HARDWICk – No more perfect weather could have been ordered on the morning of the arrival of the arrival of the one hundred and a half of Fresh Air Children from the crowded tenements of New York, the great metropolis of this country, than that of last Friday morning. The special train arrived about an hour late from schedule time, it being about 9:30 o’clock, when the children were all unloaded and escorted to the opera house, nearby, for distribution.
Nearly five hundred people were assembled about the station and yard to greet the tired and hungry little army, and considerably dirty from the long, hard ride, having left New York City the night before at about 8:00 o’clock. But great was the joy depicted on many a little face, both white and colored, as they sighted their friends in whose homes they remained last year for two weeks. Only one child was at all ill, and that mostly homesickness. One or two other such cases were in evidence, but as soon as they got into the right home and had an auto ride and a good, substantial meal, they were all right. As we see them rolling by in cars and playing with native children, then the thought always comes that it is a well-worthwhile object.
The committee in charge, with Rev. Kelley and Mrs. Tims, acting as leaders, in a very short time, got the children into the hands of the proper parties, and the Craftsbury lot of about thirty, tagged with blue cards, were immediately separated and taken in autos to the various homes in those villages, while the Woodbury lot were taken in cars and delivered safe and sound.
Of course, the little colored children attracted the most attention, but no one was apparently more pleased than J. B. Grow to find the same little girl he and Mrs. Grow entertained last year among the lot. Blaine has been ill for about three weeks, but a telegram to New York by Mrs. Grow had brought about the arrival of the same dark complexioned little girl, and Blaine’s joy was great; others were equally as pleased to receive the reinvited little folks.
It was a very orderly little army of children, and they were in charge of a man and his wife, also another gentleman, and while they said they were kept busy all the way on the trip, yet nothing developed during the journey to make it all a hardship. They, too, could not help but feel pleased to think the children were to be so well placed as they saw the sunny smiles break over the little countenances, as each one or more were claimed by those who are to entertain them in Hardwick and vicinity for two weeks.
They were also an unusually clean lot of children, with generally a few more of American parentage than last year, but of various nationalities as a rule.
That they will enjoy two weeks in Vermont and in Hardwick and vicinity, goes without saying and everyone is doing everything possible to make their visit an enjoyable one.
Rev. Charles W. Kelley is in charge of the Fresh Air Children and all contributions of money and clothing should be sent to him, as well as all complaints.
New contributors to the fund are as follows: W. H. Taylor, $7.00; Mrs. G. N. Norcross, $3.50; Mrs. O. W. Shepard, $3.50; John Gallagher, $3.50; Mrs. W. A. Dutton, $5.00.
This story is reprinted exactly as it appeared in 1925.
Wapanacki Trout Club Dinner Enjoyed by Large Number
HARDWICK – Nearly a hundred members, their families and guests, of the Wapanacki Trout Club partook of a splendid trout dinner at the club house last Sunday.
The company included people from different sections of the state and a few without the state, and all were free in praise of the dinner as served by Mr. and Mrs. Cate, in charge of the club house, and their assistants.
The lake is furnishing some excellent fishing this season at times when the trout are biting and there is every evidence that it is becoming well stocked with fish.
The directors have recently placed orders for several thousand more six-inch trout, to be delivered in the lake this fall, with the expectation that they will be eight-inch or lawful fish to catch, next season, and the club members may look forward to more sport the coming year.
Town News
EAST CALAIS – The next meeting of the Woman’s Club will be held at the home of Mrs. Will Peck, Saturday, August 8th. Mrs. Ivan Gray and Miss Sylvia Bliss have charge of the program. Subject, “Ferns.”
Frank LaDoo was in Barre one day the first of the week.
Ivan Gray was in North Calais one day recently.
Joseph Brothers was in South Woodbury one day recently.
Rev. Weston Cate preached at the Union Church Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. William Kendall and daughter spent the week end with relatives in Randolph.
Elmer Celley has returned from Massachusetts, where he has been visiting the past week.
Mrs. E. C. Bliss was in Barre the first of the week.
George Balentine was in Woodbury one day recently.
Mr. and Mrs. Levi Wheeler have returned to their home here, after visiting their daughters in New Hampshire last week.
Neil Tassie of Woodbury was in town on business Tuesday.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
