The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-04-10

had been shown also in the other
branches of sewing, embroidery, bas-
kerry and crocheting. There had
been dancing class at the close of
each evening which all enjoyed, and
there were also practical demonstra-
tons on home nursing and good
health talks given by the district
nurse, Miss Kubevec.
Through the courtesy of Miss
Emily D. Proctor of Proctor, two
young women, Misses Kendall and
Cobb, had been sent to tell us about
the work at Cavendish House at
Proctor, carried on by these young
women among the women and child
rem of the foreigners there. The ex-
penses of this work are met entire
ly by Miss Proctor. Miss Kendall's
special part was teaching cooking,
housekeeping and sanitary living. At
first little could be done with the
women who did not know our langu-
age, but with the children, and
girls old enough for office work or
domestic helpers much had been ac-
complished. The work began simply
with two rooms, work table and a
coal range as there is no gas in the
town. There. were $50 registered in
the class and the course included the
preparation and cooking of meats, al
so prices and what cuts to use, vege
tables and breads such as they were
accustomed to need Each year the
course was enlarged, more difficult
things being added till the office and
high school girls were capable of
cooking and serving supper or din
ner. AS the work increased they
outgrew their quarters and Cavendish
House was built for them. This was
fitted with six baths in the basement
which were well patronized by the
children; large kitchen on the first
floor and on the second floor a room
for sewing with tables and sewing
machines. There was a class where
English was taught and many Firms
and Hungarians were among the pu-
pills. There were also classes in the
summer for children backward in
school work for various reasons, dur
ing the war years there were COM
munity gardens and home gardens,
canning demonstrations, and at one
ton hospital for infantile paralysis
cases. The childrenI of the second to
fourth grades are taught things about
cooking and sewing in the very simp-
lest form; elementary cooking is be-
gun in the 9Th grade. From the sew
enth thro the high school advance
work; and household physics and
chemistry for the high school girls.
The school nurse has her head
quarters in Cavendish house. Once a
week the nurse visits each school and
examines every pupil. If she finds a
child with cold or symptoms of that
or other trouble he is given a card
stating the case exactly and sent
home. In this way many epidemics
are prevented or lessened. Simple
physiology is taught by the nurse who
also makes a record of and reports
any cases of defective teeth, eyes or
Threats. Short courses had been Civ
en- in home nursing which proved of
much benefit in families during our
recent epidemic of influenza. Several
examples of the appreciation of what
had been done in various families
were given.
Miss Cobb had charge of the sew
ing. Their first aim was to create q
love of sewing among the pupils from
the sixth grade to the high school.
The individual needs are studied. |
They are taught habits of neatness,
thrift and industry. The first year
they teach them the various stitches
and then apply them to practical ar
ticles. Later on machine work is
taught on underclothes, children's
clothing, mending and making of bags
and aprons. When girl can make
a serge skirt that serves as her di-
ploma, and at the end of their high
school course these girls are better
fitted for practical life as wage earn
ers OF home makers, useful to them
selves or to their families. The war
afforded an opportunity to teach self
sacrifice and many articles were made
and sent for war relief. A class of
Italian women are making refugee
garments for their own people.
They have had very successful
Home Economics Course in which the |
growth, manufacture and design of
textiles is taught. Also weaving and
the different kinds of weave and the
wearing qualities and why. They are
taught simple methods with articles
obtainable at home, of testing cot
ton and wooden cloth so that they
know the pure from adulterated fab
RIGS and prices for them according to
their real value. They are taught the
price Of dress according to their in
comes, it's comfort and attractiveness,
and the time and place to wear differ
ent dresses. Making over garments
that still have some use has been of |
benefit to many of the girls. All of the
children attending the classes have
learned to knit. In closing Miss Cobb |
gave most cordial invitation to any
one when in or near Proctor to visit
Cavendish House.
A rising vote of thanks was given |
to Miss Proctor and to Misses Ken |
dali and Cobb for the opportunity of
learnino aho1lt this fine wnrk amoncr