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!

People

Volunteers build playground at Valley Brook

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“At Valley Brook Community Church, serving children, their families and the community is important,” said Chelsea Smith, children’s ministry director, “so when we realized a playground would help us do just that, we started the process by dreaming and praying.”

People

Making friends and making a difference — the Granby Lions Club

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A while back I was looking to get more involved in the community, to find a way to lend a helping hand, and I knew there were many great options. This town is full of generous, giving people and organizations that reach out to help others, but it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to start.

Drumrolls

Audrey M. Phelps

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It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Audrey M. Phelps beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and Friend, of West Suffield, CT who peacefully passed away at home on January 22, 2025 at the age of 89.

Salmon Brook Historical Society

Moving the Cooley School to the Salmon Brook Historical Society Campus

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For decades, the Cooley Schoolhouse sat quietly on the Clark family property, a relic of a bygone era when one-room schoolhouses were the heart of local education. Weathered by time in history, the building had a second chance. That chance came on August 26, 1980, when a determined community effort brought the schoolhouse to its new home at the Salmon Brook Historical Society, ensuring its legacy would live on.

Browse & Borrow

Browse & Borrow — March 2025

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Registration is required for all library programs unless otherwise 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.

College Scholarships

Granby Artists Association accepting 2025 scholarship applications

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Graduating high school seniors who are permanent residents of Granby, are invited to apply for the 2025 Granby Artists Association Annual Scholarship. The scholarship is a cash award of $1,000 given to a student with higher artistic skill to be utilized toward upcoming college expenses.

The Arts

Girls Scouts participate in pottery workshop with Granby Artists’ potters

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In a heartwarming display of community spirit and creativity, four local artisans—Jane Furca, Tracy Marlor, Linda Yurasevecz and Avis Cherichetti—visited a local Girl Scout meeting last week to teach the girls how to create unique clay pieces. From bowls to small sculptures, the girls spent the afternoon discovering the art of pottery in a hands-on workshop that encouraged both creativity and teamwork.

Town/Govt

Public Works — March 2025

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As reported in last month’s Drummer, USA Waste and Recycling is now working in partnership with Paine’s Inc. to provide municipal trash and recycling service to the residents of Granby.

Events

Scouts hold Girl-Powered Pinewood Derby

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On Saturday, Jan. 18, 46 Girl Scouts held a Girl-Powered Pinewood Derby in the East Granby Community/Senior Center showcasing their creativity and competitive spirit. The girls were given a race car kit and encouraged to customize it however they pleased. Cars ranged from glittery fuchsia to a mouse atop a cheese wedge.

Events

Opportunities for moms, children at Valley Brook

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Mama’s Moments is a monthly gathering for mothers and their children up to age 8 to get together to share life with others, play together, pray, and participate in community projects. It takes place on the first Saturday of the month and runs from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Valley Brook Community Church.

History

Granby and the First Amendment — Part 5

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Here we are at the culmination of our five-part series. We started with Granby’s Congregational church life and added the Connecticut River Valley’s Great Awakening, plus the church’s harsh response. This awakening moved to the Southern colonies, resulting in yet harsher persecution by the Episcopal Church of Virginia. Madison and Jefferson were instrumental in the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776, but how did their religious freedom idea get to be the First Amendment to the Constitution in 1789, 13 years later?

Verse

When Did It Happen?

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When did it happen? I surely don’t know
But honestly it distresses me so.
I look in the mirror and what do I see?
Certainly no one that looks like me!

About Town

Good news for the budget update

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Jan. 1 marks the halfway point in the FY25 budget. It’s time to look back at our projections and look forward to the end of the budget year. It is also time to present the Plus One FY26 Budget Forecast to project into the following year.