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Thank you to Rev. Sara Smith, Executive Director of Nourish Bridgeport, for her informative presentation on what Nourish Bridgeport does for the community.

Nourish Bridgeport was founded as Norma F. Pfriem Urban Outreach Initiatives (NPUOI) in 2010. Their new name reflects their identity and mission as a not-for-profit organization that strives to better the lives of those in need in Bridgeport. Our weekly Feel the Warmth community supper, weekly food pantry and ESL programs help our neighbors who are homeless, food insecure and struggling to build better lives.

Thought for the Week

Never Forget

Annual Rotary Golf Tournament

The Annual Rotary Golf Tournament was held today at the Short Beach Par 3 Golf Course at the Edward Yeomans Sports Complex. 37 golfers participated in the event. Food was donated by the Beach House Restaurant at Short Beach.

The weather was perfect for golfing. After all the rounds of golf were completed lunch was served at the restaurant and prizes and trophy's were handed out. Ray Corica won again in the men's division for the 7th year. Several raffle prizes were given out with the top prize of an all expenses paid round of golf at the Oronoque Country Club.

Thank you to all who participated.

More photos in the Photo Albums Section

The Beth El Center of Milford

Thank you Jennifer Paradis, Executive Director of the Beth El Center in Milford, for your very informative presentation about the services your group provides.

The Beth-El Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides support services and advocacy to those experiencing homelessness and hunger within the Greater Milford community. Through our 34 bed homeless shelter, food service programs and outreach and engagement efforts, we offer individuals, families and veterans long-term solutions to help them reclaim their lives

Our experienced and knowledgeable staff works to provide the tools and resources our residents need in order to lead independent lives. We strive to help each person secure a place to live, sustainable income and support services in order to return to self-sufficiency.

Shelter Program
Through on-site services and community partnerships, our residential program helps individuals obtain independence through stable housing, gainful employment, education and/or training. Our compassionate case managers provide one-on-one support to all residents to develop personal goals and a plan to return to self-sufficiency.

Admission to the Beth-El Center, Inc. Shelter Program for Individuals is facilitated through 2-1-1 Coordinated Entry. All individuals in need of shelter must contact 2-1-1 via phone or online for assistance: www.211ct.org

Family Program
Singles or couples with children reside at the Beth-El Center while receiving the support and assistance needed to achieve self-sufficiency utilizing intensive case management services.

Admission to the Beth-El Center, Inc. Shelter Program for Families is facilitated through 2-1-1 Coordinated Entry. All families in need of shelter must contact 2-1-1 via phone or online for assistance: www.211ct.org

Supportive Housing
Our Permanent Supportive Housing Case Manager provides supportive services to the residents of Liberty Point apartments to help them access resources necessary to maintain their housing and independence.

No Freeze Shelter
We provide warmth, food and shelter to those in need during cold winter nights. Users of our No Freeze shelter are connected with Center case managers to help support them in engaging in other long-term shelter and housing options.

Soup Kitchen
Supported through individual volunteers and community groups, Beth-El Center, Inc. is able to offer nutritious hot meals to shelter residents as well any community members in need. We serve a meal weekdays from 11:30am to 1:00pm and most weekends. Please refer to the monthly Meals Calendar for more information.

More information can be found at the Centers website, http://www.bethelmilford.org/

2018-2019 Installation of Officers

Stratford Rotarians, family members and friends gathered at the Blue Goose Restaurant for the club's annual dinner and induction of officers where the club thanked Jeff Krause for his year of service as club president, installed our new president, Stephanie Philips, and the 2018-2019 club officers, We welcomed our newest Rotarian, Osi Rosenberg, who was sworn in by ADG Cindy Fitch. A great evening enjoyed by all!

Photos can be viewed in the Photo Albums tab.

Rotary 60th Anniversary Celebration

The Stratford Rotary Club held its 60^th Anniversary Celebration on May 4, 2018 at the Oronoque Country Club, which was attended by 75 current and past Rotarians their family and guests.

Stratford PAL

Thank you to Ofc. Robert Muschett of the Stratford Police Dept. for his very informative presentation about the Stratford Activities League.

Stratford PAL is an organization of law enforcement officers and civilians working together towards the positive development of our youth. Every dollar raised is used directly for the benefit of the many programs sponsored by the organization. Donations are heavily relied on to support PAL activities.

A contribution will help ensure PAL’s ability to help support the young people, approximately 95 at this time, who are currently involved in the following programs:

Police Explorer Program [Link: click here]
PAL Rifle League [Link: click here]
Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading [Link: click here]
Baseball: Stratford Little League, American Legion, Cal Ripken,
Babe Ruth and Stratford Titans [Link: click here] & [Link # 2: click here]
Girls Softball
Stratford United Soccer [Link: click here]

Stratford PAL is a registered 501c(3) nonprofit by the Internal Revenue Service, which makes your donation to PAL tax-deductible. And please remember that 100% of your donation will go directly to support PAL programs. Your donations can be made by check or through the official Stratford Police Department website via a secure Paypal link.

Synergy Homecare

Thank you Jay Kiley, owner of Synergy Homecare, for your excellent presentation at today’s lunch meeting.

In-home care is a great way to get the help you need. You may be a senior who needs assistance with daily living activities, so trust our caregivers to help with meal preparation or personal care. You may also be caring for your aging parent and just need someone to be with them while you run errands. Home care services are versatile, flexible, and customized for your comfort, peace of mind and well-being.

Personal Assistance

Standby Assistance with Morning
and Evening Routines

Transfer Assistance

Bathing & Showering Assistance

Personal Hygiene Assistance

Help with Restroom Use

Assistance with Dressing

Personal Appearance Care

Incontinence Care

Other Services include:

Errands & Transportation

Meals

Light Housekeeping

Companionship

Live-in-Care

24 Hour Care

For more information go to www.synergyhomecare.com

Supporting Systems

Thank you to Linda Baker Founder of Supporting Systems for her informative presentation at this weeks lunch meeting. Linda is a certified K-8 teacher and certified K-12 school counselor. For 33 years, she worked at Conte West Hills Magnet school in New Haven, Connecticut, for grades pre-k through 8th as both a teacher and school counselor. Linda completed four years of facilitator training with The New England Institute of Systemic Constellations and additional training with The ECL Foundation. For the past three years, she has been a catalyst for ECL (Emotional Well-being Creativity and Learning Foundation) by bringing the systemic lens and ECL practices to her school which has recently been honored as a Connecticut School of Distinction. Linda has expanded her practice to include other schools and organizations through Supporting Systems.

Columbia Threadneedle

Thank you to Adam Shanahan, Regional VP Asset Management at Columbia Threadneedle. After giving an overview of the company he answered several questions from our group. Questions ranged from what is the condition of the stock market, to emerging markets for middle class and housing markets.

To contact Adam his email is adam.shanahan@columbiathreadneedle.com.

Rotary Interact and RYLA Participants

Today our club hosted the newest RYLA attendees and the members of the Interact Clubs from Bunnell H.S. and Stratford H.S.

CT Air and Space Center

Thank you to Eugene Madara and Matt Corvino for the extremely informative presentation on the CT Air and Space Center located here in Stratford.

Founded in 1998 by the late State Senator George “Doc” Gunther, the Connecticut Air & Space Center is a 501©(3) charitable corporation dedicated to honoring the pioneers of early aviation, restoring and preserving examples of the aircraft they flew, and educating current and future generations about Connecticut’s unique aviation heritage. The Center relies on volunteers who painstakingly piece together these aircraft and on the donations it receives from those in the public and private sectors.

The Connecticut Air and Space Center is located in Stratford CT near Sikorsky Memorial Airport. We are currently restoring several aircraft, including the famous Sikorsky Memorial FG1-D Corsair and Sikorsky S60 “Flying Crane”. We are always seeking new members and volunteers to help further the process.

Our hours of operation are Tuesdays and Saturdays 9 am till 2 pm and
Thursdays 9 am till 9 pm. If you are planning a group visit please make sure to call ahead a few days in advance to make sure we have a guide available for your visit.

Please Note: The museum is currently located on a Federal Government owned installation, all visitors must be at least 18 years of age. Please come to 550 Main Street in Stratford (across from the Shell station and the airport) for a quick Safety Briefing and to gain entry to the museum.

Advancing the Awareness of Connecticut’s Aviation History

Health Career Academy

Thank you to Victoria Medina and Mike Potawa for their informative presentation on the Southwestern Connecticut Health CareeRx Academy that provides tuition assistance and support to help participants obtain a career in the growing healthcare field. The WorkPlace’s Health CareeRx Academy (HCA) is a broad partnership of healthcare providers, educators, trainers, and community-based organizations in Southwestern Connecticut. Designed with input from employers, HCA’s mission is to meet the current and evolving workforce needs of healthcare employers. The HCA provides occupational training, work readiness, and other supports to individuals who desire to begin or advance a career in healthcare. All training by HCA leads to a certificate or degree and prepares individuals to pass a state or national license exam.

Perry House

Thank you to Michelle Stolzenberg our speaker at todays meeting. Michele, representing the Perry House Foundation, spoke on some of the activities and events held at the Perry House. She went into depth on a program for 3rd and 5th graders. Skits related to various areas in the Towns history are written for the children and they act them out using props. The children have a lot of fun acting out the various roles. The setting for all the skits is the Benjamin Tavern, which originally was located on West Broad Street across the street from the Perry House, and where George Washington visited several times on his way through Stratford. For more information on the Perry House Foundation visit, http://www.perryhousestratford.org/.

Norm Parsell's Luncheon

This years Norman K. Parsells Award Luncheon was hosted by the Stratford Rotary Club at Oronoque Country Club. 10 Rotary Clubs from District 7980 were represented with nearly 200 Rotarians attending.

The program began with a Call to Order from President Jeff Krause followed by the Presenting of the Colors by the Second Company Governor's Foot Guard. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jeff Krause. The Stratford High School A Capella Chior sand a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. The Invocation was given by Deacon Paul Kurmay.

Each clubs awardee was presented with a plaque. Congratulations to Gary Jacopian our Norm Parcells honoree for his life long work as a volunteer in this community for a variety of organizations.

Other awardees were Christopher Gallo, Bridgeport, David Grant, Derby/Shelton, Grayson Schwing, Devon, Walter Leash, Fairfield, Shaileen Landsberg, Milford, Katie Bailey, Monroe, Robert Sigler, Orange, Holly Sutton-Darr, Trumbull and Carol Johnson, Wilton.

Quilts of Valor Program

Thank you to Jane Dougherty, CT Coordinator of Quilts of Valor Foundation, who presented quilts to several of our club's Vietnam veterans at the Oronoque Country Club. Recipients, from left to right, were John Corb, Jack Cratty and Joe Dolan.

The Foundation makes quilts for veterans throughout the country as another way of thanking them for their service.

Mike Suntag

Today the Stratford Rotary Club welcomed to the club a new Rotarian, Mike Suntag. Mike was sworn in by District Governor Trish Pearson.

Congratulations and welcome to Rotary.

In addition to Mike's swearing in as a new member ADG Trish Pearson was presented with a check for $1,000.00 for the District's Hurricane Relief Fund.

SECC Bike Rodeo 2017

Stratford Rotary was proud today to join South End Community Center Bike Rodeo again. Bike safety was priority, and Rotary donated bike helmets and bike locks. Finally every kid was treated to Grilled Hot Dogs, chips and beverage. Service Above Self is our mission. The Police Department was on hand to instruct the youngsters on how to safely ride their bikes. The Fire Truck and the police dog were a big hit. Entertainment was provided by retired police officer Frank Sapione, who dazzled the children with his illusions.

As you can see from the pictures the kids had a great time. Fran Sinish deserves a big “Thumbs UP” for coordinating event and the delivery of the bike locks and food. Some children that did not receive a bild helmet were given them today. Special thanks to Jack and Phil who worked the grill and to Fran, Jeff, Sheri, Joe Gresko, Lou, Diane Barber and Paul who served the food. Thanks for Sterling House for the loan of their equipment. Stephanie Philips was cheerleader and photographer.

2017-2018 Installation Dinner

Stratford Rotarians, family members and friends gathered at the Blue Goose Restaurant for the club's annual dinner and induction of officers where the club thanked Lou Perno for his year of service as club president, installed our new president, Jeff Krause, and the 2017-2018 club officers, We welcomed our newest Rotarian, Paul Tavaras, who was sworn in by ADG Cindy Rinaldi. A great evening enjoyed by all!

Main Street Festival 2017

The Annual Main Street Festival, sponsored by Milford Bank and Hosted by The Stratford Rotary Club, was held on Saturday June 3rd. The weather was beautiful, breezy but mostly clear and sunny. A total of 127 food, craft and informational vendors participated. There was something for the kids in the way of inflatable’s and a bounce house and the Roaming Railroad. Other entertainment was a dunk tank, a trick bicycle demonstration, a magician, a demonstration of Falconry and music from several groups throughout the day at the two stages on site. 20 food vendors participated serving a variety of foods. There was something for every taste. Thousands of people attended this year’s event and it is thought to be the largest turnout since Rotary took over hosting the event.
Stratford Rotary would like to thank this year’s sponsors. The Milford Bank, Stratford Mayors Golf Tournament and Bridgeport Fittings. Also, Big “Y”, Home Depot, ShopRite, Stop & Shop and Walmart for their support.
We’re all looking forward to next year’s Festival.