Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/page/32/?trk=public_profile_project-title)
On May 15, the Men’s Breakfast Group was entertained by Paul and Stacey Konopaske talking about their hiking experience along the El Camino de Santiago—great stories!
In the spring of 2025, visitors to the Granby Land Trust’s Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve noticed something unusual at the North Marsh: an industrious group of beavers had built a dam directly beneath the footbridge. As a result, water levels rose, the marsh began to resemble a pond, and the altered flow threatened the bridge’s integrity.
The Granby Land Trust was faced with a challenge: how do we protect the marsh, and our bridge, without harming the beavers?
The Drummer is looking for volunteers, including experienced and aspiring writers, photo editors, proofreaders, copy editors and folks to assist with our marketing and production teams. We offer training to anyone looking to learn new skills and give back to their local community. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities, we’d love to hear from you!
Transfer Station: The transfer station will be closed on Saturday, July 4. The transfer station is open Wednesday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon.
The effort to modernize and expand the Granby Public Library took a significant step forward last month when community members gathered for a town hall forum to explore what a renovated library could look like—and how it would be paid for.
An initiative has been introduced at GMMS this year to promote a more inclusive and respectful school environment.
74th Annual Strawberry Festival, East Granby Library’s Programs, Air museum to hold WWII weekend, Porter-Phelps Huntington Museum News, Barn concert sessions, and Concert for fans of CSNY
Nonprofit organizations in Granby are invited to announce upcoming events—free of charge—here on the In Town Focus page. According to Drummer readers, this calendar page is the first one they read, so take advantage of this free, no strings-attached option to let the community know what is happening in your organization.
PFLAG Granby is pleased to announce a series of film screenings to celebrate Pride Month. On June 7 at 4 p.m., the chapter will host a screening of Tomorrow’s Too Late, about British artist Dylan Holloway, formerly known as Lots Holloway, who stepped away from the spotlight during the 2020 lockdown to begin his gender transition. Once a rising star on the UK’s X-factor, Holloway now faced a profound personal and professional crossroads as hormone therapy could irreversibly change the voice that defined his career.
There’s always something happening at the Granby Public Library. With programs ranging from storytimes and teen activities to author talks, hands-on workshops and special events, the library provides welcoming opportunities for the community to learn, connect and be inspired. Registration is required for library programs.
The Granby Fire Marshal’s office and Lost Acres Fire Department are working in coordination with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) to raise awareness about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries and ways to minimize the dangers.
Someone who grew up in Connecticut in the last 60 years might assume fife and drum corps are a type of marching band found at parades and civic celebrations throughout the U.S., but they would be mistaken. Although fife and drum corps are sprinkled across the nation, Connecticut remains the center of the “ancient” style of fifing and drumming with wooden fifes and rope-tension drums.
In March 2024, Nicole Muller reported on the success of the Drummer’s very first fundraiser in her article, Puzzle Slam Dunk! That article went on to win an Honorable Mention in the Feature Story category from the Connecticut Press Club.
Valley Student Theatre (VST), is launching new fundraising efforts. One event is a Large Item Bingo Night, taking place on Saturday, Feb. 28, 6 to 10 p.m. at American Legion Post 80 in Enfield. Doors open at 6 p.m., with bingo games beginning promptly at 7 p.m.
Visit GranbyRec.com for more information and to register for all programs
The Granby Wildflower Meadow reached two major milestones this past year that will transform how the community interacts with one of the town’s newest natural gems.
In the last two months I had to find a new doctor. The physician I had been seeing moved his practice from Avon to New Britain. I made the drive once, but realized it was too far to travel for routine care.
The Salmon Brook Historical Society is seeking a volunteer curator to help preserve and share Granby’s rich history. Established in 1945, the society is an all-volunteer, membership-based, nonprofit organization located at 208 Salmon Brook Street.
Granby’s Historic District is now clearly marked thanks to new signage installed in December along Salmon Brook Street. The signs were crafted by local Granby artisan Art Roti of Belmeade Signs, whose work reflects the community’s character and pride.
In 2026, Granby will join communities across the nation in marking a once-in-a-lifetime milestone: America’s 250th birthday. To honor this historic moment—and to ensure future generations hear Granby’s voice—the town is launching the Granby America250 Time Capsule Project, an inspiring community effort to capture who we are, what we value and how we live today.
As Granby prepares to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, the Granby America250 Committee is proud to announce a special initiative that brings history right to our front yards.
Granby’s American Legion Shannon-Shattuck Post 182 and the Granby Lions Club gathered Dec. 16 at the Legion hall for a joint annual holiday party.
This column began in 2019 with a series of Invasive of the Month columns focusing on nine of the most common, harmful, difficult-to-control invasive plants in our area. For those who didn’t laminate, frame or memorize those columns, this one restarts the series with updated information.
Winter is still a great time for birding in Connecticut. It is a season filled with the dark-eyed junco, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch and the Northern cardinal, to name a few.
Emma Hansen, of Granby, was named to the dean’s list at Wisconsin-Madison University during the fall semester.
Caroline Hall, of Granby, has earned highest honors on the University of New Hampshire’s dean’s list for the fall semester.
Samantha Kovaleski, of East Granby, was named to the fall dean’s list at the University of Connecticut.
On Nov. 15, 17 Girl Scouts from Granby, East Granby and Hartland participated in an event to honor veterans who have served our country. The scouts had the opportunity to hear inspiring stories from two women in the military, Senior Airman Ashley Seger of the Connecticut Air National Guard and Claire Cashwell, Commander American Legion Post #59.
Holiday spirit filled the air as more than 100 residents gathered at the Town Hall Complex for the town’s annual Tree Lighting Celebration, an evening that blended music, tradition and community connection.
Tillotson, Timothy Nolan, 73, husband of Cynthia Tillotson, November 6
Dejean, Jacques Bernard, 32, former husband of Katelyn DeJean, November 25
Don Shaw, Jr. took a photograph on Christmas Day that he thought Drummer readers may find interesting—Christmas Day hikers enjoying the Crag Mountain panoramic view from Granby Land Trust’s Emery Family Preserve.
On Dec. 3, the Granby 4-H Club gathered for its monthly meeting and transformed the Senior Center’s gathering room into a mini-holiday workshop with tables of stickers, beads, markers, pipe cleaners and glitter.