Allyn Runs Again, 'Survivor' Tryouts, In Memoriam

The week began with an announcement from Mayor Fred B. Allyn Jr. that he would seek re-election. The news came the same day the Republican Town Committee met and began turning its thoughts toward a slate of potential candidates. As always, Ledyard loves its politics. Should be an interesting year.  

Also at the RTC meeting, state Rep. Tom Reynolds stopped by and gave Republicans an update on the current legislative session. Members gave Reynolds a friendly reception, grilling and all. 

Tragedy struck the Ledyard Middle School community when seventh-grader David Isbell died on March 11. He was remembered at at funeral service at St. Andrew's Church on Wednesday.

In honor of David, our Moms Chat took a break from discipline strategies this week and just focused on fun things to do with our kids. Columnist Andrea McKenzie wrote about standardized tests and why she (and almost everyone else) hates them.

The Irish cooks were out in force this week. There was an new recipe for an old favorite, and a profile of Hanafin's chef Tim Mueller. Chef O'Mueller? (As we know, everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day.)

The "Survivor" tryouts at Foxwoods this week was just loads of fun. Contestants included Ledyard's Chris Calhoun and three members of the Ledyard Police Department. One of them even made it into the video.

Elsewhere, Ledyard police were kept busy this week with high-speed chases, and also accidents, DUIs and larcenies.

Patch writer Keleigh Baretincic put on her gym clothes this week and rocked out for an hour at the Jazzercise class at Ledyard Senior Center.

With all the discussion about the municipal budget it came to light that the Ledyard Ambulance Association's staffing leaves something to be desired. Stay tuned for an update on that. Also, as part of that discussion, the possible conversion of three schools at Gales Ferry to gas heat was raised.

We ran two Viewfinders this week. One was a bit bleak, in keeping with the week's news. Fortunately, Mrs. Ambrosch's third-grade class gave us another chance to put a brighter face on things.

It was a long week, and a difficult one for many. As with our Viewfinders, I have been impressed by how so many sought to take a sad situation and make it better. Matt Buriak would have turned 18 on St. Patrick's Day. His friends and loved ones remembered him in several ways, but especially with a dodge ball tournament fund-raiser to support a scholarship in his memory. We didn't cover it, but Kerri Charette did on her Facebook page. 

It's really feeling like spring today.