newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts by newsandviewsjb

Plans Underway for 6th Annual Tavern Trot in Historic Windsor, Connecticut

Posted on May 5, 2012

Story & Photo by: Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Save this date – September 16 – for the 6th annual Tavern Trot in the lovely hamlet of Windsor, Connecticut. Plans are underway for the sixth running of the 3.5 mile race through the historic center of Connecticut’s first town. Hosted by Union Street Tavern, the Tavern Trot is USATF certified and is a qualifier for the Manchester Road Race. Proceeds from the event will benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a national charity for research to fight childhood cancer. The planning committee held its initial meeting Tuesday night, May 2, at the tavern which is located on 20 Union Street in Windsor Center. “Last year we raised $20,000 and overall have donated $60,000,” noted planning committee member Paul Murray.…

Categories: NEWS

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Destination: Green Dragon Tavern Boston, MA

Posted on April 28, 2012

  Article & Photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Steeped in American history, no visit to Boston is complete without stopping in at The Green Dragon Tavern. Visitors are greeted at the front door by a statue of a Redcoat – a reminder that the British army kept a close watch on the tavern, dubbed by historians as the “Headquarters of the Revolution” for Samuel Adams, Daniel Webster and Paul Revere. It was from The Green Dragon Tavern that Revere set off on his famous ride to Lexington – “The British are coming….” Revere was alerted to British military strategy against the Patriots by lanterns in the nearby Old North Church – “one if by land, two if by sea…” Used as a meeting place…

Categories: American history, Historic Boston, iconic restaurants, NEWS, Sons of Liberty

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Happy Birthday Fenway Park!

Posted on April 20, 2012

Happy Birthday Fenway Park! Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb The Boston Red Sox will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the opening of historic Fenway Park today during a pre-game ceremony. The ceremony will take place just before the Sox continue one of the greatest of all sport’s rivalries, in a game with the New York Yankees, the same team the Sox beat 7-6 in eleven innings on April 20, 1912 – then called The New York Highlanders, according to redsox.com. Both teams are scheduled to wear their throwback uniforms. Expect the first pitch to be thrown this afternoon at 3:15 p.m. Yesterday a free open house was held at Fenway attracting 52,000 visitors, redsox.com reports. Wally the Green Monster roamed about and…

Categories: NEWS

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Red Sox Come Up A Game Shy of 2012 Home Opening Sweep

Posted on April 17, 2012

Red Sox Come Up A Game Shy of 2012 Home Opening Sweep Write-Up & Photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.wordpress.com Boston Red Sox fans awoke Monday morning optimistic the day would bring a four game sweep in the 2012 season home opening set at Fenway Park. The Sox, however, were denied by the Rays in a 1-0 loss. Boston’s new manager, Bobby Valentine, came under fire for leaving in Daniel Bard, described by sports pundits as a promising young pitcher whose performance was excellent earlier in day. In an interview posted on redsox.com Valentine defended the move though conceded it did not turn out the way he had hoped. “Well, it was the wrong decision obviously,” said Valentine. “It’s all building blocks, ” he went…

Categories: NEWS

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Mini Mecca of Popular Chain Restaurants Expands on Buckland Street in Manchester, CT

Posted on April 13, 2012

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb   Follow the Buckland Street exit ramp off I-84 east to the end and one is greeted by a quaint “Welcome to Manchester” sign surrounded this time of year by lovely pink blossoms. It is a look consistent with the Connecticut town’s nickname, “The City of Village Charm.” Take a left or right onto Buckland Street, however, and reach a modern Manchester and an expanding mini mecca of popular chain restaurants. To the left are Chili’s, Friendly’s and Olive Garden. Take a right to find the latest addition, Buffalo Wild Wings scheduled to open April 16th. Despite its offering of free wings for a year to the first one hundred customers, town officials do not appear to be bracing…

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Despite Chill in the Air, 2012 Hockanum River Canoe & Kayak Race Held April 1

Posted on April 6, 2012

Write-up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Despite a chill in the air and cloudy skies, some hardy paddlers turned out April 1 to take part in the 35th annual Hockanum River Canoe & Kayak Race held in central Connecticut. Nonetheless, the weather may have been to blame for keeping others away. Participation was reportedly down to 75 entrants. Ironically, about a week before the area was experiencing record high temperatures which brought tree blossoms out early. Mother nature also created some additional challenges to navigate this year. Although race organizers were said to have made every effort get the course cleared up in the aftermath of storms Irene and Alfred, there were downed branches along the way. As well, a local reservoir was…

Categories: NEWS

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Windsor K-9 Team to Compete in USPCA Event – Honor 25th Anniversary Fallen Milford Officer

Posted on March 30, 2012

Write-up & Photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb The Windsor, Connecticut Police Department K-9 team of Officer Steve Vesco and Iko will compete in the upcoming  United States Police Canine Association Region 7 Police Dog 1 field trials, that is being held in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the in the line of duty death of  a Milford, Connecticut officer. The competition is scheduled for April 13, 14 and 15 in Milford, and is being hosted by the Milford Police Department to honor the memory of Milford K-9 officer Daniel Wasson, who died  in the line of duty in April of 1987. “The hope is that a lot of Connecticut teams will attend, and a number of teams from New York are also expected,”…

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Countdown Is On To 2012 Opening Day At Fenway Park

Posted on March 23, 2012

                  Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb It’s not long now. The countdown is on to the Boston Red Sox 2012 regular season home opener at the incomparable Fenway Park, that is marking a historic 100-year anniversary. Opening day falls on Friday April 13, an afternoon game against the Rays. Standing on Yawkey Way outside Fenway in downtown Boston, it is hard not to be in awe of  the nation’s oldest ballpark. I attended my first professional baseball game there with my dad. Walking towards the park, excitement always builds. Once inside, it’s all about the game – well – and the Green Monster, the 7th inning stretch and a chance to honor tradition by singing…

Categories: NEWS

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Windsor, CT Soldier Extends Birthday Wishes to Centenarian at Bart’s Drive-In

Posted on March 19, 2012

Story & Photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Add another chapter to the storied history of Bart’s Drive-In Restaurant in Windsor, Connecticut. Hometown hero Staff Sgt. Danny Nolan on leave from duty in the war in Afghanistan, took time last week to join a 100th birthday celebration at “Bart’s” for a local woman. Serendipity was clearly at play Thursday, March 15 when Nolan took a break from visiting area schools to have lunch at Bart’s Drive-In. By chance, Nolan came upon Mary Dumont commemorating her recent February 29, milestone 100th birthday. Joined by a friend and her caregiver, Ms. Dumont’s eyes lit up when Nolan, in uniform, sat down to chat with her. “Sure, a handsome soldier comes along and forget about me. I’m just…

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Destination: Tullycross Tavern & Microbrewery Manchester, CT

Posted on March 16, 2012

Writer’s note-Tullycross Tavern has closed as of Nov. 2013 – reportedly due to competition from the many chain restaurants in the area.           Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb                   Tullycross Tavern & Microbrewery in Manchester, Connecticut is a welcome addition to the Greater Hartford restaurant scene. An Irish pub, it also seemed like a great spot to check out so close to St. Patrick’s Day. Huge brewing vats on either side of the front entrance greet visitors to TCT at 1487 Pleasant Valley Road. Located in the former John Harvard’s Tavern, the lighting inside TCT is soft, offset by long windows that surround the restaurant section. Booths and tables, full…

Categories: Irish Taverns, NEWS

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