🌱 Bald Eagles On The Connecticut River + Essex Winter Series Concert

Hello all. I'm back with your fresh edition of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening in town today, including...

• Make a point to see the Connecticut River eagels this February.
• Goodspeed's Festival of new musicals.
• Essex Winter Series concert.

But first, today's weather:

A touch of afternoon rain. High: 49 Low: 45.

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

1. We truly live in an amazing place, which is evident every winter when beautiful bald eagles from as far north as Canada make their way to the open waters of the Connecticut River to fish and nest. Visotrs and residents alike get up close chance to view these magestic birds aboard the RiverQuest, as it travels up the Connecticut River. It has a heated cabin and ample deck space to view the birds as an on-board naturalist provides narration. Coffee and use of binoculars is included in ticket price as well as free admission to Connecticut River Museum galleries and the Eagles of Essex exhibit. Tickets are $45. Crusies run through March 18. Boats depart from Essex on Fridays at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m. 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Winter Wildlife Eagle Cruises 2023)
2. Mark your calendars! On March 17-19 the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam will be holding the 17th Annual Festival of New Musicals. The much-anticipated three-day festival will feature brand-new works, insider events, seminars, cabarets and staged readings. The Festival kicks off on Friday, March 17 with a staged reading of Double Helix. Featuring book, music and lyrics by Madeline Myers. Saturday, March 18 will be highlighted by a staged reading of The Great Emu War, a humorous new musical, which has a book by Cal Silberstein and music and lyrics by Paul Hodge. The final day of the Festival features Little Miss Perfect, a new musical inspired by the viral single song of the same name with book, music and lyrics by Joriah Kwamé. Additional Festival events including seminars, symposiums and exclusive cabarets will round out the weekend. Single tickets are $25 for each staged reading, and $15 each for students. Goodspeed’s ever-popular Festival Package will offer patrons a weekend full of special events. For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.goodspeed.org. (Good Speed Opera House)
3. Looking for something fun to do on February 26 from 3 to 5 p.m.? Why not head over to John Winthrop Middle School to listen to the second concert of the Essex Winter Series (EWS) 2023 season featuring the lively and spontaneous Jeff Barnhart & His Hot Jazz Collective. EWS Jazz Artistic Advisor Jeff Barnhart brings a very professional group of jazz musicians, some new to EWS, but some very well-known and loved by our audiences, such as the acclaimed Vince Giordano and Jim Fryer, to excite the audience. For tickets go to www.essexwinterseries.com or call 860-272-4572. Hope to see you there! (Essex Winter Series)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Classics Book Group - My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin (5:00 PM)
• Louie Listens (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Visit Chester CT: "Come enjoy the stars for a couple more weeks! (Pro tip: they are especially romantic on Valentine’s Day!)" (Visit Chester CT via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "We know that parents and caregivers are ALREADY planning for summer programs for their kiddos! Stay tuned as we put the final dates together for our summer programming!" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Town of Essex – Government: "Two textile bins are located at the Transfer Station for recycling clothing, footwear, linens & more. Great way to reuse items you no longer need and/or cannot donate." (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
• Town of Essex – Government: "Do not dispose of your old medication in the trash." (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)

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Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (February 14)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— 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