🌱Vote In May Referendum + May Market Coming Up

Welcome back, Essex-Chester-Deep River! I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on around town, including news on:

• The Mommy and Me Tea is coming up.
• May means flowers and the May Market!
• The May 2 referendum is scheduled.

But first, today's weather:

Rain late in the afternoon. High: 59 Low: 50.

Are you a business owner or marketer in Essex-Chester-Deep River who wants to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales? If that's you, then I invite you to see how our newsletter sponsorships combine our local audience reach with your expertise to attract new customers. Click here to learn more.

1. Plan ahead now for Mother's Day. Why not go to Mommy & Me Tea Saturday, May 13 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Dress your little ones in their “Mother’s Day Weekend finest” and bring them aboard to celebrate for a special afternoon tea in 1920s Pullman style. Take in the beautiful spring scenery on the 1 ½ hour round-trip train ride through the Connecticut River Valley. Delight in an assortment of teas, finger sandwiches, scones, sweets and more. Relax to the rhythm of the rails. (Children under two must sit on adult lap.) Tickets are $48.99. For more information click here. (The Essex Steam Train).
2. It "May" be a little early to start thinking about the Essex Garden Club's May Market, but the plans are well underway. The event will be held on Saturday, May 13, from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Herbs, tomato plants, a myriad of other plants and unique garden gifts as well as the famed "garlic salt" will be available for purchase. Mark your calendars. (Essex Garden Club)
3. A May 2 referendum has been scheduled to vote on the master plan of improvements to outdoor athletic facilities at John Winthrop Middle School and Valley Regional High School. According to zip06.com, "Proposed improvements at VRHS include the stadium complex, baseball and softball fields, upper field, practice field and tennis courts. At JWMS, the proposal includes two soccer fields. Additionally, the plan calls for the construction of two new soccer fields with parking lots on the north side of the VRHS campus. The $9.96 million project would be paid for through a 20-year bond. If approved, the bond would not impact the 2023-24 budget, according to [Superintendent Brian] White. Payment would fall into the Region 4 debt service line in the following year’s budget." (zip06.com)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter possible.

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Cappella Cantorum Spring Concert (10:00 AM)
• Spring Concert in Deep River! (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Essex Library: "The Children's Room has board games to borrow or play with in the library! Whether you want to learn classics like chess and checkers or tickle your silly bone with Yeti in my Spaghetti, we've got you covered." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "STEAM Saturdays for kids in grades K-6 continues in May with Binary Code Bracelets, May 6 @ 10 AM! Registration required. Contact 860-767-1560 / staff.essexlib@gmail.com Scroll to see all of May's STEAM Saturdays projects!" (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Feel like you are missing out on programs or other resources? Trying to limit your own time on social media? Then don't forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter! It only comes out once a week, twice if we have a big registration dropping, and that's it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Chester Public Library: "There will be no storytime at the library this Monday, May 1st. Miss Emma will return the following Monday, May 8, at 10:30am and is looking forward to seeing you then!" (Chester Public Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (May 2)
• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton! BOGO WEDNESDAY! (May 3)
• SMOS Meeting May 5, 2023: First Selectmen’s Mtg (select Shoreline Towns) (May 5)
• Open House for Outdoor School (May 6)
• Dancing and Great Food with String of Pearls Big Band! (May 12)
• Micro Shorts presented by Shoreline Playwrights in Collaboration with Drama Works Theatre (May 19)
• Add your event

Featured announcements:

• Guns/Ammunition Wanted Consignments Performed (Details)
• Add your announcement

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you all tomorrow morning 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