Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/page/8/)
Winter is still a great time for birding in Connecticut. It is a season filled with the dark-eyed junco, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch and the Northern cardinal, to name a few.
Emma Hansen, of Granby, was named to the dean’s list at Wisconsin-Madison University during the fall semester.
Caroline Hall, of Granby, has earned highest honors on the University of New Hampshire’s dean’s list for the fall semester.
Samantha Kovaleski, of East Granby, was named to the fall dean’s list at the University of Connecticut.
On Nov. 15, 17 Girl Scouts from Granby, East Granby and Hartland participated in an event to honor veterans who have served our country. The scouts had the opportunity to hear inspiring stories from two women in the military, Senior Airman Ashley Seger of the Connecticut Air National Guard and Claire Cashwell, Commander American Legion Post #59.
Holiday spirit filled the air as more than 100 residents gathered at the Town Hall Complex for the town’s annual Tree Lighting Celebration, an evening that blended music, tradition and community connection.
Tillotson, Timothy Nolan, 73, husband of Cynthia Tillotson, November 6
Dejean, Jacques Bernard, 32, former husband of Katelyn DeJean, November 25
Don Shaw, Jr. took a photograph on Christmas Day that he thought Drummer readers may find interesting—Christmas Day hikers enjoying the Crag Mountain panoramic view from Granby Land Trust’s Emery Family Preserve.
On Dec. 3, the Granby 4-H Club gathered for its monthly meeting and transformed the Senior Center’s gathering room into a mini-holiday workshop with tables of stickers, beads, markers, pipe cleaners and glitter.
Seth Pomeroy Holcombe and Lucy Eaton Holcombe were longtime residents of the village of North Granby in the town of Granby. Both were active in their community, enthusiastically supporting the culture and history of the town they loved. To continue their lifetime of giving back, the Holcombes established the Pomeroy-Brace Fund at the Hartford Foundation to support organizations serving the residents of Granby and the region.
On Dec. 11 and 12, volunteers from the Granby Lions Club and Granby Memorial High School Leo Club helped host the Lions Club Special Education Children’s Holiday Party. The event welcomed 410 students and staff from eight towns, including those from Wells Road and Kelly Lane schools in Granby.
The Granby Lions Club sold Christmas trees again this year, a tradition for more than 50 years. The Lions thank the community for its support that makes it a success year after year.
The 2025 Celebrating New England’s Natural Beauty Art Show, hosted by the Granby Land Trust (GLT) and the Granby Artists Association (GAA), once again brought hundreds of people to Lost Acres Vineyard for an evening of art, community and appreciation for the natural world. The vineyard’s gallery walls were filled with works inspired by New England’s diverse landscapes—from sweeping mountain vistas to familiar scenes from right here in Granby.
The Granby Land Trust (GLT) extends its heartfelt thanks to the Granby Memorial High School Boys Soccer Team and all GLT members who volunteered their time at the Mary Edwards Mountain Property during the Fall Preserve Our Properties Day on Nov. 1.
Oct. 26 was a sunny warm day—perfect for the Granby Land Trust’s Dave Emery to take a group of 20 hikers on a walk that highlighted the beaver deceiver installed at the Dismal Brook Wildlife Sanctuary. A very industrious group of beavers had constructed a dam under the footbridge, effectively raising the water level on one side of the Dismal Brook and lowering it on the other side of the bridge.
Registration is required for library programs unless noted otherwise. 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.
Granby UNICO held its annual comedy/mentalist event with Jon Stetson, mentalist, on Nov. 8.
In November, the GMHS Dramatic Arts program again captivated audiences with its spectacular production of Clue. This stage adaptation of the beloved board game and movie brought eccentric, strange and larger-than-life characters vividly to life on stage.
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, holiday trees and decorations account for about 400 home fires annually. This results in approximately three deaths, 28 civilian injuries and over $17 million in property damage.
Jeff Sturgeon has called North Granby home for more than 20 years. A proud Navy veteran and retired correctional lieutenant, Sturgeon’s life has been defined by service, discipline and an unwavering commitment to his family and community. He and his wife of 33 years, Jennifer, raised their daughters, Danielle and Gabrielle, here in Granby.
Two Granby Rovers Soccer Club teams reigned supreme during the fall season.
Sally (Carr) Smith, 89, of Granby, CT, beloved wife of the late Walter H. Smith, passed away at her home on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Sally was born on July 7, 1936, In Winthrop, MA, daughter of the late Preston A. and Annette E. (Sears) Carr.
According to organizer Todd Vibert, the event was an “absolute success” with more than 45 vendors participating and 18 dozen Mrs. Murphy’s donuts consumed.
For the month of December, the Friends of the Granby Public Libraries will have several tables set up for gift giving this holiday season. The sale begins Monday, Dec. 1 at the Granby Public Library and will continue during regular open hours throughout the month while supplies last.
Most people who have pets know that chocolate is toxic to dogs. It is the most well-known toxin as well as a very common one. Chocolate is also toxic to cats, though we do not see our feline friends ingesting chocolate as often as our pups. But why is chocolate toxic?
Betty Hart, a Granby native, is pictured with a horse 75 years ago side-by-side with a photo taken this year by her granddaughter, Granby Police Officer Nichole Abalan.
It’s easier than many people think to grow large numbers of native plants from seed. Now is the perfect time.
There’s a moment in December when the world seems to pause. Long gone are the warm afternoons of autumn. We can all feel that first cold day. There are fewer pedestrians on the streets, dusk pulls in earlier and puffs of white drift across the hills and valleys. After a snowfall, a sacred silence settles in.
A Harvest Dinner to remember and Coming Events at Holcomb farm
Five new members have recently joined the Friends of Holcomb Farm board. An introduction to each will be provided here in the next five issues, in no particular order, starting off with John Oates.
Don’t show up empty-handed to your holiday parties—give the gift of local, chemical-free produce and Holcomb Farm merchandise to your loved ones!
