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NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts tagged “Jacqueline Bennett”

Windsor “Walk of Light” Commemorates 15th Anniversary of 9/11

Posted on September 12, 2016

  By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   A large crowd filled the Windsor, Connecticut Town Green Sunday night, September 11, 2016 where a 15th Anniversary “Walk of Light” and commemorative ceremony honored victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks against America. Nearly 3000 luminaries lined the historic town green, inscribed and decorated, representing each individual who lost his or her life due to the attacks.   Four hijacked planes attacked the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon and one aimed at Washington D.C. was downed in Pennsylvania.   Despite his still palpable grief, speaker Fred Kuo chose to focus on “gifts of kindness” associated with that day. Director of Experiential Learning and Associate Director of Alumni & Parent Relations at Loomis Chaffee School in…

Categories: 9/11 Tribute, Gifts of Kindness, New England Town Greens, NEWS, Respect

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Seattle Seahawks To Stand for Unity

Posted on September 11, 2016

  By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   When I was growing up my mother used to tell of how her father, my grandfather, would stand for the national anthem no matter where he was – even if he was in the house and it came over the radio. Mom loved to be on the go, so in the days of her waning health we tried to bring her as many places as possible. Among the last events we brought Mom to before she passed, was one of her beloved University of Connecticut football games. As is the custom, the national anthem was played prior to the start of the game – and Mom being Mom – she insisted on standing up from her wheelchair to…

Categories: American values, American Way of Life, National Anthem Controversy, NEWS, Seahawks Unity Video

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“Walk of Light” in Windsor, Connecticut to Commemorate 15th Anniversary of 9/11

Posted on September 9, 2016

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com (Photos from 2011)   It is hard to believe that this Sunday will mark the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States. Among the commemorations being held across the country, the town of Windsor, Connecticut will host the “Walk of Light”.   In memory of the souls lost to the attack, approximately 3,000 paper luminaries will line the historic Windsor Town Green located in Windsor, Center. Decorated by local students and community members, each bag has been inscribed with the name of an individual whose life was taken. As dusk falls, glow sticks will illuminate the bags creating a seemingly endless flow of light spanning the green.        …

Categories: 15th Anniversary 9/11 Commemoration, Honoring the Fallen Heroes of 9/11, Walk of Light

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Closing of Howard Johnson’s in Bangor Maine Bittersweet

Posted on September 5, 2016

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Another American cultural icon of the past is nearing extinction. On Wednesday, September 7, the last New England Howard Johnson’s restaurant located in Bangor, Maine is set to close. It is the second to last remaining in the United States, down from ‘HoJo’s’ “golden era” in the 1960s and 1970s when there were 1,000 across the country making it the largest restaurant chain in the country at that time, noted New England Living. The lone surviving restaurant is in Lake George, New York.   Howard Johnson restaurants have been fading from the landscape for years so what is so touching about the loss of the Bangor ‘HoJo’s’?   The Waitress  It was a summer vacation in my youth when Dad,…

Categories: American icons, GoodBye Bangor Maine HoJo's, Iconic New England Restaurants, NEWS, Thanks for the Memory

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Dedicated Peach Cutters Make Firefighters’ Annual Festival a Success

Posted on August 29, 2016

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   For forty years, Jan Adams, 93, has been faithfully cutting peaches for peach shortcake served at the annual peach festival held by volunteer firefighters in Manchester, Connecticut. This year was no exception. Mrs. Adams and a host of other dedicated peach cutters helped the Eighth Utilities District Fire Department mark the 67th peach festival held Saturday, August 27.   “I love it!” said Mrs. Adams, “Anything for the fire department.”   Her reign as peach cutter extraordinaire began when her son, Jim Adams, served as chief of the department. A member of the fire department auxiliary, Mrs. Adams has been cutting peaches for the popular festival ever since, displaying the same type of devotion that clearly…

Categories: As American As Peach Shortcake, August Traditions, Just Peachy, Last Hurrah, New England Summer Festivals

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Destination: Botticello Farms in the City of Village Charm

Posted on August 27, 2016

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   At a border of town, on 209 Hillstown Road, Botticello Farms is a perfect example of how Manchester, Connecticut got the nickname, “The City of Village Charm”. It all began with Butch Botticello selling vegetables in the front yard of his Hillstown Road home, as noted in a history of the farms. Still family owned today, Botticello Farms is the “last operating farm” in Manchester, operating since 1973.     Well-known locally, the Botticello name has remained a constant amidst changes that have moved Manchester towards more of a city and less of a village. “We grow our own” is the Botticello logo. Their farms serve wholesale and retail markets, not to mention every day folks who…

Categories: American Agriculture, Farm Fresh Fruits & Vegetables, New England All-Season Farms, NEWS, Village Charm

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Cumberland Farms in Connecticut Exemplify Successful Rebranding

Posted on August 7, 2016

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com    It would be hard not to notice Cumberland Farms stores popping up virtually everywhere in Connecticut over the last couple of years. No longer are the “legacy stores” -meaning existing stores- just a stop and grab for bread, milk and sundries. Rather the legacy and newly built convenience stores offer an array of tasty, hot beverages such as coffees -ice coffee too, year round hot chocolate, fresh pastries and donuts, and breakfast and lunch sandwiches. What’s more, Cumberland Farms stores have become among the places to see and be seen.   Seriously.   Case in point. On one recent morning at the Ellington Five Corners every manner of 4X4-s, as well as, cars pulled in for an…

Categories: Living the American Dream, Marketing & Development, Successful Rebranding

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My Secret Morning Slippers

Posted on July 27, 2016

  By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Glance around the kitchen of my townhouse apartment and it is what one might call annoyingly heart healthy yet for good reason. From ever present Del Monte bananas atop the refrigerator, to boxes of cereal such as Kellogg’s Raisin Bran to Quaker Rice Cakes, to 99 percent fat free skinned chicken breasts, light Promise, fresh yellow and zucchini squash, asparagus, blueberries (the supposed miracle fruit), bing cheeries, watermelon … I could go on but you get the picture.   One of the best heart healthy weapons, however, resting in disguise by the front door of my living room are what I will call “my secret morning slippers”. One of my favorite things has become slipping them on early – and I do…

Categories: Family, Food, Heart Healthy, NEWS

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The Stars & Stripes Mean So Much ….

Posted on July 26, 2016

    Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   The Stars & Stripes mean so much …   Yesterday I came across an article out of Harwich, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, about a program at the local community center whereby flags which once draped the caskets of veterans of the United States Armed Forces can be flown on the center’s flagpole. Immediately I was struck by what a wonderful idea this is, an opportunity for an outstanding tribute to those who have served.   It meant so much to one family that relatives drove down from Maine on the day their family member’s flag flew, according to the story written by Susanna Graham-Pye in the Cape Cod Daily News. I can understand making a trip…

Categories: American Flag Program, Honor, Simplicity

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Chris Baker “92” Day Declared by Windsor, CT Mayor at Bart’s Beanery, “It’s Swaggy Day”!

Posted on July 9, 2016

  Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   “It’s Swaggy Day,” a smiling Chris Baker- nickname “Swaggy”- told the crowd gathered at Bart’s Beanery in Windsor, Connecticut Friday evening, July 8.   Baker, a defensive lineman for the NFL Washington Redskins – number 92 – had just been presented with a proclamation by Windsor Mayor Donald Trinks declaring today, July 9, 2016, Chris Baker “92” Day.   The honor recognizes not only Baker’s play but his “generosity and dedication” to enhance the lives of local youth and empower them to reach their potential.   “Chris is of modest upbringing and he never forgot his roots with his literacy and charitable foundation. Chris represents the true character of Windsor High School – he is…

Categories: Classic American Hotdog Stands, Connecticut's First Town, Food, Literacy Efforts, Magic Grill, New England Classics, Positive NFL Role Models, Restaurants, Role models, True Love

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