Historic District "House" Biographies - Tell us Your Story

The Historic District is rich with history and almost every house has a story to tell. Since we all love to hear a good story, the Old Stratford Neighborhood Association is asking our neighbors to tell us their's and we will post on the BLOG.

Michael Bingham started us off in January by telling the Story of the Leaning House. It is the first of what we hope will become a series of “biographies” of houses in the Historic District. We invite submissions from owners of any neighborhood homes, old or not. They needn’t be essay-length — even sharing just a few paragraphs about what you find most interesting or endearing about your home would be of interest to neighbors.

And of course please include an image. If you don’t have a photo of your home, we would be happy to take one (at no charge) to include with your post. Please send submissions to mbingham@conntact.com.

OSNA Announces 2012 Events Schedule - Three New Board Members Welcomed

The newly seated OSNA Board of Directors announced their 2012 events and meeting schedule at their January 9th board meeting. The board officers are:

• Henry Bruce, New President
• Ann Lindsay Jackson, Vice President (continuing)
  
• Michael Bingham, Secretary (formerly Board President)
• Christine Rudney, New Treasurer
• Paul Joy, Membership Co-chair
• Carol Lockshier, New Membership Co-chair

With three new board members, we are all excited about the prospects for 2012 and beyond. We have many plans and initiatives in the works with our social and meeting finalized, starting with the annual Business Meeting on Thursday March 22nd from 7:30 to 9 pm. Our Business Meeting is open to all OSNA members and neighbors and provides us the opportunity to discuss and share community-wide topics and issues. This year's meeting will be at The Perry House.

Our entire events plans for 2012 are as follows:

• Business Meeting, March 22nd, 7:30 to 9 pm, The Perry House
• Spring Social, June 24th, 5 to 9pm, Housatonic Boat Club
• End of Summer Picnic, September 9th, afternoon, 2252 Elm St
• Holiday Party & Caroling, Sunday December 16th, 4 to 8pm

These events are a great way to connect with old friends and neighbors and meet the many new ones (like myself). These gatherings are also a great way to stay up on all of the community happenings that affect us all.

In the meantime, please reach out to any of us on the board to let us know what you think and how we can serve you and our neighborhood!

Henry Bruce, OSNA President

Remembering Katharine Hepburn's "Summers in Stratford"

Who hasn't heard of the ledgendary actress Katharine Hepburn, but did you know that she spent 2 summers here in Stratford in 1957 and 1960 celebrating her craft by performing at the American Shakespeare Festival? Until recently, I did not, but the stories I have heard are a fascinating part of our history.

Now we have a chance to join in a lively talk Thursday February 16th at noon. Presented by author and filmmaker Michael J. Bielawa, this unique event will focus on Ms. Hepburn's stay in Stratford, thoughts on Shakespeare, and an intimate look at Kate's Cottage, the little waterfront cabin where she helped bring Shakespeare's works to life.

What: "Kate's Cottage: Katharine Hepburn's Summers in Stratford, with Michael J. Bielawa
When: Thursday, February 16th, noon
Where: Fairfield Museum & History Center, 370 Beach Road, Fairfield
Details: $8; $5 for Museum members.

Bring your own lunch; lemonade and dessert provided. The short film "Along the Shores of Memory: The Katharine Hepburn Cottage will also be shown. For more details about this event and for directions, please visit: Fairfield Museum & History Center.

Contributed by Christine Rudney

HDC Seeks White House Protection

At its May meeting last evening, the Historic District Commission passed a resolution to petition the Town Council to include the Shakespeare Theater administration building (a/k/a the White House) in the Historic District in order to help protect it from demolition.

It is not entirely clear whether the Town Council has jurisdiction to do that, or whether including the Elm Street property in the Historic District (whose present southern boundary is Ferry Blvd.) would help to protect it. But it's a meaningful first step in organizing support to protect and (it is hope) rehabilitate Stratford's last "Grand Mansion."

Justice Prevails!

About 40 to 50 neighbors turned out Tuesday night when the Board of Zoning Appeals heard the Berquists' petition to rezone their property at 2048 Elm Street to allow for construction of a new home. Just one (Brian Jennings) testified in favor of the petition, while at least 15 testified in opposition -- most arguing that new construction would gravely alter the character of Academy Hill.
And the winner is...The BZA voted 5-0 to deny the petition!
Thanks to all who took the time to come and testify on behalf of preserving the character of our wonderful neighborhood. This is indeed a significant victory.

Berquist Petition Rescheduled

Please plan to attend the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting TOMORROW, 7 P.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS at Town Hall. The Berquists' (2048 Elm Street) petition for a zoning variance would allow a new house to be built at the intersection of Elm Street and Academy Hill Terrace -- which would destry the architectural and historic character of our neighborhood.

The petition was originally scheduled to be heard at the April BZA meeting, but the Berquists (or their lawyer) elected to wait a month in the hope that the 40 or so neighbors who showed up to testify against them would not make the effort twice. Let's prove them wrong!