Home Care In North Granby, CT

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Dewey-Granby Oak gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in North Granby, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

Home Care Services

Home Care in North Granby, CT
The Always Best Care Difference
Types of In-home Care in North Granby, CT
Benefits of Home Care in North Granby, CT
Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors
Affordable Care Plans
Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers
Assisted Living Referral Services
Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

Service Areas

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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Elderly Care for Debra T.

“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work”

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In-home Care for Anita

“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a”

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Home Care Services for Madison R.

“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of”

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Non-medical Home Care for Gregory C.

“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at”

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Personal Senior Care for Milissa K.

“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for”

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Home Care for Liam C.

“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure.”

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Senior Care Services for Dorothy W.

“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began”

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Personal Care Services for Susan W.

“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal”

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Senior Caregiver for Pope A.

“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”

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In-home Caregiver for Kevin N.

“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company,”

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In-home Care Services for Dorothy29

“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office”

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Non-medical Caregiver for Caring5863

“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of”

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Home Caregiver for elizabeth S.

“I have a very good providers from this Company”

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Debra T.

Anita

Madison R.

Gregory C.

Milissa K.

Liam C.

Dorothy W.

Susan W.

Pope A.

Kevin N.

Dorothy29

Caring5863

elizabeth S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in North Granby, CT?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Types of Elderly Care in North Granby, CT

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

Eating
Mobility Issues
Incontinence

Bathing
Dressing
Grooming

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Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

Medication Reminders
Meal Preparation
Pet Care
Prescription Refills

Morning Wake-Up
Walking
Reading

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Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Mary Edwards Mountain Property with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

Grocery Shopping
Transportation to Appointments
Nutritional Assistance
Conversation

Planning Outings
Completing Errands
Transportation to Community
Events and Social Outings

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Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local @ The Barn Restaurant or visit Granby Center Historic District, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

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Benefits of Home Care in North Granby, CT

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Age in Place

According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.

Peace of Mind

If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.

Socialization

Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.

Personalized Care Plan

No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in North Granby, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your CT's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.

Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in North Granby, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

Housekeeping
Laundry
Recreational Activities
Social Outings
Emergency Medical Response
Medication Monitoring
Family Visitation
Personal Care

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

MeadowBrook of Granby
Granby Senior Center
Stony Hill Village
McLean
Barkhamsted-Granby Group Homes
Salmon Brook Group Home

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in North Granby, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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WINTER STORM ASPEN: Here are the snowfall totals so far

(WFSB) - Winter Storm Aspen deposited quite a range of snow totals across the state.Channel 3′s meteorologists received reports of up to 14 inches in the northwest corner of the state and just a couple of inches in New Haven County.The jackpot town appears to be North Granby with 17 inches. Other places, such as Norfolk, reported a foot. Torrington appeared to receive 10 inches.Here’s a list from the National Weather Service:Litchfield CountyBarkhamsted 11″Canaan 9.5″...

(WFSB) - Winter Storm Aspen deposited quite a range of snow totals across the state.

Channel 3′s meteorologists received reports of up to 14 inches in the northwest corner of the state and just a couple of inches in New Haven County.

The jackpot town appears to be North Granby with 17 inches. Other places, such as Norfolk, reported a foot. Torrington appeared to receive 10 inches.

Here’s a list from the National Weather Service:

Litchfield County

Barkhamsted 11″

Canaan 9.5″

Colebrook 11.7″

Falls Village 14″

Harwinton 9.3″

New Hartford 9″

Norfolk 12″

Torrington 10″

Warren 9″

Winsted 9.5″

Hartford County

Avon 11″

Berlin 3″

Bristol 7″

Canton 9.5″

East Windsor 5.8″

Enfield 11″

Farmington 9″

Marlborough 3″

North Granby 17″

Simsbury 12.5″

Southington 4.2″

Suffield 7″

Wethersfield 5″

West Hartford 7″

Windsor 8.5″

Windsor Locks 8.2″

Tolland County

Andover 4″

Columbia 8.5″

Hebron 7″

Mansfield Center 4.5″

Somers 4.5″

Staffordville 8.4″

Tolland 6.0″

Windham County

Eastford 5.5″

Hampton 5″

Killingly 9″

Moosup 3.3″

Pomfret 9″

Woodstock 6″

Fairfield County

Bethel 2.5″

Bridgeport 3″

Newtown 1.9″

Norwalk 3″

Ridgefield 1.8″

Shelton 2.1″

Sherman 6″

Stratford 2″

Trumbull 1.3″

Middlesex County

Durham 3.2″

Middlefield 2.5″

Moodus 1.7″

Westbrook 0.8″

New Haven County

Cheshire 5″

Guilford 2.5″

Hamden 4″

Madison 0.7″

Meriden 3″

Middlebury 5″

Naugatuck 3″

North Haven 3″

Prospect 3.5″

Seymour 2.5″

Southbury 3″

Wallingford 2″

Waterbury 4.6″

Yalesville 3.5″

New London County

Niantic 0.5″

Norwich 2.7″

Old Lyme 0.3″

Preston 0.7″

Uncasville 0.5″

Waterford 0.8″

Keep tabs on the forecast with the technical discussion from Channel 3′s meteorologists here.

Download the WFSB News and Weather apps here.

North Granby Couple Wins the Red Corvette in Kent Library Raffle

KENT—That little red Corvette that was the prize in the Kent Memorial Library’s car raffle this year—it went to a lucky couple from North Granby.On Thursday morning at 10 a.m., Rudy Molho, vice president of the Kent Library Association and chairman of the raffle comittee, helped James and Kathy Haury complete the paperwork to take home their prize, the 2001 Corvette.Mr. Haury is a retired engineer, according to his wife, who said they have owned several sports cars over the past 40 years, and sold the last one...

KENT—That little red Corvette that was the prize in the Kent Memorial Library’s car raffle this year—it went to a lucky couple from North Granby.

On Thursday morning at 10 a.m., Rudy Molho, vice president of the Kent Library Association and chairman of the raffle comittee, helped James and Kathy Haury complete the paperwork to take home their prize, the 2001 Corvette.

Mr. Haury is a retired engineer, according to his wife, who said they have owned several sports cars over the past 40 years, and sold the last one a while ago. Now that they are retired, they have the time and space—an empty garage—to enjoy the new car, Mrs. Haury said.

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They were so excited, she added, that they were sending pictures of the car to “everyone.”

When it announced the Corvette as this year’s car for the annual raffle, the library said the classic 2001 sports car was in showroom condition, with just two owners and 60,000 on the odometer.

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“This is a magnificent car and we think it will generate tremendous enthusiasm,” said Ken Cooper, president of the Kent Library Association, which operates the library for the benefit of the town. “The annual car raffle is an important source of revenue for us and we think we may raise a record amount with this pristine vehicle. The minute our ‘car guys’ saw it they fell in love, and we think our raffle ticket buyers will, too.”

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The library printed 4,200 tickets for the raffle, which were sold for $20 each beginning in April.

The winning ticket was drawn Oct. 28 at the conclusion of the 36th Annual Kent Pumpkin Run.

The Haurys bought that winning ticket an an antique machinery festival at the Sloane-Stanley Museum in Kent. Mrs. Haury said they go to the festival every year.

According to the release the library issued in the spring, the 2001 C5 Corvette represented a major change from previous models. Featuring sleeker lines than earlier models, it was designed as a convertible, with a stronger frame and removable roof structure. The Borg-Warner T-56 six-speed transmission can propel the C5 to a top speed of 200 mph. The car has an EPA gas mileage range of 18/25 mpg; features an innovative electronic control drive-by-wire throttle; and variable-effort power steering that adjusts according to vehicle speed.

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With very strong, light weight components, the C5 was notable for matching or beating the 0-to-60 mph acceleration times of some of the world’s top sports cars, including the BMW Z8, Ferrari 360, and Porsche 911 Turbo, the release said. The standard transmission model is capable of accelerating 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The car features an innovative “head-up” control display that makes it possible for drivers to keep their eyes on the road while viewing critical performance information. The car originally sold for $41,475.

The library launched its annual car raffle eight years ago. Last year’s car was a 2000 Porsche Boxster, and the raffle has also featured classic vehicles such as a 1952 MG TD Roadster, 1953 MG, a 1931 Chevy coupe and a 1967 Jaguar XK-E coupe, along with sought-after cars such as a Prius hybrid and a Mini Cooper.

Proceeds go to support the library’s operating budget and make an important contribution, as the library is responsible for raising over 70 percent of its annual budget.

For more information on the library, see the Web site at kentmemoriallibrary.org.

Emery Farm Crafts Locally Made Maple Syrup

Over 20 years ago, Dave Emery tapped a few sugar maples in his yard on Day Street in Granby to make maple syrup with his children. Today he taps approximately 150 sugar maples on the family's 172 acre property on Loomis Street in North Granby.Each year when the season begins to shift and the daytime temperature begins to rise above freezing, a watery sap begins to fill the 150 buckets Dave has scattered across the Emery Farm property.It takes 40 gallons of raw sap from a mature sugar maple to make just one gallon of Grade A map...

Each year when the season begins to shift and the daytime temperature begins to rise above freezing, a watery sap begins to fill the 150 buckets Dave has scattered across the Emery Farm property.

It takes 40 gallons of raw sap from a mature sugar maple to make just one gallon of Grade A maple syrup. Grade A syrup is made from sap that is collected early in the season, before the minerals and other stored contents are released by the tree's root stores. Later in the season the syrup that is produced is consider dark amber, Dave explained.

Each tree, depending on size, will carry 1 or 2 taps at Emery Farm. The Emerys won't tap a tree that is less than 8 inches in diameter, nor will they over-tap a tree.

"Dave has a deal with the trees," Jenny said. He won't take more than the tree will give him from the taps he has so the tree will continue to have enough nutrition to continue to thrive.

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"It could be compared to giving blood," Dave explained. "Most people can give a little bit of blood on a regular basis and their body will produce more -- trees are the same way."

Farms that produce maple syrup on a large scale use plastic tubing to connect multiple taps on each tree. The tubes carry the sap to large collection containers. The Emery Farm operation is small and uses more traditional methods. Although historically, some farmers would cut a tree at its base and allow all the tree's sap stores to drain at once.

"That's a one-shot deal," Dave said. That was a time when people were also harvesting trees for wood in the northeast, he explained.

Dave and Jenny Emery will spend one and one half hours collecting the sap the morning after they've had a sap-producing day. They each carry two five-gallon buckets each from tree to tree, emptying the buckets on the trees into them. Next they carry the buckets back to their tractor and empty them into a 150 gallon container.

Once they've finished, the sap is taken to the sugar shack the Emerys built behind their home. The sap is fed through plastic tubing through a filter and then into a wood-fired evaporator. The evaporator has one large tank used to bring the raw sap to a boil.

Slowly, the heated sap is drained into a second heating tank where it is boiled down even further. Once it has reached a certain density, Dave transfers it to a large boiling pot and continues to boil it over a gas burner, giving him more control.

Once the syrup has reached the perfect density, Dave pours the boiling liquid through a double filter. Then the finished syrup is bottled, while still hot for sanitary reasons.

In a good year, Emery Farms will produce anywhere from 30 to 50 gallons of maple syrup.

"You're not going to make yourself wealthy beyond your wildest dreams, at least not off 150 taps."

If you care to try some locally made maple syrup, you can swing by Emery Farms. If you're lucky, they might have some syrup ready to sell by mid-March. But like anything agricultural, the weather has to cooperate first.

"Usually by March, mid-March, I've collected enough, bottled enough to open the store," Dave said.

"If the window is open, we're open. If the window's not open, we're not open," he said. "That's pretty much how it goes."

If Emery Farm gets tapped out, here's some other local spots we've found for maple syrup:

If you know of any local businesses offering the same locally-made goods featured on Made In The Granbys that we've missed, email [email protected].

McLean Hospice Holds Volunteer Recognition Event

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Community CornerNeighborOn Tuesday, July 10th, McLean Hospice held its 2011 Volunteer Recognition Picnic to honor the work provided by their more than 60 Hospice volunteers. The event was graciously hosted at the North Granby home of Kathy and Nelson Toussaint, incredible hosts for the second year in a row!Debra Oake...

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Neighbor

On Tuesday, July 10th, McLean Hospice held its 2011 Volunteer Recognition Picnic to honor the work provided by their more than 60 Hospice volunteers. The event was graciously hosted at the North Granby home of Kathy and Nelson Toussaint, incredible hosts for the second year in a row!

Debra Oakes, Director of McLean Hospice, shared with everyone present the important role that volunteering plays in Hospice. She expressed great appreciation for volunteers being the “heart” of hospice and for their great contributions to the program’s success. Debra related that Hospice volunteers contributed an extraordinary 3,000 volunteer hours in 2011, at a value of more than $83,000!

Oakes explained that while this cost savings was very important, the most important contribution that hospice volunteers made was in their connection to patients and their families and the comfort and enhanced quality of life this connection created.

Pat Adams, Administrator of Home Care & Hospice, reiterated that the volunteers’ contributions were an incredible value to the agency, and agreed with Debra's assessment of the “invaluable” & "intangible" contributions to overall patient and family well-being. She expressed appreciation to the volunteers on behalf of McLean’s senior management and the Board of Trustees. Also present to support the volunteers was Dr. Kevin Baran, McLean Hospice Medical Director, and many staff members.

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Lori Scudder, McLean Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, spoke of the industry studies on longevity of volunteers. She reported that nationally the average length of time a volunteer remains active in any type of not for profit program is 2 1/2 to 3 years. She proudly reported that many Mclean Hospice volunteers have remained actively committed to hospice well beyond the national averages.

She explained some eligibility rules for "volunteers of the year" category. If a volunteer wins a volunteer of the year award, he/she becomes ineligible for that award for three years and serves on the subsequent years' nomination and evaluation committees. Also, to win an award, the volunteer must still be active. This year, Lori was assisted in evaluation and selection by last year's winners, Jerri Pease, Wendy John and Sylvia Peterson. There were several deserving volunteers in contention for the Volunteer of the Year award, making for an interactive selection process amongst the committee.

Finally Lori provided awards to individual volunteers for their contributions.

Two Years of Service pins were given to - Linda Arnold, Jane Erie, Alex Kopper, George Lynch, Kathy Mock, Marilee Porter, Stoddard Reynolds, Kathye Toussaint, Stan Walczewski, Taffy Wilcox.

Three years pins were given to – PK Allen, Jennifer Barrows, Kim Doan, Joan Hofmann, Wendy John, Amee Mody, Sylvia Peterson, Elizabeth Scheidel, Jo O'Leary, Judy Piney, and Patty Tisdall.

Greater than 5 Years of Service Lucian Cascio and Dolores Wolff.

“You Make a Difference Awards” – were bestowed upon volunteers who contributed more than 100 hours of service during the year. Being recognized were: PK Allen, Linda Arnold, Barbara Ault, Marilyn Douglas, Wendy John, George Lynch, Patricia Joy, Jerri Pease, Marilee Porter, Stoddard Reynolds, Kathye Toussaint, Stan Walczewski and Taffy Wilcox.

Finally McLean Hospice’s two Volunteers of the Year were honored. Lucian Cascio, of Granby, was honored for his steadfast administrative support in 2011. Taffy Wilcox, of Avon, was honored for her patient care work including, contributing over 100 hours of care, supporting patients with pet therapy interventions, and chairing the McLean Hospice Holiday gift project, which created and distributed comfort gift bags to 60 Hospice families.

North Granby's Fiddlehead Farm to Host Open Farm Day

Visitors on May 6 get a chance to meet, among other things, Golden Retriever puppies, baby goats and Starbuck the Wonder Pony.North Granby’s Fiddlehead Farm is so beautiful that it’s motto - “Fiddlehead Farm a.k.a. Heaven” - is only slightly hyperbolic.Indeed, the rustic, hilly farm features a breathtaking, majestic view to go along with its myriad attractions, which include many animals young and old, an antique shop and a year-round room in the barn loft that is perfect for hosting small music concer...

Visitors on May 6 get a chance to meet, among other things, Golden Retriever puppies, baby goats and Starbuck the Wonder Pony.

North Granby’s Fiddlehead Farm is so beautiful that it’s motto - “Fiddlehead Farm a.k.a. Heaven” - is only slightly hyperbolic.

Indeed, the rustic, hilly farm features a breathtaking, majestic view to go along with its myriad attractions, which include many animals young and old, an antique shop and a year-round room in the barn loft that is perfect for hosting small music concerts that double as fundraisers.

“We have had hootenannies, drum circles and dance workshops, and we donate funds raised at these events to Heifer International,” said farm owner Louisa Mayock, noting that Heifer International donates farm animals to Third World countries so that citizens can learn to raise and tend to livestock.

The concerts have attracted some pretty big names, including Jay Unger and Molly Mason, who have been responsible for the music in Ken Burns’ documentaries. Unger and Mason played at Fiddlehead last week, according to Mayock.

The farm also hosts birthday parties, reunions, church festivals and educational programs, Mayock said. There is also Fiddlehead Farm Camp, now in its seventh year, during which groups of four to six children for one week meet from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and take advantage of all the things the farm has to offer.

“We start off by meeting at the small fish pond and catch fish and frogs, then we feed the chickens, collect eggs, work in the garden, go on nature walks, pick berries, and play with the puppies and the baby goats,” Mayock said. “We like to get dirty.”

To further promote Fiddlehead, Mayock is hosting the farm’s first-ever Open Farm Day from 12 to 3 p.m. on May 6, during which visitors can, among other things, visit Starbuck the Wonder Pony (Mayock: “Every kid from here to Alaska knows him!”), see the Golden Retriever puppies, look at the newborn kids (baby goats, that is), as well as tour the property.

“Fiddlehead Farm is truly a magical place,” Mayock said.

For more information on the farm, which is located at 74R Silkey Road in North Granby, visit its website here.

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Visitors on May 6 get a chance to meet, among other things, Golden Retriever puppies, baby goats and Starbuck the Wonder Pony.

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