Recent Stories

Toy drive at Granby schools

In December, Kelly Lane, Wells Road and Granby Memorial Middle schools partnered in a toy drive benefiting Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (CCMC). Together, the schools collected an impressive 413 toys and craft items to support children receiving medical care at the hospital.

Dear Granby Friends,

Just wanted to drop you a note and say “Thanks!” We sent out an appeal over the holidays for donations, and you answered!

Winter sports shine across the CIAC

Granby Memorial High School fields several competitive teams during the CIAC winter sports season, including boys and girls basketball, wrestling, ice hockey, swimming and indoor track. Competing in the North Central Connecticut Conference (NCCC) as well as statewide CIAC competitions, GMHS student-athletes continue to represent the Bears with strong sportsmanship and outstanding community support.

Local love story for Valentine’s Day

This is the story of high school sweethearts, Priscilla and Jimmy, who met in his junior year and her sophomore year, at Hartford Public High School. A mutual friend set up a blind date to go to a drive-in movie in 1968. They continued to go out for the next five years and were married on June 9, 1973. We bought a house in Granby in December 1973, where I still live today!

Who doesn’t love hot fudge sauce?

Just in time for your Valentine treats, this hot fudge sauce is a game changer! Perfect over ice cream, waffles or your dessert brownie, or a dip for fresh fruit. While mixing, it really does look like wet sand but as you gradually stir, it becomes smooth. Enjoy!

DPW Winter Tips

Winter storms and the resulting snow removal can be a challenge for all Granby residents. We do our best to keep the roads passable and safe. Please note these suggestions, ordinances and rules to ensure a safe winter season for all.

Welcoming 2026 at Mary’s Rock

Eighteen hardy souls braved 18-degree weather to enjoy the 18th Annual GLT New Year’s Day Hike at the snowy and beautiful Mary Edwards Mountain Property in North Granby. A big thank you to Hike Leader Fran Armentano, who has made this a special way to start the New Year for so many years!

Thank You to our loyal Advertisers!

Simply put, without our advertisers, the Drummer would not exist.
The amount of advertising determines the length of each issue of the paper, and local support pays for printing, technology, postage, and other costs associated with publishing a newspaper.
If your business advertises with the Drummer, we thank you.
If you are a customer of one of our advertisers, we hope you will thank them.

Life coach mom and son connect through recording Advice is Optional podcast

Nestled against Granby’s northern border near the Southwick notch, is Kristal Fiorentino’s yoga studio. The property, home to Fiorentino’s family as well as horses, donkeys and pets, is accessed by a 1,000-foot driveway, its length shaded by trees. Clients loved the serene property so much that they rebelled when Fiorentino’s growth inspired her to consider a larger, offsite location.

Browse & Borrow — May 2025

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.

Karl Edward Peters

Karl Edward Peters, 85, of Granby, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Born June 6, 1939, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to the late Norman Julius and Lethel (Wolter) Peters.

Help us find you in an emergency

During an emergency it’s important that responding emergency personnel quickly identify your house. Finding your home, especially at night, is quite challenging if your address numbers are hidden, unreadable, unlit or missing entirely. This results in delaying emergency responders from getting to your emergency quickly.

Frank Kearns’ Legacy

Tucked away off Canton Road lies an abandoned elementary school— named the Frank Kearns School. Though the building now stands empty and may soon be replaced by new development, the legacy of the man behind the name should not be lost to time. Frank Kearns, a dedicated public servant and visionary, made lasting contributions to education and agriculture in Granby. His story deserves to be told.

Women’s Chorale group awards scholarships

The West Hartford Women’s Chorale is proud to announce its 2025 recipients for two $1,500 scholarship awards. From an exceptionally talented pool of applicants, the WHWC Scholarship Committee has chosen Nairobi Mouning from Granby as one of its recipients.

Meet Pastor Dong Hyun Choi

There’s excitement in the air at Simsbury United Methodist Church (SUM) as it welcomes a new pastor, Dong Hyun Choi (Pastor DH), on July 1.

Melba Trott Griffin

Melba Trott Griffin, born in Framingham, Massachusetts on June 3, 1927, completed her journey and passed away at home with hospice care on March 21, 2025.

Calling artists to the 2025 All Members Show

The Granby Artists Association (GAA) presents its annual All Members Show at the East Granby Public Library from June 5 to June 26 with an artist reception on Thursday, June 5 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Mays, Shoulds and Musts

May is the number one month for gardening, and that means decisions! What to add, what to subtract, what to divide—and how to cope with the relentless multiplication of invasive plants.

Bumble bees—the queens of the pollinators

Most people know that bees are one of the most important pollinators of not just our pretty flowers, but also many of our important food crops. You are probably picturing a cute little honeybee perched on the edge of a blossom right now, and you would probably be surprised to learn that it’s not the little honeybee that is the best at pollination but rather the big ole bumble bee!

Of hummingbirds, hawk moths and ephemerals

Years ago, I received a phone call from Melissa, my cousin in Philadelphia. It was early May and she wanted to know about a baby hummingbird hovering over a small patch of flowers. After 27 years of tending to my hillside garden in Vermont, I knew the “baby” was actually a hawk moth, also known as sphinx moth.