newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “NEWS” Category

Skating Socks From My Brother

Posted on October 28, 2013

Skating Socks From My Brother- Reflection by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Taking winter clothes out of storage is a ritual for New Englanders this time of year as the weather turns cold. For me that includes pulling out an old battered Brooks Brothers bag stuffed with knee socks – and skating socks from my brother.   Growing up my large family exchanged Christmas gifts among all of us. Somewhere along the way that subsided but my brother Glen Sr. was not comfortable with letting Christmas go by without gifts for his two youngest sisters – myself being one – actually THE youngest of seven children. So, under the tree every holiday was a box of skating socks from my brother. New Englanders know exactly…

Categories: Brothers, Christmas traditions, Family, Gifts, Holiday Traditions, NEWS, Traditions

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Destination: Brown’s Harvest in Windsor, CT a Delightful Autumn Tradition

Posted on October 27, 2013

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb There could not be a more delightful destination this time of year then Brown’s Harvest in Windsor, Connecticut. The pumpkin patch attracts visitors from throughout Connecticut and beyond. In fact, many people say an autumn stop at Brown’s is an annual tradition. “I’ve been bringing them here since they were little tykes,” Rich Massaro of Windsor Locks said about his son and daughter Zack and Lexi during their October 26 visit to Brown’s. “I like the hayrides and picking out pumpkins,” noted Lexi. Eleven- month–old Lucas Smith’s parents live in Enfield and brought him to the farm to pick out baby’s first pumpkin. Meanwhile, Fernando of Manchester came with his 4-year-old daughter Makayla who was having her…

Categories: family farms, Halloween, NEWS, Tourism, Travel

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Destination: Sisters Making a Success of Center Perk in Manchester, CT

Posted on October 18, 2013

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Downtown Manchester, Connecticut has gotten perkier in recent months. On June 6th, sisters Kim Barnett and Christine Bedrossian opened Center Perk,  a breakfast and lunch restaurant on 639 Main Street just across from Center Memorial Park. They are running it with help from two more sisters Donna and Kim, as well as, a cadre of other family members.   “There are eight siblings, six girls and two boys. We’re from Manchester, so when we decided to do this we decided we wanted to do it here,” said Kim during an October 13 interview.           Kim had tried a similar venture in Glastonbury but it did not pan out. Having her sister as a…

Categories: family business, Food, NEWS, Restaurants

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Scarecrow Festival on Display Through October 26 in Manchester, CT’s Historic Downtown

Posted on October 15, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb The Fifth Annual Scarecrow Festival & Contest runs through October 26 in Manchester, Connecticut. There is no cost to visit the historic downtown where individuals, schools, businesses and organizations have put their imaginations to work and created an entertaining variety of scarecrows that line the long Main Street in the “City of Village Charm”. From the local produce farmer scarecrows that greet visitors at  the northern gateway to the the pirate ship scarecrows collaboration by students at Bennet Academy at the southern end of the street, the festival makes for a fun stroll. As one might expect, a book wizard scarecrow graces the entrance to Mary Cheney Library. Nearby is a ballerina dressed in pink. And, not…

Categories: festivals, NEWS, scarecrows, Tourism

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125th Anniversary Parade for 8th Utilities District Volunteer Fire Department

Posted on October 14, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett On a beautiful autumn day accented by colorful foliage, the 8th Utilities District Fire Department, a volunteer department, celebrated its 125th Anniversary October 13 with a 1:00 p.m. parade. It made its way from Manchester High School along East Middle Turnpike onto North Main Street. Local dignitaries joined the color guard in leading the parade. The Manchester Regional Police & Fire Pipe Band turned out for the event that featured vintage and modern fire apparatus from the 8th Utilities District and volunteer fire departments from surrounding towns including, Bolton, Andover, Coventry, South Windsor, Ellington, Vernon, Glastonbury,Broad Brook, Blue Hills/Bloomfield, Newington, East Granby, East Hartland, Marlbourough and Unionville. A firetruck from the Manchester Fire Museum , a fife &…

Categories: American history, NEWS

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Fire Guts Great Harvest Bread Bakery & Connecticut Valley Coin Shop in Manchester

Posted on October 14, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Light residual smoke continued to rise Sunday, October 13 from a fire the night before that gutted two businesses in downtown Manchester, Connecticut. Fire companies from surrounding towns responded to help Manchester firefighters knock down the Saturday night blaze that destroyed adjacent businesses at 805 and 809 Main Street. Only the brick wall shell of The Great Harvest Bread Co. bakery and Connecticut Valley Coin, LLC, a pawnbroker, remained standing Sunday afternoon. According to FOX News, no major injuries were reported but residents were displaced from upstairs apartments and were being assisted by the Red Cross. A message to customers was posted on the coin shop’s Facebook page, “Please be patient while we work to rebuild.” Onlookers…

Categories: NEWS

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Where’s the Husky Blue Blood? New Coach,New QB & Cautious Optimism for UConn Football…

Posted on October 11, 2013

Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb                 I have never understood the mentality of folks who only support a winning team. To me, your team is your team; you turn out to back it regardless of the win-loss record. Can it be frustrating? Sure. I’ve mentioned before my dad used to sit with what he called his ‘crying towel’ watching televised Boston Red Sox games at a time when the Sox seemed to be in a perpetual losing streak. Nevertheless, he never faltered in supporting his team – he watched week in and week out, attended games when possible, applauded what they did well and analyzed what they did wrong – but he was always in their corner. Perhaps…

Categories: college football, NEWS, Sports

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CT’s First Town WHS Swimmers – First School to Join CT Trees of Honor Team for ING Run

Posted on October 1, 2013

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb It’s another proud first for Windsor,Connecticut! Carrying forth the torch for being first, swimmers for Windsor High School in Connecticut’s First Town, have earned WHS the distinction of being the first school to join the “Run to Honor Their Sacrifice” team in the ING Hartford MARATHON and Half Marathon – slated for Saturday,October 12. Connecticut Trees of Honor has been named a recipient of funds from the ING run. “Our committee is so excited that you are the first school to join our team and we are honored,” Connecticut Trees of Honor Committee Chairperson Sue Martucci wrote in a recent message to the students. In joining the “Run To Honor Their Sacrifice” team, WHS swimmers are being led by Social…

Categories: American history, Connecticut Parks, Heroes, NEWS, singers/song writers, Veterans, war memorials

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Fierce Faced UCONN Husky Has No Bite

Posted on September 29, 2013

Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb After what is being described as the shellacking the University of Connecticut football team took yesterday against the Buffalo Bulls it’s time to say it, so far, the fierce face Husky has no bite. Oh, I wish it wasn’t so. Despite making clear my distaste for the change to a mean face Husky logo a few months ago, I also made it clear that my loyalty remained with my Alma Mater’s teams. I would have liked nothing better than for UConn football to be touting a 4-0 season and pointing their fierce face helmets smugly at those of us who opposed the new look. Instead, things seem to be going from bad to worse, 0-4 for the fierce faced…

Categories: Changes, college football, college logos, NEWS, Sports

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Destination: Johnny Appleseed’s Autumn Farmstand Ellington Ct

Posted on September 26, 2013

Write -Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Johnny Appleseed’s Farm on Route 83 in Ellington is among the popular autumn farmstands abundant throughout the Connecticut countryside this time of year. Perched on a hillside just off the road, an “open” flag greets customers to this small outdoor market situated not far from the farm’s apple orchards which pre-schoolers can tour on pre-arranged field trips; and U-PICK-APPLE-DATES are available.  Opened daily at 9 a.m. until Thanksgiving, the Ellington stand makes a lovely Saturday or Sunday drive. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, they have hardy mums and plenty of pumpkins and cornstalks. They sell their own jams and jellies, as well as, Connecticut made maple syrup and honey. They also offer Connecticut made…

Categories: family farms, Farmer's Markets, Food, NEWS, Tourism

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