🌱VRHS Baseball Team Is Going Strong + Housing Market Remains Up

Rise and shine, Essex-Chester-Deep River! Let's get you all caught up to start this day off on an informed note. Here's everything happening today in Essex-Chester-Deep River.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 66 Low: 51.

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

1. If you've been wanting to add a fluffy ball of four-legged love and affection to your family, start with these shelters in and around Essex-Chester-Deep River for a pet up for adoption. These pets need homes. (Patch)
2. Braeden Sparaco, a junior at Valley Regional High School, has been eating, sleeping and breathing baseball ever since he can remember. Growing up in a "baseball" house, with three older brothers who play the sport, Sparaco, a pitcher for the Warriors, has been honing his athletic prowess since he was very young. (Zip06)
3. Homes in Middlesex County reportedly continue to sell quickly, with the number of days on the market continuing to drop. This is good news for the area. However, the number of houses sold between January 1 and March 31 decreased from the previous year's numbers at the same time. (Patch)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Deep River Junior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps - Easter Flower Sale (8:00 AM)
• Nominating Committee meeting - Essex Library Association (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Rotary Club of Chester, CT received 2,000 gently used children's books from members of the community! Absolutely incredible!" (Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "5 spots left for this Rock Painting Event! Registration is easy and can be completed below! Come get creative with our Youth + Community Engagement Program Director Faith!" (Facebook)
• Essex Library: It's not too late to pick up a book for Dystopian Readers Society (Gr. 7-12). Discussion April 28 @ 4:00. Monthly, we will read a different Dystopian novel. This month, we are reading "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld. (Facebook)
• Essex Fire Engine Co. #1: "With the temps warming up, we are all itching to get outside and enjoy the spring weather. Over the next few days, we will be sharing some biking and walking safety tips! If you have any to share, please do!" (Facebook)
• Essex Library: "New books at the Library! There’s something for everyone in this batch. Choose from nonfiction, literature, mysteries and thrillers, cookbooks, home design and a hint at a 3-part program coming later this spring." (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. I'll see you around!

— 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.