New Britain herald., 1926-12-27
DINNERS PROVIDED
 FOR NEEDY HOMES Legion, Elks, and Nursing Asso-
 citation Aid Families FREAK HOLIDAY WEATHER
Ice and Snow Storms Hinder Traffic Post Office Business Increases Torcsters to Elect-Family Christ mas Party-Briefs.

Thirteen needy families were pro- vided with Christmas dinners by ! Brock Barnes post, American Le- zion; New Britain Lodge of Elks, and the Plainville Public Health l Nursing association, this being the first year that Christmas cheer has been brought In this way to Plain vile homes. The Legion fund raised for the erection of the community Christmas tree on tho town green was more than ample for that pur- pose, quite balance being left on hand. This money was turned over to Miss Elizabeth Heineman. visiting nurse, with instructions to buy din- ners for poor families.
 The New Britain Lodge of Elks, | which has many Plainville members, | also kindly volunteered to see that two families feasted on Christmas day. The Nursing association con- tributed money Of its own, and the 1S families were given a glimpse of the true Christmas spirit when complete dinners were delivered to them.
 First Selectman John J. Kimmel today extended the thanks of the se- lectmen to these three organizations for their action, issuing the follow ing statement:
 'The board of sclectmen wish 10 extend their thanks to the Brock Barnes post, American Legion. the New Britain Lodge of Elks, and Miss Heinelnan of the Public Nursing as- sociation for their cooperation in supplying the Christmas dinners tC the needy families of Plainville." He was particularly grateful for the aid of the New Britain Elks in helping in a town which, had they been less generous. they might have consid- cred out of their field.
 Two storms Hinder Traic
 Christmas was sandwiched in be- tween two storms which hampered vehicular traffic to great extent. The first was the ice storm of Fri day afternoon, rain falling just be- fore supper and turning to glare ice immediately upon striking the pave ,nents. The frozen surface made safe driving of automobiles impossi- ble, and. with all motorists taking all precautions they could. there |, were many minor accidents caused by cars sllidding into each other. The New Britain road was almost impossible, especially at the hills or either side of Crooked street. Here , car after car skidded into the ditch : and stopped to put on chains, only to have the chains skid fully as much as the tires had. Many drivers were afraid 10 try going down the hill, knowing that if they once start cd to slip nothing could stop their carcering.
 A car overturned on Pennington avenue Friday night, but none of the , occupants was seriously injured and the machine escaped bad damage. , One woman. whose name was not learned, suffered a slight shock, while the other four persons in the car , were bruised. A taxi was called to take the party to Hartford, but one woman. with q small baby. was too frightened to continue by auto and the whole party finished the trip on the train.
 Christmas Eve shoppers were con- sidcrably bothered by the icy coat ings of the walks. although shop keepers and householders sprinllled sand and ashes on the sidewalks to make them as safe as possible. The only serious injury reported was to Mrs. Sarah Curtis, who slipped on m icy pavement and fell, breaking her wrist. The fracture was treated at the New Britain General hospital.
 Christmas Day passed without dis concerting weather, but early yestor- day morning a heavy snow storm set in and continued until well in the afternoon. the depth of the snow being estimated at six inches. At 11:3O o'clock in the morning First Selectman Kimmel ordered the trac- tor blow out and this snorted through the streets all day and all night until every street was cleared this morning. During the morning it was impossible for the trolley cars 10 keep on schedule, but service was maintained and it's efficiency in [ and trp1Iop blows cleared the tracks. Trains were also retarded. but mail service was affected only slightly. Every thing was normal today, and the town officials were being Compli- mented on their quick work in clear