IT'S OFFICIAL
District Governor Stephanie Philips
and the 2025–2026 Club Presidents and Assistant Governors
 
Stephanie’s year will focus on addressing food insecurity and promoting literacy, while helping clubs boost engagement, expand their reach, and broaden their impact — all with a Rotary experience filled with “belonging, purpose, and a lot of fun.”
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2025 Stratford Rotary Club Induction NEW DATE  
July 15, 2025 5:30 - 8:30 PM at Perry House

Join us in celebrating the Stratford Club's achievements during Harold Watson Rotary Year 2024-25 and welcoming the induction of our newest President, Dominic Mantuano, along with the Officers and Board of Directors for 2025-2026. Additionally, we will present the Paul Harris Service Award and the Rotary Service Above Self Award.

July Events

Home Page Stories
Grant Presentation Luncheon
Grant Presentation Luncheon

Twice a year the Stratford Rotary asks organizations to submit a Grant Application for any new projects/programs they have developed. Today's luncheon was attended by several of the Stratford Grant recipients, who gave gave a short summary of their projects before receiving their checks. 

The recipients are The Stratford Library represented by the Library Director Sheri Szymanski, $500.00. The Library program is offers free passes to local attractions, such as the Beardsley Zoo, Discovery Science Center, etc. This program has been so popular that this grant is aimed to broaden the array of enrichment activities.

Sterling House Community Center represented by Cathy Huda and Anna Gyorgy were awarded a $500.00 grant to help support their food pantry. 

Christina Adena representing the South End Community Center Food Bank, which serves hundreds of families in the south end of Stratford, also received a $500.00 grant. 

More photos can be seen on the photo album page.

Main Street Festival 2025
Main Street Festival 2025

The Annual Main Street Festival, sponsored by Milford Bank and Hosted by The Stratford Rotary Club, was held today Saturday June 7th. The weather forecast was cloudy with a chance of showers. There were a few small light showers. The heavier rains came just as the festival was coming to a close. A total of 230 vendors signed up this year, a record number. There were food, craft and informational vendors. There was something for the kids in the way of inflatable’s and a bounce house and the Roaming Railroad. Other entertainment was a magician and animal balloons for the kids There was something for everyone. Music was provided all day by Rotarian Dominic Mantuano. An estimated crown of 8000 people attended this year’s 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.
 

Scholarship Luncheon 2025
Scholarship Luncheon 2025

The Stratford Rotary Club celebrated our yearly scholarship awards to deserving Seniors from Bunnell and Stratford High Schools. Parents and siblings of the awardees were also present. The luncheon was held at the Riverview Bistro on Ferry Blvd. After a short business meeting and lunch the awards were given. Scholarship winners, their resumes, and scholarship essays follow.

For the first time every student that was awarded a scholarship was a member of the school’s Interact Club.  Interact Clubs are service clubs for young people aged 12-18, sponsored by Stratford Rotary. The name "Interact" itself combines "international" and "action," highlighting their focus on service and action. Interact clubs are self-governing and self-supporting and based at both Stratford High School and Bunnell High School with the aim of developing leadership skills, personal integrity, and a sense of service.

Scholarships were presented to:

Joey Darbilli - Bunnell HS - Vermilya Memorial Academic

Amy Williams -Bunnell HS -Trade School Award

Siobhan Nunn - Bunnell HS - Bruce Carr Memorial Activism Award

Katie Marquez-Paz - Stratford  HS -Vermilya Memorial Academic

Aldo Sosa Sanchez - Stratford HS - Trade School Award

Zoe Bernard - Stratford HS - Bruce Carr Memorial Activism Award

Congratulations to all the students.

 

Beth Stoller  
Beth Stoller
Beth Stoller was our guest speaker today. Beth is a Trumbull Rotarian and she came to speak today about a children's book project she launched in 2023. Partnering with renowned author Tish Rabe, a bestselling author of over 200 books for Sesame Street, Disney, PBS Kids, Nickelodeon and many more. This initiative aims to teach young readers the values of kindness and friendship while empowering future generations through education and storytelling.   The book is titled "Caring, Friendship is Sharing" with several Rotary Clubs in District 7980 helping to fund this project. The book is about half way finished and should be released early in 2026.
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CT Comptroller Sean Scanlon
CT Comptroller Sean Scanlon
Sean Scanlon, CT Comptroller, and the husband of a Guilford, Ct Rotarian, was the featured speaker of Rotarian Joe Gresko at last weeks' Stratford Rotary. Sean was very informative about the current CT State Budgeting, and how the current legislation session, as well as the Federal funding uncertainty, will likely impact CT funding, particularly in VA, education, and social services.  He welcomed our questions and found our shoreline charming.
Sharon Palumberi
Sharon Palumberi
SHARON PALUMBERI 
 NORMAN K. PARCELLS 2025 AWARD Honoree from Stratford ROTARY.
  Sharon Palumberi has been a Realtor for over 30 years, working hard to make homeownership a reality for many. Her knowledge and compassion have brought many repeat clients back to her. She also works with a CT Debt negotiator on short sales. Sharon has also worked at Santa Energy for over 25 years in their marketing/sales department. She has also now stepped in as the primary caretaker for her mom.Sharon has been a proud member of the Stratford Rotary Club for 6 years and has held the positions of Vice President, President-Elect, and President. 
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Stratford Planning Director, Susmitha Attota,
Stratford Planning Director, Susmitha Attota,
Stratford Planning Director, Susmitha Attota, was Harold Watson's guest speaker at todays meeting. where she updated members about the initiatives to increase Greenway Main Street Complete Streets Phase One usage,  as well as introducing Complete Streets Phase Two (From Barnum Ave to Paradise Green) and the NEXT section in the design stage: Phase Three (On Ferry Blvd.)   
4 Way Test Essay Contest
4 Way Test Essay Contest
Stratford Rotary and students from Stratford and Bunnell H.S. participated in the Rotary 4-Way Test Essay Contest. Students were to complete an essay related to how the 4-Way Test has affected their lives. A group of Rotarians judged the essays and Zawadi O'Brien was deemed the winner. She will go on the compete with other finalists at the District level.
Zawadi was honored at the April Town Council Meeting. Councilman Alvin O'neal and Mayor Hoydick honored this young woman by having her lead the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Congratulations Zawadi.
Donation from Stratford Community Fund
Donation from Stratford Community Fund
This week Keri Sheridan was sworn in as our newest Rotarian. Congratulations Keri and welcome to the club.
Bill O'Brien, Director of the Stratford Community Fund, and a long-time Stratford Rotarian, presents Stratford Rotary Foundation with a $44K+ donation so that Stratford Rotary may continue the mutual tradition of good, community-based work done by the Community Fund over the decades. The Community Fund was originally started by Stratford Rotary many years ago.
 
 
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Welcome to our Club!
Stratford

Service Above Self

We meet In Person & Online
Tuesdays at 12:15 PM
Riverview Bistro Restaurant
946 Ferry Blvd
Stratford, CT 06614
United States of America
Every 4th Tuesday, Stratford meets on Zoom, starting at noon.
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President
Dominic Mantuano
President Elect
Alvin O'Neal
Treasurer
Pat Patusky
Secretary
Suzanne Richards
Club Rotary Foundation
Jeff Krause
Immediate Past President
Harold Watson
Executive Secretary/Director
Stephanie Philips
Club Sergeant-at-Arms
Jack Cratty
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