New-York tribune., 1902-08-08
THINK IT NEAR PARADISE
THAT is THE IDEA THE FRESH AIR
CHILDREN HAVE OF ASH
FORD HILL HOME.

FORD HILL HOME
! Right next to Paradise on the man of "Happi-
nessand," stands the name of Ashford Hill Home
[Ardsley, N Y; at least, that is where is the
minds of some ten thousand of The Tribune Fresh
AIT FUND children who have spent fortnights Of
health and happiness there in the last eight years
From the narrow, dirty tenement houses to the
green fields is great distance. but it is longer
journey which the children make from hunger, heat
and misery to plenty of food plenty of fun and,
best of all, hitherto unknown cleanliness and
health No wonder the children want TO go again
and again, and one little newsboy, having learned
le way saves five cents, takes long trolley ride,
and then walks three miles hill and dale for
a few hours of the best there is in life for him.
Every year in the hot five big parties
gather. 2S strong, at the One-hundred- -and-ffty
hfth-st station of the Putnam Road. taken
In charge by some pleasant faced hearty college
men. and whrled away for Ardsley station. Nor
is this only once in a summer. Every two weeks
the children, with rosy. instead of saow, cheeks
and eyes bright with past pleasures. flying
back to the city, and troop of needy young
sters fills their places. until five parties have
been sent. in all fourteen hundred guests of the
Fresh Air Fund at the big home under the direct
charge of The Tribune
IN THE MIDST OF A BIG PLAYGROUND.
Ashford Hill rises. a big wooded crest. about
miles from the station of Ardsley. on the Putnam
hne OF the New-Tork Central. directly across the
pretty little valley where the famous St. Andrews
Golf Club links is. On the very top of the hill,
nesting among the big groves of trees are the six
buildings which make up the home. AS the visitor
orlNes up he hears shouts of merry laughter and
sees here and there pale faced little fellows the
unfamiliar task of climbing real trees. Suddenly,
as the road makes bend. he is in the midst of a
big playground swarming with girls and boys play
ing baseball tag and all the innun?erabe sports
known TO active youngsters.
kindly. smiling man leaves one Of the groups
OF children with whom he has been playing and
comes forward TO welcome the visitor to Ashford
Hill. 1t is B. c. Austin. who is in charge of the
home, and his hospitality is always ready and
hearty for the many who drive in at the gates to
see for themselves what the Fresh Air work really
is The Two big dining rooms, with their long
white tables and the roomy. cheerful kitchen. in
charge OF japanese cook are models of SPOT
lessness and there is none of the caressness that
often goes with providing for so many hungry peo-
pie. When the children troop in to dinner they
do not hurry into the seats but to the accompani
ment OF piano, sing the following simple grace:
God is great and God is good.
And we thank Him for this food
For by His hand We all are fed
So give US. Lord. our daily bread
PLENTIFUL SUPPLY OF FOOD
There is stint in the plentiful supply of meat
bread and butter potatoes and all kinds Of vege-
tables and milk and cereals for the tenement
dwellers. who hardly know what a full stomach |
means. Every day 90 quarts OF milk flow down |
the thirsty little throats and 125 loaves of bread
vanish if by magic before their onsaughts |
Every week there 100 dozens Of eggs less In /
the world. and barrelful of oatmeal is consumed
Everything else goes in proportion before the vora-
cious visitors, whose capacity seems unlimited
On the hill just above the dining the |
cottage occupied by the children by the Church
of the Holy Communion. of New-York through |
whose courtesy The Tribune children occupy the
home. For several years the church conducted the
ened the home turned to The Tribune
Fresh Air Fund rent free and for the last eight /
years The Tribune has had entire charge the /
Church OF the Holy Communion every TWO weeks /
sending its quota of children with the rest These
children all live in dormtory, but mingle freely
with the rest OF the party.
With the exception of mealtme. the children
literally live out of doors during the day ytime. In
the evenings there are shadow pictures by the at
tendants, d phonograph concert on the rocks
dances. cakewalks. singing ring games on the lawn
and finally. best OF all TO the little people. the
band comes from Ardsley through the kindness of
George Buck and there is music enough to keep
even $50 children enraptured.
The girls are in charge Of 4 matron and college |
girls from Bryn Mawr. Baseball field days and all !
the outdoor sports for both BOYS and girls The
caddies at the golf links have organized n baseball
club. and every two weeks they the
home and play picked Fresh Air team, and, to
generally beaten with heavy loss.
A GALA DAY FOR THE CHILDREN.
Last Saturday was one of the gala days, and
the children gave reception out of doors Invita-
Ilons were sent to many residents OF the neighbOr
ing towns, including many rich New Workers who
have taken an interest in Fresh Air work. The
fFeshments Of the afternoon the gift of Mrs.
Jane Frazer, OF Dobbs Ferry, who was anxious to
contribute TO the days enjoyment. The children
prepared a complete programme which they gave
on last Tuesday and repeated on last Saturday for
their visitors The programme follows:
Flag Gregory Reding
Recitation AT Five O'Clock in the Morning .....
Agne.
Song II Little Beau Florence Greg
Recitation Legend Mc(carrck
recitation, Somebody's Mother Edward Kaufman
Song Lullaby .....................An Annie Schmidt
Recitation Death Of the Flowers Charles
My Shadow" Bessie Scherr
Fancy Drill by Chorus.
Recitation If You Told DO
Spanish DanceS <Aeiien i'i'
Recitation For Kingdom H. Faurie
Recitation Spring" Irene Lewis
me taety NJ v; ;Ases liar inh1r
9lg LIZZIE Whlte
The Lord Made the World" sundstrom
SOME UNIQUE LETTERS.
The following letters were written home by some
of the children while guests at Ashford Hill:
Dear parents; We had .pcnac. / had eggs,
2 cups Of milk, 1 slices OF bread and II crackers.
Monday going to have a ball; Tuesday a