🌱 More Money Needed For JWMS Project + Free Museums In CT

Good morning, neighbors. 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 locally. In today's issue of the newsletter, you'll find news about these stories and more:

• The cast of the new Goodspeed show has been announced.
• Museums for free.
• More money for vestibule project.

But first, today's weather: Partly sunny and less humid. High: 83 Low: 61.

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

1. Goodspeed Musicals has announced the cast for the new musical, "The 12," the third production of its 60th anniversary season. The show will run from Sept. 8-Oct. 29. According to a press release from the Goodspeed, "'The 12' features book and lyrics by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Schenkkan (Broadway: 'All The Way' (Tony Award for Best Play), 'The Great Society,' 'The Kentucky Cycle' (Pulitzer Prize for Drama)), with music and lyrics by Neil Berg (Off-Broadway: 'The Prince and the Pauper'; Regional: 'Grumpy Old Men: The Musical,' 'Tim and Scrooge')." (Goodspeed.org)
2. Through Sept. 4, children in the state of Connecticut who are age 18 and under, who are accompanied by a Connecticut resident adult, can visit participating museums free of charge as part of the Connecticut Summer at the Museum program. Those wishing to visit these museums should check website prior to visits. (Zip06.com)
3. Due to a number of new developments including building code changes, rise in construction costs and supply chain difficulties the Region 4 Board of Education will be asking the tri-towns of Chester, Deep River and Essex to approve more money for the secure vestibule project at John Winthrop Middle School. According to the CT Examiner, "The towns originally approved $952,000 for the project in a referendum in November 2021. At a meeting Thursday afternoon, Superintendent Brian White explained that since the referendum in 2021, the building codes had changed and now require that either the district install a canopy over the proposed ramps — to protect the ramps from snow — or that they install an elevator." (CT Examiner)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

Saturday, August 5

• Intro to Dungeons and Dragons for Tweens (Gr. 4-8) (12:00 PM)
• 39th Annual Lobster Bake — Essex Lions Club (2:30 PM)
• String of Pearls Big Band at the Essex Lions Lobster Bake 2023 (3:00 PM)
• Chicken BBQ Fund Raiser Saturday, 5-7 (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Deep River Fire Department: "At 1332 DRFD responded to a 1 car MVA on Union Street. Operator was removed from the cut roof and transported by Deep River Ambulance." (Deep River Fire Department via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Teen Poetry Club: Escape Room! Aug. 10, 4 p.m. Teens will work through five different classic poems using their knowledge of symbolism, rhyme scheme, repetition, figurative language, and metaphor." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Chester, Deep River, and Essex parents, school staff, community members, everyone! Here is a comprehensive, FREE, social media training covering a variety of critical topics relevant to our kids." (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Town of Essex – Government: "'Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.' ~ Dr. Seuss, from The Lorax. In 2015 we recycled and composted about 35 percent of our waste in Connecticut." (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday! 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