Milford chronicle., 1922-08-11
DORMTTORY ROOM AT
BLIND SHOP DOUBLED
BY A new ADDITION
TO INCREASE WEAVING CAPACITY BY
BUYING OF new LOAM-CHILD OF
8 FOUND WITH NO TRAINING.

its recent activities:
One of the most pleasing events in
the history of our Welfare Work was
the picnic of the blind. A large van
was supplied Mrs. du POnt and
the blind gathered in surprising force
at The Blind Shop. There were 27 ac-
tive and energetic, good-natured, JOY
Gus blind, ranging from ten summers
to eighty, and only seven for guides,
helpers and entertainment, who pos
sess whole or partial vision. Seven
of our best blind workers were de-
tanned at home for unavoidable reas-
ons. With these the turn out would
have been "a. All these have been re-
constructed through industrial and
literary incentive. 1t was harvest OF
golden ears.
The party enjoyed a merry day, the
trip up and down to the shores of the
Chesapeake was enlivened by song
and Joke. Luncheon was served at 1
o'clock and supper at 6 at the bunga-
low of Mr.. Justis, which was very
kindly opened for this purpose. All
Joined in bathing and fishing and had
a social evening before the return at
O'Clock. The picnic has been the
theme of much joyful talk by the
blind workers.
Two Rooms Added TO Blind Shop
The proposed improvements to the
Blind Shop have all been completed.
This adds two splendid rooms for dor
mitOries with a capacity of six beds
each, which doubles the dormitory ca
pacity. The great improvement which
will take care of the prospects of the
living apartment for a number OF
years, has all been paid for out of
the private resources of the Blind
Shop. The fire escape has also been
completed and is very efficient which
ensures the safety of the workers.
The fire escape is erected by direc-
ton of public authority. We are charg-
ing this addition to our State Funds.
To Purchase Reed Loom
AS the two small looms are much
crowded with work it has been de-
cided to purchase a new Reed loom
like the old ones. Harry Yingling, OF
Dover, an efficient blind man, famili-
ar with all the work for the blind,
has been secured and he will operate
one of these looms. The weaving of
rugs by the blind is an important han
dicraft. They do beautiful weaving
and take great pains with the selvage
and their work very popular on ac-
count of this care and attention.
Robert Loves Death MOuTned
The loss of one of our most indus
trious and inspiring blind men has
been a grevious blow in the loom
room. He was Robert R. Love, who
lost his sight some five years ago. AS
soon as he left the hospital where his
eyes were removed, first one then the
other, he came Immediately to the
Blind Shop and went to work on the
loom. He was a most beautiful wea-
yer and his stipend amounted to $40
to $12 per week, out of which he sup
ported his family and was cheerful
and happy upon all occasions. He was
deeply mourned by the blind at the
shop, several of whom attended his fu-
neral services on the 22d inst. Floral
Offering was provided. Mr.. Love was
revelation to those searching for re-
lief under a terrible handicap. He was
an inspiration and an incentive to all
of the blind and was one of the most
beautiful cases that has ever come to
the attention of the workers for the |
blind. The glory of his reconstruction
must forever inure to the good of our
cause, for the uplift of the blind.
Blind Shop VS.. WOrkhOuse
The broom shop is doing beautiful
work under the supervision of Mr.. |
Wyatt. Our Polish apprentice who |
started to learn handmade broOms, |
less than four weeks ago, at this writ
ing has made two dozen double Xxx rat
tan shop brooms. This is the heaviest
of brooms made for shop work and |
two dozen brooms is job for most
experienced broom maker We pluck
ed a young man off the streets who
was idling in Vagrancy and told him
he must either come to work on an
honest job or travel over to the work
house. He came to work the next NOR
ming and at the end of one week he
was able to sew dozen of the heav-
lest brOoms a day, which is quite suf-
ficient to provide his living expenses
at the shop.
We have a report from the school
in which we entered the blind child
from Dover at our own expense, be-
cause the State educational funds
were exhausted. The report says, 8
years-old, partial sight, physical abll-
ity good, mental ability fair, manual
ability good, minus. She has never
D66u taught u uO dlly JullS UuI e1lhu9S
herself and run wild, she knows moth
ing of the simplest things: the days
of the week, the names of the meals
nor when they come. She is very hard
to discipline. She has good use of her
hands and has accomplished much in
handiwork.
The above case shows the necessity
of field work for the blind. To think
that bright child should grow to this
age, 8-years-old and remain a total
barbarian!
The operations of the Blind Shop
were as follows, for the last three
months: IA large rugs, 264 small rugs,
10S yards of carpet, 784 chairs recan-
ed, 80 baskets handles repaired, 1
pony cart repaired, 100 dozen brooms
made, 6 dozen cot-hangers and 2 doz-
en- mats made, 16 pianos tuned. The
total amount paid to the blind was
$1898.09.
KEEN INTEREST SHOWN IN