🌱Senator Norm Needleman Takes The Win! + Learn More About Recycling!

Welcome back, Essex-Chester-Deep River! I'm here in your inbox today to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Because community information is power! Today we have these stories and more...

• Senator Norm Needleman takes the win for another term! Congratulations!
• Want to know what is in and what's out?
• Do you have a little actor or actress?

But first, today's weather:

Sunny and pleasant. High: 63 Low: 50.

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

1. State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) expressed thanks to his supporters after winning a third term serving the 33rd Senate District in the State Senate on Tuesday night. According to a press release, " Having first won the election in 2018, Sen. Needleman remained grateful and appreciated continued support from voters across a dozen towns. “These last two years have been challenging, and I have done my best to aid our region at the Capitol amid them. I am thankful that voters gave me their endorsement for another term,” said Sen. Needleman. “We still have plenty of work to do together at the Capitol, including increased focus on our state’s utility companies and bolstering our economy amid uncertain times nationally and globally. I am proud of my community and grateful to everyone who cast a ballot in this election for exercising their right and will be mindful of them all in my work at the Capitol. The work will soon continue, and I am ready to rise to the challenge in support of us all.” Sen. Needleman’s first two terms saw him serve as Senate Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee, seeking best outcomes for residents and ratepayers. Sen. Needleman serves in addition as Vice Chair of the Planning and Development Committee and a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding, Transportation and Commerce Committees. Sen. Needleman, who announced his candidacy last winter, will continue to represent the towns of Colchester, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook. Sen. Needleman founded and runs a manufacturing company, Tower Laboratories in Centerbrook, and is currently serving his sixth term as the First Selectman of Essex." (Senator Norm Needleman)
2. Sustainable Deep River, Essex and Chester are co-sponsoring a free community recycling workshop, “What’s IN & What’s OUT,” on December 6th at 6:30 pm at Deep River Town Hall. Sherill Baldwin, CT Sustainable Materials Management (SMM), will be discussing “blue bin” materials, CT’s universal recycling list and more. At this interactive workshop, attendees will get answers to their recycling questions like: “Am I recycling correctly? and are all these plastic bottles actually getting recycled?” The benefits of recycling and the costs of not managing the waste stream will also be discussed. Deep River was recently awarded an SMM grant to pilot a food scraps waste reduction initiative. The pilot is scheduled to begin this winter." (Sustainable Deep River)
3. According to a recent press release, "Goodspeed Musicals is holding local Connecticut auditions for its 2023 Goodspeed season, on Saturday, December 3rd, starting at 10 a.m. in East Haddam. Goodspeed is seeking non-union boys and girls between 8-12 years old and under 4’10” for the spring musical, Gypsy, and Equity adult actors for all shows in the season. All auditions are by appointment only. Appointments may be made starting immediately. Please call 860.873.8664, ext. 721, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. to schedule an appointment. Children auditioning for Gypsy must be available March 28, 2023, through June 25, 2023. Adult candidates must be available for 4 weeks of rehearsal and up to a 9-week performance run between March 28, 2023 (first rehearsal for Gypsy) and Dec. 31, 2023 (close of Dreamgirls). Interested local performers should bring a resume, photo and sheet music for a 32-bar cut of an up-tempo song and a ballad. Music must be legible and in the proper key (no lead sheets please). An accompanist will be provided." (Goodspeed Musicals)
4. According to the Hartford Courant, "Connecticut residents on Tuesday voted in favor of bringing in-person early voting to the state, marking a historic victory for proponents in a years-long struggle for expanded ballot access and setting the stage for lawmakers to modernize an election system lagging behind much of the country." (Hartford Courant)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Gâteau: The Surprising Simplicity Of French Cakes With Aleksandra Crapanzano (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Essex Library: "We are pleased to announce an addition to our November calendar, presented by Eastern Connecticut Ballet! Tuesday, November 29 at 4:15 Join Eastern Connecticut Ballet dancers at the library to dance selections from the story of The Nutcr..." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Gobble up a good book this November! Browse our displays, shelves, and special collections for some cozy fall reads, or ask any of our desk staff for a recommendation or help finding that perfect book! 🍂" (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Mark your calendars for Sustainable Essex's Annual Holiday Toy Swap, happening November 12th from 9 am to 2 pm right out front of Essex Elementary School! Bring your child's gently used or new, unwanted toys, games, and books to swap." (Essex Library via Facebook)

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Events:

• Online Webinar about Old Saybrook security system installers (November 15)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. See you all tomorrow morning 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