To Stratford with Love: A 35-year local tradition open to all

Now heading into its 35th year, Simple Dreams Ministries’ annual To Stratford with Love community dinner and Christmas celebration is a much-beloved local tradition open to everyone in the community.

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Whether young or old, new to Stratford or a lifetime resident the free roast beef dinner is meant to bring as many as 1,200 Stratford-area residents together to celebrate the spirit of the season – and what it means to be a community – through good food , live music and plenty of camaraderie. While led by Ruth and Richard Kneider, co-founders of Simple Dreams, and their family, the meal is made possible every year through support from local businesses and an army of volunteers.

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“We couldn’t do this without the community,” Richard Kneider said. “We will be purchasing 500 pounds of beef, and that’s a little bit of cooking. Some of the restaurants have donated all of the baked potatoes and the vegetables. It’s very humbling for myself when I go into a restaurant and people will say, ‘Is it that time of year already, Richard? Just count us in.’ We don’t even have to ask.”

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In fact, after 35 years of the community dinner and the support that represents, To Stratford with Love has very much become a “well-oiled” machine, a grateful Ruth Kneider added.

“The word, ‘celebratory,’ is really key for me this year,” she said. “It’s 35 years old. Of course, that’s worth a party. And I think, in our world culture right now, we have so much to be grateful for. …We are so fortunate to live in a community like Stratford and we want to celebrate that.”

Embracing this theme of celebration, the Kneiders are adding something new to this year’s To Stratford with Love Dinner. Along with the roast beef, veggies, potatoes and pie, the Kneiders will be moving their new ice cream trailer inside the Stratford Rotary Complex community hall to serve up a variety of ice creams flavors to those in attendance.

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The event, which is set to begin at 5:30 pm on Dec. 16, will also feature live music by Upside of Maybe and the Stratford Concert Band.

For the Kneiders, To Stratford with Love will always be about fostering that sense of community by bringing residents together to share a meal every year during the Christmas season. For some who have lost that feeling of belonging to a community, this meal is even more special.

“Last year, we had families from the Ukraine join us for dinner, and the lady who works with them has already approached us about the possibility of getting more of those families from the Ukraine at this year’s dinner,” Richard Kneider said. “All of the families who attended last year are still talking about it and what a great time they had. …I know I’m repeating myself, but so many people have said it has become a tradition for them, being part of the dinner.

“What Ruth and I are excited about is that our grandkids are all now old enough to understand what we’re doing and help us serve up a special meal to so many.”

For more information about To Stratford with Love, to register for the dinner or to volunteer, visit www.simpledreams.org/to-stratford-with-love-dinner.html.

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