🌱Backpack Program Gets A Grant + Annual Christmas Song Bird Count

Hello and happy Sunday. I'm back in your inbox this morning with the most important things happening in Essex-Chester-Deep River these days. In today's issue, you'll find updates on:

But first, today's weather:

Cold with plenty of sunshine. High: 27 Low: 16.

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

1. Spreading holiday cheer, "Essex Foundation Treasurer Cheryl Harger presented a $2000 grant to Lynda Porcaro of the Backpack Program. The money will be used to help provide food such as cereal, oatmeal, breakfast bars, milk, juice, tuna, peanut butter, jelly, pasta sauce, apples and soup to 42 students identified by school social workers at Essex Elementary, John Winthrop Middle School and Valley Regional High School." (The Essex Foundation via Facebook)
2. According to the ctexaminer, "after public outcry about logging in the Preserve, officials say an upcoming study of vernal pools will determine where logging, as well as recreational activities, will be allowed in the 1000-acre woodland that spans Old Saybrook, Westbrook and Essex . Carl Fortuna, first selectman of Old Saybrook, who is one of two voting members of the Conservation Management Committee that manages the land, told CT Examiner that a study of the Preserve’s vernal pools — used by frogs, salamanders and turtles — has been proposed for Spring 2023. Fortuna spoke to CT Examiner in favor of “good forestry practices” which could include logging in the Preserve. “Once that report is complete, the state will be able to put together their 10-year plan which would include keeping the forest healthy – which could involve logging. Good logging, good forestry practices and timbering are part of a healthy forest,” said Fortuna." (ctexaminer.com)
3. Keeping the tradition alive many Nutmeggers will be out counting the birds this week. According to the ctexaminer, "state-wide volunteers have maintained the Christmas Bird Count for 122 years, allowing experts to track significant population decreases due to habitat loss. Since 1900, counters have tallied birds at local Christmas Bird Counts and submitted observations to the National Audubon Society, a nonprofit conservation organization. Joe Attwater, conservation and education coordinator for the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center in Old Lyme, told CT Examiner that the volunteer-driven event gathered essential data more efficiently than one organization could on its own. “We can use this data and we don’t have to be the ones going out and collecting every single piece of data from all over the state,” Attwater said. “That’s key.” To participate, volunteers must count the birds they see or hear within 15-mile-wide circles across the state. This year, Connecticut counts began on Dec. 17 and end on Jan. 2. Upcoming events include a Guilford count on Dec. 30, New London on Dec. 31 and Old Lyme on Jan. 1." (ctexaminer.com)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Christmas Day - Essex Library Association (12:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Essex Steam Train & Riverboat: "Thank you to our amazing customers and to all of our dedicated and caring employees as we close on another season of The North Pole Express. We will celebrate 2022 as a wonderful year full of creativity, hard work, and reward, and look forward to seeing everyone again in 2023! Merry Christmas to all….. and to all, a good night!" (Essex Steam Train & Riverboat via Facebook)

• Chester CT Historical Society: "Remember yesterday's bus photo? This is a photo of the Christensen garage, which later became L&I Garage and is currently being remodeled to become the Chester Hometown Market (near St. Joseph's Church)." (Chester CT Historical Society via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Teens in grades 7-12, sign up to come to Teen Takeover next Friday, December 30, at 5:00 PM! Hang out with friends, have snacks, play Switch games, and try out this month's featured activity: paint a lightswitch plate to personalize.” (Essex Library via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— 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