Simply Ledyard CT

Little Bites of Ledyard is a compilation of Ledyard news, events and items of interest in the Ledyard Community. Not enough for a blog post but just a bite!

ATTENTION all Community Organizations and Non profit groups based in Ledyard and Gales Ferry:  The Ledyard Farmers Market will be hosting a Community Night on Wednesday, Sept. 14 during regular Market hours, 4PM-6:30PM. If your group would like to be included, go HERE and click on the Community Organizations link. Click on the link for the application, print out and mail to Ledyard Farmers Market Assoc. PO Box 334, Ledyard, CT 06339. Deadline for application submission is August 24. There is no cost to organizations.

Speaking of the Ledyard Farmers Market, Munchies will be back tomorrow as well as some old and new friends. You can read it all HERE.

Before you ask, “What is that low flying helicopter?” Eversource is conducting an aerial patrol of vegetation on transmission lines throughout the state. Ledyard is one of the towns being patrolled.
DATES INCLUDED: August 17, 2016 through August 26, 2016

DESCRIPTION OF AIRCRAFT: Blue & Gray Helicopter, Tail # N1431W & Blue & White Helicopter, Tail ‪#‎N411DD‬.
FLIGHT TIMES: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., weather permitting.
CONTACT INFO: Contact Matthew Colebrook at 860-368-9795 or [email protected]

There are plenty of ways to help the Ledyard Food Pantry including donating clean and unoened toiletry items from hotels.  We make cute little gift baskets with them! You can drop yours off at the food pantry which is opened Tues, Thurs, Sat 9-11 and Thurs 5-7. Or at the donation box in the hallway at Gales Ferry Landing behind CVS.

Cub Scout Pack 12 Gales Ferry will be holding a food drive for the Ledyard Pantry in front of Ledyard Village Market on July 23rd from 9am-1PM. As I mentioned in a previous post,  the use of food pantries increase during the summer and the number of donations decrease. These mini-drives will keep the pantry stocked until the big “Scouting for Food” drive in November.

Want to see hundreds of vintage classic cars? Want to win some great raffle prizes? Saturday July 23 10:00AM to 2:00PM at the Ledyard Fairgrounds. Over 250 show cars are expected at this Community Event. * Free Parking for Spectators * Great Food& Beverages *Live Music DJ * Tea Cup Raffle Prizes *Check Out the Prize Table *Free Admission *50/50 Raffle Drawing *More Trophies
*Covered Pavilion with Seating All proceeds fund the Ledyard Rotary Community Service. Scholarships & Ledyard Rotary Foundation. In the event of a Rain-Out on 7/23 , this Cruise will be held Saturday 7/30. For more information go to http://www.ledyardrotary.org/ or call 860-460-2287

ATTENTION all Community Organizations and Non profit groups based in Ledyard and Gales Ferry: The Ledyard Farmers Market will be hosting a Community Night on Wednesday, Sept. 14 during the Ledyard Farmers Market hours, 4PM-6:30PM. If your group would like to be included, go to The Ledyard Farmers Market Website and click on the Community Organizations link. Click on the link for the application, print out and mail to Ledyard Farmers Market Assoc. PO Box 334, Ledyard, CT 06339. Deadline for application submission is August 24.

Bands needed for Battle of the Bands. This is a fundraiser for Ledyard Education Advancement Foundation (LEAF), co-sponsored by LEAF, Ledyard Parks & Recreation and Ledyard Police Union. Date for Battle of the Bands will be Monday, August 8, 2016 (rain date August 15, 2016) at 6:30 pm at Holdridge Pavilion (by Ledyard Center School). Cash prize for best band is $600. If your band is interested in participating, please contact Naomi Rodriguez at (860) 464-2003, [email protected] or Don Grise at (860) 464-9112, [email protected].

It was nice of the weather to cooperate last week and give us a break from the heat. It turned out to be a wonderful day at the Market. There will be lots or fresh eggs and locally ground cornmeal this week. Can you guess which vendor will be there with these goodies? Glad to see you back, Davis Farms.

Hidden Brook Gardens has had some beautiful pattypan squash recently. Here is a recipe that will make good use of them.

Have you tried cornmeal pancakes? How about covered with raspberry syrup? You can pick up all of the main ingredients you need from Davis Farms and Upper Pond Farm to make this middle of the week supper.

The market is held every Wednesday on the Ledyard Fair Grounds in Ledyard Center on RT 117.  If you are a Facebook Member, the links below will take you to the vendor Facebook Pages. Click on the links and give them a "like". Their pages are a great place to read market updates.

Stonewall Apiary, LLC
Connecticut Gourmet
Secchiaroli Farm
18th Century Purity Farm
Marks’ Woodworks
Anastasia’s Coffee
Davis Farms
Dragon’s Blood Elixir
Meadow Stone Farm
Breads ‘N’ Cookies
Sweet Country Roads, LLC
Hidden Brook Gardens, LLC
Shepherd’s Harvest
Bluebird Garden Design
Zest Fresh Pastry, LLC
Upper Pond Farm 

Rolling Tomato will be there for dinner to carry out or eat at the Market at on of the many picnic tables under the Holdridge Pavilion.

And this week special guest vendors:

Preston Ridge Vineyard
Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm
Thames River Quilt Guild
Biittersweet Gardens

It was another beautiful day at the Market last week. The threatened rain held off and the Market was enjoyed by another large crowd. Everyone was delighted by the musical stylings of Ken Atkins and the Honky Tonk Kind. Hopefully they will be back sometime.

Have you thought about changing up the look of your yard? Is your curb appeal a little drab? Stop by and talk to Alyssa at Bluebird Garden Design. She will help you get your existing yard looking better or reshape your yard into the masterpiece you've always longed for.

The market is held every Wednesday on the Ledyard Fair Grounds in Ledyard Center between the School and the Library on RT 117.  If you are a Facebook Member, the links below will take you to the vendor Facebook Pages. Click on the links and give them a “like”. Their pages are a great place to read market updates.

Check out this week's vendors:

Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm will be back this week with lots of fresh cuts of turkey and chicken. Have you tried their homemade turkey salad? So delicious!

Mark's Woodworks is offering a 10% discount on purchases this week to all active military. Just show your ID when making your purchase.

This week at the Market we have our usual full time vendors:

Stonewall Apiary, LLC
Connecticut Gourmet
Secchiaroli Farm
18th Century Purity Farm
Marks’ Woodworks
Anastasia’s Coffee
Dragon’s Blood Elixir
Meadow Stone Farm
Breads ‘N’ Cookies
Sweet Country Roads, LLC
Hidden Brook Gardens, LLC
Shepherd’s Harvest
Bluebird Garden Design
Zest Fresh Pastry, LLC

Along with the following guest vendors:
Upper Pond Farm
Farm to Gold Ghee
Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm
Broad Brook Maple Syrup
Bittersweet Garden at Cabin Creek Farm

Rolling Tomato will be there for dinner to carry out or eat at the Market on one of the many picnic tables under the Holdridge Pavillion. Entertainment this week is provided by Smart
Play.

What a great day at the Market last week. It was the biggest turnout of the year and this week should be even better. This is the time to stock up for those Fourth of July cookouts and parties. The fresh veggies are coming on in ever increasing numbers and will only be more plentiful as the summer rolls along.

The market is held every Wednesday on the Ledyard Fair Grounds in Ledyard Center between the School and the Library on RT 117.  If you are a Facebook Member, the links below will take you to the vendor Facebook Pages. Click on the links and give them a “like”. Their pages are a great place to read market updates.

Check out this week's vendors:

Hidden Brook Gardens will have lots of fresh cabbage this week. How should you prepare this great early summer brassica? How about Fried Cabbage and Bacon with Onion? 

Everyone knows the honey from Stonewall Apiary is delicious but did you know there are lots of other uses for honey? Check out these uses and you will know that honey is truly one of the healthiest foods.

This week at the Market we have our usual full time vendors:

Stonewall Apiary
Connecticut Gourmet
Flatland Alpacas
Secchiaroli Farm
18th Century Purity Farm
Marks’ Woodworks
Anastasia’s Coffee
Dragon’s Blood Elixir
Meadow Stone Farm
Breads ‘N’ Cookies
Sweet Country Roads, LLC
Hidden Brook Gardens, LLC
Shepherd’s Harvest
Bluebird Garden Design
Zest Fresh Pastry, LLC
Along with the following guest vendors:
Upper Pond Farm
Colleens Dichroic Jewelry
The Potters Circle
Right Path Organic Café
Kettlepot Soap
Stephanie Morton, Handweaver
Bittersweet Floral

Rolling Tomato will be there for dinner at the Market, or carry out and Ken Atkins and Paul Davis will be on hand to provide musical entertainment while you're shopping. 

The weather looks wonderful for this weeks Ledyard Farmers’ Market.  Strawberries were plentiful last week as well as local food and handcrafted items. As we move into the growing season, it just keeps getting better.

The market is held every Wednesday on the Ledyard Fair Grounds in Ledyard Center between the School and the Library on RT 117.  If you are a Facebook Member, the links below will take you to the vendor Facebook Pages. Click on the links and give them a “like”. Their pages are a great place to read market updates.

Check out this week's vendors:

The Rolling Tomato.com
Sweet Country Roads
Stonewall Apiary
Secchiaroli Farm
Dragon's Blood Elixir
Zest
Hidden Brook Gardens, LLC
Connecticut Gourmet
Mark's Woodworks
Davis Farm
Anastasia's Coffee
Bluebird Garden Design
18th Century Purity Farms
Shepherd's Harvest, LLC
Meadow Stone Farm
Flatland Alpacas at StandingStone Farm
Breads N' Cookies, LLC
local author, Cassia Taylor
Upper Pond Farm
Munchies Food Truck

Straight from the Ledyard Farmers Market: 

Oooh, the countdown is ON! The Ledyard Winter Farmers Market opens in just a week--this upcoming Saturday join us from 11-1 at Gales Ferry Landing (7 Hurlbutt Road, directly behind the CVS on Route 12) for Opening Day of our winter season! Check out this amazing list of vendors to see what you have to look forward to!

Anastasia's Coffee - freshly brewed coffee and beans
Sage Hill Farm Florals - Wreaths and floral arrangements
Stonewall Apiary - local, amazing honey and beeswax products
Lucky Girl Bakery - scratch made pies and confections
Colleen's Dichroic Jewelry - gorgeous glass jewelry
Buttercup Farm - raw milk
Hidden Brook Gardens, LLC - produce and preserves
Breads N' Cookies, LLC - cookies, sweet breads and lovely loaves
Aries Crossing - lamb (you'll be able to reserve cuts for the holidays!)
Mark's Woodworks - hardwood cutting boards and kitchenware
Zest - sweet and savory baked goods
Meadow Stone Farm - European style cheeses
Touchstone Pantry - delicious, unique garden to jar canned goods
Secchiaroli Farm - local, all natural pork
Charter Oak Scanning - media conversion
Oak Leaf Dairy - goat cheese, caramel, and goat milk soap

Be sure to join the market's email newsletter list! Twelve weekly vendors, and a mix of FIVE guest vendor spots EACH WEEK! There will be lots of variety and always a reason for you to stop by and visit every Saturday! http://ledyardfarmersmarket.us10.list-manage2.com/subscri..

Little Bites of Ledyard is my gathering place for events, news items and even an occasional opinion about anything Ledyard.

Wednesday in Ledyard is my favorite day of the week.  Here is the link to everything you need to know about this week’s Ledyard Farmers’ Market.  Sign up for your own copy of the market newsletter HERE.

Also on Wednesday, The Ledyard Town Council has set a Public Hearing at 6:30PM in the Council Chambers to receive comments and recommendations regarding a proposed "Ordinance Creating a Town of Ledyard Police Department". You will find all the information under new business at this LINK.

The Ledyard Historical Society has a wonderful collection of old photos of Ledyard in their Online Photo Galleries.

Due to an increase in need, the food pantry is getting low on certain supplies. They need more cereal, peanut butter, jelly, canned fruit, quick oats, sugar, kids snacks, coffee, tea, condiments, spaghetti-o’s and such in a can, baked beans, rice, tuna, macaroni and cheese and toiletries (tooth paste, soap, shampoo, conditioner etc.) With your generosity of these specific items as well as supplies from Gemma Moran, this should get us to the major food drive by the boy scouts later this year. (Drop off anytime at Ledyard Social Services - lower level Town Hall or to Mark in the Mayor's Office)

Ledyard Children’s Day will be held this year on Saturday, September 26th at Colonel Ledyard Park from 1:00-3:00PM. The afternoon offers a Moonwalk, Crafts, Pumpkin Painting, Entertainment and food. This free event is sponsored by the Ledyard Parks and Recreation Department and the Ledyard Lion's Club.

My opinion:  I love social media. Ledyard has many groups including the one I administer. As an administrator, I feel an obligation to correct or delete information that is inaccurate. I wish there was a fact check button built into Facebook. 

Little Bites of Ledyard is my gathering place for events, news items and even an occasional opinion about anything Ledyard.

Wednesday in Ledyard is my favorite day of the week.  Here is the link to everything you need to know about this week’s Ledyard Farmers’ Market.  Sign up for your own copy of the market newsletter HERE.

The Ledyard Regional VNA will be conducting a flu clinic on September 30, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Ledyard Senior Center. Medicare Part B, Blue Cross Accepted; All others $20. Please Bring Your Medicare or Blue Cross card and wear short sleeves. No appointment is necessary. Ages 18 years and up.

The Ledyard Town Council has set a Public Hearing date for September 23, 2015 at 6:30PM in the Council Chambers to receive comments and recommendations regarding a proposed "Ordinance Creating a Town of Ledyard Police Department". You will find all the information under new business at this LINK.

Cub scouts is open to all boys in grades 1-5. If you think you might be interested or have questions, stop by this informal informational session beginning at 6:00PM on the evening of September 16th at both Gallup Hill School and Ledyard Center School. . Stay for a minute or until the end. There will be a short activity the kids can do while the adults chat. Boys in grades 6-12 can join Boy Scouts.

The 70th running of the Ledyard Fair has come and gone. Kudo’s to the volunteers who work tirelessly year round to ensure a safe and fun environment. I hope next year the committee will reconsider their decision to put some community groups in isolated locations.  Seeing Henna Tattoos and a Tarot Card Reader in two of the best locations on the Fair Grounds was a little discouraging and certainly didn’t demonstrate what the Town of Ledyard offers.

Little Bites of Ledyard is my gathering place for events, news items and even an occasional opinion about anything Ledyard.

Wednesday in Ledyard is my favorite day of the week and this week Munchies will be back!  Here is the link to everything you need to know about this week’s Ledyard Farmers’ Market including a cook book swap! Sign up for your own copy of the market newsletter HERE.

Were the Gypsy Moth Caterpillars this summer a preview of things to come?  State Representative Mike France will be hosting a Gypsy Moth seminar with Dr. Kilby Stafford, Chief Entomologist of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, to share information on the potential for gypsy moth infestation in 2016 in Ledyard and what steps residents can take to minimize the impact. This session will be held this Thursday from 6:00PM - 7:00PM at the Ledyard Senior Center in Gales Ferry.

The Ledyard Republican Town Committee’s Annual Meet the Candidates Steak-Out will be held on August 29th from 4:00PM - 7:00PM at Colonel Ledyard Park on Blonder Park Road.
Besides our Board of Education, Town Council and Mayoral candidate, we have several special guests. 2014 Republican nominee for Lt. Governor and Former Mayor of the Town of Groton Heather Somers will be a speaker. Also attending will be Newly elected Republican State Party Chairman, J.R. Romano and State Representative Mike France. Other local elected officials will be in attendance including the State's youngest representative, 20 year old Aundre Bumgardner who represents Groton and New London.

Have you taken any photos as summer winds down? Share them with The Day! Email your best shots by Aug. 31 to[email protected] with "end of summer" in the subject line. The Day also will post a gallery on theday.com!

Just a reminder that THIS week is recycle week and Ledyard’s trash carrier picks up every other week.  It seems that some people haven’t gotten the message quite yet.