🌱Indigenous People Of CT River Valley + COVID-19 Booster Clinic

Hey, everybody! It's Wednesday in Essex-Chester-Deep River and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally. Here we go...

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy with a shower. High: 72 Low: 58.

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

1. It's COVID-19 booster time! Nutmeg Pharmacy and Essex Health Department are holding a COVID-19 booster vaccine clinic Thursday, September 8 from 8 a.m. – noon at Essex Town Hall located at 29 West, Ave., Essex. No appointment is needed however, for this first clinic we only have 100 doses of Moderna vaccine and 300 doses of Pfizer vaccine. Vaccinations for this clinic are on a first come-first served basis. The vaccines (aka updated boosters) are bivalent and broadly protective against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5. These variants are currently circulating and causing the most cases of COVID-19 in the US and are predicted to circulate this fall and winter. CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations including all primary series doses and boosters for their age group. Please bring your vaccination card(s) with you to the Vaccination Clinic or bring a printed a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination record which is available from the CT Dept of Public Health’s Immunization Information System called CTWiz. (Town Of Essex)
2. Get ready for the annual Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Festival. Planning is currently underway, the event is scheduled for October 22. As of now, The Painted Smile will be on hand for face painting and We are The Federation will be back to rock out the festival. Allegra Farm will have its superstar horses pulling the festival wagon rides and there will be more to come. Activities are slated to start at 4:30 p.m. at the Ivoryton Village Green with the new costume parade to step off from the corner of Walnut and Main. Registration is required for those marchers ages 0-12 who would like to receive Pumpkin Festival swag. (Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Festival)
3. Learn more about the Indigenous people of the Connecticut River Valley. According to a Zip06 article, "the Connecticut River Museum (CRM) will host a celebration of Indigenous history in the Connecticut River Valley on Saturday, Sept. 17. The program, a collaborative event among the Nehantic Native Nation, Elnu Abenaki, the Nolumbeka Project, the Essex Historical Society and the museum, is centered around honoring the cultural traditions in the arts, storytelling and language of the many native tribes of the River Valley region. According to Essex Historical Society Director Melissa Josefiak, this is the second time these groups have collaborated for this celebration with the intention to enlighten residents in the Connecticut River Valley on the history and present cultures of the native tribes of the region, from the Pequots to the Mohegans and Nehantics, among several others. Representatives of the Nehantic and Abenaki tribes will share personal stories on the history of the native groups in the area, while the Humble Spirits drum group and Schaghticoke dancers will demonstrate examples of Indigeneous performing arts. Arts and crafts based in Indigenous traditions will be a part of the program particularly directed towards children." (Zip06)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Friends Book Sale Committee - Essex Library Association (3 p.m.)
• Development Committee meeting - Essex Library Association (6 p.m.)
• Writer's Circle @ The Nest! high school - 20-somethings (6:30 p.m.$

From my notebook:

• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "September is National Suicide Prevention Month. We know it’s uncomfortable to talk about but prevention starts with conversation. It starts now." (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Join the Essex Library and Ivoryton Playhouse for Gatsby In Connecticut, a film screening with Director Robert Williams on September 21 at 7 p.m. Registration requested as seating is limited. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece, The Great Gatsby, has become synonymous with the lifestyle of the rich and famous on Long Island. But what if that connection is false? The argument that the real West and East Egg can be found on the other side of Long Island Sound is brilliantly argued in the 2020 documentary, Gatsby In Connecticut: the untold story." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "The Essex Library's September Food Drive officially starts today! We'll be accepting non-perishable food items all month long (early donations accepted and appreciated as well). Single serve and individual items are especially needed." (Essex Library via Facebook)

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• Mammoth Security Inc. Old Saybrook — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Healthier Futures Wellness Expo. A Free Event With Live Music, Kids’ Entertainment, And More! (September 10)
• Chester Rotary 51st Annual Lobster Festival Fundraiser (September 10)
• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton, CT. RIBBON CUTTING SALE! 20% OFF! (September 15)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday! 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