Will's Genealogy Blog: Lesley

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Green Mountain Camp - Post 5

[Grace Ware Holbrook Journal Entry regarding Green Mountain Camp]

[January 3, 1918 - Boston, Mass continued]
     Dinner came at 12:30, and then a rest hour a burdensome ruling to many, especially if there were not letters to be written. However it was a relief all around; and at the first, when the morning exercises, girl scout drill (given by Sarah Bradley) milk duty swimming etc were new to all they were truly in need of rest for a change from the general excitements. The novelty of course wore off, and first aid classes in hot weather did not tend to contrast sufficiently the dulness [sic] of lecturing and quite hour!
     Sometimes the rest hour was shortened or early enough to allow for an auto trip or walk when we carried suppers with us. Our first excursion proved a lesson in that it was lacking in excitement other than mosquitoes and midges galore. The whole picnic hardly occupied over an hour, for we went and returned from the short wood walk, eating our supper frugally all around.
     Our most enjoyable expeditions were by motor, & there was general excitement in the air to where we were going & what might happen. One of the most successful afternoon trips was to Brattleboro when all were given a treat by Miss Lesley to ice-cream, and afterward drove to Naulahka to see mother. The children went about the garden etc, and two or three of us played the piano. "Granny" recited the poem she made up about the camp & one about "Granny's teapot". It happened that she went about with Miss Lesley to look at everything and in remarking the regularity of the garden from the outdoor sleeping porch, stated: "It might have been laid out with a yard stick."
     We went on after this in spite of thunderstorms & auto troubles (in Mr. Moffitt's Ford) to the heights of the McVeagh Farm with Margaret Goodhue, added to our party, escorting us.

Green Mountain Camp Girls at Naulahka Terrace

[to be continued...]

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Green Mountain Camp - Post 4

[Grace Ware Holbrook Journal Entry regarding Green Mountain Camp]

[January 3, 1918 - Boston, Mass continued]
   A short service was held with reading and singing etc; then the daily duties began. Those who were appointed to be milk girls, went with an escort to the entrance of the road and returned bringing the large can of milk in the cart. This proved to be an arduous duty, as the wood road was very rough with stones and boulders and mud holes scattered along the way quite frequently. It generally took an hour's time, and the girls took turns pushing and pulling the express cart. this cart underwent several misfortunes, and all the expense of a little down-hill coast I attempted one day when I was outward bound for supplies! While the girls were on milk duty, two others pumped our daily supply of water by the force pump, into our barrels at the kitchen. This, in the hotest [sic] weather also proved to be an arduous duty; although it may have been just those occupations etc which kept us fairly contented on the whole.
     Hot weather we certainly had - and everything was affected by the high temperature - even the pond - so there was no escaping it. On the hotest [sic] days of all - & luckily for them Miss Lesley and Miss Sutherland were safely away - we had our canning demonstrations given by the state college county worker. It went off marvellously [sic] well, considering the hot situation of our fly where the lecture was given, and the out-door brick stove on which the cooking was done.
     Every morning about eleven o'clock came the daily swim on our little beach - and away rushed the girls with the greatest of glee from any classes or employment which might be on foot to get as long a swim as possible before dinner. If by any chance the regular time was changed, the girls would surely ask when they could get it later on. On the last day, the swim had to be before breakfast - for they had seen us go off each morning early to take a dip, but had not had the experience themselves.