Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1906-10-13
BETTERMENT IDEAS
SUGGESTIONS FOR TOWNS FROM I'M
PROVEMENT WORK IN FLORIDA.
How IL Few Enthusiastic Women Are
BcnutifyinE Springfield and the
Way the Good work Startcd-Its
Prospects Most Promisinr

Way the Good Work Stnrtcd-Its
Prospects Most PromisinE
Ideas for improving towns are con
tanned in the following article ON the
work of the public spirited women who
compose the Improvement association
of Springfield, Il suburb of Jackson
/ willie, Fla
Like many other fine movements.
this did not spring full bloom into exist
cncc, but is an evolution of ideas, says
SuShn BouChcllc Wight in Floral Life.
Some three years ago Mrs. Il. +. Dill
Ion, who Is still president of the body,
had recently returned from visit to
cuba. Sitting upon the ycranda of
her lovely home, which is situated Just
opposite the Springfield park, she casu-
ally remarked that II was pity that
there could not be open air music there
to be enjoyed 10y the stay athOmcS in
the summer, like it is In the parks in
Havana all the time. Her husband
asked her why not take up the idea
and develop it. saying ut the same time
TINT he would contribute a certain
! +aRtsf-t FOR the purpose. Other mem
fsFs of her family followed by sub
ssr$r taoss, and there in a family circle
originated the beginning of the aSso-
ciatibn
Next day Mrs. Dillon wrote an arti-
Gle for one of the dailicS explaining
her plan and asking for contributions
from any individuals disposed to help
along the open mir concerts. In re
Sponse to this more than 5000 came
promptly to her and assured weekly
concerts for that summer. \ little lat
cr Mrs Dillon again through the dai-
lies invited the Springfield ladies to
meet at her home for the purpose of
organizing an Improvement aSsocia-
ton. Fifty ladies came and after be
ing formally organized took up the reg
ular plans of such bodies The music
feature Is still a prominent one and
! Jacksonville Is assured of the weekly
concerts each summer, with constantly
improving standards of excellence.
The first specific Improvement work
undertaken was that of pushing good
things along" that seemed in danger
of tagging. and that is still the keynote
of the work The watcrworks had
| then, as now, very lovely setting of
grass and Shrubbcry, but was 50 shut
in by hedging and by a tail fence that
| Its charms We're practically hidden
from paSSerSby, except the glimpses to
be had through the open gates. The
/ authorities had intended removing this
fence and of course would eventually
have done it, but when the ladies be
/ gan to "WhcrcaS" the thing was done
and the park thrown open to the de
light of those who threaded the streets
/ passing 1t. There was also Il part of
the same city property on Laura
street that was far from lovely, and
the lndlcs began to discuss that, with
the consequence that it was very soon
| put into II condition more in accord
with their aesthetic ideas. The au-
| thoritieS had already thought and spo-
ken of doing this, but again the insist
cnce of the association brought things
to pass.
The Springfield park, which is the
pride of the suburb, came under con
sideration and through appeals made
by the associations large quantities
of roses and shrubbcry We're donated,
| splendid beds and borders made and
Il great Increase of attractivcncSS
brought about These appeals We're
met most nobly, some parties donating
| plants by the carload The board of
bond trustees agreed to place many
| lights along the edges of the park,
! ,,.hI A.,
up to the point of having these lights
| In everyday use, still they are there
| and ready for the special occasions
which the Springfield association
makes rather frequent, with its fcteS
and concerts, its carnvals and games.
! 1t prefers raising its funds by plenty
! of hard work rather than by constant
begging and numerous are the plans
! II has utilized.
a fete last year netted Il very hand
some sum. Practically the whole park
came into rcquiSition for this affair.
| There was Il fine band playing in the
stand which the association had built
FOR this purpose. and upon an artificial
n~srSIa a'ljucent was what they called
SaHoHeSe tea garden, where soft
RaiHkS of all kinds We're sold. Here
and there over the grounds We're
candy. cake and popcorn tables and
| several little attractions In the way of
shows. \ fcte Is already projected for
the present year which is to eclipse
all previous efforts and will be carried
on In manner which will warrant 1t
being called n park carnival. The
| funds of the organization are very
| wisely administered, and the treasurer
has tidy sum left over from last
| year which will make nest egg for
the new work that Is being projected
one thing that the association did
and which Is evidenced in the attrac-
tive appearance of Springfield streets,
was to write circular letters asking
| property owners to remove their fences
and take care of the strips of parking
between sidewalks and streets. Most
| people fell into line and those who
| did not need no comment their prem
| iScs speak loudly for their unwiSdom.
| The grammar school In this suburb
Is n great bare building with little to
appeal to ones fancy, but the ladies
have taken its Improvement in hand
and before long it will be as all school
| houses ought to be-loVely. The aSsO-
socatiOn had many loads of sand haul
| ed and all the surfaces leveled off,