Robin Williams in Waterford; Two Sets of Layoffs

This was the classic potpourri of weeks, with a little bit of news from a lot of different places. But no story was as well read or brought as much attention as famous comedian Robin Williams appearing in Waterford.

Williams came Sunday to a fundraising brunch on Niantic River Road to help out Glenn Landers, an East Lyme man who in July fell on a trampoline awkwardly and broke his neck, forever changing his life. Williams appearance helped in a big way, as the event raised more than $30,000 for Landers’ recovery.

On Monday and Tuesday, Patch ran back-to-back business profiles on two emerging small businesses. The latter was about Frogeez, a frozen yogurt shop built by a Griswold man. The first Frogeez opened in Groton in March and has already drawn a strong following, and the second opened Monday in the Crystal Mall, just in time for the holiday season.

Our Monday business profile was about perhaps the most unique business Patch has ever profiled. The name of the company is “Apparel of Honor,” and basically two women – one being from Waterford - have created a line of tee shirts to honor veterans. Their goal is not just to make money, but also to let veterans know that they are appreciated.

On Thursday two stories broke, neither of which were particularly good. The first was that Lawrence + Memorial Hospital laid off 22 workers as they face a budget deficit. That was followed by news on Friday that Hostess was closing its store in Montville and laying off its entire workforce as the company has gone bankrupt. The second Thursday news piece was how the Waterford Police Department caught two males who robbed a Quaker Hill Henny Penny in October, with one of the two a 16-year-old juvenile.

And then there was all the news that filled out the week. Like how New London is building a pump station in Waterford to serve East Lyme, which might increase the cost of water for all three towns. Or how First Selectman Dan Steward believes Superstorm Sandy will impact Waterford financially. Or how Connecticut’s state budget is getting bigger. Or how the Waterford Police Department is searching for an alleged serial shoplifter. Or how you can spend more than $80 million on something, and still not get it.

O right, and then there was that fear that the so called “fiscal cliff” would send Connecticut into a spiraling depression…