🌱Essex Elementary School New STEM Lab + Library Card Sign-Up Month!

Good morning, everybody! I'm back with your new copy of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily, fresh off the presses. Let's get this Thursday started off right, with a quick dive into everything you need to know about what's going on these days in town.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 83 Low: 56.

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

1. According to an Essex Board of Trade Facebook post, "the state-of-the-art STEM lab for Essex Elementary School students is open. Funded by the Essex Elementary School Foundation, the new STEM lab - classroom was designed by the Connecticut Science Center to enable a collaborative learning environment and promote creativity, innovation, and potential to all. "(Essex Board of Trade via Facebook)
2. Today is the start of National Library Card Sign-Up Month! According to the Essex Library, "The first 50 kids and teens who sign up for a library card in the month of September get a special lanyard, and ALL kids and teens who sign up will get a book prize to take home (While supplies last). Already have a library card, but still want in on the fun? The library will also have a Children's Picture Book Character Scavenger Hunt in the Children's Department, and a Celebrity Guessing Game Scavenger Hunt in the YA Section ALL month long!" Hope to see you there! (Essex Library via Facebook)
3. The Essex Land Trust will be holding a Fern Ledge Hike followed by Happy Hour at Surfridge Brewery on September 15 at 5 p.m. at 252 Westbrook Road, Route 153. Those attending are asked to park next to Middlesex Occupational Health Facility. The ELT press release asks that guests, "come and explore this expanded Essex Land Trust 20 acre preserve which sits astride the Essex-Westbrook town line and, after the recent purchase of 3 acres, now connects to Farm Hill Estates, 4-acre plot in Ivoryton and Westbrook deeded to the land trust when a housing development was established along Carol Drive. With its steep terrain and high ledge overlooking a working farmer’s field, Fern Ledge has a unique place among Essex preserves. Trails wind through woodlands and among old stone walls, offering glimpses of Birch Millpond below. The planned hike will be followed by a drive to Surfridge Brewery for socializing (located at the former Witch Hazel factory, next to the Essex Steam Train). Hope to see you there!

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• ONLINE Anime Night - Ages 18-20 somethings (6 p.m.)
• Foreign Film Festival: Family & Memory (7 p.m.)
• Family and Memory: A Film Festival (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Essex Fire Engine Co. No. 1: "Region 4 Schools opens today. Please take extra care while driving around town. SCHOOL BUS SAFETY TIPS ~ SHARING THE ROAD WITH SCHOOL BUSES If you're driving behind a bus and allow a greater following distance." (Essex Fire Engine Co. #1 via Facebook)
• Deep River Housing Authority: "Amazing last concert of the summer!!! We love this band, awesome music and so much fun!" (Deep River Housing Authority via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "What an amazing, inclusive new class at River Valley Dance Project starting on Monday, September 19! Click on the link below to register! https://www.rivervalleydanceproject.com/register" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Final edition for National Wellness Month! Take a little peeksy inside for explanations of the last two dimensions we were going to look at, financial and occupational! - https://mailchi.mp/ttysb/gt7pycu4ed-9794381" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Family and Memory: A Film Festival starts today, at 7 p.m. with "The Stories We Tell," 2013, directed by Sarah Polley, Canada." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "As the last day of Summer 2022 draws to a close, let us know how YOU liked Summer Reading! Follow the QR Code (http://ow.ly/bUiY50KwSWr to take our quick survey so we can continue to bring awesome programming to the Essex Community!" (Essex Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Mammoth Security Inc. Old Saybrook — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Concert and Dinner at Rettich Preserve (September 3)
• Add your event

Housing:

• Rental Available - 9/1/22 - 5/31/23 (Details)
• Add your listing

Other classifieds:

• Columbia 28 Sailboat (Details)
• Add your classified

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next 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