The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-21

High Tor. -. Many playgoers will recall with enthu-
sias Maxwell Andersons play OF this title which scored
such hit in New York few seasons ago. Many may
also recall that the play written from real life and
all that Mr. Anderson really did was to look out the front
windows at his home New York City, N " along the
Hudson River and observe drama unfolding before his
very eyes, The hero Of the real life tale was Elmer Van
Orden probably the last of his clan who had acquired
High Mountain from King George III before the Revo
luton and renqushed their hold on 1t despite
efforts of commercial interests to buy it. Elmer Van
Orden who died this week at Sufern N Y hospital
the original of Maxwell Anderson's Evan Van Dorm.
He had lived in simple house on High Tor since 1894
with companion, August Weltie, who served him as
valet, handyman, and companion we'll Seldom did
Elmer Van Orden venture forth from his mountain
stronghold but in 1887 Mr. Anderson and Burgess Mere
dit who played the leading role in High Tor and who
alyo lived almost within it's shadow, persuaded Van Orden
to to N Y, to himself portrayed on the stage.
He made the trip and the beginning of somewhat
bewderng life for him henceforth he deluged with
mail and visits from persons OF the stage and allied pro-
LESSONS. But High Tor was still Van Orden property
when he died this week and probably will remain the
same for long years to come.
Eleanor Webster and Jane Farewell are keeping
Waterbury in the elight at Wheaton College Norton,
Mass They made the deans list for the latest mark
ing period Nancy Green, Waterbury Hospital nurse
quite to look at celebrated birthday yesterday
quite informally. Kay Mccarthy of Scovills
celebrates her natal day tomorrow. Bike" Crocco
of Chaed Avenue the Selectve Service draftees
who boarded RATHER for Hartford Thursday morning,
missed the train before being able to break away from
friends and relatives at the station and had to grab
bus and pay his own way to Hartford.
Timber up your basement. That's the sugges-
ton the Northeastern Homes Foundation, of which J.
Francis Smith of this city is officer, recommends
"You timber up basement Or other in your
home family shelter miners and soldiers do for
protection the foundation advises in citing opportunities
for home work instead road work in wartime Every
home has a space that be practically fortified for
emergency shelter or to which small offset may be
added Timber posts and beams with walls and ceilings
OF plank applied effectively Generally the loca-
ton of the refuge should be the part of the house least
susceptible to any exceptional stress. ow-cost easily
built plank family refuge in the home real
idea to consider in the present situation. In view of
plans for bona fide backous throughout New England
the idea at the right time and may fall fertile
soil.
Jim Red" Gladney isn't bit bashful about telling
his coworkers in composing that tomorrow is
his birthday. Hope Jim gets what he deserves. MIR.
and Mrs Clement NJ Nelly of 81 Warner Place, have
decided to chrsten their of February II Stephen
John Mrs. Robert A. Cairns will soon make New
Britain her permanent address. . Mrs. Anna Bur
maghn of Leeds, N Y, is twoweek-ing it here guest
of her sister Mrs Margaret Dillon of South Elm Street
Norma LaVigne of Middlebury recently entertained
Shirley Kirkpatrick of Dayton, Ohio Louise Alice
Lefevre is sporting engagement ring from John w.
Mahaffy, Jr, of Southington.