Martin Luther King Day 2023

A Morning of Discussion and Service
Celebrate, Honor, and Learn

Monday, January 16th
Beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Last year, Sterling House Community Center decided to shift how we honor Martin Luther King Day from a day off to a day on – in service and discussion.

Martin Luther King Day will be celebrated in Stratford this year beginning with multiple events.

The Morning  @ The Baldwin Center, 1000 W Broad Street

9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Breakfast and Panel Discussion

MLK Panel: Our Panelists will discuss what MLK Day means to them and how it plays a part in their everyday lives.

Featuring the following and more…

Yvonne Temple, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Professional

John Ramos II, Assistant Principal at Bunnell High School

Donald Smart, Licensed Attorney, leader of 2022’s discussion on Critical Race Theory

Ashley Hampton, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board Member of Sterling House Community Center

Jeffrey Fletcher, President of The African American Collections, Inc. as well as Executive Director of The Ruby and Calvin Fletcher African American History Museum.

Need childcare?

We have you covered! We are offering free childcare from 9:30 – 11:30 for our Panel and Discussion attendees. Your child will enjoy MLK coloring and activities while you participate in our discussion.

**Please be sure to mark that you need childcare while registering and we will be in touch with additional confirmation and information.

The Afternoon  @ Sterling House Community Center, 2283 Main Street

11:30 – 1:00 p.m.

Service Opportunities: Help Stratford’s Largest Food Pantry with Resource Connection Director, LeAnne Reynolds.

Storytime: Discover the wonder of a tale with professional storyteller, Laconia Therrio.

MLK Read Aloud: The read aloud with Dr. O is back! Follow along with an MLK Day-inspired storytime.

Art Exhibit: Visit Art Alliance’s Strength in Colors Art Exhibit- artists were asked to show us what unites us, rather than what divides us.

Featuring the following and more…

Dr. Uyi Osunde, Superintendent of Stratford Public Schools

LeAnne Reynolds, Director of Resource Connection for Sterling House Community Center

Laconia Therrio, A therapist, a chaplain, and the Director of Behavioral Science of Stamford Hospital’s Family Medicine Residency Program

Community Discussion Activity: Reflect on your own experience with members of your community through an interactive activity.

Let It Snow

Sterling House Winter Programs Indoors

Something for Everyone — all ages!

Soccer:  Winter off-season soccer skills clinic.  Co-ed classes on Saturday’s in Erin’s Gym.  Led by advanced soccer training coaches, players will work on agility, foot skills, shooting tactics, game IQ and teamwork.

Session 1 will be January 7February 11th.  Session 2, February 25th – April 1st.

To register go to: sterlinghousecc.org/soccer

Channel Your Inner Artist:  First session begins on January 14th for 5 weeks.

Opportunity to learn the fundamentals of art from begging to end. Youth and Teen classes will be held on Saturdays with the following schedule:

Beginners: ages 6-12, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Advanced, ages 10-12, 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Teens, ages 13-19, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Next Session starts February 18th for 5 weeks

 

Adult Art Classes: Thursday evenings from 7:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. beginning January 12th for 5 weeks.

Next Session starts February 16th for 5 weeks

To register online go to: sterlinghousecc.org/art

 

Pickle Ball:  Calling all Stratford Seniors join the latest exercise craze – 4 week courses on Pickle Ball.  In partnership with Stratford Recreation and the Baldwin Center, SHCC will be conducting Pickle Ball classes that teach the basic rules, skills, and techniques.  There will be short drills, practice time and friendly scrimmages

All classes will be on Wednesdays.  Session 1 will be from January 25th to February 15th.  Session 2 is from March 8th – March 29th.

Safesitters Classes:  Learn how to be safe when watching younger siblings or babysitting.  Safesitter classes for ages 11+ on Saturday, January 28th from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Register today at: www.sterlinghousecc.org

2023 Spring Lacrosse with the Stratford Storm can be found at:

www.stratfordstorm.com  Registration is now open and ends March 1st.  Games begin April 1st.

 

VAX Facts

As of Friday, December 30th, Fairfield County has been identified by the Center for Disease Control as being in the “orange” zone with “high” COVID levels where masks are currently recommended indoors.

The Stratford Health Department has scheduled Covid 19/flu clinics for the new year at Birdseye School, 468 Birdseye Street, 3rd Floor.

Get free Covid tests.  Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests.  Order Free At-Home Tests at: https://www.covid.gov/tests

Need help placing an order for your at-⁠home tests?

Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19 IN STRATFORD January 3rd

Number of Cases for the Past Seven Days: 56

Percent Positivity for the Past Seven Days: 17.2%

Total Cumulative Cases: 16,363

There have been 214 deaths to date

STRATFORD VACCINE UPDATE

The state is releasing information about how many individuals are vaccinated in all Connecticut communities. As of December 28, 2022, 80.28% of Stratford residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. If you haven’t yet gotten boosted, consider now.

BIVALENT BOOSTER FACTS *UPDATE

The FDA expanded the age authorization for both Modern and Pfizer bivalent boosters. The CDC is now recommending that everyone aged 5 and older receive one dose of the updated bivalent booster.

Moderna bivalent:Individuals 6 years of age and older are eligible for a single booster dose of the Moderna bivalent COVID-19 vaccine if it has been at least two months since they have completed primary vaccination or have received the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine.

Pfizer bivalent:Individuals 5 years of age and older are eligible for a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent COVID-19 vaccine if it has been at least two months since they have completed primary vaccination or have received the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine.

The FDA expanded the age authorization for both Modern and Pfizer bivalent boosters. The CDC is now recommending that everyone aged 5 and older receive one dose of the updated bivalent booster.

Pfizer bivalent:  Individuals 5 years of age and older are eligible for a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent COVID-19 vaccine if it has been at least two months since they have completed primary vaccination or have received the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine.

BIVALENT BOOSTER FACTS

The FDA authorized both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent boosters. The bivalent boosters combine the original vaccine with protection against the newest omicron versions to increase cross-protection against multiple COVID-19 variants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met and issued the below recommendation:

-Individuals 18 years of age and older are eligible for a single booster dose of the Moderna bivalent COVID-19 vaccine if it has been at least two months since they completed primary vaccination or received the most recent booster dose.

-Individuals 12 years of age and older are eligible for a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech bivalent COVID-19 vaccine if it has been at least two months since they have completed primary vaccination or have received the most recent booster dose.

Where to Go for Information

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Prevention includes hand washing, as well as covering up when coughing and sneezing. For more information visit: www.townofstratford.com/coronavirus.

Please email questions regarding COVID-19 to:health@townofstratford.com

The Stratford Health Department continues to host vaccination clinics for those seeking first, second and booster doses of the Moderna vaccine. Flyers included below highlight clinic details. Please call our office for more information – 203-385-4090

CDC Recommends Moderna for those Aged 6-17

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed  the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine be used as an option for children ages 6 through 17 years, in addition to its already recommended use in children 6 months through 5 years and adults 18 years and older. The ACIP recommendation comes after a thorough review of the scientific evidence demonstrating safety and efficacy and supports the use of the vaccine among those 6 through 17 years of age. CDC recommends that Moderna COVID-19 vaccine be used for individuals 6 through 17 years of age to better protect them from COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend children 6 months through 5 years of age receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC now recommends that all children 6 months through 5 years of age receive either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to better protect them from COVID-19.

All children, including those who have already had COVID-19, should get vaccinated. Although most children have only mild symptoms when infected, COVID-19 can cause some children to become very sick, even to the point of requiring hospitalization or even death.

The approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6-months old is another major step forward in the overall COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. Parents have many options for where to get a COVID-19 vaccine for their child including:

Pediatricians’ offices: Hundreds of pediatricians will be administering COVID-19 vaccines across Connecticut.

Pharmacies: There will be hundreds of pharmacy locations that offer the COVID-19 vaccine to children. Pharmacies provide a safe, convenient, and easy location to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

DPH Yellow Van Clinics: The updated clinic schedule can be found at ct.gov/coronavirus

Holy Name Food Pantry Changes

Please note that there have been changes made to the Holy Name food pantry.
The food pantry will be sponsored by the Connecticut Food Bank, the Stratford Department of Health, and the YMCA.

The Food Bank will now take place on every other Monday, and there is also a time change, it will now be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., and they are asking that cars line up on College Street.

You are also asked to bring your own reusable bag. There will be 1 bag per household distributed. Please bring identification if a second household is in the car.

Traditions of the Mohegan Tribe

Sunday, January 8th at 2:00 p.m.

Stratford Historical Society’s Catharine B. Mitchell Museum
967 Academy Hill

The Stratford Historical Society will have an afternoon of music, dancing, and Native American culture on Sunday, January 8th at 2 p.m.

David Eichelberg, Outreach Specialist, presents the traditions of the Mohegan Tribe with hands-on activities and a performance, in the Catharine B. Mitchell Museum.  There will be light refreshments to follow. Members $2, Non-members $5

Morgan Morse Music Concert

Saturday, January 14th, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist Church
275 Huntington Road
Stratford

Morgan Morse Benefit Concert for the Triangle Community Center will feature a night of original music by Singer/Songwriter Morgan Morse.  The concert will be Saturday, January 14th at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Stratford from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Originally hailing from Ansonia, Morse has gone on to perform as a musician and actor everywhere from Houston, Texas to Vienna, Austria. In the past few years, he has gained a following online, where he makes musical comedy videos – including his song “Cat On My Lap”, which got over 13 million views on Tiktok and Instagram.

A multi-instrumentalist proficient in piano, guitar, and mandolin (among others), Morse’s original songs are an eclectic mix of genres, with lyrics that are equal parts sardonic and heartbreakingly honest.

Tickets are $15. MASKS ARE REQUIRED. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Triangle Community Center in Norwalk, Fairfield County’s leading provider of programming and resources to nurture growth and connection within the LGBTQ community.

 

Mark Your Calendar

Saturday, January 7th: Bunnell Stratford Marching Band and Color Guard Can and Bottle drive. Eli Whitney School drop off loop. 9 a.m. to noon.

Sunday, January 8th Stratford Library continues “Sunday Afternoon Talks”, its series of informative and entertaining talks featuring prominent local guest speakers. On Sunday, January 8th, historian Eric Chandler will present “Cloak and Dagger – The Revolution’s Secret War”. The talk will be presented live in the Library’s Lovell Room from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Monday, January 9th, Monday Matinees at noon in the Stratford Library Lovell Room. “The Woman King” is the true story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected their kingdom in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Viola Davis stars. PG-13, 135 minutes

Are you a Military Veteran? or have a loved one who served our country during the holidays? Did your family save any letters or memorabilia? The Stratford Veterans Museum would like to display Christmas cards, letters, pictures and any communications between a veteran and family or friends during the Christmas season.We would like to create a display in our Museum during the month of December. All materials will be returned to you. Contact Bob Mastroni bmaastroni@gmail.com

Make A Difference!

Be a Citizen Reporter for the Stratford Crier
We are a volunteer group, providing fact-based nonpartisan reporting,
and we want YOUR help in keeping our community informed.

We need Citizen Reporters to cover:
• Town Government
• Education
• Environment and Climate Resilience
Please join us! Reach out to Barbara@stratfordcrier.com

Stratford High School Basketball Schedule

STRATFORD HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Sat, 1/7

12:30pm

North Haven

Away • Non-League

Mon, 1/9

7:00pm

Bethel

Home • League

Fri, 1/13

7:00pm

Joel BarlowRedding

Home • League

Tue, 1/17

7:00pm

PomperaugSouthbury

Away • League

Fri, 1/20

7:00pm

ImmaculateDanbury

Away • League

Tue, 1/24

7:00pm

BunnellStratford

Home • League

Fri, 1/27

7:00pm

Newtown

Home • League

Mon, 1/30

7:00pm

New Fairfield

Home • League

Thu, 2/2

7:00pm

Notre Dame CatholicFairfield

Away • League

Mon, 2/6

7:00pm

Weston

Away • League

Thu, 2/9

7:00pm

New Milford

Away • League

w
Tue, 2/14

7:00pm

Kolbe-CathedralBridgeport

Away • League

w
Fri, 2/17

7:00pm

Brookfield

Home • League

w
Mon, 2/20

7:00pm

Amity RegionalWoodbridge

Away • Non-League

w

 

Mark Your Calendar

Friday, December 9th, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road, Trumbull at 7:00 p.m. Coastal Mix Barbershop Chorus Annual Holiday Concert:
Hear Jim Farrell, Geralene Valentine, Marybeth Johnson, Steve Fians, & Jennifer Volturno under the direction of Director Christopher Hope to see you there!

Sunday, December 11th at 2 p.m. in the Lovell Room. The New England Guitar Society, a favorite of Stratford Library audiences, offers the best of classical guitar in a seasonal mood for the December 11th concert. The New England Guitar Society is one of the committees under the umbrella of the Milford Arts Council. The concerts, held in the Library’s Lovell Room at 2 pm each Sunday, are free and open to the public.
It is sponsored this year by the Janice Daponte Memorial Fund.
For further information call the library at: 203-385-4162 or visit its website at: www.stratfordlibrary.org.

Monday, Town Council Meeting:

Stratford Toy Initiative: Stratford Non-Profits Step Up for Tots (and older)
Stratford Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 998, will be collecting new unwrapped toys at each fire station, to support the Toys for Tots program. Donations are accepted at the locations listed below through December 21st:
Fire Headquarters (rear entrance): 2750 Main Street
Huntington Road Station #2: 1415 Huntington Road
Lordship Station #3: 21 Prospect Drive

Are you a Military Veteran? or have a loved one who served our country during the holidays? Did your family save any letters or memorabilia? The Stratford Veterans Museum would like to display Christmas cards, letters, pictures and any communications between a veteran and family or friends during the Christmas season.We would like to create a display in our Museum during the month of December. All materials will be returned to you. Contact Bob Mastroni bmaastroni@gmail.com

Stratford YMCA and Bridgeport Islanders toiletry drive. All fans who donate are entered to win a Bridgeport Islanders puck and 4 tickets to a Bridgeport Islanders game of their choice.

Make A Difference!
Be a Citizen Reporter for the Stratford Crier
We are a volunteer group, providing fact-based nonpartisan reporting,
and we want YOUR help in keeping our community informed.

We need Citizen Reporters to cover:
• Town Government
• Education
• Environment and Climate Resilience
Please join us! Reach out to Barbara@stratfordcrier.com

December Art in the Library

Stratford’s Ellen Thees’ Oils on Display thru December

“Still Vignettes”

An exhibit of original oil paintings by Stratford artist Ellen Thees is the current art exhibit at the Stratford Library.  The exhibit, entitled “Still Vignettes”, continues at the Library through December 2022.  It is free and open to the public. Viewing hours for “Still Vignettes” are: Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m.- 8p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Sunday: 1-5 p.m.  The display is located in the Main Lobby of the Stratford Library and will continue through December 2022.

Ellen Thees creates big and colorful still life oil paintings.  She renders objects at least double their actual size to highlight the wonder and beauty of the everyday.  The work has a clear sense of depth with elements of abstraction and surrealism.  Thees started teaching herself oil painting in her early twenties and painted for several years before focusing on building a career and earning a degree. The more Thees played with paints, the more she learned and the more excited she became. After a concussion from a car accident left her unable to continue the highly analytical work she enjoyed, she reluctantly retired.  Ellen then began painting every day, developing her style.

Thee calls the exhibit “Still Vignettes,” because many of the works suggest little stories about the personalities and relationships of the inanimate objects. Her paintings are mostly two to three feet wide. Thees lives in Stratford with her husband of 48 years and their cat.  Her artwork has been exhibited several times at the Milford Art Council’s galleries and she will be exhibiting at the Oxford Baking Company in February.

For further information, call the library’s Public Relations and Programming Office at: 203.385-4162 or visit: www.stratfordlibrary.org