Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett Across the country Americans took time yesterday to honor those in the United States Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice. In small towns and big cities people gathered for Memorial Day parades, wreath presentations at cemeteries and monuments, the singing of the ” Star Spangled Banner” and for speeches. From the smallest ceremonies to the biggest the message was the same – remember with gratitude. It was repeated from one town to the next – along with scenes such as high school bands playing patriotic songs, police and firefighter color guards, boy scouts and girls scouts, old soldiers riding in cars while their younger counterparts marched, gun salutes and the haunting sound of Taps. Indeed, from town…
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Write-Up by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com With the approach of each Memorial Day, I think about how proud my mother and father were of two of her brothers’ service during World War II – one was a fighter pilot and another was a bomber pilot. Part of what has come to be called “The Greatest Generation”, they were among the young warriors who rose up to save the world from the tyranny of German dictator Adolf Hitler. And they are among those who my brother John calls ‘Quiet Heroes from Connecticut’s Quiet Corner’. My brother is also an United States Air Force veteran and American Legion past post commander. Nicknamed “Bunker”, United States Air Force Major Oliver E. Generous died in service to…
Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb If all women aren’t just a little bit in love with Derek Hough, they should be. Depth, substance, character, talent – and oh yes – good looks. The 29-year-old Hough’s star has been rising ever since he burst onto the scene with ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” dance competition. Mesmerizing describes the dancing talent he displayed on the show and as time went on it became apparent his skills as a choreographer were consistently unmatched. In 2013 he won a Primetime Emmy for choreography and is an overall five-time winner of the DWTS mirrorball trophy. “You have redefined choreography for your generation, ” a guest judge on DWTS recently told Hough. No matter who he has been paired with,…
Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb
Navajo Missionary, oil, by Bernard Duffy.
A second visit to Vernon Community Arts Center made the point that talent is all around us. My first stop here was earlier this year, a photography show on a cold, snowy day in January.
Underway now, the Third Annual Juried Multimedia Exhibit is a small exhibit showcasing area talent. It opened May 4 and continues to May 31 in Vernon, Connecticut. Admission is free but a donation of $5 is appreciated.
In her jurors’ statement Shauna Shane said her criterion in selecting winners was “first, good design, and second, an effective conceptor idea that results in engagement and emotional impact.” As well, Shane looks for work expressing excellent technical skill and a fresh approach. Juror Laurie Sloan stated she selected winners based on entries she found to be “especially compelling, inventive and original” with “exceptional strengths in content, form and technique.”
Best in Show -Bolton Pond, pastel by Jane Penfield.
That said, a pastel by Jane Penfield titled “Bolton Pond” was awarded Best in Show out of approximately 80 entries. First Place went to an acrylic “Jack-in’the-Pulpit” by Neil Connell, second place to Sharon Chaples for another acrylic “Valley Falls Barn”, third place to Joyce Hausmann for her watercolor “Orchard in Winter”. There were three honorable mentions, “Orange Boat Box” – polymer by Helen Malchow, “Canyon Pot”, terracotta by Susan Gerr and “Phantasia, watercolor by Joyce Benson.
Memories of Japan & Korea – A Tribute to My Dad.
Sun Setting on Stonington.
Second Place “Valley Falls Barn”, arylic by Sharon Chaples.
However, a number of other entries were quite eye-catching as well – for example, Navajo Missionary an oil by Bernard Duffy, Glory of the Morning, colored pencil by Diane Caswell Christian, Sparkling Day at Cob Hill oil by Layne, Sun Setting on Stonington – oil NFS by Mary Leonard (really captured the extraordinary beauty of the quaint, lovely village of Stonington) and Memories of Japan & Korea – Tribute to My Dad, mixed media NFS by Jeff Blazejousky.
Glory of the Morning
For anyone such as myself who has ever tried his or her hand at sketching, or other forms of artistic expression, surely there has to be an appreciation for the thought, time and personal passion that is reflected in each entry.
The history of the building where the Vernon Community Center is now located is interesting unto itself. The building originally constructed on this site in 1927, was a school for an orphanage that stood where the police station is presently on Route 30 – called County Home School, according to VCAC. The orphanage was demolished following World War II and between 1950 to the early 1970s the building was used as a town kindergarden. A grassroots effort resulted in the town of Vernon receiving a grant in July 2010 to renovate the building as an “historic site” and thus the Vernon Community Arts Center was born.
Vernon Community Arts Center
Visit http://www.vernonarts.org for more information.
Javier Colon, Jefferson Starship, Cutie Flutie, UConn Connection, Military Appreciation, Women’s Day – All Part of Travelers Championship
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Posted on May 18, 2014
Write-Up & Photos By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb One of the premier sporting events in New England, The Travelers Championship returns to the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut from June 16-22. In addition to a “strong field of golfers” there will be a weeklong military appreciation, the 6th Annual Women’s Day, performances from Jefferson Starship and Little River Band and the ever popular Celebrity Pro-Am Day. “These acts, mixed with seeing golf from one of the strongest playing fields in the tour’s history will be a thrill for our fans,” Nathan Grube, Traveler’s Championship Director, was quoted as saying in a press release. Golfers will include reigning champ Ken Duke, two time Masters winner Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker, Joanas Blixt,…
More Than Backboard – Mortar Board Success for Kevin Ollie’s Players
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Posted on May 17, 2014
By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Recognition! "@NCAA: UConn men's basketball - Nat'l Champions - Graduates http://t.co/ZJz0KGfZiq #NCAAGrads pic.twitter.com/fSnJH2owTx" — UConn Alumni GHChptr (@UConnAlumniGHC) May 17, 2014 It has been said a picture is worth a thousand words. That sentiment certainly applies to a photo of University of Connecticut Men’s Basketball Head Coach Kevin Ollie, himself a UConn graduate, with four of his players in caps and gowns – including star Shabazz Napier. The photo was put out this morning by the UConn Alumni GH Chptr. After all the hoopla -excuse the pun- over the dual 2014 national championships won by the UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams, it is apparent these new graduates are, understandably, a source of tremendous pride for Ollie. On the heels of…
Only New England Stop – Exhibit Features Stage & Screen Legend Katharine Hepburn
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Posted on May 14, 2014
Write-up by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Old film buffs and fashionistas might want to set aside time to visit an exhibit at the Connecticut Historical Society, featuring stage and screen legend Katharine Hepburn. The daughter of a Hartford doctor and suffragette, Hepburn hailed from Connecticut. Famously, her family had a summer home in the Fenwick section of Old Saybrook. In 2003, she passed away there at age 96. In its only New England stop, stories about the four-time Academy Award winning actress’ life in Connecticut will be added to the exhibit, according to the CHS web page. Titled “Katharine Hepburn: Dressed for Stage and Screen”, the visiting exhibit was organized by the Kent State University Museum. It looks at Hepburn’s personal fashion sense of “informal…
By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb While other young girls sat glued to the television for Miss America pageants dreaming of someday wearing that crown, I could hardly wait for the next Barbara Walters Special. I would lie on the floor up close in front of the T.V. because I wanted to take in every word, every nuance, not miss anything as Barbara interviewed heads of state from across the globe. Perhaps, the most memorable for me was her interview with Fidel Castro. Although I always loved writing – which for me feels like breathing – I could not truly have imagined that my path would lead me to become a real life journalist. I am certain, however, that images of Barbara Walters conducting, with seeming…
Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Made from the milk of UConn cows, UConn Dairy Bar ice cream is an experience not to be missed. Producing 24 flavors as varied as Strawberry Cheesecake and Coffee Espresso Crunch, the iconic dairy bar was selected as a 2013 Best of New England Editor’s Choice by Yankee Magazine and as the maker of the best ice cream in the state by Connecticut Magazine. Located in rural, picturesque Storrs, the University of Connecticut began as an agricultural college. Those origins are never more apparent than during a visit to the dairy bar on Horsebarn Hill – a campus gem that began as a teaching and research facility in the early 1900’s. It remains part of the College…
Confession By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb It has happened. I’ve gone over to the University of Connecticut ‘Hungry Husky’ dark side. There will be those who attribute my slide from smiling Husky grace to the dual national basketball championships won by my alma mater UConn, men’s and women’s basketball teams. Not so. It happened before. I drove out to the UConn Co-op to purchase some reporter’s notepads and there it was – a beautiful white, half zip, lightweight, soft fleece sweatshirt calling my name – and sporting the new fierce faced Husky logo. In a moment of weakness or joy, maybe a little of both – I tried it on and I fell in love with it. Yikes! After the change from a friendly UConn…
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