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More than 110 Granby Land Trust members gathered for the 2025 GLT Annual Meeting and Potluck Supper on October 19 in Cook Hall at the Granby Congregational Church North Campus.
Members of the Board of Directors and staff members took a moment to celebrate the accomplishment of attaining accreditation renewal through the Land Trust Alliance.
When the Board of Directors of the GLT accepted the 210-acre Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve, given to the GLT by Jamie Gamble, in North Granby, they knew it would require a good deal of maintenance and loving care and there needed to be someone available to take care of issues as they arose. Luckily, they knew just the people for the job—Bob and Karen Saunders.
This award recognizes an individual who provides exceptional property stewardship support to the GLT. In this case, that involves caring for a single extraordinary tree that requires thoughtful care and ongoing attention.
The 2025 Mary Edwards Friend of the Land Trust Award—the GLT’s highest honor—was given to Will Hart and his sister Sarah Koeniger, who donated 44 acres of land—now known at the Hart Family Preserve—to the trust earlier this year.
The GLT recognized and honored outgoing GLT Board member Paula Johnson for her incredible dedication and generosity to the Land Trust.
The Granby Horse Council (GHC) is announcing its 2026 scholarship award of $700 to a senior enrolled in their high school or home school program. Membership in the GHC is not required.
You can now take a video tour of the Granby Land Trust’s (GLT) Emery and Hart Family Preserves in North Granby. Starting at the GLT’s Seth and Lucy Holcombe Preserve trail head located off Silver Street (these two preserves connect to the Seth and Lucy Holcombe Preserve trail system) you will virtually explore the Emery and Hart Family Preserves located on the Silver/Loomis Street ridgeline.
Hear from Mike Walsh, Mark Fiorentino, Mike Guarco, Monica Logan, Rick Orluk,
Eric Lukingbeal, and Joe O’Grady.
Fall is in full swing here in Granby, and it’s time to adjust for the cold weather and plan for leaf cleanup. The chill in the early morning air slides away as the sun comes out, and there’s lots to see and do around town. Fall brings more program offerings, completed projects from public works, and updates from the building department. Read on for news and upcoming events from various departments at Granby Town Hall.
On April 25, the Granby Education Foundation (GEF) proudly celebrated the 20th Annual Gran-Bee—marking two decades of trivia, teamwork and transformative community giving. This beloved fundraiser, held at Granby Memorial High School, brought together friends, families and neighbors to compete in a spirited trivia competition and to bid on a buzzing silent auction—all in support of GEF’s mission to fund innovative educational grants in the community.
More than 100 Granby Land Trust (GLT) members and friends fanned out across Granby over the course of Earth Day weekend, picking up roadside trash from more than 50 miles of road as part of the GLT’s fourth annual Earth Day Roadside Cleanup.
Rick Orluk took this photo of the field in the GLT’s Ann Pelka Preserve in North Granby.
On Friday, May 16, the Granby-Simsbury Chamber of Commerce hosted its much-anticipated Annual Golf Classic at the picturesque Simsbury Farms Golf Course. With the early morning rain giving way to sunny skies, more than 100 local business leaders gathered for a day filled with camaraderie, competition and commitment to community.
For half a century, Nannie Brown has remained a dedicated and passionate presence at Valley Pre-School. Her wisdom and experience influenced countless children, parents and teachers since she took on the role of lead teacher in 1975. Brown served in this role until 2011, when she “retired” from teaching, but she did not go far!
The third annual Granby Grange Rubber Duck Race, sponsored by Lincoln Tech, was held on May 10 at Salmon Brook Park and was a tremendous success. With beautiful cold weather and high spirits, the event drew a lively crowd and community participation. Over $1,400 in prizes were awarded to the top 16 rubber duck winners and the last place winner.
Two years ago, I purchased a bird house thinking how lovely it would look in my tiny garden. I wasn’t sure if birds would ever nest in it, but I followed online instructions on how and where to situate it and a few weeks later I saw twigs sticking out from under the roof. We had a nest in progress—a wren! She’s back this year and another nest was built.
Ladies hear about writing Hallmark movies, Men’s group gets a global perspective
Jay Harder’s photo of a tree swallow is one of several by Granby Land Trust members during Spring Migration Walks in Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve.
On April 23, Susan Regan of the Sylvia Davis Art Foundation presented an oil painting to Dick Zanini, director of history at the Wethersfield Country Club. The painting was completed by Sylvia Davis Patricelli in 1961 and reflects the practice tee at the 1961 ICO championship at the club.
Annukka Ritalahti and Mark Gottlieb were pleased to be invited to the Wadsworth Atheneum’s 42nd Fine Art and Flowers exhibit April 25–27. It was the pair’s second invitation to be part of the display of arts and crafts, paintings and sculptures throughout the museum. Live entertainment, including music, was part of the festivities.
The focus of the Social Services Department is to coordinate existing federal, state, regional and local services, to increase community awareness of these services and to develop new programs to meet the needs of Granby residents.
Take Action Granby group members peacefully gathered on the Granby green on Wednesday, April 23.
As I write this column, it’s the morning after Granby voters approved the FY26 budget.
A direct budget vote on the operation of our town is democracy in action and an important act in the self-governance of our community. Of the more than 8,500 registered voters in Granby, 1,126 exercised their voting privilege.
Make your plans to attend Granby’s annual Memorial Day Parade and program to be held on Monday, May 26.
The National High School Coaches Association will recognize Terri Ziemnicki with top honors at a ceremony in South Dakota in late June.
The Granby Drummer seeks Part Time Managing Editor
For more information, please contact editor@granbydrummer.org
The town’s FY26 Budget Referendum was held on Monday, April 21 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Granby Town Hall.
The 2025-26 Budget PASSED by a vote of 686 to 440.
Did you hear something rummaging in the undergrowth, but you couldn’t see who was making all the noise? It could be an Eastern towhee, like this one that Merle Yoder photographed on the Granby Land Trust’s Katan-Ensor Preserve.
Highlights from the meeting held on March 26th, 2025