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NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “NEWS” Category

Hope Dan Orlovsky Feels Connecticut’s Love

Posted on December 9, 2011

Hope Dan Orlovsky Feels Connecticut’s Love by Jacqueline Bennett I have never met Dan Orlovsky but I watched him play University of Connecticut football. His lanky 6′ 5″ frame and confident throwing arm were always easy to spot from the Rentschler Field stands. However, before he ever took to the UConn gridiron I was struck by Orlovsky’s loyalty to his home state’s flagship university. Having led Shelton High School to a state championship in his senior year, this blue chip quarterback is said to have passed on offers from Michigan State and Purdue to help “lift the Huskies to contender status” as the team transitioned up in division to the Big East Conference. During his time at Storrs, the same poise and patience Orlovsky…

Categories: NEWS

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Holiday Open House Shows Refurbished Connecticut Governor’s Residence

Posted on December 6, 2011

  Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com                                                                                 Visitors to this year’s annual public holiday open house at the Connecticut Governor’s Residence were treated not only to seasonal decor but a look at results of The People’s Project – a refurbishment and renovation undertaking. “Nine designers, two months, seventeen different spaces,” noted Carol O’Shea, Executive Director of the Residence. The open house held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 3, 4 and 5 was expected to draw between three to four thousand guests to the…

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“Dear Soldier…” Loomis Chaffee Students Pack Holiday Boxes to Afghanistan

Posted on December 2, 2011

  Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb “Dear Soldier…” It is a greeting that pulls at the heart-strings sent in cards and letters with “love” from Loomis Chaffee students who packed holiday care boxes this week for American troops deployed to the war in Afghanistan. Ranging in age from 14 to 17, these socially conscious and caring young people want the troops to know, they may be out of sight but they are never out of mind. “I don’t think our soldiers get enough credit, we want to spread awareness,” 16-year-old Allison Byrne of West Hartford, said November 30 during the packing on campus at the private secondary school in Windsor, Connecticut.”We want the soldiers to know we actually care and to show…

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Remembering Mom One Year After Her Passing

Posted on December 1, 2011

Remembering Mom One Year After Her Passing By: Jacqueline Cecelia Bennett One year ago today my mother died. It has felt like a long year without her while seeming just like yesterday that she passed away. Those of us who loved her take solace in knowing that Mom/Nana/Cecelia lived a full, rich life. In August of 2010 we went up to Fenway Park to see her beloved Red Sox. Her father was a professional athlete who played baseball and boxed. His dream was to make it to the majors and play for “The Sox,” so Mom’s loyality to the team ran deep. In fact, loyalty was one of her most salient characteristics, so too with my dad. They both could always be depended upon…

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Destination: Rein’s Deli, Vernon, Connecticut

Posted on November 25, 2011

Article & photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb So much has been written about Rein’s Deli in Vernon, Connecticut that this is one more chime for the chorus. Quite simply, the food here is excellent. In addition to its huge popularity with folks in the area, this “New York Style” deli is one of those restaurants that travelers make part of a trip. Located about half way between New York City and Boston, and easily accessible off I-84, it is common to see out-of-state license plates in the parking lot. Rein’s lives up to its motto, “the taste of  quality is long remembered.” The extensive menu features homemade soups,’appeteasers’ such as stuffed cabbage and sweet potato fries, sandwiches so stuffed it is a challenge to…

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And the Winners of the 75th Manchester Road Race are…..

Posted on November 25, 2011

And the Winners of the 75th Manchester Road Race are….. Write-up & photos by Jacqueline Bennett And the winners of the 75th Manchester Road Race are – no, not this turkey that parked himself on Porter Street- but for the men, Brian Olinger of Ohio with a time of 21 minutes, 31 seconds and for the women, Sally Kipyego of Kenya with a time of 24 minutes, 22 seconds. Under gorgeous autumn skies, on Thanksgiving Day 15,000 runners and walkers turned out to take on the near 5 mile course in Manchester, Connecticut. This year marked a return for 69-year-old Julia Chase-Brand, who 50 years ago broke the road race’s gender barrier, paving the way for the many women who now compete. As usual,…

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75th Manchester Road Race Continues Thanksgiving Day Tradition

Posted on November 18, 2011

Article & photos by Jacqueline Bennett Manchester, Connecticut is poised to host the town’s signature annual event, the Manchester Road Race. This year marks a milestone 75th running. Held on Thanksgiving Day, the 4.748 mile course draws thousands of runners, including international competitors, here to the “city of village charm.” One of the state’s biggest sports happenings, 13,261 runners were registered as of November 17, with registration slated to be capped at 15,000. If the past is an indicator, some of these folks will show up to run wearing amusing costumes. The night before the race a pasta meal is held so runners can load up on energy boosting carbs. Area pubs are also popular places on race eve. On race day, spectators line…

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Once Again, Amazed By Windsor

Posted on November 13, 2011

  Once Again, Amazed by Windsor Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett For twelve years I covered the town of Windsor, Connecticut as a reporter for the local newspaper, and, it is a community for which I have an abiding affection. The activism, volunteerism, caring, compassion and depth of character among so many of the people with whom my path crossed here in Connecticut’s oldest town never ceased to amaze me. And once again I am amazed by Windsor. This time by Windsor’s veterans who have given so much of themselves in service to our nation, yet this Veterans Day looked beyond their own contributions to recognize the patriotic deeds of someone who is not a veteran, by welcoming her as the main speaker for their…

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Ann Walsh Honored by Windsor, Connecticut Veterans

Posted on November 11, 2011

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com For nearly six years Ann Walsh’s  irrepressible determination and big heart have been the  driving  force behind Send Hometown Windsor To The Troops, a community service project of WIN-TV.  Thanks to her ongoing efforts Windsor’s sons  and daughters serving in the military in Iraq and  Afghanistan receive care packages on a regular basis, boxes filled with basic necessities,  homemade  cookies, homemade breads, other goodies and cards and letters to remind them they are thought about  and  appreciated. This year Walsh was honored by Windsor’s veterans – chosen as the first person who is not a veteran, to give the keynote speech for the Veterans Day Ceremony held 11/11/11 at town hall. She spoke of the strong sense…

Categories: NEWS, People

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Cold Blast Expected While Power Outages Remain In Connecticut

Posted on November 4, 2011

    Cold Blast Expected While Power Outages Remain In Connecticut Article and photos by Jacqueline Bennett Accuweather.com reports a cold blast is expected to hit Connecticut, the rest of New England and neighboring Canada today while more than 300,000 power customers in the Nutmeg state remain without heat and electricity following a late October snowstorm. Connecticut Govenor Dannel Malloy pulled no pushes yesterday when he said during a news conference he “wouldn’t want to be in (Connecticut Light & Power’s) shoes” if the utility fails to make good on a promise from their president to have 99 percent of customers restored by midnight Sunday. Tensions have been mounting among officials in towns particularly hard hit with the threat of lawsuits being bantered about…

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