Granby Living June 2018 issue

A Monthly Magazine Connecting Granby's Neighbors & Businesses 

Granby Living 

June 2018 

THE SILVERMAN FAMILY 

After soaring into town, family 

makes smooth landing in Granby 

INSIDE 

Granby Real Estate 

Granby History 

Celebrating our Seniors 

Granby’s First Responders 

Events Calendar 

Photo by Amy Geigner

Cottage Chic 

Our informational sessions are held every 1st Thursday at 

1:30pm and every 3rd Wednesday at 10:30am. 

Call (860) 243-6081 or (860) 243-4033 for reservations or 

e-mail info@seaburylife.org. 

Ease into life on the Seabury 

campus in one of our beautiful 

one- and two-bedroom 

cottages. These charming, 

well-appointed homes feature 

state-of-the-art finishes and 

access to all that life at Seabury 

has to offer. Seabury is a Life 

Plan community for adults 50 

and over. Join us at one of our 

upcoming informational sessions 

to learn more and take a tour 

of your new home. 

Revolutionizing the experience of aging! 

200 SEABURY DRIVE | BLOOMFIELD, CT 06002 

(860) 286-0243 | (800) 340-4709 

WWW.SEABURYLIFE.ORG | INFO@SEABURYLIFE.ORG 

2 | JUNE 2018

PUBLICATION TEAM 

Publisher | Anthony Serino 

Content Coordinator | Bruce Deckert 

Designer | Marcelle Hockers 

Feature Photographer | Amy Geigner 

ADVERTISING 

Contact | Anthony Serino 

Phone | 860-305-4065 

Email | tserino@bestversionmedia.com 

FEEDBACK | IDEAS | SUBMISSIONS 

Have feedback, ideas or submissions? We are always happy 

to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 25th of 

each month. Go to www bestversionmedia.com and click 

“Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas 

and photos to: bdeckert@bestversionmedia.com. 

CONTENT SUBMISSION DEADLINES 

Content Due: 

Edition Month: 

June 25.......................................................................... July 

Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and 

advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of 

Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, 

businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not 

responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content 

submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the 

submitting party. © 2018 Best Version Media. All rights reserved. 

EXPERT 

CONTRIBUTORS 

To learn more about becoming an Expert Contributor, contact BVM 

at tserino@bestversionmedia.com or 860-305-4065 

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE 

As you may know, each month we feature a 

Granby family on our cover. In addition to 

families, we want to highlight other groups 

and organizations in town. Last month we profiled a 

number of Granby’s farm families. 

With upcoming issues we hope to do a story on 

Granby's horse community as well as local associations 

and civic groups. 

If you know of a family that would make for a good cover story, or if 

you'd like to suggest your own family, please contact me (tserino@bestversionmedia.com) 

or content coordinator Bruce Deckert (bdeckert@ 

bestversionmedia.com). 

Also, if you have a public event you would like to promote, please send 

the information and we'll do our best to include it in our monthly Events 

Calendar. Our deadline is the 25th of the month, so be sure to let us know 

six weeks prior to the month your event is scheduled. 

For our June issue, we've profiled the Silverman family. Melissa, Larry 

and their daughter Leah have lived in many towns around the country, 

finally settling down, happily, in Granby. 

This month, contributor Ken Kuhl explains the history of West Granby's 

United Methodist Church in our Granby History feature. Also, we profile 

Granby Ambulance Association president Lorri DiBattisto. 

In our Celebrating Our Seniors feature, we get to know well-known 

local artist Avis Akers Cherichetti. Known affectionately as "The Pottery 

Lady," Avis has been creating stunning works in clay at her Honey Hill 

Pottery studio since 1974. 

June is the time of year that the real estate market really heats up, so be 

sure to check out our Real Estate section to see which homes have recently 

sold in Granby. You may be surprised what homes are currently selling for. 

I'll close with a sincere thank-you to all the contributors who make 

Granby Living a welcome guest in your home. And, as always, please continue 

to patronize our advertisers, who make this magazine possible. 

Be well and enjoy the warm weather. 

Anthony Serino, Publisher 

tserino@bestversionmedia.com | 860-305-4065 

PLUMBING / HEATING / COOLING 

Jason Brusa 

Beacon Mechanical Service 

860-844-0111 

jbrusa@beaconmechanical.com 

Like us on FB | Granby Living - Best Version Media 

URGENT CARE / OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE 

Dr. Stephen A. Kei, M.D. 

The Doctors Treatment Center 

860-653-2382 

www.urgentcarecentersct.com 

HEALTH / WELL-BEING 

Kristal Fiorentino, I-AYT 

The Om Within LLC 

702-523-0274 

www.KristalFiorentino.com 

SENIOR LIVING / HEALTH CARE 

Christine M. Looby 

The Mercy Community 

860-570-8400 

clooby@mchct.org 

INSURANCE / INCOME STRATEGY PLANNING 

Jesse Skirvin 

J. Skirvin Insurance Solutions 

860-217-0810 

jskirvin@jskirvinins.com 

FAMILY / COSMETIC / PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY 

Dr. Kenneth Endres 

Salmon Brook Dental 

Phone 860-653-4551 

salmonbrookdental@hotmail.com 

REAL ESTATE 

Judy Guarco 

Berkshire Hathaway NE Properties 

861-651-2127 

jguarco@bhhsne.com 

GRANBY LIVING | 3

FEATURE STORY 

The Silverman Family 

AFTER SOARING INTO TOWN, FAMILY 

MAKES SMOOTH LANDING IN GRANBY 

By Bruce Deckert | Photos by Amy Geigner 

Larry and Melissa Silverman arrived in Granby by way of northern California, 

southern New Jersey and central Florida. 

Given their directional geographic history, no wonder they found a home in this 

southern New England town in north-central Connecticut. 

If you’re guessing the frequent flyer miles are connected to a military career, you’re 

right — in fact, the military branch that specializes in flying. 

“I grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, but have lived all over due to the Air Force,” 

Larry says. 

“We liked the location near 

Bradley International Airport and 

the school system. I enjoy the 

quiet, small-town feel.” 

— Larry Silverman 

He retired as a major in the U.S. Air Force after serving for 23-plus years. Currently, 

he’s a corporate pilot for MassMutual. 

Meanwhile, Melissa has been a teacher for 18 years and serves as an English 

language tutor in the Granby school system. 

They met in 1999 in Arkansas, where Larry was stationed at Little Rock Air Force 

Base. 

“That was the town I grew up in,” Melissa says. 

They married in August 2002 and moved to Travis Air Force Base in California for 

four years. Their next stop was McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, followed by a 

move to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Their next relocation was to Granby in June 

2014 — this time, no Air Force Base was involved ... but aviation was still a factor. 

“We liked the location near Bradley International Airport and the school system,” 

says Larry, 46, who has a bachelor of science degree in professional aeronautics from 

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “I enjoy the quiet, small-town feel.” 

The Sivermans’ daughter, Leah, has likewise appreciated the quality of Granby’s 

school system. A fifth-grader at Wells Road Intermediate School, Leah wants to be a 

graphic artist when her student days are done. 

“My school is really cool,” says the 11-year-old. “I like my teachers and friends. My 

favorite subjects are reading and art.” 

Leah’s Mom has clearly valued education too. Melissa, 44, holds two college degrees 

— a bachelor of science in interior design, and another bachelor of science in family 

and consumer science education, both from the University of Central Arkansas. 

She is glad that her family’s journey has brought them to Granby. 

“I love the small-town atmosphere, the friendliness of people and the mom-andpop 

restaurants,” Melissa says. 

She notes that, soon after moving to town, the closeness of the Granby community 

took on a deeper meaning for her. 

4 | JUNE 2018 

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014,” Melissa explains, “three months after 

we moved to Granby. It was unbelievable to see the support of the schools, our church 

— Valley Brook Community Church — and those in the community who came to our 

side.”

Thankfully, she has been cancer-free since 2015. 

“I am involved in a breast cancer group in town that was 

so supportive,” says Melissa, who grew up in Jacksonville, 

Arkansas. “Not being from here and having no family 

here, it was truly special that strangers cared about 

our family. ... I love the friendliness of Granby in 

general.” 

Leah, who is involved in Girl Scouts, echoes 

that theme: “People are nice here — I like my 

neighborhood and playing with my friends.” 

“We love our neighborhood,” Larry affirms. 

“Most of us are from elsewhere, and we all 

moved in around the same time. We get together 

for parties and cookouts and we all genuinely like 

each other.” 

Is there an aspect of town life that he wishes were 

different? 

Larry’s answer is time-honored: “Lower taxes.” 

When the Silverman family has some downtime — 

literally and figuratively — they enjoy a few hobbies. 

“Actually,” Larry says, “I just love to fly! But I’m a huge Yankee 

fan and, yes, a Jets fan as well.” 

Apparently, you can take the boy out of New Jersey, but you can’t take 

the New Jersey fan ties out of the boy. Oh, Larry also loves to barbecue. 

Melissa loves to craft, travel and have girls’ nights — “and I am an 

Arkansas Razorback fan.” So it also must be true that you can take the 

girl out of Arkansas, but you can’t ... well, you know the rest. 

Meanwhile, Leah takes part in chorus, yoga and art classes. 

The family also takes turns caring for their dog, Emmy, a 14-year-old 

long-haired dachshund. “She is the queen of our house!” Melissa says. 

When the Silvermans spend time with each other, they aim for “open 

communication” — and they seek to make it count. 

“Being a military/aviation family, there are many times we are apart,” 

Melissa observes. “We try to make our times together special and do lots 

of family activities.” 

continued... 

“Not being from here and having no family 

here, it was truly special that strangers cared 

about our family...I love the friendliness of 

Granby in general.” — Melissa Silverman 

GRANBY LIVING | 5

“My school is really cool. 

I like my teachers and friends.” 

— Leah Silverman 

One such activity is a yearly vacation. 

“We love to travel and experience places around the world — this year we are doing 

a Mediterranean cruise,” Melissa says. “Last year it was an Alaskan cruise for our 15th 

anniversary.” 

Given their directional proclivity, perhaps the Silverman family will go farther north on their 

next trip — to the North Pole. Unless they go to Australia instead...and New South Wales. 

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! 

Contact us at bdeckert@bestversionmedia.com. 

BERKSHIRE 

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REAL ESTATE STATS 

RECENTLY SOLD IN GRANBY 

REAL ESTATE 

Address Town List Price Sale Price Beds Bath Full Bath Half # of Rooms Sq Feet 

3 Haleview Drive Granby $499,900 $490,000 5 2 1 10 3,090 

27 Hillyer Way Granby $479,900 $462,500 4 3 1 9 4,263 

199 Barn Door Hills Road Granby $459,900 $454,900 4 2 1 12 4,222 

63 Day Street Granby $389,900 $377,000 4 2 1 10 2,510 

79 Lost Acres Road Granby $369,000 $370,000 4 2 1 7 2,450 

2 Sutton Drive Granby $359,900 $359,900 4 2 2 8 2,681 

1 Eastwood Drive Granby $314,900 $325,000 4 2 1 8 2,427 

7 Harvest Lane Granby $319,900 $312,500 4 3 0 9 2,500 

58 Heather Lane Granby $299,999 $292,000 4 3 1 8 2,548 

139 Day Street Granby $294,900 $285,000 4 2 1 8 2,422 

30 Buttles Road Granby $279,900 $279,900 3 3 0 7 2,136 

Real Estate STATS provided by Stephen Simard, EXP Realty 

Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing in this magazine is separate from any statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement. 

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GRANBY LIVING | 7

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR 

CURB APPEAL 

BOOSTS THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME 

By Judy Guarco 

Happy June! While June means graduations and weddings to so many people, in real estate June 

means the busiest time of the year, signaling the end of the spring market as summer looms ahead. 

In 2018 in Granby, June means historically low inventory of homes on the market, and buyers 

are hoping more sellers decide to list their homes. 

So ... many people are asking themselves, should I sell my house? And if I do, where do I start to 

get my house ready? 

With all the help on the internet, it can seem that homeowners are drowning in information 

and helpful hints without true guidance for this swim. Even if you’re not ready for the market, this 

information can help you keep up with the main aspects of the home-selling process. 

Homes with high curb appeal command higher prices and take less time to sell, according to 

Houselogic.com. The way your home looks from the street communicates value to the buyers and 

adds significant dollars to your sales price. 

Before you scrape any paint or plant new bushes, wash the dirt and mildew off the outside of 

your house. We’ve had a long winter in Connecticut that dragged far into a rainy spring, and it can 

be evident on our homes. 

Something as simple as a bucket of soapy water and a long-handled brush can remove dust and 

dirt that splashed onto your wood, vinyl, metal, stucco, brick or fiber cement siding. Power washers 

can be purchased or rented and can reveal the true color of your flagstone walkway. 

Wash your windows inside and out, swipe 

cobwebs from eaves, and hose down the 

downspouts. Any leaves and twigs left in your 

gutters can make them sag or cause heavy rains 

to spill over in the wrong places. Focusing on 

these items can help your home sparkle in just 

a few days (or weekends). 

Real estate pros and appraisers often advise 

homeowners to give the exterior of their home 

a good paint job. Buyers will instantly notice 

and bank appraisers will value it. 

Your best bet is to match the paint you already 

have. Also paint the door, trim and shutters in a 

shade that complements the rest of your home. 

Resist the urge to make a statement with an 

unusual color on the exterior of your home! 

Pay attention to other details, including door 

hardware, handles, light fixtures and house 

numbers. Updating the style of your exterior 

lighting can improve the curb appeal, increase 

the safety of your walkway, and communicate 

a warm welcome to yourself, buyers and your 

guests. 

Finally, the condition of your roof is one of 

the first things buyers notice and appraisers 

assess. Professionals in real estate find that you 

can pay for roof repairs or replacement now, or 

pay for them later in a lower appraisal or sale 

price. According to the National Association 

of Realtors, a new roof has a 109% rate of 

return. It can be a big-ticket item but is clearly 

worth the investment. 

Whether you are considering a dive into the 

real estate market or not, performing regular 

maintenance helps prevent costly damage and 

repairs and can augment the value of your 

home now and in the years to come. 

Judy Guarco is a licensed real estate agent 

with Berkshire Hathaway / New England 

Properties. Contact her at 860-651-2127 

or judyguarco@bhhsne.com. 

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Making the decision to put your beloved pet to 

sleep is one of the hardest things you will ever 

have to do. 

You may be struggling with the questions: 

How do I know when it’s the right time? 

Is my pet suffering? 

Do I have the right to do this? 

Can’t he simply die peacefully in his sleep? 

Lisa M. Peterson, DVM 

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I can help you with the decision. And when 

the time comes to let go, I can help your pet 

peacefully pass away in the comfort and 

familiarity of your own home. 

Please contact me for more information about 

in-home euthanasia and aftercare. You can 

also visit my website at drlisapetvet.com. 

“A veterinary visit is a 

necessary but often 

stressful event for both 

the pet and the caretaker. 

I provide house calls to 

help minimize this stress.” 

I will come to your home and provide veterinary services where your pet feels safe 

and comfortable. My services include a thorough physical exam, vaccinations, 

blood work and other testing, and various therapeutic procedures. I provide 

behavior, nutrition and weight counseling. Gentle and compassionate end-of-life 

care and aftercare are also available. For more information and to schedule a house 

call, please contact me. 

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Q 

A 

Can yoga help me lose weight? 

Yes, but yoga is not a quick fix, by any means. Depending on the type of 

yoga, the number of calories burned will vary. However, yoga is proven 

to reduce stress, and stress is a chief contributor to keeping weight on, 

and has even been blamed for weight gain, in certain circumstances. 

In my experience, weight gain is a symptom. Yoga can help get to the 

root of the problem, and alleviate or greatly reduce symptoms such as 

weight gain. To see if yoga therapy can help you, contact me for a free 

consultation. 

Contact me at KristalFiorentino.com 

for more info how yoga therapy could 

help you. 

GRANBY LIVING | 9

CELEBRATING OUR SENIORS 

AVIS AKERS CHERICHETTI OF HONEY HILL POTTERY: 

Forty-four fruitful years in Granby...and counting 

By Sarah Merrill 

Avis Akers Cherichetti and her husband Lou have lived in Granby since 1974, but Avis notes 

that it wasn’t until the 1990s that her identity in town became “The Pottery Lady.” These days, 

many Granby residents associate Avis with her Honey Hill Pottery studio, located in their home 

on Barndoor Hills Road. But over her 44 years in Granby, Avis has had a diverse range of roles and 

interests, including significant involvement in the 4-H program and raising four children. 

Avis was born in 1942 — the third of four girls — in a small town in western Kentucky. When 

she was 10, her family moved to Dalton, Georgia. When Avis attended college at Stetson University 

in DeLand, Florida in the early 1960s, she had difficulty settling on a major. 

“Everything I did was interesting,” she chuckles. “You could say I lacked focus.” But that changed 

when Avis took her first pottery course. “That was it,” she says. “I was smitten.” 

Unfortunately, Stetson had no fine arts program. Knowing that she could not focus her studies 

on pottery, Avis left the university, moving to Chicago at age 19. She worked at Chicago’s National 

Design Center, and in the evenings she attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago as a 

non-matriculating student. 

She studied pottery with a few diverse professors, including one of the best in glaze theory. In 

addition, Avis worked for a potter in Evanston, Illinois, and in this role she met many talented 

potters. 

Avis also met Lou Cherichetti, who came to Chicago after working as a civil engineer on the 

construction of Hartford’s Constitution Plaza. Lou and Avis married in 1965 and moved to East 

Granby, not far from where Lou grew up in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. 

Avis had a pottery studio in their home and she taught individuals and small groups. She sold 

her work at many craft fairs, including one of the very first American Craft Council shows. “That 

kind of show got way beyond me — I had kids instead,” she says. 

In 1974, Lou and Avis — with four children under the age of 10 — decided they wanted “real 

country living.” They bought an old Granby house on 15 acres of land and named the property 

Honey Hill Farm, reflecting Lou’s many years of beekeeping. The original house was built in the 

1760s. 

“We didn’t think we wanted an old home,” explains Avis. “But this place turned out to be just 

right for us.” 

The move to Granby marked a 16-year pause in Avis’ pottery career. Their Granby home lacked 

space for a pottery studio, but more to the point, Avis had four young children. “Lou and I had no 

idea what happens — exponentially — when you have four children,” says Avis. “But every stage 

was so much fun.” 

Avis Cherichetti in her 

Granby pottery studio, 2018. 

Avis and Lou Cherichetti with their four children, 

Granby, CT, circa 1980. 

In addition to being a hands-on mother, Avis 

was essentially a farmer for several years. 

“My children were very involved with the 

4-H Club,” she notes. “At some point in the 

1980s, I made an official count and we had 150 

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animals — counting every rabbit, chicken, sheep and pig — all here on 

our property!” 

Avis also worked on the ski patrol at Ski Sundown for almost 30 years. 

All four children became avid skiers. While the family has appreciated 

Granby’s many wild spaces for walking and cross-country skiing, Avis 

notes that their proximity to Hartford has also been important, affording 

access to cultural offerings such as Hartford Stage. 

Around 1990, after the children were grown, Avis returned to 

a dedicated pursuit of pottery. She joined a potters’ co-op at the 

Farmington Valley Arts Center, called Expressions Pottery Workshop 

(now in East Granby), and she taught adult students there for 23 years. 

In 2006, Lou and Avis built onto their home and Avis began working 

in her own Honey Hill Pottery studio. She hires high school students to 

help take care of her studio, which is immaculately clean. 

When asked how her style has changed since she began working with 

clay — more than 55 years ago — Avis smiles. “Probably not enough,” she 

says. However, she now works in “series,” focusing on one product for an 

extended period of time before moving on to another series. It’s a way of 

exploring the art more deeply. 

Avis works in an electric- and a gas-fired kiln, and these days one of her 

passions is firing her stonewear in a large community soda kiln in South 

Kent. The process results in a particularly lovely patina. “There’s a great 

deal of chemistry in working with clay,” Avis explains. 

Currently, Avis is working on pieces that relate to seed pods and flower 

forms, while also exploring “printing” images on clay. She explains, “I 

am the proud owner of my mother’s ninth-grade biology notebook. 

Her lab drawings are beautiful — grasshoppers and frogs — and I’m 

experimenting with incorporating them into my work.” 

Since the founding of the Granby Artists Association in 2002, Avis has 

been a member (www.granbyartists.com).“The Granby community is 

supportive of artists, which makes it a wonderful place to live and make 

art,” she says. 

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GRANBY LIVING | 11

GRANBY HISTORY 

This Month in 

Granby History 

By Ken Kuhl 

GRANBY | June 1844 

Subscription to be paid on the first day of June 

1844 and the remainder to be paid when the 

house is finished. 

From the mid-1820s through the 1840s, 

the residents of West Granby achieved great 

prosperity as a spirit of revival took hold. 

This new attitude expressed itself in local 

social reform movements, including the 

construction of an impressive Methodist 

meetinghouse in the Greek Revival style, the 

opening of the West Granby Academy in 1842 

with an emphasis on a "moral" education, and 

the emergence of new business ventures. These 

enterprises included Silas Cone's scythe factory, 

a rebuilt gristmill, a wagon factory and a shoe 

shop. 

The congregation of the West Granby 

United Methodist Church traces its history 

back almost to the beginning of Methodism in 

the U.S. The Methodist Episcopal Church was 

formally born at the Christmas Conference at 

the Lovely Lane Chapel in Baltimore in 1784. 

In 1799, two women walked over Broad Hill 

in West Granby to the North Canton Methodist 

church, where a circuit rider was preaching. 

They convinced him to add West Granby to his 

circuit, which he did. The first services were 

held later that year in a barn. The first church 

building was erected in the early 1800s at the 

corner of Simsbury Road and Firetown Road. 

The Methodist Society apparently did not 

attract great numbers, likely because the 

Congregational leaders, many of whom lived 

in West Granby, made it difficult for them to 

exercise their constitutional rights. 

Methodism offered an alternative to the 

less optimistic Puritan doctrines and was 

also a simpler version of the more ritualistic 

Episcopalian (formerly Church of England) 

faith. 

To help grow the Methodist congregation, 

and for the convenience of many worshipers 

who walked to church, in June 1844 a new 

Methodist Society formed in West Granby. 

The society adopted a resolution that 

included securing monies for a new structure 

to be raised in the heart of the village of West 

Granby. The church building (pictured, on the 

left) was located at 20 Simsbury Road. A Parish 

Hall (pictured, on the right) was built in 1915 

adjacent to the church building. 

The original church building served its 

congregation well, but structural deterioration 

required it to be razed in the mid-1970s, and 

a house was built where the original church 

stood. However, the Parish Hall remains on 

the property, attached to the house, which was 

built in the late ’70s. 

Meanwhile, the current church was built in 

1975 about a half-mile to the south, next to 

Holcomb Farm. 

The construction of the modern church 

facility was made possible through the 

generosity of Tudor and Laura Holcomb as 

well as the gifts of many members and friends 

of the church. 

The West Granby Historic District was listed 

on the National Register of Historic Places in 

1992. Portions of the content in this article were 

adapted from a copy of the original nomination 

document. 

CONNECTICUT | June 1844 

Self-taught chemist and inventor Charles 

Goodyear patented his Improvement in India- 

Rubber Fabrics in June 1844, the same year that 

he established the Naugatuck India-Rubber 

Company in Connecticut. 

UNITED STATES | June 27, 1844 

Joseph Smith, the founder and leader of the 

Latter Day Saint movement, and his brother 

Hyrum Smith were killed by a mob in 

Carthage, Illinois,. – 

Joseph Smith, the founder the Mormon 

Church, and his brother Hyrum were 

murdered on June 27, 1844 by an anti-Mormon 

mob that broke into a jail where they are being 

held in Carthage, Illinois. 

WORLD | June 8, 1844 

In 1843, President John Tyler supported the 

annexation of Texas and negotiated with the 

Republic of Texas for an annexation treaty. 

On June 8,1844, the treaty was defeated in 

the U.S. Senate. But Texas citizens approved a 

new initiative in October 1845, and Texas was 

formally added to the United States on Dec. 29, 

1845. 

Ken Kuhl is a board member of the Salmon 

Brook Historical Society in Granby. Bruce 

Deckert of Granby Living contributed to this 

feature. 

Judy Knows Granby! 

• Customer Service Awards for 10+ years 

• Five-Star Professional Realtor Award for 

the last 5 years. 

• Awarded the 2017 “President’s Circle” 

• Top 4% Nationally for Berkshire 

Hathaway Designation for Company 

Excellence 

• Granby resident for over 50 years. 

How much is your home worth in today’s market? 

The real estate market is hot, buyers are ready. You may be surprised 

what your home is currently worth. Give me a call, Let’s Talk! 

Judy Guarco 

860-651-2127 

judyguarco@bhhsne.com 

www.judyguarco.bhhsneproperties.com 


CASUAL BIKERS: UPCOMING EVENTS 

Throughout June 

@Various locations 

Check the Casual Bikers website for details about 

weekend and weekday bike rides all month long. 

Cost: FREE 

www.meetup.com/Casual-Bikers/events/calendar/ 

CONNECTICUT TRAILS DAY HIKE 

Sunday, June 3 

@Seth and Lucy Holcombe Preserve, Granby 

Join us for a family-friendly Connecticut Trails Day 

hike as we walk the trails that crisscross this beautiful, 

150-acre parcel of land. The hike will be led 

by former middle school teacher Dave Emery and 

current middle school science teacher Jen Plourde, 

who will be on the lookout for interesting items of 

natural interest. All children should be accompanied 

by an adult. No pets please. The hike will begin 

at the preserve trailhead/parking area on Silver 

Street. In case of significant rain, please check the 

GLT Facebook page for an update. RSVP to Jen 

Plourde at jlplourde@aol.com. 

Time: 1 pm 

Cost: FREE 

www.americantowns.com/ct/granby/events/connecticut-trails-day-hike-2018-06-03 

MISSION ADVENTURE: A CAMP FOR TEENS & TWEENS 

Session 1 — Monday-Friday, June 25-July 6 

Session 2 — Monday-Friday, July 9-20 

Session 3 — Monday-Friday, July 23-August 3 

Session 4 — Monday-Friday, August 6-17 

@Salmon Brook Park — Granby 

These two-week day camps are for students in 

grades 6-9 (or you can attend one week only). Mission: 

Adventure will have campers kayaking down 

the Farmington River, playing paintball in the setting 

of a western boomtown, playing underwater 

Frisbee while wearing a scuba tank, and much 

more! We take off-site field trips. On-site activities 

include scavenger hunts, team-building games, 

sports and swimming. 

Time: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm 

Cost: $435, full two-week session – $230, one week) 

www.granbyrec.com/info/activities/ 

SALMON BROOK PARK DAY CAMP 

Session 1 — Monday-Friday, June 25-July 6 

Sessions 2-8 — Mondays-Fridays in successive 

weeks through the week of August 13 


Each one-week day camp for Grades 1-5 is full of 

active games, special events, sports, arts and crafts, 

teamwork and the wonders of nature. Salmon 

Brook Park has a playground, soccer and baseball 

fields, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, and 

more. Children are grouped by age/grade. 

Time: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm 

Cost: $180 


SUMMER TENNIS LESSONS 

Session 1 — Monday-Thursday, June 25-28 


Sessions 2-5 — July and August (see website for 

details) 

Our youth tennis lessons are geared toward the beginner 

and intermediate youth player. Instructor: 

GMHS tennis team coach Kevin Imbt. Participants 

should bring a racquet, water, towel and sneakers. 

Lessons are held Mondays-Thursdays, with Fridays 

reserved for making up rainout days. 

Time + Cost: 

Beginners — 8 am-8:55 am • $35 

Intermediate — 9 am-12 pm • $90 


CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

JUNE 

VALK YRIE 

EQUESTRIAN 

CENTER 

Boarding / Training / Lessons 

ENJOY 

RIDING 

WITH US 

860-653-0288 

175 Barn Door Hills Rd., Granby | vec.info@snet.net | www.ValkyrieEquestrianCenter.com 

Painter’s Tape? 

Yeah, we got that. 

Beman’s has everything you 

need for your painting project. 

Beman TrueValue Hardware 

20 Hartford Ave., Granby CT 

(860) 653-2598 

www.bemanhardware.com 

$7 OFF 

ARBORCOAT 

Coupon valid for $7.00 off retailer’s suggested retail price per gallon of up to 5 gallons of ARBORCOAT ® . Redeemable only at participating 

retailers. Must present this original coupon to redeem - no copies will be allowed. Limit one per customer. Products may vary from store 

to store. Subject to availability. Retailer reserves the right to cancel this offer at any time without notice. 

Cannot be combined with any other offers. Coupon expires 6/30/18. 

GRANBY LIVING | 13

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35 Hartford Ave. Granby, CT 

www.SalmonBrookDentalCT.com 


SALUTING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS 

Full-Time Occupation 

Business owner — DiBattisto Associates, a structural engineering firm located 

in East Granby 

What motivated you to serve with the GAA? 

My motivation for volunteering is simple: my Grandmother and my Mom. 

My Grandmother volunteered in the city of Hartford during the unrest of the 1960s 

by teaching bookkeeping and typing skills to those who were unable to attend 

college. She never lost her dedication to those who asked for her time. 

My Mom volunteered as our church’s organist for many years, and she was always 

available to lend a hand with our school productions as our musical director. 

Volunteering is my lifeline! 

Saluting Lorri DiBattisto 

Granby Ambulance Association 

Role with Granby Ambulance Association (GAA) 

President 

Began Serving With GAA 

After 9/11, then-GAA President Chris Perkins contacted 

my firm and asked if we would be interested in designing 

the building expansion to the “Ambulance Barn.” The 

building was located at 1 Pegville Road and is still there. I 

said “YES” without any hesitation! 

I am not an EMT or paramedic, and I will never be 

an EMT or paramedic. Even though there have been 

“rumors” that I would take the EMT class, it is just not 

going to happen, as I am not comfortable with the sight 

of blood, especially my own. However, I have been an atlarge 

board member since 2005. 

Granby Connection 

I have been a Granby resident for the past 20 years, 

transplanted from Enfield, CT. 

What is the most rewarding aspect of your work with the GAA? 

I love being the spokesperson for the GAA! It is rewarding for me to share with 

our East Granby, East Hartland and Granby residents and visitors the compassion, 

respect and dedication our Granby Ambulance EMTs and paramedics display in 

our communities. GAA has a committed team of EMTs and paramedics, and I enjoy 

being a part of the team. 

Would you like to share a brief story related to your work as a first responder? 

After the barn expansion produced a building for GAA, the association invited me to 

attend their end-of-the-year holiday party. Of course, I accepted. During the course 

of the design progress and then the construction, I had developed many friendships 

in the GAA organization. 

At the holiday party, GAA thanked all the volunteers for their service to the 

association. I was overwhelmed with the amount of “free time” volunteers gave to the 

community. Many of these volunteer members gave over 800 hours during the year 

to provide emergency medical services. 

In many cases, these volunteers had full-time jobs and families. At the end of that 

holiday party, I contacted Chris Perkins and asked if I could be the facility manager 

of their new building. Of course, he said yes — I could be the new “Barn Facility 

Manager.” 

So today, after being a proud member of the GAA board for 10-plus years, our 

building is still known as the “Barn,” and I will never stop talking about the Granby 

Ambulance Association’s dedication to the communities we serve: East Granby, East 

Hartland and Granby. 

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GRANBY LIVING | 15

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FIVE WAYS TO RULE THE LEADERBOARDS 

1. Post great content 

(at least once per day. Twice is best.) 

2. Request citizenship with many people 

(and they will often request it back). 

The more citizens you have in your 

Myopolis, the more exposure you 

will build. Exposure, interaction, 

comments etc. increase the 

likelihood that you will trend 

higher. 

3. Interact with many posts. 

Comment, share, pingworthy, agree 

etc. The more interactions you have the 

more you will increase interest in people 

becoming your citizens. The more 

citizens, the more exposure for you and 

your brand. 

4. Invite people to Myopolis. 

The more people you invite from other social 

media sites, or people who are new to social 

media, the larger your base. Remember, people 

don’t need to leave their current social media 

communities (although once they experience 

Myopolis they may make that choice). 

At first, it’s harder take someone away 

than it is to get them to add Myopolis. 

5. Build your own communities that matter. 

Get four or five close friends, colleagues or 

clients to use Myopolis as their primary means 

of connecting. Even small groups begin to carry 

heavy influence and motivate people to remain 

active. 

DOWNLOAD TODAY! 

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Granby Living June 2018 issue

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