Category: Stratford

Stratford, CT – On October 29th, Mayor Laura R. Hoydick and Stratford residents joined Osiris Espinal, owner of the Stratford Food Center, to celebrate the four-year anniversary of this beloved neighborhood market. Located at 11 Woodend Road, the Stratford Food Center has become a premier destination for fresh, in-house dishes and quality produce, building a reputation as a true community staple.

Since Osiris took ownership in October 2020, amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the market has thrived as a hub for the community, offering a unique range of grocery items alongside signature, freshly prepared dishes that distinguish it from other stores. Highlights include:

• Chicken Cranberry and Apple Salad: A deli-style chicken salad made fresh in-house, with a touch of mayo and crisp apple slices that lend a refreshing bite.
• Pasta Salad: Lightly dressed to emphasize the flavors of peppers and carrots, with pasta cooked to a perfect, tender texture.
• Butternut Squash and Bacon Soup: The rich smokiness of bacon complements the sweet, roasted butternut squash, creating a balanced, hearty soup.
• Three Bean Salad: Brightened with cilantro and a touch of spice, this salad brings a lively twist to classic three-bean flavors.
• Tres Leches Parfait: A layered dessert with a sweet, creamy tres leches base, paired with tart fruit for a vibrant flavor contrast.

“We’ve been here for four years, and we’re grateful for our community’s support,” Osiris Espinal shared at the celebration. “Opening during a difficult time, we’ve seen the strength of our community, and we’re thrilled to celebrate four years with everyone here in Stratford.”

Stratford Food Center invites all residents to experience the store’s wide selection of fresh, local flavors, from produce to deli items. The market, located at 11 Woodend Road, is open daily, ready to serve the Stratford community with quality and care.

Firefighters on scene extinguishing brush fires off the Merritt Parkway near Main Street-Putney area.

2024-10-16@12:35pm–#Stratford CT– #cttraffic

Saturday, October 19th from 12-4pm
Rain date October 20th
Boothe Memorial Park

STRATFORD – The Town of Stratford and the Boothe Park Commission are happy to announce the 2024
Great Pumpkin Festival. Sponsored by Comcast, the event is scheduled for Saturday, October 19th from
12pm to 4pm. In the event of inclement weather, the event will take place on Sunday, October 20th from
12pm to 4pm. The popular festival will take place on Stratford’s historic Boothe Memorial Park at 5800
Main Street.
Attendees can look forward to circus acts, face painting, a costume parade and contest, a pumpkin
carving contest, an inflatable corn maze and more. The many historic and unique buildings on the
Boothe Park property will be open to the public. A variety of civic organizations, together with the
Boothe Park Commission, will be offering fall-themed treats. Cash and Venmo are accepted methods of
payment.
“The Pumpkin Festival is a fun tradition to celebrate the wonders of the fall season, and I look forward
to seeing neighbors and new friends at the festival every year,” said Mayor Laura R. Hoydick. “Come, be
reacquainted with our history and enjoy the charm and beauty of Boothe Park. I hope to see you
there!”
Parking is available on the field adjacent to the Railway Society. Pumpkin Carving Contest registration
closes at 4pm on October 11th
.

To apply for the Pumpkin Carving Contest and for more information please visit

www.CelebrateStratford.com.
The Great Pumpkin Festival 2024 Schedule:

12:45pm Can-Do Circus Act followed by roaming juggler and stilt walker
2:00pm Pumpkin Carving Contest Winners Announced
2:30pm Costume Parade and Contest
3:30 Last Call to Purchase Tickets

#

Stratford Town Hall ● 2725 Main Street ● Stratford, CT 06615

UPDATED INFORMATION!

October Storytimes
The Stratford Library Children’s Department offers weekly storytimes for children. Storytimes meet at 10:30 a.m. On Mondays, Toddler Time meets for ages 0-2. On Tuesdays, Preschool Storytime is for ages 3-5. Baby Lapsit takes place on Thursdays for babies 0-18 months, and Friday Fun offers stories and songs for ages 1-5. Enjoy early literacy activities and meet other families at Library storytimes! Registration is required. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information about Library programs and services for children, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Appropriate Use of Technology With Young Children
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will offer a program on how to help young children use technology safely. Join us on Friday, October 4 at 11 a.m. in the Children’s Department, following the Friday Fun storytime. This program will be presented by Cooperative Education Services (CES) Trumbull. For more information about Library programs and services for children, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Treehouse Science: Snap Circuits
Join us at the Stratford Library Children’s Department Treehouse STEAM Table for some fun on Friday, October 4 at 3:30 p.m. for children ages 8-12. Come learn about electronics using Snap Circuits. Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Preschool Art
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will offer a Preschool Art program on Saturday, October 5 at 2:30 p.m. for ages 3-7. Join us for some messy art fun! Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org.

Mask Making Workshop
Join The Stratford Library Children’s Department for a Mask Making Workshop on Tuesday, October 8 at 4 p.m. for children in grades 5-8. Learn about West African culture by creating your own mask using found objects and recycled materials. All are welcome. This program is sponsored by Roz & Bud Siegel and the Staff at the Westport Library. Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org.

Kids Podcasting Club
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will offer a Podcasting Club for children ages 7-13 and a parent/guardian. This club will meet on Wednesday, October 9 at 6 p.m. Librarians and uCreate volunteers will help children record stories, book recommendations, insights, and more! Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org.

Young Reader’s Book Club Pick Up
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will offer a young reader’s book club kit for grades 2-5. This month’s book will be Ranger in Time: Escape From the Great Earthquake. Pickups for the book kit will begin on Thursday, October 10, and the discussion will take place on November 7 at 6 p.m. Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

LEGO Club
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will offer LEGO Club on Monday, October 14 at 4 p.m. for ages 5-12. Come build some LEGO creations with friends! LEGO Club will meet in the Children’s Program Room. Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Ready for Kindergarten Grab ‘n’ Go
The Stratford Library Children’s Department is offering Ready for Kindergarten grab ‘n’ go activity kits for children ages 3-5. Each month’s kit will offer a different activity to prepare your preschooler for Kindergarten. Pick up for the October activity kit will begin on Wednesday, October 16. Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Read To a Therapy Dog
The Stratford Library Children’s Department is offering children ages 6-12 reading time with Tucker the therapy dog on Wednesday, October 16 at 4:30 p.m. Each child registered gets a fifteen-minute time slot. Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Junior Scientists: Balloon Cars
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will offer a Junior Scientists Grab ‘n’ Go kit on Balloon Cars. Families with children ages 4-7 are welcome to register for the kit. Pickups begin on Thursday, October 17. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Book Scientists
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will offer Book Scientist kits for children ages 3-12. Each kit includes books and activities. Books are selected based on the participating child’s age. This month, the theme is Nocturnal Animals (October 18). Return the Library books when they are due and keep everything else! Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Treefort Science: Board Games
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will offer Treefort activities for children ages 5-7 on Friday, October 18 at 3:30 p.m. This month’s theme is board games. Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Science Club: Planetary Trivia
Join the Stratford Library Children’s Department for our brand new Science Club, with a different activity every month. October’s session will be Planetary Trivia. The fun begins on Tuesday, October 22 at 6 p.m. for ages 7-12. Take a mini tour of our solar system and then participate in a fun trivia game against your friends. Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Math Grab ‘n’ Go: Measurements
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will offer a math grab ‘n’ go kit about measurements! Families with children ages 5-8 are welcome to sign up. Pick up for kits begins on Wednesday, October 23. Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Room on the Broom Story & Craft
Join us for a special October story time featuring the book Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson on Thursday, October 24 at 6 p.m. Children ages 5-8 are welcome to register. After the story, there will be a snack along with a craft. Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Learn to Crochet
The Stratford Library Children’s Department is offering beginner’s crochet lessons on Saturday, October 26 at 11 a.m. All patrons ages 9 and up are welcome, and supplies are provided. Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Piano w/ Friends: Abba
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will offer Piano with Friends: Abba class on Saturday, October 26 at 2:30 p.m. for children ages 7-12. Learn how to read sheet music and find keys on a music keyboard (class does not replace professional piano lessons). Participants must have attended at least one Music Basics class to join this session. Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Nutmeg Book Group
The Stratford Library Children’s Department is offering the Nutmeg Book Group for readers in grades 4 to 6. October’s pick will be Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good by Louie Stowell. Read the book, then join us for a book discussion on Monday, October 28 at 6 p.m. in the Children’s Program Room. Books are provided to registered participants courtesy of the Carol Pieper Memorial Fund. Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Dia De Los Muertos Drop-in Craft
Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos with the Stratford Library Children’s Department on Tuesday, October 29 from 6-7 p.m. Ages 5-12 are welcome to drop in to create sugar skull crafts. No registration required. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Kids Halloween Parade
The Stratford Library Children’s Department is offering a Halloween parade through the library for all kids under 12 on Wednesday, October 30 at 3 p.m. Put on your costume and join us for some spooky fun! The parade will begin in the Children’s Department and end in the Lovell Room with a spooky dance party. No registration required. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Karaoke w/ Friends: Disney Songs
The Stratford Library Children’s Department is offering Karaoke with Friends: Disney Songs on Wednesday, October 30 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Participants must have attended at least one previous karaoke session to join this event. Registration is required. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

On Wednesday, Stratford Police held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the renovations to the Police Department Building followed by an Open House at the upgraded Police Activities League (PAL) Facility. Two new officers from the academy were also sworn in.

Special Programming Announced

The Stratford Library, 2203 Main Street in Stratford will reopen on Sundays beginning October 6, 2024.  Hours on Sunday will be from 1-5 pm and will continue until May 18, 2025.

On opening day (October 6) the Library will return with its popular “Sunday Afternoon Talks” series featuring returning guest speaker/author Hamis Lutris.  The author will discuss his new novel, Earth Ascendant: Awakening.This is the first of four volumes of a fast-paced, character-driven fantasy/science-fiction series.

Upcoming Sundays will offer a variety of diverse programming including musician Marc Berger on October 13, Psychic Patty Griffin (October 20) and live performance readings, “An Afternoon with Nutmeg Writers” (October 27).

Current Library hours are: Monday-Thursday: 10-8, Friday-Saturday: 10-5 and Sunday: 1-5 pm.

For further library information, call 203.385.4162 or visit its website at: www.stratfordlibrary.org.

Two men were arrested for their involvement in a street takeover on I-95 after blocking lanes and performing stunts with a large group of motorcyclists. On September 21, 2024, at approximately 11:10 AM, Connecticut State Police began receiving 911 calls about the erratic group on I-95 Southbound near New Haven. DOT traffic cameras tracked over 100 motorcycles blocking lanes from New Haven through Stratford, led by a white GMC Denali with an unsecured passenger filming the event from the truck bed.

When a Trooper attempted to stop the truck near exit 33, the motorcyclists surrounded the cruiser, preventing the stop. The GMC and motorcycles eventually crossed into New York, where the New York State Police stopped the truck.

Shaun Puglia of West Haven was charged with reckless endangerment, breach of peace, interfering with an officer, reckless driving, disobeying a signal of an officer, and knowingly inciting a street takeover. He was released on a $30,000 bond and is scheduled for arraignment on October 2, 2024.

Ryley Lewis of North Haven was charged with breach of peace, failure to wear a safety seat belt, and knowingly inciting a street takeover. He was released on a $20,000 bond and is also scheduled for arraignment on October 2, 2024.

I-95 northbound rollover between exits 32-33. No word on injuries at this time.

2024-09-23 @10:40pm–#Stratford CT– #cttraffic

A firearm was discovered on the grounds of Nichols Elementary School during the evening of September 18, 2024. It was found covered in dirt and debris, both inside and out, and had rusted significantly from prolonged exposure to the elements. The firearm matches the description of one reported missing after an incident that occurred nearby in 2017.

The Detective Bureau is currently investigating whether there is a connection between this firearm and the 2017 incident. Authorities have confirmed that the firearm posed no immediate threat to the public, as it appears to be inoperable due to its current condition.