newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts tagged “Jacqueline Bennett”

Washington Redskins & Former Windsor High Player Tackles Hunger in Greater Hartford

Posted on November 14, 2013

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb CONNECTICUT-Washington Redskins defensive end and former Windsor High School football player Chris Baker is tackling hunger in the Greater Hartford area. Baker was on hand earlier this week to present a donation to Bloomfield based-Foodshare from The Chris Baker Foundation. Baker’s foundation strives to foster education and literacy. According to a press release from Foodshare, Baker’s donation is expected to be the beginning of a continuing relationship with the food bank that serves the Greater Hartford region. It was noted that hunger can impede a child’s ability to perform well in school. “I feel really good about Foodshare and the work it’s doing. I want to support that work,” Baker was quoted as saying. Baker who went on to Penn…

Categories: Fighting hunger, Food, Hunger, NEWS

Tagged: , , , , , ,

First Snow Always Magical

Posted on November 12, 2013

Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   “Look out the window” or “Come see.” When the arrival of winter is just around the corner here in New England, those words usually indicate that magical seasonal event – the first snowfall. Though it is not sticking much, the first snowfall near my home came this morning and for a while it was visible on my potter’s bench and the picnic table. Even if it doesn’t last long, that first annual descent of white flakes from the sky is always mesmerizing – it seems to soothe the soul.

Categories: NEWS, weather

Tagged: , ,

Congrats to George Strait as CMA Entertainer of the Year

Posted on November 10, 2013

George Strait is a classic. I missed the Country Music Association Awards (CMA) on November 6 but am so pleased Strait, one of my favorites, was honored with the Entertainer of the Year award as he prepares to finish out “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour” – his farewell to touring. Wednesday night’s 47th annual CMA win marks the third time Strait has taken an Entertainer of the Year trophy home. According to his on-line bio, Strait was born on May 18, 1952 in Texas. Among his long list of ever popular tunes are – “All My Exes Live in Texas”, “She’ll Leave You With A Smile”,  “Living and Loving Well”, “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind”,  and of course, “Amarillo by Morning” –…

Categories: American icons, country music, Music, NEWS

Tagged: , , , , ,

Hand to Heart – Join the Gratitude Campaign to Thank America’s Military

Posted on November 8, 2013

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb A simple touch of the hand to the heart is all it takes to say “thank you from the bottom of my heart.” With the approach of Veterans Day on Monday, November 11 this is a perfect time to join “The Gratitude Campaign” to thank the men and women of America’s military for their service. Founded by Scott Truitt, the campaign uses a modification of sign language for “thank you” originated in France in the 1700s and brought to the American School for the Deaf in the United States in 1816. Realizing awkwardness about approaching a stranger might keep people who wanted to thank the troops from doing so when they crossed paths with service members in places such as…

Categories: Gratitude, NEWS, Veterans

Tagged: , , ,

Can’t Keep A Good Man Down – Windsor, CT Mayor Don Trinks Battles Back To Sweet Victory

Posted on November 6, 2013

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb It has been said you can’t keep a good man down and as far as supporters of Windsor, Connecticut Mayor Donald Trinks are concerned his victory in the November 5 election is proof that is true. “Five months ago I wasn’t even on the ticket. I had to fight to get on the ticket, I had to fight for the caucus, I had to fight for Amazon,” Trinks said Tuesday night referring to the on-line retail giant. Democrats had gathered at Union Street Tavern to wait for returns to come in. Trinks continued, “What you have to fight for means a lot. And so yes, this is a sweet victory.” The results said it all. Voters not only resoundingly returned…

Categories: NEWS, Politics

Tagged: , , , ,

Wicked Sweet Win – Boston Red Sox 2013 World Series Champs

Posted on October 31, 2013

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb It was a wicked sweet win for the Boston Red Sox who clinched the 2013 World Series last night in Fenway Park – the first series championship won at home since 1918, the Babe Ruth era. It would be eighty-six years before the Sox would win subsequent world series titles but those were on the road. Last night’s victory could not have been any sweeter for Red Sox Nation fans, and for the team that became the rallying point for “Boston Strong” in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings in April. The Sox came back from low standing early in the season to make it into the world series and now have taken the title, representing the resiliency displayed…

Categories: American history, Major League Baseball, NEWS, Sports, World Series

Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Skating Socks From My Brother

Posted on October 28, 2013

Skating Socks From My Brother- Reflection by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Taking winter clothes out of storage is a ritual for New Englanders this time of year as the weather turns cold. For me that includes pulling out an old battered Brooks Brothers bag stuffed with knee socks – and skating socks from my brother.   Growing up my large family exchanged Christmas gifts among all of us. Somewhere along the way that subsided but my brother Glen Sr. was not comfortable with letting Christmas go by without gifts for his two youngest sisters – myself being one – actually THE youngest of seven children. So, under the tree every holiday was a box of skating socks from my brother. New Englanders know exactly…

Categories: Brothers, Christmas traditions, Family, Gifts, Holiday Traditions, NEWS, Traditions

Tagged: , , , , , ,

Destination: Brown’s Harvest in Windsor, CT a Delightful Autumn Tradition

Posted on October 27, 2013

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb There could not be a more delightful destination this time of year then Brown’s Harvest in Windsor, Connecticut. The pumpkin patch attracts visitors from throughout Connecticut and beyond. In fact, many people say an autumn stop at Brown’s is an annual tradition. “I’ve been bringing them here since they were little tykes,” Rich Massaro of Windsor Locks said about his son and daughter Zack and Lexi during their October 26 visit to Brown’s. “I like the hayrides and picking out pumpkins,” noted Lexi. Eleven- month–old Lucas Smith’s parents live in Enfield and brought him to the farm to pick out baby’s first pumpkin. Meanwhile, Fernando of Manchester came with his 4-year-old daughter Makayla who was having her…

Categories: family farms, Halloween, NEWS, Tourism, Travel

Tagged: , , , , ,

Destination: Sisters Making a Success of Center Perk in Manchester, CT

Posted on October 18, 2013

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Downtown Manchester, Connecticut has gotten perkier in recent months. On June 6th, sisters Kim Barnett and Christine Bedrossian opened Center Perk,  a breakfast and lunch restaurant on 639 Main Street just across from Center Memorial Park. They are running it with help from two more sisters Donna and Kim, as well as, a cadre of other family members.   “There are eight siblings, six girls and two boys. We’re from Manchester, so when we decided to do this we decided we wanted to do it here,” said Kim during an October 13 interview.           Kim had tried a similar venture in Glastonbury but it did not pan out. Having her sister as a…

Categories: family business, Food, NEWS, Restaurants

Tagged: , , ,

Scarecrow Festival on Display Through October 26 in Manchester, CT’s Historic Downtown

Posted on October 15, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb The Fifth Annual Scarecrow Festival & Contest runs through October 26 in Manchester, Connecticut. There is no cost to visit the historic downtown where individuals, schools, businesses and organizations have put their imaginations to work and created an entertaining variety of scarecrows that line the long Main Street in the “City of Village Charm”. From the local produce farmer scarecrows that greet visitors at  the northern gateway to the the pirate ship scarecrows collaboration by students at Bennet Academy at the southern end of the street, the festival makes for a fun stroll. As one might expect, a book wizard scarecrow graces the entrance to Mary Cheney Library. Nearby is a ballerina dressed in pink. And, not…

Categories: festivals, NEWS, scarecrows, Tourism

Tagged: , , , , , ,