🌱Donate Toys For A Good Cause + Train Show Up And Running

Hello, everybody! It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town. Including news about...

• Please donate toys if you can in Deep River!
• Love trains? Go to the CT River Museum!
• Santa in Chester!

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 38 Low: 19.

Business owners and marketers in Essex-Chester-Deep River: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

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

1. Deep River is sponsoring a toy drive for the holidays. The community event to support kids in need this holiday season is running through Friday, December 16. Area residents are asked to donate new, unwrapped toys or gift cards at several drop-off locations including Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau, The Nest Coffee House / A Little Compassion Inc., Edward Jones, Pandemonium Thrift Shop, Deep River Town Hall and the Deep River Fire Department. Toys will be distributed the week of December 18. Please donate if you can!"(Senator Norm Needleman via Facebook)
2. It's time for the 29th Annual Holiday Train Show at the Connecticut River Museum for its 29th year of fun for all ages. See what train artist Steve Cryan has created this year! A fully operational 26-foot train layout, “I SPY” scavenger hunts and toddler-sized viewing layout are all part of the fun. The show runs through Sunday, February 19. Hope to see you there. (Bestthingsct.com)
3. Area parents mark your calendars, Santa will be arriving by firetruck to downtown Chester, in front of Little House Brewing Company, on December 18 at 5:30 p.m. Hope to see you there! (Chester CT via Facebook)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Bader-Saye Book Study Group - Essex Library Association (1:00 PM)
• Buildings & Grounds Committee Meeting (4:00 PM)
• Yoga and Tea - River Valley Dance Project (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Chester CT Historical Society: "Apologies for missing posting a photo yesterday, Dec. 9, despite our assurance that we'd be posting old photos every day. So today we're posting two - but we need your help with them. The owners of 43 West Main St. (Joy & Tommy LaSorsa)." (Chester CT Historical Society via Facebook)
• Essex Fire Engine Co. #1: "Would you like Santa and the Essex Fire Dept to drive by your house on either Friday evening, Dec 16th or Sunday evening, Dec 18? If yes!, then please sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPTWfluoNr09z4QOQ..." (Essex Fire Engine Co. #1 via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Families! Ring in the New Year at our "NOON" Year's Eve Party on Saturday, December 31 at 11:00 AM! We'll play New Year's themed games, make a noisemaker craft, and celebrate with a virtual ball drop on our big screen at noon!" (Essex Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Free Zoom meeting with our specialist on security system installers in Old Saybrook (December 17)
• 4th Annual Goodspeed Tattoo Christmas Party (December 17)
• Cool Yule 2022 with String of Pearls Big Band (December 22)
• Add your event

Housing:

• House for Rent (Details)
• Add your listing

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with 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