newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts tagged “Manchester Connecticut”

Shady Glen Carolers – A Holiday Tradition

Posted on December 11, 2016

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Since my childhood, not a Christmas season has passed without anticipation of seeing and hearing the carolers perched atop the roof of Shady Glen, a sandwich and ice cream shop in Manchester, Connecticut. In an ever changing world this holiday tradition has been a joyful constant.   Shady Glen Dairy Stores include two shops both in Manchester. The original store is located along the Routes 6 & 44 corridor, which connects Hartford County with the state’s “Quiet Corner”.  Shady Glen is well-known as a Nutmeg State treasure and “local institution”. Famously, former CBS news anchor Dan Rather stopped in here.   Among my earliest memories as a little girl are those of my father carrying me…

Categories: Christmas Special Ice Cream, Food, Holiday Traditions, Iconic New England Restaurant, Vintage Ambiance

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Mulberry & Manchester – What’s the Connection? Historical Society Hosts Holiday Open House

Posted on December 9, 2014

      Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Mulberry, mulberry, mulberry. A Mulberry tree is the centerpiece of Manchester, Connecticut’s town seal, Mulberry Street Pizza or “The Mulb” is a popular downtown restaurant and a “Mulberry Tree Gift Shoppe” sign greets visitors to the Old Manchester Museum.   So what’s the connection between Mulberry and Manchester?   “A lot” David K. Smith, curator of the Manchester Historical Society, Inc. said during a holiday open house held December 6 throughout the town’s Historic District. “Silkworms would only eat Mulberry tree leaves,” Smith continued.   As soon as Smith uttered the words “silkworms” and “Mulberry leaves” the connection became crystal clear. Seemingly anyone even slightly familiar with the history of Manchester knows the Cheney Mills…

Categories: American history, Cheney Brothers, NEWS, Silk Mills

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Sunny Skies Grace 77th Annual Manchester Road Race

Posted on November 29, 2013

Write-up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb It was a good day to bundle up as sunny skies but c-h-i-l-l-y temperatures graced the 77th running of the Thanksgiving Day, Manchester Road Race on November 28, 2013 in downtown Manchester, Connecticut. Some 15,000 runners and walkers filled Main Street for the 10:00 a.m. start of the race. As usual, spectators lined the 4.748 mile course in numbers that easily rival turnouts for events in much larger cities. Sam Chelanga of Kenya took first place with a time of 21:31 and coming in first for the women was another Kenyan, Alice Kamunya with a time of 25:07. In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing last spring, beefed up security was apparent with uniformed Manchester police…

Categories: NEWS, Road races, Sports

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Popularity of Firefighters’ Peach Festival Continues in New Location

Posted on August 24, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb In its 64th year, the popularity of the Manchester, Connecticut 8th Utilities District Fire Department Peach Festival continued Friday night, August 23, as festival-goers turned out to enjoy their annual peach shortcake treat in a new location. Traditionally held across from the old firehouse on the corner of Main and Hilliard streets, this year the event was moved up the hill to the new firehouse which serves as the district’s headquarters.  It can be risky business to tamper with tradition and a successful tradition at that, but the move was said to be prompted by a desire to encourage the community to view the headquarters as the volunteer firefighter district prepares to celebrate its 125th anniversary in…

Categories: Entertainment, festivals, Food, Music, NEWS

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64th Annual Peach Festival Will Be Held August 23, 2013 in Manchester, Connecticut

Posted on August 15, 2013

Each summer near the end of August things get peachy in Manchester, Connecticut. The 64th Annual Peach Festival held by the volunteer portion of the city’s firefighters, the Manchester 8th Utilities District Fire Department, is on tap for Friday August 23, from 6-8 p.m. Summer isn’t summer in the “City of Village Charm” until the peach festival banner goes up in front of the old firehouse on lower Main Street. In the past the festival was set-up in a parking lot across from the old firehouse, but this year the location has been moved to the parking area behind the new firehouse a few hundred feet up the road on 138 Main Street.       What hasn’t changed is the menu. Each year…

Categories: festivals, NEWS, volunteer firefighters

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Spirit of Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Overcomes Hurricane Damage in Connecticut Community

Posted on November 30, 2012

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb “O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree – Your branches green delight us! They are green when summer days are bright, They are green when winter snow is white, O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your branches green delight us!” Lyrics from the English version of O Christmas Tree. The lighting of what was called a ‘Charlie Brown’ Christmas Tree in Manchester, Connecticut November 29 symbolized more than the joyful spirit of the holidays. Organizers said it also represented the resilience of communities throughout the state ravaged by Hurricane Sandy. Compared to many shoreline towns, Manchester sustained minimal damage from the storm a month ago. However, Sandy did hack off several feet from the once 37 foot tall…

Categories: NEWS

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Perfect Weather Accompanies 76th Thanksgiving Day Road Race in Manchester, CT

Posted on November 23, 2012

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.wordpress.com  Perfection. That sums up the weather that accompanied the 76th Thanksgiving Day Road Race in Manchester, Connecticut. Sunny skies and temperatures in the high 40 to low 50 degrees were an ideal compliment to what is considered the state’s biggest sporting event. In addition to the 15,000 runners and walkers, including elite competitors, the race drew an estimated 30,000 spectators. One die hard tradition at the Manchester Road Race is its exact 10:00 a.m. start time. In a television interview with FOX CT which broadcast the race live, the race director explained the importance of  the exact start is tied to keeping the event within a dependable time frame so that participants can enjoy their personal traditions…

Categories: NEWS

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76th Thanksgiving Day Road Race On Tap in Manchester, Connecticut

Posted on November 21, 2012

Write-up & photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.wordpress.com  The start of the 76th Manchester Thanksgiving Day Road Race is merely hours away in Manchester, Connecticut. It is the town’s biggest annual event, attracting thousands of participants and spectators. Excitement begins building in town a few weeks before race day. Runners can be seen jogging the sidewalks along Main Street on practice outings, signs go up in front of local restaurants inviting runners in and sweatshirts from past Manchester road races become popular attire. At exactly 10 a.m. the race is scheduled to get under way in front of St. James Church on Main Street. The 4.748 mile course draws world class runners, as well as, aspiring young runners and many area folks who have made…

Categories: NEWS

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Gratitude Focus of Manchester,CT 2012 Veterans Day Observance

Posted on November 11, 2012

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.wordpress.com Gratitude to America’s service men and women was the focus of  the simple, respectful 2012 Veterans Day Observance held November 11 at 11:00 a.m. at Manchester Memorial Hospital. A small parade made its way from American Legion Post #102, about a quarter mile to the hospital. According to the ceremony program, in 1920 MMH was dedicated as a memorial to Manchester residents who died during World War I. It was then rededicated in 1970 as a memorial to veterans of all wars. “When I think of  Veterans Day, I think of two words – thank you and heroes,” Manchester Deputy Mayor Jay Moran told the group gathered in front of MMH. Moran spoke of a recent visit…

Categories: NEWS

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Natalie’s Tigers Will Run/Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer

Posted on September 1, 2012

By:Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Most children love to run and play but for 8-year-old ovarian cancer survivor, Natalie Cosman, undoubtedly running has a whole new meaning. Natalie, her family, friends and other backers are members of  Natalie’s Tigers, a support team preparing to participate in the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Connecticut Chapter’s 3rd Annual 5K Run/Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer. The run/walk will be held on September 22 at Hammonassett Beach Park, 1288 Boston Post Road in Madison, Connecticut as part of national ovarian cancer awareness month. Described on the NOCC website as the largest fundraiser and awareness event for the organization, the run/walk celebrates survivors and remembers those who lost their lives to this disease. In addition to the run/walk, a…

Categories: NEWS

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