Recent Stories

Fun & Rec

Messenger Memorial gets spiffed up in time for holidays

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When he finished preparing all the Department of Public Works plows for the winter, Robbie Bahre noted that the V-plow in front of the DPW building needed some sprucing up. He asked Deputy Director Joel Faria for permission to do that. The answer was “yes,” and there just happened to be a set of decals in stock for the lettering needed.  From l., Robbie Bahre, Robert Stickles and Joel Faria stand by the newly refurbished V-plow at Public Works. Photo by Lisa Pyatt Rob […]

Fun & Rec

Stop & Shop, Granby Police team up for holiday toy drive

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Rosia Kennedy would like to thank the Granby Police Department for teaming up with her to run a Christmas toy drive at Stop & Shop. It’s the second year she has asked them to join her and they were happy to oblige. Baskets of toys were set on registers and cashiers asked customers to help, and WOW they did! People also stopped by outside to drop off toys and gift cards. Pictured are Rosia Kennedy and Detective Tina Deltatto. Submitted photo Thanks to Detective Tina Deltatto, […]

People

Comforter project expands as 29 years of Quilt Happenings comes to an end

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By Shirley MurthaFor 29 years, Ginny Wutka produced Quilt Happenings in summer, late fall and early spring at Lost Acres Orchard. The Happenings included a lecture on some aspect of quilting history, new and vintage quilts, kits and fabrics for sale, news of area quilt clubs and light refreshments from the Farm Kitchen. For the summer Happening, the kitchen made available an extensive buffet enjoyed by patrons sitting outdoors under the apple trees. Comforter Project quilts were delivered t […]

People

Foxfield F.A.R.M. donates to GCC toy drive

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Foxfield F.A.R.M. donated a very cuddly bear to the Granby Chamber of Commerce December Toy Drive at the State Line office drop off site. Pictured L-R: Rose Stone, State Line Customer Service Rep and Susan Patricelli-Regan, President of Foxfield F.A.R.M. Equine Therapy for Veterans with PTSD foundation.  Tax-deductible donations may be made by mail or PayPal online at our website: foxfieldrecoverymission.org […]

Verse

Plight of New England dairy farms examined

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Granby Land Trust, Simsbury Land Trust and Friends of Holcomb Farm host documentary screening Forgotten Farms, a documentary about New England dairy farms, will be shown Sunday, March 11, at 2 p.m. in the Simsbury Public Library Lower Level Program Room. The screening will be followed by a question and answer period led by the filmmakers Sarah Gardner and Dave Simonds, along with area dairy farmers. This event is offered free of charge thanks to sponsorship by the Granby Land Trust, Friends […]

School & Sports

Selectmen welcome new student liaison

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By Shirley MurthaGranby Memorial High School junior Serra Tickey has been appointed the 2018 student liaison to the Board of Selectman. Serra’s interest in the different branches of government lead her to apply for the position, which she hopes will keep her educated in the town’s current events and issues. She will report on high school happenings at each Board of Selectmen meeting. Serra Tickey Serra is a busy person at GMHS where she is a member of the French Honor Soci […]

School & Sports

2018-2019 Kelly Lane Primary Schoolkindergarten registration is March 19

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Kindergarten registration will be held at Kelly Lane Primary School, 60 Kelly Lane on Monday, March 19 between 5-7 p.m.Children who will be five years of age on or before January 1, 2019 must be registered for 2018-2019 school year. Parents choosing not to enroll their eligible child for Kindergarten must complete an option form exempting their child from school attendance. Children do not have to be present for registration.All forms can be downloaded from the Kelly Lane Primary School web page […]

Town/Govt

Board of Selectmen report Proposal initiates action on Evonsion property

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by Shirley MurthaGranby resident Tom Vaughan presented his unsolicited concept for the use of the former Evonsion property at 107 East Street to the Board of Selectmen at its Nov. 20, 2017, meeting. A long-time farmer, Vaughan despaired that as the cost of insecticides and herbicides was rising, crop yields were reaching plateaus or even decreasing. Just as important to him was the fact that his children’s allergies were becoming quite severe, and he was not happy with the thought of their […]

Events

Sneak Peek: Lunch for the Mind programs for the spring

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By Eileen LonghiThe Granby Senior Center Civic Engagement Education Team has been hard at work finding different programs to please Lunch for the Mind attendees. We think we have succeeded for our spring initiative. If you are interested in dreams, the history of Granby, armchair travel and the smell of roses, we are pleased to share a “sneak peek” of the following programs.Wednesday, March 21 at 12:30 p.m.: Dreams and Waking Dreams with Natalie Griffin, founder and owner o […]

Events

Marquis of Granby celebrates 48th season with awards banquet

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By Madeline ChristensenMarquis of Granby Jr. Ancient Fyfe and Drum Corps held its annual Awards Banquet on Jan. 6 in Cook Hall at the First Congregational Church. The corps opened the evening by playing a short concert to over 100 attendees, including family members, instructors, alumni and past directors. The banquet is a special and beloved event. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the corps members’ many accomplishments and soak up the culture of a truly unique organization. It is a […]

Town/Govt

You are needed

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Granby residents are needed to fill vacancies on the Agricultural Commission and the Conservation Commission. If you are interested in serving on either of these commissions, contact the Democratic Town Committee Chair Christine Chinni at GranbyDemocrats@gmail.com, the Republican town committee Chair Mark Neumann at 860-653-9668, or the Town Manager at 860-844-5300.

Town/Govt

Small towns urge lawmakers to oppose forced consolidation of school districts

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The Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) is urging lawmakers to oppose bills that would force the consolidation of smaller school districts, including SB-457, which requires school districts serving less than 2,000 students to consolidate with larger school districts, and SB-454, which requires schools to be consolidated into mega districts serving 40,000 students. “Consolidation does not always produce cost savings.

Focus on Education

Crafting the FY20 budget

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On March 6, I will present the FY20 Administrative Budget to the Board of Education. The budget is a spending plan that is responsive to the needs of the district, a Board of Finance budget guideline of 4 percent, a huge State budget deficit, and a proposed Governor’s budget that reduces $254K in State educational funding to Granby. 

Over the years, in response to the significant economic challenges, the district has taken steps to reduce its budget by realizing line-item efficiencies and closing a school.

People

Chamber of Commerce installs new officers and board of directors

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New Chamber of Commerce officers installed are (from l.): John Laudati, president; Mary Anne Guarco, past president; Todd Baily, director; Lindsay Allen, director; Annelise Hurley, director; Frank Schoenrock, treasurer; Kevin Riggott, director; Scott Riley, first vice president; Jamie Rice, second vice president, Brian Guarco, director; Bob Marx, director. Missing from photo are: Vicky Mosteanu, Meg Statile, Tim Baker, Kathy Ungerleider, and Tony Roda.

Town/Govt

Granby hosts forum on state’s fiscal stability and economic growth

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Granby was provided an opportunity at the town’s Senior Center, co-moderated by First Selectman Scott Kuhnly and Susan Patricelli Regan, to hear an exclusive presentation on the state’s fiscal status and challenges, given by Robert E. Patricelli, co-author of the document 2.0 Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth manifesto. Patricelli is the co-chairman on the State’s Fiscal Stability Commission along with Jim Smith, former president and CEO of Webster Bank.

PTO Corner

PTO Corner

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March is proving to be a busy month for the PTO. The spring session of our after-school chess program begins on March 4 and will meet on consecutive Mondays through June 3.

Youth Services Bureau

It’s not all Rainbows and Unicorns

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A confidential support group for tweens and younger teens who have experienced anxiety and depression will meet on Friday’s beginning March 19 from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m.

Each session will focus on reinforcing positive coping techniques using a framework of cognitive behavioral and mindfulness techniques. Art, music, meditation and other expressive activities will be included with guided discussions and sharing.

People

Prepping for Empty Bowls fundraiser

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GMHS student Madeline Peling glazes a bowl made by fellow student Brian Boyle (not pictured) for the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser to be held in the high school commons area March 22, from 5-7 p.m. The event is hosted by the National Honor Society.

School & Sports

GMHS production of Grease is March 15-17

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Granby Performing Arts at GMHS is back again, with this year’s spring musical: Grease by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey and in cooperation with Samuel French Publishing and directed by Nikki Currie-Huggard. It’s 1959, and Rydell High School’s senior class is in rare form.

Events

Hungry Heart dinner is March 23

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Waste Not Want Not Community Kitchen’s gourmet dinner is this month. Preparations are in progress for another fun evening with a gourmet dinner, silent auction and raffle.

Out of Town

Tension, Thread and Needles

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Cathy Racine from the Charlton Sewing Center will give a humorous lecture on “Tension, Thread and Needles” at the March meeting of the Farmington Valley Quilters. The meeting is Wednesday, March 20, at 7 p.m. in Eno Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury.

Out of Town

Storyteller’s Cottage launches charming tea room

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The Storyteller’s Cottage in Simsbury now offers a delicious variety of tea, coffee and pastries in its charmingly remodeled English Country Kitchen. During any of its standard operating hours, visitors may stop in and enjoy a romantic literary snack, either while chatting with friends, or while working on their writing projects (just like J.K. Rowling, who wrote the entire Harry Potter series while sitting in an Edinburgh cafe). 

Baked goods are provided by Popover’s Bistro of Simsbury, and are inspired by classic books and the favorite dishes of literary celebrities.  The variety changes from week to week, but guests may find dishes such as Hobbit Cake (a poppy seed cake that Bilbo loves), Turkish Delight (Edwin’s downfall in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe), or gingerbread cake made from Beatrix Potter’s favorite recipe. 

The Storyteller’s Cottage Tea Room is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.