🌱 Time For A Mid-Summer Festival + Essex Tops The List

Morning, everybody. It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter — here to impart everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town. Including updates on:

• It's mid-summer, which means it's time for a festival.
• There's no question, Essex is a great small town.
• Mark your calendars for September.

But first, today's weather: A shower and t-storm; humid. High: 79 Low: 68.

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

1. It's back! The Old Lyme Midsummer Festival! Kicking things off on Friday, July 28, the Savage Brothers will perform on the lawn of the Florence Griswold Museum at 7 p.m. The festival will begin on Saturday, July 29 offering something special for everyone including a 5K race, art sales, children’s activities, a classic car show, a live show and a dog talent competition and parade. Hope to see you there! (lymeline.com)
2. Essex has topped the list of 10 Adorable Small Towns In Connecticut, by WorldAtlas. Highlighted for being called out by Patricia Schultz as, "the perfect American small town in '1,000 Places to See Before You Die.'" WorldAtlas calls Essex, "picturesque in every respect."(Worldatlas.com)
3. Support the 13th Annual Closer to Free Ride on Sept. 9 for the Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center. The United Church of Chester will be one of the rest stops on the 100-mile route and volunteers are needed in the morning from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information click here or contact the church office at 860 526-2967 or at unitedchester@uccchester.org. (Town of Chester Connecticut via Facebook)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

Friday, July 21

• Meig's Point: Amphibians (10:30 AM)
• Multilingual Story Series: Hindi (4:00 PM)
• Open Mic. Night at The Nest! (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "We know summer isn’t over but let’s be real, every retailer around is back-to-school ready. So alas, we’re ready too! Check out the flyer below, save it, share it, and be our village to support students in our community!" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Essex Library: " Adult Craft: Tissue Paper Sunflowers Thursday, Aug. 3, 5:30 p.m. Come learn how to make a small, beautiful bouquet of sunflowers using tissue paper and coffee filters! Registration required: 860-767-1560." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Save money and fight against food waste! flashfood.com Stop and Shops along the shoreline now offer discounted food through Flashfood! Get massive savings on fresh food items like meat and produce that are nearing their best-before date." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Town of Essex – Government: "The Valley Warrior Baseball team is participating in the gotSneakers fundraiser. There is nothing to buy or sell; all we need is your support and your gently worn, used, or new sneakers! Drop off bin is located at the Essex Town Hall at the back door!" (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Sunflowers for Wishes (July 22)
• Summer Marketplace (July 23)
• Add your event

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• Part time Dining Services Associate (Details)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today! See you all tomorrow morning for another 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