🌱 Patch AM: Why did Essex make AARP’s list of top livable Connecticut towns?

Good morning Essex! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why did Essex make AARP’s list of top livable Connecticut towns?

Also on today's calendar: Wiggle Worms Story Time (Ages 0-3) and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Windy and colder, with a high of 28 and low of 23 degrees.
• Wednesday: Chilly with variable clouds, temps: high: 31, low: 22.
• Thursday: Cold with clouds and sun, with a high of 28 and low of 14 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

• Wethersfield Named A Top 10 'Livable' Community In CT: AARP (patch.com) — Essex earns a spot on AARP’s list of the top 10 most livable communities in Connecticut, alongside towns like West Hartford and Old Saybrook. The ranking, based on AARP’s Livability Index, highlights amenities and services that support quality of life for residents of all ages across the state.
   

📸 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

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Wednesday December 31

• New Year's Eve 2026
  Beauty & Essex, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Uncasville
  5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Tuesday December 30

• Wiggle Worms Story Time (Ages 0-3)
  Essex Library Association , 33 West Ave , Essex
  9:30 am
• Wiggle Worms Story Time (For ages 0-3)
  Essex Library Association , 33 West Ave , Essex
  10:30 am
• Essex Library - Teen Art Workshop
  Essex Library Association , 33 West Ave , Essex
  1:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• New Year’s Eve at The Essex in Old Saybrook
  The Essex , 247 Main St , Old Saybrook
  6:00 pm
• New Year's Eve in Essex
  Essex Indoor Golf Center , 23 Saybrook Rd , Essex
  6:00 pm

Thursday January 1

• Essex Library - Teen Winter Reading Challenge
  Essex Library Association , 33 West Ave , Essex
  9:00 am

Friday January 2

• Tween Time: Intro to D&D (Ages 8-12)
  Essex Library Association , 33 West Ave , Essex
  3:30 pm

Saturday January 3

• 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

📣 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

Tuesday December 30

• Steve Cryan’s 32nd Annual Train Show at Connecticut River Museum
  Connecticut River Museum , 67 Main St , Essex
  10:00 am
• Lyme Library American Mah Jongg Club
  Lyme Public Library , 482 Hamburg Rd , Lyme
  4:00 pm
• Tuesday Night Trivia
  Essex Indoor Golf Center , 23 Saybrook Rd , Essex
  7:00 pm
• Boston Comedy Festival
  Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center , 300 Main St , Old Saybrook
  7:30 pm

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!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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 )
• As Winter’s Chill Settles In, Be Safe While Being Warm.
  Do not use Portable Gasoline Heaters, Propane Heaters, Natural Gas Heaters or Charcoal Heaters inside your home, or inside any enclosed structure as… (Nextdoor )

• Dunkin' posted a job opening for Shift Leader in Old Saybrook. Apply here.
• DoorDash posted a job opening for DoorDash Shopper - Sign Up and Start Earning in Chester. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Essex here.

🗞 Nearby News

Old Saybrook

• 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 hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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