Help from the CT Agricultural Experiment Station

Gardeners of Stratford -- are you frustrated by your efforts to raise vegetables, flowers and fruit this year? Has a fungus attacked your fuchsias? Have bugs wiped out your broccoli? Don't know where to turn?

Well, we're sure you know that the library has a lot of great books on gardening and pest control. But you may not know that a state agency called the CT Agricultural Experiment Station is also available to help you solve your garden woes, for free. They will identify a mystery insect, diagnose a baffling plant disease, and test your soil to tell you why your plants aren't thriving. You can mail your samples in or just call and ask them for advice. And there's no fee for these services.

The CAES has been serving science in the public interest in New Haven since 1877. As part of their mission, "any consumer wanting to know the composition of his soil, fertilizer, cattle food, seeds, or whether an insect or plant carries a disease has only to fill out a form and agree that all results will be made available for public use."

You can read more about these specific programs at their website: Insect Information and Problems Soil Testing Plant Information and Problems

Yes we can! (fruits and vegetables)

Last week, All Things Considered ran a story called "During Tough Times, Canning Makes a Comeback." (Listen to their story here, if you like.) All over the US, people are asking their older neighbors to show them how to put up food or learning from books. The company that owns the popular Ball line of canning products, says it has already seen a 30 percent increase in sales of jars and lids this year!

The library has plenty of books you can borrow on canning and preserving if you want to brush up or learn how for the first time.

And here's the perfect reason to start canning: Stratford's farmers' market is up and running again for the summer. The market will be held every Monday from June 29th to October 2nd (1 - 6 pm) at DeLuca Field's overflow parking lot in the South End of Stratford. Senior coupons and WIC coupons are accepted. For seniors who participate in the Senior Nutrition Program, coupons are available through the Salvation Army at 367-0605. WIC coupons should be obtained for the month of July at the WIC office at 752 East Main Street, Bridgeport or by calling 576-8072. For more information about the Farmers Market, contact Greta Roberts at groberts@townofstratford.com or 385.4090.

Come to the Library on the 3rd of July

Yes, the library is open on Friday July 3, from 10 am - 5 pm... so come in and get some ideas for your Independence Day cookout. We have lots of books on grilling, on summer desserts, and on entertaining a crowd. You could also check out a few books on the American Revolution if you want to impress your friends and family with a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Here's a colorful but easy idea for dessert: Old Glory Cupcakes. You can make your own cupcakes, following the recipe below, or you can start with supermarket cupcakes as long as they have white frosting. If you use store-bought cupcakes, all you need to purchase for decoration are a pint of blueberries for every dozen cupcakes, and red "fruit leather" to make the stripes. Old Glory Cupcakes -- Makes 24 cupcakes 3 cups blueberries, washed and divided 1 (18- to 19-oz.) pkg. yellow cake mix 1/3 cup applesauce 3 egg whites 1 (8 oz.) pkg. reduced-fat cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup confectioners sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 roll red-colored rolled fruit leather (from a 4.5 oz. box) Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large mixing bowl, beat cake mix with applesauce, egg whites and 1 1/4 cups water for 30 seconds on low speed, then 2 minutes on medium speed. Spoon batter into 24 (2-inch) aluminum or paper lined muffin cups; evenly divide about 1 cup of blueberries on top of batter; do not stir. Bake cupcakes following package directions; remove to a wire rack and cool completely. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spoon onto cooled cupcakes; spread to the edges. Unroll fruit snack and, with a sharp knife, cut into strips 1/8 inch wide by 2 inches long. On half of each cupcake, arrange strips, as shown, trimming each to fit with clean scissors. Arrange remaining 2 cups blueberries on the frosting on other halves of the cupcakes, about 10 blueberries per cupcake. (This recipe is from Celebrate with Style, a good website for finding affordable and fun ideas for entertaining.)

Stratford Farmers Market opens Monday 6/29

Stratford's 2009 Farmer's Market will feature Connecticut-grown fruits and vegetables, locally made baked-goods, and several other items from area farmers. The Artisan Alliance will also provide a variety of crafts for purchase. The market will be held every Monday from June 29th to October 2nd (1 - 6 pm) at DeLuca Field's overflow parking lot in the South End of Stratford.

Senior coupons and WIC coupons are accepted. For seniors who participate in the Senior Nutrition Program, coupons are available through the Salvation Army at 367-0605. WIC coupons should be obtained for the month of July at the WIC office at 752 East Main Street, Bridgeport or by calling 576-8072.

Look for the Stratford Library's Tent - stop by and say Hi!

We need your help! Gov. Rell's proposed budget will CUT essential Library services

The state budget proposed by Governor Rell on May 29th eliminates state support for a number of programs that are very important to the services of the Stratford Library Association. What is at stake?

• Connecticut Education Network provides every public library with free Internet connection, reduced funding jeopardizes this essential service
• Interlibrary Loan Service reduced funding for the statewide delivery system between libraries. If local libraries had to mail these items it would cost over $5 million a year
• ICONN, the state-wide Digital Library provides access to thousands of journals, magazines, newspapers and other research resources affecting every school, public library and college in Connecticut
• Connecticard allows free access residents to borrow from any library in the state making many more books and other library resources available at great savings to taxpayers
• ReQuest, the statewide catalog which allows citizens to locate over 4.4 million titles in libraries across the state
• Grants to Public Libraries- basic grants to local libraries fund books, technology, and staff training
• Service Centers provide training, consulting services, professional collections and early literacy materials to Connecticut’s libraries
• Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC) negotiates discounts with vendors, including book and media distributors saving libraries and schools hundreds of thousands of dollars

PLEASE let Governor Rell and our state Senators & Representatives know that you value the library and do not want to see these cuts happen. Let them know that money spent on public libraries is money wisely spent Governor M. Jodi Rell (R) Governor.Rell@ct.gov State Senate District 21: Dan Debicella (R) Dan.Debicella@cga.ct.gov State Senate District 23: Edwin Gomes (D) Gomes@senatedems.ct.gov State House District 120: John A. Harkins (R) John.Harkins@housegop.ct.gov State House District 121: Terry Backer (D) Terry.Backer@cga.ct.gov State House District 122: Lawrence G. Miller (R) Lawrence.G.Miller@housegop.ct.gov Thanks!

Summer Reading - it's not just for kids anymore!

Be Creative: Find Time to Read!

Adult Summer Reading Program 2009 · No meetings! · Read any book you like! · You could win a gift! Do you have time to read just one book this summer? Let the Stratford Library help you find terrific books and audiobooks (so you can read “on the go!”).

Each time you read a book, stop by the Reference Desk to fill out a ticket which will make you eligible for drawings throughout the summer. You could win: Brakettes tickets, Square One Theatre tickets, YMCA Weekend Family Fun passes, gift certificates to local restaurants such as Blue Point Bar and Grill, Shell Station, Stephen’s Pub & Grill, plus gifts or gift certificates from Millers Hallmark, Janet Kemp Fine Yarns & Needlework, Sikorsky Financial Credit Union, and more! Be creative about finding time to read this summer! Registration begins Monday, June 22 at the Stratford Library Adult Reference Desk. Call 203-385-4164 for more information

Historic Lordship Tour on Saturday, June 13

On Saturday June 13, 2009 (10am to 4pm) a coalition of Lordship community groups will host a celebration of Lordship's history and its present, the "Historic Lordship Tour," to remember and celebrate those days of long ago when the Trolley brought tourists to enjoy the beach and the new-fangled horseless carriages ran along Prospect Drive.

For one day, the trolleys will come back to Lordship, bringing the community together for some old-fashioned fun. The trolley cars will circuit Lordship with guided tours, stopping at the three churches (with free parking and bathroom facilities), Audubon Center, the firehouse, Stratford Point Lighthouse, and Civil Air Patrol.

The Audubon Society will conduct tours of the old Remington Gun Club and the Firehouse. The Father's Club Building and the retired firemen will give tours of their facilities. And for the first time in decades, the Stratford Point Lighthouse (a fully functional Coast Guard operational lighthouse) and the Civil Air Patrol will be open to the public.

Each stop will feature a special display of historical highlights via video, photographs and special events lik a storyteller impersonating Igor Sikorsky. Eateries and booths along the way will provide ample opportunity for folks to go home full of goodies and memories. An antique car show, roller skating demonstration, live music by the Stratford High School Jazz Band, a quilt exhibition, and a booth about local history resources at the Stratford library will add to the fun. The participating organizations are the Lordship Fathers’ Club, Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church, St. Joseph National Catholic Church, and the Lordship Community Church, and the Stratford Civil Air Patrol.

Tickets are $10 per person or $20 per family and can be purchased at the Stratford Library by check or cash. For more information please see http://www.lordshiphistory.com/ or call: Christine Griffin -203-378-3537.