Recent Stories

History

Passport to Connecticut Libraries “eminently rewarding”

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By Virgil PaggenNot long after I moved with my family to North Granby, I happened upon the Frederick H. Cossitt Library, a small outpost in comparison with the West Hartford library I previously frequented. It didn’t take long for Margaret Vastoff, librarian, to acquaint me with all that Cossitt offered; it quickly became a valued resource.Among the 50 states, Connecticut ranks 48th in size; only Delaware and Rhode Island are smaller. However, with more than 260 public libraries, I found t […]

School & Sports

Third and fourth graders learn more about their own interests

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​By John R. NiebWith enrichment clusters, third and fourth graders in the Granby schools can learn more about their areas of interest. Enrichment clusters are collaborative learning environments where students can investigate and learn about areas of interest that they have and want to learn more about. They are a multi-week cooperative learning experience for students.“They provide a process for students who may be gifted in different ways to show their strengths and learn from and […]

People

A new way to donate to the Community Fund

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The Granby Community Fund is introducing a new way for donors to contribute to favorite local organizations. Online shoppers may go to smile.amazon.com, where they will find the exact same low prices and selection as Amazon.com, with the added bonus of one-half percent of the purchase price being donated to the GCF.Whether shopping for graduation, wedding, holiday, baby or birthday gifts, a percentage of your purchase will help the following Granby non-profit organizations: Granby Parents for a […]

Fun & Rec

Gran-Bee is a grand success

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By Kim BeckerOn April 22, the Granby Education Foundation presented one of the town’s favorite family-friendly community events, the Gran-Bee. Twenty eight teams competed to see which one knew the most trivia (see panel for sample questions). With families and kids of all ages playing along, each Swarm was cheered as the finalists flew to the top.With Scott Kuhnly, Granby’s First Selectman, confidently emceeing, team Bee S, sponsored by Tony Bussman Painting Co., dominated the hive t […]

School & Sports

Wells Road community bonds through One School One Book Program

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By Kim BeckerIn late February, dollar signs and other weird symbols appeared on the walls of Wells Road School. In March, Mrs. Frost, the media specialist, came to a school assembly dressed in a lemon costume. It definitely wasn’t going to be an average school day!After seeing a One School One Book program in action during a school visit, Dr. Anna Forlenza-Bailey, school principal, suggested to the staff that Wells Road should try the program, too. With a generous grant from the Granby Edu […]

Town/Govt

​Town to continue recycling and waste reduction efforts

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By Shirley MurthaTo continue encouraging residents to recycle and reduce landfill waste, the Board of Selectmen approved the Town Manager’s request to appropriate $18,722 from the Solid Waste Fund to be used in four major areas.1. Hazardous Waste Collection: Granby manages this initiative independently. It was previously managed in collaboration with the Metropolitan District Commission and the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority.2. Compost Bins: Encourages residents to reduce the town’ […]

School & Sports

Students explore the wonder of natural sciences at Valley Pre-School

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By Jodi D’AngeloFrom learning how plants store energy to make food, to examining skulls to determine what different animals eat, each month unveils another chapter of the natural world at Valley Pre-School.“My goal is to inspire curiosity, develop observation skills, expand the horizon of a young child’s view, and create an ongoing connection with the natural world,” said Nannie Brown, the natural sciences teacher at Valley Pre-School. Although Brown retired as a lead teacher at the scho […]

Great Outdoors

​South Congregational Church is the new location for Granby Farmers Market

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The Granby Farmers Market is making a comeback at a new location right in the center of town. Community members will be able to get their fresh produce directly from farmers, as well as purchase local crafts, soaps and more while enjoying incredible live music and participating in special events. The market will run every Tuesday this summer from 3 to 6 p.m. beginning on June 7 and ending on August 30 at South Congregational Church. Local college students, Amanda Zyzdorf and Danielle Sturge […]

Events

​Sign up for Memorial Day activities

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The Granby Memorial Day Association invites town officials, the fire department and its auxiliary, Scout units and other civic and social groups to take part in the annual parade and program on Monday, May 30. First-time parade participants, and organizations wishing to have a concession on the green must be registered with Parade Marshall James O. Hall (860-653-3819).The honorary parade marshall will be Maurice J. Brassard who served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. The parade […]

School & Sports

Principals selected as Kearns closes

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By Kim BeckerSuperintendent Dr. Alan Addley announced his choices for principals  for the revamped district. Kim Dessert will stay at the primary level (Pre-K–Grade 2) at Kelly Lane School. Dr. Anna Forlenza-Bailey and Susan Henneberry will remain at Wells Road Intermediate School (Grades 3–5) and the Middle School (Grades 6–8), respectively. The surprise comes at the high school. Dr. Mary Gadd, the current principal, will be replaced by Mike Dunn, the popular principal of Kelly Lane […]

Town/Govt

BOS takes no action on East Street property

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At the May 10 Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Manager John Ward recapped the history of the Requests for Proposals on 107 East Street, noting that the information gathering stages were complete. At this time, the board could accept the Hayes proposal, in which case a series of steps pursuant to the Granby town charter and to state law would follow, or it could reject the proposal, or take no action.

Events

Library used book sale preparations begin

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Spring is here and the Friends of Granby Public Library are eagerly preparing for donations to the Granby Public Library’s 36th annual Used Book Sale. Donations of gently used goods will be accepted starting Saturday, June 2, through Saturday, Aug. 4, at several convenient Granby locations during their normal business hours: Geissler’s Supermarket, 9 Bank Street; Farmington Valley YMCA, 97 Salmon Brook Street; Granby Public Library, 15 North Granby Road.

Letter to the Editor

Pick up after your dog!

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We recently tried to take our grandchildren fishing at Christensen’s Pond on Wells Road, a beautiful place where adults and children are welcome to walk and fish. Because of irresponsible, lazy dog owners, the pond’s shore and approach were littered with piles of dog feces.

People

Granby Food Bank

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We currently need:

canned fruit
jelly/jams
spaghetti/pasta
sauces
salad helper
condiments
crackers
hamburger helper

Donations can be dropped off at the VNA office on Salmon Brook Street

Town/Govt

Residents’ comments on East Street from April 1 BOS meeting

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The following comments expressed during the public session of the April 1 Board of Selectmen meeting were inadvertently omitted from the May Drummer. Nelson Toussaint is upset that resident’s questions cannot be answered in the public session of board meetings; was disturbed that the town’s purchase of 107 East Street was not a separate line item in that budget vote; doesn’t agree with the process as it is being carried out now.

Notes from Board of Ed May 2 Meeting

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Teaching and Learning

Jeff Stanwood, business teacher at the high school, along with student DECA members Jenna Dauria, Marile Marzo, Jacob McDonald, David Migliaccio, Owen Plourde, Andrew Quagliaroli, Jillian Thrall, and Joseph Wix presented to the board after attending the DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

Town/Govt

P & Z minutes April 24, 2018

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The public hearing of an application seeking approval of a Special Permit for a restaurant with alcoholic beverages and live entertainment at 261 Salmon Brook Street opened at 7 p.m.

Timothy Brignole, Trustee of the Kimberly Edith Maynard Trust that owns the property, presented the application. He stated the current owner of Vito’s on the Water, located in Windsor, would relocate to Granby.

Drumrolls

In Memory of . . .

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Jackson, Elliott Birnie, 60, former husband of Pamela Jackson, April 13 Dickey, Shirley (McClain), 83, wife of Donald Dickey, April 21 Ransom, Margaret (Peggy) P., 86, April 26 Raye, Paula (Parker), wife of John Raye, May 2 Ferolano, Joseph G., 70, husband of Marie (DelSanto) Ferolano, May 14

Town/Govt

P & Z minutes May 8, 2018

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Public Hearings
The continuation of the public hearing of a Special Permit for a rear lot subdivision with proposed excavation in excess of 5,000 cubic years of earth material for property located at 292 Granville Road. Tim Coon, PE with J.R. Russo and Associates, presented the application and provided a summary of the application to date.

School & Sports

Granby 4-H members win VEX competition

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Six youth from the Granby 4-H Club won the State VEX Robotics competition and qualified to represent Connecticut at the VEX Robotics World Championship, April 29-May 1, in Louisville, Ky. At Worlds, the youth competed in teamwork, programming and driving competitions.

School & Sports

Middle school geography bee winner

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Granby Memorial Middle School student Caelum Janski has been raising more than a few eyebrows among teachers and peers this year. Not only did the 8th grader win the school-wide geography bee, he qualified to compete against 100 of Connecticut’s best geographers in the state geography bee.

Events

First Church strawberry supper is June 9

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First Church of Granby is hosting its annual Strawberry Supper on Saturday, June 9, at 219 North Granby Road, in Cook Hall. There will be two sittings, at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Proceeds will go towards the mission of First Church in the community and in the world.