Norwich bulletin., 1911-09-05
CLOSE OF PLAYGROUND
AT NORTH sToNINGToN
Average Attendance During Summer
Of 2o-Numerous Gratifying Features

Tie playground which has been in
progress during July and August on
the grounds of the Wheeler school and
the Congregational church closed last
Thursday AFTERNOON with picnic
which, on account Of the rain, was
held in the vestry of the Congrega
tional church. In spite of the weather
over thirty were present and a happy
time was enjoyed. Ice cream and cake
were served and also a fine box of
candy, the gift of a friend visiting in
the town.
The atten dance during the summer
has been encoura ging, averaging about
20. The highest attendance on any day
was 30.
The younger children have been I'M
der the care of Miss Katherine M.
LAWN of Boston, student in Miss ST.
monds kindergarten school of this
city. She has shown marked ability
in her work and has given valuable
ground. Her knowledge of basket
weaving enabled her &c give lessons
to the older girls and the specimens
of their handiwori1 in that art are in
teresting and attractive.
Mrs. F. NJ HOLSTER has had gen
eral charge Of the playground. being
ably assisted by friends of the children
who have given some of the lessons
in cooking and sewing and helped in
other ways Some article of food pre-
pared by the older girls was served
almost every day to the boys and girls
present, thus affording opportunity
for learning the womaniy art of pre-
siding at the table and serving re-
freshments to their friends.
Lessons in plain sewing. hemming
and darning were given. Dish towels
| and holders were made for use in the
| playhouse, and rag carpet for the
playhouse floor.
The kindergartnels had mat weav-
ing, clay modelling and crocheting, be-
sides enjoying the sand box, swings
| and seesaW and learning some pretty
| motion songs and kindergarten games
| The older boys had number OF
| games of baseball which they greatly
| enjoyed, and Rev. j. Howard Adams
| pastor of the Baptist church. gave a
| few practical lessons in carpentry
| which, with the work done 10y the boys
on the playhouse, introduced them &c
some Of the uses, Of the more common
| tools with which every boy and mar
| should be familiar.
| The successful Tea Garden held in
| July netted s65, which met all eX-
| renses, including the building and fur
nishing of the playhouse, and pur-
chasing the boys tools and the kinder
| garten material.
| A number of visitors during tbs
summer expressed great interest in tbs
| work and compared 1T very favorabls
|
| experiments which are being tried II
| cities and larger towns.
| The North Stonington playground i:
| one of the very few attempts in tina
| direction in rural communities and has
| therefore attracted some attention
! from those who are interested in the
| movement throughout the country.
| 1t is planned to have an exhibit o.
| the playground work at the Grangs
| fair which is to be held September
/ 20 and 81.
| One of the most gratifying features
| of. the movement in the town is thu
hearty cooperation and fellowship il
the work by so many people in thu
| community.
Everything that brings neighbour
| and members of churches and othel
| organizations together in some com
mon effort for the welfare of the com
| munity is valuable aside from the di
| rect good which comes to those wht
| are the Special object of the effort.