🌱 Essex Elementary School Harvest Festival + Safegrad Raffle

Hello again, hello! It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter. Follow along to find out the most important things going on around town. Today we'll cover...

• VRHS athletes recognized for good.
• Harvest Festival time.
• You can't win if you don't buy a ticket.

But first, today's weather: Sunny, very warm and humid. High: 81 Low: 57.

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

1. Congratulations to the student-athletes and coaches at Valley Regional High School. VRHS recently was awarded the 2022-23 CIAC Michaels Jewelers Achievement Cup Award for its commitment to the Class Act Standards of sportsmanship, respect, and character within the school's athletic program. Great job, Warriors! (VRHS Athletics via Facebook)
2. It's Harvest Festival Time at Essex Elementary School. Mark your calendars for Oct. 15, from noon to 3 p.m. The Essex Elementary School PTO will transform the school grounds into a festival like no other, complete with food, fun, games, inflatables and plenty of activities. Admission is free with bracelets sold for all activities, crafts, and games. (EES via Facebook)
3. It's that time of year, time for the Safe Grad Raffle. Help give Valley Regional High School seniors a safe last night together as a class to celebrate their biggest day. Purchase a $20 raffle ticket! You'll have a chance to win one of the five Visa gift cards. Grand prize is $1,000. Paper tickets are for sale at Compass Rose in Deep River on 4 River St., or purchase tickets online with the Paypal URL or Venmo. The raffle drawing will be held on Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. at Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau. For more information, click here. (Tri-Town Youth Services)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

Wednesday, Oct. 4

• Stay & Play (10 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Deep River Public Library: "Celebrate Banned Books week with us!" (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)
• Town of Chester Connecticut: "Free Paper Shredding: The Lower CT River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG) is holding a residential paper shredding event on Sat., Oct. 14 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Chester Town Hall." (Town of Chester Connecticut via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Sustainable Essex has several upcoming events that you should really go to! All free!" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Join Us For An Evening of Faith, Hope and Love! (October 14)
• Add your event

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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