Recent Stories

Public Works — June 2025

Hazardous Waste: A household hazardous waste collection will be held Saturday, June 7, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Simsbury DPW facility, 66 Town Forest Road, Simsbury.

The Cosmic Poet

Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Amanda Gorman and Sappho. All were young women poets, who in their respective eras, impacted the spirit and culture of the time. Each became well-known for their poetic contributions, and for moving hearts and minds with their words. To any follower of poetic history, their life stories and writings are great sagas.

The school year is coming to a close

As we move into June, the energy in our schools is palpable. From spring sports and field trips to concerts, prom and senior celebrations, students and staff are in full swing with end-of-year activities. These cherished traditions reflect the joy of learning and the vibrant spirit of our schools.

Corey Rewenko the benevolent

Corey Rewenko is the dean of students at Granby Memorial High School. It is his first year in the district, but he appears to already have it all figured out.

BOS honors student representative

The Granby Board of Selectmen would be the first to tell you that they have had very fine student liaisons over the years, including the most recent representative, Ben LaVigne, who has set the bar quite high. In fact, it took several minutes for First Selectman Mark Fiorentino to read the proclamation at the May 5 BOS meeting listing his many accomplishments in academics, sports and community involvement.

Scholarship awarded

Sydney Henry, a senior at Granby Memorial High School, has been awarded a scholarship from The College Club of Hartford, Inc., a distinguished organization with a long history of supporting women in higher education.

Investing in the future of Granby students

The 2024–25 school year may be coming to a close, but the Granby Board of Education continues to build an exciting momentum. Before sharing what we have in the works, I wish to thank everyone who voted to support the budget. The board of education worked very hard to provide the best possible options for students with a keen eye on ensuring the best value for taxpayers—now, and in the future.

People aren’t the only ones with asthma

Feline asthma is very similar to asthma in humans. It is described as a chronic, progressive inflammatory respiratory condition that causes narrowing of the airways leading to coughing and wheezing. According to a study by Cornell University, about 1–5 percent of felines have feline asthma. This translates to approximately 800,000 cats in the U.S.

In Town Focus — May 2024

Camera Club, National Day of Prayer, Women’s Breakfast, Buy a bag to support the Drummer, Preserve Our Properties Day, Men’s Breakfast, Civic Club, Rotary Club May Events, and Vendor Opportunities

Out of Town — May 2024

Windsor fundraiser benefits grieving families, Granby-Simsbury Chamber Golf Tournament, Connecticut Trolley Mu-seum May events, and Regional Chamber of Commerce to hold symposium

History and arts hike set for Trails Day

The Torrington Trails Network and Torrington Historical Society will conduct a Trails Day Hike from the John Brown Birthplace site on John Brown Road, Torrington on June 1 at 10 a.m.

Memorial Day

We gather on the green, the sidewalks, and the roadways to honor and remember those who died in service to our country.

Community Serve Day is May 18

The next Stony Hill Community Serve Day will be Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m. to noon. This is a reschedule as the Granby Police Department cautioned that a closure of Salmon Brook Street for another activity would impact volunteers. 

The Montreal Protocol: A testament to global change

The Montreal Protocol, an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of ozone depleting substances (ODSs), showcases successful international cooperation. As one of the most widely ratified treaties in the United Nations’ history, its success provides hope for responding to other environmental issues.

Dedicate a flag to a veteran

The tradition of posting American flags in Granby has existed for more than 17 years and has provided a way to remind our citizens of the dedication and sacrifices made by our veterans, our families, friends, and neighbors.

Drumrolls

Ashley Bristol, of Granby, received the 2024 New England Scholar awarded by the University of Connecticut. This honor is awarded to students who earn a GPA of 3.7 or higher for both the fall and spring semesters of 2023.

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.