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NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts tagged “Jacqueline Bennett”

125th Anniversary Parade for 8th Utilities District Volunteer Fire Department

Posted on October 14, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett On a beautiful autumn day accented by colorful foliage, the 8th Utilities District Fire Department, a volunteer department, celebrated its 125th Anniversary October 13 with a 1:00 p.m. parade. It made its way from Manchester High School along East Middle Turnpike onto North Main Street. Local dignitaries joined the color guard in leading the parade. The Manchester Regional Police & Fire Pipe Band turned out for the event that featured vintage and modern fire apparatus from the 8th Utilities District and volunteer fire departments from surrounding towns including, Bolton, Andover, Coventry, South Windsor, Ellington, Vernon, Glastonbury,Broad Brook, Blue Hills/Bloomfield, Newington, East Granby, East Hartland, Marlbourough and Unionville. A firetruck from the Manchester Fire Museum , a fife &…

Categories: American history, NEWS

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Fire Guts Great Harvest Bread Bakery & Connecticut Valley Coin Shop in Manchester

Posted on October 14, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Light residual smoke continued to rise Sunday, October 13 from a fire the night before that gutted two businesses in downtown Manchester, Connecticut. Fire companies from surrounding towns responded to help Manchester firefighters knock down the Saturday night blaze that destroyed adjacent businesses at 805 and 809 Main Street. Only the brick wall shell of The Great Harvest Bread Co. bakery and Connecticut Valley Coin, LLC, a pawnbroker, remained standing Sunday afternoon. According to FOX News, no major injuries were reported but residents were displaced from upstairs apartments and were being assisted by the Red Cross. A message to customers was posted on the coin shop’s Facebook page, “Please be patient while we work to rebuild.” Onlookers…

Categories: NEWS

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Where’s the Husky Blue Blood? New Coach,New QB & Cautious Optimism for UConn Football…

Posted on October 11, 2013

Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb                 I have never understood the mentality of folks who only support a winning team. To me, your team is your team; you turn out to back it regardless of the win-loss record. Can it be frustrating? Sure. I’ve mentioned before my dad used to sit with what he called his ‘crying towel’ watching televised Boston Red Sox games at a time when the Sox seemed to be in a perpetual losing streak. Nevertheless, he never faltered in supporting his team – he watched week in and week out, attended games when possible, applauded what they did well and analyzed what they did wrong – but he was always in their corner. Perhaps…

Categories: college football, NEWS, Sports

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CT’s First Town WHS Swimmers – First School to Join CT Trees of Honor Team for ING Run

Posted on October 1, 2013

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb It’s another proud first for Windsor,Connecticut! Carrying forth the torch for being first, swimmers for Windsor High School in Connecticut’s First Town, have earned WHS the distinction of being the first school to join the “Run to Honor Their Sacrifice” team in the ING Hartford MARATHON and Half Marathon – slated for Saturday,October 12. Connecticut Trees of Honor has been named a recipient of funds from the ING run. “Our committee is so excited that you are the first school to join our team and we are honored,” Connecticut Trees of Honor Committee Chairperson Sue Martucci wrote in a recent message to the students. In joining the “Run To Honor Their Sacrifice” team, WHS swimmers are being led by Social…

Categories: American history, Connecticut Parks, Heroes, NEWS, singers/song writers, Veterans, war memorials

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Fierce Faced UCONN Husky Has No Bite

Posted on September 29, 2013

Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb After what is being described as the shellacking the University of Connecticut football team took yesterday against the Buffalo Bulls it’s time to say it, so far, the fierce face Husky has no bite. Oh, I wish it wasn’t so. Despite making clear my distaste for the change to a mean face Husky logo a few months ago, I also made it clear that my loyalty remained with my Alma Mater’s teams. I would have liked nothing better than for UConn football to be touting a 4-0 season and pointing their fierce face helmets smugly at those of us who opposed the new look. Instead, things seem to be going from bad to worse, 0-4 for the fierce faced…

Categories: Changes, college football, college logos, NEWS, Sports

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Destination: Johnny Appleseed’s Autumn Farmstand Ellington Ct

Posted on September 26, 2013

Write -Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Johnny Appleseed’s Farm on Route 83 in Ellington is among the popular autumn farmstands abundant throughout the Connecticut countryside this time of year. Perched on a hillside just off the road, an “open” flag greets customers to this small outdoor market situated not far from the farm’s apple orchards which pre-schoolers can tour on pre-arranged field trips; and U-PICK-APPLE-DATES are available.  Opened daily at 9 a.m. until Thanksgiving, the Ellington stand makes a lovely Saturday or Sunday drive. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, they have hardy mums and plenty of pumpkins and cornstalks. They sell their own jams and jellies, as well as, Connecticut made maple syrup and honey. They also offer Connecticut made…

Categories: family farms, Farmer's Markets, Food, NEWS, Tourism

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UConn Nearly Pulls Off Stunner Against Nationally Ranked Michigan

Posted on September 22, 2013

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Two thousand more seats had to be set up at East Hartford’s Rentschler Field last night, where the University of Connecticut nearly pulled off a stunner against the nationally ranked Michigan Wolverines. Husky fans arrived early, made it clear whose house the teams were playing in and stayed to the end. Yankees MLB standout Derek Jeter, who grew up in Michigan, was in attendance and former UConn basketball and NBA star Ray Allen came out to support his Alma mater – he stood on the sidelines with the UConn bench. Yes, it was big game. Blue & white fans did hold our collective breath but not for the anticipated reason (see previous post) that our guys might get creamed, rather in…

Categories: acheivements, college football, NEWS, Sports

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Hold Your Breath Husky Fans- UConn Football Faces 15th Ranked Michigan Tonight

Posted on September 21, 2013

Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb This in my kind of weekend – a University of Connecticut football game on Saturday followed by a New England Patriot’s game Sunday. Not to mention the Boston Red Sox clinching the American League East title in a 6-3 success over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday evening. That said – Husky fans will likely hold their collective breaths tonight when UConn football, winless thus far this season, faces 15th-ranked Michigan on a national stage. The sold out game is slated to be broadcast at 8 p.m. on ABC. It is an understatement to say that Michigan has a long tradition as a football powerhouse and from viewing televised clips, their players look to be at least twice the size…

Categories: big time football, college football, NEWS, Sports

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Tavern Trot Raises More Than $100,000 For Pediatric Cancer Research

Posted on September 17, 2013

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb  In its seventh year the Tavern Trot has reached a milestone now having raised more than $100,000 for pediatric cancer research. Hosted by the Union Street Tavern in historic Windsor, Connecticut on Sunday, September 15, the 3.5 mile trail and road race benefited Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. A special participant was the grandfather of the little girl who started the foundation – he took part just two months after receiving a lung transplant. “This $100,000 is enough to pay for a year of a research project,” said Jason “Jay” Scott, the father of little Alexandra “Alex” Scott who started Alex’s Lemonade Stand outside her Connecticut home to help other children fighting the disease before she lost her…

Categories: Cancer research, NEWS, pediatric cancer, Road races, Sports

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UConn Football “Grudge Match” On Tap with Randy Edsall?

Posted on September 12, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Heading into this weekend, the big question in Huskyland is – if what might be labelled a grudge match against former coach Randy Edsall will spur the University of Connecticut Football Team on to victory? With UConn decked out in their new fierce face Husky uniforms and Rentschler Field spiffied up for the August 29, 2013 season opener, including a new scoreboard, the Huskies suffered a shocking 33-18 defeat to Division I-AA Towson. The September 14 game against Edsall and his Maryland Terraphiins will take place on Connecticut’s home turf. Speculation has been rampant for the past couple of weeks about how UConn fans will greet Edsall when he leads Maryland onto the field at “The Rent”…

Categories: college football, NEWS, Sports

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