Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-10
LIGHTHOUSE BRINGS CHRER
TO KENSINGTON'S WOMEN
Institution Governed by Woman Is Rock to
Which Toilers Cling in Bitter
Struggle

Out IN Kensington, perhaps the most
" thickly settled part Of Philadelphia, you
nave only TO mention the Lighthouse 20 be
urected with eagerness and enthusiasm In
lts direction. At once. from the manner OF
.ne reply you deduce that u must be q most
desirable place 70 visit. II is-there II not
n more popular place OF assembiage than
the Lighthouse, a neighborhood house which
Is open at all times and 10 all peoples II
unoer the enhcient management OF Mrs.
robert r. p. Bradford and her able as
sistants, is located at l52 West Lehigh
avenue and gives ample evidence, by in
success. OF the public spirit and executive
ABILITY OF this Philadelphia woman.
As for the lantern OF this lighthouse on
land' " is only CHEEKY little phamphlet, is
sued monthly, which tries TO throw a bright,
encouraging light across the uncertain path
OF many storm-tossed wayfarer, steer him
past the shoals OF the drink habit and pilot
him At last Into the safer harbor where he
can always find the secure anchorage Of a
orotherly, helping hand. In fact, the chief
object OF the institution, frankly stated by
us managers, Is 20 provide a counter-attrac-
ton to the 1917 saloons and four breweries
winch are located In the immediate vicin-
ity to do away with corner lounging and
other places OF vicious interest and to prove
20 the pessmist that human nature is essen
TALLY good. except when warped by the
stress OF too great an economic pressure
everything possible is done TO make the
neighborhood, composed mostly of hard
working mill workers. a brighter and hap
pier place in which to live.
The activities of the Lighthouse are va
ried and numerous. There Is n mems club
house, which has many cozy rooms where
| checkers, chess. dominoes and billiards are
played nightly; library full of books and
comfortable easy chairs hot and cold baths
on tap for the lover of aquatic sports bowl
| ing and QUOT alleys. and a roof-garden,
where the somnolent breezes of the Della
ware can be enjoyed.
Tho Women and Girls Club offers as
many opportunities along distinctly femi-
nine lines. Glasses in dressmaking and mill
linery have been held for the last ten or
eleven years: there is long waiting list
and the membership is now almost 900.
For those of literary tastes. a class in
literature Is held once a week. when the
well-known classics are studied. There ls
a Campfire Chapter for the younger girls.
which is provided with the proper regalla
for "squaw" demoiselles; while a nursery
relieves the tired mother of tho still young
er ones. instruction in singing, violin,
piano. gymnasium work, basketry, etc. is
also given.
As for the boys, they. 700, have a splen-
did clubhouse, containing a billiard room,
swimming pool, library and gymnasium,
| where they can wrestle. play indoor base
ball, practice woodcarving and work on
their boyish exuberanco IN many delightful
ways
RECREATION GROUND
A recreation ground. affectionately nick
| named the Farm" is the scene of still
more joyous outings. especially in the sum-
mertime.. 1t contains a baseball diamond
| tennis court, running track. croquet ground
and basketball field, each sport having its
| day and turn in popularity. Plcnics, tourna-
ments and farm teas are also held here
| their appeal to the members goes without
| saying.
There is a dramatic club, which provides
| amusements in the shape of amateur ciumsi-
ness and embarrassments; travel classes
| for those seized of the wanderlust, but un-
| able to throw up perfectly good job 10
| follow a will-o'-the-wisp sans bread and
butter; Red Cross class ably con-
Quoted and as thoroughly absorbing as those
| formed for the enjoyments Of the fashion
able debutante. The cosmopolitan character
| of Its membership may be judged from the
| fact that there are Armenans. Germans
| Poles, Italians. Scotch, English and Irish
who meet in its halls in fraternity and
friendship. There is also movie smoker
| given periodically to relieve the longings
| of the movie-mad
At Christmas a festive entertainment is
| given in honor Of that sweet saint, Kris
Kringle; open houses is also kept at New
certs. dances, lectures and Bible classes
| all represented In the social activities
| OF this splendid neighborhood house.
SICK NOT FORGOTTEN
The sick and unfortunate are not forgot
| ter-fuel saving funds, shoe funds, funeral
| former and various benefits to aid the lat
ter-fuel saving funds shoe funds, funeral
| benefits, etc. Local lodges and union
| organizations are permitted to meet in it's
| lecture rooms.
The entire place is financed and the work