New-York tribune., 1905-06-26
A FRESH AIR HOME.
Happy Land, Where The Tribune
Charges Gain Health and Pleasure.


One of the pleasantest country homes to which
poor children are sent every summer by the ltd
Fresh Air Fund is called by the appropriate
title Happy Land It is at Tenafy, ". j.. and
specially built for the work of the Tribune Fresh
Air Fund by private benefactress. whose country
seat is opposite the home. 1t is open from the
middle of June to the latter part OF September.
Five six parties of fifty children each are sent
there every two weeks during the summer, the
last party being sent from some hospital and re-
manning six instead Of two weeks. This last party
includes doctors and nurses from the nospital
from which the children sent. The entire rum
ming expenses of the home borne by It's
founder.
The building Is a large three story one, and is on
the crest one OF group of hills about half mile
from the railroad station. A wide covered porcn
goes around three sides Of the house, and three
bow windows built out from the front of the mouse
add the beauty OF the building while materially
increasing the number OF windows in the sleeping
The first floor Is taken up with dining
and sleeping for the matron. an office, a
Sunday school room and large dining room Tor
the children On the second floor are twelve COM
Portable bedrooms for the children and one Tor
the assistant in charge of that floor. Each OF the
childrens is provided with two double beds
and is lighted by at least four windows, which are
kept open of the time. The furniture Is sim
pie, but substantial, and every sanitary precauton
is taken in the bedding. no mattresses being used
the beds The third floor is taken up with one
large dorrnitory and q room for the assistant IN
charge The bathroom on the second floor is large
and fitted with sanitary plumbing. Separate basins.
SOAP combs and towels provided for the chill
dren. The hospital system of having the walls
and ceilings unpapered and the floors hard hnished
is followed throughout the building. Gas for hight
ing is furnished and hot and cold water for Wash-
ing purposes while the drinking water is obtained
from an artesian well 133 feet deep. On cool days
the building heated by furnace and several open
wood fires.
Adjoining and at the Of the main building,
but completely isolated from the rest Of the house.
is small hospital where, in the event of sudden
appearance of a contagious disease among the chill
dren the patient may be treated without risk 10
the others.
Twelve acres surround the house The lawn is
taken up for the most part by playground shaded
by large trees. Here roomy swings, and scat
tered about fixed up fascinating Josgle ooaros'
come of which were ordered from Florida Next 10
the playground is large open field. Where the cn-
dren are permitted TO roam about ana PICK WIN
flowers and berries.
Every care is taken that the children are gwen
good healthy food and surrounded with all the
wholesome influences Of country life for lle IA'
two wears DESPITE the large number OF ChlluIeH
taken care of and despite the fact that Iheie - ~
resident physician at the home there mas De - ~
coll for the services of a doctor, excepting OF
course the last party. which Is composer "a '
hospital cases and which is attended by pnysiclai,s
=, the bospitaI staff The following bill OF rare Is
i. samnle Of what the children are given to eat'
11rxE 2o-BREAKFAsT. $50 a. m.
Oatmeal Bread and Butter
DINNER. IL n
Pork Beans Potaloe>
Tapioca Pudding
SUPPER, ,. m
Fruit Bread and Butter
o. o,,,,i,s 1sst summer a party of children had
,,,s+ arrived and were seated at supper Inc
natron in walking about the tables looking ou' lor
the needs Of the children, noticed one little curry
head buried in two little arms and the owner SOD
bng bitterly. Thinking the child was hoine9i'A'
the rnatron sought to comfort her
'Tain't inconsistencies; was a-wishin me lnuo-
der could have some this good eatin'. the child
sobbed.
The children rise at a. and after breakfast
NAV about in the house until the sun has dried up
+Lo aau, m the grass outside. Then they are per-
rttted to play outside until dinner. and then again
until supper. After supper they are generally taken
out for a long walk and go to bed at g.
East party has bus ride and picnic dur
ing its stay at Happy Land. The picnic is held
on the grounds the founder Of Happy Land, ana
includes a row on the private lake. Amusing incl
dents frequently occur which give strange insight
into child philosophy. One afternoon last summer
the matron arrayed all in white, with the excep-
ton Of black belt. starting out for the post
Office when one of the children, who had been
watching her closely. exclaimed to one Of her older
plavmates, Say, don't she look like angel! Her
companion shifted in disdain. who ever heered or
a angel with black belt?'
One of the persons especially instrumental in
getting up parties send TO Happy Land ana
elsewhere for the Tribune Fresh Air Fund IS Dr.
A. S Daniel, Of the New-York Infrmary Tor
Women and Children. From her careful study OF
conditions in the East Side terements she has De-
come well known authority on that subject
She said the other day:
feel that I am in a position to testify 70 tne
splendid work that is done by the Irlo1ne f Fresn 81.
the country dre n91 ohT eselyes but the influence
Which they indirectly have on the parents of the
children is remarkable. Two weeks in a country
leave impressions upon the plastic minds OF the
children which not infrequently influence ther
future lives When they return from the clean clean
country homes they begin to want to see their their
own homes clean. and frequently induce their
quite ten years old whom the Tribune Fresh Air
Fund sent up farm in the northern part OF tne
State noticed while there that the farmer Wlie
always clean dress. Not used 70 seeing hIS
thus I tell Re MS Of the
of the country woman; and begged ner 70 LoIlo% S
whose means were only enough 10 enaD!e thS wv W.
to live, pointed out to the boy that sne SOuld not
elaTed thereupon that he would see to her getting
new clothes and for months after worked night
@ buy S his moter several new dresses The parties
which get up for the Tribune Fresn Ar FMna
of the East Side. From rough calculation my
show that the ayerage nGGme 4n OF faeSe
about SO month. or more than one weeks income
laborers and the families cook, wash and sleep in
two rooms.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Part OF proceeds of fair held on SATURDAY
Society on the lawn Of Mrs G ". Vernon, Nor
..,-5, ~ ~ ~ T7ooi .............. so 90