🌱Monkeypox Cases In CT On The Rise + There's Lots To Do This Weekend

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Daily. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening these days in town.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 84 Low: 65.

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

1. Connecticut now has 11 confirmed monkeypox cases, according to the state Department of Public Health. The first confirmed Connecticut case was announced July 5 and state Department of Public Health officials predicted that more cases were likely. All 11 Connecticut patients are between 20 and 50 years old and reside in Fairfield, New Haven and Hartford counties. The majority of the patients haven't required hospitalization, according to DPH. (Patch)
2. Fox61 Hartford highlighted the Essex Steam Train and all it has to offer guests and visitors by stating, "there are a variety of different trips offered by the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat – among the most popular is a 12-mile, narrated round-trip into the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley where passengers pass through Pratt’s Cove and the Deep River Marina, then climb aboard the decorative riverboat called the “Becky Thatcher” for a 75-minute ride on the Connecticut River." As residents of the tri-towns we already know what a gem we have right in our backyards with the Steam Train, but its still nice to hear about it! (FOX61 Hartford)
3. If you're hoping to add a fluffy ball of four-legged love and affection to your family, look no further than these Essex-Chester-Deep River area animal shelters for a pet you can adopt.
   There are thousands of dogs, cats and other animals of all ages, sizes and breeds without a home throughout Connecticut — and many of them are located near you. For those looking to adopt, a great place to start your search for a new four-legged friend is at Forgotten Felines Inc, where Miranda the cat is waiting patiently, or another local shelter.(Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch)
4. A Shakespeare festival, tons of concerts, a race at Limerock, the Deep River Muster and more. Here is a list of 25-plus things to do in CT this weekend. What are your plans? (Middletown Press)
5. Burnt crunchy lawns are the norm across Connecticut as parched conditions continue due to little to no rain in the region recently. Residents have now been advised to reduce water consumption when possible. According to an article in CTinsider, "on Thursday, Gov. Ned Lamont approved a recommendation by the state's Interagency Drought Working Group to declare an "emerging drought event.” “Residents should be mindful of their water consumption and take sensible steps to reduce impacts on other water uses and on the environment," Lamont said. "We must begin early steps now to mitigate the potential for harm should the drought become prolonged."'(CTinsider.com)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Mystic Aquarium @ Deep River Library (10:30 a.m.)
• Walking Tour of Prospect Street & West Ave., Essex (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Essex Fire Engine Co. #1: "Odor of smoke in one of our retailers in the Village turned out to be a light fixture. Staff apologized for calling it in. Sentiment appreciated, but, NO! Don't assume any condition that's not normal can be ignored. Always error on the side of caution. We very much want you to call if you suspect anything at all!" (Essex Fire Engine Co. #1 via Facebook)
• Chester CT Historical Society: "Do you remember our Creative Challenges of the past? Like when artists and other creative people made prints, jewelry, sculptures out of items like old hooks from the Brooks factory, and scraps of red velvet from discarded Meeting House stage curtains and (last year) metal building squares from a vacant farm property. This year, our 10th Creative Challenge is based on scrap oak boards and hand-forged iron nails from the Meeting House floor of 1793 (which was torn up in the winter of 2020). All the info about the Challenge is on our website, chesterhistoricalsociety.org, and at the Chester Museum. Check it out!" (Chester CT Historical Society via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Check out Magic Camp at Essex Library Association for kids grades 5 through 12! If you missed the first one, that's a-ok! Abracadabra! Registration is required for July 23, so be sure to call the listed number! 🎩" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Deep River Public Library: "Capture the Essence Watercolor Class." (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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