New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-29
BERKSHIRE FRESH AIR.
OUer Fire Hundred Children Hare
Been Entertained There.

The last party of Tribune Fresh Air Fund chill
dren has been sent out from this city for two
weeks stay in the vicinity of Pittsdeid. Mass
When these visitors return, another successful
season of work will have been completed by the
people of Piusfeld and the other supporters OF
the Berkshire Fresh Air Fund They have enter
tanned altogether this season about $50 children
sent out by The Tribune Fresh Air Fund
Surrounded with the beauties OF nature. the peo-
pie Of Pittsfeld desired share these blessings
with others less fortunate. One form which TINS
desire took the founding, about twenty years
ago or the Berkshire Fresh Air Fund. AT nTSt the
children received were taken from Boston, but for
many years now they have been supplied from
New-York by The Tribune Fresh Air Fund
The Berkshire fund is collected and managed BY
a local organization, consisting of executive
committee and representative from each of the
Pittsheld churches and from each OF the out
lying towns. Early in the spring meeting is
held, and arrangements perfected for the seasons
work. then. after the fund is well under way in
June another meeting is held TO report progress.
Arrangements are then made with several farmers
near Pittshed to board the children in small
partias. These homes visited frequently by
the women Of the organization, and great pains are
taken that the little visitors shall have the best
of care. Each season benefit performances is
given in July by which considerable sum IS
added to the fund. The chief promoter OF the en-
tertainment is Miss Molly c. Alhro. of Pittsfeid-
This year $50 raised In that
The children this year boarded at seven
different places Thee of these are in New-Ash-
ford. in Dalton. in PittsheId and one out
at West Street" At the last place the largest
number Of children are received at time Here
are accommodations for about fifty boys. The
farmhouse has been fitted with roomy dormi-
tories. and efficient caretakers employed. The
committee is careful that good and sufficient
food is provided at all these places. While the
menu varies somewhat, good meat meal 4 day
is provided, with plenty Of milk eggs. cereals and
fruit at all three meals each Gay. One of the ia
vorite pastimes OF the children is berry picking,
and they are allowed to eat all they wish of the
fresh fruit
The committee reports an unusually successful
season this year. OF course. there is the same
prejudice and opposition to overcome that is found
IN a greater lesser degree everywhere. but this
year little was met at PittSield- Nearly s. 30
raised and out OF this fund the board of 81 chill
dren was paid Besides these, a number were en-
Ierta1ned free BY Mrs Johnson, Mrs. Ely, Mrs
Treat and Mrs. Mack.
Great credit is due all those concerned In this
very successful charity of Berkshire County. The
committee in charge at Pittsfeld consists of Mrs.
II Nein Wilson, chairman; Miss Eliza beth Camp
Power, and Mrs. Arthur II. Wood, in charge at the
station.
The churches represented are the First Church
Of Christ by Miss Annie H. Ferry; St Stephens
Church Mrs Theodore l.. POmerOy; South COngre
gauonal Church Miss Mamie Person; Methodist
EplSG0pal church Mrs. Florence Hill; First Sap
list Church, Miss Marguerite Francis; Morningside
Baptist Miss Mary Jones; Pilgrim Memorial, Mrs.
Gordon MacArthur; ST. JOseph's Parish Miss Eliz-
abeth Costello; Zion Evangehcal Lutheran. Miss
fielder; St. Charles's Parish. Miss Mary A Red
ding; Unity Church. Miss Augusta NJ. Sargent.
by Mrs George T. Plunkett; Great Darlington, by
StOckbridge. by Miss katherine G. Atwater;
Cheshire by Miss Lois Dean; Dalton, by Miss
LanesborQ, by Mrs. Anna Fuller Bennett; Sheffield,
by Miss Lily Spur.