🌱 Chester Celebrates First Friday + Last 2022 Supermoon On August 11

Hey, neighbors! It's Thursday in Essex-Chester-Deep River and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Follow along for the latest...

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 90 Low: 73.

Here's to the wonderful local business who sponsors this newsletter. Check out what they can do for you:

Married to a cheating or abusive narcissist? Frustrated with your divorce attorney? Then check out the Divorce Shark – Zenas Zelotes Esq. – a highly accomplished domestic relations trial lawyer from Essex, CT. Mr. Zelotes aggressively represents high-net worth clients along the Gold Coast of Fairfield County and the Lower Connecticut River Valley. Whether you’re just thinking about divorce – or mere weeks away from trial – the Divorce Shark can help. Learn more about the Divorce Shark here.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

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

1. Friday, August 5 is a First Friday celebration in downtown Chester. Shops and restaurants will be having specials and will be open later. However, this event is a little different from other First Friday celebrations because visitors are being asked to please bring a non-perishable food item, or several! The shops and restaurants will be collecting these items for the Chester Food Program. Hope to see you there! (Visit Chester CT via Facebook)
2. Looking to buy a private island in Connecticut? Then you are in luck! According to a Daily Voice article, "Prudden Island, a private island in the New Haven County town of Branford, was listed for sale at $2,495,000 by Vicky Welch at William Raveis Real Estate. The eight-room home is 1,415 square feet and located on 0.21 acres." Check it out if you are in the market for a unique piece of property! (Daily Voice)
3. Get ready, mark your calendars and get outside because the last Supermoon of 2022 is next week. According to i95rock.com, "the Sturgeon Supermoon will appear on Thursday, August 11 and it's the last Supermoon on 2022. We've had a Supermoon every month since May. It's called a Supermoon because the full moon occurs during the time of year when the moon orbits in to its closest point to us, making it appear slightly larger. Why Sturgeon? According to almanac.com, the giant Sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were easier to catch during this particular Supermoon light." Happy viewing! (i95rock.com)
4. The state departments of Education and Public Health released new guidance for the start of the school year regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The optional strategy for school districts is known as, "test, mask, go." According to a Patch article written by Rich Scinto, "this year, the guidance is to have students self-test for COVID-19 if they have respiratory virus symptoms. Those who don't have a fever, don't have a household member with a known COVID-19 infection and test negative for COVID-19 can go to school, but should use a mask. Students should continue to test each day they have symptoms. Those who have a fever should stay home, regardless of which infection they have, DPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said. The guidance for isolation after a person tests positive for COVID-19 is the same, Juthani said. Students and teachers should follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which are currently to remain home for five days and then wear a well-fitted mask for days six through 10. The state won't impose any mask mandates in schools, Juthani said. School districts will determine their own policies." (Patch)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Free speech on the benefits of access control installation in Old Saybrook, CT (9 p.m.)
• Lionheart Puppets: Jack Tuesday, Fairy Tale Investigator @ Deep River Library (10:30 a.m.)
• Harry Potter Movie Night! - Essex Library Association (5 p.m.)
• ONLINE Anime Night - Ages 18-20 somethings (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Town of Essex – Government: "The next Household Hazardous Waste event is Saturday, August 20 in Higganum!" (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
• Essex Fire Engine Co. #1: "Extreme Hot Weather Protocol activated from Tuesday to Friday, August 2-5." (Essex Fire Engine Co. #1 via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: There are still spots available for this sign workshop taking place next week! Registration can be completed easily online! https://www.shellbeestudio.com/store/p/sign-workshop-to-benefit-ttysb-anti-racist-campaign" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Deep River Parks & Rec: "Get ready for fall! Think football season! Jump on the bus with Deep River P & R as we head to Met Life Stadium to catch a Patriot's vs Jets game. Sunday, October 30. The early bird special price is $185 if you purchase tickets prior to Sept. 1. Register and pay at deepriverct.us on the P & R page." (Deep River Parks & Rec via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Well-o August! Hello neighbors you did not read that wrong! It is National Wellness Month, so our newsletters will focus on explaining the eight dimensions of wellness. As our cutesy little graphic says, wellness isn't just a buzzword." (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Rotary Club of Chester, CT: "Tickets now available for LobsterFest!" (Rotary Club of Chester, CT via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Free speech on the benefits of access control installation in Old Saybrook, CT (August 4)
• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton! WISHLIST WEDNESDAY! (August 10)
• Art's and Crafts Fair (August 13)
• Free Zoom meeting about CCTV security cameras near Old Saybrook (August 20)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— Karena Garrity

About me: I am a native of Connecticut, who currently resides in the Tri-Town community of Chester, Deep River and Essex. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my small town 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 Daily? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com