newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts tagged “Jacqueline Bennett”

Dawn Breaking Over Hyannis Port

Posted on August 8, 2013

As I write this dawn is breaking over Hyannis Port. It is a sight I have seen firsthand many times and am wistful for this morning. I never tire of it. It soothes me. Regardless what turmoil may be stirring, if I transport myself to Hyannis Marina awaiting the sunrise and early arrival of the ferry boats from Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard – I am calm. Soon enough the cruise lines will start to depart, or make their way into the harbor. Passengers with backpacks slung over their shoulders-disembark. Another day begins….

Categories: NEWS, Tourism, Travel, Vacation

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“Undercover” Continues Manchester Bicentennial Band Shell 2013 Summer Concerts

Posted on August 3, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb “Undercover” continued the Summer 2013 36th season of concerts at the Manchester Bicentennial Band Shell August 2 with two fun, hour long sets of oldies and Motown. The open air venue is located in front of an expansive lawn on the campus of Manchester Community College, in Manchester, Connecticut. Sponsored by Shady Glen Dairy Stores, the Friday night concert kicked off with “Give Me That Old Time Rock & Rock” followed by “Let’s Twist Again” which the lead guitarist noted still tops the Billboard as an all-time favorite. The first set included numbers such as “Wake Up Little Susie”, “Brown Eyed Girl” and country artist Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places”. “How Sweet It Is” and “Under…

Categories: Entertainment, Free concerts, Music, NEWS

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Veterans of Korean War Remind Americans “Freedom Is Not Free” – 60th Anniversary

Posted on July 28, 2013

Commentary & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb For several years now America’s Korean War veterans have been making their presence known, marching in parades across the country with a message – “Freedom Is Not Free”. It is hard to fathom that the Korean War which resulted in 33,686 American deaths,103,234 wounded American service members. 4,759 Americans Missing in Action and 7,140 American Prisoners of War could ever be considered the “Forgotten War”. Nonetheless, that has been the case. Yesterday, on the 60th Anniversary of the Signing of the Korean War Armistice, the president laid a wreath at the Korean War Veterans Memorial saying – “Here in America, no war should ever be forgotten, and no veteran should ever be overlooked.” The day also included…

Categories: American history, Heroes, Korean War, NEWS, Veterans

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Save the USS Olympia Campaign Underway, Brought Unknown Soldier Home to America

Posted on July 28, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb A campaign is underway to save the USS Olympia, the oldest steel hull warship afloat, the only remaining ship from the Spanish-American War, the flagship of Admiral George Dewey at the Battle of Manila Bay and – the ship that in 1921, brought home the World War I unknown soldier from France to be buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. “No one is still alive from the Spanish-American War. What is still here is this ship, the USS Olympia,” said Timothy Jarvis, one of two young men manning a fundraisng table in Vernon, Connecticut on July 27. According to Jarvis, the overall preservation and transport effort for the historic ship is…

Categories: American history, Arlington National Cemetery, national campaign, NEWS, US NAVY, warships, World War I

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National Hot Dog Day is Tuesday! July 23, 2013

Posted on July 22, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Long, short, plump, skinny, all-beef or not, hot dogs are an American favorite. So much so that the iconic food has its own day – National Hot Dog Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 23. Virtually every American community has a special spot where a unique version of the hot dog is served. In Connecticut, one of the best can be found at Bart’s Drive In Restaurant at 55 Palisado Avenue in Windsor, located on the banks of the Farmington River and just a few miles from the capital city of Hartford. Bart’s Famous Hot Dogs are prepared on the Magic Grill that has been pleasing palates in Central Connecticut and beyond for more than sixty-five…

Categories: American history, American icons, Food, Holidays, icons, NEWS, Restaurants, Tourism, Travel, Vacation

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Democrats Right a “Wrong” Done to Windsor, CT Mayor Donald Trinks

Posted on July 19, 2013

 Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb  Democrats took another step July 18 in righting what many say was a wrong done to longtime Windsor, Connecticut Mayor Donald Trinks. At a Thursday night caucus, Windsor Democrats unanimously backed the endorsed slate for the town council- with Trinks on it -to run in the November municipal election. Nonetheless, it was only a few weeks ago that Trinks was blindsided by members of his own party. Despite being what some call the most electable person in this quaint New England hamlet, having garnered the highest number of votes for town council in the last six consecutive town elections, he was left off the recommended slate for the upcoming election by the Windsor Democrat Town Committee’s nominating…

Categories: Elections, NEWS, Politics, Veterans

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Connecticut Man Seeks Swimming Triple Crown 28 Years After Conquering English Channel

Posted on July 16, 2013

Twenty-eight years after swimming the English Channel at age 22, and twenty-four years after circumnavigating the water around Manhattan Island, Marty McMahon, a former president of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce in Connecticut, has his heart set on achieving the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming by swimming the Catalina Channel in Southern California on July 17. And, heart is truly what this swim is all about for McMahon. McMahon, who currently heads the WCC’s tourism committee, is taking on the athletic challenge to raise money and awareness for Autism Services and Resources Ct ASRC (www.ct-asrc.org); McMahon’s son Denis has Asperger  syndrome, which is part of the autism spectrum. According to Open Water Source, the marathon swims in the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming…

Categories: acheivements, Autism, NEWS, People, Sports, Swimming

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Mystic Seaport to Launch “America’s Last Surviving Wooden Whaleship” – Charles W. Morgan

Posted on July 15, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Visitors continue to climb aboard the Charles W. Morgan for an up-close look at its restoration in the final days before a July 21 launch of “America’s last surviving wooden whaleship” by Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut. Yesterday, a steady stream of visitors of all ages ascended the wooden stairs leading to the Morgan to get a  firsthand look at the historic vessel that is slated to embark on its 38th voyage in the spring of 2014 and make its way to historic ports throughout New England. According to the story of the Morgan provided by Mystic Seaport, a maritime museum, the 19th Century whaling ship was designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States secretary of the interior in…

Categories: American history, education, educational program, historic preservation, Living Museum, Maritime history, National landmarks, NEWS, Ships, Tourism, Travel, Vacation, Wooden ships

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Colchester Connecticut Farmer’s Market Growing

Posted on July 8, 2013

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb  Now in its fourth year, the Colchester Farmer’s Market is growing and is in a new location on the Colchester Town Green. The expansion is good news for Connecticut grown produce and appears to mirror a statewide trend. “This is our fourth year. Every year this market has grown twenty-five percent and this year I expect it to grow fifty percent,” said Jeff Savitsky, market master, during an interview July 7. “Everybody seems to be more interested in their health and people want to know where their food is coming from,” added Savitsky “and its putting money back into the local economy.” A fourth generation farmer, Savitsky’s farm is called Lake Hayward Farm and is part of…

Categories: family farms, Farmer's Markets, NEWS, organic vegetables, Tourism, town greens, Travel, Vacation

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Lt. Gov Wyman Joins Fourth of July Boom Box Parade in Windham, Connecticut

Posted on July 4, 2013

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman joined the 28th annual Boom Box Parade in Windham (Willimantic), Connecticut earlier today. The parade started promptly at 11 a.m. at Jillson Square then made its way along Main Street about a mile and a half to Memorial Park. Wearing her signature high heels -this pair in bright red – and with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal at her side, Wyman smiled and waved to the crowds that lined both sides of the street. The Boom Box Parade story is well-known and told on the WILI website. In 1986 no marching bands could be found for Windham’s Memorial Day Parade. Five weeks later the idea for a Boom Box Parade was put forth. The…

Categories: Entertainment, Fourth of July, NEWS, Parades, Travel, Vacation

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