The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-20
N%EIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
PLANS ARE NOW UNDER WAY To
CARRY ON THE WORK.
One of the Charitable Institutions OF
indianapolis About Which Little
Is Known.

The summer playground connected with
the Plymouth Neighborhood House at 905
Indiana avenue is especially attractive this
year. In addition to the croquet and ball
games, a tennis court has been put in this
season and also apparatus for pole vault
ing. Some of the visitors enjoy pitching
quoits. During the day and evening those
engaging in the pleasures afforded by this
w-ell-regulated playground average about
fifty. Every amusement is conducted in an
orderly manner and with good nature.
Promptly at the sound of the curfew the
younger boys leave their games, and at
10 O'Clock the electric light on the ground
is extinguished. Miss Sherrard, the head
resident at the Neighborhood House. is the
guiding spirit in everything, and under her
gentle, refined influence. the beauty of a
well-ordered life is making itself felt
throughout the entire neighborhood. The
Neighborhood House is doing effectively
what Ruskin says should be aimed at in
education. arousing in the boys and girls
a love of what is good and pure and of
good report; instead Of noisy, quarrelsome
sport, accompanied by bad language. the
contests are good-natured and the result
is real enjoyment.
For six weeks, beginning with the first of
July, a vacation kindergarten, under the
care of the Free kindergarten Society. is
being held here with an enrolment of about
sixty. Mothers meetings are held regu-
larly, and are well attended. While the hot
weather makes out-of-door life more at
t~ractive, yet there are always some who
like to spend a little time in indoor read
ing. For such, the rooms are open daily,
and the exchange of books from the pub
lie library is made regularly at this de-
livery station. Through the kindness of the
Marion Club and other friends, a supply of
magazines is kept on the table in the read
ing room.
The I-ndiana-avenue Neighborhood House
is now in its fourth year, and those who
are acquainted with its workings feel that
il is solving for that neighborhood the prob
lem so mOmentouS to the life of cities-lhe
problem OF furnishing wholesome conditions
as well as affording a center for happy
community life. Provision IS made for the
girls also, a certain time being set apart
for their use Of the playground and for
indoor story hours. Last spring a cook
ing class for young working girls was or
ganized, and 1t Will be continued next fall.
In the latter part Of June a delightful lawn
party was given on the grounds, which was
attended by about two hundred of the
neighbors. and at which fine music was
rendered as a free gift by professional mu-
SlCldnS III the nelSnDOTnOOu, as an express
sion OF their gratitude for the benefits Of
the house. Some business men in the
neighborhoOd have recently evidenced their
appreciation OF the value Of the playground
by contributing towards defraying its ex-
penses. The Boys and Girls Clubs con-
nected with the house are also assisting
regularly in a financial way.
Such a work as this cannot be carried on
without large expense. On the evening Of
July % a lawn fete for the benefit of the
Neighborhood House is 10 be held at the
residence Of DR.. and Mrs. o.. 5. Runnels,
100 North Meridian street, 10 which ali
friends OF the work are invited. Refresh
ments, including ice cream, candy. etc. will
be for sale. y NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Goose
Melodies'-wil be given, in which Miss
Emma Messing gives her services as So
loist. representations will be given by Mr..
Sam Messing and Mr.. Robert Wildhack.
A palm reader will also be present. Ii is
hoped that there will be a cordial response
IN behalf Of this good work.