Teen Time for Vaccine
The Covid-19 Vaccine Is Coming to the South End Community Center
Thursday, June 3rd, 8am-12pm
Are you between the ages of 12-17? If so, you are eligible for a no cost vaccine clinic at the South End Community Center vaccinating individuals ages 12+. Individuals ages 12-17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at their vaccination appointment.
The South End Community Center, located at 19 Bates Street, is taking appointments. Call 1-833-275-9644 to schedule your appointment. After you select your preferred language, please select option 1 from the main menu and tell the operator you would like to schedule an appointment at the South End Community Center on June 3rd, 2021.
Please bring a form of ID, mask, and insurance card if available to your appointment on Thursday, June 3rd.
Protect yourself and your family with a safe vaccine.
“Off the Rails” – Train Talk!
Stratford Library “Sunday Afternoon Talks”
Jim Cameron Explains Transportation Post-Covid June 6th Zoom talk.
by Tom Holehan
Public Relations & Programming
Stratford Public Library
Long-time commuter advocate and newspaper commentator Jim Cameron offers a lively presentation and Q&A about Connecticut’s transportation crisis: – “Off the Rails: Connecticut’s Transportation Future Post-COVID” on Sunday, June 6 at 2 pm, on the Stratford Library’s Zoom platform. The talk, presented by Jim Cameron, is free and open to the public
A former NBC News anchor, Jim Cameron, a Connecticut resident for over 25 years, has served on the Metro-North Commuter Council and authors a weekly newspaper column, “Getting There” which runs in the Hearst daily and weekly newspapers including the Greenwich Times. An archive of 12 years of his commentaries can be found on his blog, “GettingThereCT” He is also author of his first book “Off the Record: Confessions of a Media Consultant”. He is a recipient of the George Foster Peabody Award
Cameron will address such topics as:
• Will riders ever return to commuter rail even after a vaccine?
• Who will pay to keep the trains running?
• Where will money be found for our highways?
• And how will new residential and workplace trends affect Connecticut’s economy?
Cameron explores the options in an engaging, thought-provoking workshop with plenty of time to hear your ideas and answer questions. Cameron has been called “the transportation guru” having spent over 25 years working and reporting on the issue.
The “Sunday Afternoon Talks” series, hosted by Charles Lautier of Stratford, is held from 2-3:30 pm. To register online and receive a Zoom invitation for the June 6th program visit: stratfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/7556685. For further information call: 203.385.4162.
Stratford Library News
by Tom Holehan
Public Relations & Programming
Stratford Public Library
Stratford Library Seeks Children’s Summer Volunteers: The Stratford Library Children’s Department is now accepting applications for summer volunteers. Responsible students entering grades 8 to 12 who enjoy working with children and preparing crafts are welcome to apply and will be notified in June of any openings. Hours and jobs vary. Opportunities for virtual volunteering from home are also available.
To express an interest or for further information, email the Stratford Library at: teenvolunteer@stratfordlibrary.org or call the Children’s Department at: 203.385.4165.
Library to Close for Memorial Day
The Stratford Library will be closed on Monday, May 31st in observance of Memorial Day. The library will reopen on Tuesday, June 1 at 1 pm. Current library hours are: Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm, Tuesday & Wednesday: 1-8 pm. For further Library information, call 203.385.4161 or visit its website at: www.stratfordlibrary.org.
Foodie Alert: You Are What You Eat!!
Stratford Restaurant Week Ends on Saturday
Stratford’s popular Restaurant Week ends on Saturday, May 22. More than 25 restaurants teamed up to showcase and celebrate the best of Stratford’s dining scene.
Last year’s event was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We are delighted to bring Restaurant Week back to the community,” Stratford Mayor Laura R. Hoydick said. “As we all know; the restaurant industry was deeply impacted by the pandemic. I encourage residents, family and friends to take advantage of our local restaurants’ promotions. We are lucky to have such a wide range of cuisine, from all over the globe, right here in Stratford.”
Combined with a variety of waterfront establishments, a “host of trendy hotspots and several Stratford landmarks, Stratford’s Restaurant Week promises to please the inner foodie in all of us!” officials wrote in a news release.
New this year, Restaurant Week patrons are invited to participate in the inaugural Golden Fork Award. Visit any participating Restaurant Week business and send a picture of your receipt to info@StratfordRestaurantWeek.com.
One lucky winner will receive The Golden Fork award, a bundle of Stratford restaurant gift cards worth more than $500.
For a list of participating restaurants and their Restaurant Week specials, and to learn more about The Golden Fork award, visit www.stratfordrestaurantweek.com
Memorial Day Marchers Wanted
Sterling House Community Center
Calling all Sterling House Community Center families (SHCC), friends, fans, athletes, campers, preschoolers, After Schoolers, and volunteers!
March in the Memorial Day Parade with us in your favorite SHCC gear! Whether it’s your SHCC baseball cap, soccer jersey, or an event swag item, we want to see you showing off your SHCC pride with us!
We can’t wait to march with you! — Please RSVP
Looking to lose those extra Covid-19 pounds?
“Eat This Not That” Zoom talk on June 3rd
Stratford Library Nutrition Program
by Tom Holehan
Public Relations & Programming
Stratford Library
The Stratford Library will host a virtual, live nutritional and health program — “Eat This Not That” on Thursday, June 3 at 10:30 am. The program, available on the Library’s Zoom platform, is free and open to the public.
Nutrition plays a big role in one’s health, energy and mood. Viewers are invited to join this fun and interactive nutrition program and learn how making simple tweaks in foods can lead to big results.
Guest speaker for the program is Jill Patterson, RDN, an award-winning registered dietitian nutritionist, Patterson is also a certified fitness instructor and personal trainer. She specializes in employee wellness and school nutrition and is passionate about helping people live their happiest and healthiest lives.
To register online and receive a Zoom invitation for the program visit: https://stratfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/7737942.
For further information, call the Stratford Library at: 203.385-4162
Forks Up: 2021 Stratford Restaurant Week is ON!!!
Sunday, May 16th through Saturday, May 22nd
Stratford’s popular Restaurant Week kicks off on Sunday, May 16 and runs through Saturday, May 22. More than 25 restaurants are teaming up to showcase and celebrate the best of Stratford’s dining scene.
Last year’s event was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We are delighted to bring Restaurant Week back to the community,” Stratford Mayor Laura R. Hoydick said. “As we all know; the restaurant industry was deeply impacted by the pandemic. I encourage residents, family and friends to take advantage of our local restaurants’ promotions. We are lucky to have such a wide range of cuisine, from all over the globe, right here in Stratford.”
Combined with a variety of waterfront establishments, a “host of trendy hotspots and several Stratford landmarks, Stratford’s Restaurant Week promises to please the inner foodie in all of us!” officials wrote in a news release.
New this year, Restaurant Week patrons are invited to participate in the inaugural Golden Fork Award. Visit any participating Restaurant Week business and send a picture of your receipt to info@StratfordRestaurantWeek.com.
One lucky winner will receive The Golden Fork award, a bundle of Stratford restaurant gift cards worth more than $500.
For a list of participating restaurants and their Restaurant Week specials, and to learn more about The Golden Fork award, visit www.stratfordrestaurantweek.com
Get your Creative Juices Flowing
New On-line Workshops
Arts Alliance of Stratford
Imagination Practice
Thursday, May 27, 2021 @ 6:15 pm – 9:15 pm
Zoom Videoconferencing
CONTACT: Megan McCool
1 session
https://artsallianceofstratford.org/event/imagination-practice-may
Arts Alliance of Stratford members: $30
Non members: $35
(7 students minimum)
Beginner to advanced artists of any medium welcome.
Like any muscle, your imagination gets stronger with use and weaker when neglected. Using specially designed tools to unlock the power of your creativity we will journey deep into the realm of your subconscious mind, strengthen the parts of your brain in charge of imagination and practice exercises and tools that help artists that work in any medium liberate their artistic impulses from their second-guesser mind. Whether you’re a writer or a painter, a chef or a trapeze artist, a mom or a model, these fun and practical exercise will set your brain on fire, melt creative blocks and become part of your creativity tool box for the rest of your life.
About the instructor: Brian Hogan is a guest lecturer and program coordinator at Sacred Heart University’s Graduate Film/TV & Screenwriting Program. He has released multiple award-winning short films and a two-hour award winning TV pilot screenplay. He is also a Creativity and Clarity Coach specializing in helping artists and creatives find clarity and move past blocks as they discover and honor their own artistic processes. For more about Brian see www.LifeStoryHacking.com.
On Thursday, June 3rd in a Zoom meeting from 6:15 – 9:15pm there will be a session on Creative Writing: Dissolving Creative Blocks Through Paradox.
For further information, go to:
https://artsallianceofstratford.org/event/creative-writing-paradox-june
Vintage Aircraft, Helicopters, Food, and Fun
Connecticut Air & Space Center Grand Opening: May 29th
The Connecticut Air & Space Center is a non-profit Air Museum that displays vintage aircraft, memorabilia, and artifacts that pertain to Connecticut, both inside and out. The museum’s motto is to: Honor, Preserve, Educate. Honoring the founders, workers, and companies from Connecticut. Preserving the vehicles and artifacts they used. And Educating this generation and the next about this history.
Founded by the late State Senator George Gunther in 1998 after the closing of the Stratford Army Engine Plant, in Stratford, the Connecticut Air & Space Center occupies buildings 6 and 53 at the former Stratford Army Engine Plant complex. The museum is one of only a handful throughout the country to be located in a portion of an original WWII aircraft factory. In 2012 the museum was damaged by Hurricane Sandy but has since recovered.
History:
The Army Engine Plant/Stratford (AEP/S) property is located at 550 South Main Street in Stratford, Connecticut. The 126-acre AEP/S property is occupied by a U.S. government-owned, contractor-operated manufacturing facility comprising numerous manufacturing buildings. The operator was Textron Lycoming, a Division of AVCO Corporation, a contractor to the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command. The AEP/S property is bordered by industrial properties to the north; the Housatonic River to the east; a marsh which was a former landfill, to the south; and Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport to the west.
Prior to 1927, the site was farmland. The property was developed in 1927 for Sikorsky Aircraft. In 1939, one of the world’s first successful commercial helicopters, the Sikorsky VS-300, was developed in Stratford by Igor Sikorsky and flown at his plant. The Chance Vought Aircraft company designed and constructed the Vought F4U Corsair as well as several other seaplanes and fighters until they moved in 1949. The Vought-Sikorsky Aircraft Division in Stratford built a total of 7,829 F4U fighters and these planes saw extensive combat in the Pacific Theatre of operations during World War II, and played a supporting role in the Korean War. The Lycoming company produced Wright radial engines at the site and after World War II, the plant was converted to produce turbines. The site was then owned by the Air Force through 1976. Ownership was transferred to the U.S. Army in 1976. Because of the Base Realignment and Closure actions of the United States Department of Defense, closure of the plant was recommended in July 1995. The plant closed in October 1998.
The Connecticut Air & Space Center currently occupies the research and design hangar where all experimental testing was performed by Chance Vought from 1944 to 1948. It’s the hope of the members of the CASC to remain at this location to later develop a world-class museum.
