🌱 Safegrad Raffle Ticket Fundraiser + Tag And Release Butterflies

Good morning, friends! It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter — here to tell you all the most important things happening locally. In today's issue, you'll find these stories and more:

• Buy a raffle ticket to help Safegrad.
• Ordination ceremony at the Winthrop Baptist Church.
• Help catch, tag and release butterflies.

But first, today's weather: Tropical rainstorm. High: 60 Low: 56.

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

1. Sending your child off to college is never an easy endeavor; however, helping to ensure that the last day of their senior year is great, helps a little. Just ask Katherine Hilliar one of the organizers of Valley Safe Grad, the drug-free party that follows the Valley Regional High School graduation. To help offset the cost of the event Hilliar and others are selling raffle tickets now through Oct. 23. Ticket costs $20 and only 1,200 tickets are sold. The grand prize is a $1,000 gift card. For more information on where to buy raffle tickets click here. (Zip06.com)
2. There will be an ordination ceremony at the Winthrop Baptist Church in Deep River for Pastor Sean Colling on Sunday, Oct. 1. According to Zip06.com, "Collins was unanimously voted for ordination in the American Baptist Church denomination at an ordination meeting on Aug. 26." This is a historic moment for Winthrop Baptist Church to ordain a new pastor right before its 280th Anniversary. (Zip06.com)
3. Looking for something fun to do today, Saturday, Sept. 23? Help the Old Saybrook Land Trust catch, tag and release butterflies. The event is fun for all ages! Attendees are welcome to help with catching, identifying the gender, tagging and releasing the beautiful monarchs before they fly south. In addition, you can learn how to attract butterflies and take some free milkweed seeds to start your own butterfly garden. Stop by Founders Memorial Park, between 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. to help, to learn, and see some beauty. Hope to see you there! (Facebook Events)

Interested in reaching our local readers with targeted messaging that drives traffic to your business? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

Saturday, September 23

• New Hiking Trail Opening in Deep River (10:00 AM)
• Understanding the Power in Dreams (10:30 AM)
• Apple Picking with The Nest at Scott's Yankee Farmer, East Lyme (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Deep River Parks & Rec: "Save the date for something spooky and something fun! Deep River Parks and Recreation is excited about our annual Halloween event. All new this year! Saturday, Oct. 28, from 4-8 p.m., plan to come down to Deep River Center." (Deep River Parks & Rec via Facebook)
• Chester CT Historical Society: "With much disappointment, the Chester Historical Society and the Chester Land Trust have agreed we must CANCEL this Saturday's (Sept. 23) Freedom Trail Celebration at the Constance Baker Motley Preserve because of the heavy rain and wind." (Chester CT Historical Society via Facebook)
• Deep River Public Library: "We whipped up some tasty pizzas this week in our Zoom cooking class this week! Adults and kids enjoy these fun classes. Why not join us next month when we make chili mac-n-cheese!" (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: Dungeons & Dragons - Character Creation Saturday, Sept. 30 at 12 p.m. or Thursday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. Registration required." (Essex Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• New Hiking Trail Opening in Deep River! (September 23)
• Electrify Your Drive! A Free EV Car Show with Owners and Dealers (September 24)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (September 26)
• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton! STOCK UP SALE! (September 27)
• Join Us For An Evening of Faith, Hope and Love! (October 14)
• Add your event

That's it 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