Category: Stratford

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

To mark World Down Syndrome Day on Friday, March 21st, Mayor Hoydick of Stratford, has issued a proclamation to Amber Lehrman, her parents Melody and Phil, Councilman Alan Llewelyn, his daughter Mary Kathryn, and Gabby Brice encouraging residents to celebrate the achievements of individuals with Down syndrome. Mayor Hoydick presented the proclamation to Amber Lehrman, a student at Stratford High School and a member of the Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut (DS ACT).

March 21st is a global day of celebration and awareness, observed by the United Nations since 2012 to raise public awareness of Down syndrome and promote the inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

With support from the Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut, families around the state have sought proclamations from the towns and cities where they live. Many will also be “Rocking Their Socks” throughout the day – wearing mismatched socks to trigger conversations about Down syndrome and the power of individual differences.

“We’re challenging stereotypes of people with Down syndrome by offering factual information and we’re having conversations that celebrate what individuals with Down syndrome bring to their community,” said Shanon McCormick, DS ACT executive director.

The proclamation presented by Mayor Hoydick explains that Down Syndrome is a lifelong condition in which a person has an extra twenty-first chromosome, affecting 6,000 babies in the US annually. It also describes the many ways that improved medical care and educational practices have dramatically improved the outlook for individuals born with Down syndrome.

All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each person possesses. With planning and support, people who have Down syndrome are able to live and work in the community. Many people feel it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome through genetic therapies.

DS ACT is a private, 501(c)3 organization committed to increasing opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome. It offers programs that include support of new and expectant parents and siblings of children with Down syndrome; mentoring in education advocacy for parents; a support group for teens and young adults with Down syndrome, and one for their parents; literacy assessment and tutoring for individuals with a Down syndrome learning profile; summer camp grants for children and adults with Down syndrome; and an annual conference in best practices for families and professionals. Down syndrome occurs in approximately 1 of every 700 births. In Connecticut 40 to 50 children are born with Down syndrome each year, most to women under 35 years of age. The most common physical traits include low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm.

STRATFORD — Mayor Laura R. Hoydick today announced that the Town of Stratford will host
this year’s annual Veterans Breakfast on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The annual event, which
has provided breakfast for more than 1,800 veterans since 2012, is scheduled to start at 9 a.m.,
and will be held at Vazzano’s Four Seasons in Stratford. There is no charge for veterans or their
guest, who will receive a fully-served breakfast. In addition to breakfast, the Town is planning a
program which includes key note speakers, recognition of Stratford Veterans and a traditional
performance from the Stratford High School Select Choir.
The deadline to register is Wednesday, May 14, 2024. Veterans and non-veterans who are
interested in attending may register by calling (203) 385-4029. Please ask to register for the
Veterans Breakfast. Additional details of the event, and online registration, is available at
https://www.stratfordct.gov/page/veterans. Please note: general seating is first-come, first
served. If you or your guest require special accommodations, please advise upon registration.