Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com

a line of visitors waits on Sunday, December 22, 2014 for the delightful experience that is Santa's Workshop at Wickham Park located on the East Hartford and Manchester town line in Connecticut.

A line of visitors wait on Sunday, December 21, 2014 for the delightful experience that is Santa’s Workshop at Wickham Park, located on the East Hartford and Manchester town line in Connecticut.

Santa’s Workshop at Wickham Park is a storybook-like delight. For more than 30 years, this annual event has been transforming a hilltop cabin at the park, located on the East Hartford and Manchester townline in Connecticut, into a holiday treat providing an authentic feeling of the North Pole and Christmas to some three generations of families.

“It’s about bringing (Christmas) back to old family values. It’s important to us that everything remains the same,” said Chelsea Lowe, a staff member at the park.

According to Lowe, Santa’s Workshop has welcomed nearly 150,000 visitors since it first opened and is seeing third generations of families return. She added that the philosophy of simplicity and authenticity comes from the top, Jeff Maron, park director.

Santa Claus, the main attraction, is on hand to greet children for about ten days before Christmas until December 23, each holiday season.

“Yes, he has to leave after the 23rd because he has a lot of work to do,” said Lowe.

After a fresh snowfall on Sunday, December 21, visitors clad in jackets, sweaters, hats, scarves and mittens waited in an outdoor line as snow was gleefully tossed about by some of the youngsters. Once inside a warm, crackling fire awaited in a stone fireplace adorned with a hanging moose head above it wearing a red and white tasseled-cap, and watching over Santa’s elves who were hard at work, as well as, an array of finished toys – including a train set that moved around a track again and again. Nearby, Mrs. Claus gave out hot chocolate and cookies.

Braelyn and Landon of East Hartford came to see Santa Claus.

A 15-foot Christmas Tree, contributed by Cavanna’s Farm in South Glastonbury, was beautifully decorated. Everywhere touches of the season could be seen such as signs alerting visitors to a reindeer crossing, hanging ice skates and a reminder that Santa knows who’s been naughty or nice.

Admission is free, however, donations and nonperishables for local food pantries are welcomed and were being accepted in an appreciative manner.

“We accept non-perishables to donate to MARC and food pantries, ” noted Lowe.

MARC, Inc. is a Manchester-based non-profit agency that supports people with disabilities.

Santa's elves - Bryan Koski Bissonette of East Hartford and Megan Kelting of Tolland - were hard at work.

Santa’s elves – Bryan Koski-Bissonnette of East Hartford and Megan Kelting of Tolland – were hard at work.

Mrs. Claus, a.ka. Geraldine Cyr of Manchester, handed out hot chocolate and cookies.

Juliana and Isla Mayer of Manchester enjoy apples from Mrs. Claus.

Juliana and Isla Mayer of Manchester enjoy apples they were given by Santa Claus as they chat with Mrs. Claus.

This was the fifth year attending Santa’s Workshop for Marla’s and Jared’s family – Braelyn and Landon of East Hartford. Four-year-old Juliana Mayer and her sister Isla, 2, in pretty matching dresses, came with their parents Charissa and Joe.

Matt Foote and his brother Nathaniel Foote of Marlborough are decendents of one of the original settlers of the town of Colchester. They enjoy the family tradition of visiting Santa’s Workshop.

For Sunny Foote and her family of Marlborough, Santa’s Workshop at Wickham Park has been a longstanding tradition. And, tradition is something very important to her sons Matt and Nathaniel Foote, who are direct descendants of one of the original settlers of the town of Colchester, Nathaniel Foote, for whom the youngest boy was named.

John Graning and Sunny Foote pose for a photo in front of the 15-foot Christmas Tree.

Matt, by the way, displayed a great singing voice as he sang along to the holiday carols being played at the workshop.

What keeps them coming back?

“It’s wholesome – not glitzy. Very traditional,” said Sunny Foote.

For locals, and travelers who find their way to Connecticut during the holiday season, Santa’s Workshop at Wickham Park is a must stop. It is sure to add to a Merry Christmas for kids of all ages!

Santa's Workshop is held annually inside a hilltop cabin at Connecticut's Wickham Park.

Santa’s Workshop is held annually inside a storybook-like, hilltop cabin at Connecticut’s Wickham Park.

Santa’s Workshop at Wickham Park, 1329 West Middle Turnpike, is located on the East Hartford/ Manchester townline in central Connecticut. Easy access from exit 60 off I-84. It generally runs for about ten days before Christmas – until December 23 – and is open weekdays from 3-6 p.m. and weekends 1-5 p.m., 860-528-0856. Go to http://www.wickhampark.org for more information.

Categories: Christmas, Christmas in Connecticut, Christmas traditions, NEWS, Parks in Connecticut, Santa Claus, Santa's Workshop

Tagged: East Hartford/Manchester Connecticut, Jacqueline Bennett, Santa's Workshop, Wickham Park

Mom’s Recipe Box: Hamburg Dressing – the Crowning Glory of My Mother’s Holiday Recipes, Plus New England Pumpkin Pie & Cinnamon Sugar Treats

newsandviewsjb

Posted on December 19, 2014

Hamburg dressing made by her daughter Jackie can be found in Mom’s Recipe Box. (Note the black, iron skillet that belonged to my mother Cecelia and before her my grandmother Delia.)

Hamburg Dressing –

the Crowning Glory of My Mother’s Holiday Recipes

For me, and I would dare say all of us who grew up enjoying it, the aroma and taste of my mother’s hamburg dressing is quite simply the aroma and taste of Christmas and the holiday season. Assuming it was safely in Mom’s recipe box, the first Christmas after her passing in 2010 I went in search of her hamburg dressing recipe. It was nowhere to be found – leaving those of us who loved it so, to try and recreate the formula.

Each of us could vividly recall Mom/Nana standing vigilant by the stove with her black, iron skillet – which had belonged to her mother – filled to the brim with the ingredients. Yet, none of us could remember precisely what went in to it because it was my mother who always made the hamburg dressing – even in her latter years when she sat on a stool by the stove to do the cooking. My sisters and I remembered a spice or two and my niece Debbie said she thought Nana would sometimes add in meat from the cooked turkey neck. It was a favorite of my nephews Mike and John, so their mother, my sister Dixie, had put together her own version of it.

Just as Mom had fretted that her batches were never as good as her mother’s, my sisters Muriel, Dixie, Candy and I, and Deb, fretted that our attempts would never match Mom’s/Nana’s results.

I was coming to terms with the fact that Mom’s recipe, based on my grandmother Delia’s recipe, might be gone until I was searching through old photographs for the “Mom’s Recipe Box Family Series” when – ‘what to my wondering eyes should appear’ – a small, white index card in my mother’s handwriting that read, “Hamburg Dressing”! Speaking to just how precious this recipe is to our family, it had evidently been placed with the family photos to be framed. Some of her recipes Mom had typed but a number of them she hand wrote. I am so thankful that this particular one I have as a keepsake is in her penmanship.

Sharing this recipe would feel a bit as if I were opening the curtains to reveal the wizard behind them, were it not for the fact that it was apparently already published. Though we have not yet come across the edition in which it appeared, we were told that Mom’s Hamburg Dressing received a Honorable Mention in Yankee Magazine several years ago.

So, here I share with you our family treasure. Merry Christmas! – Jackie

“My Mother’s Hamburg Dressing”

Most importantly Mon seasoned her hamburg dressing with ... love.

Most importantly Mom seasoned her hamburg dressing with … love.

INGREDIENTS

12 pounds hamburg; 6 medium size potatoes – diced very small; Crisco to fry potatoes in; 1 large onion – chopped very small; 3 and a half teaspoons cloves; 2 and a half teaspoons cinnamon; one half teaspoon salt – or salted to taste; one half teaspoon turkey dressing (that’s Bell’s Seasoning); one fourth teaspoon thyme.

PREPARATION

Fry hamburg and potatoes using two fry pans, before combining; then add other ingredients; stir well while cooking. Enjoy!

Plus, New England Pumpkin Pie & Cinnamon Sugar Treats

My mother loved pies – strawberry rhubarb, blueberry, custard, Boston Cream, lemon meringue, apple – but New England Pumpkin Pie was her holiday favorite. When she baked pie, often it was more than one at a time especially at Christmas. As a child, I found the most eagerly anticipated part of her pie baking to be the dough left over from the homemade pie crusts.

I would venture to guess the first baking experience for many children in our family was at her side with leftover pie dough made into Cinnamon Sugar Treats. Using the rolling pin and cutting board that also once belonged to my grandmother – “Ma” – my mother would roll out the dough then place the bottom crust in a pie plate. Next came the filling followed by the top crust. When the top crust was in place Mom would lift the pie plate into the air holding it aloft from the bottom with one hand, then twist the plate from side to side as she trimmed off the excess dough with a kitchen knife in her other hand.

My mother's cutting board and rolling pin used to make many a pie and many a Cinnamon & Sugar Treats.

My mother’s cutting board and rolling pin have been used to make many pies and Cinnamon Sugar Treats.

The leftover dough became a joyful opportunity when passed to the child at her side who was allowed to form it into a ball, then roll it out flat on the cutting board with the rolling pin, both having been lightly floured – and then sprinkle it with mixed cinnamon and sugar. Next the dough was hand rolled into a log. Under Mom’s guiding hand, the log was cut into Cinnamon Sugar Treats which were placed in a round cake tin and put in the oven. I still have my mother’s cutting board and rolling pin.

New England Pumpkin Pie

INGREDIENTS

1 can pumpkin – preferred ONE-PIE; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; one half teaspoon cinnamon; one half teaspoon ginger; one half teaspoon nutmeg; one half teaspoon salt; 1 and a half tablespoons melted butter; 1 and a half cups milk; 1 cup sugar; one fourth cup molasses – preferred Grandma’s Original Molasses; 2 eggs beaten.

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line 9 ” pie plate with crust dough.

Sift together dry ingredients – sugar, salt, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg; mix with can of pumpkin then add beaten eggs along with melted butter, molasses and milk.

Pour mixture into pie plate; bake at 450 degrees for about 15 minutes then reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and finish baking for approximately 50 minutes.

Cinnamon Sugar Treats

INGREDIENTS & PREPARATION

Homemade pie crust dough (from allrecipes.com): 2 and a half cups all-purpose flour, one fourth teaspoon salt; 3 tablespoons white sugar; one fourth cup vegetable shortening; 12 tablespoons butter, cold and cubed; one fourth – one half cup ice water. Sift together flour, salt and sugar then add shortening and cold butter cubes blend together; next slowly add ice water but do not over meld. Chill 30 minutes before using.

Mom’s treat – trim excess dough from pie plate edges and form into a small ball to be flatten with a rolling pin on a cutting board – both having been lightly floured. Sprinkle on desired amount of cinnamon and sugar mixed together; roll into a log then slice into quarter inch pieces; bake in round cake tin at about 350 degrees until slightly browned. Watch carefully and don’t overbake.

Simple and tasty. A perfect first baking adventure for a youngster. Thanks Mom.

Look for Mom’s Recipe Box weekly on Fridays as family members add to and celebrate my mother’s collection of recipes – the Cecelia G. Bennett Collection. – JB

Categories: American culture, Cooking, Family, Food, Holiday family recipes, Holiday Traditions, Holidays, NEWS, Recipes

Tagged: Cecelia G. Bennett Collection, Cinnamon Sugar Treats, hamburg dressing, Jacqueline Bennett, Mom's recipe box, New England Pumpkin Pie

Scarves on Windham “Frog Bridge” – Sign of the Holiday Season in Northeastern Connecticut

newsandviewsjb

Posted on December 17, 2014

Photo by Jacqueline Bennett After a light snowfall, a frog in scarf on the “Frog Bridge” in Windham, Connecticut.

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com

A distinctive splash of red twirled around four gigantic green frog sculptures, perched atop spools of thread on the “Frog Bridge” has become a whimsical sign of the holiday season in northeastern Connecticut’s Windham county. Upclose, at a distance, front view or rear view, one might say the frogs in scarves visual – jumps out – to greet travelers.

Flurries playfully accented the 11- foot-tall bronze statues following a recent, early December snowfall, likely among the first of many snowflakes that will descend throughout the coming winter. The bright red scarves clearly bring holiday warmth to these creatures from the deep.

Four frogs squat, one perched on each corner of the bridge spanning the Willimantic River and Windham rail line from Pleasant Street (Route 32) to Main and Jackson streets ( Route 66) in “Thread City” – what was the city of Willimantic until its consolidation with the town of Windham as noted on Connecticut Roads at kurumi.com.

Built in 2000, though commonly known as the “Frog Bridge” the site is officially called “Thread City Crossing” in recognition of the nearby former American Thread Company that once dominated the local economy producing thread used throughout the country. A section of the old thread mill complex is now a museum.

This four lane bridge is adorned too with vintage style lanterns for lighting. The “Frog Bridge” leads to Eastern Connecticut State University which is located in Windham, and the University of Connecticut about ten miles up Route 195 in Storrs.

Quite riveting, or should that be “ribbiting”, the frogs in scarves have been written about in many a travel log and elsewhere. Nevertheless, although these frogs may be the most high profile in Windham, they are hardly the only ones in town. Frog representations can be seen from one end of the city to the other.

How did frog fascination get started in Windham?

It can be traced back to a summer evening in June of 1754, according to ConnecticutHistory.org. A drought in the area led an army of bullfrogs to all seek water from the same pond resulting in a noisy frog fight. However, in the darkness of the night the origin of the frightful noise was unknown to residents who are said have armed themselves with muskets in defense of what they feared might be an Indian attack. When daylight arrived, bullfrog corpses were discovered strewn about. In the tradition of wry New England humor thus began the ensuing folklore about the Windham “Frog Fright”.

How ever the fascination with frogs got started, for those who pass by the “Frog Bridge” its frogs in scarves are sure to tickle a seasonal fancy.

Categories: American history, architecture, Bridges, Folklore, New England, NEWS, sculptures, Signs of the Holiday Season

Tagged: American Thread Company, Eastern Connecticut State University, Frog Bridge, frogs in scarves, Jacqueline Bennett, Thread City Crossing, UCONN, Windham Connecticut

Gillette Castle Marks a 100th Anniversary in Holiday Style

newsandviewsjb

Posted on December 15, 2014

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com

Photo by Jacqueline Bennett Gillette Castle decorated for the holidays - Dec. 2014.

Photo by Jacqueline Bennett Gillette Castle in East Haddam, Connecticut decorated in holiday style – December 2014.

Decorated in holiday style Gillette Castle in East Haddam, Connecticut is marking the 100th anniversary of its construction. Stone formations border a pathway to the castle where pine sprigs adorn exterior sections of the 24-room “medieval-looking” mansion. Actor, director and playwright William Hooker Gillette had it built, beginning in 1914. It took five years to complete this exquisite structure on his 184-acre estate atop a hill know as the “Seven Sisters”, overlooking the picturesque Connecticut River.

A steady flow of visitors on December 14, 2014 ascend the stairs to Gillette Castle.

A steady flow of visitors ascend the stairs to Gillette Castle.

According to guides at the castle during a December 14 visit, Gillette designed the castle and influenced most every aspect its of contents. Its features include “near vertical stairways”, built-in couches, intricately carved wooden latches on some 47 doors – of which no two carvings are the same, the use of hand-hewn southern white oak inside, light switches of carved wood, private bathrooms for the bedrooms, the solitude of his third floor library and his own small railroad on the grounds.

Put together with perfection, the tasteful turn of the 20th Century décor, and period garb donned by the guides gave one a sense of stepping back into a gentile time of high society when gentlemen and ladies dressed for dining. Santa Claus was on hand, having obviously searched his closet and found an era suit to wear and pose for photos with guests.

Photo with Santa!

Born in Hartford in 1853, Gillette was a descendent, on his mother’s side, of the founder of Connecticut’s capital city, Thomas Hooker, according to http://www.stateparks.com/gillette_castle.html, a Connecticut state parks website. His father, Francis Gillette, served in the United State senate. William Gillette was a graduate of Hartford High School and attended classes at many prestigious colleges but did not receive his degree. Instead, bitten by the acting bug from a young age he went on to become a star with his most famous role being that of Sherlock Holmes.

His final performance was at Hartford’s Bushnell Theater in 1936. He died a year later.

A bird’s eye view of the main floor at Gillette Castle – notice the built-in couch to the left.

Paying homage to Gillette’s career, one guide was dressed as Gillette taking on the Sherlock Holmes persona. “My wife died after six years of marriage and had asked me to never remarry,” he said, “I did not, but I, Mr. Gillette, at 6’4″ and quite a handsome man did have lady ‘friends’.”

In the upstairs library, a guide takes on the persona of William Gillette in his most famous role of Sherlock Holmes.

Interestingly, though Gillette was tall, his bed was short. That was explained as due to his being accustomed to tight quarters on trains traveling from town to town to perform. He was said to have spent time most afternoons when he was at his castle, in his library reading, another room with a breathtaking view of the Connecticut River.

William Gillette was tall but his bed was short.

Many notables from the theater world were guests at Gillette Castle. Among them, actress Helen Hayes who is said to have always come with a chaperon, and Bille Burke who played Glinda the good witch in the “Wizard of Oz.” Gillette was also described as a friend of Samuel Clemens, a.k.a., writer and humorist Mark Twain.

A peek at the majestic Connecticut River from a window in the library at Gillette Castle – note the intricately carved wooden shutters.

Gillette Castle is located in Gillette Castle State Park, having been purchased by the state of Connecticut in 1943 from the executors of Gillette’s will, notes the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.

William Gillette’s office.

The train station Gillette had built is easy walking distance from the castle. There are also trails to stroll. During the holiday hours along one of the trails, an open pit fire was available by which one could warm up, and there was hot cider.

A view of the Connecticut River from the grounds of Gillette Castle.

Path to the castle.

Just outside the castle’s sun room.

The Visitor’s Center.

Inside the nearby Visitor’s Center, guests can buy their admission tickets, watch a 15 minute video and visit the small gift shop. In an adjacent building is a grill and beverage place but it was closed this past Sunday.

The holiday tour is certainly a wonderful way to learn about the life and times of an interesting man who added to the colorfulness of Connecticut’s history Really, it seems in any season Gillette Castle would make for a fascinating stop.

Gillette Castle, 67 River Road, East Haddam, CT 06423 (860) 526-2336. Holiday Hours at Gillette Castle began on November 29 and run through December 21 – Weekends only and weather permitting on Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tickets are sold to 3:30 p.m.

Categories: American history, architecture, Castles in the United States, Connecticut Parks, NEWS, Theater

Tagged: Billie Burke, East Haddam CT, Gillette Castle, Helen Hayes, Jacqueline Bennett, Mark Twain, Sherlock Holmes, William Gillette

Mom’s Recipe Box: Holiday Encore & More from Candy – Pumpkin Cake, Banana Bread, Peanut Butter Bread and Cranberry Walnut Bread!

newsandviewsjb

Posted on December 12, 2014

Pumpkin Cake, Banana Bread, Peanut Butter Bread and Cranberry Walnut Bread made by her daughter Candy have been added to, or can be found in Mom’s Recipe Box.

Holiday Encore & More from Candy – Pumpkin Cake, Banana Bread, Peanut Butter Bread and Cranberry Walnut Bread!

I enjoy baking. It’s a feeling of accomplishment and anticipation of sharing.

My Pumpkin Cake became a favorite to bring to family Christmas gatherings. I also would bake one for my school colleagues during the holidays. It’s my idea of a terrific recipe – easy to make and it can serve many people!

The Banana Bread is my mother’s recipe. The bread always smelled good while it was baking as the aroma permeated the kitchen.

Not every holiday, but often enough, Mom baked Peanut Butter Bread. I also bake it once in awhile and decided to add it to this year’s variety because I do enjoy the taste of peanut butter.

I’ve also added something new – a Cranberry Nut Bread. I found the recipe online from Ocean Spray. The ones I have previously tried tasted dry – thought this one had promise to be moist. I’m pleased with how it turned out.

Happy Holidays! – Candy Bennett

Getting started…

“Candy’s Pumpkin Cake”

Pouring “Candy’s Pumpkin Cake” batter.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups sugar; 3 cups flour; 4 beaten eggs; 2 teas. baking powder; 1 and quarter cup of vegetable oil; 2 teas. baking soda; 1 (14 ounce) can pumpkin; 1 teas. salt; 1 tablespoon cinnamon

PREPARATION

Measure sugar and blend with eggs. Add oil and pumpkin. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt, then slowly add to pumpkin mixture.

Bake for approximately one hour at 350 degrees in ungreased angel cake pan.

“Mom’s Banana Bread”

INGREDIENTS & PREPARATION

Banana Bread batter.

Sift 2 cups flour, 1 tsp. double acting baking powder, half tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt.

Cream half cup shortening, add gradually 1 cup sugar – creaming well.

Blend in 2 eggs – one at a time. Beat well. Add 1 cup mashed bananas. Mix well.

Blend in dry ingredients ( if so desire add half cup chopped nuts). Pour into greased pan 9″ by 5″ by 5″. Push batter up the corners of pan leaving center slightly hollowed for well-rounded loaf.

Allow to stand 10 minutes before baking. Bake in moderate oven at 350 degrees. Bake about one hour before checking – it might take 5 to 10 minutes longer. Cool well before slicing.

Peanut Butter Bread

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour; 4 teas. baking powder; 1 teas. salt; one third cup sugar; one half cup peanut butter; one and a half cups skim milk.

PREPARATION

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar; add peanut butter and mix well; add milk and mix well again; pour batter into greased loaf pan and bake for about one hour in preheated oven at 350 degrees.

“Classic Cranberry Nut Bread” – Ocean Spray

Cranberry Nut Bread and Peanut Butter Bread ready for the oven.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour; 1 cup sugar; 1 and a half teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; one half teaspoon baking soda; three fourths cup orange juice; 1 tablespoon grated orange peel (I omitted the orange peel); 2 tablespoons shortening; 1 egg well beaten; 1 and a half cups Ocean Spray Fresh or Frozen Cranberries ( I used fresh), coarsely chopped; one half cup chopped nuts ( I used walnuts).

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan; Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium mixing bowl.

Stir in orange juice ( and orange peel if so desired) shortening and egg. Mix until well blended.

Stir in cranberries and nuts. Spread evenly in loaf pan (I lightly greased the pan).

Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick (I used a fork) inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan; Cool completely before slicing, or wrapping and storing overnight. One loaf yields about 16 slices.

Candy’s Holiday Encore & More …

*In the inaugural year of newsandviewsjb I posted two recipes, my mother’s Banana Bread and my sister Candy’s Pumpkin Cake. These two baked goods are such an integral part of our family holiday, that for the Mom’s Recipe Box Family Series I asked Candy to prepare both – for an encore post. She did that and more!

Look for Mom’s Recipe box weekly on Fridays as family members add to and celebrate my mother’s collection of recipes, the Cecelia G. Bennett Collection.-JB

Categories: Baking, Family, Holiday family recipes, Holiday Traditions, Holidays, NEWS, Recipes

Tagged: Candy Bennett, Candy's Pumpkin Cake, Cecelia G. Bennett Collection, Cranberry Nut Bread, Family, Holiday traditions, Jacqueline Bennett, Mom's Banana Bread, Mom's recipe box, Peanut Butter Bread

An Untold Word About Gayle King – CBS This Morning Anchor

newsandviewsjb

Posted on December 11, 2014

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com

CBS Rising http://t.co/l44XFNoaOs via @wordpressdotcom

— newsandviewsjb (@newsandviewsjb) December 11, 2014

It is in ‘unseen’ moments that people often reveal themselves.

Several years ago before Gayle King became a co-anchor on CBS This Morning – (read CBS Rising as retweeted above) – she was a local news anchor for WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut. As such, she was invited to read to the children at Keeney Street School in Manchester, an elementary school in a Hartford suburb where my sister taught grade two. I don’t recall the exact date but what stayed with me was this account about Gayle relayed to me by my sister.

On the same day Gayle was scheduled to be at the school, hot news was breaking in regard to former Gov. Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., I believe pertaining to his plans to run again, or not run again for office. Stations throughout the state were scrambling to get the scoop and apparently the management at her station thought Gayle would have a good chance of getting an interview with Weicker at his Applejack Farm in Connecticut.

However…. she had promised to be at the school that day and read to the children. Gayle not only kept her promise but shared her story about kept promises with the young students.

Categories: Gayle King, NEWS, Television News Anchors

Tagged: "CBS This Morning", Applejack Farm, Gayle King, Jacqueline Bennett, Lowell Weicker, WFSB

Mulberry & Manchester – What’s the Connection? Historical Society Hosts Holiday Open House

newsandviewsjb

Posted on December 9, 2014

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com

Mulberry, mulberry, mulberry. A Mulberry tree is the centerpiece of Manchester, Connecticut’s town seal, Mulberry Street Pizza or “The Mulb” is a popular downtown restaurant and a “Mulberry Tree Gift Shoppe” sign greets visitors to the Old Manchester Museum.

So what’s the connection between Mulberry and Manchester?

David Beal of the Manchester Historical Society hosted a holiday tour of the Cheney Homestead in Manchester, Connecticut.

“A lot” David K. Smith, curator of the Manchester Historical Society, Inc. said during a holiday open house held December 6 throughout the town’s Historic District.

“Silkworms would only eat Mulberry tree leaves,” Smith continued.

As soon as Smith uttered the words “silkworms” and “Mulberry leaves” the connection became crystal clear. Seemingly anyone even slightly familiar with the history of Manchester knows the Cheney Mills – at one time the largest producer of silk in the United States – played an integral role in the history of this, “the City of Village Charm.”

The Cheney Brothers sought out Mulberry trees to bring to Manchester. Today they abound here, said Smith. Even so, he noted, it was years before Manchester had an actual Mulberry road. Finally, Smith said, Andrew Ansaldi, a well-known local builder put the namesake road in at one of his complexes.

More holiday decorations at the Cheney Homestead.

A donated Jacquard Loom is part of the “Loom Exhibit”.

The Cheney Family and their silk mills had a profound impact on the growth and development of Manchester. Currently beautifully adorned for the holidays by the Manchester Garden Club, the Cheney Homestead is a focal point in the Historic District.

The Manchester History Center on Pine Street is located inside an old Cheney mill building, the former Machine Shop. Construction on the Machine Shop, which was done in phases, began in 1895, according to the “Courier” – the MHS, Inc. newsletter. In 1999, the old Machine Shop was purchased by the historical society. It houses their administrative offices, a museum store and on the lower level – the “Loom Exhibit”, a work in progress aimed at calling attention to the place the textile industry had not only in the history of Manchester but in American history.

During a tour of the “Loom Exhibit”, MHS, Inc.’s Dennis J. Gleeson explained that the Machine Shop is where looms were repaired. It was noted in the “Courier” that students from the Howell Cheney Technical School have helped with various phases of work done at the Machine Shop for the exhibit such as installation of wiring for the looms. These are donated looms and among them are two large Jacquard Looms.

Dennis Gleeson shows a map depicting the impact the Cheney Brothers silk mills in Manchester, CT had on the growth and development of the town.

During a tour of the “Loom Exhibit”, Dennis Gleeson shows a map depicting the impact the Cheney Brothers silk mills in Manchester, CT had on the growth and development of the town.

The Manchester History Center is located inside a former Cheney mill.

The Manchester History Center is located inside the former Cheney Brothers Machine Shop housing a museum store, MHS administrative offices and the Loom Exhibit – the old silk vault is also here.

The former Cheney mills had several free-standing factory buildings, such as the Ribbon Mill, Velvet Weave Shed, Dye House, Yarn Mill, Velvet Mill, and the Finishing and Printing plant. Most have been turned into apartments except the latter – there is speculation that it may someday be the site of a library.

Now used for storage, silk vaults were installed along the Cheney Railroad in 1919, following an attempted silk heist, Gleeson added.

A successful fundraiser, the Winter Wonderland Gala at the Manchester History Center.

Decorations remained from a successful fundraiser, the Winter Wonderland Gala, held at the Manchester History Center.

“At one time silk was more valuable than gold,” said Gleeson.

Known for their emphasis on providing education for their employees, Gleeson said the Cheney Brothers had toured mills in Europe and were determined to offer their workers better conditions.

Eileen Sweeney, Executive Director for MHS, Inc., pointed out that the Cheney Brothers produced a brochure in five different languages to help recruit workers from Europe.

Eileen Sweeney of the Manchester Historical Society shows a worker recruitment brochure the Cheney Brothers had produced in five languages.

Eileen Sweeney, Executive Director of the Manchester Historical Society, Inc. shows a worker recruitment brochure the Cheney Brothers had produced in five languages.

The center is where many of the MHS, Inc. events take place. A “Winter Wonderland Gala” had been held the night before the tour, which Gleeson said raised $20,000 to help the historical society, a non-profit organization.

As curator of MHS, Inc., Smith was on hand to answer questions at the Old Manchester Museum on Cedar Street. Eventually, he said, the historical society plans to relocate the museum into the History Center.

David K. Smith. curator of the Manchester Historical Society showed visitors around the Old Manchester Museum.

David K. Smith. curator of the Manchester Historical Society, Inc. showed visitors around the Old Manchester Museum.

A unique looking holiday decoration on display at the Old Manchester Museum.

Histories of the Cheney silk mills, Pitkin Glass Works and more of the previously prominent businesses and industries in Manchester can be found here. In fact, a small bottle produced by the Pitkin Glass Works factory and discovered by Smith is on display.

An intact small glass bottle discovered by David Smith at an archeological dig at the former Pitkin Glass factory site.

An intact small glass bottle discovered by David Smith at an archaeological dig at the former Pitkin Glass Works factory site.

Smith came across the find while participating in an archaeological dig with local students at the glass factory site, he said.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it in the Manchester Herald.

Once used to provide music at Shady Glen restaurant.

Manchester Sports Hall of Fame

An example of the fine craftsmanship produced by the Cheney silk mills.

The old museum is also home to the Manchester Sports Hall of Fame. In addition, it has an array of other memorabilia – including a juke box of sorts (it held records played back in the day) for the enjoyment of customers at Manchester’s renown Shady Glen Restaurant, and a “Manchester Herald” paper box from which one can still purchase a “Herald” for 50 cents.

And to think, so much of it happened thanks to a Mulberry tree!

The Cheney Homestead, 106 Hartford Road (860-647-9983); The Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street (860-647-9983); The Old Manchester Museum, 126 Cedar Street (860-647-9742). Go to http://www.manchesterhistory.org for more information about tours and hours.

Categories: American history, Cheney Brothers, NEWS, Silk Mills

Tagged: Cheney Brothers, Cheney Homestead, David Smith, Dennis Gleeson, Eileen Sweeney, Howell Cheney Technical School, Jacqueline Bennett, Manchester Connecticut, Manchester Herald, Manchester Historical Society, Manchester History Center, Mulberry Trees, Old Manchester Museum, silkworms

Mom’s Recipe Box: The Elopement! – Ma’s Baked Bread & Aunt Anna’s Ice Box Cookies

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Posted on December 5, 2014

“Ma’s Baked Bread” leads off the family holiday recipes I will post through the month of December – Jackie

From her mother, “Ma’s Baked Bread” can be found in Mom’s Recipe Box. (Photo of “Ma” Delia Roberts Generous.)

“The Elopement!”

I never knew my maternal grandparents “Ma & Pa” because, as readers of newsandviewsjb know I am fond of mentioning, I am the youngest of seven with a big gap between my oldest siblings and myself – so I missed out on knowing some of the family who had passed on. Nevertheless, I have heard many a story about them.

One of my favorite “Ma & Pa” (Delia Roberts Generous & Henry Generous, Sr.) stories is of “Pa and his baseball” and “the elopement.” In his later years Pa worked on the railroad as an inspector and at a thread mill, but in his youth he was a professional athlete. He boxed and played baseball, his passion being baseball and a desire to make it to the big league. According to my mother, Ma’s father (Tom Roberts) got fed up with Pa’s preoccupation with “his baseball” and advised Ma to accept a marriage proposal from another suitor. When Pa learned of the plan he took swift action to secure the hand in marriage of the girl he loved – even more than baseball!

In something that sounds like a chapter from a Wild West romance novel, the story goes … Pa put a ladder up outside the bedroom window of Ma’s house in their small hometown in Connecticut. He then whisked her away to make her his bride. Pa had rented a horse & buggy and the two “rode off at the speed of roaring wind.”

Even in his golden years Pa was was still often seen with his baseball mitt in hand – his position was catcher. From what I was told about him, Pa would have beamed with pride to know he not only had great-grandsons who played competitive baseball but also great-great grandsons and a great-great granddaughter who played softball.

In addition, Pa was said to be an accomplished juggler and tight rope walker. Mom used to tell us that as a little girl she practiced his calisthenics with him. With an umbrella in hand for balance, she even walked barefoot across the backyard clothesline under Pa’s watchful eye!

In his golden years, “Pa” Henry Generous, Sr. often had his baseball mitt in hand.

******

“Ma’s Baked Bread”

There was nothing quite like the rich aroma of homemade bread in the oven waifing its way up the stairwell in the early morning from my mother’s kitchen. Generally through the year it was unpredictable as to when the urge would hit Mom to bake homemade bread – using her mother’s, “Ma’s” recipe. However, come the holidays that aroma was one that signaled Christmas was near.

Also, there is a superstition to which my mother subscribed associated with always placing bread on the dinner table to ensure your family will never go hungry.

Traditionally, Mom served “Ma’s Baked Bread” on a flower trimmed plate which had belonged to my grandmother. I no longer have the plate but do have a matching bowl and salt and pepper shakers that were part of that set of Ma’s dishes. I used to love having a thick slice of Mom’s homemade bread the morning after Christmas, toasted then topped with a dollop of peanut butter. My sister Candy reminded me that Mom would also take rounded portions of Ma’s bread dough, flatten them with a spatula in the skillet and grill them – creating fried dough, which Mom called “dobbies”.

Ma’s dishes.

“Ma’s Baked Bread”

INGREDIENTS

1 and a half quart lukewarm water; one half cup sugar; 1 tsp. salt; 1 tablespoon Crisco; 1 yeast cake; 8 cups sifted flour.

PREPARATION

Put 6 cups sifted flour in large bowl with sugar, salt and lukewarm water – mix well. After adding the water, add Crisco. (1 cup lukewarm water with yeast cake dissolved in it should be added to mixture and again mix well); Last, add the remaining two cups of flour and mix again. Let rise overnight – cover well with wax paper. The following morning remove wax paper and bake one hour. The oven temperature was missing from this recipe so I searched online and found that homemade white bread is often baked at 450 degrees.

If anyone tries this recipe I would be interested in knowing how it comes out.

******

Her sister Anna's Ice Box Cookies can be found in Mom's Recipe Box. (The Generous sisters Anna and Cecelia(Mom) shown with their husbands Perce and John (Dad).

Her sister Anna’s Ice Box Cookies can be found in Mom’s Recipe Box. (The Generous sisters Anna and Cecelia – Mom – shown with their husbands Perce Spiller and John F. Bennett, Sr. – Dad).

“Aunt Anna’s Ice Box Cookies”

“Aunt Anna”, my mother’s sister Anna Generous Spiller, as I recall was not a big fan of cooking and baking. However, there are a few things she is remembered for preparing, including her “Ice Box Cookies”, especially at Christmastime.

Mom and Aunt Anna were close throughout their lives. Though personality wise they were very different, I used to get a kick out of listening to them talk when they were together and their ole’ New England Yankee pronunciations of words such as “pa-ta-dah” (potato). They both had a habit of clicking their nails while periodically gazing off into the distance as they spoke. And, they both possessed that well-known Generous Family determination!!

“Aunt Anna’s Ice Box Cookies”

INGREDIENTS

2 cups brown sugar; 1 cup butter or (the recipe calls for Spry but a contemporary version of that would be Crisco in a can); 2 unbeaten eggs; 1 tsp. salt (level); I tsp. baking soda; 1 tsp vanilla; 3 and one fourth cups flour; 1 cup chopped English walnuts.

PREPARATION

Cream together butter or Crisco with brown sugar, then cream in the unbeaten eggs and add vanilla; In a separate bowl, mix together all dry ingredients then gradually add to the creamed mixture – stir well. Add walnuts. Roll and shape like a rolling pin, cover with wax paper wrap and place in refrigerator overnight. The next day, remove from refrigerator, take off wax paper, then slice roll and bake in 400 degree oven 7 to 10 minutes (watch closely).

Rather than mixing in chopped walnuts I opted to place walnut and almond pieces on the cookie tops.

Look for Mom’s Recipe Box weekly on Fridays as family members add to and celebrate my mother’s collection of recipes – the Cecelia G. Bennett Collection. – JB

Categories: Baking, Christmas traditions, Cooking, Family, NEWS, Recipes

Tagged: Anna Generous Spiller, Cecelia G. Bennett Collection, Christmas recipes, Delia Roberts Generous, Henry Generous Sr., Ice Box Cookies, Jacqueline Bennett, Ma's Baked Bread, Mom's recipe box

Snow Cleared For Thanksgiving Day – Always Fun – Manchester Road Race

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Posted on December 3, 2014

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com

Snow and freezing rain that fell just twenty-four hours before did not halt the 78th Manchester Road Race in Connecticut on Thanksgiving Day, November 27. Nor did temperatures in the mid-30 degree range keep some 15,000 registered runners – plus the strays who fall in after the event gets underway – and thousands more spectators from turning out. Town crews thoroughly cleared Main Street and once again the race started promptly at 10 a.m. as it does each year. A glitch with the sound system’s playing of the national anthem left the crowd to finish singing the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

As always, the Manchester Road Race was fun. Half the enjoyment of this 4.748 mile competition is seeing the costumes in which participants show up – from Stove Top Stuffing to a Christmas Tree, or displaying patriotic sprit.

And the band played on…

Windsor, CT’s Dan Nolan, a longtime Manchester Road Race participant, instead turned out this year to show support for the runners.

Ben True took first place with a time of 21 minutes and 34 seconds. Coming in first for the women was Diane Nukuri-Johnson who clocked 24:38. New this year, a first ever King and Queen of the Hill were named – Sam Chelange and Neely Spence. As well, the Road Race Committee has begun the process of documenting longtime participants. To provide that information visit their website.

Donuts and hot beverages were available inside the Army & Navy Club.

As usual bands played along the route, including on the front balcony of the ever-popular Army & Navy Club. With donuts and hot beverages available inside, it was a terrific spot to warm up while watching the long stream of runners. It was also a day for local pubs to welcome runners and company!

Categories: Holiday Traditions, Holidays, New England Sports Events, NEWS, Thanksgiving Road Races

Tagged: 2014 Thanksgiving Day Road Race, Jacqueline Bennett, Manchester Road Race

Mom’s Recipe Box: Sofia’s Rice Krispies Treats

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Posted on November 28, 2014

Rice Krispies Treats from her great-great-granddaughter Sofia have been added to Mom’s Recipe Box. (Sofia with her Daddy, Dan )

Sofia’s Rice Krispies Treats

We LOVE Rice Krispie Treats and I especially LOVE doing everything with my Daddy!!! – Sofia

INGREDIENTS

*3 tablespoons of butter

*10 ounces marshmallows, about 40 regular marshmallows

* – OR –

*4 cups miniature marshmallows

*6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal

PREPARATION

1-In large saucepan, melt your butter over low heat.

2-Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted.

3-Remove from heat.

4-Add Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.

5-Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray.

6-Let them cool about an hour then cut them into 2-inch squares.

Look for Mom’s Recipe Box weekly on Fridays as family members add to and celebrate my mother’s collection of recipes, the Cecelia G. Bennett Collection. – JB

Categories: Baking, Cooking, Family, NEWS, Recipes

Tagged: Cecelia G. Bennett Collection, Dan Landeck, Jacqueline Bennett, Mom's recipe box, Rice Krispies Treats, Sofia Landeck

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Mom’s Recipe Box: The Elopement! – Ma’s Baked Bread & Aunt Anna’s Ice Box Cookies

newsandviewsjb

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Snow Cleared For Thanksgiving Day – Always Fun – Manchester Road Race

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Mom’s Recipe Box: Sofia’s Rice Krispies Treats

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