newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “NEWS” Category

Destination: Publick House Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Posted on March 31, 2013

  Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the trademark “Yankee Hospitality” of the Publick House in Sturbridge, Massachusetts was evident from the moment of arrival during a recent visit to Ebenezer’s Tavern. Located in the center of town across from Sturbridge Commons, the magnificent looking, white structure that houses the historic inn and country lodge, is a testament to the beauty of Colonial style architecture. According to the Publick House website, a tall elm just outside was planted in 1791 by Col. Ebenezer Crafts.   Post and beam ceilings, wide plank floors and an open hearth are part of the decor. Successfully blending the ambience of a past era and a relaxed atmosphere with…

Categories: NEWS, Restaurants, Traditional New England Food, Travel, Vacation

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Life Is Sweet At Comte Family Farm – 18th Annual New Hampshire Maple Weekend

Posted on March 24, 2013

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Life is sweet at the Comte Family Farm/Root Seller in Nottingham, New Hamphire. As part of the 18th annual New Hampshire Maple Weekend, visitors to the farm’s sugarhouse had a chance to sample just how sweet it is – literally. Among the 110 sugarhouses throughout the Granite State participating in the maple weekend held March 23 and 24, the Comte family – Dan, Susan and their three sons, Tyler, Andrew and Anthony – hospitably greeted those who stopped by for a firsthand look at how maple sap becomes syrup.   Maple sugaring is a growing part of the family-owned and operated farm business and a learning experience for the three boys who help with all aspects…

Categories: family farms, maple producers, New England maple producers, NEWS, Travel, Vacation

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Say It Isn’t So, Friendly UConn Husky Mascot To Go

Posted on March 19, 2013

Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Please say it isn’t so. The lovable, friendly-looking University of Connecticut Husky mascot will go. Apparently first reported in the March 11 edition of the university’s student newspaper, The Daily Campus, and since reported by several other news organizations, the current Husky emblem is slated to be replaced by a more menacing, meaner looking Husky with slanted eyes. Amid the numerous extraneous surveys I have been sent as a UConn alumna and being hit up for money on an ongoing basis, my questionnaire seeking input about changing the mascot’s image evidently got lost in the mail. No – as it turns out, this is a non-inclusive initiative. In fact since the beans are said to have been spilled by…

Categories: Controversy, NEWS, University mascots

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Destination: On St. Patrick’s Day A Return Visit To Rein’s (Ryan’s) Deli

Posted on March 17, 2013

Notation: March 17, 2015 Rein’s is offering its traditional St. Patrick’s Day dinner again this year.   Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   A New York style deli may seem to be an unlikely choice for dining out on St. Patrick’s Day but not when it comes to Rein’s Deli in Vernon, Connecticut. Each March 17th and for a few days before the ever popular Rein’s takes to heart the saying that everyone is a little bit Irish this time of year and transforms itself into “Ryan’s Deli” complete with green decorations, some green shirted waistaff and most importantly – a sizable corned beef and cabbage dinner.   For those in search of a traditional St. Patrick’s Day corned beef & cabbage…

Categories: NEWS, Restaurants, St. Patrick's Day

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Luck of the Irish Shines on Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2013 – Newtown Victims Honored

Posted on March 10, 2013

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com The Luck of the Irish clearly shone on the 2013 Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade held Saturday March 9, under sunny skies with temperatures approaching 50 degrees. Just a day before 20 inches of snow fell on the area. Nonetheless, the capital city’s streets and sidewalks were cleared to the bone to accommodate the tens of thousands of spectators who turned out for one of its most popular events. Naturally, green was the color of the day! Green and white ribbons were also worn by some 300 parade units in honor of the 20 first graders and six educators killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown three months ago. Sandy Hook first responders took part and…

Categories: NEWS

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Bells of Ireland Delight the Senses

Posted on March 2, 2013

Write-Up & Photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   With the approach of St. Patrick’s Day it is common to see a bounty of shamrock and clover decorations. Another lovely ornamentation to consider in celebration of the upcoming St. Paddy’s holiday are Bells of Ireland that delight the senses. A few years back I saw them featured in a March issue of “Country Living Magazine” and immediately set out to find a bunch – they are so beautiful, a wonder of nature that is simply a joy to behold.   Ironically, Bells of Ireland are said to originate in Turkey but it is easy to see how they acquired their name. Graceful long stems that grow between two to three feet tall of bell-shaped leaves in…

Categories: NEWS

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Sugar Meister Makes Maple Magic at Northwest Park in Windsor, Connecticut

Posted on February 22, 2013

Article & Photos by By:Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb For twenty-seven years the Sugar Meister of Northwest Park, a.k.a. Chuck Drake, has been making maple magic in Windsor, Connecticut. Working as a volunteer, Drake has overseen growth of the park’s maple sugaring program from seven up to 210 tree taps. Using a wood-fired evaporator, within a five week period the program hand produces between forty to sixty gallons of pure maple syrup annually and hosts demonstrations of the process each weekend from mid-February to mid-March. A March 23 Friends of Northwest Park Pancake Breakfast will culminate the yearly maple sugaring ritual where as many as 600 breakfasts are expected to be served at the park. “The key is always making sure you have liquid in the…

Categories: Maple syrup production, New England, NEWS

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Love Is A Quilt My Mother Made

Posted on February 16, 2013

Write-Up & Photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb   Each morning before I sit down to write, I straighten out the hand-crocheted quilt I have lying behind me over the back of my chair. As I did so on Thursday, Valentine’s Day, my eyes fell upon a tag in one corner that reads, “Made with love by MOM.” Given the holiday, it got me thinking about what love is.   My mom always sent Valentine’s Day cards to everyone in the family and to her friends. It was a bit of a pet peeve for me for a while. I felt Valentine’s was a day that should be for lovers, not for cards to mothers and others. I would say, for that there is Mother’s…

Categories: NEWS

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Snow, Snow Everywhere – Big Dig Continues in Connecticut After Blizzard

Posted on February 12, 2013

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.wordpress.com Four days after Blizzard Charlotte/Nemo hit New England, the big dig continues in Connecticut which saw some of the highest levels of snowfall – as much as 40 inches. A travel ban has been lifted in the state but freezing rain on Monday compounded concerns for motorists and Gov. Dannel Malloy has said he expected it would take ten days before all roads are clear. There have been seven storm related fatalities and more than a dozen roof collapses reported. The governor has asked municipalities to make clearing school roofs a priority and he is allowing municipalities flexibility in snow disposal including use of waterways. Utility companies are assisting with snow clearing and some 250 Ct National…

Categories: NEWS

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Snowbound in Connecticut

Posted on February 9, 2013

(Writer’s note-Awoke to 29 inches of snow outside at 5:45 a.m. and snow still falling. The snow is too high to open my doors so for now I’m snowbound in Connecticut.) Early this morning Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy ordered all roads closed as the state continues to be pounded by a blizzard that is immobilizing parts of New England. “The only vehicles that should be on any road right now are emergency response and recovery vehicles with capacity to maneuver in heavy snow,” Malloy twitted, “This is a record breaking storm. It’s going to take time to dig out of the snow.” Thus far, about 36,000 Connecticut Light & Power customers are reportedly without power. In anticipation of what has been dubbed Blizzard Charlotte…

Categories: NEWS

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