🌱Where Have Workers Gone? + Thank You Corporal Paul Kenefick

Good morning, friends! It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Daily. Here's all the community news you need to know right now.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 83 Low: 66.

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

1. Paul Kenefick was recently recognized for his 36 years of dedicated service to our state and the Essex community. For the past three-plus decades, Kenefick has served with the Connecticut State Police and Essex Town Police. According to the Essex Board of Trade Facebook post, "Paul exemplifies the credo: “duty, honor, country." You have protected and served us for so long, it’s now time for others to protect you. Thank you and congratulations for your selfless service." Paul served his last day on the job earlier this week! (Essex Board of Trade via Facebook)
2. The count down has begun for this year's Ivoryton Village Pumpking Festival which will take place October 22. Here is a list of some new things that will added to this year's event and some favorite mainstays that will return as part of the festive event "NEW- Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Festival costume parade, selfie station at the Brickside Pizza Patio, special performance by Mulkerin School of Irish Dance, book signing with local author Frank Larson III. Returning: The Bushy Hill Nature Center pumpkin carving party, Ivoryton Library Association Haunted Library and The Pumpkin Chase and Festival, We are The Federation live band, face painting with The Painted Smile, Essex, CT Lions Club with free hotdogs, Allegra Farm with wagon rides, Community Foundation of Middlesex County cookie decorating, JACK-O-LANTERN STROLL sponsored by Ivoryton Village Alliance and Essex Police Union, Yard Games at Brickside Pizza Patio. Hope to see you there! (Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Festival via Facebook)
3. It's a struggle to find workers! According to the Hartford Courant, "in Connecticut and across the U.S., employers in nearly all industries are scrambling to find workers who quit during the pandemic, retired or are stymied by a lack of transportation and daycare. Everyone is out hiring,” said Cathy White, director of talent acquisition at Electric Boat. “Competition is fierce for skilled labor.” Electric Boat, with shipyards in Groton and Quonset Point, Rhode Island, expects to hire 500 welders this year at starting pay of nearly $22 an hour, White said. Hiring managers [are] using a variety of strategies such as job fairs, outreach to high schools, technical schools and colleges and appearances at events such as Military Appreciation Day in New London, a summer boat festival in Hartford and the Travelers Championship in June. Timothy Devanney, one of the owners of Highland Park Market, which operates three supermarkets in Farmington, Glastonbury and Manchester, said hiring is a “constant battle.”
   Ten applicants will respond to one job posting and managers will reach four. Two will come to the interview and one will be hired. It’s a “50-50 shot” if the successful job-seeker shows up for work," he said. The number of job openings is 41% higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic when available jobs in Connecticut didn’t exceed 80,000, said Patrick Flaherty, director of research at the state Department of Labor." (Courant.com)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• What is "Just Mercy?" (9 a.m.)
• 2022 HBCT Chester Dog Fair (10 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Essex Library: "SCORE and CEDF present a free webinar, Nonprofit Best Practices, on Wednesday, September 21, from 1 to 2 p.m. Register here: http://ow.ly/cxZO50KLJSH If you are running a non-profit organization, learn the steps for effective management." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Deep River Public Library: "Free webinar for parents from Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau." (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)
• Essex Board of Trade: "Did you know that you can grab delicious meals to go from Savour Café and Bakery?! We love everything that Kim and her crew dream up!" (Essex Board of Trade via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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