🌱Take The Trail Challenge! + Seasonal Jobs Are Abundant In The Area

Hey, everybody! It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily. Here's all the community news you need to know right now. Today's briefing includes updates on...

• Are you going to take the trail challenge?
• Seasonal jobs are plentiful!
• The Ivoryton Playhouse receives funds from the Essex Foundation.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny; windy, cooler. High: 43 Low: 28.

Business owners and marketers in Essex-Chester-Deep River: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

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

1. The Lower Connecticut River Land Trust, in partnership with local land trusts and towns, challenges you to hike as many trails as you can in the Lower Connecticut River Region that are in or pass through our towns and preserves through December 31, 2023. Enjoy the many open spaces in our region and participate in the Lower Connecticut River 19 Town Trail Challenge! It's easy to join the challenge. Take as many hikes as you can, but we challenge you to take at least one hike in each community. Save or print out the List of Towns and Land Trusts and check them off as you complete each hike. Visit the web links in the list for each land trust and town to get information and maps for their trails. When on your adventure we encourage you to take a picture of the large maps posted at most trailheads with your cell phone before you hike. Be sure to visit our event Facebook Page during your adventures. Its a great place to get ideas for hikes and to meet fellow challengers. You can also share some photos from out on the trail! When you have completed your adventure fill out our on-line form. Everyone who registers will be placed on the Wall of Champions. Participants can choose to receive challenge themed apparel depending on their level of donation. See you on the trails! (essexct.gov)
2. Tis the season for seasonal jobs available in the area and according to Eyewitness News 3 there are plenty of businesses still looking to hire. "If you’re looking to make a little extra money this holiday season a seasonal job might be the way to make it. One place that’s hiring is the Essex Steam Train. Hiring manager joseph Cassineri says they have a lot of opportunities right now. “We’ll take all the holiday spirit we can get around here,” says Cassineri. Essex Steam Train president Kevin Dodd says they still want to hire dozens of people across every aspect of the business. “We are looking for people [who will] interact with our customers and our guests,” says Cassineri. Retired teacher Sharon Baldi works for the Essex Steam Train. She says she loves her job. Sara Pileski, the Connecticut Director of Robert Half, a specialized staffing company says seasonal workers never had more leverage or opportunities.
   “Don’t just think it’s just retail and hospitality. It’s everything, it’s everywhere,” says Pileski. There are openings with big companies like UPS, Delta, TJ Maxx, and Amazon. Sara says it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Robert Half can connect you with thousands of short-term jobs here in Connecticut. After the onset of the pandemic more companies began offering a lot of remote jobs including seasonal positions." (Eyewitness News 3)
3. According to a recent Facebook post, "The Essex Foundation has awarded a $15,000 grant to the Ivoryton Playhouse to help fund the design and installation of new wider, illuminated steps with handrails leading up to each side of the double doors at the front entrance of the theater. The design improves patron safety while keeping within the period styling of the historic 1911 building." Can't wait to see the finished project! (The Essex Foundation via Facebook)

Sponsored by Wise Bread:

High Paying Cards For Americans With Good To Excellent Credit — The best credit cards of 2022 offer a $300 bonus and exceptional rewards on purchases. Start racking up huge rewards!

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Anime Night @ The Nest! 18 - 20 somethings (5:30 PM)
• Shell & Bee Studio: Social Knitting (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Town of Essex – Government: "Free Fares Extended The Connecticut legislature, Connecticut DOT and Governor Lamont announced today new funding to extend the free fare program through March 31, 2023! This includes all nine Town Transit and Middletown Area Transit routes." (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
• Visit Chester CT: "@wyetharchitects We're honored to receive a Retrofit Award of Merit from Connecticut Green Building Council for our work on The Legacy Theatre. The Award acknowledges excellence in design and construction practice that supports the broader goals of accelerating the equitable, healthy, resilient, and sustainable transformation of the built environment." (Visit Chester CT via Facebook)
• Town of Essex – Government: "Leaves: Rake, compost, or jump in the pile…just don’t #recycle them! Keep all yard waste out of your recycling cart. #RecyclingMatters #WednesdayWisdom" (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
• Bushy Hill Nature Center: "We are so grateful for the support of our community. One way to maximize your support for Bushy Hill is by becoming a monthly donor. Your automated monthly gift adds up over the course of a year." (Bushy Hill Nature Center via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton! SWEET SUNDAY! (December 4)
• Cappella Cantorum Concert Vivaldi's Gloria and Other Holiday Favorites (December 4)
• Cool Yule 2022 with String of Pearls Big Band (December 22)
• Add your event

Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with 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