🌱Woofstock Is on At Hammonasset + 'Native Gardens' at The Playhouse

Welcome back, Essex-Chester-Deep River! Here's everything you need to know to get this Thursday started off right. Here's what's going on around town today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and windy. High: 53 Low: 38.

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

1. Originally planned, scheduled, and even cast, for Ivoryton's 2020 season, but postponed due to the pandemic, 'Native Gardens,' by Karen Zacarias, opens May 19 at The Ivoryton Playhouse. According to Broadway World, 'Native Gardens,' is an entertaining look at what it takes to be good neighbors in America and the Playhouse is excited to finally bring this play to life in Ivoryton. (Broadway World)
2. Margaret Winkley is reportedly looking to cash in on her properties. The problem is, they are part of her non-profit and the homes have reportedly been state-funded. As the founders and directors of Brian House Inc. and Adult Vocational Programs Inc., Margaret and her late husband Malcolm Winkley helped decide where to house dozens of people who were in the nonprofits’ care, and they frequently arranged for those individuals to move into group homes they personally owned along the lower Connecticut River Valley, in Haddam, Chester, Lyme, Deep River and East Haddam. According to an article by The CT Mirror, state funds were used to pay mortgages and taxes on the homes and now Margaret is looking to sell the homes for her own profit. (CTMirror)
3. In an effort to raise funds for the Valley Shore Animal Welfare League, Woofstock will once again be held, rain or shine, at Hammonasset State Park on May 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Featuring dogs that are up for adoption, pet groomers and a community dog walk, there will also be music, games, and food trucks to enjoy. Valley Shore Animal Welfare League is a small non-profit animal rescue organization that operates out of Westbrook. It houses both dogs and cats in need of adoption. (Zip06.com)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Teen (Gr. 7-12) Dystopian Reader's Society Discussion (4:00 PM)
• Girl Scouts Daisy troop 62041 - Essex Library Association (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Deep River Public Library: "How you can tell you read too many mysteries." (Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Monday, our Youth + Community Engagement Program Director Faith, got to visit with the students at the Steward Outdoor School at Bushy Hill in Deep River. Mondays until the end of the year Faith will be collaborating with these 8 kiddos, grades K-6, talking about kindness, empathy, and discussing strategies for better peer interactions." (Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Essex Elementary Principal, Mrs. Tousignant, recorded a special read-aloud video for our Getting Ready for Kindergarten Storytime last week. We loved it! Thank you Mrs. Tousignant! Our last session is Wednesday, May 4." (Facebook)
• Visit Chester CT: "@riverwitchcandleco and Shell & Bee Studio are offering a 2 part program to welcome summer! (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be back in your inbox 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.