The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1920-05-27
Children's Aid Society of Maine
To the officers and members of the Chill
dren's Aid Society of Maine:


dren's Aid Society of Maine:
Measured by time the year between the
last annual meeting and this one seems
short; measured by accomplishment it
may, we hope, seem longer.
A brilliant Scotch woman has said that
to read statistics understandlngly one
must "lead with imagination" we would
bespeak such reading for these few sta
tistics from the records of our Aid So
ciety.
Our household of girls numbers at pres
ent 20, ranging in age from four to u.s.
We began the year with Is girls in the
Home. We have admitted II new ones,
and have readmitted who were returned
to us, making total of 81. Eleven have
been sent out, of them being finally dis
missed; the others placed in free homes
or working homes; two of these are espec-
tally we'll placed and are probably to be
adopted. One legal adoption has been
completed during the year and six others
are under discussion.
These 20 girls our Home do not fully
represent our responsibilities. We still
have supervision over those who have
gone from US within year or two. There
are IA of this class, and there are as many
more who, though long away, sometimes
need friendly advice or assistance. Alto
gether our Aid Society has throughout
the year come in touch with "A girls. In
Red Cross phrase we have RENDERED
service" to this number.
A recent guest at our Home commented
favorabIy on the appearance of the chill
dren. Many of them are indeed winsome
and lovable, needing only the proper en-
vironment to develop them along all lines.
Our part is to see that they have the
needed opportunity for an all round de-
velopment, spiritual, mental and physical.
Those who are old enough attend church
and Sunday school. Day school attend
ance has been as regular as billiards and
coughs would permit, and there are some
good school report cards to show the re-
suit. The backward children were helped
by special tutoring last summer. Each
child has some task about the house. If
questioned she often exhibits her &C
complishment with proud satisfaction.
Mumps and colds and whooping cough
have interfered with work and pleasure,
but they seem to be nearly over now, and
the long summer of out of-door life will
minister to the physical upbuilding of the
children.
The year has held many Red Letter
Days. Not the least among them was the
day spent at Pitchers Pond, with the ride
and the dinner and the favors. Nothing
was left undone by the thoughtful friends
who planned the outing Other days were
made merry by other friends with auto
mobile rides, swimming party, gifts of
candy, fruit or ice cream. Thanksgiving
and Christmas dinners were remembered
as usual by one of the steadfast friends of
the Home. Christmas was more than
usually gala occasion. The little pro-
gram by the girls was particularly well
done. The two big trees were heavy with
gifts and everybody was most beautifully
treated by Santa Claus. Feb IA brought
valentines, and May brought May bas-
kets. and birthday dates have been mark
ed by some special but simple celebration.
The year has brought many gifts to be
acknowledged, and every last one has
been appreciated Gifts of food; gifts of
clothing (some of it carefully and daintily
made expressly for our girls); gifts of
time for sewing, for mending, for teach
ing the children, for helping in various
ways; gifts of kitchen ware and table
ware, and plants and furniture and bed
ding; and the big gift of fine large
kitchen range, suited to the needs of our
hungry family; and the generous gift of
many pairs of shoes straight from the
factory; the discount granted by so many
OF our merchants; passes from the Maine
Central railroad; and gifts of money and
legacles. These have come from the
estates of Edwin Belden, of Mrs. Susan
Mathews, and of Miss Caroline White
A very especial event was the lawn
party given at the Home for the Elizabeth
| browne Rrapk
Many workers served faithfully under
the direction of the Joint committee from
the Travellers Club and from our Board
10 their careful planning was due the
social and financial success of the affair
The proceeds of the sale were about $3.50
and special gifts made up the sum te
about $500, The front hall was paperec
and painted and the two rooms reserved
for the use of the matron have beer
thoroughly renovated and tastefully fur.
nj shed. The sum of $500 has been de.
posted in trust for the purpose of keep
ing these rooms in repair The plate OF
the door marks the rooms as memoria
to Mrs. Elizabeth Browne Bracket, Sec.
rotary of the Children's Aid Society Of
Maine, 1902 1918.
The ate mpt to make more of the farm
! IHlS year Was SUCCESSFUL. NegeL dDleS Of
many kinds were raised in goodly quaint
ties and have helped to supply the tabl,
through the winter. Anol her cow, pig
hens and chickens have been purchased
Mr.. Greer hopes to do still more in his
second year on the farm We are fortu.
nate in keeping with US both MIR. anc
Mrs. Greer, who have been very faithful
to their.duties.
In January our matron, Mrs. Fletcher,
presented her resignation, to take effect
July list. This was accepted by the Board
with regret, knowing that the children
had been we'll and kindly cared for under
her management. We are now CORE
spending with possible applicants for the
position.
The meetings of our executive board
have been held regularly each month,
with one special extra meeting in Sep
TENDER. There have been difficult prob
lens with which to deal, both individual
and financial. With the steadily mount
ing prices of the past year food and CLOTH
ing for family of 20 is a matter for care
full consideration. The many friends of
our Home, both old and new, have helped
materially.
The outlook for the coming year seems
a promising one We hope before it's end
to find just the openings needed for the
best development of many of the girls
now ia our charge.