The Stonington Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from June 7 until October 11, 2008, 9am-noon, RAIN OR SHINE.

Located adjacent to the Town Dock on the Harbor, the Market began in 1997 under the initiative of Geoffrey Little and has proved an enormously popular addition to life in the Boro. Ten to fifteen vendors assemble beside the playground to offer locally (CT.) produced vegetables, fruit, cut flowers and decorative plants, jams, all sorts of breads, pies and baked goods, meat, fish, shellfish--and more, depending on the season. The Stonington Village Improvement Association oversees this market under a tent in its center and provides fresh coffee and tea, kindly donated by local restaurants and merchants. Contributions for the refreshments go to funding SVIA projects.

Jennifer Chappell wrote in an article in Coastal Living magazine: " Here in Stonington Borough, Connecticut, the sun blinks off nearby sailboat masts and lights rows of peaches, blackberries, and radishes so they resemble still lifes framed by fluttering canvas awnings. Sun-sprinkled, flour-dusted apple pie crusts and breads...look like exquisite artifacts. The whole town...lines up waiting to snap up the local goods. Weekend vacationers join the scene..."

The Stonington Harbor Yacht Club at Stonington Commons, 32 Water Street, hosts an annual series of eight or nine talks to raise funds for the Yacht Club's Sailing Foundation and to offer educational opportunities for members and the public. The programs cover subjects based on the Foundation's mission statement and have included speakers such as artists, sailors, and environmental experts. Proceeds benefit the Foundation which provides scholarships to the Club's summer sailing programs for adults and children, who need not be members.

The Friday talks are open to the public for an admission fee. Seats may be reserved in advance. Please visit www.shyc.us or call 535-0112 for topics, dates and times.

In the July 2007 article entitled: Connecticut Chic, Megan Fulweiler of Rhode Island Monthly magazine writes:

"Cruise the refined shops nestled in the heart of Stonington village for a diverse and delightful cache of treasures."

Illustrated by spectacular photographs by Nat Rea, the 5 page article includes vivid descriptions of the shopping, restaurants and the sightseeing in the borough and pictures of "finds" at several Water Street merchants and shots of many colorful Boro buildings and businesses. Ms. Fulweiler continues:

"Unlike other historic havens, Stonington, Connecticut, is stylish, not quaint. An air of sophisticated joie de vivre pervades this village that was founded in the seventeenth century. The old houses are polished to perfection, the gardens are colorful but well-clipped, and even the fishing boats seem upbeat. This unique spirit enhances the many shops as well and entices us, at least once a summer (sometimes more), to head across the border for an afternoon of always well-rewarded exploring."

View the article online at: www.rimonthly.com

Stonington inspires artists of all ages
On a recent perfect spring day, Norwich Free Academy students from Melody Leary's drawings classes spent the day in Stonington Borough drawing on site. Students welcomed the opportunity to just sit and draw without worrying about time restrictions. Their challenge was to capture the essence of the borough using watercolors and basic drawing materials and the class ended up with some great drawings, at the end of their stay. Mrs. Leary has been bringing her classes to Stonington Borough every spring, for the past 10 years. Over time, students have created many beautiful studies of the distinctive village. Some students are drawn to the fishing boats and water scenes while others focus on the architecture or gardens. All students enjoy the freedom to escape the classroom and throughly enjoy working in such an interesting locale. Click here to view images of the students' work.

Run by the Stonington Historical Society, The Old Lighthouse Museum, at "The Point" in the Borough, is home to much history. It was once the welcoming light for vessels approaching Stonington's harbor from Long Island Sound. The original 30-foot stone tower, built in 1823, featured a lantern containing 10 oil lamps and reflectors that created a beacon visible 12 miles at sea.

A new tower and keeper's quarters replaced the old structure in 1840 at the present site. In 1889, a beacon was installed on the breakwater at the harbor entrance, replacing the lighthouse which became the museum of the Historical Society in 1925.

Six rooms of exhibits showcase the rich and varied history of this coastal region through exhibits depicting Stonington's fishermen and farmers, merchants and shipbuilders, pottery makers, blacksmiths and many other trades. One room includes a large dollhouse and each year, a special aspect of Stonington history is featured.

OPEN MAY TO NOVEMBER, 10am-5pm DAILY
7 Water Street, Stonington Borough
(860) 535-1440
Gift Shop on Site
Call for Admission Info
www.stoningtonhistory.org