newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts by newsandviewsjb

Destination: After Second Storm Dock & Dock in Old Saybrook CT Rebuilding – Again

Posted on May 2, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb This time of year is when my sisters and I would have been making Mother’s Day reservations at Dock & Dine in Old Saybrook, CT. In fact, we brought Mom there for the last Mother’s Day we spent together before she passed away in 2010. Since then the restaurant, which is located right on the waterfront of the Connecticut River as it enters Long Island Sound, has sustained extreme damage from two storms – first from Hurricane Irene and then a few months ago from Storm Sandy, which devastated much of the United States’ northeastern shoreline. Having heard that the owners of Dock & Dine were rebuilding for the second time, we decided this past weekend to…

Neil Diamond Joins Boston Strong To Sing “Sweet Caroline” at Fenway Park

Posted on April 27, 2013

Neil Diamond Leads “Sweet Caroline” at Fenway Park April 20, 2013 By:Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Hats off to singer/songwriter Neil Diamond who surprised officials and the crowd at Fenway Park on April 20 to lead the singing of his mega hit “Sweet Caroline.” The tune has become the anthem of the Red Sox’s historic ballpark located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts (see previous post: “Sweet Caroline” & Night Air at Fenway – Entwined As One Of Life’s Joys). For MLB.com, Jason Mastrodanato wrote that after arriving in Boston last Saturday, when a pre-game show was scheduled before the Red Sox game to honor heroes and victims of the April 15, 2013 Boston Marathon terrorist bombings, Diamond called Fenway and said, “I’m here. Can I come?” Thrilling…

“Sweet Caroline” & Night Air at Fenway Park – Entwined As One Of Life’s Joys

Posted on April 19, 2013

By: Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Sitting in the night air at Fenway Park is one of the great joys of my life. Surrounded there by friends and family, all watching the team we love – the Boston Red Sox- play a sport we love, in a ballpark we love, in a city we love. Historic Boston, birthplace of American Democracy, the American Revolution and home to many of our nation’ s Founding Fathers and greatest patriots. Darkness falls, the enormous floodlights flick on illuminating the baseball diamond. The evening continues accented by a cup of Bud Light and a hotdog, followed by some popcorn. Innings pass as the players take their turn at bat or on the field. If the Red Sox are ahead, all…

“Arsenic & Old Lace” To Be Windsor, Connecticut Tourism Focal Point

Posted on April 14, 2013

By:Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb (2013 update-the committee has decided to hold off on the Arsenic & Old Lace project)   The acclaimed Broadway play “Arsenic & Old Lace,” a dark comedy later made into a movie starring Gary Grant, will be the focal point of a tourism initiative in Windsor, Connecticut. May of 2014 marks the one hundredth anniversary of the death that led to an investigation which revealed Amy Archer-Gilligan, the proprietor of a home for the aged located in Windsor during the early 20th Century, to be a serial killer. She was alledged to have poisoned an estimated sixty victims including two of her husbands, as well as, boarders at the home.   “Most people do not realize that this is a true…

CT Trees of Honor Memorial Model on Display at Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks

Posted on April 7, 2013

                                                                              Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb A Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial model is being shown at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks through at least to the end of September. “This was an absolute no-brainer. It is our honor to have it here in the airport. We’re very touched by it and hope it will have some impact as the visual reaches people,” said Stacey Doan, who handles marketing for Bradley International Airport (BIA). Visitors to terminal A have the opportunity to see…

Destination: Publick House Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Posted on March 31, 2013

  Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the trademark “Yankee Hospitality” of the Publick House in Sturbridge, Massachusetts was evident from the moment of arrival during a recent visit to Ebenezer’s Tavern. Located in the center of town across from Sturbridge Commons, the magnificent looking, white structure that houses the historic inn and country lodge, is a testament to the beauty of Colonial style architecture. According to the Publick House website, a tall elm just outside was planted in 1791 by Col. Ebenezer Crafts.   Post and beam ceilings, wide plank floors and an open hearth are part of the decor. Successfully blending the ambience of a past era and a relaxed atmosphere with…

Life Is Sweet At Comte Family Farm – 18th Annual New Hampshire Maple Weekend

Posted on March 24, 2013

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Life is sweet at the Comte Family Farm/Root Seller in Nottingham, New Hamphire. As part of the 18th annual New Hampshire Maple Weekend, visitors to the farm’s sugarhouse had a chance to sample just how sweet it is – literally. Among the 110 sugarhouses throughout the Granite State participating in the maple weekend held March 23 and 24, the Comte family – Dan, Susan and their three sons, Tyler, Andrew and Anthony – hospitably greeted those who stopped by for a firsthand look at how maple sap becomes syrup.   Maple sugaring is a growing part of the family-owned and operated farm business and a learning experience for the three boys who help with all aspects…

Say It Isn’t So, Friendly UConn Husky Mascot To Go

Posted on March 19, 2013

Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Please say it isn’t so. The lovable, friendly-looking University of Connecticut Husky mascot will go. Apparently first reported in the March 11 edition of the university’s student newspaper, The Daily Campus, and since reported by several other news organizations, the current Husky emblem is slated to be replaced by a more menacing, meaner looking Husky with slanted eyes. Amid the numerous extraneous surveys I have been sent as a UConn alumna and being hit up for money on an ongoing basis, my questionnaire seeking input about changing the mascot’s image evidently got lost in the mail. No – as it turns out, this is a non-inclusive initiative. In fact since the beans are said to have been spilled by…

Destination: On St. Patrick’s Day A Return Visit To Rein’s (Ryan’s) Deli

Posted on March 17, 2013

Notation: March 17, 2015 Rein’s is offering its traditional St. Patrick’s Day dinner again this year.   Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   A New York style deli may seem to be an unlikely choice for dining out on St. Patrick’s Day but not when it comes to Rein’s Deli in Vernon, Connecticut. Each March 17th and for a few days before the ever popular Rein’s takes to heart the saying that everyone is a little bit Irish this time of year and transforms itself into “Ryan’s Deli” complete with green decorations, some green shirted waistaff and most importantly – a sizable corned beef and cabbage dinner.   For those in search of a traditional St. Patrick’s Day corned beef & cabbage…

Luck of the Irish Shines on Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2013 – Newtown Victims Honored

Posted on March 10, 2013

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com The Luck of the Irish clearly shone on the 2013 Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade held Saturday March 9, under sunny skies with temperatures approaching 50 degrees. Just a day before 20 inches of snow fell on the area. Nonetheless, the capital city’s streets and sidewalks were cleared to the bone to accommodate the tens of thousands of spectators who turned out for one of its most popular events. Naturally, green was the color of the day! Green and white ribbons were also worn by some 300 parade units in honor of the 20 first graders and six educators killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown three months ago. Sandy Hook first responders took part and…