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NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “NEWS” Category

“Blue Bloods” Celebrates 100th Episode -Tackles Moral Dilemmas with Character

Posted on November 13, 2014

Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Tom Selleck continues to lead a strong cast in the 2014 fall season of the CBS Friday night drama, “Blue Bloods” – which this week celebrated filming of its 100th episode. With aplomb, Selleck as Francis “Frank” Reagan, plays the commissioner of the New York City Police Department and patriarch of an Irish-American family which tackles moral dilemmas with the kind of character that helped build and define America. Throughout the show the Reagans come together and air their differences while struggling with their personal moral compasses at the family dinner table – their father seated at one end and their grandfather/great-grandfather, a retired NYPD commissioner, Henry Reagan played by Len Cariou, seated at the opposite end. Blue…

Mary & Al Generous – WWII Army/Air Force Nurse & United States Airman, A “Greatest Generation” Love Story

Posted on November 11, 2014

Article by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 –  a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” President Franklin D. Roosevelt, spoke these words upon asking the U.S. Congress for a declaration of war against Japan, thus marking the entrance of the U.S. into World War II. Those who victoriously faced down the despotism of that era have come to be known as “the Greatest Generation.” With World War II raging overseas and American casualties mounting, in the early 1940s “Uncle Sam” put out an urgent appeal for military nurses. Between December of 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the end…

“Mom’s Recipe Box” Family Series Approaches Conclusion

Posted on November 9, 2014

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Back in 2011 when I launched newsandviewsjb I envisioned organizing a “Mom’s Recipe Box” family project. In addition to writing news stories, I wanted to invite family members to send some of their favorite recipes to me to add to my mothers’ recipe box – just as she had done over the years – and publish them here as a feature series to honor her memory. That first year I posted a couple recipes but newsandviewsjb was new and I was still getting it established. Three years later I decided to put out the call. The response was terrific! The “Mom’s Recipe Box” Family Series has meant so much to me as it has highlighted another of Mom’s/Nana’s legacies. I…

Mom’s Recipe Box: Jillian’s “Proud To Be An American” Old Glory Gluten Free Cake – Perfect for Veterans Day!

Posted on November 7, 2014

                            Jillian’s “Proud To Be An American” Old Glory Gluten Free Cake I love to bake. Well, I love to bake things that come from a box. Well, I love to decorate baked things that have come from a box. I think every holiday or occasion calls for a baked cake with thematic decor. If it’s someone’s birthday I like to find the most embarrassing photos and print them out, tape them to toothpicks and stick them into the cake. People love that!! Now, I have celiac disease which means I have to be gluten free. Thank goodness being gluten free is trendy because a lot of restaurants and grocery stores have…

Malloy Claims Victory in Governor’s Race – Connecticut True Blue While Other States See Red?

Posted on November 5, 2014

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   While other states are now seeing red in the governor’s office, it appears Connecticut has stayed true blue – red being the color traditionally symbolic of Republican conservatives and blue representing liberal Democrats. Incumbent Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, a Stamford Democrat, began claiming victory over GOP challenger, Greenwich Republican Tom Foley, in the early morning hours following the November 4 election. At 6 a.m. Wednesday morning, with 90 percent of precinct results in, Malloy was reported to be ahead by 3 percentage points. In a race projected to be extremely tight – neck and neck – just after midnight it was Foley in the lead by a small margin. However, as more vote tallies rolled in Malloy appeared…

Connecticut’s Breathtaking Autumn Foliage Continues Into November

Posted on November 2, 2014

  Write-up by Jacqueline Bennett Photos by Michelle Larned & Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com     New England is known for the brilliance of its autumn foliage. In Connecticut, breathtaking views have been bountiful this season. Some tree crowns began turning in the latter part of August – by October, the landscapes awash in rich colors, have rendered vistas so beautiful there is joy simply in being alive to drink it all in.   Good news for Nutmeggers and other leaf peepers, areas in Connecticut are predicted to hold their color for two more weeks through to November 15, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.   From orchards and pastures in the “Quiet Corner” to hills of the City of Village…

Mom’s Recipe Box: Grilled Filet Mignon & Olde English Tomato Relish in Memory of Glen, Sr. & Muriel

Posted on October 31, 2014

                  Grilled Filet Mignon & Olde English Tomato Relish in Memory of Glen, Sr. & Muriel We were a family of seven – three brothers and four sisters. Today marks the 12th anniversary of the passing of our brother Glen, Sr. In January 2012, we also lost our sister Muriel. Were they still with us, I would have enjoyed seeing what dish each chose for the Mom’s Recipe Box family project. This post is in their memory. – Jackie   ****         Glen and Mom had a running banter she loved to share with others during conversations. Whenever he would stop by the family home to visit her she would say. “Son, would you like…

Mom’s Recipe Box: “Mike’s Waffles”

Posted on October 24, 2014

                          “Mike’s Waffles”   I am not a cook, but I love to make breakfast with my Father’s Day gift from my daughters; a waffle iron. For my contribution to Nana’s Recipe Box, I will show you how to make a great breakfast favorite at the Larned’s: “Mike’s Waffles.” – Mike Larned                             INGREDIENTS 1 and one third cup flour; 4 t baking powder; one half t salt; 2 t sugar; 2 eggs-separated; one half cup butter – melted; 1 and three fourths cups 2 percent milk; Comte’s New Hampshire Maple Syrup     PREPARATION Whisk together dry ingredients; separate…

Nathan Hale Homestead Transforms into Festive Fiddle Playing Farmer’s Market

Posted on October 21, 2014

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Every Sunday, June through October, the Nathan Hale Homestead is transformed into a festive, fiddle playing Regional Farmer’s Market in rural Coventry, Connecticut. The Market attracts a multitude of area farmers, specialty food producers and artisans. Its folksy atmosphere includes fiddlers -performing on this past Sunday, October 19, were “The Whiskey Boys” – complimented by the venue’s first ever “Farm to Latte” display and demonstration. Overall, the Hale Farm made for an inviting and educational backdrop for the weekly event.   Accenting The Market is the beauty of the red house that was home to the Hale family. The house, its elongated attached shed, nearby barn and maple tree grove are all surrounded by stone walls – the type…

Mom’s Recipe Box: “Aunt June – The Church Hat – Gram’s Rice Pudding” & Aunt Jessie’s Burnt Sugar Cake

Posted on October 17, 2014

                “Aunt June – The Church Hat – Gram’s Rice Pudding” & Aunt Jessie’s Burnt Sugar Cake As much as my father enjoyed my mother’s cooking there were a couple of sweets that he preferred the way his mother, Gram (Bessie Reeve Bennett) made them. Just as my sisters and I prepare dishes as our mother did, my father’s sisters – Aunt June and Aunt Jessie – prepared dishes as Gram did. Mom never minded, she was close to my dad’s side of the family and happy to sing their praises. In fact, Mom and Aunt June were not only sisters-in-law, they were the best of friends. One of my favorite Aunt June stories began with a…