Putnam patriot., 1930-05-08
ALWAYS A WELCOME AT
 THE TOP Q THE HILL

She says: "Top Q the Hill is very dear to me and love it's every chang ing views and beautiful sunsets" It is then that she alludes to it's being from some such spot that Van Dyke must have received his inspiration.
 Want. to Share lt
 When she first went near the Top @ the Hill to live few seemed to know the beautiful spot. "lt seemed a pity to me" she says, that such a beau tiful view was so little known. felt as though 1 wanted to share 1t with all lovers of nature. In a quiet sort of way l tried to advertise the place by telling of it's beauties and putting up a few arrows to help people find it. Then l added some seats for the weary ones and later on the little cub board from which picknickers could replenish their lunches if they de- sired"
 The little cupboard at the top of the hill held an attraction for the Patriot representative. It appealed to his news sense" It was unique self service enterprise. We doubt if it has a duplicate anywhere in the country 1t denoted trust in human nature such as is unusual in these times. Perhaps the person behind the enterprise felt that no one, standing on the Top @ the Hill and looking at the wonders of nature for miles and miles around, could, at such a time, and in such place. commit breach of confidence.
 The Little Cupboard
 If the reader recalls. at the top of the hill, in field, Is little cupboard. l It is kept stocked with preserves, iel- lies and salted peanuts. Each jar Is neatly labeled as Co the contents and the price. In the cupboard is also a "guest book" If one desires to make purchase he writes his name in the book. enumerates the articles taken, the price of each. and deposits the money on the cupboard shelf. It was this trust and confidence in human na- ture at which the Patriot representa- tive marveled as the story of last fall was written. His inuendo was grasp ed by the Lady of the Top 70 the Hill, who says: 'fI am so pleased to know that you liked the self service idea. 1t has pleased many although they won dered how I dare do things that way. have always believed that one can generally find what one looks for in others. I trust those who visit the place and very seldom is my trust be- l trayed 1 hope very soon to get the cupboard back on the hill with some supplies and new guest book. Per haps for a while the favorite brand of sated peanuts will be missing. How ever. the seats and the beautiful view will be there. and now the buds are swelling we can look forward to an ever increasing loyeliness in the view"
 Again she says am as happy as child when things on the Top o the Hill find favor with visitors. More and more people are learning to love the spot. They always tell others and themselves want to come again
 The Lady of the Top Q the Hill and her husband want people to know that they are welcome. They do not object to having people drive in if | they like. for the road is marrow and by so doing it is easier to turn around. All that is asked Is that motorists do not drive all over the moving and that they leave the place in as neat a condition as they find 1t.
 How to Reach Top o the Hill
 The writer is then told that his directions for reaching the hill, in his story of last fall, amused the Lady of the Top Q the Hill She gives the following directions for an easier way to reach the spot: If you come again direct to Quinebaug you can come straight up from the four corners. It is only mile. When you come from Webster way you cross Dudley hill four corners, keeping straight ahead on the old Southbridge road till you get to the next four corners, then turn to the left; an arrow points the way"
 That is the way to reach the Top o the Hill. The writer gives assur- anee it is worth the effort. The Lady hopes that many Putnam, Pomfret, and Woodstock friends will enjoy the view this summer and concludes: We ! sh.u aI,ravg welcome VOu.