newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts tagged “Jacqueline Bennett”

First Time Peach Picking at Irish Bend Orchard

Posted on September 7, 2020

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   With Labor Day Weekend upon us and the fairs held this time of year cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to do something a little special. My first time peach picking at Irish Bend Orchard in Somers, CT turned out to be a great choice..     The folks who run Irish Bend couldn’t have been more pleasant and it was fun to try a new adventure. As well, the customers and staff were following the current masks and social distancing protocols.  🍑 Peach picking Labor Day weekend at Irish Bend Orchard in Somers, CT #SomersCT pic.twitter.com/lZvr2Lhnm9 — newsandviewsjb (@newsandviewsjb) September 6, 2020 I definitely got my steps in today because pickers follow the orange flags to…

Categories: New England Peach Picking, NEWS, U-Pick Peaches

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On Foot Along Two of the the Nation’s Most “Amazingly Scenic” Trails

Posted on August 25, 2020

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   USA Today has named two trails in New England as among the top ten “amazingly scenic” in the country. It turns out I have short-hiked one – a portion of the Appalachian Trail that goes through October Mountain State Forest in Lee, Massachusetts and have visited Acadia National P:ark in Maine, home to the second, the Parkman Trail.   Admittedly, notions come over me from time to time and two years ago I decided I wanted to do something out of the ordinary specifically on October 1. Perusing online maps I discovered a place called October Mountain in Lee, Massachusetts.”Perfect” I thought, “October Mountain on October 1st “. And, easy driving distance from the Greater Hartford, CT area where…

Categories: Appalachian Trail, NEWS, Parkman Trail, Scenic New England

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Windsor, CT’s Brown’s Harvest Hosts 3rd Annual Sunflower Festival

Posted on August 16, 2020

  Write-up & Photos By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Sunflowers, sunflowers everywhere ….  With so many events cancelled due to the COVID pandemic , here’s one that is still on ~ the 3rd Annual Sunflower Festival at Brown’s Harvest in Windsor Connecticut. It ran two weekends, including through 4 p.m. today ~ Sunday, August 16th.. Tickets are available upon arrival.   Brown’s Harvest is a fourth generation farm that soon enough will have pumpkins galore on hand but presently they are bringing ‘sunshine’ to those who stop by to see multiple variations of sunflowers they planted. At $5 for the younger ones and $17 for adults you can venture into the sunflower field and of course bring one home. Everywhere one looks the sunflower…

Categories: In the news, No COViD cancellation here, Sunflower Festival

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Gradual Reopening on Cape Cod Amid COVID

Posted on June 3, 2020

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   For those of us who adore Cape Cod and typically vacation there each summer, interest is keen about if and when we can make the trip to enjoy our favorite spots.  As of today June 3 2020, Massachusetts remains in Phase I of reopening following the COVID-19 shutdowns that have been in place across the nation, however, Phase II is just days away of what is a gradual four-phase plan.   Beaches have been open right along but parking lots only reopened on Memorial Day Weekend with more limited parking allowed. If social distancing is not possible, face masks must be worn unless swimming. Don’t assume lifeguards will be on duty and don’t expect to use restrooms, changing rooms…

Categories: Cape Cod Vacation, Headed for Phase II of Reopening on Cape Cod, NEWS

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Is Scrod Even A Fish? On a Memorial Day Weekend Quest for Low- Fat Foods

Posted on May 23, 2020

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   With Memorial Day Weekend upon us and due to my own health considerations, I refreshed my memory researching low-fat foods and found a favorite of mine at the top of the list – scrod. There is disagreement, particularly in New England, as to whether or not schrod or scrod is a fish at all or merely an acronym begun by the Parker House in Boston, MA. standing for ‘select catch received of the day’ ?   As such, scrod can be cod, haddock or other white fish. That certainly would have been news to me back when I first ordered scrod which has become one of the dishes I most enjoy. For that first scrod dinner, I was out to…

Categories: Healthy Holiday Food Choices, Low-Fat Foods, NEWS

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Look Forward – With Each Dawn Comes Hope for a Better Day

Posted on March 31, 2020

    By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   In the midst of trying times one must remember that with each new dawn comes hope for a better day. Take solace in what is ahead – the beautiful blossoms of springtime. I am so fortunate to have these blossoms – soon to be making an appearance – just outside my Connecticut home.   Not far from me, near the Hockanum River Hiking Trail, some trees already have small buds – nature’s promise of what’s ahead.   I’ve been thinking beyond this difficult space in time when the world is gripped by the coronavirus pandemic – thinking about some of my greatest joys in life, such as walking the beaches of Cape Cod in the early morning…

Categories: Hope, Nature's Beauty, NEWS

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Adding Color with Lavender & African Violets

Posted on February 24, 2020

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   For some time I had my eye on a beautiful milk bottle vase. When I spotted fresh arrangements of dried lavender at a floral shop last week, I knew they would make ideal companions.   Even the sound of the word “lavender” is soothing. Thus, it makes sense that studies have shown essential lavender oils and lavender scent may reduce anxiety, insomnia, depression and restlessness. Some studies suggest lavender is useful as an anti-septic and anti-inflammatory. *** However, lavender is not FDA approved for medicinal purposes ~ be sure to check with a physician about the use of any essential oils for health purposes! Lavender is also well-known as an ingredient in beauty products such as fragrance, shampoo, skin…

Categories: DESIGN - Splashes of Color, Home Decor, NEWS, Plants/Herbs

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Happy National Bloody Mary Day

Posted on January 1, 2020

Photo & Write-Up by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   In the spirit of starting 2020 off on a light note, let me wish everyone “Happy National Bloody Mary Day ! ” Well-known as a hangover cure, what better time to celebrate The Bloody Mary than January 1, the morning after New Year’s Eve.   The Bloody Mary “made its debut” at the Paris Ritz Hotel in 1921. It was said to be a concoction put together by bartender Ferdinand “Pete” Petiot, according to Food & Drink America: “Full Course” Encyclopedia, notes National Day Calendar. After Prohibition was lifted in America, Petiot brought his ~ now famous ~ drink to the King Cole Bar in New York.   Early on it was called a “Bucket of…

Categories: Hangover Cure, National Bloody Mary Day, NEWS

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No Christmas Tree Shortage for Manchester Fire Department

Posted on December 21, 2019

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Contrary to dire predictions of Christmas Tree shortages across the United States, in Manchester, Connecticut the local fire department has plenty.  The Manchester Fire Department 8th Utilities District, a volunteer department, will be selling trees until at least tomorrow ~ December 22 ~ and a good selection is still available.   Braving cold temperatures, Chief Dan Langer and Chad Hahn of the MFD, were on hand Saturday Dec. 21, manning the tree lot at 18 Main Street. Both said about a supposed tree shortage, the department had not felt the impact. However, they agreed sales this year were slower than usual, which each attributed to Thanksgiving coming late in November, plus some rainy weather last weekend.…

Categories: Christmas Tree Shortage, Fire Department Has Ample Christmas Trees, NEWS

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“And so was the Turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston …

Posted on November 17, 2019

  By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   As Stockbridge, Massachusetts, tucked sweetly in the Berkshires mountains, prepares for its annual celebration of Norman Rockwell fame ~ made iconic by the American illustrator’s depiction of the Main Street at Christmastime ~ my thoughts drift to another iconic tale of Stockbridge. The village is a touchpoint in the James Taylor classic “Sweet Baby James”    “Now the first of December was covered with snow And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston. Lord, the Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frostin’. With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go ….   Perhaps it is the lullaby melody or having been young when that song was young but for me, it is bittersweet.…

Categories: Berkshires, Iconic James Taylor Lyrics, NEWS

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