🌱New Store In Downtown Essex + Two Receive Alexandra Dilger Award

Welcome back, Essex-Chester-Deep River! I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Here's the lowdown.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 85 Low: 68.

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

1. Have you been wondering what is going on with the old bank building in downtown Essex? According to CT Insider, "the brick building that housed a bank since 1873 will be home to a new women’s clothing shop, The RiverLane in Essex Village. Some on-trend brands [the store] will carry include Veronica Beard, Derek Lam 10 Crosby, Frame, Generation Love and Ramy Brook." (CT Insider)
2. Congratulations to Anthony Joia and Sam Wollscheager both of Deep River, who are two of this year's recipients of the Alexandra Dilger Award, given by the Deep River-based nonprofit A Little Compassion (ALC). This award is given to young, neurodiverse people who are working towards their life goals both personal and professional. According to a Zip06 article, "Joia is a part-time student at Middlesex Community College, focused on working towards a degree in environmental science and is pursuing a path of becoming a park ranger. As part of the award, ACL has purchased Joia's new laptop and an echo pen with a recording function, which will help with taking notes to ease studying. Wollscheager is a “budding entrepreneur and businessman,” according to ALC, whose homemade soaps named “Sam’s Suds,” are available for purchase at The Nest Coffee House. ALC's contribution is providing of molds, tools, and packages in helping him grow his businesses and also that of a professional who can help Wollscheager in developing and implementing a business plan." (zip06)
3. According to a CT Examiner article, "A proposed 200+ bedroom housing development on Hatchetts Hill Road (in Old Lyme) that was stymied for two years by the lack of a sewer hookup will move forward because the property owner has purchased additional land suitable for a septic system.“It’s definitely a go,” said Mark Diebolt, who owns the 20.6-acre parcel at 49 Hatchetts Hill Road where he proposed a housing development in 2020 under state statute 8-30g. The new plan will likely include 30 percent affordable units to qualify under the law." (CT Examiner)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Summer Marketplace for Artisans (11 a.m.)
• Summer Marketplace (11 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Essex Steam Train & Riverboat: "Is anyone out there as excited for the new "Hocus Pocus" movie as we are? We can’t contain our excitement any longer. ... look what’s coming to Essex Station on October 1! The Salem Express! Revenge of the Sanderson Sisters." (Essex Steam Train & Riverboat via Facebook)
• Chester CT Historical Society: "More fun at the Chester Museum for these youngsters. Seems like their "instructors" are having just as much fun." (Chester CT Historical Society via Facebook)
• Connecticut River Museum: "Conquer the Current 2022 Featuring the popular nine-mile race on August 6 at 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It starts at Eagle Landing State Park Haddam and ends at Connecticut River Museum Essex. (It's not a loop race.)" (CT River Museum)

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Events:

• Summer Marketplace for Artisans (July 31)
• Free speech on the benefits of access control installation in Old Saybrook, CT (August 4)
• Art's and Crafts Fair (August 13)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! 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