New Britain herald., 1925-01-31
The bridge and mah jongg tour

The bridge and nah jongg tour nament arranged by Mrs. Pardon Hickey of Berlin, under the aus pices of the Canonlcus branch of the Sunshine society taking place last Wednesday afternoon at the Berlin Grange hall, was success socially and financially. There were 30 tables playing. $7b.o0 was real ized, which will go toward paying the expenses of the free bed main tained at the New Britain General hospital.
 There was a large attendance present at the Ranger Athletic clubs annual banquet and dance which took place Wednesday eve ming at the Norden bungalow. The party celebrated the second anni- versary of the clubs incorporation. Among the guests were Mayor A. M. Paonessa and ex-Mayor Quigley. The concert of the New Britain Musical club in the Camp school auditorium Tuesday evening was a noteworthy event from a local mus teal standpoint, but as the accom- paniment outside was bad weather, the attendance was not what would have been the case had conditions favored the concert. It was difficult to drive ones self from the warm hearthstone-or' radiator into a blizzard-like night. and it appears that a. goodly porton of the assocl- ate membership decided in favor ot not venturing outdoors. This was to be regretted in view of the splendid program rendered.
 Mrs. Philip B. Smaller, soprano, an ardent follower of vocal excel lence, showed herself to have ad- vanced greatly in her art the past few years. among other impression istic Russian selections singing the famous Hymn to the Sum-" by Rimsky- Korsakoff. The singing of | this number by a local singer itself was worthy of attendance at the concert. Mrs Smaller sang it's exact ing phrases with a high degree Of artistic excellence.
 Another high mark at the con- cert was the cello playing of Henry schauffler, who with Peppers liar leuuin" created a furore Of ap- plause. Pepper Is regarded as one of the greastest of writers for the cello, and in all of his music there is a marked difference between his cunning exploitation of the resourc- es of the instrument compared with the dinner effect of the average Arrangement" Realizing he had a star number to perform, MT, Schaut- fer gave it of his best.
 Another of the features of the evening was the piano playing ot Miss Martha Darlington, particular ly in her final number. an Etude by Sternberg, which likewise was the last number of the concert. Unlike some etudes which are primarily vehicles for the attainment Of digit al dexterity, the Sternberg compost ton was more in the nature Of a concert piece, and most attractive one to boot, Miss Darlington de- Nghtfully stressed its beautiful mel odic content, at the same time managing a Chopinesque accom- paniment without blemish.
 The two piano suite played by Misses Florence Tommasoni and Gertrude Hine was notable for some of its bizarre effects depicting mus ical fashions current in the Caucas- us section of Russia, now the Georg- ian republic. Themes from folk songs predominated.
 Herbert Anderson, regarded by ' many as the finest violin;st in the city, participated by playing an oo- i lgato to the Ave Maria sung by ! Mrs. Smaller. The obligato contain ed most of the strains of the well known Meditation from Thais, and was given with exquisite attention to details and with a tone of ravieh' ! ing beauty.
 The accompanies were Nils; Frances Parker and Theron Vol
 colt Hart.
 Mrs. Maxwell Hart and daughter
 Maxine, of Lincoln road returned Monday from New York city.