🌱Christine Palm Writes About Gun Violence + More Fireworks Tonight

Hello all. It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily — here to explain everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days. Let's do this.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 80 Low: 59.

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

1. State Representative Christine Palm (D-36) wrote an opinion piece published in the Hartford Courant about gun violence. The piece began with, "Flag-waving and fireworks. Bocce ball and beer. Marching bands -- and murder. This has become the American Independence Day routine." Palm went on to write, "The July Fourth mass shooting in suburban Highland Park, Illinois, was this nation’s 308th of the year. Three-hundred-and-eighth. As most of us were celebrating what it means to be American, people were, once again, dying. Next July Fourth, what independence will we be celebrating? Independence from “government interference”?Freedom from personal responsibility? Liberty to cling to a outdated, erroneous interpretation of the Second Amendment? Or will we, instead, celebrate independence from fear? Our children’s freedom to go to school in safety? Our liberty to vote for candidates who stand up to the NRA?" (Courant.com)
2. Looking for something fun to do today or tonight? Why not head over to Guilford for a day-long event that includes two concerts, lots of family-friendly activities, a picnic, vendors, inflatables, a petting zoo and a pyrotechnic show that organizers say is one of the area's best! The popular Guilford Town Band plays beginning at 4 p.m. Families are invited to picnic for the event that includes myriad kid activities including visiting a petting zoo, and sliding down a large inflatable slide, and other bouncy fun. Starting at 7:15 p.m., the concert at the Fairgrounds kicks off, featuring the band Night Shift. At 9:15, the fireworks begin. Parking for the event at the Fairgrounds, owned by the Guilford Agricultural Society, is $10. The Society puts on The Guilford Fair, Connecticut's second-oldest agricultural fair, established in 1859. Hope to see you there! (Patch)
3. Do you love art? Do you love fun? You may be in luck. The new Fun and Pleasure exhibit at Spectrum Gallery in Centerbrook will open on Saturday, July 23 from 1 to 6 p.m.. The opening reception will be held the night before, on Friday evening, July 22 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The show will also be open on Sunday, July 24 from 1 to 5 p.m. Fun and Pleasure will run through September 10, featuring new and established artists who use the summer season as their creative inspiration. The exhibit promises to be filled with both fun and pleasure. Check it out! (Zip06.com)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Kayak/Canoe Around Nott Island (9 a.m.)
• Tween/Teen Magic Camp - Essex Library Association (1 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Chester CT Historical Society: "The Sewer Parade and the Flushettes we shared with you last week - actually, that was September 1983. Here are more details to add to the story." (Chester CT Historical Society via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "A big thank you to Parker, our summer intern. Parker just tidied up our audiobook section, so it's easier than ever to pick up your next read in CD format! You can also access our collection of e-audiobooks on the LIBBY app, anytime." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Bushy Hill Nature Center: "Check out what one of our former campers/staff is doing! Congrats, Alex!!" (Bushy Hill Nature Center via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Earlier this year, we had a very eloquent request from a young patron of ours. Miss Nicole just couldn't say no! Can you guess what the theme for the first week in August will be? Stay tuned for more information." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "July is National Make a Difference to a Child Month, so we are going to focus on mentoring youth! Here is a video created by the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, highlighting the perspective of kiddos who have been mentored. It gave ..." (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Deep River Public Library: "We still have openings for this workshop!" (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— 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