newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “New England” Category

Destination: Pure Charm – Sadler’s Restaurant*Bakery in Marlborough, Connecticut

Posted on October 7, 2014

            Article & Photos by: Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com     Sadler’s Restaurant * Bakery in Marlborough, Connecticut has an unassuming, Colonial looking exterior – what waits inside is pure charm. Quaint, cozy. warm, unpretentious. Sadler’s is all of that and more. With its wood floors, beamed ceilings, working two-sided stone fireplace, hanging baskets, Early American reminiscent furniture, lanterns and authentic cooking, the extraordinarily lovely Sadler’s is quintessential New England. Not only is the ambiance and staff welcoming, but the food is quite enjoyable. Our group of five could not have chosen a better place to partake of Sunday breakfast on an October morning. We were fortunate enough to cross paths with Chef/Owner Kevin Haggerty and found him to be equally as…

Categories: Bakeries, New England, Restaurants

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Destination: Skippers at Niantic Bay

Posted on September 30, 2014

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Although autumn has officially arrived, temperatures in the 80’s extended summer’s reach this past weekend. I spent my “extended summer” the way I began the season, enjoying a restaurant in Niantic, Connecticut near Niantic Bay and Long Island Sound. In this case, a seafood shack called “Skippers”. Skipper’s is a pleasant year round spot with indoor and outdoor seating – the latter is most likely seasonal – and a friendly staff. The food is good. Be sure to try the spicy relish available at the self-serve condiment corner.                        Using “cholesterol free” oil, fried is the focus for seafood dinners here, such as the Fisher Man’s Platter…

Categories: Connecticut Shoreline Vacations, New England, NEWS, Restaurants, Seafood, Tourism

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Destination: New Building for Johnny Appleseed’s Farm Stand in Ellington, CT

Posted on September 23, 2014

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   I revisited the Johnny Appleseed’s Farm stand in Ellington, Connecticut because their canopy/tent set-up has been replaced by a new home – a freestanding building. Also, I like this as an autumn spot. Consistently, they have pretty pumpkins, tasty fruit and pick-your-own opportunities. Johnny Appleseed’s remains perched on the hillside along Route 83, adjacent to its former site, with a lovely view of some of the many planted fields in Ellington, which may be aptly described as an upscale farming community. In nearby Ellington Center there are well kept Colonial style houses and beautiful turn of the 20th Century farmhouses, in addition to a sweet little gazebo on a small town green, a First Congregational Church,…

Categories: Connecticut Farm Stands, New England, NEWS, Pick Your Own Apples

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Harbinger of the Seasons

Posted on September 16, 2014

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   One of my prized possessions is a potter’s bench I bought for a song a few years ago. Its light-colored, lattice pine wood is now darkened in spots, weathered from being outdoors. It has a bottom shelf where I store potting soil, a watering can and remnants of the passing months. It also has a row of pegs, a larger main shelf and a narrow top shelf where I rotate in the news of which time of year is coming. My potter’s bench has become my own personal corner of the world to decorate as I please and herald in the changes that accompany life in New England – a harbinger of the seasons. Each winter I move a…

Categories: Harbinger of the seasons, New England, NEWS, Seasons, Signs of autumn

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Grange Fair & Fly-In On Tap in Simsbury, Connecticut

Posted on September 10, 2014

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com This coming weekend will be a busy one in Simsbury , Connecticut. On Saturday, September 13, the 8th Annual Agricultural Grange Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a small fair but it is free and takes place in lovely West Simsbury. Again this year there will be hayrides – (this is where I took my first hayride two years ago.) As well,  there will be refreshments and crafts. In the past a solo guitarist played soft rock outside the grange while inside visitors viewed the contest submissions in various categories – contest submissions have been extended to Friday, Sept 12 go towww.simsburygrange.org for more information. The next day, Sunday, September 14,…

Categories: Fly-In, Grange Fair, New England

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Rain Does Not Deter Peach Shortcake Lovers from Attending 2014 Festival in Manchester, CT

Posted on August 24, 2014

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Oh no, don’t let the rain come down!  Sporadic rain showers did not deter peach shortcake lovers from attending the 65th Annual Peach Festival held Friday night, August 22 in Manchester, Connecticut. Umbrellas in hand, festival-goers turned out anyway. The Peach Festival is hosted by the 8th Utilities District firefighters and ladies auxiliary as a fundraiser for the volunteer department. Tickets were $5.     Organizers moved most of the long tables for family style seating inside the Fire Headquarters, where the event was held for the second year after being relocated from its previous home down the hill at the old firehouse. For many the festival is an end-of-summer tradition but was also enjoyed by…

Categories: festivals, Firefighter events, Fundraisers, New England, NEWS

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Firefighters’ Host 65th Annual Peach Festival

Posted on August 20, 2014

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com  Let the peach peeling begin! Each August the 8th Utilities District firefighters and the ladies auxiliary in Manchester, Connecticut put a call out to the community for volunteers to assist with peeling peaches for the annual peach festival. Now in its 65th year, the peach peeling heralds the upcoming  festival that is both a fundraiser for the volunteer fire department and has become a traditional last hurrah gathering as summer comes to a close.  Firefighters serve up those yummy peach shortcakes topped with hand sliced fresh peaches and Shady Glen whipped cream. Don’t be surprised to see politicians circulating at this event. The 2014  festival is scheduled for Friday, August 22 at the Fire Headquarters on 138…

Categories: Firefighter events, Food, Fundraisers, New England, New England festivals, NEWS

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Hayrides & The Bennett Family Farm in New Hampshire

Posted on August 17, 2014

By: Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Among the many photos I have taken, one of my favorites I shot during my first ever hayride. It was on a gorgeous, late summer day in September of 2012, sunny, dry with a slight chill in the air – perfect sweatshirt and shorts weather – my favorite kind. I attended the Grange Fair in West Simsbury, Connecticut where they were offering free hayrides, and I decided it was high time that this New England girl get aboard to find out what it would be like firsthand.   To get started, the line of eager passengers was to climb up a small step ladder into the wagon. Thanks to my long legs the step ladder was unnecessary for me.…

Categories: Family, family farms, Hayrides, New England, New England Grange Fairs, New Hampshire, NEWS

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Lonestar To Perform at Farmington Polo Grounds for Dream Ride Weekend

Posted on August 14, 2014

Write-up by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com     Lonestar, a premier national recording country music band is coming to Connecticut on August 23. The group, known for hits such as “Amazed”, “I’m Already There” and “My Front Porch Looking In” is scheduled to perform at the Farmington Polo Grounds in Farmington, 152 Town Farm Road, as part of the 2014 Dream Ride Experience Weekend. A limited number of concert tickets are said to be available at $30 each. All seating will be lawn seating. Parking cost is $5. Gates open about 4 p.m. and the concert is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. Dream Ride is one of the biggest, if not the biggest of all annual multi-state charity rides. With start points at various…

Categories: Charity concerts, Country music bands, Law Enforcement Torch Run, Music, New England, NEWS, Special Olympics, Summer concerts

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Destination: Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough

Posted on August 12, 2014

      Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com     It is like a treasure hunt navigating the twists and turns through the small village of Noank, Connecticut to reach Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough. Waiting at the end is their famous, scrumptious Hot Lobster Roll  “a quarter pound of pure lobster meat (more than is found in a small lobster) with melted creamery butter, mounded on a toasted bun”,  up to ten pounds of “steamed and succulent” lobster dinners, and more melt-in-your mouth seafood selections. Just thinking about my recent visit to Abbott’s makes me want to return.  The atmosphere at this shoreline summer landmark is pleasant and relaxing. Seating is available inside a small screened-in dining area, at an ample…

Categories: Casual shoreline restaurants in CT, Food, New England, NEWS, Seafood

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