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.

Thank you Joe Meyer, President of the Stratford Lions Club for your insightful presentation on the Project Kidsight program. 

Project Kidsight is a free vision screening program for children from ages six months to five years that local Lions Club volunteers conduct periodically throughout the year.

Early vision screening can provide significant long term benefits for children. Vision problems are prevalent in 25% of all school children in the U.S. Some problems that can permanently affect vision are best treated at an early age. By the time children enter school the treatment may not be as effective and can be more costly.