Category: Stratford

Summer Storytimes
The Stratford Library Children’s Department offers summer storytimes for children. Storytimes meet at 10:30 am. Beginning Monday, June 16, Music Time meets weekly for ages 0-2. Tuesdays are Preschool Storytimes for ages 3-5. Storytimes run through July. On Thursdays, June 26, July 24, and August 14, Baby Lapsit meets for ages 0-18 months. Enjoy early literacy activities and meet other families at Library storytimes! Storytimes meet in the Children’s Program Room. 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.

Children’s Craft Table
The Stratford Library Children’s Department offers weekly summer crafts with teen volunteers in the Library starting Monday, June 16. The craft table will be open Monday-Thursday, 10am-12pm and 2pm-6:30 pm as well as Fridays from 10am-12pm, volunteer availability permitting. Each week will feature a different, free craft, while supplies last. For more information about Library programs and services for children, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org.

Preschool Playtime: Dinosaurs
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will be offering preschool STEAM activities on Thursday, June 5 at 4:00pm for children ages 3-6. Activities will be about Dinosaurs. Preschool Playtime will meet in the Children’s Program Room. 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.

Book Scientists
The Stratford Library Children’s Dept. will offer Book Scientist kits for children ages 5-12. Each kit includes books and activities. Books are selected based on the age of the child participating. This month the themes will be Summer Fun (June 6) and Adventure (June 20). Kits can be picked up for two weeks after the kit release date. Return the Library books when they are due and keep everything else! 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.

Seed Library Grab ’n’ Go
The Stratford Library Children’s Dept. will offer a Seed Grab ‘n’ go for pick up on Monday, June 9 (Primrose) and June 13 (Peppers). Receive both seeds and instructions on how to plant. Registration is required. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. For more information about Library programs and services, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org Events page.

Preschool Yoga w Jyothi
Join the Stratford Library Children’s Department on Thursday, June 12 at 10:30am for some Preschool Yoga with Miss Jyothi. Children ages 2-5 are welcome to participate. Please bring your own yoga mat or a blanket to use during the program. Preschool Yoga will meet in the Lovell Room. Registration is required. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. Kits can be picked up for two weeks after the kit release date. For more information about Library programs and services for children, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org.

Alphabet Parade Grab ‘n’ Go
The Stratford Library Children’s Dept. is offering Alphabet Parade grab ‘n go craft kits on Friday, June 13 (Letter “A”) and 27 (Letter “B”) for children ages 18 months to 5 years old. 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.

LEGO Club
The Stratford Library will offer LEGO Club on Saturday, June 14 at 2:00pm, and Monday, June 30 at 4:00pm for ages 5-12. Children will be provided LEGOS to make their own creations, and each family only needs to register once. LEGO club will meet in the Children’s Program Room. 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.

Juneteenth Music & Dance
Join the Stratford Library on Wednesday, June 18 at 2:00pm for a celebration of Juneteenth, America’s newest federal holiday. African dance instructor Jolyn Washington Walker from African Dance Expressions will lead families through a musical celebration. All ages are welcome, and the program meets in the Lovell Room. Courtesy of the Carol Pieper Memorial Fund. 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.

Kids Podcasting Club
The Stratford Library Children’s Dept. will offer a Podcasting Club for children ages 7-13 and a parent/guardian. This club will meet on Friday, June 20 at 3:00pm. Librarians and uCreate volunteers will help children record stories, book recommendations, insights and more! 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.

Crocheting
The Stratford Library Children’s Dept. is offering crochet lessons on Saturday, June 21 at 2:00pm. Ages 9 to adult are welcome, and supplies are provided. Beginners and more advanced learners are welcome to attend. This program meets in the Children’s Program Room. 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.

Kids Lego Robotics Club
Join the Stratford Library Children’s Dept. for a Lego Robotics workshop on Monday, June 23 at 4:00pm for children ages 7-12. Thanks to a grant from the Stratford Rotary Club, the Library now owns LEGO Spike Essential kits, which combine LEGO building with some coding fun! This program will meet in the Children’s Program Room. 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.

Living Connecticut History: The Amistad
On Tuesday, June 24 at 12:00 PM, the Stratford Library Children’s Department will host a program by performing artist and storyteller Tammy Denease about the schooner Amistad. Children and teens ages 9 and up are welcome. Learn about Sarah Margu, a child enslaved aboard the Amistad. Sponsored by Discovering Amistad and Connecticut Humanities, this program meets in the Lovell Room. Registration is recommended. Attendees will receive a free copy of Africa Is My Home: A Child of the Amistad by Monica Edinger, while supplies last. To register, visit stratfordlibrary.org and click Events. For more information, call 203.385.4165.

Wizards and Witches Crafts
On Wednesday, June 25 at 2:00 PM, the Stratford Library Children’s Department will host an all-ages Wizards and Witches Crafts event in the Lovell Room. Kids and adults can create themed crafts inspired by Merlin, Dumbledore, Gandalf, and more, while chatting about favorite magical books and movies. Costumes are highly encouraged. Registration is required at stratfordlibrary.org under Events. For details, call 203.385.4165.

Kindness Club
On Thursday, June 26 at 4:00 PM, the Stratford Library Children’s Department will host a Kindness Club meeting for ages 6–11. This summer’s projects will focus on spreading joy and benefiting the community. The program meets in the Children’s Program Room. Registration is required at stratfordlibrary.org. For more information, call 203.385.4165.

Saturday Storytime: Ladybugs
The Stratford Library Children’s Department will host a Saturday Storytime for ages 3–6 on Saturday, June 21 at 10:30 AM. Children will enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and a ladybug-themed craft in the Children’s Program Room. Registration is required at stratfordlibrary.org. Call 203.385.4165 for details.

Gardening for Kids
On Friday, June 27 at 11:00 AM, the Stratford Library Children’s Department will offer a Gardening for Kids program for ages 8–12 in the Children’s Program Room. Kids will learn how to start planting their own garden. Presented in partnership with the Stratford Health Department. Registration is required at stratfordlibrary.org. For info, call 203.385.4165.

Preschool Art
Join the Stratford Library Children’s Department for Preschool Art on Saturday, June 28 at 11:00 AM. Children ages 3–7 are invited to participate. Registration is required at stratfordlibrary.org. For more details, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.

Board Fund-Raiser Begins June 5 with “Preview”

The Stratford Library will return with its annual book sale Thursday, June 5 through Sunday, June 8, 2025. The sale, which is a major fund-raiser for the library, is being organized this year by the Board of Trustees under Chair Shelley Hall of Stratford.

Browsers at this year’s sale will find thousands of books, CDs, LPs, DVDs, autographed books and much more in over 50 categories at bargain prices covering every conceivable subject from religion, business, music and art to philosophy, science fiction, biography, non-fiction and best-sellers.

The sale will commence with a “Preview” on Thursday, June 5 from 5:30–8:30 pm. The evening is open to everyone with no entry fee, and books are double the marked price.

The general book sale with prices as marked will continue on Friday, June 6 from 9 am–7 pm and Saturday, June 7 from 9 am–6 pm. Saturday’s sale will be held in conjunction with Stratford’s annual Main Street Festival.

On Sunday, June 8, the library will offer a “Half-Price Sale” on all remaining books from 9 am–2 pm, followed by a $10-a-bag sale from 2:30–4 pm (bags provided).

For further information, call the Stratford Library at 203.385.4161 or visit: www.stratfordlibrary.org.

Stratford, CT – UrSwim, a total aquatic management company, proudly held a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate the grand opening of its second location at 411 Barnum Avenue Cut-off, inside LA Fitness in Stratford. The event was attended by Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick, who helped mark the occasion during Water Safety Awareness Month.

“We’re thrilled to be opening our second location right here in Stratford,” said Hunter, a representative from UrSwim. “It’s especially meaningful to launch during Water Safety Awareness Month, as drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1 to 4 — but formal swim lessons can reduce that risk by up to 88%.”

UrSwim offers a wide range of aquatic services, including year-round swim instruction at LA Fitness, at-home swim lessons, lifeguard and CPR certification, and staffing for summer camps, HOAs, and community organizations.

With a mission centered on water safety, accessibility, and expert instruction, UrSwim is proud to expand its services and bring life-saving skills to more families in Fairfield County.

For more information or to register for swim programs, visit www.urswim.com

The Stratford Library will conclude “Sunday Afternoon Talks,” its series of informative and entertaining talks featuring prominent local guest speakers, on Sunday, May 18 at 2 pm. Guest speaker for the final SAT program of the season will be therapist and author Sherry Minniti D’Elia. The talk is free and open to the public.

Sherry Minniti D’Elia has been a holistic psychotherapist in private practice for over 25 years. Her new book is Everything You Never Wanted To Know About Aging That You Wish Someone Told You Plus… What You Might Be Able To Do About It!. Her greatest passion is assisting people on their journeys of healing and self-discovery with suggestions about how to age gracefully. She believes that focusing on healing oneself creates a ripple effect and brings more love and light into the world. Throughout her journey, D’Elia has continued to grow and is committed to loving herself and laughing a little more each day.

Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Aging… is the perfect book to bring knowledge, levity, and acceptance about getting older for women of all ages. Funny one-liners about aging are brought to life by delightful photos to help illustrate the inevitable things that happen to everyone. D’Elia provides tips throughout the book that can be funny, heartwarming, or practical, while helping to improve one’s attitude about aging. Autographed copies of her book will be available for purchase after the talk.

The “Sunday Afternoon Talks” series, hosted by Charles Lautier of Stratford, is held from 2–3:30 pm in the Stratford Library Lovell Room, 2203 Main Street in Stratford.

For further information, visit www.stratfordlibrary.org or call the Library at 203-385-4162.

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Stratford first responders were called to the Birdseye Boat Ramp when a car drove off the ramp into the Long Island Sound. The elderly man was deceased when the car was towed in. Police stated that he was the only person in the car and that the incident was self-initiated.

2025-05-07@1:30pm–#Stratford CT

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On April 29, 2025, Stratford Police Department Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Detectives, State of CT Department of Consumer Protection officials, State of CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services officials and State of CT Department of Revenue Officers, assembled to conduct compliance checks for the illegal sale of THC/Cannabis.
Prior to conducting this compliance check, NVI Unit Detectives received intelligence from a Stratford Police Department School Resource Officer that multiple Stratford Middle School juvenile students were found to be in possession of vape pens.
It was learned that Stratford Middle School students were buying these vape pens from “Smoke Shops” located within the Town of Stratford.
The process to purchase a vape pen from a student was described to the SRO as follows: student/seller would take the payment (money) from the student/purchaser while inside the school building and during school hours. The student/seller would then meet the student/purchaser after school, off of school grounds and hand over the vape pen that had already been paid for inside the school.
NVI Unit Detectives along with officials from the other assisting State of Ct. agencies, entered the Stratford News Smoke & Vape Shop at approximately 1100 hours to conduct the compliance check.
Subsequent to their investigation, Anas Chwiki (11-06-1975) was transported to the Stratford Police Department and charged with SALE OF MORE THAN 1 KILOGRAM OF CANNABIS and SUPPLYING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITHOUT A LICENSE.
Anas Chwicki was issued a May 15, 2025 court date. He was released from custody via a WPTA.
NVI Detectives seized a total of 107.546 Pounds (48.892 Kilograms) of illegal THC products along with $4,355.00 cash from the Stratford News Smoke & Vape Shop.

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Everyone made it out safely in a two-alarm fire in the 1600 block of Stratford Avenue across from the car wash.

2025-05-01@4:24pm–#Stratford CT — ctfire

5/1: 3:00–4:30 PM — Homeschoolers Meet-Up
This is a meet-up for tween and teen homeschoolers to connect. Enjoy an hour in the Teen Department to talk, play games or read some books. Grades 6–12. Registration is required.

5/5: 3:00–4:30 PM — Cinco de Mayo Drop-in Craft
Stop by the Teen Department to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! We’ll make a craft, play music, and eat some snacks while learning about this Mexican celebration. Grades 6–12. No registration required.

5/8: 3:30–4:30 PM — Volunteer Open House
The 2025 Summer Volunteer Open House is coming soon! Mark your calendar if you’re interested in volunteering in the Children’s, Teen, and/or uCreate Department this summer. The meeting will cover applications, registrations, responsibilities, and schedules.
Teen & uCreate applications: accepted 5/8–5/22.
Children’s applications: accepted until 5/30.
More info: www.stratfordlibrary.org/volunteer.
Grades 8–13 (must have completed 7th grade). Location: Board Room.

5/8: 4:00–5:30 PM — Cake Pop Fun!
Are you ready for some Cake Pop Fun? Let’s work together to create these sweet treats and make one for a special woman in your life in honor of Mother’s Day. Location: Lovell Room. Grades 6–12. Registration required.

5/12: 4:30–5:30 PM — Express Yourself: The Singing Bowl Experience
This unique program includes a brief lecture on the history of Tibetan singing bowls, a discussion on sound healing, and hands-on practice with the instruments. Ends with a group meditation. Location: Lovell Room. Grades 8–12. Registration required.

5/18: 3:30–4:30 PM — Stress ReDUCKtion
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Paint your own giant rubber ducky and enjoy provided snacks. Location: Teen Department. Grades 6–12. No registration required.

5/20: 4:00–6:00 PM — Kindness Hour Special Event (All Ages)
Join Bunnell High School’s Kinder Connect Club & the Stratford Library Teen Department to create gift baskets for children at Yale New Haven Hospital. Bring items to donate or help decorate and pack. Donations accepted at the Teen Desk anytime. All ages. No registration required.

5/22: 3:30–4:30 PM — Homeschoolers Meet-Up
A repeat of the May 1 meet-up. Grades 6–12. Registration is required.

Stratford, CT – On April 23, Stratford Police arrested 29-year-old Mark Febres after a domestic violence investigation led them to the Top Quality Vibes Bar in Orange. Febres, who is a convicted felon and the subject of a full no-contact protective order, was found with a Glock 43X firearm and taken into custody without incident.

Febres was charged with Criminal Violation of a Protective Order, Harassment 1st Degree, and Stalking 2nd Degree. He is being held on a $200,000 bond with a court date set for April 25. The Orange Police Department took custody of the firearm and secured an additional arrest warrant, with further charges including Criminal Possession of a Firearm and Carrying a Pistol without a Permit. Febres faces an additional $500,000 bond related to those charges.

Report of a rollover accident near exit 53 northbound. No word on injuries.

2025-04-23@9:25am–#Stratford CT– #cttraffic