Granby Living Feb2018

“Larry and I played many sports in high school
and recreationally growing up,” says Corrie, who
graduated from East Windsor High in 1996.
“Now watching my kids play is one of my favorite
things to do. It’s something both of us are passionate
about, and I think our children feel the
same way about sports and outdoor activities.”
A third-grader at Wells Road School, William
also participates in the Math Competition Club.
He relishes sports statistics, and word has it that
he’s good with numbers — apparently taking after
his father, the math teacher.
Charlie is in kindergarten at Kelly Lane
School, and when he isn’t playing in an organized
rec league, he loves playing the backyard
classic: Wiffle Ball.
“Our boys play with each other every day and
are each other’s best friends,” says Larry, who
graduated from East Hartford High in 1995.
“They both enjoy hiking in McLean.”
William and Charlie also take part in another
classic childhood activity — riding bikes on
their street with their neighborhood friends.
Naturally, athletics played an important role
in Corrie and Larry’s budding friendship. They
met in 1997 at UConn, where they played a variety
of intramural sports together and lived in
the same dorm. They both graduated in 2000.
Their shared college experience extended to
the classroom. They both received bachelor of
science degrees in civil engineering, and they
both minored in environmental engineering.
“I enjoy teaching in the
town where I live...and
being so connected to
the community.”
— Larry Auer
Long before finishing their college journey
together in Connecticut and later landing in
Granby, Corrie and Larry began their life journey
in the same place — they were both born in
Hartford.
They were married at Storrs Congregational
Church on Oct. 27, 2001.
Today, Corrie is a civil and environmental engineer
for a consulting firm in Farmington, HRP
Associates. “I went back to work full-time this
past summer after spending the last eight years
as a stay-at-home mom,” she says.
During her time away from a traditional office,
she worked part-time at the YMCA, tutored
middle school and high school youth in
math and SATs, and coached in Granby. She also
found time to be a room parent and to volunteer
otherwise with the schools and PTO.
As a family, the Auers’ outdoor recreation
includes: camping, hiking, kayaking, mountain
biking, road biking, rock climbing, skiing,
snowshoeing and trail running (and that might
be a short list).
“Granby and the Farmington Valley as a whole
have so many beautiful places for hiking, kayaking,
road and mountain biking,” Corrie says.
The Auers have been members of the Farmington
Valley YMCA in Granby since 2009.
“I’ve made so many amazing friends through
the Y and through my kids,” say Corrie. “It
makes me happy to see so many people attend
the Y for healthy living and for kids’ sports and
swimming classes, etcetera.”
Given the UConn-Storrs connection, Larry
notes, “We are huge UConn Huskies fans and
try and make it to several men’s basketball
games each year. We also root for the Celtics,
Yankees and [New York] Giants.”
Back home in Granby, the Auers appreciate
their neighborhood.
“I love my neighborhood,” affirms Larry, who
has a master’s degree in secondary mathematics
education from Eastern Connecticut State.
“We have great neighbors. ... Everyone is very
friendly and always willing to help each other
out. At the bus stop we have more than 10 kids
that get on the bus together. It is great that my
children have so many other kids to play with.”
Larry and Corrie moved to town after spending
two years in North Bend, Washington, followed
by a year in West Dover, Vermont. They
are members of South Church in Granby.
Larry has an idea for the town suggestion box:
He would like to see more access for mountain
biking in Granby’s protected parks.
“The town of Granby has significant trail networks,
most of which are closed to mountain
biking,” he observes. “I mountain bike often
in surrounding areas like Cowles Park in East
Granby and on the Metacomet Trail that runs
through Simsbury and East Granby.”
continued on page 6
FEBRUARY 2018 5