Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-10

| ' the number in attendance was not as | large as had been expected much in- terest and enthusiasm was shown /! throughout the meeting by those pres ! en.t It was opened by President J. B. l Stanton, who presided, and the first business was the hearing af the report i Of the secretary. Arthur L. -,Peale. Secretary Peale presented his report of the last annual meeting and it was approved and accepted.
 Treasurer Lees Report. The financial report was made by Treasurer John M. Lee as follows: Receipts.
 Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1913, $5.23. Contributed-Mrs Ellen R. Palmer $10, A Friend 20 cents. A Friend s. re- deemed postcards 3S cents. net receipts of flower show $34942 life member $90. active memberships $494; total re- ceipts, s1,057.2s.
 Expenditures.
 Supervision s673.sS, equipment S20S.51, supplies S4665, stationery and stamps s21.S7. contributed to munich pal Christmas tree $10; total expendi- lures. S96o91. Balance on hand March 1, 1914 S96.37
 In addition to the foregoing bal ance he reported that the association was in receipt of several contributions from supporters of the playgrounds movement as follows: Mrs. William H. Shields s25, Mrs. William Norton Blackstone s10, Frank J. King $1O, J. P. Barstow & Co. S10, Mrs. Louisia G. Lane S5.
 These contributions to the associa- ton were forwarded through Mrs. C.. l.. Hubbard, and as they were received l tl7H af -rA1- were balanced, they will be included in the report for 1914. The directors of the association are grateful for the lib eral contributions received so far this season and hope that they are only the forerunners of what may be expected in the way of contributions when the importance of the movement is more generally understood
 The report was accepted.
 Supervisor Welt Reports on Local
 Work.
 The report of Supervisor H. Wielt Jr., of Springfield. Mass, was read by Secretary Peale as MT. Welt was un able to attend the meeting.
 The supervisors report which was approved and accepted, follows:
 Gentlemen: In submitting my re- port as supervisor of the city play grounds I am pleased to report a suc- cessful season. More than 16,000 chill dren (taking the attendance morning and afternoon) took advantage of the facilities for physical activity and rec reation. These figures I believe sur pass those of previous years. This can be accounted for by reason of many older boys and girls being interested in our games and teams. and to no small degree a larger appreciation on the part of the community in general for the playground work.
 Unusual interest was manifested in the sewing and embroidery, which gained the generous commendation of the parents and friends of the chill dren. Many children when admitted to the classes did not know how to use thimble, but at the close of the season they became quite skillful sewers. Their work at that time would have done credit to many mature persons, and will prove of incalculamle value to them in later life.
 The story hour was especially inter esting and a success. The folk dances were popular, as were the song games. In conjunction with the story hour pc with reference to the sand boxes. These were always populated by the smaller tots.
 Croquet. ring games and quoites horse shoes) were enjoyed by both sexes. In like manner were those
 
 ed These, however originated on the individual grounds and were not a part of the playgrounds curriculum.
 The interest in baseball was very keen, especially at first. Each of the had a senior and junior team. The reason for lack of enthusi- asm in the couple instances was the fact that travel to and from the play ground and park was tiring, especially hot days. The playing of the sched- ule games at the park was necessitat- ed through lack of space at a majority of the playgrounds. This condition, however, did not prevent the schedule being completed with the remaining four teams. In the case of the two teams that dropped out of the race provision for amusement was made along other lines.
 The field day events occurred the last week of August. On Chelsea Pa rade were held the folk dances, inelud- ing the Maypole dance, while on the Academy field were held the track events and baseball game. The former was a competitive affair, all the play grounds being represented. while the latter consisted of the winners in the league Gake stree1 and picked team from the remaining three' teams.
 Another factor of importance which feel means much for the success of the work and which we found very popular, were the tramplng eXcur- sions.
 Recommendations.
 In this respect it will be difficult. must guard against taking an extreme attitude, for there are so many things needed.
 First-I would make strenous efforts for the securing of a new ground which could be made to compare with .ake street From what Mayer Mur- phy said to me last fall, I feel that there are available pieces of territory for playground use. The fact that you would be limited financially, would necess1tate the consideration of but one new ground. However, in five years at the outside a well balanced system would be under way. To me it is the space needed to make the work a success. The apparatus is q minor factor
 Second-On Lake street and on this new field I would like to see shade trees planted. If shade and seats are provided we will find that mothers will frequent the grounds in large numbers. We had to suffer the erabarrassne ent l last summer of seeing the mothers visit the Lake street grounds, only to l about face and return or go in town 1 because of insufficient seating capacity | and shade.
 Third-These same grounds, owing i to their spacious character. ought to l be open evenings-tf only three even 1 lngs 8 week. The evening is the real i, playtime for the adolescent boy and girl, especially those who are compelled i fo work in ShODS and StaraC 1nci,oar +l,o