🌱Big Winner In Deep River +9 Days Until The Ivoryton Pumpkin Festival

Good morning, everybody. It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in the community today. Today you'll find news about these stories and more:

• Celebrate everything pumpkin at The Ivoryton Pumpkin Festival!
• Big winner in Deep River.
• Will loan forgiveness happen?

But first, today's weather:

Windy; heavy p.m. showers. High: 68 Low: 58.

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

1. It's almost here, the famed Ivoryton Pumpkin Festival! Just nine days away. Here is the updated schedule of events: From 10 a.m.—12 p.m. Pumpkin Carving at Bushy Hill Nature Center, 100 pumpkins available to carve or bring your own, supplies limited. All Pumpkins will stay on-site and be brought to the Festival Pick up from the Ivoryton Green is Sunday 8 a.m. until to noon. Sponsored by Essex Police Union and the Ivoryton Alliance. From 12 —2 p.m. Pumpkin Drop Off for those who carve on their own at the Ivoryton Village Green. All Pumpkins will stay on site. Pick-up from the Green is Sunday morning. At 3:45p.m. All Parade Participants arrive at the Corner of Walnut and Main Street, Ivoryton. From 4 to 4:30 p.m. Costume Parade Main Street to Ivoryton Village Green—Special Guests onsite to signal the Start of the Festival. The actual festival will take place from 4:30—6:30 p.m. with Live Music by The Federation, a Haunted Library, a Selfie Station sponsored by Celebrations on the Shore at the Brickside Pizza Patio, a Book Signing by local author Frank Larson III book on the Ivoryton Library Brick Patio, Yard Games on Brickside Pizza Patio, Cookie Decorating with The Community Fund while supplies last at the Ivoryton Green, Face Painting by the Painted Smile on Brickside Pizza Patio, Horse Drawn Wagon Rides with Allegra Farms, Jack O'Lantern Stroll at the Ivoryton Village Green, Free Hotdogs, and Snacks while supplies last, hosted by Essex P&R and Essex Lions Club on Summit Street and at 6 p.m. there will be a Special Guest Appearance. Are all welcom and costumes are encouraged. Hope to see there! (Ivoryton Pumpkin Festival via Facebook)
2. Deep River had a big winner! A Deep River resident, who wished to remain anonymous, won $390,000 in the CT Lottery. The resident won playing Lucky for Life. The resident purchased the lucky ticket Tuesday at the Cumberland Farms in Deep River. Congratulations! (Patch)
3. Student loan borrowers in Connecticut got a preview Tuesday of a website that up to 40 million Americans are expected to use to apply for student loan forgiveness, according to an article written by Patch staff member Rich Kirby. The article goes on to explain, "the Biden administration previewed what it called a “short and simple” website to apply for student debt relief ahead of its formal launch later this month. Borrowers would have to provide their contact information, Social Security number, date of birth and self-attest under penalty of perjury that they qualify for the debt relief. The student loan forgiveness program, announced in August, provides eligible Pell grant borrowers with up $20,000 in debt relief and $10,000 in debt relief for others. An August survey conducted by the credit monitoring company ScoreSence revealed only 14 percent of U.S. borrowers with federal student loans on pause could afford the payments with no issues when the forbearance period ends. The survey also revealed that 42 percent of borrowers aren't sure how they will add loan payments back into their budget." (Patch)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Louie Listens - Essex Library Association (5:00 PM)
• Script & Sip: Harry Pottery Calligraphy @ Shell + Bee Studio (6:30 PM)
• Shell & Bee Studio: Beading Jewelry Workshop (6:30 PM)
• Fire Safety - Essex Library Association (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Essex Board of Trade: "Guess where this spooktacukar site is?! Essex Hardware!! Each year, the dedicated crew at our favorite hardware store creates a memorable and haunting scene. Make sure to stop by to see their work!" (Essex Board of Trade via Facebook)
• Bushy Hill Nature Center: "Our animals love to eat what is left of our pumpkins after Halloween! Come on down on Saturday, Oct. 22 to help us carve pumpkins for the Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Festival!" (Bushy Hill Nature Center via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Quick little reminder that the monthly Rainbow Alliance meeting is next Monday, October 17 at 56 High St. and Deep River, our building! 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Email Sarah Field at rainbowalliancect@gmail.com for information" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Join the Essex Library for an Author Talk: Molly Gilbert with "Sheet Pan Sweets: Simple, Streamlined Dessert Recipes" on Thursday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom! Registration required. Please register here: https://hotchkisslibraryofshar." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Deep River Fire Department: "This year Fire Prevention Week is focused on escape planning. Please see below some tips and advice that may be useful. Please share with family and friends and remember to make sure everyone in your home knows the plan. Stay safe." (Deep River Fire Department via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop 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