Recent Stories

The Arts

 Empty Bowls fundraiser is April 28

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By Tim Nolan, High School ReporterImagine Render is a nonprofit organization that strives to “create positive and lasting change through the arts, education and projects that build community.” Its main project is Empty Bowls. Empty Bowls has become an international effort to raise funds and awareness towards the fight against hunger. This spring will be the 27th edition of the event, and its outreach has continued to spread each year. Seven years ago, that outreach extended to Granby […]

Town/Govt

Ethics exploratory committee seeks input

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A group of citizens is seeking input from the community regarding establishing an ethics committee for the town of Granby. It has posted a survey on its website: www.granbytaxpayers.orgAn article in last month’s Drummer asked for participation, but there has been a relatively small response. The majority, 69 percent of respondents, answered “yes.” Comments included, “thank you for this” and “pleased if there were a forum to pose inquiries on legitimate topics […]

Verse

Volunteers needed for annual book sale

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By Kathleen MackThe Friends of Granby Public Library (FOGPL) are gearing up for the 2017 Annual Used Book Sale at Holcomb Farm, but your help is needed!As always, the success of the 35th Annual Used Book Sale will be due entirely to the generosity of donors and volunteers. This year, the Friends are looking for volunteers who can help in a variety of ways, such as: collecting sturdy boxes (boxes with covers, like copy paper boxes is a plus), sorting and boxing donated items at Holcomb Farm throu […]

Verse

GEF has grand plans for the Gran-Bee

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By Kim Becker“Hiving” a hankering for trivia? “Bee-ing” grumpy about the winter weather? The “buzz” that has people thinking Spring is the 14th Annual Gran-Bee on April 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Trivia questions on topics ranging from Granby, music, and history plus jokes, and silly costumes make a fun family event.Want to “bee” a part of it? There is still time to register your swarm, um, team of friends, colleagues, or civic […]

Verse

Generous neighbors provide food for friends

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By Andrea BoyleThe Farmington Valley VNA would like to publicly acknowledge and thank every individual, family, community, civic and student group, business, and association for their recent outpouring of generosity toward the Granby Food Bank Program and call attention to several of those groups.The Granby Ambulance Association, the Gables Homeowners Association, and the Farmington Chapter of UNICO were kind enough to take up collections of food and funds at their annual holiday parties. A $500 […]

School & Sports

Granby students promote investment in public school education during “A Day on the Hill”

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Granby students joined over 200 public school board members, superintendents and students from Connecticut Public Schools to meet with legislators during the annual Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) “A Day on the Hill” event to voice their opinions about the importance of investing in public school education.“Public school systems throughout Connecticut are facing very serious consequences if the Governor’s proposed budget passes as is,” stated R […]

Events

Granby Camera Club

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The Granby Camera Club will meet on Monday, April 3, at the Granby Senior Center at 7 p.m. Jay Harder will lead a program on taking panorama photographs. The scavenger hunt words for this month are colors, sweet and favorite. To learn more about the club, visit www.GranbyCameraClub.com. […]

Events

46th annual Granby Road Race is May 6

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By Scott WoodamanRace ChairmanThe Granby Road Race celebrates its 46th year on Saturday, May 6, at 8:30 a.m. at Granby Memorial Middle School. Seven years ago, the Granby Road Race merged with the Farmington Valley YMCA as the organization’s premier fundraising event in memory of David Schupp, Jr.  Granby is fortunate to have one of the oldest road races in Connecticut right in its own backyard. The Granby Road Race is a 5K and 10K race that is run on road and trails. B […]

Events

April Happenings

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Lunch for the Mind, Fifteen Minutes to Live: Wednesday, April 19, 12:30 p.m. Presented by Jason Scappaticci, lecturer from Manchester Community College. Understand the events surrounding the sinking of the RMS Lusitania. The sinking turned public opinion in many countries against Germany and contributed to the American entrance into WWI. Register by calling 860-844-5350. Cost is $5, bring your own lunch, desserts and beverages provided.Medication Management: Thursday, April 27, 1 p.m. Presented […]

Town/Govt

LAFD: It’s brush fire season!

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By Tim RickisDid you know that Forest/Wildfire season is upon us? Lost Acres Fire Department wants to keep you safe during brush fire season. Because leaves and grass have not greened yet, there is an abundance of dried-out and exposed materials that are ideal for wildfires. It’s also when residents begin yard cleanup, cookouts and campfires, all of which can easily ignite the dried leaves, twigs and grass.Granby requires a permit from the Open Burning Official for open burning, and there […]

Letter to the Editor

Granby schools NOT in decline

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After reading Kim Becker’s October letter to the editor, I must make a number of comments in support of the Granby Public School System. In her letter, she states that “Granby schools are not stagnant; they are in full decline.” Ms. Becker bases this opinion statement solely on the recent standardized test scores, namely, the SBAC and the SAT.

Letter to the Editor

Vote YES on Question 2

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Last month, Eric Lukingbeal wrote an important op/ed piece describing how, as it currently stands, the legislature can sell, swap or give away public lands such as state parks, forests and even state-owned farmlands without public knowledge or input. 

Protocol calls for a public hearing, but at the end of a legislative session, the rules can be ignored, and that is when many of these transactions take place. 

The only way to make sure there is a public hearing before any of our land is taken away is to amend the State Constitution to require the public hearing. The amendment also contains the clause that any proposed legislation must pass by at least two-thirds of the House and the Senate.

Letter to the Editor

Thanks from FOGPL

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The Friends of the Granby Public Library completed its 36th Annual Used Book Sale in September on a beautiful weekend that included other major events both in Granby and Simsbury. I am pleased to note that we had the best book sale ever, raising $10,600. 

We started with a record number of donations, a large and enthusiastic sorting staff that operated during June and July, and a board that worked side by side with all throughout not only the sorting time, but the sale itself.

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.