Mark Your Calendar
Celebrate Stratford’s First Pollinator Week from June 20th to June 26th, and on Saturday at the Judson House Historic Gardens gather and meet in the Judson House Historic Gardens June 25th at 2 p.m. for the first meeting of the newly formed Garden Club as well as informational talks on pollinator gardens.
The Hudson Shakespeare Company (HSC) will return to the Stratford Library on Saturday, June 25th at 2 p.m. for its live, in-person production of the classic drama “Hamlet” in the Library’s scenic courtyard located in the rear of the library building off the Baldwin Center parking lot. Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to spread and to keep socially distant. In the event of inclement weather, the play will be presented in the Library’s air-conditioned Lovell Room.
Paradise Green Farmer’s Market Back Better Than Ever!!
Every Monday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Connecticut Grown and Made
Monday Matinee at Stratford Library Monday June 27th
The Stratford Library’s popular “Monday Matinees” series has rescheduled its showing of recent Oscar winner, “The Power of the Dog”. The critically acclaimed film, special for “Pride Month” at the Library, was originally scheduled for earlier in June but hit technical difficulties. The film, which stars Benedict Cumberbatch in an Oscar-nominated performance, will now be shown at the Stratford Library on Monday, June 27th at noon. It is rated R and runs 127 minutes. Movies in the “Monday Matinees” series are shown uncut on widescreen in the Stratford Library’s Lovell Room.
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as a cruel cowboy with a dark secret in Oscar winner Jane Campion’s critically acclaimed film also starring Kirsten Dunst and Kodi Smit-McPhee. R, 127 minutes. For information call: 203.385.4162
Readers Theatre Summer Showcase 2022, Stratford Library and Square One Theatre Company, Duncan Macmillan’s perceptive two-hander, “Lungs” is set for Wednesday, June 29th beginning at 7 p.m. in the Lovell Room.
The Stratford Library, 2203 Main Street in Stratford, CT will be closed on Monday, July 4th, 2022 in observance of Independence Day. The library will reopen on Tuesday, July 5th at 10 am. Current library hours are: Monday – Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm and Friday & Saturday: 10-5 p.m. For further Library information, call 203.385.4161 or visit its website at: www.stratfordlibrary.org.
Make Music Day Stratford
Weather Overcast – Rain Drops – Did not stop people from coming out to celebrate the Summer Solstice.
Good music, plenty of food options, and crafts!
Be Recognized As A Reading Champion
Mayor’s Reading Champion Program Returns
Stratford youth ages 0-12 are invited to commit to Mayor Laura R. Hoydick’s 2022 Mayor’s Reading Champion program. Participants are asked to read at least 8 books this summer. The program concludes with a celebratory reception on Wednesday, August 10th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on the grounds of the historic Perry House.
At the reception, participants will receive a certificate of completion and the opportunity for a photo-op with Mayor Hoydick. Roaming entertainers will be on hand and individually wrapped ice cream sundaes will be served by Goody Bassett’s Ice Cream. Distribution of goody bags and a free book from the library will round out the event.
The program returns for its ninth year. In the past, nearly 1,900 students have read over 15,200 books to complete the challenge. The Office of the Mayor and the Stratford Library, in partnership with Stratford public and private schools, sponsor the program. The Stratford Library’s Children’s Department has visited Stratford Public Schools encouraging students to participate in the challenge.
“I am pleased to encourage summer reading in Stratford’s youth”, said Mayor Hoydick. “The importance of raising a community of readers is vital to the growth of our youngest constituents. I look forward to celebrating our Reading Challenge winners in August. Keep reading this summer!”
To register for the event, please visit https://www.stratfordct.gov/champions.
Congratulations’ to Stratford High School Class of 2022 Graduates
Jacari Jaleal Kordell Abdulbasir , Alyssa Maya Abraham , Samuel Francisco Aca-Tecuanhuehue , Hunter D’Sean Adams , Emma Afrah Tutu , Amira Agbere , Mohammed Diab Agha , Nathan Akinola , Zachary Mark Anderson , Jerimy Luis Anzo , Ka’leah Archie , Christian Daniel Arias , Amariah Lael Armstrong , Ashley Denocay Artwell , Jaylisse Avila , Justin Daniel Baires Morales , Alexis Jolie Barada , Caitlynn Georgina Barrett , Darvin Alverony Barrios , Edwin Edilsar Barrios Jr. , Javier Alberto Bedoya , Zachary Peter Bellantoni , Patrick Tajay Bennett , Erica Isoke Bentley , William James Bileca , Desmond Lamar Billups Jr. , Adrian Paul Dalmao Blanco , Benjamin Ayodele Branyan , Deron Daviyon Brooks , Tavon Mario Campos , Geovanny Candelario , Dominick Capomolla , Alyssa Lynn Caramanica , Julie Anne Carbone , Edwin Adolfo Carcamo , Alan Rodolfo Carias Andrade , Andrew James Carmody , Quinn Francis Carmona , Barrett Matthew Caseria , Benjamin Logan Casinelli , Jayden Pacheco Castro , Kevin Joel Castro , Christopher Nick Canthinith , Malachi Christy , Isabelle Rose Cola , Julian Roberto Collazo , Erin Kate Collier , Madeline Shu Yun Coppola , Jamie Lynn Corpuz , Matthew Silva Coutinho , Ylana Maxine Cummings , Janiya Amani Dash , J’zhuan Nazir Davis , Vincent Robert DeLorenzo , Rebecca Maria DePietro , Alyssa Jean Diaz , Misaell David Diaz , Serenity Marie Dicks , Elijah Amari Diggins , Alexia Jade Distasio , Ricky Dominguez , Nina Grace Donnelly , Carolane Dorival , Waemar St. Ivan Duffus , Danielle Dumond , James Omar Edwards , Lyanelis Estrada Veldiza , Hanna Pearl Feenstra , Ryan Charles Fernandes , Michael Anthony Ferrante , Anna Katy Flockhart , Jose Floran ll , Justin John Forisz , Phillip Mathias Francis , Jason Terrell Fulcher , Tamyia Tyanna Fuller , Louis Alexander Gabriel , Melanie Grace Gagne , Aiyana Gallimore-Robinson , Bianca Giulia Bragança Gama , Enoch Andre Glaudin , Jayson Alexander Gonzalez , Zaia Marie Gonzalez , Josiah William Gordon , Rudy O. Gramajo Jr. , Akeyla Davea Grant , Anthony Michael Griffin , Rachel Morgan Gripp , Ryan Davis Harvin , Isaiah Nathaniel Haynes , Kadia Catreese Heath Charles , Leila Mailani Hensley , Jayla Hernandez , Maria Elena Hernandez , Jahnyah Yvonne Aethiopia Howell , Ivan Humes , Benjamin Hur , Allison Kelley Ingersoll , Jayme Patricia Iodice , Hayley Jana Ivanko , Sy’Air Dajhan James , Darrell Eric Jamison , Kevin Josue Jaramillo Cortez , Thalis Yago de Sa Jardim , Marco Paul Jasso , Lucas Gabriel Jenkins , Sanaa Michelle Jerry , Christopher Youben Jeudy , Seth Samuel Jimenez , Breona Johnson , Zachary Peter Johnson , Sheila Margaret Jones , River Jordan Kaleo , Skyler Jerlene Kelemen , Ron Kevin Joseph Kerkes , John Patrick Kiely , Jayquan Bryant Kirkland , Bradford Richard Knorr , Michael Philip Koda II , Joshua Andrew Kydes , MaKayla Marie Laing , Hannah Nicole Lamour , Michael Monroe Langston , Andrew Kamir Rodney-Lattimore , Jaden Elijah Lazaro , Hunter David Lemay , Emily Patricia Libowitz , Kikkio Jacqueline Lindsey , Anaya Solange Loiseau , Rene Jovanni Lozada III , Ian James Lubas , Juliette Noelle Macisco , Ryan Nicholas Mahoney , Andrew Maldonado , Djibril Mangane , Judith Angel Marrero , Cristina Martinez , John Albert Lima Martins , Krystina Janaè Mason , Nialah Gen’vieve McCalla , Clifford Joseph-Michael McClain , Joshua David McDowell , Olivia Grace McEwen , Maachi Jewel Jahson McKenzie , Briana Marie Medina , Lelia Grace Mellen , Natalie Marjorie Melo , Samiya Catherine Menz-Torres , Benjamin Jackson Miller , Mylah Laura Milligan , Maleek Tanj Morales , Mark Emanuel Nadhazi , Alicia Rosibel Najarro Rodriguez , Shafe Nasir , Killian Emily Navara , Christina Amani Nelson , David Nerio , Leon Duc Nguyen , Morgan Thi Nguyen , Tucker Lee Nightingale , Amanda Eileen Ogrodowicz , Lucy Claire Olbrys , Elmer Alexander Oliva , Michael Olivencia Jr. , Aidan Scott Ormsbee , Natalie Elizabeth Orris , Emily Louise Ortega , Anthony Carlos Ortiz , Jakob Michael Overby , Juan Sebastian Palacios Castillo , Tashira Latrice Parker , Willie Parker lll , Jaden Perez , Karla Perez Fundora , Jordan Robert Perry , Leticia Halie Peve , Andy Pham , Alyssa Renee Ponganis , Alyssa Victoria Poremba , Noah Jacob Quinn , Kayla Briana Quirk , Brendan Kyle Ramsdell , Jack Thomas Reilly , Keith Michael Rich , Jonathan Santos Rivera-Sinsabaugh , Shaquon Maurice Robinson Jr. , Tyler O’Neil Robinson , Desiree Marisol Rodriguez , Ayanna Saavedra Rodriguez , Mia-Sky Rojas , Angel Alan Roman Rosas , Jeffrey Leiss Romatzick Jr. , Amaris Rosa , Francisco Rosas , Owen Tyler Ryder , Frank Saad II , Marie Therese Sajaw , Karen Elizabeth Saldivar , Sara Rose Salerno , Eddy Sanchez , Niari Anahy Sanchez , Christasia Elain Santiago , Jenna Marie Sargent , Joshua Jerusha Saunders , Sara Nicole Schmidt , Kenny Jacques Senat , Adam James Shaham , Omar Sheriff Sharadge Jr. , Riley Linnea Shea , Evita Jane Shein , Sarah Rimma Shein , Jasmine Noel Shepard , Zakary Benjamin Simon , Heavenly Raya Sistrunk , Connor Maximillian-Henry Sixto , Kendall Rose Smith , Malik Roldan Smith , Alicia Nichole Snape , Aiden Christopher Snyder , Emily Ann Spellman , Sage Olivia Sperling , Nilaya Ceclia Strachan , Vincent Michael Suarez , Aidan Connor Sullivan , Benjamin Edward Summa , Julianna Rose Taccogna , Isabella Terese Taccogna , Tamerah Elizabeth Victoria Taylor , Jhaelin Lawrence Thomas , Niko Thompson , Cristyn Alexandra Torres , Liana Torres , Jadin Isaiah Angel Torres , Michel Daniel Torres Peralta , Sabrina Anne Tripodi , Tyler Joseph Tripodi , Kayla Vanessa Turner , Rah-von Jeremiah Upchurch , Angelyna Hope Upchurch , Gadiel Valdes , Seth Petron Vandroff , Christopher Francisco Vargas Ortiz , Daniel Isaac Vera Demera , Peter Robert Virgo , Naomi Nicole Walker , Jelani Warburton Baker , Raymond Christopher Ward , Ella Madeline Wassmann , Jadon Christopher Wells , Julia Whaley , Nina Shanelle Williams , Joseph William Wright , Peter Daniel Young , Jenna Marie Zajac , Emmanuel Fauricio Zamudio , Justin Anthony Zayas
Readers Theatre Summer Showcase 2022
Stratford Library and Square One Theatre Company
Duncan Macmillan’s perceptive two-hander, “Lungs” is set for Wednesday, June 29th
The theatre readings are free and open to the public. The Readers Theatre Summer Showcase 2022 series will be held in the Stratford Library’s air-conditioned Lovell Room at 7 p.m. each evening
Other play selections in the series are: “Chapatti”, a romance by Christian O’Reilly (July 6th); Steven Drukman’s college academia play, “Death of an Author” (July 13th); “Kings”, a political play by Sarah Burgess (July 20th); and Joanna Glass’s New Haven based comic drama, “Two Plain Daughters and One Handsome Son” (July 27th).
The acting company for the theatre series includes Pat Leo, Peggy Nelson, Ruth Anne Baumgartner, Peter Wood, Frank Smith, Damian Long, Kiel Stango, Al Kulcsar, Josie Kulp, J. Kevin Smith, Jennifer Ju, Katelyn Ferrari, David Victor, Lillian Garcia, Danielle Sultini, and Janet Rathert. Tom Holehan will direct the readings.
All plays are recommended for adult audiences and titles are subject to change. The readings are free and reservations will not be accepted. Doors open at 6:30 pm for general seating only, first-come, first-served. Masks are optional but recommended.
For further information call the library’s Public Relations and Programming Office at: 203.385.4162.
Stratford Knights of Columbus
St. James Council #2370
Porketta Dinner Fund Raiser
Saturday, June 25th
Holy Name of Jesus Church Parish Hall
Stratford Knights of Columbus St James Council #2370 will hold a porketta dinner Saturday June 25th at 6:30 P.M. at the Parish Hall of Holy Name of Jesus Church, 1950 Barnum Avenue, Stratford.
Admission is $12.00 at the door. Open to all members & guests. Menu includes porketta, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, bread & butter, soft drinks, coffee, tea and desert.
Reservations please by calling Bob Bradley II at (203)378-3092.
Please bring a canned good or other non-perishable food item for K of C Food for Families Drive.
New Chair of Stratford Democratic Town Committee Elected
The Stratford Democratic Town Committee unanimously elected Kathleen Callahan to the top position on June 16th, following the resignation of party chair Steve Taccogna, who had served in the position since March 2020.
Callahan has been actively engaged with the Stratford DTC for the past four years, working as a strategist on local and statewide campaigns. She ran unsuccessfully as a town council candidate in District 10 in the 2021 municipal elections.
She told SDTC members, “My connection to politics is through my father, growing up with him as the chair of the Stamford Democratic Town Committee. I still vividly recall 6 or 7-year-old me, sneaking out of bed and sitting on the top of the stairs, mesmerized by conversations I did not understand yet found fascinating.”
She then spent over two decades as a software engineer and recently transitioned to a career as a social worker, focused on legislative advocacy and elevating community voices.
On May 24, Taccogna told SDTC members he could no longer devote the time needed and deserved from its leadership. He said he will remain a member of the SDTC, and he endorsed Callahan to be his successor.
Callahan “will be able to carry the mantle of leadership and continue to advance this committee forward for the betterment of Stratford and the State of Connecticut,” he said. “Kathleen has been a key contributor to our successful campaigns over the past several years, was a Town Council candidate in our last election cycle, and remains a tireless advocate for Stratford and Democratic principles at every level of government. I believe she will be a catalyst to greater achievements over the next few years.”
The SDTC Vice Chair, Immacula Cann, declined to move up to the top position. She endorsed Callahan and thanked Taccogna for “taking the helm in 2020 and holding so many key roles within the SDTC. We had some historic wins due to your leadership!”
Callahan said she would first focus on helping the strong slate of Democratic candidates running for the state legislature this year. Next year, most Republican members of the Town Council will not be able to run again due to term limits, she noted, providing an opportunity for the party to reclaim control of the Council.
“Meet-the-Author at the Stratford Library
“Pride 2022” Live Event June 28th
Lovell Room at 7 p.m.
Jillian Celentano program scheduled live at the Stratford Library as part of the Library’s “Pride 2022” events for June.
Meet-the-Author: Jillian Celentano A 61-year-old transgender woman who transitioned six years ago, Jillian is an advocate for the transgender community and will openly discuss the coming out and transition processes. She will also discuss her personal memoir, “Transitioning Later in Life: A Person Guide”. Autographed copies of her book will be available for purchase following her talk.
You’re invited to our Birthday Party!
Stratford Library’s 125th Birthday Bash
Saturday, July 16th from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
All Ages Invited to Party in the Library Amphitheatre
Join us for a day of fun activities, games and entertainment in the Library Courtyard as we celebrate turning 125 years old.
Special performances include Senegalese Dancing & Drumming with Abdou Saar at 11:30 a.m. Dancing with Ballet Folklorico Dominicano at 1p.m. Happy Birthday Messages at 2 p.m. & Hudson Shakespeare Company’s “Much Ado About Nothing” at 2:45 p.m.
We’ll also host three food trucks for the afternoon that you can purchase lunch and snacks from: The Melting Truck, Betzy’s Latin Flavors, & Snappy Dawgs.
Other activities such as birthday hat decorating, stomp rockets, penny farthing demonstrations, & a photo booth will be available throughout the afternoon too.
