newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts by newsandviewsjb

National “New England” Clam Chowder Day – Celebrate ‘Yankee Doodle in a Kettle’

Posted on February 24, 2016

  Article & Photos By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   “It is as American as the Stars & Stripes, as patriotic as the national anthem, It is ‘Yankee Doodle in a kettle’.” Joseph C. Lincoln   I am a New England girl. When the air turns cold, the days grow shorter and leaves become hues of golden/russet then fall to the ground leaving soon-to-be snow covered branches bare, my thoughts go to the crackling of a fireplace, wool sweaters – and a glorious cup of New England Clam Chowder to warm me. On breezy, spring afternoons when shoreline restaurants begin their seasonal opening rituals, and on a summer’s day at the beach when the ocean air flows in with the tide, I look forward to…

Categories: Food, New England Classics, NEWS, Shoreline Restaurants

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New England Maple Excursions On Tap

Posted on February 19, 2016

  Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Wicked cold temperatures finally arrived throughout New England this month but not before 2016 brought near record wintertime warmth, and caused maple sap to start flowing the first part of January in parts of Connecticut. The anticipated result is a banner year for maple production in the Nutmeg State where more than thirty sugarhouses are operated.   In Connecticut, the Hebron Maple Festival is a growing event slated for March 19-20. There will be sugarhouse tours, live music, face painting, demonstrations and a quilt show. Up in Windsor, the 27th Annual Pancake Breakfast will be hosted by the Friends of Northwest Park in March – for details call 860-285-1886. At Lyman High School in Lebanon…

Categories: Maple for Your Health!, New England Maple Season, NEWS, Sweet It Is, Top Maple Producer

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Eagles Tribute to Frey – Bittersweet

Posted on February 16, 2016

The Eagles Perform "Take It Easy" https://t.co/CPcTh9onl2 via @YouTube — newsandviewsjb (@newsandviewsjb) February 16, 2016 Reflection by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   With the recent passing of Glenn Frey, a founding member of The Eagles, I was interested in seeing a planned tribute to him at the 58th Grammy Awards televised last evening. I was fortunate enough to have attended The Eagles “Hell Freezes Over” concert tour stop at the Meadows Music Theatre in Hartford, Connecticut in 1996.   We had fabulous seats near the stage and it was one of those nights when one could feel the magic in the air – knowing it was a chance to be part of cultural and musical country rock history. For so many, growing up Eagle songs were…

Categories: Grammys, Musical Tribute, NEWS

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Groundhog Chuckles “Arrested” By CT Police Department After Snow Blankets State

Posted on February 15, 2016

Write-Up by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   It’s a safe bet that Chuckles VIII, isn’t chuckling now. Reports of the groundhog’s arrest for making a “first-degree false statement” broke locally with news of her mugshot being posted on Facebook, while she was held in lockup by Animal Control in lieu of a $10,000 bond, awaiting trial, and if convicted could have faced up to six weeks in jail.   In what can well be described as wry New England humor – yes, it’s all in fun.   NBC Connecticut News and an article written by Aysha Mahmood for the Manchester, Connecticut-based Journal Inquirier jovially detailed the arrest. Suffield, Connecticut police are said to have put a “warrant” out on Chuckles who resides at the Lutz…

Categories: Connecticut Groundhog "Arrested", NEWS, Wry New England Humor

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History of Valentine’s Day Romantic & Courageous

Posted on February 14, 2016

Write-Up & Photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Who would have thought the history of Valentine’s Day is rooted in both romance and courage?   Sweethearts will enjoy candlelight dinners this evening, while friends and loved ones exchange candy, flowers and cards throughout the day. In fact, the Greeting Card Association estimates that in America alone some 145 million Valentine’s Day cards, not figuring in classroom Valentines, are sent annually. Although there is more than one explanation as to how it all began, an especially heartwarming tale points to a priest named Valentine who centuries ago, on behalf of young lovers, stood up to what he considered an unjust decree from 3RD Century Roman Emperor Claudius II.   This legend, notes HISTORY.COM, goes that…

Categories: American culture, Holiday Traditions, Holidays, Romance & Courage, Single Soldiers Shall Not Marry, St. Valentine, Young Love

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Update – Big Chill Arrives in Connecticut & Northeast

Posted on February 13, 2016

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   (Update 2/14/2016 Sunday 5:30 a.m.: A Wind Chill Warning remains in effect until noon today. Current temperatures in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut region are hovering around minus 10 degrees – my outside thermometer which is slightly sheltered is reading +4 degrees. It is described as “dangerously” cold outdoors with alerts to avoid exposing skin to the frigid temperatures – clearly weather best suited to snowmen! FOX 61 reports “The Wind Chill Warning for the state will expire at noon, as winds back down to just a breezy 10-15 mph.” )          It is a good weekend to hunker down and stay inside in Connecticut and much of the Northeast. The National Weather Service…

Categories: Big Chill in Connecticut, New England, weather

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Windham Bigg Play, “Remy’s Grinders” & Another Successful Super Bowl Sunday Fundraiser

Posted on February 8, 2016

  Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead   It was another successful year for the annual Windham Bigg Play, Inc. Super Bowl Sunday fundraiser featuring “Remy’s Grinders”. According to Bigg Play board members 650 grinders were sold this year which marked a historic 50th anniversary for the National Football League Super Bowl event. Proceeds from the “Remy’s Grinders” sales will help send young baseball players abroad on goodwill trips.               Bigg Play – Baseball International Goodwill Games Promoting Learning and Advancement of Youth – made its first trip in 1996 to…

Categories: "Love of the Game", American Way of Life, fundraising, Gratitude, International Youth Baseball, Remy's Grinders Rule on Super Bowl Sundays, Simply the Best

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After Unseasonable Weather, A Snowstorm Surprise

Posted on February 6, 2016

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Overall is was a beautiful sight and a typical New England snowfall.   Nonetheless, following weeks of unseasonably warm weather, parts of Connecticut were surprised Friday, February 5, with a foot or more of snow. Although the snow had been predicted, Winter Storm Barbara brought more inches than had been anticipated to areas, arriving in a wet, heavy form that caused power-lines to sag and snap. Compounded by whipping winds, the result was power outages (which had been predicted), as well as, motor vehicle accidents, school closings and a busy day for AAA. At peak, Eversource reported 65,000 customers without power, noted area broadcasters.     State, local and private plow drivers worked to clear the…

Categories: Connecticut Snowfall, New England snowfall, NEWS, weather

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Don’t Miss a ‘Heart’beat National Wear Red Day is Friday, February 5, 2016

Posted on February 4, 2016

Go Red on Friday Feb. 5! https://t.co/5lgQRuHgqZ — newsandviewsjb (@newsandviewsjb) February 2, 2016   Write-up by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   When singer/songwriter Chris De Burgh sang “The lady in red is dancing with me, cheek to cheek …” and country music artist Lorrie Morgan sang, “I’m looking for something in red, Something that’s shocking to turn someone’s head ….”, it left little doubt that wearing the color red can elicit a response or make a bold statement. Tomorrow on “Wear Red” day, the American Heart Association is hoping the wearing of red will do both.   Friday, February 5, 2016 is “National Wear Red Day”, an annual effort to raise awareness about heart disease and striving for heart health. On its website, the AHA http://www.heart.org/ has a…

Categories: Chill Out for Heart's Sake, heart health, National Wear Red Day, NEWS

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Breakfast Week & the “Most Memorable of Breakfasts”

Posted on January 28, 2016

  By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Breakfast out is a favorite treat that feels like being on vacation. When I learned yesterday of annual Breakfast Week slated for January 24-30, 2016 by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, to highlight the importance of “the most important meal of the day”, my plan was to write a straightforward report on the event.   My thoughts though kept drifting back to the most memorable of breakfasts experienced on the most memorable of trips from Connecticut up to Boston, Massachusetts to a Red Sox game. So the report instead became an anecdote. I hope you get a laugh from it – we have gotten many.   This Boston trip was meant to be special for my mother,…

Categories: Boston MA, Breakfast Out, Expect the Unexpected, Restaurants

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