🌱Pirate Excursion For Grown-Ups + Essex Family Saving Horse Trails

Hi all. I'm back with your fresh edition of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily. Come along to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

First, today's weather:

A heavy t-storm is expected in the p.m.. High: 80 Low: 70.

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

1. The Tevis family of Essex is currently in the limelight in Old Lyme due to a long-term lease that would allow horses to be ridden on the 312-acre McCulloch Family open-space property in that town. The McCullock Farm was well known for breeding Morgan horses for years. As reported by the CTexaminer, "the Tevis family plans to buy a portion of the adjacent former McCulloch farm now owned by relatives in the Vasiloff family. The current controversy is about the proposed long-term lease that would allow up to 12 horses at a time on the site off Whippoorwil Road in exchange for a $2,400 annual payment into the town’s general fund by the Tevis family. Members of the public would be allowed to ride horses on the property, which the town bought for $600,000 in 2019. The Tevis’ also would pay for informational signs marking trails and parking and would be responsible for cleaning up manure. The Tevis family also would be required to secure a $5 million liability insurance policy against personal injury and property damage. The 25-year lease, with an option to extend it by two more 25-year terms, was approved by the Open Space Commission on Wednesday and now must be voted on by the Planning Commission, the Board of Selectmen and by residents at a town meeting." (CTexaminer)
2. Reportedly, digital platform Money teamed up with The Leapfrog Group to compile its inaugural Best Hospitals In America list. Hartford Hospital is the only Connecticut hospital to get a thumbs-up in all the report's classifications: critical care, labor delivery, complex surgery, safety grade and something the Money/Leapfrog analysts call "never events." These are events that should "never happen" in a hospital, but if they do, the hospital fully complies with the elements of Leapfrog's "Never Events" policy. The analysts sifted through data for 6,000 hospitals across the country and found 148 that consistently provide great care. All the health care facilities fell into five different classifications: general hospitals, children's hospitals, rural hospitals, large teaching hospitals and small teaching hospitals. The premiere hospitals on the 2022 list span 29 states. (Patch)
3. Always coming up with new and exciting adventures to dazzle and intrigue guests and visitors, the Essex Steam Train will be celebrating everything Pirate on the Connecticut River Saturday, July 30th with train boarding at 6:30 p.m. for a very special Train & Boat Excursion. They will be showing guests a, "wicked good time," as they join the crew of the notorious Captain Kidd for an exclusive adventure, joining a gathering of the legendary pirates of New England as they celebrate the most notorious dreaded pirate of them all, aboard the Becky Thatcher, the famed riverboat overtaken by a rowdy crew for this very occasion. Hear tales of buried treasure along the Connecticut River and the ghosts who protect it! Listen and sing along to ancient sea chanteys that speak to the life of a pirate! The train will stop at the Deep River Landing where visitors will board the Becky Thatcher for a 2-hour cruise filled with stories, specialty drinks, sea shanties, interactive performances, and more. Hope to see you there! (Essex Steam Train)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Personnel Committee - Essex Library Association (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Chester Public Library: "It's the anniversary of our Outdoor Connect 4! Have you been down to the library to play yet?" (Chester Public Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Essex Library Magic Camp for tweens/teens in grades 5-12 RETURNS next Saturday, July 23 at 1 p.m. Have you ever wanted to amaze your friends with awesome magic tricks? Come learn from local CT magician, Kody Hildebrand!" (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Seeking help just got a whole lot easier!" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Ivoryton Library Association: "Please join us Tuesday for what promises to be a deep and heartfelt discussion. #TransIsBeautiful https://patch.com/connecticut/essex-chester-deepriver/calendar/event/20220719/1896072/ownvoices" (Ivoryton Library Association via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Blood drive next week at Town Hall next week. Right across the street from the library, so stop in and grab some summer reading after giving blood." (Essex Library via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday off right! See you tomorrow 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