🌱Nominate Someone For VRHS Alumni Hall Of Fame Award + Trivia Night

Hey, neighbors! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh copy of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter. Here's what you need to know about what's happening locally. In today's issue, we have these stories and more:

• Looking for this year's Alumni Hall Of Fame Award recipient.
• Be a part of Trivia Night!
• Connecticut's Budget!

But first, today's weather:

Breezy in the morning. High: 58 Low: 30.

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

1. Each year Valley Regional High School bestows the Annual Alumni Hall of Fame Award on a deserving recipient, presented at the graduation ceremony. Once again VRHS is asking the community to take a moment to look through your yearbook, talk to friends and family and find past VRHS graduates who have made a difference! The criteria is simple: Recipients must be a graduate of Valley Regional High School and they must have achieved a unique accomplishment or excelled in a particular profession, avocation, business, hobby, sport, etc. Please see the following link for more information click here. (Valley Regional High School)
2. Have fun, while also helping the Ivoryton Library Association by participating in this year's Trivia Night, which is being held at the Centerbrook Meeting House on Saturday, March 4. Doors open at 7 p.m. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 each or buy a table of 8 for $100. There are prizes for winners, bar snacks, cash bar and a red cup raffle! Click here for tickets: https://ivoryton-library.square.site/pro.../trivia-night-/13. Hope to see you there! (Ivoryton Library Association via Facebook)
3. Gov. Ned Lamont unveiled his $50.5 billion biennial budget. According to a Patch article written by staff member Rich Scinto, the budget includes a $500 million state income tax cut proposal, extra funding for schools and a call to keep Connecticut’s fiscal restraints in check. Altogether, Lamont proposed a $25 billion budget for fiscal year 2024, which is a 3.5 percent increase from the current budget year. Fiscal year 2025’s recommended budget would be $25.5 billion, which is another 1.8 percent increase. (Patch)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• SoMA Kids Night Out (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Chester Public Library: "Dr. Seuss' birthday is Thursday, March 2. Visit the Chester Public Library to get a free copy of Gerald McBoing-Boing and make your own noise-maker (while supplies last)" (Chester Public Library via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Matters of mental health. Check out this week's newsletter! Don't forget to check out upcoming events and resources for our community, while you are in there! - https://mailchi.mp/ttysb/gt7pycu4ed-10447861" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Town of Essex – Government: "Sign up for the safe Essex Emergency Alert System." (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Registration is open for the 9th Annual Girls Leadership Conference in Guilford on March 25. Further information and registration can be found through the following link." (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. 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