The Annual Stratford Day, sponsored by Milford Bank and Hosted by The Stratford Rotary Club, was held on Saturday June 6st. The weather was beautiful, clear and sunny. A total of 275 food, craft and informational vendors participated, the most participants since Stratford Day was created. There was something for the kids in the way of inflatable’s a Merry Go Round and the Roaming Railroad. Other entertainment was a a DJ, our own Rotarian Dominic Mantuano, with several live groups performing. a Stilt Lady and others. There was something for everyone. An estimated crown of 8000 people attended this year’s event. This is the largest turnout since Rotary took over hosting the event.
Stratford Rotary would like to thank all of this year’s sponsors for their support.
We’re all looking forward to next year’s Festival. 

Additional photos can be found on the Photo Album Page.

Thank you to today’s speakers, Michael Todd Cohen and Adrian Dallas Frandle They explained what Lordship House is and the programs that are conducted there. Lordship House is a private house with public programs, including funded artist fellowships and a national free library-by-mail. Our mission is to serve and celebrate the epistolary and literary; to honor the queer tradition of finding, making and fostering spaces in which to flourish. 

Some of the programs are: 

Literary Salon by Mail: A typewriter is shared to share missives from Lordship House on natural history, queer life in New England, literature, film and art. Comes with a pre-stamped postcard for optional reply.

Lordship House retreat: This provides a short residency for writers, readers and artists at our seaside house in Lordship, Connecticut (Stratford). Fellows receive a stipend, meals (sometimes with treats from the garden), and lodging with private bath

Literary Brunch:
Several times a year, we welcome a gathering of literary community and kin, for a brunch spread, wind chimes and dialogue at our seaside house in Lordship, CT (Stratford).

The house library has over 1,000 books on wide-ranging topics and genres, including: Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, and Queer Theory. While the library is a private holding, it is our belief that resources should be shared with community. In this spirit, we established a book loan by mail program, available currently in the US.

More information can be found on their Facebook Page.

In partnership with the Stratford School System’s Pupil Services Department, the Stratford Rotary Club is delighted to host Lunch with Santa on December 16 at Riverview Bistro.

Twenty special-needs students, along with their teachers, will enjoy a festive afternoon complete with chicken fingers, smiles, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves. Gifts, laughter, and plenty of holiday cheer are all on the menu.

It’s one of our favorite traditions — a simple way to share joy, build community, and remind these wonderful kids that the season shines a little brighter because of them.

To view more photos go to the Photo Albums Page

Thank you to todays speaker, Gary Brennan, President of the Raymond T. Goldbach VFW Post 9460 Auxiliary. Post 9460 was the recipient of a grant from Stratford Rotary to help support their Wreaths Across America program. To date the Stratford VFW has purchased over 500 wreaths, which will be laid on the graves of veterans in Union Cemetery, Temple Court, Stratford on December 13, 2025 at 10:00 am.  The Raymond T Goldbach Auxiliary Post 9460 VFW will be helping Union Cemetery to Remember and Honor our veterans by laying Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes.