The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-09
Splendid Ski Tow Near WinSted To |Open Dec. p

Connecticut, which cradled the hardy old Norsemen's sport of ski ing in the Nutmeg domain with dla- tionally known slides at nearby Colebrook River, Norfolk and Sails bury, continues in the forefront of this king of winter sports with the announcement that the states new est and largest ski tow, the Silver Streak" is nearing completion and will be officially opened to the gen. eral pubic two weeks from yester- day, Sunday, Dec. p.
 The tow, constructed on the Charles Holcomb farm, one mile east of Winsted on route A, has an ideal location in that it is within short distance of dozen big cities and will have large metropolitan population from which to draw on. This colorful phase of the glorious pastine of zig-zagging down a snow-covered slope is becoming in- creasingly popular throughout the east, with the urban folk being es- pecially enthusiastic over the ben- efits and pleasure to be derived from day thus spent in the open. Residents from Waterbury and vi- cinity are expected to be among the thousands who will strap on pair of wooden runners and avail them selves of the facilities at the Silver Streak"
 Well-Rated
 Acknowledged authorities who have inspected the layout at the WinSted tow are unanimous in the opinion that it will compare favor ably with the outstanding such cen- ters in Jew England. Built on an eastward slope and sheltered on three sides by lofty hills so typical of the rugged, picturesque terrain here at the foothills of the Berk- Shires, the site should serve the needs of expert and beginner alike.
 It is believed that such an un- dertaking will be of much benefit to the people of this section in par ticular and residents of the state in general. Payson Newton, ski expert of the G. Fox & Go. store, Hartford, is one of the many outstanding such personages who is hailing the build ing of the tow as the advent of a new and greater era in Connecticut skiing. Being in position where he can view and study the latest trends in popular sentiment, he knows of the public's enjoyment of this type of skiing in which men, women and children of all ages and athletic talent can successfully participate.
 For number of years, WinSted civic leaders have advocated tile undertaking of such a project, and their whole hearted cooperation and endorsement in putting over" the Silver Streak" has been as- Sured.
 Mayor Robert E. Maher and the Chamber of Commerce'S ski con- mittee, which is composed of w. James Walker, chairman, Theodore Burwell, local business man, and Theodore Vaill, business manager of The Winsted Evening Citizen, are among those favor4ng this work. MT. Walker, selectman, repreSen- tative to the general assembly and local agent for the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad and who is widely known for his interest in the support of sports, is among the strongest boosters for such ven- lures. He knows full well of what benefit to a community this tow might eventually prove, with its possibilities from a publicity and good will angle toward Winsted un- limited.
 Free Power
 A modern tow of the latest design is being installed by the Under wood Machinery Go. of Boston, and free power" for the ride from the foot of the hill to the top of the run will thus be possible. The tow it. self will be of exactly the same de- sign as those sold to many other places throughout the east by the Underwood firm.
 The length of the skiing slope measures over 1000 feet. There Is a sharp drop down the first half of the hill, then a short leveling off area, while the bottom half of the slide is pitched as more moderate degree. From a width of 300 feet at the narrowest point, 1t fans out to between 600 and TOO feet at the bottom of the drop, and hundreds Of devotees of this fascinating form oi winter recreation can be accommo- dated at the same time. Excellent