🌱Essex Featured In 'The Noel Diary' Movie + Great Holiday Gift Ideas

Hello, Essex-Chester-Deep River. I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in town, including news on...

• Essex featured on Netflix!
• Looking for a new furry friend?
• Great ideas for holiday gifts!

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 53 Low: 39.

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

1. Essex residents will recognize familiar places such as Olive Oyls parking lot and Main Street in downtown Essex and the Griswold Inn when they watch the new Christmas movie on Netflix “The Noel Diary.” The movie came out on Thanksgiving Day and according to Hartford Courant, "it was filmed at RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, Griswold Inn in Essex, New Canaan town hall, Manchester Memorial Hospital and other Connecticut locations.“The Noel Diary” stars Justin Hartley of “This is Us” as well as James Remar, Bonnie Bedelia, Essence Atkins and Barrett Doss. It is available for viewing on Thanksgiving Day. The movie, based on the novel by Richard Paul Evans, was directed by Charles Shyer, who made “Private Benjamin” and “The Parent Trap.”(Hartford Courant)
2. Looking for the ideal Christmas present for your friends and loved ones this holiday season? Check out the Connecticut Magazine's Holiday Gift Guide 2022. Hope you find something you like! (CTPost)
3. If you’re looking to add a fuzzy ball of four-legged love and affection to your life, you should check out these animal shelters in the Essex-Chester-Deep River area for a pet to take home. About 6.5 million pets are taken in each year by adoption agencies nationwide, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Of those, approximately 3.3 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats. Shelters often look after other animals in search of a permanent home as well, including pigs, birds and even horses. (Patch)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Essex Hills Home Owner's Association (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Town of Essex – Government: "Trees in the Riggins Parade is Sunday from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm starting at the Essex Town Hall The holiday season kicks off in Essex with the annual Trees In the Rigging Community Carol Sing and Parade." (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "ICYMI, Charles Blow shares why he is thankful for libraries in a New York Times Opinon Piece from Nov. 23. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/1..." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Ivoryton Library Association: "As you figure out the eleventy-million ways to eat turkey, please know we are grateful for your patronage. We will reopen this morning. See you then." (Ivoryton Library Association via Facebook)
• Visit Chester CT: "At thespace_chester Next Friday, December 2, author Janet Varner will be at The Space, signing copies of her book Health’d Up. Come down from 5-8pm during Chester’s First Friday. #visitchesterct" (Visit Chester CT via Facebook)

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Events:

• Cappella Cantorum Concert Vivaldi's Gloria and Other Holiday Favorites (December 4)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with another 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 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