Recent Stories

The Arts

South-of-the-Border dinner and music night planned

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Sen ctr mariachi band Prepare for a fun night out on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. and bring your friends. The Granby Senior Center hosts an enjoyable evening full of great music and dinner with a Mexican flair—but not too spicy. The Fiesta Del Norte Mariachi Band has thrilled audiences throughout New England for over 25 years with its musical skill, high energy and cultural authenticity. Cost is $15 per person. Please call 860-844-5350 to reserve a place. […]

Events

Celebrate Granby set for Sept. 16-18

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The annual “Celebrate Granby” event sponsored by the Granby Chamber of Commerce will take place this year at Salmon Brook Park. The three-day celebration will kick off on Friday, Sept. 16 and will end on Sunday, Sept. 18 on the following schedule: Friday 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. – p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.A carnival with games and rides, as well as local food vendors offering selections from their menus will run all three days. There will also be: live […]

The Arts

Young fifers and drummers, their inspiration at home and away

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By Polina R. CrottyMarquis of Granby Junior Ancient Fife and Drum corps wants to thank the Hampstead Hill Club for inviting the members of the corps and their families to celebrate the Fourth of July in the club’s relaxing and friendly atmosphere. The Marquis, known to Granby residents for their part in Granby’s Memorial Day parade, delivered a more intimate performance at this holiday gathering, which was followed by the traditional Fourth of July feast, generously provided by Hamps […]

School & Sports

​Granby Education Foundation gets $2,500 grant from GoodWorks Insurance

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GoodWorks Insurance recently gave a $2,500 GoodWorks Community Grant to the Granby Education Foundation (GEF). Based in Glastonbury, GoodWorks Insurance is a regional independent insurance agency with other Connecticut offices in New Milford, Avon and Columbia.“The people at GoodWorks Insurance are truly committed to Granby and to furthering the vital mission of our foundation,” said Kristina Gilton, Chair of the GEF’s annual Gran-Bee.Since its founding in 2000, GEF has raised […]

The Arts

​Granby Artists Open Studio Tour to Showcase New Members

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By Lori Catlin GarciaThe Granby Artists Association will hold their annual Open Studio Tour Saturday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 16 at home studios throughout the Granby area. In addition, Lost Acres Vineyard will again host a group of artists on both days of the tour.The group is very excited to showcase the work of three new members this year. Barbara Schmitt is a landscape architect and owner of B Designs. She is also a young, creative chain saw artist and a painter. Her sculptures are whimsica […]

Great Outdoors

​La Cucina Frutteto (The Orchard Kitchen)

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Running a kitchen, raising a family, and dreaming of Italyby Susan AcceturaIf months had mascots, September’s would surely be the apple. Symbolizing the beginning of fall, the gift for the teacher, and all things cool and crisp. This summer has been anything but cool and crisp. The scorching and waterless July turned supple green lawns into flaxen crisps. Blossoms wilted and gardens stalled. This is pure botanical conjecture, but perhaps the lack of rain drove the roots deeper, so when the […]

People

​Granby Food Bank Acknowledges Generosity

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By Andrea Boyle​ The Granby Food Bank Program would like to thank all of the donors who make a significant difference in its ability to offer food assistance to qualified Granby residents.In addition to a number of individual and business donations, the program is extremely grateful to the Granby Youth Lacrosse team members for giving back to the community with a $500 contribution to the Granby Food Bank, and to the sixth grade students at The Bear Paw Store at Kelly Lane School who chose […]

History

​McLean resident tracks family roots back to the 1700s

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By Ellen Meuser​When McLean Resident Michael Gorman heard about the wonderful work that Media Center Coordinator Stephen Root was doing in genealogy, he seized the opportunity to learn more about his family’s history. “It turned out to be even more interesting than we initially thought it would be,” said Michael, as he explained his project that spanned several months to complete.Michael’s mother and father both grew up as a single child, so their family unit was sm […]

People

Evans Automotive Holds Open House

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By Shirley Murtha​A new automotive repair shop—Evans Automotive—held its open house in early August. Partners Steve Couchon and Dean Evans bring different areas of expertise to the business. Evans is the ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified mechanic, specializing in Hondas and Acuras, having worked at Acura Avon in Canton for 23 years. Couchon brings his management, marketing and finance background to the new business, having owned a very successful house painting comp […]

Fun & Rec

​New England Dance Centers wins big at national competitions

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By Ashley WilliamsOver the summer, the dancers at New England Dance and Gymnastics Centers (NEDC) in Westfield, Mass. and Granby, took home national titles and made their mark on the dance world. The competition teams headed to Star Systems National Dance Competition in Myrtle Beach, S.C. to compete against the best dancers in North America.  New England Dance Centers’ Mini National Dance Champions. Submitted photo The mini gym team, The Wizard of Oz, was named the highest scoring […]

Friends of Holcomb Farm

Surplus pick-up trucks or tractors?

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If you run across any surplus tractors or crew-cab pick-ups during your spring cleaning this year, please consider a tax-deductible donation of this equipment to the Friends of Holcomb Farm. Any money we don’t have to spend on equipment means more can go toward growing and providing food to underserved populations through our Fresh Access program.

Friends of Holcomb Farm

Correction!

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In the April Drummer, we told you about the newly-available monograph, Holcomb Farm Heritage, Struggles and Success. We failed, however, to thank Citizens for a Better Granby and The Granby Drummer, which helped fund the book’s publication.

Happenings at the Center

May Highlights

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Queen of Omelets: Wednesday, May 2, 1 p.m. Simsbury resident John E. Finn, author of The Perfect Omelet: Essential Recipes for the Home Cook, talks about the process of writing his definitive book on the iconic omelet. The book is full of practical wisdom about omelets, cooking and life.

Events

Lunch for the Mind explores Scandinavia’s cities and countryside

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The May Lunch for the Mind program takes an armchair tour of Scandinavia, a convenient term for the three kingdoms of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Join the Civic Engagement Education Team at the Granby Senior Center on Wednesday, May 16, at 12:30 p.m. as photographer Mallorie Ostrowitz presents a slideshow covering her travels throughout Scandinavia in the summer of 2017.

Town/Govt

Vote at the April 23 Budget Referendum

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On Monday, April 23, the Town Budget Referendum will be held in the Town Hall Meeting Room in Granby Town Hall, 15 North Granby Road. The polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. As with all opportunities to vote, plan to bring identification so you can be checked off the official voter list and issued a paper ballot.

School & Sports

VPS students go on imaginative journey

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Since 1991, Valley Pre-School has been using the power of imagination to transport its 4s classes on a magical beach vacation for one day each March. The annual “VPS Florida Trip”, now in its 27th year, is one of the school’s most beloved traditions and the source of many happy memories for VPS alums.

A true labor of love, parents and teachers spend hours clearing out the classroom and preparing the space.

Town/Govt

Challenges and complexities in building 2018-19 budget

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As the boards near the conclusion of the budget-making process in preparation to send the final product on to Public Hearing for review and comment, they are faced with twin difficulties: managing the moderate but constant increase in the cost of doing business, and the uncertainty in state aid levels as seen throughout last year’s rollercoaster ride. Granby has experienced a nearly million-dollar reduction in state funding from last year’s state budget compared to what the Governor has proposed for the upcoming fiscal year.

Town/Govt

A community bands together

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“When something happens to someone in your community, when you live in a small town, you band together and do what you can,” said Rebecca Lobo on NBC News Connecticut. Rebecca was referring to Katherine “Katie” O’Neill, 10-year-old Granby resident who was seriously injured over the long Presidents’ Day weekend when a dead tree fell on her as she was walking with a group (including her brother, PJ) in the McLean Game Refuge.

Town/Govt

Registrar of Voters Calendar

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Wednesday, April 4: Spring Voter Registration Drive at Granby Memorial High School

Monday, April 9: public hearing for the town budget at the GMHS Auditorium

Monday, April 23: town budget referendum – voting is between noon and 8 p.m. at Town Hall

Monday, May 7: potential date for a second revised budget referendum from noon to 8 p.m. at Granby Town Hall, should the budget fail to pass on the first vote. Voter registration is a public record and it’s easy to confirm your voter registration by going to the State’s website or visiting the registrars at Town Hall.

Town/Govt

Bischoff named Republican of the Year

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Mark Neumann, Granby GOP Chairman, introduces Gordon Bischoff as the Republican of the Year, 2018 at the Lincoln Day Dinner held by the 7th Senatorial District on March 16, in Windsor Locks. Gordon was recognized for his more that 20 years of service on the boards of Education, Finance, building committees and Holcomb Farm.

Letter to the Editor

Appreciation for art display

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The Painting Study Group would like to express its heartfelt thanks to the Granby Library for allowing us to display our artwork at the main library for the month of February. We appreciate the opportunity to share our art with the greater Granby community.

Support for candidate

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I am exceptionally proud to offer my support to Valerie Eastwood, Democratic candidate for the CT 62nd Congressional District, and here’s why:

Valerie has a strong professional background. As an attorney with specific experience in tax law, health care law, and the complicated intersection of Federal versus State laws, she is ready to write effective legislation on day one.

Letter to the Editor

Don’t sell East Street farmland

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I urge townspeople to ask the town not to sell our land at 107 East Street—the Evonsion farm. The Selectmen are debating doing that, along with selling the development rights to the State.

Letter to the Editor

Town vote wanted

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I am writing in support of a town-wide vote on the proposals for 107 East St. Our Selectmen are to be commended for their time and dedication but the implications of this decision are far reaching and the responsibility should be borne by all town residents, not just the five Selectmen.