The Comments Section

"I'd like to see a bicycle shop in Stratford. Being that close to the train station they could run some programs to encourage biking to the station as well."

This was a comment left by Patch reader Scott on the article

After two years in downtown Stratford, the Italian restaurant closed over the summer. Part of the problem was it couldn't compete against and , two restaurants across the street, according to a town official.

So we asked residents what they would like to see move in to the space, and there was a great response of answers, including...

"How about a BBQ place?" -Dawn

"How about a vegan/vegatarian restaurant?" -Laurie

"A coffee shop would be nice there." -bpiretti

"Maybe something along the lines of a Hobby Shop." -Frank Stirna

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"Being fans of Katharine Hepburn but too young to have seen her at Stratford (just by a hair) we were thrilled to see all the terrific rehearsal photos and letters regarding her two seasons there."

This was a comment left by Patch reader Judy Samuelson on the article

Stratford Patch met recently with Councilman Matt Catalano at the Fairfield Museum and History Center, where archives from the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre display the "relevant" -- Catalano's word -- history of the Stratford theatre.

The exhibition, Bravo! A Century of Theatre in Fairfield County, exudes Hepburn through photos, letters, and even the dresses she wore at performances at the theatre, and runs to March 18, 2012.

Catalano hopes "all this neat stuff" can come back to Stratford to settle in a center of the arts at the "White House" located at the entrance to the famed theatre. 

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"Congratulations to the parents, children and staff at Franklin! Keep up the good fight."

This was a comment left by Patch reader and Stratford Councilman Jason Santi on the article

The school was recognized this week for academic gains by winning the Fairfield County Academic Gain Award. Last year, the same award went to Stratford's Second Hill Lane Elementary School.

Top prize means every full-time employee at Franklin during the 2010-11 academic year will receive $500, and the school will get $1,000 to use however it pleases.