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NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “NEWS” Category

Fun Fridays at Springfield Museums & Dr. Seuss Memorial Sculpture Garden

Posted on August 2, 2012

Write-up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Scores of visitors took advantage of free admission at the Springfield Museums in Massachusetts last Friday. It was part of Fun Fridays at locations throughout the state, a program that runs through August 31, being made available by the Highland Street Foundation. Intended for individuals and families, what a fabulous bargain. All four museums within The Quadrangle in downtown Springfield were included. They are the Springfield Science Museum, George Vincent Smith Art Museum, D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts and the Wood Museum of Springfield History. A  fee was being charged for the Seymour Planetarium. Among the numerous attractions was the Castle Adventure inside the science museum. An exhibit of LEGO brick decorations, secret passageways, thrones, knights in…

Coming Soon – Greater Hartford Irish Music Festival and Mount Carmel Italian Festival

Posted on July 20, 2012

Write-up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Two wonderful festivals celebrating proud ancestries are coming soon to central Connecticut. This year marks the 28th anniversary of the Greater Hartford Irish Music Festival slated for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 27-29, on the grounds of the Irish American Home Society in Glastonbury. The following weekend, the Mount Carmel Italian Festival will hold its 87th Annual Feast  August 3, 4 and 5 in Enfield. According to the Irish American Home Society website, the Greater Hartford Irish Music Festival will feature a number of international Irish rock bands -among those scheduled to perform are Unforgetable Fire, McLean Avenue Band, Keltic Kick and Shilelagh Law. At the Cultural Tent, enjoy “traditional music, song and dance.” Learn about Irish history,…

Anchor Tangle Delays OpSail CT 2012 Parade of Sail Arrival in Final Port – New London

Posted on July 10, 2012

  Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb An unexpected snafu delayed the arrival of OpSail CT 2012 Parade of Sail on July 7, into its final port in New London, Connecticut. Expected to arrive around 10 a.m., the holdup left folks who had turned out early that morning to secure a shoreline vantage point, waiting an extra hour and a half under intense sun and in sweltering heat wondering what went awry. Some gave up and left. According to The Day of New London, the anchor chain for the U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle got tangled. Fortunately, the paper noted, the crew was able to untangle it allowing the Eagle as planned, and with Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy on board, to lead the…

Destination: “A Cupcake For Later” Willimantic, Connecticut

Posted on July 6, 2012

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Have a sweet tooth to satisfy? Head for “A Cupcake For Later” located in a quaint, little bake store on the Main Street of Willimantic in Windham County, Connecticut. Delightfully, I stumbled upon this gourmet cupcake shop while attending the Fourth of July Boom Box Parade. A new speciality introduced that day was, Apple Pie cupcakes, because said Owner/Baker Cheryl Preston – “What’s more American than apple pie?” Absolutely delectable, they were just one of an assortment of specialty cupcakes with creative names, baked on site by Cheryl, a.k.a. , the Cupcake Lady. Her husband, Jim Preston, is a supervisor at Home Depot but helps out when he can. For breakfast, how about a Maple Bacon cupcake? Perhaps…

Unique Boom Box Parade Celebrates Fourth of July

Posted on July 4, 2012

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb The 27th annual Boom Box Parade drew thousands of participants and spectators to Willimantic, Connecticut today to celebrate the Fourth of July. The unique parade began in 1986 after no marching bands could be found to take part in the town’s Memorial Day Parade. Thanks to Yankee ingenuity and WILI – the local radio station – a few weeks later the idea for a boom box parade came to life. It quickly became enormously popular and has captured attention well beyond the borders of this small community nestled in the eastern corner of the Nutmeg State.   Anyone can march in the parade down the Main Street. Participants are asked to wear red, white and blue and…

Windsor Connecticut Police K-9 Team Wins First Place in Team Division at USPCA Competition

Posted on June 29, 2012

by: Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Officer Steve Vesco and his K-9 partner, Iko, brought a 1st place trophy and medallion home to the Windsor, Connecticut police department.  The K-9 team won the award at the 2012 United States Police Canine Association Region #4 K9 Field Trials. “He did well,” Vesco said of Iko during a June 27 interview at the Public Safety Complex in Windsor. Iko is a 4-year-old solid black, male, German Shephard. The USPCA event was held June 23-24 in Middleton, Massachusetts. With temperatures in the 90s on day one, some of the canines could not handle the heat and four teams dropped out, leaving a field of 26 competing teams. Day two weather conditions were also tough, morning rain gave way to…

Destination: Dad’s Restaurant on Main Street in Niantic,CT

Posted on June 15, 2012

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb What a great treat for dad on Father’s Day to visit Dad’s Restaurant in Niantic, Connecticut.  Not far from Rocky Neck State Park, Dad’s is a terrific seafood and burger shack perched on a small hill directly across from the ocean. It has two outdoor decks and inside the ocean breeze floats through screened windows across the picnic tabled dining area. Colorful, ocean themed decor creates a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Husband and wife Pete and Debbie Salomonson run this place with an attentiveness to their customers that sets a tone for the friendliness of the entire staff. “My wife is the owner. I work for her,” said Pete during a recent weekend stop. Approaching its 50th anniversary,…

Governor Speaks at Connecticut Trees of Honor Site Selection – Middletown, CT

Posted on June 8, 2012

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com “This is such an inspired idea. A way to honor in a living fashion, a growing fashion, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy told those gathered June 5, at Veterans Memorial Park in Middletown, CT. The governor said he did not want to miss the opportunity to be present Tuesday afternoon for the announcement that the park had been selected as the site for a “Connecticut Trees of Honor” living memorial to the state’s fallen soldiers from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He spoke of the visits he and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman have made to the families of Connecticut’s fallen soldiers since taking office, noting that every time – “our hearts…

2012 Memorial Day Parade & Monument Dedication Enfield, Connecticut

Posted on May 29, 2012

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb “All gave some, some gave all,” the speaker’s voice cracked as he spoke those emotion-filled words Sunday May 27, when Enfield Connecticut held its 2012 Memorial Day Parade and dedicated a new veterans monument on the town green. Another speaker, Veterans Council Chairman Ted Pladmonton told the crowd that Enfield is known for its patriotism. While some towns no longer hold Memorial Day Parades, Enfield has for the past 50 years, he noted. “And we will continue to as long as I’m alive,” he promised. State Senator John Kissel (R-Enfield) recalled his youth, noting that before he was graduated from high school the war in Viet Nam ended. In addition to showing gratitude to those who have…

Destination: Pancho Loco Restaurant, Vernon, CT

Posted on May 26, 2012

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Have a taste for Mexican food? Well, a terrific spot to try is Pancho Loco in Vernon, Connecticut. Inside, the decor is colorful and fun and includes a tribute wall to singer Jimmy Buffet – famous for the hit tune Margaritaville and his army of Parrothead followers. A complimentary basket of nacho chips and salsa gets the meal started. From there, the menu features traditional Mexican plates such as fajitas – be prepared for the “honk, honk, ring, ring” sound effects that accompany each delivery of sizzling fajitas. As well, there are tacos, burritos and chimichanga. Pancho Loco’s offers combination plates, salads, quesadillas, nachos, wings, enchiladas, steak & ribs selections, chef’s specials, lunch specials, Loco favorites, as well…