newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts tagged “Jacqueline Bennett”

Christmas Tree Custom Thrives at Dzen Family Farm & Garden Market

Posted on December 5, 2015

    Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Through the centuries the Christmas Tree has evolved into one of the holiday season’s most beloved customs. In central Connecticut, when it comes time to cut your own or pick from the best of already cut trees, the name Dzen quickly comes to mind.     Dzen Garden Market at the Ellington five corners is currently adorned with evergreen logs, kissing balls, wreaths and trees galore – the latter making their way to the market from the Dzen Christmas Tree Farm just up the road in South Windsor, along Barber Hill Road. Folks who choose to cut their own at the farm are greeted by a festive looking arch decorated by longtime Dzen employee…

Categories: Christmas Tree History, Cut Your Own Christmas Trees in Connecticut, Holiday Traditions, NEWS, Oh Tannenbaum!

Tagged: , , , ,

Mom’s Recipe Box: Melt-in-Your-Mouth Muffins Easy To Make With Kids

Posted on December 1, 2015

              Melt-in-Your-Mouth Muffins   Among the books my sister Candy ordered through the Scholastic Book Club she coordinated for her Grade 2 class, is one called “Stuck-on- Cooking” by Richard D. Williams and Linda Williams Aber. It contains recipes easy to prepare with children, including this one, “Melt-in-Your-Mouth Muffins”.   Not long ago she decided to give the recipe a try.  The muffins were quite tasty and just as the recipe says it shows the baker how to turn a plain muffin into “a special type of muffin” by creating a top crevace then adding in your choice of blueberries, apple slices, crushed pineapple, grated orange or lemon rind, chopped dates & chopped walnuts, cranberries or jelly.  …

Categories: Baking, Baking with kids, Easy Recipes, Holiday Activities with Children, NEWS

Tagged: , ,

A Memorable Thanksgiving Hosted by Mike & Melane

Posted on November 28, 2015

  Reflection & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com (Featured photo by April)  It is hard to believe another Thanksgiving Day has come and gone. My nephew Mike & his wife Melane put on a lovely dinner at their home. As with many Thanksgiving dinners across our land it was reflective of much time and tender loving care put in by our hostess and host – but Mike is the first to say the credit goes to Melane.     From Tom Turkey himself to a succulent baked ham, mashed potatoes, winter squash, turnip, sausage dressing, fried brussel sprouts with sliced red peppers and scallions, and whole kernel corn all topped with piping hot gravy prepared by our hostess and served in hand-made Comte ceramics, to…

Categories: Family, Gratitude, Holidays, New England menu traditions, NEWS

Tagged: , , ,

79th Manchester Thanksgiving Day Road Race – Bonuses for Fastest Hill Runners

Posted on November 24, 2015

    Write-Up & Photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Excitement is building in Manchester, Connecticut with the 79th Manchester Road Race held on Thanksgiving but two days away. Late Tuesday morning 13,848 runners had signed up and on-line registration remained open. As has been reported previously on newsandviewsjb, about two weeks before race day it is typical to see runners training along the course which travels through downtown. With the arrival of race eve, the town comes alive with participants and an annual homecoming of sorts which fills local pubs.   On race day, followers have their preferred spectator spots – a favorite of mine is near the Army & Navy Club. The featured photo above is one I snapped outside the club…

Categories: NEWS, Thanksgiving Day Road Race

Tagged: , , ,

Small Business Saturday Nov. 28 & Birthday Daisies for Dixie

Posted on November 22, 2015

  Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Now in its sixth year, the idea behind “Small Business Saturday” is to draw consumers to Mom & Pop shops and small retailers across America. The 2015 “Shop Small” day falls on November 28, two days after Thanksgiving.   “Small businesses power the U.S. economy” writes Forbes.com.   In his article “Small Business Saturday: The Antithesis of Black Friday” Rohit Arora reports that small businesses in the United States represent 54 percent of domestic sales and 40 percent of all retail jobs. The National Retail Federation said Arora, projects holiday sales for this year will be up 3.7 percent to $630.5 billion creating 750,000 seasonal positions.   “Many generated by small businesses,” he says.  …

Categories: Local Economies, Mom & Pop Shops, NEWS, Shop Small, Small Business Saturday, Small Businesses in America

Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Jack Bannan Turkey Trot Helps Foodshare Move Towards Thanksgiving Goal

Posted on November 19, 2015

    Write -Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   It is a wonderful tradition that began with one man’s desire to help. The Jack Bannan Memorial Turkey Trot held November 18, in Connecticut’s Farmington Valley got off to a strong start collecting 1,231 turkeys to help Foodshare feed hungry folks in Greater Hartford for the Thanksgiving holiday, said organizers. People without enough to eat unlikely come to mind when thinking of Connecticut, long considered one of the wealthiest states in the nation. Nevertheless, the need is as real here as elsewhere.   The Turkey Trot originated with Bannan who was a grade 6 teacher in Simsbury, teaching for thirty-two years before his retirement in 1989. He passed away two years ago. Bannan,…

Categories: Charities, Hunger in America, Individuals Making A Difference, NEWS, Thanksgiving Turkey Collections in CT

Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Destination: Not Your Grandfather’s McDonald’s, McCafe in Vernon, CT

Posted on November 16, 2015

  Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com     McDonald’s golden arches have been part of the American landscape since the 1950s. Over the years the appearance of the fast food hamburger chain’s restaurants has been modified to reflect modern trends. Most recently the popularity of coffee houses which continues to sweep the nation has given rise to McCafes and their cozier dining atmospheres.   One of the most welcoming of these McCafe incarnations can be found on Talcottville Road in Vernon, Connecticut – this Vernon franchise is not your grandfather’s McDonald’s. Accented by a centrally located, two-sided electric-style fireplace, it has been transformed into a go-to spot. Though McCafe refers to the offering of traditional hot coffee along with flavored ice coffees,…

Categories: All Day Breakfasts, Food, NEWS

Tagged: , , , , ,

Mom’s Recipe Box: Nandini’s Caramel Bread Pudding

Posted on November 13, 2015

                                                                                                  Nandini’s Caramel Bread Pudding   When I came across this recipe I knew I wanted to include it in my Mom’s Recipe Box Series. I found it on a wonderful blog called Goan Imports written by Nandini.   Bread pudding was one of my mother’s favorite desserts. I believe her mother – my grandmother Delia – made it when – my mother Cecelia – was growing up. Perhaps Mom made bread pudding for my older brothers…

Categories: Desserts, Food, Holiday dishes, New England menu traditions, NEWS, Pudding

Tagged: , , ,

Vanishing? VFW Membership Continues Decline

Posted on November 11, 2015

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   A “For Sale” sign dominates the corner lot where Veterans of Foreign Wars Anderson Shea Post 2046 building has stood since the 1940’s in Manchester, Connecticut.   The VFW has troubles. It has fallen into disrepair and cannot come up with money to maintain the building, according to newspaper reports. But the troubles run deeper. Reflecting a national trend, membership is declining, down by 200 members from more than 500 to 300 in the last five years, according to the Hartford Courant. For at least a decade, similar stories have been told from California to Minnesota and now Connecticut.   Speculation is that the ranks of these folks who faced down Russian Communism and the Third…

Categories: NEWS, Vanishing VFWs

Tagged: ,

Wicked Disappointing – Patriots/Redskins Game Not Aired

Posted on November 9, 2015

Write-up & Photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Tom Brady and the New England Patriots beat the Washington Redskins 27-10 Sunday, November 8, at Gillette Stadium. This was a game that took place in New England and at last check Connecticut is indeed a New England state. Nutmeggers fought as Minutemen in the American Revolutionary War. In fact, the Connecticut state hero is Nathan Hale, hung by the British while on an intelligence gathering mission for the Continental Army during the revolution. His famous last words – “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”.   Yet, FOX 61 chose to air a game scheduled to be played by a New York team on Sunday rather than one…

Categories: Dividing issue, New England Patriots Game Not Aired, NEWS

Tagged: , , , ,