newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts tagged “Jacqueline Bennett”

Destination: Bill’s Seafood Near the “Singing Bridge”

Posted on July 5, 2016

                              Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   One of the most popular shacks along the Connecticut shoreline is Bill’s Seafood. Not far from Hammonasset Beach State Park, Bill’s Seafood is located in Westbrook next to “The Singing Bridge” –  so nicknamed because of the harmonic sound it emanates as vehicles pass over. Open seven days a week – except Christmas and Thanksgiving – it seems this place is perpetually packed.     From the road the view of the outdoor patio is always appealing – it has a great setting near a small body of water. On this Sunday afternoon the rustic inside room was also full. Casual…

Categories: Coastal Connecticut, Food, New England Shoreline Restaurants, Point Judith Calamari, Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussles, Stonington Sea Scallop Platter

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Podunk History Comes To Life at Wood Library & Museum in South Windsor, CT

Posted on June 14, 2016

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Contrary to common misconceptions that European settlers encroached on Native American land, in Connecticut some settlers were invited. The Podunk Indians – part of the Algonquian family tribes – were an indigenous people living in the Connecticut River Valley when in 1631 a tribal sachem named Wahginscut, traveled to the Massachusetts and Plymouth colonies to extend an invitation to settlers there to move into Connecticut, according to the Quinnechtukqut Nipmuc News.   “They had a friendly relationship,” Jessica Vogelgesang, marketing director for South Windsor, Connecticut’s Wood Memorial Library and Museum, said during an interview Saturday, June 11.   On Saturday, the 12th annual Connecticut Open House Day was held. Sites across the state opened their doors…

Categories: CT Open House Day, Ever Fascinating New England, Living History, Native Americans, Trading Post

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Law Enforcement Torch Run For Special Olympics Connecticut On a Gorgeous Day

Posted on June 9, 2016

  Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   The Law Enforcement TORCH RUN For Special Olympics Connecticut made its way through Vernon heading into Manchester then on to Windsor Thursday, June 9, as part of a three-day journey which began in East Lyme Wednesday and will end in New Haven/Hamden Friday. It was gorgeous weather for a run – sunny skies with cool temperatures.   Runners were escorted along Routes 83 and 30 by cruisers from area towns and state trooper motorcycles – garnering plenty of attention. Calling attention to the Special Olympics movement is one of the main goals of the annual TORCH RUN which began in 1981 – the idea of a police chief in Kansas, according to the http://www.soct.org. Another…

Categories: Grassroots Fundraising, Special Olympics Torch Run

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Sunny Skies for Colchester, Connecticut Memorial Day Parade

Posted on May 30, 2016

            Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Applause broke out as soldiers and veterans passed by the spectators in Colchester, Connecticut town center yesterday for the Memorial Day Parade. Colchester was one of the fortunate towns where holiday events were slated for one of the two good weather days this weekend – Saturday and Sunday. Many towns that had planned parades for today either cancelled, moved speeches indoors or rescheduled due to expected downpours.                             Sunny skies prevailed for the Colchester parade accompanied by heat and humidity. Marching down Norwich Avenue the parade turned onto the main road then made its way to the…

Categories: America the Beautiful, Memorial Day Parades, Small Town U.S.A.

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Let Us Remember on Memorial Day 2016

Posted on May 29, 2016

  By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Let us remember tomorrow on Memorial Day 2016, and each day, the courageous men and women who gave their lives for American principles and values. From Minutemen to “Doughboys”, to World War II flying aces & GIs, in Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan – we live free thanks to those who gave their lives in service to the nation, and those who have served.   As we enjoy this glorious weekend and welcome the coming summer with hotdogs, home baked beans and potato salad, walks on the beach and pick-up softball games, let us pause for a moment to say “Thank You”.   

Categories: Gratitute, Memorial Day

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Lilies-of-the-Valley or May Bells

Posted on May 28, 2016

  Write-up & Photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Just in time for the Memorial Day Weekend, I found the first lilies-of-the-valley of the season this morning in my back yard. Placed in an old fashioned mason jar, a small bouquet of these woodland blossoms now adorns the picnic table. Second to yellow roses, lilies-of-the-valley were my mother’s favorite. At our family home, the arrival of springtime meant the arrival of long rows of these sweetly scented flowers in the side yard. When Mom wore fragrance, which was not often, it was lily-of-the-valley cologne or dusting powder by – I believe – Coty.   Nicknamed “May Bells” the perennial upright shoots are accented by hanging bell-like forms against green leaves. Most often they are…

Categories: Childhood Memories, Springtime Flowers

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“As American As Apple Pie”

Posted on May 13, 2016

  Write-Up & Photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   National Apple Pie Day, May 13, pays homage to a fruit-filled delight which is much more than the quintessential American dessert – apple pie it is a symbol of American culture and ideals. “As American as apple pie” is an expression which has been around for at least a century and a half since 1860, note on-line sources. During World War II , “mom” became part of the idiomatic phrase thanks to American soldiers who said they were fighting for “Mom and Apple Pie”. Eventually “the boy/girl next door” was added, rendering the popular articulation which remains relevant in this the 21st Century, “As American as Mom, apple pie and the boy next door”.  …

Categories: "As American As Apple Pie", Desserts, Food, National Apple Pie Day, NEWS, Quintessential America

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Nyquist Wins 2016 Kentucky Derby-Danzing Candy Had Lead & More Than Coincidences

Posted on May 8, 2016

  Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   If you believe there are more than coincidences in life, read this story.   Heavily favored to win, “Nyquist” was victorious Saturday, May 7, 2016 in the 142nd Kentucky Derby, but “Danzing Candy” had hearts beating during a stretch of the 1.4 mile race when he took the lead at storied Churchill Downs. In our family it was all good because there were multiple rare connections simply not to be overlooked in this horse race, thus we took the unusual step of placing wagers at WINNERS Off Track Betting in Manchester, Connecticut.     One had to ask how often would two horses bearing names of family significance run together in the Kentucky Derby. My…

Categories: Family, Hunches, Kentucky Derby, More Than Coincidence, NEWS, Omens

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Danzing Candy & Nyquist – Kentucky Derby Omens Not to be Ignored

Posted on May 5, 2016

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Danzing Candy and Nyquist are 2016 Kentucky Derby omens not to be ignored!   A recent phone call from my brother John Jr. alerted me to two interestingly named entrants in the upcoming Kentucky Derby to be run Saturday, May 7. Their names make these two horses special in the family. Our sister’s name is Candy, she loves to dance; and Nyquist is one of my nephew’s, wife’s maiden name. That puts two horses running in the 142nd Kentucky Derby with names that hold family significance.   Add a little Bennett Family history to this scenario and it seems like more than coincidence. . After American Pharoah won the Triple Crown last June (2015) I wrote a piece about my…

Categories: I Hope You Danze ..., Kentucky Derby, NEWS, Omens, Serendipitous

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Pretzels – A Religious Experience

Posted on April 26, 2016

  Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Having subscribed to the National Day Calendar e-mail newsletter, I awoke this morning to not only learn it is National Pretzel Day but to learn too the interesting history about this snack. Today is also Presidential Primary day here in Connecticut, as well as, in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.   Given the “pretzel logic” – twisted reasoning which when examined does not make sense – often employed in politics, what a coincidence these primaries are being held on a day celebrating pretzels!   Anyway – it seems the pretzel has its origin in Christianity, according to National Day Calendar which sites the History of Science and Technology as a source, and points to…

Categories: Food, Great American Snack Food, National Pretzel Day, NEWS, Pretzel Logic

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