🌱Join the Barberry Brigade This Saturday + Looking For A Furry Friend

Hello again, neighbors! It's Friday in Essex-Chester-Deep River and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in town, including updates on...

• Join the Barberry Brigade At The Preserve.
• Looking for a furry friend!
• Storm coming!

But first, today's weather:

A bit of snow and rain. High: 45 Low: 34.

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

1. Join the Barberry Brigade At The Preserve this Saturday, March 4th (with a rain/snow date of Sunday, 3/5). Please arrive by 12:45 p.m. Volunteers are being asked to park in the new lot across the street from 231 Ingham Hill Road in Old Saybrook. The walk into the Preserve about one mile to the cutting site, work for about one hour and twenty minutes, then return to cars by 3 p.m. Bring your own clippers or loppers (or borrow ours). Wear boots, bring gloves. Register to get news of changes: bit.ly/Preserve_Stewardship (Bitly links are case sensitive) or call Jon Paradis at OS Parks & Rec, 860-395-3152. Call leader, Kathy Connolly, for more information: 860-510-2136. (The Preserve)
2. Looking to add a furry ball of four-legged love and affection to your family? Look no further than these Essex-Chester-Deep River animal shelters for a pet available for adoption. Animal shelters have dogs, cats and other kinds of pets ready and waiting for someone to take them home. Over 6 million pets are given to shelters each year nationwide, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. However, only around half of all these animals are adopted each year, ASPCA data shows. This means millions of animals — some right here in the Essex-Chester-Deep River area — are still waiting for their forever homes. With help from our friends at Petfinder, Patch has compiled this week’s list of animals available for adoption near you. Whether you’re looking for cuddles or companionship, one of these animals could be the perfect fit for your family. Click on any listing for more information or to start the adoption process. (Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch)
3. The next storm to emerge in the Nutmeg state is slated for this evening into Saturday morning. Meteorologists are calling for a mix of snow, sleet and rain. Areas along the immediate coast are forecast to see mainly rain with some sleet and snow mixing in but no significant accumulation. Areas away from the coast and in northern sections of the state could see an inch or two of snow and sleet accumulation by Saturday morning, according to the weather service. The higher elevations in northern Connecticut are forecast to see the most snow accumulation. According to a Patch article written by Brian McCready, "After sunset and the evening commute (Friday), precipitation begins to overspread the state as a potent storm system arrives. (Watch the WFSB 3 TV weather forecast here). (Patch)
4. Mary Rayner (Zip06.com)
5. Sophie Loretta Giza (Zip06.com)
6. Connecticut could soon have a state food, pet and candy (CT Insider)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Spring Into Stories Storytime (Ages 3-5) (10:30 AM)
• The Carceral Connecticut Project: The History of Race, Violence & Capitalism in the CT River Valleye (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Essex Steam Train & Riverboat: " Now You See It….Now you Don’t” Diamonds are a crook’s best friend… Murder Mystery Dinner Train 2023 A Premium Dinner Train Experience May 19, 2023 6:00-9:30 pm." (Essex Steam Train & Riverboat via Facebook)
• Deep River Public Library: "More than 15 pounds of thin plastic has been collected at the Deep River Library. Way to go, Deep River/Sustainable CT!" (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "A reminder that Essex Library is a pick-up spot for Essex Garden Club's $5,000 Scholarship Application! See information handout for details and other eligibility requirements. Applications can be picked up in our Teen Department! " (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "A quick little reminder about the Student Leadership Project happening at JWMS! Bins are located at the Ivoryton and Deep River libraries for your convenience!" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• SMOS Mtg Mar 3, 2023: Yale Prof Emeritus Brian Spinks- My trip from Essex UK to Yale University, CT (March 3)
• Grief Support Group (March 5)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (March 7)
• Add your event

That's it for today. I'll be in your inbox 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 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