Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-11
WADING POOLS

My Dear Nieces and Nephews:
H1 HE warm days of the past week
have suggested to every child
"A the pleasures of playing in the
water. Young folk who live suffi-
ciently near the Pacific have had that
solace when the hottest days were
upon us, but for the inland child there
is little opportunity for that sort of
relaxation, beyond the joy of playing
with the garden hose. The last issue
of the Suburban Magazine emphasizes
the craving children have for playing
in water by presenting an article en-
titled "Wading Pool Happiness"
Members of the playground commits
sion might well devote some consider
alton to this thought. A glance at the
several pictures which accompany the
article shows groups oil 'oungsters mer-
rily wading about in water which
barely reaches to the knees of the
smallest ones. The pools which are
photographed are built with cement
bottoms. layer of soft sand covering
this and protecting the feet of the
happy boys and girls. The delight of
wading furnishes many happy hours to
children and where these pools have
been established thousands of children
avail themselves of the pleasure.
Several of the Fairgrounds here have
a large portion of their surface cov-
cred with cement so the only addition
al expense would be in making the
slight excavation necessary and in the
water supply. l believe that at least
two more parks are to be opened with
in a short time and the directors or
the commissioners might try this wad-
ing pool scheme and see how well it
serves its joyous purpose.
1 wish that you would all think of
this suggestion and also begin to
think of other affairs connected with
your Fairgrounds, for within a short
time l shall give a topic for the writ
ers' contest which has direct bearing
upon that subject.
want to tell all the boys and girls
of the young artists division of the
delightful afternoon some of US spent
with Miss Helen Coan the other day
in her charming Hilltop" studio 1t
was unfortunate that more of the boys
and girls did not accept their invita-
tions, and | want to urge each of you
to be sure to go if you ever have the
good fortune TO be asked again.
l hope we shall have some good let
ters describing Teddy's experiences
when he visited in the land of Mother
Goose. Each one of you can describe
what you might see and what you
would like to see, and l am sure many
of you would like to ask the various
characters in the book why they did
the strange things of which the little
poems tell us. Why should Jack want
to jump over the candlestick, however
nimble and quick he was, and why do
you suppose the lady at Banbury
Cross wore rings on her fingers and
bells on her toes? | want each one
of the boys and girls to write in this
contest, and young and Old contribu-
tors will have an equal chance, for
every boy and girl knows the songs of
Mother Goose, consequently the stories
are sure to be varied and interesting.
The pictures for the Juniors will be
easy to draw, for everyone will be glad
to draw picture of the place where
he or she has had the best time dur
ing the vacation, and ths pictures will
form sort Of chronicle of your holi-
day good times which will be very en-
joyable.
Put the school and grade to which
Won are promoted on your letters and
other contributions now.
AffectionateIy, AUNT LAURIE.