newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “New England” Category

Harkness Memorial Park & Eugene O’Neill Theater – Coastal Connecticut Is Calling

Posted on March 26, 2016

  Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   With the arrival of springtime, coastal Connecticut is calling. Among the numerous beautiful spots to visit are Harkness Memorial Park and the Eugene O’Neil Memorial Theater Center – neighbors on Great Neck Road in Waterford.   Originally the park was home to a 42-room Italian style estate built in 1906 surrounded by lawns and landscaped gardens. From Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend, that mansion is open for guided tours. Presently, the park is a public facility complete with picnic tables, grills, and grounds ideal for long walks complimented by a magnificent view of Long Island Sound.     Pack a lunch, sneakers and/or a fishing pole because fishing is allowed here but no…

Categories: Coastal Connecticut, New England, NEWS, Parks, Theater

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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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New England Patriots – Protect Tom Brady

Posted on January 26, 2016

Good decision! Protect #TomBrady – Patriots fire offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo – https://t.co/EJeECWIIWm https://t.co/w9mvhL37Du — newsandviewsjb (@newsandviewsjb) January 26, 2016   Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady took some 20 hits – yes, it was painful to watch – twenty hits in the AFC championship game loss Sunday against the Denver Broncos, as has been noted in multiple stories. It is said to be a record. I think a couple University of Connecticut players from back in the day when I attended – even at this point in time – could have done a better job protecting Brady. News came yesterday that after what has been described as an “epic failure” by the offensive line, Patriots offensive…

Categories: Do Your Job, Epic Failure, Extraordinary Men, New England, NFL, Protection

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Top Vote-Getter Again – Mayor Don Trinks To Serve 8th Term as Windsor, Connecticut Democrats Win Town Council & BOE Majorities

Posted on November 4, 2015

  Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Elected for an 8th term, Donald Trinks was again the top vote-getter in the race for Town Council in Windsor, Connecticut,  Connecticut’s first town, during the November 3, municipal elections. Despite Trinks’ ongoing popularity, in a move indicative of what supporters say is his love for and dedication to Windsor, Trinks was the lone candidate standing – at the allowed distance- outside the Town Hall polling district early Tuesday afternoon waving to those who passed by.   Despite a campaign marred by what Trinks said were attempts to spread “misinformation” by the Democrats’ opponents, it wasn’t so much winning that was on his mind rather healing the rift among the town’s political foes after the election.…

Categories: Connecticut Municipal Election, Morsels of Truth, New England, NEWS, Politics Alive in One of New England's Oldest Towns

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Multigenerational Family Run Farm & Favorite – Brown’s Harvest in Windsor, Connecticut

Posted on October 22, 2015

  Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   With Halloween just around the corner it’s time to head to Brown’s Harvest multigenerational family run farm, and a favorite. The Brown Family has been farming in and around Connecticut’s historic first town of Windsor, Connecticut since the mid-1800’s.   Now into a sixth generation of family ownership and operation, the Brown Family has 175 acres of beautiful Connecticut farmland. In addition to vegetables and fruits – plenty of pumpkins – they produce CT Valley Shade Tobacco “sold internationally”.   A stop at Brown’s Harvest is simply part of the tapestry of autumn for many (see newsandviewsjb story posted Oct. 27, 2013). And, Brown’s Harvest never disappoints. The ride alone along Windsor’s attractive country roads is…

Categories: Farm Fresh Fruits & Vegetables, Hayrides in Connecticut, New England, NEWS, Popular Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Checkers

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Hogback Mountain in Vermont – Annual Autumn Sojourn

Posted on September 23, 2015

Write-up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   The breathtaking 100 mile view of Hogback Mountain from Vermont’s Molly Stark Byway is worthy of an annual autumn sojourn. On a clear day a three state vista awaits from the scenic outlook point at the popular Hogback Mountain Gift Shop.   Invigorating, while at the same time calming, a vast kaleidoscope of foliage in rich autumn hues can be seen. With an elevation of 2,411 feet, Hogback Mountain offers a view of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont’s beautiful Green Mountains.   Gazing into the vast woodland, one cannot help but imagine the famous “Green Mountain Boys” led by Ethan Allen, holed up and plotting the capture of Fort Ticoneroga from the British back in 1775.…

Categories: Green Mountain Boys, New England, New England vacations, NEWS, U.S. Mountain Ranges, Visit New England

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Visiting “The Big E” – Eastern States Exposition – Sept 18-Oct 4, 2015

Posted on September 15, 2015

  Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Big E day is always exciting! Now in its 99th year, Eastern States Exposition – “the Big E” – brings anticipation of revisiting the tried & true, as well as, curiosity about what will be new and different.     For us, the day starts early with a drive from Connecticut up to West Springfield, Massachusetts knowing the traffic will be heavy either on I-91 North or the “back way” – my preferred route – through a series of small towns surrounded by hints of autumn’s turning trees. Despite the massive parking lots, finding a parking space can be a challenge followed by the walk to the fairgrounds and the lengthy line to get in.  …

Categories: Avenue of States, Fall Festivals, festivals, New England, NEWS, Parades

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A Facelift for Connecticut’s Old State House

Posted on August 14, 2015

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   The Old State House stands in beauty and dignity on the west side of the Connecticut River, the “high land side” in Hartford, Connecticut. Declared a National Landmark in 1960, it remains a constant, greeting visitors to the capital city.   Blue scaffolding currently engulfs this historic building as it undergoes exterior renovation and roof repair. However, the building is open for touring.   Construction of the original meeting house dates back to 1636, one year after the first settlers arrived in what would become a colony which quickly outgrew that earliest structure as noted on the Old State House website. Following a fire in 1792, it was rebuilt. Visit http://www.cga.ct.gov/osh/timeline.asp to view a full timeline.…

Categories: American history, architectural restoration, architecture, Farmer's Markets, Haunted buildings, historic preservation, iconic New England buildings, New England, NEWS, Paranormal activity

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Mom’s Recipe Box: A Summer Twist on B&M Raisin Brown Bread with Crockpot Simmered B&M Boston Baked Beans

Posted on July 23, 2015

                    “Roll out those lazy, hazy crazy days of summer……”         Awhile back Aimee Seavey wrote a delightful food piece titled “B&M Brown Bread in a Can” for Yankee Magazine’s newsletter “New England Minute”. She spoke of canned B&M Brown Bread and B&M Beans made in Portland, Maine as a New England Saturday night supper favorite. True. Growing up in my Connecticut home it was especially popular during the autumn and winter months served with poached egg topped corned beef hash.   With the hot weather having settled in, and my recent discovery of B&M Raisin Brown Bread at Price Chopper ( the raisin variety is what I like best, but until…

Categories: B&M Brown Bread, Crockpot Simmered, Food, Lazy hazy crazy days of summer, Light dessert, New England, New England Traditions, NEWS, Picnic ideas

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Will Nation’s Oldest Continually Active Mounted Cavalry Unit Be Saved? – First Company Governor’s Horse Guard Avon, CT

Posted on June 19, 2015

  Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Only a few years after the Sons of Liberty orchestrated the 1773 Boston Tea Party and Paul Revere made his famous ride on the 18th of April in 1775, amidst the American Revolution, Connecticut’s First Company Governor’s Horse Guard was organized in 1778. It remains the “oldest continuously active mounted cavalry unit in the United States” – for now.   Over the past several years the size of the state’s two horse guard units, the First Company -1GHG- located in Avon, and the Second Company in Newtown has been dwindling. Each is said to be down to ten horses per unit and for awhile it looked like they could be wiped out thanks to Gov.…

Categories: American history, American Revolution, Connecticut history, Mounted Calvary, New England, NEWS, Thirteen Original Colonies

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