Recent Stories

Fun and fitness at the YMCA

As the temperatures rise and school lets out, the YMCA is buzzing with energy, excitement and opportunity. From athletic programs that honor legacies to brand-new playgrounds and innovative family fitness classes, this summer at the Y is shaping up to be one of the most active and enriching yet.

Companion gardening

Welcome to June—the biggest planting month of the year. The soil has warmed up, making the ground a wonderful host for new, young flower and vegetable plants. With the threat of frost behind us, we can safely plant summer gardens.

Buy Big Y shopping bags in June

The Big Y grocery store in Simsbury has selected the Citizens for a Better Granby (publishers of the Drummer) to receive a portion of the sales of its Community Bags during June. The $2.50 reusable bags both benefit the environment by reducing the use of paper and plastic bags and yield a $1 donation to CBG. That sounds like a WIN-WIN to us!

Gran-Bee celebrated its 20 years milestone in style

Wells Road School’s Jim Whitten repeated his Master of Ceremonies duties at the April 25 Gran-Bee trivia competition at Granby Memorial High School. Funds from the trivia contest and auction benefit the Granby Education Foundation’s community grants program.

Gran-Bee celebrates 20 years in style!

On April 25, the Granby Education Foundation (GEF) proudly celebrated the 20th Annual Gran-Bee—marking two decades of trivia, teamwork and transformative community giving. This beloved fundraiser, held at Granby Memorial High School, brought together friends, families and neighbors to compete in a spirited trivia competition and to bid on a buzzing silent auction—all in support of GEF’s mission to fund innovative educational grants in the community.

Chamber of Commerce golf classic teed up community spirit

On Friday, May 16, the Granby-Simsbury Chamber of Commerce hosted its much-anticipated Annual Golf Classic at the picturesque Simsbury Farms Golf Course. With the early morning rain giving way to sunny skies, more than 100 local business leaders gathered for a day filled with camaraderie, competition and commitment to community.

Valley Pre-School celebrates 50 years with Nannie Brown

For half a century, Nannie Brown has remained a dedicated and passionate presence at Valley Pre-School. Her wisdom and experience influenced countless children, parents and teachers since she took on the role of lead teacher in 1975. Brown served in this role until 2011, when she “retired” from teaching, but she did not go far!

Reflections

One nice morning in the spring of 1988 I happened to meet up with my neighbor, David Hildreth, at our mailboxes on Day St. Dave was one of the original founders of Citizens for a Better Granby, the non- profit that publishes The Granby Drummer. He was a thoughtful, soft-spoken man and all-around great neighbor. On that day, Dave suggested that I write a column for the Drummer on veterinary medicine. How could I say no?

Many reasons to celebrate May

The beautiful month of May is named after the Roman goddess Maia who oversaw the growth of plants. That seems very appropriate since in the natural world both wild and cultivated flowers are blooming, while birds are singing, swooping and nesting. 

Andy Laplante relishes life’s drama

If you have ever shopped at the Granby Cumberland Farms, you have encountered the smiling welcome and kindly service of Andy Laplante. He is a large man in many ways: in his big heart; in his thoughtful, friendly behavior; in his unflappable love of life. He is also a man who hones his talents for his own and others’ pleasure.

Connection to nature is central theme of upcoming exhibition

Granby’s Alexander Anisimov is truly a master-of-all-trades artist. From crafting mosaics to painting with oil, from drawing in ink or graphite to collecting driftwood, Anisimov can take the world around us and create thoughtful art pieces.

A story of a Granby war hero

On a walk through the Granby Cemetery in Section A, you may notice a monument that’s nearly 15 feet tall. This monument belongs to Richard E. Holcomb, a Granby Civil War hero killed at Port Hudson, La. on June 14, 1863.

Browse & Borrow — May 2024

Registration is required for most library programs. 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.

Meet me at the Center — May 2024

Please visit granby-ct.gov/senior-services or check your Center Life Newsletter for a complete listing of health services, support groups, clubs and ongoing activities.

A perfect pairing of food and fellowship

As a long-time Granby resident, I have frequently driven past the weathered sign reading “All Welcome Free Community Dinner Every Wednesday” in front of the community house on the south campus of Granby Congregational Church, 242 Salmon Brook Street, without much thought. I figured it was a church potluck or new member recruitment dinner. As I recently discovered, it is so much more.

Good Company production was a solid hit

Granby’s own Good Company Theater presented its spring production of Murder by Indecision in April with more than 250 patrons enjoying this Agatha Crispy farce during evening and matinee performances at the Granby Congregational Church, South Campus. The production team is already working on a fall musical.

Got pollinators?

The signs are all over town, as Granby residents celebrate the essential roles that bees, birds and bugs play in the health and vitality of our world.

Prepping new seedlings for moving outside

Hello garden friends. The month of May brings longer days and warmer evenings. The sounds of peepers and birds fill our days and nights with song, and many are thinking about planting gardens and moving indoor starter plants outside.

Springtime is for hanging out

Bear cubs that were born in January are now tiny bundles of energy and curiosity. They’re leaving their dens and will be trailing mom through your neighborhood and across roads. Keep an eye open for them, stop your vehicle and give the little laggards time to catch up with mom before you move on.