New-York tribune., 1901-06-21
THE FIRST FRESH AIR PARTY.
FOURSCORE CHILDREN MAKING MERRY
AT CHAPEL HILL. y. ].

The first large party of the season was sent out
by The Tribune Fresh Air Fund Tuesday. II
consisted of eighty-one children and mothers and.
with the exception of six from the Brooklyn Chill
drens Aid Society. provided by the Bloom
ingdale Day Nursery. 1t went 10 the Eunice Home.
at Chapel Hill. y. ].
The dozen more mothers and caretakers and
the threescore children began enjoy themselves
they boarded the Sandy Hook steamer
Monmouth On the way down the glistening Bay
the hurry OF preparation for the outing off.
and with the rolling Of the swift steamer on the
Atlantic swell she crossed the Lower Bay. the
childrens anticipation became more than realized.
With a chorus of "O-o-o-o-hs'' they began
tumble about as II they had just eaten a particu-
larly hearty Thanksgiving dinner. A tired little
woman. who had several small children in the
party, exclaimed, in a subdued voice, Amt the
lovely? 1 could live the water all the
time" Just after the steamer began 20 roll the
steamship Hamilton. of the Norfolk Line passed
IN close alongside This pleased the children, and
they rushed 10 the side TO wave their hands
Four big buses took the mothers and children
up the two mile climb 10 the home Immediately
upon reaching the house they assigned 10
their dormtories and beds, and then the youngsters
tore out to the swings in the grove. Some charged
of pick flowers One mother was overheard 20
say her fve-year-old boy. Now. j. want
YOU pick a real flower Some OF the boys
galoped off through the long grass. one or an
other tumb.ing and picking himself up with
out murmur to chase after the others.
The youngsters were hungry when supper time
came and swallowed slice after slice OF bread;
their bowls had 10 be replenshed from time 20
time from the pitchers of milk. There was not
sound except the catter of spoons on the plates
Shortly after O'Clock the children sent TO
the dormitories. There abundance of good
natured laughter and chatter in the boys domitory
as they undressed and crept under the white
ers. and. tired out. snuggled down contentedly.
But there dreams of future pleasures floating
in the mirds ~ some Of them. which seemed TO
promise realization in view OF the experiences OF
the last few hours.
II an going 10 have a horse and bicycle quiet
ly remarked hve-year-old. with tone of
surance that indicated doubt in his mind TO
the fulflment Of his desire.
Where are YOU going 20 get it?' was asked
II going TO get 'em in the country he
piled, If country stood for all things be
desired but unattainable in the hot, hard walled
city.
1t is not the custom OF the Fresh Air Fund to
send parties the country before close of the
public schools for the summer vacation But in this
instance 1t was desirable TO get the home in run
conYd go ritbont interfarin with snboe as nSany
of the children were under school age so it was
sent.
The Tribune Fresh Air Fund has taken charge
of the Eunice Home for the season This differs
from the usual plan. but the home was given rent
free and fully equipped Tor a party of eighty,
it could be done without infringing upon the per
Capita expenSe of 81
Eunice Home is situated near the village of
Chapel HILL y. J.. and about two miles over hard
red gravel road from Atlantic Highlands. 1t stands
the brow of hill In chestnut grove. mile
back from the Lower Bay. which IL faces and of
which Il commands expansive view. From the
front porch the eye takes in Sandy Hook and its
row of low buildings. the entrance OF the har-
bor COney Island, the Long Island shore 10 the
Narrows. through which on clear day, such as
Tuesday was the statue of Liberty may be seen.
n short perpendicular dash the horizon. and the
north shore of Staten Island
The house. a shingled buhliuS three stories high.
is surrounded by large grove. which enectually
screens a part of the grounds from the mtdSum-
and furnishes abundance OF limbs for
swings and hammocks. In the hollow behind the
house ball field, and beyond this
other wood through which the visitors may roam
without hndrance. a roOmy office. dining room
with tables for the entire number playrOom and
nursery for rainy days, washrooms and kitchen
occupy the lower hoor of the house. The two
upper divided into dormitories, rooms for
the attendants ard two bathrooms.
The Chapel Hill Fresh Air Mission. tncor-
porated organization, built and owns the home Its
trustees Mrs. Haslett Mckim. president: Mrs.
Latham Ci Reed vlce-president: Mrs. William Bar
clay Parsons. secretary: Miss Milnor. correspond
ing secretary; Mrs Arthur NJ. Hunter. treasurer;
Mrs John C. Lord. Mrs. James Remsen Strong.
Miss Lounsberry and Mrs. Allen Tucker.