newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts tagged “Jacqueline Bennett”

Destination: Sofia’s Italian Restaurant in East Windsor, Connecticut

Posted on October 25, 2017

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Sofia’s Restaurant in East Windsor, Connecticut had been a place I went fairly often 5-10 years past. For no special reason that changed. A few weeks ago, by invitation I returned. Set on a hilltop intersection, Sofia’s remains popular.         The exterior had been under renovation the last time I was here and is now complete. The interior has also undergone change. Three side-by-side dining sections have booths and tables, however the middle section now includes a bar located at the rear of the space. Lighting in this section seems dimmer which I prefer. Large screen televisions have been added to give a sports bar feel, and on this day they were tuned…

Categories: Food, NEWS, Restaurants

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New Animal Shelter Reflects Humanity of Windsor, CT Community

Posted on October 10, 2017

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com    Windsor, Connecticut’s new animal shelter is a reflection of the humanity of the Windsor community. Those words of praise were shared by State Rep. David Baram during the opening ceremony held October 7. He noted too, the project came in under budget.   “How we treat animals is really a reflection of our society,” Baram told the crowd gathered for the event, “It is a window in to our humanity.”   Mayor Donald Trinks, whose support for the project was cited as having turned the tide in its favor, said the credit should go to Debbie Samson, a founder of the non-profit “Friends of Windsor Animal Care & Control,” http://www.fowacc.org and other volunteers. They persisted, said…

Categories: Boy Scouts, Dog Adoption, Humanity, NEWS

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Happy Birthday WILI – Home to CT’s Longest Continuously Running Morning Show

Posted on October 5, 2017

  Article & Photos By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Global broadcast is such an integral part of life in the 21st Century that is is easy to forget is was but a few decades ago that the broadcast industry was in its infancy. Today marks the 60th anniversary of the sign-on for WILI in Willimantic/Windham, Connecticut.   The radio station reports it welcomed listeners that morning with a pop favorite of 1957, “Wake Up Little Susie” by the Everly Brothers. The lyrics of the tune reveal a more innocent time.   Tucked away in part of the Nutmeg State’s “Quiet Corner”, it is noteworthy that WILI is home to the “longest continuously running morning show” hosted by local radio personality, Wayne Norman. He began…

Categories: Early Radio, NEWS, Vintage Radio

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Disrespectful Not To Take the Field During National Anthem

Posted on September 25, 2017

Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Usually the morning after a win by the New England Patriots I am ecstatic, singing the praises of our quarterback. This morning I sing the praises of a man on a different team – Alejandro Villanueva.   When protests during the playing of the national anthem -“The Star-Spangled Banner”- began by National Football League players a year ago, as tough as it was to see, I said – “Either one believes in the First Amendment or one does not.” I do.   Our flag has endured through actual bombardments hence the words to that beautiful anthem – “Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there …” It has endured a Revolutionary War, a Civil War,…

Categories: national anthem, NEWS, NFL Controversy, Personal Conviction

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11th Tavern Trot Raises Another $65,000 For Alex’s Lemonade Stand

Posted on September 19, 2017

                              Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com The 11th Annual Tavern Trot raised another $65,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which is dedicated to pediatric cancer research. Hosted by the Union Street Tavern the event was held September 17 in Windsor, Connecticut under sunny skies with temperatures reaching the low 80 degrees.   Attracting 950 participants, a number up from 300 in year one, over eleven years the Tavern Trot has raised $300,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, according to Mike Deneen, part owner of the Union Street Tavern. That amount is part of $150 million the non-profit organization has raised for the cause since its inception, inspired by…

Categories: New England Charity Runs, NEWS, Pediatric Cancer Charities

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“Mums” the Word at Iconic Bart’s – Three Windsor CT Events to Help Animals

Posted on September 15, 2017

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   “Mums” the word Saturday, September 16 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m at Windsor, Connecticut’s iconic Bart’s Drive-In Restaurant on 55 Palisado Avenue (a.k.a. BartsBeanery.) For those who have yet to stop by Bart’s or those such as myself who stop by often, tomorrow may be the perfect chance to enjoy a chili dog from the Magic Grill while at the same time helping the Windsor Pet Food Pantry.    It took the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to raise awareness about the powerful bond between people and their pets. As the country currently deals with Hurricanes Harvey and Irma – once again the importance of pets is being seen.   Of course, pets need food. The Friends…

Categories: Animal Lovers, Fundraiser Pet Food Pantry, NEWS

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Delightfully – A Concurrent Celebration of Reading & Coffee Ice Cream

Posted on September 6, 2017

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Delightfully, September 6 is a day to celebrate two of my favorite things ~ reading a book and coffee ice cream. Upon opening my daily e-mail from National Day Calendar this morning I was pleasantly reminded of the concurrent celebrations.   At an early age I learned the joy of reading. My parents and my sister read to me from the time I can remember. Holding a book in my hands became as natural to me as breathing, and soon enough I was reading to myself. Reading aloud to youngsters not only sparks their interest in reading but enables them to learn the proper expression intended by the writer.   As a child I was especially fond of the…

Categories: National Coffee Ice Cream Day, National Read A Book Day, New England Food Traditions, NEWS

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A Red Sox Fan & Connecticut Resident

Posted on August 19, 2017

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   As much as I enjoyed watching last night’s 9-6 Boston Red Sox win over the New York Yankees, a “broad brush” comment in the commentator’s booth requires clarification. It was an off-the-cuff remark by a guest in the booth – introduced I believe as a Burlington,Vermont broadcaster and former football player – there to promote the upcoming college football events at Fenway.   Describing most of Vermont as Red Sox fans, he added that since Burlington was a college town it attracted kids who are Yankees fans from New York and Connecticut. While it may be that the lower portion of Connecticut leans towards the pin stripes, please do not lump all of us into this characterization. Drive north along the…

Categories: Loyal Red Sox Fan, Major League Baseball, New England Proud, New England Sports Teams, NEWS, Red Sox Fan, Red Sox Nation

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Destination : Castello of Niantic at the Connecticut Shoreline

Posted on July 25, 2017

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Set on a knoll just off West Main Street close to Rocky Neck State Park, Castello is “Niantic’s newest Italian restaurant.” It is one of those little gems waiting to be discovered as word-of-mouth spreads.   Opened a year ago, Castello is owned by an ambitious young man Stanley Martone, his father Dino Martone and his aunt Marianeve Picone. At 25, Stanley Martone, a graduate of Quinnipiac University, has his bachelors and masters degrees. Out of college, Stanley Martone landed a position with the prestigious Deloitte accounting firm. But the restaurant business is in his blood – from his days as a boy helping his godfather at his banquet hall to being part of his family’s…

Categories: family business, Italian Cuisine, New Haven-Style Pizza, NEWS, Off-the-Beaten-Path, Shoreline Dining

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Oh Those ~ Wicked Good ~ Fenway Franks !

Posted on July 23, 2017

  Write-up & Photos By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Wicked good. In New England that may be the ultimate compliment ~ underscoring the notion that sometimes a little wicked can be oh so good. That sentiment is aptly applied to Fenway Franks. Although most would agree hot dogs are not the healthiest choice ~ a little wicked ~ they surely are a ~ good ~ ole’ American favorite. Arguably, none more so than the hotdogs enjoyed at Fenway Park.   “The culinary icon of New England baseball got a fresh start in 2009, and now thanks in part to a bold, new recipe, Fenway Franks are more popular than ever,” Chris Burnett wrote for Yankee Magazine’s New England Living in May 2017.   Marking…

Categories: Fenway Franks, Food, NEWS, Storied Ballparks

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