Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Where Essex locals can toast 2026 close to home
Coming up: New Year's Eve in Essex on the Essex Patch calendar
Hello Essex! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Where Essex locals can toast 2026 close to home
- Why Essex just ranked among Connecticut’s most “livable” communities
Also on today's calendar: New Year's Eve in Essex and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Essex-Chester-Deep Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Essex-Chester-Deep Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Chilly with variable clouds, with a high of 31 and low of 25 degrees.
- Thursday: Cold with clouds and sun, temps: high: 28, low: 14. ⛄️ Brr!
- Friday: Partly sunny, breezy and cold, with a high of 27 and low of 18 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Goodbye 2025, hello 2026! Here is a list of fun New Year's Eve activities! (wtnh.com) — Essex residents can ring in 2026 at Scotch Plains Tavern, with live music, festive cocktails starting at 8:30 p.m., and a midnight champagne toast. The roundup also highlights other New Year’s Eve celebrations across Connecticut if you’re up for a short drive. 
• Wethersfield Named A Top 10 'Livable' Community In CT: AARP (patch.com) — Essex has been named one of Connecticut’s top 10 most “livable” communities in AARP’s latest statewide rankings, putting the town alongside places like West Hartford and Old Saybrook. The AARP Livability Index looks at services and amenities that improve quality of life for residents of all ages, and state leaders are encouraging more towns to use it to guide local improvements.
📸 Around Essex
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Essex
- New Year's Eve in Essex
Essex Indoor Golf Center , 23 Saybrook Rd , Essex
6:00 pm - Essex Library - Teen Winter Reading Challenge
Essex Library Association , 33 West Ave , Essex
9:00 am - Tween Time: Intro to D&D (Ages 8-12)
Essex Library Association , 33 West Ave , Essex
3:30 pm - Weekend Wiggle Worms (Ages 0-3)
Essex Library Association , 33 West Ave , Essex
9:30 am - Magic Wand Workshop with Artist Debbie Jaffe (Ages 6-12)
Essex Library Association , 33 West Ave , Essex
10:30 am - Winter Golf League Begins - Sign up Today!
Essex Indoor Golf Center , 23 Saybrook Rd , Essex
9:00 am - Essex Winter Lecture Series: Week 1
Essex Meadows , 30 Bokum Rd , Essex
3:30 pm - Essex Library: Movie Matinee
33 West Ave , Essex
4:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Thursday January 1
Friday January 2
Saturday January 3
Sunday January 4
Monday January 5
📣 Essex Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Steve Cryan’s 32nd Annual Train Show at Connecticut River Museum
Connecticut River Museum , 67 Main St , Essex
10:00 am - December 31st Breakfast Buffet
Saybrook Point Resort & Marina - Luxury Connecticut Oceanside Hotel , 2 Bridge St , Old Saybrook
10:00 am - Noon Year's Eve Party
Acton Public Library , 60 Old Boston Post Rd , Old Saybrook
11:00 am - Live Music in the Choo Choo Lounge Every Tues., Wed. & Thurs.!
Saybrook Point Resort & Marina - Luxury Connecticut Oceanside Hotel , 2 Bridge St , Old Saybrook
6:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Essex PatchAM possible:
- Monaco Ford of Niantic — (860) 739-5437
Experience The Monaco Difference. Extra Value. No Extra Cost - California Closets — (203) 924-8444
Custom Storage Solutions for the Whole Home - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- While Christmas has come and gone … continue to water your Christmas Tree every day you have it up!
A dry Christmas Tree can catch fire very easily and burn very quickly. (Nextdoor )
- Roto Frank of America I posted a job opening for Assembly I - Basic 2nd shift in Chester. Apply here.
- Walgreens posted a job opening for Inventory Specialist in Clinton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Essex here.
🗞 Nearby News
Old Saybrook
- Con Brio Choral Society to Hold Auditions in Old Saybrook, Jan. 5 (lymeline.com)
- Former J. Geils Band Frontman Peter Wolf Extends 2026 Solo Tour into April; Sends Out Musical Holiday Message to Fans (americansongwriter.com)
Westbrook
- Why Winter's Better In Clinton: Beat The Blues With These Local Picks (patch.com)
Clinton
Ok Essex! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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