🌱Need Help With Heating Your Home? + Dog Fair Coming Up!

Welcome back, Essex-Chester-Deep River! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.I'll get right to it.

First, today's weather:

Humid; a p.m. t-storm or two. High: 84 Low: 68.

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

1. With inflation and the high cost of heating oil, do you need a little extra help this winter? If you do, you are in luck. The application period for the 2022-23 winter season of the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) has begun. The program helps Connecticut homeowners and renters with the costs associated with heating their homes. Benefits average at about $400 in aid for the winter season but can be significantly higher depending on household income and number of family members. Benefits are available for households with incomes up to 60% of the state median income, roughly $76,400 for a family of four.
   To apply: Go online to www.ct.gov/heatinghelp/apply Call or email your local Community Action Agency – phone numbers or emails to send the completed application to can be found at https://portal.ct.gov/.../Connecticut-Energy-Assistance... Applications must be received by May 31, 2023. More information is available at www.ct.gov/heatinghelp or by calling 2-1-1.(Senator Needleman via Facebook)
2. Valley Regional High School's volleyball team is looking for great success this fall. According to a Zip06 article, "Now in her second year as head coach of the Valley Regional girls’ volleyball team, Sofia Cullina is hoping that the Warriors can build off of their success from last season and make a deeper run in the playoffs this fall. With eight returning seniors, Coach Cullina wants to see Valley rely on its leadership as its players work together to create a cohesive and successful unit on the court. Valley Regional is coming off of a season that saw the team finish with an overall record of 12-8 while qualifying for the Shoreline Conference Tournament and the Class M State Tournament." Good luck this year girls! (Zip06)
3. Save the date! The 2022 Chester Dog Fair will be held September 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Chester Fair Grounds. Offering a plethora of dog-centered activities, vendors and information the event is a must-attend for dog lovers! There will also be live music, a beer and wine tent and food trucks! Tickets are $10 per family and $5 for individuals. All proceeds will go to benefit Homeward Bound CT, a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization. Hope to see you there!(Chester Dog Fair via Facebook)

From my notebook:

• Town of Essex – Government: "2nd Annual Source to Sea Cleanup On Saturday, September 24 at 9 a.m., volunteers from all three villages will gather at the CT River Museum before dispersing throughout Town to pick up litter for a few hours." (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Saturday is our Grandparent's Day Celebration! Saturday, September 10 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Kids and grandparents join Miss Nicole in the program room for a special storytime and activities! Call 860-767-1560.” (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "It's a new month and a new focused Friend's Book Sale at the library!📚 From Sept 1 - Oct 12, it's literature, poetry, humor and politics. From current topics to beloved classics, stop by and find something that feeds your soul and mind." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "On Sept 1, the CDC approved a new bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine which is effective against the omicron variants of BA.4 & BA.5 All eligible residents are encouraged to receive an updated booster. Visit www.vaccines.gov." (Essex Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• 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)
• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton, CT. RIBBON CUTTING SALE! 20% OFF! (September 15)
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Other classifieds:

• Columbia 28 Sailboat (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another 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