🌱 Give Blood + It's Going To Be A Hot Week + Purple Rain At The Kate

Hello, everybody. It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town these days. Including updates on...

• Blood drive.
• Sweltering heat on its way this week.
• "Purple Rain" at the Kate.

But first, today's weather: An afternoon t-shower; humid. High: 84 Low: 70.

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

1. There will be a blood drive Wednesday, July 26 at the Deep River Ambulance from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a Shark Week T-shirt available for donors while supplies last! To make an appointment call 1-800-Red Cross. Hope to see you there. (Parents of VRHS via Facebook)
2. It's going to be a hot week! According to a Patch article written by Brian McCready, "Temperatures are forecast to be above 90 degrees on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We’ll be approaching 'heat advisory' criteria on Thursday and Friday as well. Highs in the 90s but feeling around 100 degrees," WFSB 3 TV forecasters said. A heat advisory is issued when daytime heat indices of 95-99 degrees are expected for 2 or more hours over two consecutive days, or when heat indices of 100-104 degrees are expected for 2 or more hours over 1 day." (Patch.com)
3. Are you a fan of Prince's music? The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center will welcome back Dean Ford & the Beautiful Ones on Thursday, Aug. 3, at 7:30 p.m. Embodying all that is Prince, Ford and company perform all the hits, including the “Purple Rain” album in its entirety. Hope to see you at this unforgettable tribute show. (Patch.com)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

Tuesday, July 25

• Teen Bring Your Own Book Club (Ages 13+) (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Deep River Public Library: "The Tri-Town Libraries are SO excited for Bryson Lang! Please join us on July 27 at 4 p.m. at the Chester Meeting House for this high-energy show!" (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: " Adult Craft: Tissue Paper Sunflowers Thursday, Aug. 3, 5:30 p.m. Come learn how to make a small, beautiful bouquet of sunflowers using tissue paper and coffee filters! Registration required: 860-767-1560." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Save money and fight against food waste! flashfood.com Stop and Shops along the shoreline now offer discounted food through Flashfood! Get massive savings on fresh food items like meat and produce that are nearing their best-before date." (Essex Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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• Xray Lite Duo Debut at Landing & Main (July 27)
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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— 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