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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Community & Neighborhood Development, Economic Development
Mission: To promote and assist the development of parks, playgrounds, trees, shrubs and gardens, public buildings and historical shrines in the village of stonington; to promote literary, cultural and educational uses of its properties, which are suited for those purposes; to promote the common good and general welfare of the people of the community; to bring about civic betterments and social improvements; to buy, rent, build, hold and sell real and other property as may be necessary for their purposes; and to accumulate funds for these purposes.
Programs: The james merrill house residency program remained stable. It comprises four short residencies of two to four weeks each in the fall, the 4 1/2 month spring residency, the 2-4 week yale younger poet prizewinner residency in june, and the invited merrill fellow in july or august. Eight readings or lectures were offered to the public. Rental spaces continue to be full. Routine maintenance work was carried out this year, including on the piano, and a generator was installed to power the building if needed. The james merrill house has been designated a national historic landmark by the u. S. Department of the interior.
beach and parksthe svia owns three beach and park properties; dubois beach, mathews park and the east lawn. Dubois beach is enjoyed by thousands, both residents and non-residents. The como rents the beach from us at a modest fee, runs the beach and provides swimming lessons to children. Mathews park, near dodsons boatyard, is a beautifulgreen space in the boro and is maintained nicely. We also maintain the east lawn that is across from dubois beach, and have now provided an informational orientation sign there.
stonington farmers marketthe stonington farmers market is a year round market. The summer market is held on town property adjacent to the town docks and consists of twenty to twenty-five vendors who assemble each saturday from 9am-12pm, may through october. Locally grown vegetables, fruits, jams, a variety of breads, pies and baked goods, meats, fish, shrimp, dairy products, italian ice, maple syrup, honey, flowers, decorative plants are sold, depending on the season. Craft vendors sell a variety of hand made items. The svia oversees the market and sets up a tent in the center of the market each week. Fresh coffee is provided for a suggested donation. Attendance can be up to 600 people on a given saturday. The winter market is held on saturdays at the stonington community center on cutler street (the como). Hours are 10am to 1pm. In the winter, the market is located in the velvet mill. The same vendors participate in the winter market, although some don't attend if they don't have product over the winter. The vendors pay a fee to participate in the market, which is used to pay the operating and marketing expenses of running the market.