Recent Stories

Events

In town focus

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Historical Society ToursThe Salmon Brook Historical Society is open for tours on Sundays beginning June 5, 2–4 p.m. Special exhibits in each building focus on Granby children. Group or private tours are available upon request. For more information call 860-653-9713 and leave a message or email Ginny Wutka at ginny@lostacres.com.The society is located at 208 Salmon Brook Street. Admission: $5 for adults, $2 for children and seniors, family maximum $12, members free.Blood Pressure Screenings […]

People

There’s a new vet in town

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By Shirley Murtha​Actually she arrived last July, but Dr. Caitlin Rothacker has gradually become known to the horse-owners of the greater Granby area as she slips into the shoes of retired veterinarian Liam O’Leary. Although small in stature, her experience prior to arriving in Granby more than qualifies her to fill those shoes! In fact, O’Leary notes that “Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital is most fortunate to have such a talented highly educated and competent equine vete […]

Town/Govt

Plan of Development latest draft presented to residents

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By Shirley MurthaUnder the co-chairmanship of Paula Johnson and Eric Lukingbeal, the Plan of Conservation and Development Subcommittee presented its first draft of the 2015 plan to Granby residents on April 21. First developed in 1993 and updated in 2005, the plan is designed “to provide guidance and information to all of the town’s boards, commissions, public officials and residents.” It contains policies, goals and standards for physical and economic development and recommend […]

The Arts

Art brings joy and pride to Valley Pre-School

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By Kim BeckerAs the weather turns warm and the buds begin to bloom so does the Valley Pre-School Art Show. For over 10 years, the school’s four-year-old classes have spent the year creating masterpieces for the much-anticipated annual event. On display are pieces in an array of media, driven by a rich curriculum and the children themselves. The stones and other natural objects the children used to explore math concepts such as patterning, counting and sorting, inspired one installation of […]

People

HUMANS of GRANBY

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By Emma Smith Rosemary Wolcott Rosemary WalcottAge 68English teacher 20 years, currently retired. Consultant- HS Sr. college application essaysTell us about your dreams…A recurring dream comes to me in September. It is the first day of school and I am assigned to teach a subject I have no background in for five periods a day to classes of 28+ students. There are no textbooks and the technology in the room is not working.My dreams for the future are that my children’s and grandchil […]

The Arts

Grad Night 2016 art contest winners announced

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​Granby Parents for a Safe Graduation has announced the winners of the 2016 art competition. The first place entry will be used to design the invitation for the Granby Memorial High School’s safe graduation party. The winning design is featured on the complementary grad night t-shirts which all seniors will receive. The grad night party is free to all graduating seniors and will be held this year on June 13 at the Farmington Valley YMCA in Granby.​GMHS Principal, Dr. Mary Gadd, […]

Great Outdoors

Granby Horse Council awards scholarship

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By Joan DavisThe Granby Horse Council is proud to announce that James Novak of Granville, Mass. is the recipient of the 2016 Granby Horse Council scholarship. James has been riding horses since he was 7 years old. He is a senior at Westfield High School and will be attending Findlay University in Findlay, Ohio, in August. He is enrolled in the equestrian program with a focus on Western riding and training, specializing in reining.​  The council offers a $500 scholarship annually […]

Town/Govt

BOE, town watch state budget woes closely

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By Kim BeckerThe Hartford Courant reported that the state legislature and the governor have reached agreement over the state’s budget and response to a nearly $1 billion fiscal shortfall. This is necessitating across-the-board cuts, and as many as 2,500 state workers will likely lose their jobs. Of greatest immediate concern to towns and cities across the state are proposed cuts to municipal grants, education cost-sharing grants, and assistance with transportation and special education cos […]

History

Passport to Connecticut Libraries “eminently rewarding”

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By Virgil PaggenNot long after I moved with my family to North Granby, I happened upon the Frederick H. Cossitt Library, a small outpost in comparison with the West Hartford library I previously frequented. It didn’t take long for Margaret Vastoff, librarian, to acquaint me with all that Cossitt offered; it quickly became a valued resource.Among the 50 states, Connecticut ranks 48th in size; only Delaware and Rhode Island are smaller. However, with more than 260 public libraries, I found t […]

School & Sports

Third and fourth graders learn more about their own interests

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​By John R. NiebWith enrichment clusters, third and fourth graders in the Granby schools can learn more about their areas of interest. Enrichment clusters are collaborative learning environments where students can investigate and learn about areas of interest that they have and want to learn more about. They are a multi-week cooperative learning experience for students.“They provide a process for students who may be gifted in different ways to show their strengths and learn from and […]

Letter to the Editor

Kearns Community Center

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Our family is very excited about the proposed Kearns Community Center. We have spent some time with the members of the steering committee and the ideas they’ve generated are fantastic.

Letter to the Editor

Support for Democrats

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I recently heard a local talk show host suggest that most people cannot name their state representative or senator. If you live in Granby, your state representative and state senators have been in office for a very long time.

Letter to the Editor

Support for Republicans

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This is an extremely important election for the citizens of the State of Connecticut and for our town. For decades, our legislature has spent too much and saved too little to pay for the state’s obligations.

Letter to the Editor

Support for Hornish

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I write in support of the candidacy of Annie (Wosko) Hornish for the position of State Senator. Annie has demonstrated her qualifications for this position through her strong local commitment and her effective state experience. 

I was fortunate enough to work with Annie as a fellow commissioner on the Granby Charter Revision Commission.

Letter to the Editor

Support for Kissel

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State Senator John Kissel is a strong advocate for the rights of the disabled. Here are some of the ways that he has worked for these people. 

He chaired a committee studying transitional services for youth and young adults with autism spectrum disorder.

Letter to the Editor

Support for Kissel

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I want to encourage fellow Granbyites to support John Kissel for reelection this fall. It is no secret (even the Hartford Courant agrees) that our state faces a fiscal nightmare.

Letter to the Editor

Support for Griebel

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In this trying time for the state of Connecticut, I urge everyone to consider voting for Oz Griebel for Governor on Nov. 6.

Letter to the Editor

Support for Simanski

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We have been blessed by the efforts of Bill Simanski working on behalf of the 62nd District of the State of Connecticut for a number of years. Prior to that he led Granby as First Selectman of Granby for eight years.

Letter to the Editor

Support for Simanski

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I am urging all the great people of Granby to vote to re-elect Rep. Bill Simanski to the Connecticut House of Representatives. I have served with Bill for several years and without a doubt he is a gentleman, well informed, and a tireless champion for the people of Granby and the rest of his district.

Letter to the Editor

Support for Simanski

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As a Granby and Connecticut taxpayer, I am writing to show my support for the re-election of Bill Simanski as our State Representative. He has worked hard for us for many years, first on Granby’s Board of Selectmen, including eight years as our First Selectman, and most recently as our representative in the Connecticut House of Representatives.

Letter to the Editor

Support for Simanski

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As a former life-long Democrat, I’m endorsing Bill Simanski for Representative of the 62nd District. This decision is based on many factors: Mr. Simanski’s in-depth working knowledge of the political system, proven diplomacy, his honesty and transparency.

Letter to the Editor

Support for Webster

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I am writing in support of Amanda Webster’s campaign as our new representative of the 62nd District to the Connecticut House of Representatives. As a 40-something lawyer, I was initially hesitant to support Amanda in her campaign, and I confess I judged her purely on age.

Letter to the Editor

Support for Webster

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My husband, two young children and I moved to West Granby just over four years ago. Through school activities, sports and community events, we’ve gotten to know the people of Granby to be diverse, hard-working, caring—and particularly, people who want to be heard—people who want to matter when it comes to the complex issues we’re facing today. 

In this spirit, it is apparent Granby is overdue for representation on the state level by someone who truly reflects our values and who will stand up and work for the issues important to our community.

Letter to the Editor

Support for Webster

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During last Tuesday night’s debate (Sept. 25) between Amanda Webster and Bill Simanski, organized and presented by GMHS Honors Civics Class, it was apparent that Bill is running on his record of helping the state accumulate 4.6 billon dollars of debt.

Letter to the Editor

Support for Webster

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As a member of Granby’s older generation, I can’t overstate how enthusiastic I am about Amanda Webster’s candidacy to be the 62nd District’s next State Representative. 

As I’ve grown older over the last few years, I have noticed that the elders of our town are more and more forgotten by our state and local representatives. There are significant issues on the horizon for us, from health care to transportation to rising taxes and the end of our work life.

People

Correction

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In the above photo from the October Drummer, the Stop & Shop employee on the right was incorrectly identified. She is Alyshia Barron.

People

Correction

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The author of the article about the Granby Library Association in the October Drummer was incorrectly attributed to Joan Russell. Amy Hatfield was the author.