Recent Stories

Drumrolls

Kathleen Bernard

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Kathleen Anne Estrada-Bernard, 72, of Granby, Connecticut, passed away on August 21, 2025, in Hartford, surrounded by her loving family. Born on December 6, 1952, in Mount Kisco, New York, Kathleen lived a life filled with laughter, compassion, and warmth.

Events

Granby participates in emergency preparedness exercise

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How would Granby officials respond to a town-wide emergency? Imagine an extended drought where brush fires were popping up all over town and the fire department was stretched thin. What if homes, businesses and a school burned? What if water was in short supply and wells were running dry? What if Granby needed to open and run shelters for those displaced by the fires?

School & Sports

Kim Loveland is new Kelly Lane principal

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It is with great excitement that Kelly Lane School welcomes its new principal, Kim Loveland, who joined the school this fall. Stepping into her 11th year as an elementary principal, she brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to fostering a supportive and thriving school community.

Great Outdoors

Caponata uses seasonal vegetables

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I hope you try this recipe while the farmstands are full of produce. While visiting my husband’s cousin in Italy in August, she served us the most delicious caponata as an appetizer. There are lots of variations but this recipe is closest to the one we had. Enjoy!

Fun & Rec

Embracing community and wellness

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This spring, the Farmington Valley YMCA is excited to offer a variety of engaging activities and programs for everyone in our community. Whether you’re focused on health and wellness, family fun or local traditions, there’s something for everyone at the Y.

Events

Join us at the cross

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The East Granby Congregational Church invites everyone to offer a prayer at the cross just outside its building, adjacent to Route 20 between the fence and the sidewalk.

Town/Govt

Social Services — April 2025

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The focus of the Social Services Department is to coordinate existing federal, state, regional and local services, to increase community awareness of these services and to develop new programs to meet the needs of Granby residents.

Great Outdoors

Sign up for plot in the Granby Community Garden

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Granby residents have a fantastic opportunity to lease a 20×20-foot garden plot at the town’s community garden—for just $10! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner eager to learn, this is the perfect way to enjoy fresh, homegrown food while connecting with nature and your neighbors.

Events

Music Series returns with concert and poetry

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The Bruce Porter Memorial Music Series resumes after a five-year hiatus with a concert of music and the poetry of Ukraine on Sunday, May 18, at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary on the South Campus of Granby Congregational Church, 242 Salmon Brook Street.

Granby Land Trust

Emery and Hart families gift land to GLT

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As author, planner and conservationist William H. Whyte said in a 1962 report to then Connecticut Governor Dempsey, “Saving the ridges would be an act of imagination, but what is at stake is close to Connecticut’s identity, and once gone is without price.”

People

Granby-Simsbury Chamber of Commerce Spotlight

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Lindsay Sanchez serves on the board of directors for the Granby-Simsbury Chamber of Commerce, where she has chaired multiple committees and led projects that included the Celebrate the Valley and Spooktacular community events.

Events

Support the Drummer

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The Granby Stop & Shop has again selected the Citizens for a Better Granby (publisher of The Granby Drummer) to benefit from the sales of reusable shopping bags at the Granby store.

Great Outdoors

Scents and salamanders, the early signs of spring

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For me the scent-sational start of spring is the smell of the rich, damp forest floor awakening. It’s actually geosmin, a Greek word meaning earth and smell, a soil-based compound produced by bacteria and blue-green algae. I take deep breaths to revitalize my winter-weary senses.

Browse & Borrow

Browse & Borrow — April 2025

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Registration is required for library programs unless indicated. To register visit granby-ct.gov/Library, and click on “Register for a Program” or call the library at 860-844-5275. To learn more about upcoming programs, sign up for the library’s monthly eNewsletter. For the most updated information on dates and programs, refer to the library’s online calendar.

People

Pastor leaving Simsbury United Methodist Church

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Members of Simsbury United Methodist Church (SUM) are preparing to bid a heartfelt farewell to their beloved pastor, Gene Ott, as he transitions to a new appointment on July 1. For nearly eight years, Ott has been a pillar of faith, guidance and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on the church and its members.