Recent Stories

Stephen J. Dunn to lead the Ethel Walker School as Interim Head

Stephen J. Dunn will serve as Interim Head of The Ethel Walker School for the 2015-2016 school year. He succeeds Elizabeth “Bessie” Speers, who served as Head of School from 2007 through June 30 of this year. Most recently, Mr. Dunn served as Walker’s Assistant Head of School. He came to the school in 2007 from The Brookside Group in Acton, Mass,.where he was Chief Technical Officer. Prior to that he was Chief Operations Officer for Healthcommunities.com. Preceding his work in the bus […]

Jodi Okenquist named 2015 Granby Teacher of the Year

By Robert F. Gilbert The Granby Public Schools proudly recognized Jodi Okenquist as the 2015-16 Teacher of the Year at the district’s closing ceremonies on June 18. An overwhelmed Jodi was joined on stage by her family members to celebrate this wonderful honor. Jodi Okenquist is a talented, dedicated and passionate seventh grade social studies teacher who has worked at Granby Memorial Middle School for the past seven years. Jodi has deep roots in Granby. She grew up in the town, attended […]

GMMS Honor Roll 4th Quarter

Granby Memorial Middle School Honor Roll 4th Quarter 2014-2015 GRADE 8 HIGH HONORS Ryan Antkowiak, Rachael Badeau, Emily Bennett, Sarah Bennett, Denise Blake, Brian Boyle, Jalyn Brown, Catherine Bystrowski, Haley Clark, Lindsay Courser, Jenna Dauria, Anthony DelPrincipe, Jack DiMeo, Sydnie Dorman, Mackenzie Dowd, Elizabeth Escudero, Michael Favolise, Emma Fetridge, Madison Flebotte, Jonathan Hacia, Parker Hansen, Cailin Hesketh, Evan Holm, Katherine Hosack, Mckenzie Huot, Lucy Jacobs, Britt […]

2016 Granby Safe Graduation Party Meeting

By Thérèse Mulvey Safe Graduation Party Committee for the class of 2016 is meeting on September 14 at 7 p.m. at the GMHS Media Center For more than 28 years, the Safe Graduation Party Committee has hosted a party for graduating seniors. The Safe Graduation Party offers a fun-filled, safe, substance-free event the evening of graduation. It is an awesome event complete with great prizes, delicious food, volleyball, games, massages and more. It is always well attended because it is […]

Granby Memorial High School Homecoming Weekend Begins September 24!

By Deb Ranicar The 2015 Granby Memorial High School Homecoming Weekend, sponsored by the GMHS Athletic Booster Club, is set to begin on Thursday, September 24, and plans are already underway so that students, families, and the entire community will have the opportunity to witness some of the most exciting competitions of the high school fall sports season! Fans will enjoy home games and a meet with our Cross Country, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Football, and Boys and Girls Soccer T […]

DTC Scholarship awarded

The annual Granby Democratic Town Committee Scholarship was awarded to Kevin Bates during the Senior Awards ceremony held in June. Kevin will be attending the University of Connecticut, and has been accepted into UConn Special Program in Law. Each year the DTC scholarship is awarded to a deserving Granby Memorial High School senior that has demonstrated positive engagement in the political process and exemplifies the DTC mission of Making Granby a Better Community.  Kevin’s applicat […]

Animal Talk

There is a new field in veterinary surgery that is exciting and growing called Interventional Radiology (IR) and Interventional Endoscopy (IE). These are useful tools in human medicine that are now being applied to companion animals.  I recently became aware of these new methods when my son (who is a veterinary student) worked for the summer as an IR research assistant at the Animal Medical Center (AMC) in NYC. The AMC is the first veterinary facility to offer a complete service in these te […]

July meetings resolved permit issues

July 14 Meeting The Planning and Zoning Commission heard three public hearings at its July 14 meeting and approved all special permit applications The owner of 163 Hartland Road requested a special permit for an accessory apartment for his mother, who will be living with him. The existing ranch-style home, constructed in 1959, contains 1500 square feet with three bedrooms and 1.5 baths. The accessory apartment will be located within a proposed addition of 560 square feet connected to the front […]

Grounds keeping is his specialty

By Shirley Murtha Have you noticed how attractive and well-kept Granby’s municipal properties are? Back in June and July, the “Blue Billow” and pink “Invincibelle” hydrangeas that border the main entrances to the Town Hall and Meeting Room were worthy of inclusion in Better Homes and Gardens. Plantings behind the police station and along the driveway next to it are also stunning, and not just in high summer. These delights are the work of one very special Public Works employee, Chris Lesiak. […]

Lost Acres Fire Department annual election/appointment results

by Tim Rickis The Lost Acres Fire Department held its annual meeting on July 14. The LAFD election results are: Chief – John Horr Jr. President – David Demchak Vice President – Bill George Jr. Treasurer – John Reek The Chief is responsible for assigning officers to ensure the safe and effective operation of the department. Chief Horr’s appointments for 2015-2016 are: Assistant Chief – David Sprafke Deputy Chief – Bill Lee Deputy Chief – Ti […]

Jodi Okenquist named 2015 Granby Teacher of the Year

By Robert F. Gilbert The Granby Public Schools proudly recognized Jodi Okenquist as the 2015-16 Teacher of the Year at the district’s closing ceremonies on June 18. An overwhelmed Jodi was joined on stage by her family members to celebrate this wonderful honor. Jodi Okenquist is a talented, dedicated and passionate seventh grade social studies teacher who has worked at Granby Memorial Middle School for the past seven years. Jodi has deep roots in Granby. She grew up in the town, attended […]

GMMS Honor Roll 4th Quarter

Granby Memorial Middle School Honor Roll 4th Quarter 2014-2015 GRADE 8 HIGH HONORS Ryan Antkowiak, Rachael Badeau, Emily Bennett, Sarah Bennett, Denise Blake, Brian Boyle, Jalyn Brown, Catherine Bystrowski, Haley Clark, Lindsay Courser, Jenna Dauria, Anthony DelPrincipe, Jack DiMeo, Sydnie Dorman, Mackenzie Dowd, Elizabeth Escudero, Michael Favolise, Emma Fetridge, Madison Flebotte, Jonathan Hacia, Parker Hansen, Cailin Hesketh, Evan Holm, Katherine Hosack, Mckenzie Huot, Lucy Jacobs, Britt […]

2016 Granby Safe Graduation Party Meeting

By Thérèse Mulvey Safe Graduation Party Committee for the class of 2016 is meeting on September 14 at 7 p.m. at the GMHS Media Center For more than 28 years, the Safe Graduation Party Committee has hosted a party for graduating seniors. The Safe Graduation Party offers a fun-filled, safe, substance-free event the evening of graduation. It is an awesome event complete with great prizes, delicious food, volleyball, games, massages and more. It is always well attended because it is […]

Granby Memorial High School Homecoming Weekend Begins September 24!

By Deb Ranicar The 2015 Granby Memorial High School Homecoming Weekend, sponsored by the GMHS Athletic Booster Club, is set to begin on Thursday, September 24, and plans are already underway so that students, families, and the entire community will have the opportunity to witness some of the most exciting competitions of the high school fall sports season! Fans will enjoy home games and a meet with our Cross Country, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Football, and Boys and Girls Soccer T […]

DTC Scholarship awarded

The annual Granby Democratic Town Committee Scholarship was awarded to Kevin Bates during the Senior Awards ceremony held in June. Kevin will be attending the University of Connecticut, and has been accepted into UConn Special Program in Law. Each year the DTC scholarship is awarded to a deserving Granby Memorial High School senior that has demonstrated positive engagement in the political process and exemplifies the DTC mission of Making Granby a Better Community.  Kevin’s applicat […]

Animal Talk

There is a new field in veterinary surgery that is exciting and growing called Interventional Radiology (IR) and Interventional Endoscopy (IE). These are useful tools in human medicine that are now being applied to companion animals.  I recently became aware of these new methods when my son (who is a veterinary student) worked for the summer as an IR research assistant at the Animal Medical Center (AMC) in NYC. The AMC is the first veterinary facility to offer a complete service in these te […]

July meetings resolved permit issues

July 14 Meeting The Planning and Zoning Commission heard three public hearings at its July 14 meeting and approved all special permit applications The owner of 163 Hartland Road requested a special permit for an accessory apartment for his mother, who will be living with him. The existing ranch-style home, constructed in 1959, contains 1500 square feet with three bedrooms and 1.5 baths. The accessory apartment will be located within a proposed addition of 560 square feet connected to the front […]

Grounds keeping is his specialty

By Shirley Murtha Have you noticed how attractive and well-kept Granby’s municipal properties are? Back in June and July, the “Blue Billow” and pink “Invincibelle” hydrangeas that border the main entrances to the Town Hall and Meeting Room were worthy of inclusion in Better Homes and Gardens. Plantings behind the police station and along the driveway next to it are also stunning, and not just in high summer. These delights are the work of one very special Public Works employee, Chris Lesiak. […]

Lost Acres Fire Department annual election/appointment results

by Tim Rickis The Lost Acres Fire Department held its annual meeting on July 14. The LAFD election results are: Chief – John Horr Jr. President – David Demchak Vice President – Bill George Jr. Treasurer – John Reek The Chief is responsible for assigning officers to ensure the safe and effective operation of the department. Chief Horr’s appointments for 2015-2016 are: Assistant Chief – David Sprafke Deputy Chief – Bill Lee Deputy Chief – Ti […]

DTC Scholarship awarded

The annual Granby Democratic Town Committee Scholarship was awarded to Kevin Bates during the Senior Awards ceremony held in June. Kevin will be attending the University of Connecticut, and has been accepted into UConn Special Program in Law. Each year the DTC scholarship is awarded to a deserving Granby Memorial High School senior that has demonstrated positive engagement in the political process and exemplifies the DTC mission of Making Granby a Better Community.  Kevin’s applicat […]