When I was 29, I was floored to learn of a film that took place during an ice storm in Connecticut in 1973, because I was old enough to have had history in my lifetime. I was now like that grandfather who talked about the hurricane in 1938. We had no key parties, bue we did lose power. I had to bunk with relatives which was scary since I was only five. The storm took place much closer to Christmas and I can only speculate that the excellent book and film take place at Thanksgiving so that it is not some really morbid Christmas story.
I remember an ice storm on New Year's Eve, 1973 in that area of Connecticut because I had to drive home in it at 1 a.m. after a party. Not very enjoyable.
The author grew up in New Canaan, Ct. In the 70s and used his memory of the real ice storm as a metaphor and climactic event in both the book and movie.
When I was in ninth grade (1967) we had an ice storm, or maybe just sleet, in PA. I don't remember losing power, but I put on my ice skates and skated down the street to my friend Alison's house. I checked out her Christmas presents, she put on her skates and we skated over to Maryanne's, then Sue's, then Jeannie's house. The five of us skated round town all day, in the streets. The wires were covered w/ ice crystals that glinted in the sun and looked like diamonds to me. There were no cars until 3:30, when a car w/ 4 not-very-bright-boys drove into town for wrestling practice! We said, "Are you crazy? They would have cancelled school on a day like this (it was still Christmas vacation.)" There wasn't even anyone out walking their dogs. I felt like a princess surveying my kingdom. It was such a magical day I don't think I'll ever forget it. Funny enough, many years later I talked to Sue about it and she didn't even remember it! But it made such an impression on me.
When I was in ninth grade (1967) we had an ice storm, or maybe just sleet, in PA. I don't remember losing power, but I put on my ice skates and skated down the street to my friend Alison's house. I checked out her Christmas presents, she put on her skates and we skated over to Maryanne's, then Sue's, then Jeannie's house. The five of us skated round town all day, in the streets. The wires were covered w/ ice crystals that glinted in the sun and looked like diamonds to me. There were no cars until 3:30, when a car w/ 4 not-very-bright-boys drove into town for wrestling practice! We said, "Are you crazy? They would have cancelled school on a day like this (it was still Christmas vacation.)" There wasn't even anyone out walking their dogs. I felt like a princess surveying my kingdom. It was such a magical day I don't think I'll ever forget it. Funny enough, many years later I talked to Sue about it and she didn't even remember it! But it made such an impression on me.
Wow. This makes me so nostalgic for a childhood filled with snow I didn't even have. Great story.
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fwiw, I was a very little kid (4 years) in Connecticut during the very storm referred to in the title. We cooked our food in the fireplace and spent the days mostly huddled around the hearth. Mellow crackling fire.
You weren't alone. A couple of years ago I posted "Happy 40th Anniversary to the Real Ice Storm" and had links on the storm. One of the links had a link to photos from a family in Connecticut that was roughing it by cooking on the fireplace/camping stove.
I wonder if local news stations' footage even survives today. I have no idea what the technology was to send a camera out to the streets back then (film?) never mind if stations could tape/archive their own broadcasts in 1973.