🌱 Support Valley Unified Buddies + Congratulations VRHS Athletes

Good morning, Essex-Chester-Deep River. I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town, including news about:

• Make a wish for the wishing booth to return.
• Congratulations athletes!
• Support the Valley Unified Buddies!

But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 48 Low: 30.

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

1. Area residents are wishing the wishing booth was back! The booth, which called Main Street Chester home for a brief few months has been removed. It was located on a state-owned bridge and according to WTNH permits were not pulled for the booth to be there, so, because of that, this week it was taken down. The hope is that we will see the booth back, somewhere in downtown Chester, sometime soon. (WTNH.com)
2. Recently it was National Signing Day and the following Valley Regional High School senior athletes committed to colleges throughout the United States; "Braeden Sparaco (Southern CT State University), Lucas Rogers (Wilkes University), Colin Carver (Marist College), and Samuel Hutchinson (Central CT State University), all for baseball. For field hockey, Fallyn Belisle committed to Nichols College, and Benjamin Costanzo (University of Hartford) and Leif Duval (North Greenville University) committed for men’s lacrosse. Siena Schaller (Curry College) committed for women’s basketball and Elizabeth Allen (Dickinson College) committed for soccer," according to Zip06. Congratulations students! (Zip06.com)
3. Support the Valley Unified Buddies! Currently, they are selling Lyman Orchard's pies, popcorn, cookie dough, jerky, soup, coffee and tea and lots of other good stuff to raise money for the first annual Valley Unified Buddies Prom! Everything will be delivered before Easter. Click here for more information and to place your orders! (mcmfundraising.com)

From my notebook:

• Essex Fire Engine Co. #1: "Burn injuries continue to be a leading cause of injury in the United States and Canada, especially in children." (Essex Fire Engine Co. #1 via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Starting and Running a Service Business Thursday, February 16, 5:30 PM Register: http://ow.ly/O3AB50MPqfW With SCORE Mentor Eric Munro, learn to identify the key activities you need to develop in order to run your service-based business." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Deep River Public Library: "Pop into the Deep River Library to see the work of the River Valley Artists." (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (February 14)
• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton! SWEET HEART SALE! (February 14)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Sunday! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update.

— 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