🌱COVID-19 Numbers Rise + Survey Gauges Need For Chester Bicycle Lanes

Up and at 'em, Essex-Chester-Deep River! It's Wednesday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in Essex-Chester-Deep River.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and windy. High: 70 Low: 55.

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

1. Mother's Day is over, which means it's time to start thinking about what to do for Father's Day. How about a special Essex Steam Train and Riverboat to celebrate Dad and all he does? Make plans for the morning cruise on the beautiful Connecticut River complete with a selection from Flanders Donut Bagel & Bake Shop, a continental breakfast buffet and live music." (Facebook)
2. The town of Chester's Sustainability Committee in collaboration with the Economic Development Commission and other town and community leaders is in the midst of gathering input from residents 10 and over in regard to the development of and funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Residents are being asked to fill out a survey prior to May 28 giving their opinions on the subject. (Facebook)
3. The state of Connecticut is experiencing a blood emergency. Reportedly, school breaks and increased traveling have caused an alarming drop in donations. According to a press release, the blood supply currently stands at a two-to-three-day level; platelets along with types O and B- are at just a one-to-two-day supply. This is well below the ideal inventory of five-seven days. Do your part to help by booking an appointment now to give blood. Visit the blood centers website or call 800-283-8385. (NBC Connecticut)
4. Ramping up once again, the COVID-19 positivity rates are on the rise in Connecticut. Numbers as of Monday are reportedly upward of 11% in the state, with 8,476 COVID cases identified over the last seven days. In a New Haven Register article Tom Balcezak, medical director at Yale New Haven Hospital, said "The number of cases we are seeing in our hospitals is just not translating into the number of ICU patients or ventilated patients that happened during the first one or two waves of COVID." (New Haven Register)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Social Security and Retirement Maximization Virtual Workshop (9:00 AM)
• Friends of the Essex Library - Essex Library Association (1:00 PM)
• Nominating committee - Essex Library Association (4:30 PM)
• B&G Committee meeting - Essex Library Association (5:15 PM)
• Climate change and income inequality book discussion: “Under A White Sky” by Elizabeth Kolbert (5:30 PM)
• Southwest Taquitos (Zoom cooking class) (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "A fan favorite is here again! Registration for Babysitter Training and Pediatric First Aid and CPR is now open! We have 12 spots for kiddos aged 11-17 to participate in this training. Both dates are required (6 hours) for certification. ..." (Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "For today and Back to Basics of Mental Health Awareness Month let's take a moment to look at these two flyers and start to really think about mental health. Is there any information included here that surprises you?" (Facebook)
• Deep River Public Library: "We are excited to share that Miss Elaine's book is a Junior Library Guild selection!" (Facebook)
• Ivoryton Library Association: "Be sure to register for our Social Security and Retirement Maxizimation event with AAA Retire at 6 p.m. May 11. It's on Zoom and it's free!" (Facebook)
• Essex Library: "May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the National Women's History Museum has curated a collection of "Fab Five" biographies of women who advocate for mental health." (Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Interested in rock garden design? Defined as the art of growing alpines and other miniature plants in the company of rocks in order to recreate the look of a rugged mountaintop, rock gardening is enjoying a surge in popularity." (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Premier Subaru — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Capella Cantorum Spring Concert (May 15)
• Financial Planning Boot Camp: Train today for your financially healthy retirement (May 17)
• Oddfellows Teen Rep Company Presents: The Greeks! (May 19)
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For sale:

• Deep teal leather sectional. $1,900. (Details)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning 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