The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-03-05
SOUTH BRITAIN BRIEFS
By BILL GARR1GUs

Relief returns for Southbufy are reported at $103.87. Not so long ago, when young man fell on a wood- saw and lost his right arm, the lo- cal post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars started a down-to-eartn, hometown relief effort. The yield was about $250. Charity begins at home.
 According to the Newtown Bee, Robert K. Mitchell of Pootatuck is under the weather with (quote) ''neurities and not able to work" We hope Rob recovefs from the neuritis.
 Charley Bradley, former first citizen of Skunk Hollow, visited in the village the other day. Charley is not day older than he was when he left the Pomperaug Ccnn- try several years ago. South Bri- tain folks wear exceptionally well even under adverse conditions.
 Much longevity hereabouts can be traced to the superior qualities of Pomperaug cider. Here the ap. pies grow juicier and of richer fla. vor. The Pootatucks taught white folk how to select the best fruit an6 gave them the recipe for cider and cider brandy. Somebody remember. ed to put the recipe on paper and our citizens have improved their ap. pie beverages by constant experi- mentation until they've just about scooped the world. An enterprisine promoter could make a fortune in Pomperaug Cider, if he didn't drink too much himself. Our cider is weather and frost proof. Deacon Beardsley hid jug under a log pile on the slope of Georges Hill and forgot it. One of his helpers found the jug after several nights of near-zero weather, took out the cork, inhaled Q few swallows and started loading twenty-foot hem lock logs without a canthook. Deak claims the extra work obtained more than pays for the cost of the cider. Concrete mixed with our cider always sets quicker and never cracks. If they had used more cider on the big hospital job up the val- ley, that outfit would be ready for use now.
 Local Merit System enthusiasts view with no little concern the re- tirement of Connecticut's Director of Personnel. Training here in Yam keeland has enabled MT. Marsh to seek a new field. He now goes to national society to promote civil service reform. Perhaps the new Merit System head will be a na- tive, or perhaps he will be imported.
 Rumor has 1t that a local politi- elan has a list of the openings at the new training school and is ac- cepting applications, from properly qualified voters.
 Operating costs at the new train- ing school are reported to compare favorably with those at Mansfield, except for the differential that ex- ists between the expense of heating by oil instead of coal. If the esti- mates are correct, Connecticut tax payers will only be charged a little more than twice what they now pay for the care of mentally detectives. Some people think we might reduce this cost by systematic deportation of foreigners.
 The deer herd in the Kettletown region numbers eighteen head, at the last count. Pot hunters com- plain that venison is cheap, that we have too many deer. One estimate, dropped in careless moment, is as low as fifteen dollars.
 Mike Coer, Southbury Navy man, postal deliveryman, and civic leader, has recently won promotion in the Boy Scouts of America. Mikes sphere of influence has become greater as his proficiency in scout work developed. Prior to his active affiliation with the junior 0rganiza- tion, MT. Coer was a well-known member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. ...>.s. Ed Warner, Flood Bridge Road resident, has resigned as foreman at the Horton Farm and is now very busy charting fiowage levels on the Pomperaug river. Ed is so busy we seldom meet him on Main street these days. When the freshets come as they will, the only way he car come to town will be by raft Ol boat. (Deforestation, chestnut tree blight, and population of Oul woodlands by city folks has made
 the freshet danger more acute. Ii
 people would do less skiing, the snow would melt earlier and the run-off would be more normaD.