newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “NEWS” Category

Malloy, Foley Make Campaign Stops at 19th Annual Windsor Chamber of Commerce Chili Challenge

Posted on October 14, 2014

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Democrat Governor Dannel Malloy and his GOP opponent in the gubernatorial race, Tom Foley, both made campaign stops Saturday, October 11 at the 2014 Chili Challenge in Windsor, Connecticut. Malloy and Foley are in a neck and neck contest and also face Independent candidate Joe Visconti. With the November election  mere weeks away, soon enough voters will know who ran on the ‘hottest’, that is the winning ticket. Yes, that is an unabashed chili pun. “Um, it is good,” Malloy said as he took a bite of the highly recommended chili made by Windsor Mayor Don Trinks, a fellow Democrat and owner/general manager of Bart’s Drive-In Restaurant. Trinks pulled double chili duty for the annual cook-off, in its…

Categories: Cooking, New England Town Greens, NEWS

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Mom’s Recipe Box: Karen’s Farm Fresh Cole Slaw

Posted on October 10, 2014

                              Karen’s Farm Fresh Coleslaw My recipe for “Mom’s Recipe Box” is : Karen’s Farm Fresh Cole Slaw. This is my Grandmother, Mimi’s recipe. Since her passing, I have carried on her tradition of making it for all special occasions, holidays, and every day mealtime. The magic in this recipe is using farm fresh vegetables and spices. This recipe is easy to make and very tasty – your family will be pleasantly surprised! – Karen Poirier                         INGREDIENTS  1 small head green cabbage thinly shredded; 2 carrots peeled and shredded; one half cup Hellmann’s mayo; 2 teaspoons dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon…

Categories: Cooking, Family, NEWS, Recipes

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Apple Fritters Big Attraction at 46th Annual Apple Harvest Festival in Southington, CT

Posted on October 6, 2014

 Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Apple Fritters were obviously a big attraction at the Apple Harvest Festival in Southington, Connecticut. On Sunday, October 5, it looked as if the entire population of the town of Southington and then some had turned out for the event, with a good many of them waiting in a line about two blocks long to scoop up those apple fritters. Now in its 46th year, the fritters have been made by the local Zion Lutheran Church since the fair’s inaugural year. They are so much a part of the fabric of this festival that “The Story of the Apple Fritter” can be found posted on the fritter booth with bountiful credit given to the original cook, Dot…

Categories: festivals, New England festivals, NEWS

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Mom’s Recipe Box: Pumpkin Whoopie Pies & “Of Course” Chocolate Chip Cookies from Jackie

Posted on October 3, 2014

                        Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies & “Of Course” Chocolate Chip Cookies from Jackie To make redundancy redundant, autumn is my favorite season and I adore the beauty of October in New England. With that in mind, I am pleased to share my contribution for the “Mom’s Recipe Box” family project this month. I wanted to add not only the tried and true but something fun and new. What could be more fun than making whoopee (?) – oops, that’s whoopie, as in Whoopie Pies. It was during a visit to Belltown Hill Orchards in South Glastonbury, Connecticut two years ago that I first spotted Pumpkin Whoopie Pies in their bake shop. The idea…

Categories: Baking, Family, NEWS, Recipes

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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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Mom’s Recipe Box: “Maryann’s Mixology” Autumn Cider/Beer

Posted on September 26, 2014

                           “Maryann’s Mixology” I love the Summer, but the Fall Season has so much to offer too. I like the colorful leaves; jeans and a sweatshirt; orange pumpkins and yellow mums; picking apples and drinking fall beers/ciders! Nana loved the Big E. Last weekend I went to the Big E and sampled some ciders/beers. Yummmmm, I had to try and recreate my unforgettable experience with one particular beer. – Maryann Larned             INGREDIENTS  2 bottles of Woodchuck Fall Beer; one eighth cup of Comte’s Pure Maple Syrup (Grade B); one half t sugar; one half t cinnamon; one half t pumpkin pie spice        …

Categories: Family, Mixology, NEWS, Recipes

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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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Mom’s Recipe Box: “Wonderful Memories” Chicken Enchiladas from Donna

Posted on September 19, 2014

                    “Wonderful Memories” Chicken Enchiladas from Donna   I came across the chicken enchilada recipe when I was a waitress at Sizzler. There was a wonderful family named The Wachters that would come in and sit in my section often. They gave me such a warm family feeling, which was nice, because my family was all spread out in different states. They had me over for my birthday one year and served me the chicken enchiladas. They are on the gourmet side when it comes to enchiladas, but they are awesome! I will always cherish the wonderful memories I shared with the Wachter family. My son Tommy is in town, on leave from the Marines, and…

Categories: Cooking, Family, NEWS, Recipes

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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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Mom’s Recipe Box: “Michelle’s Masterpiece” Cold Broccoli/Cauliflower Salad

Posted on September 12, 2014

                  “Michelle’s Masterpiece” – Cold Broccoli/Cauliflower Salad   Eating healthy and living on a Gluten Free diet, I am always experimenting with fresh vegetables. I volunteer to bring a salad to gatherings, not mentioning Broccoli/Cauliflower Salad. I love receiving compliments as people try it for the first time, everyone wants the recipe. It’s easy to make, very healthy and very delicious . . .  I hope you enjoy it. – Michelle Larned       INGREDIENTS: 2 cups broccoli florets; 2 cups cauliflower florets; 8 slices bacon – fried crisp and crumbled; one half cup sunflower seeds; one half cup raisins; one half cup craisins; one half cup red onion – finely chopped.     SAUCE:…

Categories: Cooking, Family, Gluten Free, NEWS, Recipes

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