Recent Stories

The Arts

Good Company to present Putnam County Spelling Bee

By |

By Jessica PietrosantiGood Company Theater has started rehearsals for its hilarious fall production of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. In a school auditorium, home of the Putnam Porcupines, six peculiar students compete in a spelling bee, guided by three adults who have their own personality quirks, as each character attempts to deal with the struggles of growing up. Nate Strick, Jason Maur, Luis Hilerio, Cliff Gibson, Danielle Lawrence, Julia Bussell and Karen Vinic rehearse fo […]

The Arts

Granby Artists annual open studio tour is Oct. 14-15

By |

By Debby ReelitzThe Granby Artists Association will hold its annual Open Studio Tour Saturday and Sunday, October 14-15, at home studios throughout Granby. In addition, Lost Acres Vineyard will host oil painter, Alexander Anisimov, on both days of the tour. Anisimov, a classically trained Russian artist, will be creating charcoal and sepia portraits for visitors. The portraits will take 15 to 20 minutes and cost only $25. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made at: 860-408-1671. […]

The Arts

​October Art show to support Granby Land Trust

By |

By Trish PercivalThe Granby Land Trust and the Granby Artists Association are in their 12th year of showcasing inspiring art for an important cause—to help protect the land, water, and wildlife of Granby. To date, the Land Trust has protected more than 2,500 acres of open space, forests, wildlife habitat, agricultural land, water buffers, ecologically sensitive areas, and scenic vistas in Granby.Celebrating New England’s Natural Beauty is the theme of this extraordinary juried show; […]

Great Outdoors

At House of Hayes, the cows are milking themselves

By |

By Shirley MurthaIf you weren’t among the many visitors to the House of Hayes dairy farm (Sweet Pea Cheese) on Open Farm Day, you owe it to yourself to drive over to observe the new robotic milking process. Seemingly out of a science fiction novel, the cows now milk themselves 24/7, relieving the Hayes family of the chore that used to take 3 1/2 hours twice a day.It takes just a little training to teach the cows to enter the milking station, which they happily do repeatedly to enjoy the gr […]

Fun & Rec

MeadowBrook residents adopt Phoebe the bunny

By |

With a special welcoming ceremony, MeadowBrook of Granby residents welcomed Phoebe the Bunny to their home. Phoebe has a long soft coat and loves to be held and brushed. She is calm and sensitive. She loves fresh vegetable and yogurt treats, and will bring smiles to the face of residents at MeadowBrook of Granby for many years to come. Dorothy Annulli and Director of Therapeutic Recreation Nicole Matson with Phoebe the bunny. MeadowBrook of Granby offers a wide variety of pet therapy […]

Fun & Rec

Youth Services Bureau: Fall is here!

By |

The Youth Service Bureau is looking for local students interested in picking up extra cash helping other community members stay on top of Fall clean ups. Call to register for the Youth Employment Service.StressRX, a program focused on teaching both relaxation techniques as well as targeted study skills, is still being offered. Check out the YSB website or Facebook page to find the dates the program will be offered throughout the school year.Takes a Village parent support group will be meeting th […]

Verse

Human of Granby

By |

Stanley HayesCo-owner with son and wife of House of Hayes farm(Sweet Pea Farm)Age: 59Where did the name “Sweet Pea Farm” come from?Years ago my wife acquired a herd of goats. At that time my mother used to grow Freezonian peas. Since every herd was given a name, hers became Sweet Pea because these goats liked to eat the sweet Freezonian peas. Our farm actually dates back to the 1830s and the Hayes families were some of the first settlers in Granby during the 1690s to early 170 […]

School & Sports

Let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater

By |

By Alan Addley, Ed. D., Granby Superintendent of SchoolsLike many other Connecticut residents, my eldest son is currently planning to leave the state and relocate to North Carolina for a more prosperous future. Meanwhile, here we are again, another month has passed, school is up and running and, at the time of this article going to print, the State Legislature and Governor have still not been able to pass a budget. Given the Governor’s promise to veto the most recent Republican budget prop […]

School & Sports

YMCA 200 meter medley relay swim team crushes state record

By |

By Shawneen BuckleyThe Farmington Valley YMCA Tsunami Swim Team completed its summer season with stellar team and individual performances marked by individual, team and state records, state and regional championships, and national achievements. The successful May to August summer season, included short-course (25-yard pool) and long-course (50-meter pool) swim meets requiring exceptional commitment and dedication by coaches and team members.At the Connecticut Long Course Age Group Championships, […]

People

Foxfield F.A.R.M. hearing with vets committee

By |

On Thursday, Feb. 14 Senator John Kissel and Susan Patricelli Regan presented Senate Bill 543 that states as its purpose “to require health insurance coverage for equine therapy for Veterans and the chapter 700c of the general statutes be amended to require health insurance coverage for equine therapy for Veterans.” This bill was previously submitted to the Committee on Insurance and Real Estate that approved it for process forward to the Veterans Committee.

Fun & Rec

Parks & Recreation

By |

All Granby Parks and Recreation Department Programs/Trips are based on a first-come basis and space availability and require advance registration; payment must accompany registration. Please register early to avoid disappointment.

People

Sharing the love

By |

A little bit of love goes a long way. There was no better way to spend Valentine’s Day than at the Granby Library program Gotta Love Therapy Dogs.

Waypoints

Icefest 2019

By |

Every winter, with the blessing of our wives, a group of us dads get away for a weekend. It’s our time to forget our jobs, have a few laughs and bond over an activity we all enjoy.

Town/Govt

Public Works

By |

Extra recycling: Extra recycling can be brought to the transfer station free of charge. We have a single-stream dumpster so no need to cut up large boxes.

The Arts

Local artist’s art is flying high

|

West Granby artist Christy Tortland is a talented and creative illustrator who combines technology, mythology and art. Her renderings of mythological beings are prominent in many of her pieces and have always been a part of her focus.

Health Notes

Parkinson’s disease: An overview

|

Parkinson’s disease was first recognized in 1817 by Dr. James Parkinson in England, however the symptoms of the condition were written about as early as 175 AD.  Previously referred to as the shaking palsy It was often simply assumed that a shaking voice or hand was part of aging. Dr. Parkinson saw similar characteristics in patients with tremor and specific decline in motor skills.  Today, as celebrities Michael J. Fox, Alan Alda, and the late Robin Williams and Muhammad Ali, acknowledge having Parkinson’s, it is now a familiar medical condition with one in 300 individuals diagnosed.

School & Sports

From the Ground UP: Learning to nourish a community

|

Members of From The Ground UP, Nourish My Soul’s high school leadership program, recently traveled to New Orleans to present their work with food rescue. These students have studied food systems, analyzed their own communities, and developed projects that improve the deficits they identify through this process.

Verse

Courage

|

There’s a break in the bitter temperatures, snow, and icy rain, and I’m able to keep my doctor’s appointment today. The hospital’s parking garage is almost filled—so many people here today (I think.) One has to be careful just getting out of the car as little pieces of ice have fallen from cars parked here earlier.

People

Seniors Job Bank gets financial boost

By |

The Seniors Job Bank has received a $1,500 grant from the Rotary Club of West Hartford. According to Sheila Diamond, its executive director, “This very welcome donation has been earmarked to support enhancements to our website.”

The Seniors Job Bank, now in its 40th year, is a volunteer-driven community service organization that connects men and women over age 50 seeking work with businesses, government agencies, non-profits and households that have work to be done.

Verse

Going to Lunch at the Senior Center

|

Tuesdays and Thursdays have a special encounter

A wholesome lunch at the Senior Center. Menus of Fried Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese,

Chicken Cacciatore, or Turkey Stew if you please.