🌱Duck Races In Chester + Route 9 Road Work Coming Up

Hello again, friends! It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out the most important things going on these days in town. Today you'll read about:

• Route 9 work being done.
• VRHS Robotics fundraiser.
• Duck races in Chester.

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 72 Low: 55.

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 stories today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

1. Area drivers take note; according to information posted on the Town of Deep River webpage, the Connecticut Department of Transportation will be conducting work on and around the old Exit 5 on and off ramps for the remainder of the month of May. Note the following closures and make the appropriate adjustments to your schedule: ramp closures will be from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night listed, weather permitting. Route 9 Southbound Exit 7 (Old Exit 5) will be closed May 8-19. Route 9 South on ramp will be closed May 8 to May 19 and the Route 9 North on ramp will be closed May 14 to May 25. Please be aware and make appropriate plans. (Town of Deep River)
2. A fundraiser for the Valley Regional High School Robotics team will be held on Tuesday, May 16 at the Hartford Yard Goats vs Portland Sea Dogs. Game time is 7:10 p.m., the gates will be open at 6 p.m. There will be a pre-game parade on-field to recognize area Robotics Teams, $2 of each ticket. Purchased from the ticket order link will go back to your team. Follow the link to purchase tickets https://fevogm.com/event/Robot. (Valley Regional High School)
3. Join the Chester Rotary and Homeward Bound for the Rubber Duck Race on May 13 at 2 p.m. in Chester. There will be prizes awarded. All funds raised will benefit the Chester Rotary and Homeward Bound CT's Spay it Forward program. For more information click here. (Rotary Club of Chester, CT via Facebook)

From our sponsor:

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From my notebook:

• Essex Library: "Distracted Driving Presentation for Teens in Grades 9-12, May 25 at 4 p.m. Contact 860-767-1560 / staff.essexlib@gmail.com to register. Reckless driving is the number one cause of death for teens in America. Phone calls, texting and app notification there are so many distractions teens face in life... but what happens when these distractions occur while driving? This workshop will address common driving distractions and what teens can do to eliminate them while driving. Presented by Jennifer Monahan BSN, Trauma Quality PI Nurse at Backus Hospital." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Hey neighbors! Summer program activities have been fine-tuned and supplies have been added to our Amazon Wishlist! If you are able to, please look through our list and see if perhaps there is something you could donate." (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Deep River Public Library: "Good news! We scheduled a second session of Dreaming with the Departed. If you weren't able to get into our May class, sign up for June 17! Registration is required! Link to register: https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=DR..." (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Meet up with other genealogy aficionados, talk about resources, share your own genealogy journey, ask questions, and more! Meetings will now take place on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 2:30-4 p.m." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Ivoryton Library Association: "Busy week next week in Essex." (Ivoryton Library Association via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (May 9)
• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton! TOPICAL TUESDAY! (May 9)
• Micro Shorts presented by Shoreline Playwrights in Collaboration with Drama Works Theatre (May 19)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow for your next update.

— Karena Garrity

About me: Journalism is in my veins. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com