Category: Stratford

The Stratford Library, 2203 Main Street in Stratford, Connecticut will welcome back representatives and their “friends” from The Reptile Nook of Springfield, Massachusetts on Sunday, May 12 at 2 pm. The program is free and open to the public. Fascinating animal talk from guest speakers Jess and Zack Decoteau, animal keepers and educators from The Reptile Nook, will showcase a variety of reptiles for the program including Ralphie, the Bearded Dragon, Bluey, the Blue-Tongued Skink, Cream, the Corn Snake and Taco, the Cane Toad. The Reptile Nook is dedicated to teaching people of all ages about reptiles and amphibians hoping to help people both face their fears of these misunderstood creatures and to love and appreciate animals of all kinds. 

“The Reptile Nook” talk will be held in the Stratford Library Lovell Room beginning at 2 pm on May 12. No reservations necessary. For further information, call the Library at 203.385.4162 or visit: www.stratfordlibrary.org.

Chocolate Attack!

Mental Health Awareness Month: We’ll release any bad energy by breaking a GIANT chocolate bar & take home a little chocolate for yourself. You can also create your own aromatherapy diffuser with your personally created scent to bring the good energy home! Grades 6-12. No registration. Thursday 5/2 at 3:30-5:00 pm.

Star Wars Anniversary Celebration

We’re celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Phantom Menace. Join us for movies, games, Star Wars Prizes, snacks & a good time with friends. Saturday 5/4 1:30-5:00 pm. Teen Open Art Hour Wednesday, 5/8 3:30-4:30. Calling all artists! Join us in the Teen Department to draw, paint, or sculpt whatever you like! We’ll provide all the supplies, you bring your artistic inspiration! No registration required. Grades 6-12. Location: Teen Department.

Volunteer Open House & Orientation

Please attend one of the Open House sessions if you are interested in learning more about volunteering in the Teen &/or uCreate Department this summer. The meeting will cover applications, registrations, responsibilities, & schedules. There will be time at the end to fill out & submit your applications as well as have your questions answered. Students must have completed 7th grade to be considered. Applications will be accepted between 5/20 & 5/31 to be considered for a summer position.  Applications will be available at www.stratfordlibrary.org/voluneer beginning 5/20.  Space is limited. No late applications will be accepted.

Road to Summer Reading

The week of May 20th-25th come by the Teen Department, relax and color one of our Summer Reading graphics. This artwork will be used for our Summer Reading display. Help us make this display rock! 3-5 pm. Grades 6-13 No-Bake Dessert Dips Wednesday, May 22, 3:30-4:30. Learn how to make no-bake funfetti and brownie dips at this delicious program. No registration required. Grades 6-12. Location: Teen Department.

Seed Library Grab’n’Go
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will offer a Seed Grab ‘n’ go for pick
up on Wednesday, May 1 (Millet), 15 (Cucumber), and 29 (Sunflowers). You will
receive both the seeds and instructions on how to plant. Registration 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.
Young Reader’s Book Club Meeting
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will offer a Young Reader’s Book Club
meeting. This month’s book will be Clementine. The program meets on May 2 at
6pm for grades 2-5. There will be a book discussion, games, a craft/or activity, and
a snack offered. Children are asked to read the book before the discussion. To
register, or for more information about Library programs and services for children,
call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org.
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 age of the child participating. This month the themes will be Very
Cool Facts (May 3) and Birds (May 17). Return the Library books when they are due
and keep everything else! Registration 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.
Read To a Therapy Dog
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will be offering the chance to read to
a therapy dog on Monday, May 6 from 4pm-5pm and Thursday, May 23 from 4pm-
5pm. Children ages 6-12 may sign up for a fifteen minute time slot, and can choose
a favorite book to read to the dog. Time slots are on a first come, first served basis.
Registration 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.

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The Stratford Police Department Narcotics and Vice Unit is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Brittany Rondeau, who is the subject of an outstanding felony robbery arrest warrant. 

The warrant stems from an incident on March 19, 2024, at the Stratford Motor Inn on 2200 Stratford Avenue, where a victim reported being robbed at gunpoint of a bank bag containing cash and personal belongings by two males and one female.

 Following an investigation, two male suspects, Jack Madison and Courtney Estaba, were arrested and charged with various offenses related to the robbery. However, Brittany Rondeau remains at large.

Brittany Rondeau, a white female from Marlborough was born on January 7, 1987, and is wanted for Robbery 1st Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery 1st Degree, Larceny 3rd Degree, and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 3rd Degree. 

A court-set bond of $100,000 has been issued for her arrest. Rondeau is described as approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing around 130 pounds, and has distinctive tattoos including a sunflower style tattoo on her right upper arm, a wing/face tattoo on her left upper arm, and a sun style tattoo on the center of her lower back.

In addition to the charges from the Stratford Police Department, Rondeau is also wanted by the Connecticut State Police for Escape from Custody. 

She should be considered armed and dangerous. Individuals with information regarding her whereabouts are urged to contact Detective Jon Policano at jpolicano@townofstratford.com. Anonymous tips can be provided to Detective Policano at 475-268-5181.

2024-04-27@1:11pm–#Stratford CT– Firefighters were called to a structure fire on Freeman Avenue. The fire was towards the rear of the building and extended to a second structure and a brush fire. Everyone made it out of the building safely. A couple minutes after arriving to this fire another alarm of fire was called on Honeyspot Road. See our second report.

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2024-04-27@12:12pm–#Stratford CT– A report of a car fire at the Cumberland Farms on West Broad Street. The hazmat team has been called for fuel and foam washing down the drain after putting out the fire.

The Stratford Police Department’s Narcotics & Vice Unit announces the arrest of Stefan Bagley on April 24, 2024. Stefan Bagley, age 42, is a Convicted Felon. He was the target of a narcotics investigation that occurred during the month of April 2024.
Stefan Bagley is charged with Operation of a Drug Factory, Possession with Intent to Sell a Narcotic Substance, Possession with Intent to Sell a Hallucinogen Substance and Violation of Conditions of his Release. Approximately 70 grams of crack cocaine was seized as a result of a search warrant which targeted Stefan Bagley’s person, vehicle and residence.
Stefan Bagley was held in lieu of a $500,000.00 bond.

https://www.doingitlocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/TheStratfordPolice-1.mp4

Corey Riley, the owner of Foodies Cookbook Shop in Stratford, Connecticut, shares insights into his unique culinary venture. Founded on a passion for food and a desire to share knowledge, Foodies Cookbook Shop offers a blend of new, used, and vintage cookbooks, along with cooking classes for enthusiasts of all levels.

For Corey, this venture represents the realization of a long-held dream. With a background in hospitality spanning back to his teenage years, he saw an opportunity to combine his love for food with his entrepreneurial spirit. What sets Foodies Cookbook Shop apart is its fusion of cookbook retail with hands-on cooking experiences. Corey believes that the cookbook element adds depth to the cooking classes, providing customers with not just practical skills but also a deeper understanding of culinary traditions, techniques, and cuisines.

The shop serves as a hub for foodies to not only acquire books, cookware, and gadgets but also to cultivate their cooking skills in a community-oriented setting. Whether it’s browsing through vintage cookbooks for inspiration or participating in interactive cooking classes, Foodies Cookbook Shop offers a unique culinary experience that celebrates the joys of cooking and learning.

Music History Talk/Video Set for May 7

The Stratford Library, 2203 Main Street in Stratford will offer a special music history presentation, “The British Invasion and American Answer: A Musical Journey”, on Tuesday, May 7 at 7 pm.  The program is free and open to the public.

Author and pop culture historian Marty Gitlin, who enthralled library patrons last February with his program on “The Birth of Rock and Roll”, will offer a fun and nostalgic journey through the most iconic and greatest era of rock-and-roll history. This presentation highlights performance videos of influential British Invasion superstars such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Hollies, Dave Clark Five and The Who as well as American bands that provided a wonderful reply such as the Beach Boys, Mamas and Papas, Temptations, Byrds, Turtles and Rascals. The program also discusses how these artists influenced pop culture and society, compares and contrasts the music, and includes trivia questions for patrons to ponder (including snippets of songs from which patrons must identify the band!).

“The British Invasion and American Answer: A Musical Journey” will take place in the Stratford Library Lovell Room from 7-8 pm on May 7.  Doors open at 6:30 pm.  General seating. 

For further information call the library at: 203.385.4162 or visit: www.stratfordlibrary.org.