Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Before fire response could be measured in the mere minutes powerful red trucks with sirens blasting are able to to soar to the scene, muscular men slid down firehouse poles and literally, themselves pulled 5,000 pound apparatus responding to a blaze. Fascinating facts such as this and much more can be found at the The Fire Museum in Manchester, Connecticut – an unsung gem. A wealth of information about the interesting history of firefighting in the state awaits visitors here, along with up close views of apparatus and memorabilia that trace the transition of firefighting from man pulled apparatus to horse drawn and then motorized – including a rare coal burning steam engine, one of only two…
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NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett
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Homeland Day 100th Anniversary Celebrated in Manchester, Connecticut
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Posted on June 16, 2014
Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com The 100th anniversary of Homeland Day was celebrated on June 14 in Manchester, Connecticut. Since renamed Heritage Day, the annual celebration was originated by Ruth Sears Cheney to recognize the heritage of the many ethnic groups living in Manchester and working in the Cheney silk mills. The first celebration included a day of festivities and floats representing the varied cultures of Manchester’s population in the early 20th Century. This year’s Heritage Day capped the 23rd Pride in Manchester Week with a ceremony at Cheney Hall, that is now home to the Little Theater of Manchester which is currently staging a production of “Almost Maine”. The ceremony was followed by a march from the hall along Hartford Road…
Categories: American history, American Labor Movement, Brothers, Controversy, Family, Homeland, NEWS
“Imagine Main Street” – Strives To Make Downtown Relevant Again
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Posted on June 13, 2014
Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com It has been decades since the first mall was built in the United States circa the late 1950s. Soon enough the mall phenomenon usurped the role of “downtown” as a retail shopping magnet and place to meet across America. For nearly as long the struggle has ensued to keep “Main Street” and “Downtown” relevant. The Main Street program emerged to assist towns and cities with revitalization. As well, individually communities continue the fight to more than just keep their main streets alive -rather to once again make them vibrant. An example of efforts to preserve America’s main streets is currently underway in Manchester, Connecticut. The Imagine Main St initiative is celebrating its second anniversary with…
K9S FOR WARRIORS, Travelers Championship, Liberty Bank Team Up To Aid Vets with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
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Posted on June 11, 2014
Write-up by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb As if the chance to see top notch professional golfers compete in person is not enough of an incentive to attend the upcoming Travelers Championship, here’s another. Travelers Championship has teamed up with K9s For Warriors and presenter Liberty Bank to help a Connecticut veteran struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. As part of a new initiative for Military Appreciation at the Travelers Championship, a “deserving veteran” will receive a shelter rescue dog which will be trained to become a service canine. The Travelers Championship is slated to get underway on June 16 and run through June 22 at the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, CT. “We are honored to continue to support our military through programs such as…
By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Years after my father’s death he is still quoted on virtually a daily basis by his children and grandchildren – affectionately known to his grand kids as “Big Johnny.” “Big Johnny always said, ‘Buy American.’” “Big Johnny always said, ‘Never cross a picket line.’” “Big Johnny always said, ‘Tip well, treat service sector workers with respect.’” “Dad always said, ‘Put your emergency brake on before putting your vehicle in park to take pressure off the transmission.’” “Dad always said, ‘Turn your tires curbside out when parking.’” “Big Johnny/Dad always said, ‘Put your head up, your shoulders back and remember who you are.’” The list goes on, however, the latter is at the foundation of who he was, how we…
Destination: The Andrea – Misquamicut Beach Westerly, Rhode Island
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Posted on June 7, 2014
Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb What has been carried over from the former Hotel Andrea and restaurant is one of the most appealing aspects – a beautiful stone fireplace. For anyone who remembers what stood before Hurricane Sandy decimated the site two years ago, the replacement Andrea Seaside Restaurant & Beach Bar is a stark comparison. The good news is that any remnant, whatsoever abides, of what has been one of the most popular spots along the Atlantic Avenue strip. The Andrea was never elegant but it was pleasing, a curious combination of upscale elements blended with honky-tonk. Gone is the multi-story hotel and the familiar summertime sight of colorful, beach towels drying over balcony rails outside the guest rooms. Gone is…
America’s Love Affair with Original ‘Pony Car’ Continues – Ford Mustang 50th Anniversary
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Posted on June 3, 2014
Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb
Photo by Jacqueline Bennett Twelve-year-old Cassidy Jacobs is shown with her grandfather’s “1964 and a half” Ford Mustang June 1 at a Mustang Show in Manchester, CT. The model was introduced on April 17, 1964 at the New York’s World Fair, the original “pony car.”
Mustang lovers gathered on June 1 in Manchester, Connecticut for a spring Mustang Show at Mustangs Unlimited where a “1964 and a half” model – the debut year – was among those on display. The Manchester venue is just one of car shows across the country where America’s love affair with the original “pony car'”continues as the iconic vehicle marks its 50th anniversary.
According to The History Channel (www.history.com/this.day-in-history/fordmustang-debuts-at-theworlds-fair) named for a World War II fighter plane and introduced at the New York World’s Fair on April 17, 1964 by Henry Ford II, the Mustang was an instant hit. Dubbed a “1964 and a half” model, some 22,000 buyers are said to have quickly “snapped up” the sporty looking vehicles with long hoods, short rear decks and powerful engines. With a price tag of about $2,500, by March of 1966 more than a million Mustangs had been sold and the Mustang had made appearances on the silver screen with Hollywood legends like Steve McQueen in the movie “Bullitt.” Today, new Mustangs reportedly have a starting price of approximately $22,500.
Symbolized by another American icon of the Wild West, the Mustang horse, it led the way in a line of “pony cars” subsequently produced by other car makers, such as Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird and Chrysler Barracuda. Ford Mustang, however, holds the distinction among “pony cars” of continuous yearly production including the 2015 Anniversary Edition.
Jack Gahr of Broad Brook, CT retruned from Viet Nam to fulfill his dream of owning a Mustang. Shown with his 2004 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Ford Mustang Mach 1.
It seems that every Mustang lover has a story to tell. One especially touching story belongs to Jack Gahr of Broad Brook, CT. As a young man he enjoyed working on Mustangs with his buddies. Those days were brought to a halt for Gahr by a draft notice. Drafted to serve in the war in Viet Nam, he said he made a promise to himself to buy a Mustang when he returned home.
“I told myself when I got home I was going to get myself a Mustang,” Gahr recalled at the show on Sunday, “After buying a house, putting one kid through college and helping another start a business – it was my time.”
With support from his wife Gail, in the spring of 2005 Gahr said he set out to find the Mustang of his dreams. It was during a visit to a local dealership, Ray Seraphin Ford in Vernon, CT., that Gahr came across one tied to an emotional history of its own that pulled at his heart strings.
As detailed in a story written by Sarah T. Parker, provided to newsandviewsjb by Gahr, a 2004 Torch Red 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Ford Mustang Mach 1 had been acquired by Seraphin after the original owner, 18-year-old Eric Fries of Ellington, CT, “was killed in a tragic car accident in January of 2005.” Able to relate to how much that Mustang had meant to Eric, Gahr made an offer accompanied with a promise to Eric’s parents to maintain the Mach 1 “in a way that would make their son proud and honor his memory,” wrote Parker.
Five years and multiple trophies later, Gahr said at the Manchester show he believes he has honored that promise and plans to carry on doing so – in fact, his Mach 1 took home another first place trophy that day.
His dad had a Mustang and Erik Neilsen grew up loving them.
Erik Nielsen of Massachusetts grew up admiring the Mustang his dad owned. “Mustangs had bold, new body styles,” said Neilsen. Over time, he said, they came to be known as “muscle cars” – high performance two door coupes with powerful engines. Nielsen points to the fifty year uninterrupted production of Mustangs as a testament to their endurance. As well, he spoke of the fortitude of Ford Motor Company which in contrast to other car makers, did not accept bail-out money from the government during a recent economic crisis in the American auto industry.
“Ford never took a penny,” he said.
Erik Neilsen shows photos of his friend’s Mustang before restoration.
When his friend Michael Rinaldi bought a Mustang in need of restoration, Nielsen said he was happy to help. Five years and thousands of dollars now invested by Rinaldi, looking at the vehicle one would not have a clue the shiny, blue convertible ever looked anything less than showroom condition.
Fil Ferrauto, CT State Director of Mustang Car Club of New England, Inc. pictured with one of four Mustangs he owns.
Connecticut State Director of the Mustang Car Club of New England, Inc., that sponsored the Manchester show, Fil Ferrauto of Somers, CT owns four Mustangs – a 1968 convertible, a 1979 Indy pace car, a 1994 and the 2001 California special convertible.
“Like apple pie, it’s an American icon. Everybody recognizes the Mustang,” said Ferrauto.
Does he have a favorite among those that he owns”
“The one I’m driving at the time,” Ferrauto said with a smile.
Photo Gallery:
Baby Blue Mustang Convertible – ah, a girl can dream…..
The new web address for this site should now be in place – newsandviewsjb.com Apparently I have a few days to decide if I want to continue with the new address or return to the original. The change only removes wordpress from the address.– JB
Categories: Changes
Tagged: Jacqueline Bennett, new web address, newsandviewsjb
Having happily selected a fresh layout for my news blog in March, I have decided to move forward with purchasing the domain for it. Though it will still ‘fly’ with WORDPRESS, my purchase of the domain means there will be a new link to reach this site. As of June 1, newsandviewsjb.com will become the new link. I am posting this information a few days early in hopes of giving a heads-up to readers. Many thanks to all the readers of newsandviewsjb. – Jackie
Tagged: Jacqueline Bennett, newsandviewsjb
Lazy, Hazy Crazy Days of Summer at the Heart of Memorial Day Sacrifice
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Posted on May 28, 2014
Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb “Roll out those lazy, hazy crazy days of summer. Those days of soda and pretzels and beer…” – lyrics from an old song that usually surfaces on the radio sometime after Memorial Day Weekend, the unofficial start of summer here in the good ole’ U.S.A. Inevitably, each year criticism also surfaces about picnics and forays to the beach overshadowing the true meaning of Memorial Day which is to honor those in the U.S. Armed Forces who died in service to the nation. In truth, however, as long as parades, speeches and the laying of wreaths continue in tribute to the fallen, what better way to honor their sacrifice than by enjoying what a local newspaper editor once…
Categories: American Way of Life, Criticism, Meaning of Memorial Day, NEWS, Principles, Simple Freedoms
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