North Carolina State Library Raleigh

‘(She CASWELL NEWS The Caswell Training School - Kinston, North Carolina

5Yo £ess Precious

No Less Precious is the child Who speaks in a halting voice Who walks with a slower tread. Whose hand must always rest in yours Whose eyes your eyes must be.

No Less Precious is the child Who will always look to you for sustenance Who will always trust your guiding hand. Whose greatest need is an encouraging smile Whose constant supplication is for loving care.

No Less Precious is the child

For in the sight of God it matters not

That his mind is slow and his body bent.

It matters only that he loves and is loved.

Pearl L. Adkins, Caswell Training School

JANUARY, 1957

Volume XXII Number I £ 57?e | Caswell HACews 1 s^c^i^s^o^o^G^o^o^o^o^iss^o^e^o^e^o^assessBOJiel

Vol. XXII - No. 1 KINSTON, N. C. - JANUARY, 1957 $1.00 per year

Published quarterly for the benefit of Caswell To the Junior Training School and for the information of the Woman s Clubs citizens of North Carolina. As one travels about the campus of Caswell Training School and visits the various buildings, one sees evidence everywhere F. E. Kratter, M.B., D.P.M., Acting Superintendent of the generosity,’ the kindness, the interest and the Mr. S. H. Stroud, Business Manager thoughtfulness of the numerous Junior Mike Lee, M. D., Woman’s Clubs of North Medical Director Carolina. From every section and corner of North Carolina have come gifts in the form of money, equipment and Pearl L. Adkins personal presents for the individ- ual Associate Editor Elizabeth M. Brown pupil or patient. Playground equipment, the flagpole and flag, the portable Associate Editor Mrs. Jean M. Hurt bowling alley the orthopedic walker, draperies, lamps in various Sports Editor Waylon L. Bissette buildings, pictures, hymnals, choir robes, the gen- Circulating Manager Sarah E. Claytor erous contribution which made the purchase of Secretary the Mrs. Mary E. Collins organ possible, the tape recorder, record play- er and Treasurer ...1 Mary Lee Utley records and magazines are only part of what these active and energetic Clubs have done The greatest and most beneficial gift was the filming of A MESSAGE “THE CASWELL STORY”. This, we say, is the most beneficial because it is reaching out At the turning of the old year into the new I into the highways and byways of North Carolina, should like to take this opportunity to say how telling the realistic story of Caswell and portray- proud I am of the achievements of all the depart- ing what can and is being done for the defective ments of Caswell Training School, which, I am child. During the past year, the Junior Woman’s confident, will be continued into the year 1957. Clubs have contributed $4,544.56 in cash, some of Our accomplishments and problems were shared which was used in purchasing part of the above and equally borne by all members of the staff items. However, there is no way in estimating in who gave of their best at all time in their duties money the numerous other gifts including and toys, J responsibilities. Every visitor to Caswell has candy, clothing and been individual gifts which have’ greatly impressed by the friendliness, clan- been given to the pupils and patients. J liness and beauty The per- of our campus. The recently sonal interest, time and energy renovated given by the wom- color schemes in the ! school building en can also never be measured by any monetary and in the boys’ and girls’ colonies have been means. There are around 100 individuals at Cas- ! particularly singled out for their cheerfulness and well for whom Christmas gifts must be planned. stimulation on our children and staff alike. Dur- For \ many of these pupils and patients, Christmas ' ing the past year members of our professional was made an extra merry and happy one; in staff and fact, employees have expressed ' many a good it was considered the best Christmas Caswell has idea which is now being benefited and enjoyed ever experienced. In this issue of CASWELL NEWS by j our pupils. Through their * devotion to duty we want to pay tribute to and express our and willingness deepest to cooperate, they, themselves, gratitude to the North Carolina Junior Woman’s 1 have risen in stature, gained confidence and risen Clubs. The greatest tribute that can be paid to in self-expression. I should like to admit quite these | Clubs comes from the hearts of the pupils frankly that all of you have been a great source and patients. Though they do not have the med- of strength and assistance to me in my daily ium dut- through which to express their personal ap- ies coupled with a cordiality which has been preciation, and their gratitude is tacitly expressed ’ still is most heart-warming and sincerely apprec- through the enjoyment, the pleasure iated. and the May I express my deepfelt thanks to all the various departments for having been a con- stant inspiration bring to me, as well as to the doctors, my message to a close, I would like to ex- nurses, office staff and attendants who have been press my appreciation and respect to Dr. James greatly instrumental in our success and progress Murdoch, General Superintendent, of the North I am convinced that the year of 1957 will see Cas- Carolina Hospitals Board of Control, who has been well Training School a wonderful become one of the most out- friend and adviser to Caswell at all standing and respected schools in the United times. States, for our philosophy is one of progressive Frederick E. Kratter, leadership and our aim M.B., D.P.M. is to do still better. As I Acting Superintendent PAGE 2 1. Attending from Caswell were Gareth D. Thorn, Daniel Wise, William J. Waters and Jack Howard. STAFF NEWS . . . Mr. Thorne appeared on a panel on “Mobilizing for Vocational and Com- Dr. F. E. Kratter, acting superintendent, ac- Community Resources Mentally Retarded.” companied by his wife and Miss Pearl L. Adkins, munity Adjustment of the Director of Social Service attended the southeast- Dr. Frederick E. Kratter, Mrs. May Stroud and ern regional conference of the American Public Mrs. Jean M. Hurt visited Butner State Hospital Welfare Association in conjunction with the an- the first part of December. nual North Carolina Public Welfare Institute Mrs. Barbara Howard, Director of Occupational which was held in Asheville October 3, 4, 5. Therepy visited State College to confer with a Dr. Fulghum, Dr. Robert Whitener, and Dr. member of the Art department on ceramics. James Lamm were the three resident psychia- The North Carolina State Employees Associa- trists during the last quarter. tion met in the recreational building in October. Mr. John B. Umstead, Chairman of the Hospi- Mr. M. H. Byrum and Mr. Clifton Beckwith from tal Boards of Control, and Dr. James W. Murdoch, Raleigh were the guest speakers. General Superintendent, have been frequent visi- Caswell employees had a Halloween party in tors on the campus. Mr. Roy M. Purser, general the recreation building. Families of all employees business manager, has also made several trips to were invited to attend. Caswell. Mr. Charles O. Willis, principal of the academic All of the Caswell academic teachers, William school at Lynchburg, Virginia State Training J. Waters, principal, Mrs. Owens, librarian, Mr. School for Mental Deficiency and Mrs. Caress W. Wise, director of Vocational Training attended Morgan, Chaplain of the same institution visited the S. E. district meeting of the N. C. E. A. at the campus. East Carolina College in October. Dr. J. H. Harris, Dr. Faith Ogden, psychiatrists Caswell continued its 4 day orientation pro- from Chapel Hill and Miss Bernice Crumpacker, gram for the medical students from Chapel Hill. psychiatric social worker from Butner interviewed In October Miss Pearl Adkins, Director of Soc- members of the staff relative to a survey con- ial Service, and Miss Margaret Lane, Assistant cerning emotionally disturbed children. Director attended the workshop of the North Car- Robert Mines, psychologist at Dix Hill, a teach- olina Conference for Social Work in Raleigh. er and 2 nurses were at Caswell. Also Dr. Harry The medical department has recently acquired R. Chamberlin and Sidney Chipman from Chapel the services of Mrs. Hattie Lou (Frank) Shackle- Hill School of Medicine spent some time at the ford who is a native of Lenoir County. She was school. educated at Wheat Swamp High School and her The sophomore class of Chinquapin High nurse’s training was taken at Lenoir Memorial School made a tour of the institution. Hospital where she served in relief and private the Wilkesboro, Fremont, Rocky duty nursing. Members of Mount, Oxford, and Winston-Salem Junior Wom- In Raleigh during November Mr. S. H. Stroud an’s Clubs visited Caswell the first week of De- joint meeting of the business managers attended a cember. of all the state institutions. They met with the Director of the Division of Purchase and Contract Dr. Ignace Goldberg of New York City, educa- relative to procedure and methods of purchasing tional consultant for the National Association of meats for various institutions. Mr. Stroud also Retarded Children, Inc. spent a day at Caswell. attended the State Dairy Institutional Breeding He is making a tour of all private and state insti- and Testing program at State College. tutions and public schools that train the mentally retarded. It was his opinion that the training Mr. Waylon Bissette, recreation director, at- at Caswell rank among the highest in tended the North Carolina Recreation Association facilities the country. meeting in Raleigh during November. Mr. Bis- sette took part in one of the discussion groups. Dr. Harold Carter from State College and a Mrs. Jean Hurt, public relations director, pre- class of graduate students in psychology and sented the “Caswell Story,” a film, to the Rocky special education observed academic classes on Mount Junior Woman’s Club. Mrs. Hurt also spoke Wednesday. at a D. A. R. meeting in Kinston. Miss Myra Maxwell, director at the Wilson The 8th annual conference on the Education School of Nurses brought a class of student nurses of Exceptional Children was held at the Sir Wal- to Caswell. in Raleigh on November 29 to December ter Hotel o “The Caswell Story” happiness that has come through the generosity and the interest which these Clubs have shown. Has been seen by the Jaycees, Salvation Army Every staff member and every pupil and patient Auxiliary, Lioness Auxiliary, D. A. R. and Prince extend to all Junior Woman’s Clubs their heart- of Peace Lutheran Church Missionary Society in felt and sincere thanks for all the Clubs have Kinston. Out of town bookings included High done and are continuing to do. May these good Point, Fallston, Ahoskie, Fremont, Charlotte, deeds return hundredfold to each and every mem- Clayton, Garner, Oxford, Windsor, Greensboro, ber of the Junior Woman’s Club during the year, Boiling Springs and Rocky Mount. It was shown 1957. over WITN and WNCT in November. PAGE 3 TRAINING DEPARTMENT machine and find it most helpful for making ma- terials (unit and otherwise) for use within the The training department is always happy to various classrooms. Besides the equipment ac- announce with each edition of CASWELL NEWS quired, we now have a set of Childcraft in our the continuing progress made through efforts of area. These are most helpful in teaching the its staff and in conjunction with other depart- various units of instruction. Already they have ments throughout the institution. We are pleased been used enough to justify the purchase of the to report the opening of a new, completely equipp- set and teachers will use them more and more ed beauty salon and the addition of a licensed as time goes on. November and December were beautician, Mrs. Rose Newsome, to the staff of the busy months for the Academic Department. A- training department. The beauty salon has been long with the regular academic work, all persons superbly constructed and outfitted through the were making plans for the Christmas program efforts of the business manager, Mr. Speight to be presented just before the Christmas holidays. Stroud. The addition of this facility will greatly With concerted efforts on the part of all persons enhance the attractiveness of our girls, stimulate the program was ultimately most successful. The interest in personal grooming, and provide ex- program itself tied in perfectly with the unit of cellent vocational training for certain girls inter- work on Christmas preceding the holidays. Mrs. ested in learning the work of a beautician’s as- Oettinger with music, Mrs. Nunn with art and sistant. A beautiful school flag has been created Mrs. Owens with library responsibilities, all helped by Mrs. Jack Howard, Director of the occupational to make the pre-Christmas experience for the therapy department This is the first flag that child a broad and more meaningful one. The has been created for Caswell and we are certain students within the Academic Area received for the children will be both delighted and proud of the first time in several- years an individual re- it as is the staff. An advanced home economic’s port card in November. The cards were inter- program under the direction of Mrs. Margaret preted for the children so that they might know Elliott is in the process of being developed. The something of their individual progress. Much new program involves training in the institutional student enthusiasm was aroused through this kitchen facilities and should broaden the scope medium and we feel will add to students incen- of training for advanced girl students considera- tive considerable. Already the students are curi- bly. The training department is preparing, under ous to know when they will receive another re- the direction of Mr. Jack Howard, a series of tele- port card. Plans are now underway for utilizing vision programs which will tell the story of Cas- a room over the central dining room for unit ma- well, its purpose and function as a state school. terials. This will make more room in the library The program will be broadcast over WITN, chan- and at the same time provide a place where unit nel 7 the last Sunday of each month. As far as materials might be organized and displayed in can be learned it will be the first series of T. V. such a way that they will be more accessible to programs centered about a state school for ex- the various teachers. Also space will possibly be ceptional children to be broadcast in the United available for all professional books. This will States. A broad research program has been out- mean that the staff will not be as likely to con- lined in conjunction with Dr. Keith Holmes, Pro- flict with the student library schedules. fessor of Education at East Carolina College. The research project involves an entirely new method of approaching the reading and communication RECREATION problem with retarded children and is the result Halloween and Christmas have high lighted of several years preliminary study and research the activities in the recreation department dur- by Dr. Holmes. It is hoped that the initial three ing the last three months. For Halloween the year pilot study can be conducted at Caswell. A recreation building was decorated in gay colors considerable outlay of funds from federal grants and corn stalks. There were several events carried and other sources will be necessary, however, be- on at the same time to add enjoyment to the fore the project can be realized. festivities: bingo, apple bobbing, howling, weight -o guessing, weight lifting and cake walks were all part of the program. The most original and in- ACADEMIC SCHOOL teresting event was the house of horrors which In the October issue of The Caswell News un- was most realistic. der the Academic section there was a sentence Christmas was a really exciting time and one in the last paragraph that read something like of the best if not the best that Caswell has ex- this, “Though progress has been made within the perienced. To this department is delegated the Academic Area we are not satisfied.” Though responsibility of seeing that each child has a many dreams of the department had become re- package on Christmas morning. The gymnasium alities when the last issue went to press, we found looked like Santa’s shop at the North Pole when ourselves still in need of more and even better all the various packages and gifts arrived from equipment and materials to adequately train our the various organizations which so generously children. Since October the department has ac- contributed. About 700 pupils and patients had quired two most necessary pieces of equipment. to have gifts planned for them. Each living unit We now have a typewriter which is most bene- was furnished with a tree and decorations and ficial to us in preparing unit outline and other many of the cottage parents went to extra work reading material. Also a duplicating machine has and expense to beautify the building. Santa paid recently been added to our equipment. All teach- a visit in a bright shiny convertible. On the play- ers within the area have learned to operate this ground he distributed candy to every pupil and PAGE 4 Service Depart- patient able to travel to the play ground. He also ters are handled by the Social Department’s responsibil- visited the colony and hospital buildings for those ment. The Cottage-Life have the children who were unable to go to the play ity is to receive the relatives and to packed. The grounds. The department also took many bus children ready and their clothes checks out loads of children into the city of Kinston to see Medical Department examines and the bright lights and gay Christmas decorations. each child. there were only twen- Many of these children would never see such de- During the last quarter, corations otherwise. Christmas was indeed a hap- ty-nine admissions to Caswell. The waiting list and as of January, there py time at Caswell. continues to increase were 733 applications on the waiting list. The population of the school as of January 1, 1957 is Occupational Therapy 1844 pupils and patients. One of the recent highlights in the activities was a sale of articles made of this department Religious Education Department by the students. This sale, conducted at one of Kinston’s leading department stores, was very The Christmas Season always has a special sig- department. successful. Participating in National Retarded nificance in the religious education Children’s Week, the Occupational Therapy De- The outdoor Nativity Scene was installed and partment set up two window displays in down lighted for several nights before Christmas. Thru town Kinston. The displays appeared to provoke filmstrips and film at the Chapel and Vesper hours was much interest. Two new class rooms have been for three Sundays in December an attempt Christmas. added to the Occupational Therapy Department. made to stress the real meaning of These rooms, one located in Byrum and one in Filmstrips used were “The Other Wise Man” and Johnson living units will be used by students liv- “The Lost Little Angel.” The film shown on ing in the Colony wards. The addition of the new Christmas Sunday was “The Greatest Gift.” A close class rooms will enable many students to partici- brief mimeographed service to be held at the pate in occupational therapy activities for the of the Christmas Days’ activities was prepared first time. Beginning the first of December stud- and sent to each building. ents in Occupational Therapy Department began The High Point Junior Woman’s Club donated preparations for the Christmas holiday. The man- 100 hymnals for the church services. These will ger scene was set-up outside the academic school be supplemented, after the first of the year, by building. Many decorations were made for the an additional 110 to be given by another club. hospital and living unit. Every student partici- The old hymn books have been sent to some of the pating in Occupational Therapy made at least buildings for use with the Sunday School lessons one decoration for his living unit. Following the and for hymn sings. Christmas Pageant, presented by the music de- partment a display of craft articles was shown. This display was enthusiastically received and many articles were sold. JOTTINGS FROM DORMITORY Social Service Department THE Cottage 2 The Social Service Department is working in Cottage 2 girls have had two parties which close cooperation with the Director of vocations were enjoyed by all. One was a birthday party and rehabilitation of the Training Department to given for Lauren by her father. Christmas time stimulate and augment the rehabilitation of those was a very happy time for all, now everyone is students who have been trained and are now back from a little vacation at home, and they are ready for a trial on placement. The day-work happy to be in school again. placement in homes in and near Kinston is being encouraged. Boys and girls are permitted to work Cottage 4 girls are back from Christmas vaca- for the day in approved homes. An investigation All the tions. Those who didn’t go home had a wonderful is made of each request and the employer must here, going to parties, movies, visiting other call for and return the student. The next step time took a sight seeing trip over to in the student’s progress is to be placed in a home buildings. We saw the beautiful Christmas decora- on a permanent living-in basis. Interest in this Kinston and enthused over the op- program was stimulated and augmented by the tions. The girls are really beauty parlor. A few girls have recent television program. At present, there are ening of our new permanents. The others are patient- three boys and girls on the day-to-day program gotten their their turn. At present, they are talking and seven girls on the living-in basis. All these ly waiting Valentine and Easter. are supervised by the school. and planning for Six hundred eleven children had the happy Cottage 5 5 had such a wonderful experience of going on a visit to their homes at The boys in Cottage of our boys went home. There Christmas time. This is a record number and Christmas. Some but they had each year more children have. Parents cooperated were 13 boys that did not go home here. Old Santa came with in returning most of the pupils and patients on a wonderful Christmas Mr. Bissette took the scheduled date. The plans and arrangements lots of toys and nice clothes. Christmas lights and decora- for the vacations are a joint project between the the boys to see the are back from va- Social Service, Cottage-Life and Medical Depart- tions in Kinston. All the boys in school. ments. The approvals through interviews and let- cation. They are so happy to be back

PAGE 5 We have one new boy William added to our cot- and see what old Santa tage. brought them. The ones who didn’t go on vacation had a nice Christmas Cottage 7 with the dolls, horns, balls, tea-sets, nuts, fruits All of our boys have returned and from Christmas candy of all kinds. We were all very happy. vacation. We were a little bit homesick Carrie for a few and Myrtle received rocking chairs for days. But things have settled back to normal a- presents and they are really enjoying them. Now gain. Those of us who did not go home enjoyed we are starting a New Year and we are going a wonderful Christmas to at Caswell. We wish to try, and make it even more happier than we were thank Billy’s uncle for the fruits, candies, and in ’56. Wishing each and everyone a Happy New cakes which we enjoyed so much. Also our thanks Year. to Bobby’s mother for the big box of candy. We Johnson 2 were all glad to see our boys come back from We, the girls of Johnson vacation and everyone 2 are very happy and is happy to be together content at the present again. time. What with Christ- mas just passed and old Santa was so good to Cottage 8 us this year. We have so very many toys, books We are all happy to be back in and our cottage games with which to play. Our building looks from our Christmas vacation, we so had a real good much prettier since it has been painted and time at home. Santa was good to all of our benches us, and are painted different colors. It helps did not forget the boys that did not go the home. And, appearance of our building quite a bit. Christ- oh, we are still enjoying some of our mas Christmas was such a pleasant time. Twenty-four of candy while watching T.V. We all our girls share our toys went home and we hope they had as and games together. We are glad nice to be back in a time as we did. 1956 was such a nice year. school and look forward to getting our We hope 1957 report will be as nice. We would like to cards. Our cottage parents were real proud of opr take this opportunity to thank each and everyone reports last month. We enjoy going to the movies who helped in making the past year so pleasant every week, and especially services every Sunday and to wish all of you a Happy and morning. Prosperous We sincerely hope that everyone is hap- New Year. as py we are in our cottage and with our cottage Pollock A parents. The Pollock A boys are back from Austin A Christmas vacation. Santa Claus was very good to everyone All of us girls of Austin A did really enjoy our at Caswell this year, with presents and candy Christmas holiday. We had a Everyone good time getting really enjoyed Christmas this year the girls off home for vacation and we sure did whether he went home or not. All the boys that miss them all. But we were so glad that they got went home for Christmas were glad to come back the chance to go. We all know that we are good to Caswell to be with their cottage Barents and girls because Santa Claus came to see us all. We playmates. Parents who visited Pollock A right have really enjoyed looking at all the new things away noticed the newly painted building, and each and everyone got for Christmas. They were complimented the way it was arranged for Christ- all so pretty. Thanks for all the nice things every- mas. We wish to thank the parents who donated one has done for us. We are all very proud of our money toward getting new drapes for the sun new coat racks that were made for us; now we parlor, which we hope to have up in the next don’t have any trouble hanging our coats up. couple of weeks. We wish to also thank the recre- Austin ation B department for putting slides and bars in All the girls of Austin B had a very nice Christ- our yard for the boys to add to their enjoyment mas. Some of our girls went home to spend the for they certainly are enjoying and using them. holidays, while the rest had an enjoyable Christ- Dawson mas here at Caswell. The girls that didn’t go “Hi Everybody” - Time to let you hear from home took a trip to town to see the Christmas us again from Caswell. Much has happened and lights. They enjoyed all the things that were glad to say it has planned been good. Some of the girls to make the holiday a happy one, but went home for Thanksgiving but the ones left most of all they enjoyed seeing Santa when he here had a good dinner with all the trimmings. came to Caswell in the parade. Santa was real After dinner there was plenty of entertainment nice to us this year. He brought us lots of nice to enjoy. School has started, things to and this year they wear and some fruit, candy, nuts and are getting report cards and of course are so gum. We sure did enjoy the - Christmas dinner proud of it. Turkey We are still enjoying our television, with all the trimmings. Our thanks go also our record player. Now we are looking for- to Mrs. Stroud and all her employees for the good ward to Valentine day and more fun. Well, guess eats. Our thanks also to all that had a part in this is all for this time, making our so goodbye - will write Christmas a happy one. Our tree you again soon. was so pretty. Well, we’ve started another New McNairy Year and everyone is doing her share making Christmas at McNairy Caswell a nice place to live. Well, so long for this was a busy but happy time. Be seeing you again. season. Many went home to be with their families Most have Wooten A returned and reported wonderful happy days at home. Those who remained at Caswell The little Wooten A girls have returned from had a very happy holiday season. Everyone en- Christmas vacation. They had a very nice Christ- joyed the very lovely Christmas pageant by the mas, although we were glad to get back home school; Santa’s visit; the visits to see the other to be with the ones that didn’t go on vacation buildings; a ride over to town to see the Christmas PAGE 6 lights; movies, dances and the Christmas Story and all who went home for Christmas are back by our religious director, Mrs. Hurt. On Christ- but Rebecca and we hope she will soon be with mas morning what a beautiful sight in our living us. All who did not go home had a nice time here room! Santa had been here, and remembered at Caswell looking at their presents Old Santy everyone; last but not least a wonderful dinner left for them. We want to thank June’s mother of turkey and all the trimmings. Now we are back for costume jewelry she gave all the Wooten B with our classes and regular work and like it. But girls and for the basket of fruit given to Wooten we wish to thank everyone who helped to give B girls by a friend. us such a wonderful season of happiness. Tapp 4 Tapp 1 It has been such an interesting time for all Here we are all back from vacation and back of us at Tapp 4 for the past few weeks! Before in school having the time of our lives. Some did we were over enjoying Thanksgiving with all the not go home for Christmas but had a wonderful extra that season calls for, Christmas was here. time at Caswell. We want to thank the ones that The excitement of the boys each day as they came made it possible for us to have our swings and in asking, “Have I had a letter today? Am I slides back of our building. We do enjoy them so going home and when are you going to pack my much. Santa was real good to all of us and we suitcase?” If they were not going home the pack- hope that he was good to all the others at Caswell. ages coming in were all important, and they sure- Tapp 2 ly came in! Those who stayed went to town to All our boys except 15 went home for Christ- see the Christmas decorations at Caswell, every mas and those who stayed here received nice pres- unit was perfectly beautiful. We think every one ents including fruit, nuts and candy. We are is glad that vacations are over and the New Year planting some potted plants in our building and begun. Our Religious Director had such interest- have a new fish bowl and fish. This week grass ing lessons all thru the holidays, we all enjoyed was sown around the building to beautify our that. Now Walter, Grady, Rufus, and Sam all say surroundings. Playground equipment including they’re glad to be back, but they’re going back slide, see-saws, swings, merry-go-round were put this summer and the boys were all pleased with up behind the building and the boys are more their Christmas gifts. than happy to use this. Pollock B Tapp 3 All the boys have returned from their Christ- The boys have returned from spending the mas vacation. They all said they had a good time, Christmas holidays at home and all report a won- but they all seem to be very happy to get back derful time. We appreciate the nice card table with their friends. All of them that didn’t go given us by the Auxiliary of Saint John’s Church home had a good time here. We want to thank of Battleboro. David celebrated his birthday De- the Recreation Department for the different en- cember the 12th by inviting his friends to share tertainment they gave the boys. They all went his beautiful large birthday cake with plenty of to town to see the Christmas decorations which ice cream, nuts and candy. We are beginning to they all enjoyed very much. spend more look forward to Spring when we can Byrum 1 the boys enjoy the new swings, time out doors and We at Byrum 1 had a wonderful Christmas slide and merry-go-round recently installed in together. Some of the children went home for our back yard. two weeks, but those who stayed had a good time. C. C. Hospital 1 and 2 We had the place fixed up pretty. The children Last year, 1956, was a good year for students got a lot of presents, and really enjoyed them- and patients at C. C. Hospital. We had parties, selves. All are happy and well, until next time, (birthday, Valentine, Easter, Halloween, Christ- we hope you all had a very nice Christmas. We | mas and other special days), weiner roast with have had our building painted real pretty. The all the trimmings, summer vacations, new clothes, sun parlor is painted blue and the bed room is new toys, visitors, but you can’t expect a boy or painted orange. girl to remember all the good things at the end Byrum 2 been, so in short, of the year after Santa has Byrum 2 boys are a very happy group of little a good year. We are grateful to all who helped boys these days. Most of them went home for “high” make it this for us. Look out! we have Christmas. Now that they have returned they all hopes and plans for this year. Best wishes to are having a wonderful time playing with their all for 1957. toys and balls that Old Santa brought them. They Cottage 3 are also enjoying eating candy and fruit. It is Christmas was a most happy time for the little remarkable how bright benches and pretty color- girls in Cottage 3. Most of them went home for ful walls help the spirits of all who live and work the Holidays, but Old Santa didn’t forget the ones in our Colony Groups. You will look a long way at Caswell. Lots of toys, and gifts, were left for to find a happier group than Byrum 2! to Dr. Mrs. each child. We are very grateful and Byrum 3 Baucum, for the lovely record player they gave us. The boys of Byrum 3 had a Merry, Merry All of our little girls are back from their holiday, Christmas and a happy New Year. Some of the and everyone is enjoying the nice things Santa boys went home for the holidays to spend Christ- left them. mas with their parents. The boys who did not Wooten B go home, had a fine time because Old Saint Nick All girls of Wooten B had a nice Christmas was good to all of them. They got all kinds of

PAGE 7 fruit and candy, and pretty clothes, and on top new pictures on the wall, and are expecting to of that they had a wonderful dinner, and they have the building painted soon. The boys have wished and hoped that everybody had a happy some balls they got for Christmas. They enjoy holiday. playing with them.

Byrum 4 Kendall 2 We 4 Byrum boys are getting along fine, hav- Our children had a wonderful Christmas. They ing lots of fun with our new toys. We had a real enjoyed all the dolls and toys that Santa brought nice Christmas. Our building was decorated and to them. We also had a beautiful Christmas tree. we had a great big Christmas tree. We had open They enjoyed TV and Santa. We all enjoyed de- house and was very proud of our building. Some corating it for them. Some sang Jingle Bells and went home for vacation but to those who didn’t we were all a happy little family. We thank the go, Santa Claus real was good. There were plenty Lord and all the kind people for helping make a of toys and good things to eat. John’s grandmoth- nice Christmas for the children. We hope every- er gave us a big party. Everyone enjoyed it so one had a Happy New Year. much. We hope to have many more. We have Kendall 4 just had our building painted different colors, Kendall 4 is very glad to say their and think it is real nice. We are waiting for spring girls are well and happy. We are proud of to come so we can get out into the yard more. We our children. They all had a Merry Christmas. sure enjoy being out to see the cars and trains Several of the pass. girls went home. Some of our girls received rock- ing chairs and other gifts. They really enjoy their Parrott 1 chairs. They look forward every day to play with Well the holidays are over but the boys sure their dolls and balls. They also enjoy the T.V. did enjoy their Christmas. They liked their fruits, Kendall 1 candies, and toys so much. It sure was thrilling All the girls had a wonderful Christmas. to see them playing with dolls, balls and other Our ward was decorated with a 7 foot tree and a small things. Guess we all are looking forward to spring one. Each had plenty of pretty things it. so we can get out in the yard and play in the on We had the walls and a box under the small tree warm sunshine again and enjoy it so much. covered with pretty Christmas cards, and old San- Parrott 2 ta took his place close to the fire place. Everyone Well Christmas is over and everyone in Parrott got something for Christmas and those who didn’t 2 is back to normal. All of our boys are back get anything from home were cared for by friends from the Christmas holidays and they say they of the school. Everyone had a wonderful time. had a fine time. The boys who didn’t go home had They had plenty to eat, new dolls to play with a good time also. I think everyone enjoyed helping and everyone was very happy. Thanks to everyone with the Christmas decorations as much as they for making Christmas so nice. did when they received their gifts Christmas Johnson 3 morning. Christmas dinner with Turkey and all Everyone in Johnson 3 worked hard and was the trimmings went over big. With the New Year filled with excitement as Christmas drew near here we are all trying our best to make it the and the girls looked forward to Santa coming. best one yet. We had several girls to go home for the holidays Parrott 3 and those who didn’t go had a very nice Christ- The boys of Parott 3 had a very nice Christ- mas at Caswell. Now with our girls back from mas. Some of the boys went home to spend the home again we are settled and looking forward to Holidays with their parents, while the others en- having a happy and prosperous 1957. joyed themselves here at Caswell. The boys en- Cottage 6 joyed all of the activities that were planned for Most of the little boys in Cottage 6 went home them. They enjoyed the Christmas party very for Christmas. The few who were left really en- much and also the visit from Santa Claus when joyed their toys, candy and fruit. The boys liked he came to Caswell in the parade. We had a the circus designs in the curtains that Bucky’s pretty Christmas tree. The boys got lots of nice mother gave Cottage 6. Never have we seen boys things. Carl’s mother gave us four pictures to enjoy pop corn any more than our little boys do on wall. hang our We like them very much. Ever- in Cottage 6. Since they received two nice pop- ette’s daddy gave us some candy and tobacco. It pers from a club that Bucky’s mother belongs to. was enjoyed by all. Our thanks go to both of them When Joe came back from his vacation he brought for making our Christmas brighter. A good Christ- two pretty pot plants, which we all enjoy. mas dinner, turkey with all the trimmings, was enjoyed by everyone. Well, we’re starting on an- Johnson 4 other New Year and we’re looking forward to the The girls of Johnson 4 have enjoyed a very nice spring when it gets warm enough to stay out in Christmas. Some with vacations attached, the sun. So long for this time. Be seeing you while others had visits here from relatives and again in your next issue. friends. They received many lovely and useful gifts plus fruits and confections. No one was “left Parrott 4 out”. Every one had a pleasant day to remember; Most of the boys who were home for the complete with tree and a beautifully decorated Christmas vacation have returned to the building. building, also a good yule-tide dinner. Now they All enjoyed themselves and had a big time. The stand at the threshold of the New Year with ones who stayed here enjoyed the Christmas tree many pleasant surprises to look forward to, and and their packages. We have some new chairs they all enjoy looking forward to delightful and the boys like to rock in them. We have some “things-to-be.”