newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts by newsandviewsjb

Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade Draws Thousands of Spectators

Posted on March 13, 2012

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Bagpipes,step-dancers,marching band renditions of “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” and thousands of spectators awash in green, were all part of the 41st annual Greater Hartford St.Patrick’s Day Parade held March 10 in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. The day even included an impromptu marriage proposal. Spirits were high from the moment the two and a half hour parade kicked off at 11 a.m.at the State Capitol under sunny skies. Clad in various hues of green and lining the streets on the way to Memorial Arch, viewers came prepared for crisp, yet comfortable, temperatures in the 40’s. Sister Peggy Evans, an East Catholic High School faculty member, was the Parade Grand Marshal and local television anchor, Irene O’Connor of WFSB, marched…

Categories: Holidays, NEWS, Parades

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Hartford, CT to Host 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday March 10

Posted on March 9, 2012

                              Write-up by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb There couldn’t be a better day to go green in Hartford, Connecticut then Saturday, March 10, when the city hosts the 41st annual Greater Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade. One of Hartford’s most popular events, the parade kicks off at 11 a.m.and is expected to draw thousands of spectators lining the parade route from the State Capitol to Memorial Arch at Bushnell Park. Many Hartford restaurants and pubs are slated to open early, including Vaughan’s Public House and McKinnon’s Irish Pub. Check out McKinnon’s witty verse on Facebook which captures the traditionally light-hearted, upbeat spirit of St. Patty’s parade day in Hartford. It reads –…

Categories: NEWS

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Windsor, Connecticut Police K-9 Team Continues Winning Ways

Posted on March 2, 2012

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com The tougher the competition the more motivated Officer Steve Vesco is to excel. So, it should come as no surprise that even now Vesco and his K-9 partner, Iko, are preparing for a police dog competition that is months away. Already an award-winning K-9 team, Vesco and 4-year-old Iko will head to a Region 4 event this summer, described by Vesco as “extremely competitive and very strict.” So stringent is the judging that a slight nod of the head or small hand movement can be interpreted as a double command from the canine handler, which would result in being marked down. In competition there is no room for error, the expectation is that teams arrive ready to…

Categories: NEWS

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Successful Season for iQuilt Hartford Winterfest Skating Rink

Posted on February 24, 2012

Successful Season for iQuilt Hartford Winterfest Skating Rink Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.wordpress.com Popularity of the iQuilt Winterfest skating rink in downtown Hartford, Connecticut continued through to its closing day on February 20. During the 2011-2012 season, it attracted an approximate 50,000 visitors – since the November 25 opening. From novices who grasped the rink’s edge as they navigated around the ice to those gliding along with ease, skaters turned out on Monday to take advantage of the final hours of the free activity. It was made possible through a combination of money from the city, corporate and private sponsors, and donated skates. In its second season, attendance at the rink located in Bushnell Park, is said to have been up a…

Categories: NEWS

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Colchester Community Theatre Presents “Anything Goes”

Posted on February 21, 2012

Review and photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Colchester Community Theatre wrapped up its run of the musical comedy “Anything Goes” February 19 with a full matinee house and wonderful, energetic performance at Bacon Academy in Colchester, Connecticut. Set aboard the ocean liner SS American on voyage from New York to London, “Anything Goes” is the tale of young Wall Street broker Billy Crocker who stows away in order to win the girl he loves, heiress Hope Harcourt. Her family’s business is in financial trouble and she is engaged to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. On board Crocker is aided by his friend, nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and Moonface Martin, a gangster disguised as a cleryman. Originally performed on Broadway in 1934 with music and…

Categories: Community theater, NEWS

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Area Friendly’s Restaurants Seem To Be Weathering Bankruptcy Filing

Posted on February 18, 2012

  Write-up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb At one time Friendly’s Restaurants, with their quaint-looking ice cream parlor exteriors and interiors, and wholesome all-American image seemed to be located in most every town in several states along the East Coast. Their original owners were brothers who started out by opening an ice cream shop in Massachusetts in the 1930s. Eventually, Friendly’s became a chain and a go-to spot for sandwiches and sundaes. In addition to having unique eating places as an option, more and more chain restaurants are now available to consumers. As well, a sluggish economy has impacted how consumers spend their money. Not long ago, Friendly’s filed for bankruptcy and closed several of  what have been described as the weaker restaurants.…

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Cupid Hits Mark in Windsor, CT with 50 Year Free Valentine’s Day Marriage License Tradition

Posted on February 15, 2012

 Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Cupid hit his mark February 14 in Windsor, Connecticut helped by a 50 year tradition of free Valentine’s Day marriage licenses offered by the Town Clerk’s Office in Town Hall, where seven couples wed and two couples renewed their vows. Others who received free marriage licenses in Windsor over the past 50 years turned out as well for a special reception to commemorate the golden anniversary of the license give away. “It’s not  just a Hallmark holiday, it’s our holiday,” said Troy Ruff. Last Valentine’s Day Ruff and his wife Erin got married here, following in the footsteps of her parents, Windsor Fire Chief Bill Lewis and his wife Rita, who took advantage of the free license 35…

Categories: Love, NEWS, Valentine's Day traditions

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Fire Reduces Manchester, CT Auto Shop To Rubble

Posted on February 13, 2012

Fire Reduces Manchester, CT Auto Shop to Rubble Write-up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.wordpress.com Dark smoke billowed into the air from a February 10 fire that reduced an auto shop at 185 Main Street in Manchester, Connecticut to rubble and displaced nearby residents. Wind carried the smoke, which could be seen for miles in the distance,  in a northeasterly direction. Manchester Auto Repair LLC was set back from the street and surrounded by residences and businesses including two pediatric dental offices. According to broadcast reports, firefighters responded to a call that came in around 3:40 p.m. Friday. Neighbors told of hearing explosions at the site. Some people were evacuated and six residents have been displaced. Two firefighters were reported to have sustained minor…

Categories: NEWS

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Fundraiser Set For Little Alissa, Battling Leukemia Prayers & Pennies Needed

Posted on February 12, 2012

By: Jacqueline Bennett  newsandviewsjb Another little one and her family are facing the battle of their lives and need whatever help can be given. Little 5-year-old Alissa Thomas was recently diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, according to an e-mail forwarded by Ann Walsh of Windsor, Connecticut. Walsh has been active for many years with “Alex’s Lemonade Stand,” a non-profit foundation formed to raise money for pediatric cancer research. “Kids, and cancer in particular, are my passion. I would like to see it gone in my lifetime,” noted Walsh. According to Walsh she was contacted about Alissa by the family of a child who attends the Montessori School in Windsor with one of Walsh’s grandchildren. Alissa’s family needs assistance to cover the cost…

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50 Years of Getting Hitched for Free on Valentine’s Day Continues in Windsor,CT

Posted on February 10, 2012

50 Years of Getting Hitched for Free on Valentine’s Day Continues in Windsor,CT         by: Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.wordpress.com Since 1962 the Town Clerk’s Office in Windsor, Connecticut has been offering marriage licenses for free on Valentine’s Day – a tradition which began with then Town Clerk George Tudan. This coming Tuesday, February 14, marks fifty years that Windsor has been playing Cupid’s helper. “It began with George when he wanted to get re-elected and was looking to get his name out there, and, it just took off,” Windsor Town Clerk Agnes Pier said in a phone interview February 10. “Over the years it has evolved with each town clerk. Now we offer it for same sex,” noted Pier. As Connecticut’s first…

Categories: NEWS

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