🌱Essex Garden Club's May Market + Referendum Scheduled For May 2

Hello, everybody. I'm here with your fresh copy of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter, filled with all the local information you need to know right now. Including updates on:

• May 2 referendum!
• Mother's Day is right around the corner.
• Get ready for the Essex Garden Club's May Market

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy. High: 65 Low: 51.

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

1. A May 2 referendum has been scheduled to vote on the master plan of improvements to outdoor athletic facilities at John Winthrop Middle School and Valley Regional High School. According to zip06.com, "Proposed improvements at VRHS include the stadium complex, baseball and softball fields, upper field, practice field, and tennis courts. At JWMS, the proposal includes two soccer fields. Additionally, the plan calls for the construction of two new soccer fields with parking lots on the north side of the VRHS campus. The $9.96 million project would be paid for through a 20-year bond. If approved, the bond would not impact the 2023-24 budget, according to [Superintendent Brian] White. Payment would fall into the Region 4 debt service line in the following year’s budget." (zip06.com)
2. Plan ahead now for Mother's Day! Why not go to Mommy & Me Tea Saturday, May 13 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Dress your little ones in their “Mother’s Day Weekend Finest” and bring them aboard to celebrate for a special afternoon tea, in 1920s Pullman style. Take in the beautiful spring scenery on the 1 ½ hour round-trip train ride through the Connecticut River Valley. Delight in an assortment of teas, finger sandwiches, scones, sweets and more. Relax to the rhythm of the rails. (Children under 2 must sit on adult lap.) Tickets are $48.99. For more information click here. (The Essex Steam Train).
3. It "May" be a little early to start thinking about the Essex Garden Club's May Market, but the plans are well underway. The event will be held on Saturday, May 13, from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Herbs, tomato plants, a myriad of other plants and unique garden gifts as well as the famed "Garlic Salt" will be available for purchase. Mark your calendars. Hope to see you there! (Essex Garden Club)

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From my notebook:

• Visit Chester CT: "Our greenhouse is filling up with crops to plant and seedlings to sell at our Seedling Sale. Our planned date is 5/20. More details to come!" (Visit Chester CT via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "“Unique Eats and Eateries Of Maine” Book Talk With Mike Urban Tuesday, May 2, 7 p.m. in the Program Room Registration requested but not required. Let Mike Urban be your guide to the most delicious culinary treasures Maine has to offer." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "The Essex Library is bringing back our April food drive to support the Region 4 Backpack Program and Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Pantries. Small, single-serve items needed! We're collecting kid-sized items that can fit in a backpack." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Teens (Gr. 9-12)! Join us next week to make a difference in our community! April 22 @ 1 PM, join the library and Essex Land Trust to complete some gardening projects at the Cross Lots! Project 1: Teens can help clean up the Cross Lots Po..." (Essex Library via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Yumi Katsura Trunk Show - 10% off 4/20 - 4/24 + other upcoming trunk shows (April 20)
• Madison Earth Care Earth Day Festival & Market (April 22)
• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton! BOGO WEDNESDAY! (May 3)
• Dancing and Great Food with String of Pearls Big Band! (May 12)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop 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