newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “NEWS” Category

Celebrate March as National Reading Month with Poetry

Posted on March 14, 2014

 By:Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb How great that my birthday month of March is also National Reading Month. In recognition of my love of the printed word I plan to publish at least one post each week throughout March pertaining to reading.Today’s celebrates poetry. Titled “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, one of my favorite poems was written by American poet Robert Frost. A few autumns ago my sisters and I were browsing at a gift shop and a beautiful hard covered book of this poem illustrated by Susan Jeffers caught my eye. Come December I found a copy of that book under my Christmas Tree – a very thoughtful gift from my sister Dixie. For that reason, it is also now one of my…

Categories: American Poets, National Reading Month, NEWS, Poetry, Sisters

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No Cigars, So Are Lipstick & High Heels Tools of the Trade for Female Journalists Covering Politics?

Posted on March 13, 2014

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb No cigars, so are lipstick and high heels tools of the trade for female journalists covering politics and public policy? The truth of the matter is that high heels are hardly standard attire for female reporters, especially in snow covered Connecticut. Yet when covering the political arena historically dominated by men and sometimes marked by good ole’ boys and back room deals, does gender affect reporting? The facts of a story are the facts of a story. That was the consensus of a panel that mulled the topic “Journalism & Gender: When Women Report on Politics and Public Policy” hosted March 12 in Hartford, Connecticut by the state Permanent Commission on the Status of Women. It was…

Categories: Journalism, NEWS, Politics & Public Policy, Women in Journalism

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Read Me Like A Book

Posted on March 10, 2014

By:Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb “You can read me like a book.” It is an idiomatic expression with a meaning open to interpretation ranging from the ability to understand someone’s motivation to the ability to predict what someone thinks and will do. For my purposes it is a headline meant to hopefully capture attention on the subject of reading. At any rate, it speaks to the presence of books in our lives. I was extremely fortunate to grow up in a household that valued reading because, at the risk of sounding preachy, reading is the backbone for so much in life. Reading is empowerment of the individual. To be able to read a menu, a bus route, traffic signs, and yes … newspapers, represents the opportunity…

Categories: Books, Idioms, NEWS, Promote Reading, Read Across America

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Shamrock Angel in the House -Thank You Ann

Posted on March 8, 2014

By: Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb I have written here on newsandviewsjb many times about the good works of my friend Ann Walsh. She was one of the original volunteers for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and has been instrumental in raising thousands of dollars for the foundation towards research to fight pediatric cancer. She has been a volunteer at Mary’s Place in Windsor, Connecticut – A Center for Grieving Children, has participated in a program to help youngsters at the local schools learn courtesy and manners, for some eleven years she has coordinated a care package program for the troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan called “Send Hometown Windsor to the Troops”, was instrumental too in advancing plans for the Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial, and…

Categories: Cancer research, Friends, NEWS, People

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2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Steps Off in Hartford on March 15

Posted on March 7, 2014

Write-Up & Photos by:Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb The 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will step off at Capitol Avenue in Hartford,Connecticut at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 15. It will make its way through the downtown ending near the Memorial Arch at Bushnell Park. This year’s Grand Marshal, Beverly Concannon, will be presented with her walking cane at the Parade Mass Friday, March 14 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 140 Farmington Avenue. The archbishop of Hartford will preside over the mass. In addition to the Central Connecticut Celtic Cultural Committee of the Irish American Home Society, ten towns in the Greater Capital Region are slated to march: Hartford, Rocky Hill, Manchester, West Hartford, South Windsor, Glastonbury, East Hartford, Wethersfield, Newington and making its…

Categories: Holidays, NEWS, Parades, St. Patrick's Day Parade

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Truer Than True – In 2016 It’s Now Happy 112th Birthday to Dr. Seuss!

Posted on March 2, 2014

  (3/2/2016 I am re-posting this piece originally published in 2014, and adding Happy 112th Birthday Wishes to Dr. Seuss!! It is a personal favorite of mine because it highlights a wonderful author of children’s books, and seeks to recognize the many teachers who everyday inspire young people to love reading. For me, my sister is tops on that list. I visited her classroom many times and observed her students mesmerized by whatever storybooks she was sharing aloud with them in the most entertaining ways. To pass on a love of reading is one of the greatest gifts one can give in life.- JB)   Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is…

Categories: Dr. Seuss, education, Elementary Education, National Education Association, NEWS, Read Across America, Reading Primers

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Best Ever Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins Served with Memories

Posted on March 1, 2014

By: Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb I opened my Yankee Magazine Minute e-mail this morning, clicked on to read about New England breads to find a thrilling surprise – the recipe for  Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins. Not only were these the BEST tasting blueberry muffins, which I thought were gone forever due to the demise of Jordan Marsh, but they come with wonderful memories of the times my mother, Candy, Debbie and I spent shopping at this grand store just outside of Boston, sometimes with my dad and Aunt June along. As well, we found them at the Warwick, Rhode Island store which was typically a twice yearly sojourn- once in the autumn/winter and once in spring/summer – happy, happy memories! Part of the anticipation of the…

Categories: Muffins, NEWS, Recipes, Yankee Magazine

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Destination: Union Street Tavern in Historic Windsor, Connecticut’s First English Settlement

Posted on February 27, 2014

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb  Union Street Tavern is an ever increasingly popular American-style eatery located in one of Windsor’s original firehouses in the heart of Connecticut’s oldest town – settled in 1633. Patrons can expect a line at peak hours but it tends to move quickly – this is a good time to take in the Windsor firefighter memorabilia that fill the walls, and the vintage decor including a beautiful, fine wood early 20th Century bar. There are two floors with the upper level overlooking the downstairs and there is an outdoor patio. Take notice too of the multiple “Best of Advocate” awards in the front lobby. The restaurant has become known also for hosting the Tavern Trot each September to…

Categories: Historic firehouses, NEWS, Restaurants, town centers

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Help Move the Earth for Soldiers who Died in Iraq and Afghanistan- CTHM Planned in Spring

Posted on February 20, 2014

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Help move the earth in honor of Connecticut military service members who sacrificed their lives in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thanks to a recently signed lease agreement between the Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial Committee and the city of Middletown, construction of the living trees memorial is slated to get under way this spring. Construction professionals are “urgently needed to volunteer a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks” during the springtime earth moving and construction period. Other volunteers are also needed. As well, a fundraiser is set for March 8 in Glastonbury.  “We are most excited to announce this grand news and hope you will join in the effort to raise awareness and…

Categories: Connecticut Park Memorials, NEWS, Troops

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Valentine’s Day Nuptials Continue Tradition in 52nd Year for Connecticut’s Oldest Town

Posted on February 15, 2014

By: Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Romance filled the air February 14, in Windsor, Connecticut where for the 52nd year the state’s oldest town offered free marriage licenses on Valentine’s Day. Several couples not only picked up their licenses but also tied the knot at Windsor Town Hall. A half dozen weddings took place Friday morning and at least three more were planned for late afternoon – plus Justice of the Peace Anita Mips was prepared for impromptu ceremonies such as one she stood ready to officiate for Ronnie Williams and Trena Canty. Together for seven years, the Hartford couple recently decided the time was right to get hitched and had heard about the marriage license offer through a friend. “My mother is deceased but Valentine’s…

Categories: Love and Marriage, NEWS, Romance, Traditions

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