outlines policies, goals and standards for the physical and economic development of the town.

About Town

How Granby prioritizes and funds infrastructure improvements

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Granby is a town that practices “direct democracy.” What does that mean? It means you, the voters, through the ballot box, choose your elected officials every other November, you approve the town’s annual budget in April and, periodically, you are asked to go to the polls to approve spending and funding for large infrastructure (capital) improvements.