🌱 First Ever Chester Block Party + Swimmers Itch In Connecticut

Hey, everybody. It's Thursday in Essex-Chester-Deep River and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in our community. In today's issue, we have these stories and more:

• Chester Block Party.
• Pet adoption event in Deep River.
• "Swimmers Itch" in Connecticut

But first, today's weather: Times of clouds and sun. High: 77 Low: 64.

Here are the top stories in Essex-Chester-Deep River today:

1. Save the date because Little House Brewing Company is turning five! On Aug. 12, starting at noon, the big bash will take place alongside the first-ever downtown Chester Block Party celebrating all the wonderful merchants, artists and restaurants in the Chester community. There will be limited edition beer releases, live T-shirt printing, a beer booth, an array of food from the many Chester restaurants, including Otto Pizza, River Tavern and The Pattaconk, double chocolate stout cupcakes from The Drunk Alpaca and more. Hope to see you there! (Facebook.com via events)
2. It's almost time for the Dog Days of Summer adoption event, which will be held on Aug. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Perfect Pup in Deep River on Main Street. The event is being hosted by the Perfect Pup and A Change of Life Dog Rescue. Come and meet your new best friend! (Tri-Town Neighborhood Connections)
3. Over the weekend, officials in Greenwich were reportedly informed that there had been episodes of “Swimmer’s Itch” at several beaches in the area. According to WFSB, "The Greenwich Department of Health said Swimmer’s Itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that are released from snails into fresh and salt water. Although humans are not the parasite’s preferred host, they can come into contact with a swimmer and cause an allergic reaction and rash." (wfsb.com)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

Thursday, August 3

• Grove Street Story Time! (10:00 AM)
• Teen Poetry Club: Found Poetry (4:00 PM)
• Collaborative Coloring at The Nest! Ages High School-30 (5:00 PM)
• Crafts for Adults — Tissue Paper Sunflowers (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Essex Library: "Teen Bring Your Own Book Club meets later this month! Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 5 p.m. Sign up at 860-767-1560 or e-mail staff.essexlib@gmail.com Come discuss the books you’re reading and share recommendations with others!" (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Essex Board of Trade: "The Connecticut River Museum teaches NBC Connecticut about the CT River onboard the Riverquest. Check out the full video here: https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/kids-connection-summer-fun-riverboat-ecology-adventure/3075038/?fbcl..." (Essex Board of Trade via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center is returning to the library! Aug. 8, 4 p.m.: Animal Friends Meet live animal friends from the nature center and find out how you can be a friend to animals everywhere!" (Essex Library via Facebook)

That's it for today! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— Karena Garrity

About me: Journalism is in my veins. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com