Norwich bulletin., 1909-10-21

It. w. (QduW1ck, the VlS1LOrS III IHe various towns of New London coun- ty, and other friends of the institu- tion interested in it's children to the number of about so gathered at the New London county temporary home in East Norwich Wednesday morn ing for the annual meeting of the
 board of management and the com-
 mittee of visitors. The spotless ap- pearance of the home, the happy faces of the children, and the glowing re- ports from Mrs. Frank A. Mitchell, the secretary, and the other members of the committee of visitors, reflected the general success of the years work throughout the county, and made man. Hest the growing usefulness of the home and its work.
 County Commissioner Williams of Mystic opened the meeting at 11.3O o'clock and prayer was offered by City Missionary Rev. c. A. North rop. Introducing the secretary, Mrs. Mitchell, MT. Williams defined the meaning of temporary, the idea be- ing that children are kept at the home no longer than good homes can be found for them. Good families are not as easily found as might be, and therefore there are about ninety chil- dren in the home the year around.
 Report of Secretary.
 Mrs. Mitchelrs painstaking and thorough report follows:
 Very few important or conspicuous changes have been made in and about this building since the last annual meeting. Fresh paint outside and in, a small room finished off in the attic are the most noticeable features, but there has also been much repairing which makes good the constant de- terioration in materials, and the wear and tear of the large family. An addi- tional piece of ground has been pur- chased which will add materially to the playground
 More Room Needed.
 The number of double decked beds resorted tc iG, one of the dormitories is a very patent indication of the over crowded conditions existing there, while the fact that eight or ten little ones are taught kindergarten methods by an extra teacher in the regular play room seems to point to the conclusion that this building has at least reached its hmH of usefulness.
 Your board of management is keen ly alive to the danger by fire, and Chief Stanton of the fire department In con- sultation with some of it's members has moved the fire alarm box to pole a short distance from the house, that the wires might not be involved should the building catch fire. One boy who had been in the home but short time caused great alarm by well planned attempt to set fire to the house. The boy seemed too great a menace to the welfare and safety of this helpless household and he was sent to the St. Johns school for boys.
 Homes Preferable to. Institutions.
 The welfare of the dependent chil- dren of New London county is so near to the heart of it's citizens that there is no doubt that proper provision will be made for them, and that at no dis tant day, but the problem arises in the minds of many interested as to the best way to meet the situation. The general trend of opinion among stu dents on the subject is against insti- tutional life for children as most un- natural, and in favor of family homes.
 It is evident that a sufficient number of desirable homes for small children. without board, are either not open or not reached in this state, neither are there any great number available at the price now allowed the County home children, a sum smaller than that al- lowed for any othfT class of state wards. If these children are to be boarded out in family homes, provision
  llgent supervision, or this system might give rise to worse conditions than those now existing in the well kept county homes of tho state.
 In spite of undesirable conditions, the health of the children has been good, there having been no illnesses of serious nature or lasting Ill effect.
 Teachers, Matron and Assistants.
 It is a renewed cause for congratula- ton that Miss Leach still continues her painstaking, intelligent service. Four different grades in one room call for diversified talent and real labor, which she gives without stint.
 Miss Thresher brings zeal and ap- plication to her work and gives much attention to training the children for the cantatas and musical selections with which they so creditably enter tain their friends, and quite incident ally give a large amount of pleasure to themselves.
 Much credit is due Mrs. Graves and her assistants all earnest, devoted for the degree of happiness, as well as health. that has been evi- Some of the capable assistants have been obliged, through i'll health, to give up the work, but almost uniformly each has been willing to return or at least to assist in some special service.
 Perhaps most children have fewer days during a year than are enjoyed by those in this home.
 Children Entertained.
 Thanksgiving is a day of feasting and good cheer, but Christmas is the lay of all days so bountifrlly supplied hat its pleasures fill all the week un- -il New Years day. MT. Osgood needs no reminder that the season is ap- but year by year, whether 1t home or elsewhere. sends the mes sage, Call on me for the children's Christmas" Mfr. Semple always sends ! large box of oranges in the same quiet way, so tEat nothing is lacking which is not provided by the com 
 The children attended during the summer the picnic of the Baptist church, as will as one planned by the natron. All the larger ones viewed the of the 250th anniversary from the lawn of w. R. Burnham, and the whole number were given a car ride with refreshments by he commissioners.
 MT. s. E. Case sent forty volumes of boys books, the Arcanum club sent many magazines and pictorial papers, while the Loyal Temperance Legion gave May basket filled with candy to each child.
 Several times during the summer the arger boys went berrying, bringing nome large pails of berries for the lse of the family, and on the last day ,f July Mir A. D. Zabriskie entertain d the whole family of children and six assistants near his home in Preston. Mr. Zabriskie sent carriages and wag- ,ns to convey the party to their des- .ination, and after giving them the