Let "Bosco" Speak
|
NOTICE:
The document that follows was transcribed as it was written in 1943. Be aware that there is a derogatory reference in it to a nation of people that were enemies of war when the document was published. If political incorrectness disturbs you, you are advised to click on your BACK button and leave this page. |
|
|
"YOURS" and "OURS"
|
|
We have fallen into the habit of calling the children at Greer
School "our children", probably because we live with them, work with them and play with them; we share their joys and sorrows, receive their confidences and are partners in their hopes. But also they are in very truth "your children", because you help provide for them; your contributions give them food, shelter and clothing; your unflagging support gives them an education and makes possible the up-bringing which will send them forth into the world, healthy in body and mind and with the spiritual outlook of true Christians. "Yours" and "Ours" -- here they speak for themselves, in their unaffected letters, giving you a picture of Greer School and for what it stands, more than could a tome of formal reports. |
|
President |
|
| GREER SCHOOL, HOPE FARM, DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. |
 |
 He was "Bosco" to everyone at Greer School . . . and still is . . . full of life and fun, a good worker and hard player. Now he is in the Navy, in the South Pacific, where news of the School reached him: "I have just received a letter from my mother in which she told me of Miss Misner's passing on, and I was surprised and sorry to hear it . . . I wrote home and asked my mother to contribute one of my allotment checks* for the Memorial . . . It isn't much but I hope it will help Greer School in some way. |
| One hundred and seven
Greer School boys and girls are now serving their country in the Army,
Navy, Marine, Air Corps, Nursing and other services. Their letters from fighting areas and training camps disclose a deep attachment to Greer School and a fine sense of obligation for what it has done for them. This is perhaps the most satisfactory reward for all those who so generously give of their time, thought, work and substance toward the maintenance of Greer School. |
. . . While it may not be an easy life I have now, it is a good one because I hope and think I am doing my part though it is small, to keep places like Greer School going in the American way. I may not get back but that is incidental . . . for through my small sacrifice I give others life and freedom." |
 Director |
 * Amounting to $45.00 |
 Later "Bosco" writes again: "I was surprised and deeply grieved to hear of the death of two of my friends ** at Greer. William Oguenda was always more or less my hero at the School; I guess he was the hero of all the younger fellows at Greer and sort of an inspira- tion to us. I'm sure he passed on fighting to the end and with the sportsmanship and courage that we all admired him for. I don't say he died gloriously because I know there is no such thing in war. However, I do believe that he died for the benefit of the country that was his and the School that was his home, and that in itself is glorious. |
 Photographs courtesy of Acme News Photos |
I'm sure you find that all the men in the armed forces are ready to make the supreme sacrifice for the things they love, honor and respect, and I'm sure that this is also true of the seventy- eight ***, or maybe more by now, from Greer School." |
The boys of Greer School who have reached
young manhood, take something of Greer School with them, into the battle
field and to the factory lathe. That which they take with them is
compounded of the memories and influeneces which have been woven into
their lives. |
|
| ** William
Oguenda crashed and Charles Duncan was killed in line of duty,
1942. *** 107 Greer School boys and girls are with our armed services. |
 |
 "Hays" was pursuing a course at mechanics institute on a Greer School graduate scholarship when he enlisted in the Naval Flying Cadets, ". . . to try to do my part to win this war." "I want to tell you how much my basic education at Greer School has meant to me in the last two years. The training I received, even though I did not realize it at that time, has taught me to live with and get along with other people. I shall al- ways owe it to my life at Greer School that I have been able to get along as well as I have.. |
| Private "Ed" in the
Flying Corps, graduated from Greer School in the class of June
1942: "So far I've finished my eighteen days of drill and now I'm doing K.P. and detail work. Boy! Whenever I think of those four little hours of work I had to do at School, I wish I were there doing them all over again . . . School has started now by this time and I hope you have a good group . . . I sure do miss the old place. Gosh! I'd like to be up there for another three years . . . How's your football team going to be this year? I remember the days when when I used to practice and play. I sure do miss it all now . . " |
Let me thank you and the people on the Scholar- ship Committee again for the wonderful assist- ance you have given me, thereby giving me a chance to get a formal education. I appreciate this help the more now that I am nearing the completion of my course." |
 |
 |
 Written from Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, Flight 10, Squadron 26, about one year ago. "Eddie" is now in active service: "Last week I had the extreme pleasure of being accepted as a Flying Cadet and expect to go into training at the end of this month, where as yet I don't know. I was very lucky to be accepted as only 7 out of 70 were. I had to take a mental exam which was pretty hard; then a complete physical exam; and finally had to meet a board of high officers to see if in their opinion we had qualifications for being an officer. |
 Photographs courtesy of Acme News Photos |
| I sincerely believe this
achievement I have made, and any other that I should happen to make in the future, I owe a great part to Greer in moulding my character; in the two years there, it has given me a different outlook on life as a whole." |
"Bill" is a Sergeant in the Infantry. He
and three other Greer School boys were in Hawaii at the time of the
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor: "Enclosed are two money orders . . . the $1.00 is the Miss Misner Memorial, the other, the $2.00 is for the student with the highest grade and honor. Best of luck to all who still remember me. Love to Greer School, and my devotion still is with it. |
 |
 |
 |
 Here's "Tommy's" first-hand report of life at Greer School. "Tommy" is thirteen years of age and has been at Greer two years and seven months. "Dear Uncle: The country is very beautiful up here. If you stand on top of a mountain you can see all the fields. We have a movie every Friday night and we can see it for nothing. ifyou have too many demerits for being bad, you cannot go. We play foot ball games with other schools. So far this year we lost every game but we fought hard too. |
Greer School was established by Bishop David H. Greer at the request of the Judges of the Children's Court, to provide a home, a school and a community for children from Protestant homes, broken by death, illness or marital separation.. |
In the summer we go to the garden and work on the crops. We get toughened up, O.K. We go to Camp Barbey in the summer and fool around. We go swimming two times a day . . . Every six months we get a dentist up here and most of the boys and girls don't like it, but they have to go. We have an infirmary and when we get sick that's where we go. There are eight cottages here. Three are for the girls and four are for the boys. * I get homesick once in a while but that goes away because I'm having a lot of fun. Anyway this is the best place right now. |
* The mathematically missing eighth cottage is Plum, which houses the small boys and girls. |
Your nephew," |
 |
 While "Barry" is only a cub "in the second low- est ranks", he is a redoubtable fire-eater: "Dear Father: Just a few lines to let you know I am fine. I have just joined the cub pack of Greer School and I am happy. I made a good deal to get a cub suit for 2 dollars and they really cost six dollars . . . but don't worry it isn't the cub suit that counts it is the boy inside it. Later I will tell you more about the cubs because then I will be in the higher ranks. I am in the second lowest ranks but don't worry I'll get there yet. How is the army. I just can't wait till you can get at those dirty japs. Can You? Tell me when you go into the battle fields? . . . Don't worry I am having lots of fun since I joined the cubs. How are you feeling. I am feeling O.K. . . . |
 Actual School pictures -- pages six to thirteen. The Cottage Houses, Chapel and Library are shown on pages twelve and thirteen. |
We had a swell Thanksgiving dinner and they even let us have a vacation so don't worry about me. I am very glad you brought me up here. By the way did you want to join the coast guard. I hope you didn't because I like the Army. Any- how if you want to join the coast guard you can because anyway you are fighting for the United States aren't you?" |
Greer School provides a normal home
and com-munity life in which a child may unfold and develop into a
healthy-bodied and healthy-minded adult, soundly educated and prepared to
carry the re-sponsibilities of good
citizenship. |
|
 |
 Dear Santa, Thank you for all the things you gave me for Christmas. Best of all were my cub pants, I am having loads of fun with everything. In the morn- ing we got are (our) stockings I stumbled over the trash can and got half way down stairs and they squeaks. This was my best Christmas. I had a very good Christmas dinner, turkey stuffing, potatoes etc. I wish you were there. Some of the boys mothers were up to see them. |
| Dear
Santa, Thank you for the nice bead set and the swell gloves. They were just what I wanted. It is an official bead set. On Christmas morning when we went to our stockings we had lots of fun. The carolers came around about 5:30 A.M. but we didn't hear them very well and when we asked them about it they said they didn't come around at all to Marcy, they were at Daisy. After our work was done we went into the living room to open our gifts but before we opened them we knelt down and thanked God for all his blessings and we were grateful to be in a free country and in Greer School. And Santa thank you for the nice big turkey you sent us for our Xmas dinner. Love, |
Befor very long I will be using my hatchet to cub down wood for the fire place. Because when it's cold it is kind of nice to have wood. Before any body open theirs presents we prayed be- cause some people in the others countries would not have anythings for Christmas. So we have to be thankful for what we get. In Marcy we had plenty. And I think you were very nice to us. I am very glad I came to Greer School. Because I think I am better off up here. I learn lots of things I didn't know before. I think the greatest thing I learned is to be kind to other people. Thank you Santa for Coming this year and I hope you come next Year. Yours Truly |
 |
 |
 The children raised and canned 5,000 gallons of vege- tables in 1942. Their 1943 goal is 8,000 gallons, thanks to the gift of a one-man tractor with all the attachments.  |
|
THE NEEDS OF GREER SCHOOL IN 1943 |
MAINTAINING A CHILD AT GREER SCHOOL -- |
To feed, clothe, shelter and educate a child at Greer School for twelve full months costs * Based on 1942 costs. This figure will be higher in 1943. |
* $750 |
SOURCES OF GREER SCHOOL INCOME FOR EACH CHILD -- |
| 1. Endowment 2. Payments by parents, or by Counties or Cities 3. Needed yearly from Foundations and pub- lic spirited citizens |
$150 300 300 ____ |
| TOTAL PER CHILD | * $750 |
FREE AND PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS -- |
| In 1942 the School had 34
scholarships For 1943 34 scholarships must be renewed and 66 new scholar- ships established, allocated as follows: |
| 10 Free Scholarships 60 Boy Scholarships 30 Girl Scholarships |
at $600 at $300 at $300 |
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT NEEDED BY GREER SCHOOL -- |
| 1. Garden Tractor (secured) 2. New Water Tank 3. Motion Picture Projector 4. Athletic Equipment 5. Reference Books and Periodicals for Cottages and Community Total for Equipment |
$1,000.00 1,900.00 400.00 1,500.00 1,429.40 _______ $6,229.40 |
Greer School is an "essential industry" and should in all justice enjoy a "priority rating" in the minds and hearts of all those who express their love of country through love of its children. |
THE NEEDS OF GREER SCHOOL IN 1943 SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENSES OF THE OPERATING FUND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1942 |
INCOME FOR OPERATING EXPENSES: |
| Contributions
................................................................................................$ Proceeds of Christmas Sale ......................................................................... Charles Hayden Foundation ....................................................................... Greater New York Fund ................................................................................ Income from Josephine Irwin Trust ........................................................... Income from Edwin Gould Fund ................................................................. Individuals for Private Charges .................................................................. Certain Cities and Counties for Public Charges ....................................... Income from Investments, General Endowment, and Other Funds......................................................................................... |
41,191.30 2,809.75 3,000.00 1,806.00 1,605.57 1,592.50 23,654.53 46,511.53 30,864.67 |
| Total Income for Operating Expenses .......................................................................$153,035.85 |
OPERATING EXPENSES: |
| Greer School, Dutchess County, New York |
| Home Care
............................................................$ Education ............................................................. Recreation ............................................................ Administration .................................................... |
73,829.59 29,520.00 11,577.24 13,289.37 |
| $128,216.20 * |
| City Offices: includes Social Service, Treasurer, |
| Appeals and
Alumni
................................................................................$ Pension System ............................................................................................. |
22,845.50 1,526.77 |
| Total Operating Expenses ........................................................................................$152,588.47 |
EXCESS OF INCOME OVER OPERATING EXPENSES |
$ 447.38 |
| >> << >> << >> << |
| * This amount does not include
$5,362.52 expenses for supplies purchased
in 1942 in anticipation of rising prices. The above summary does not include special non-recurring contribution in the amount of $5,000.00 for payment of deficit of the year 1941, and for other purposes. |
| ACCOUNTANTS' CERTIFICATE |
| Greer
School: We have made an examination of your accounts in relation to the income and expenses of your Operating Fund for the year ended December 31, 1942. In our opinion, the accompanying statement sets forth your operating income and ex- pense for the year ended December 31, 1942. |
| HASKINS &
SELLS Certified Public Accountants |
| New York, April 17,
1943 |
 LEGACIES 1918 Frederick Gilbert Bourne .......................................................................... $ 40,000.00 1920 Mary Edna Pomroy ................................................................................... 5,000.00 1922-1930 Charles F. Rhinelander..................................................................... 36,333.21 1922 and 1931Minnie B. Anthony ................................................................... 7,174.28 1924 and 1925 Ethyl McLean ............................................................................ 10,440.00 1925 and 1926 Frida Ashworth ......................................................................... 5,000.00 1925 Mary M. Baldwin ...................................................................................... 4,910.96 1927 Ella Poole Cutler ........................................................................................ 950.00 1927 Gerald L. Hoyt ........................................................................................... 500.00 1927 Annie C. Kane ........................................................................................... 100,000.00 1928 Henry K. Goetchius .................................................................................. 1,000.00 1931 Frances Haight .......................................................................................... 10,000.00 1932 Agnes C. Fanton ....................................................................................... 1,847.63 1933 John Markle ............................................................................................... 100,000.00 1933 Ella F. Russell ............................................................................................ 5,000.00 1938 Charles Roy Bangs ................................................................................... 655.72 1938 Anne D. Ives ............................................................................................. 1,000.00 1938, 1939 and 1941 Jane D. Underhill ............................................................ 5,163.62 1939 James Henry Anderson ........................................................................... 27,769.28 1939 Cornelia Livingston Pell .......................................................................... 10,000.00 1939 Amalia F. Morse ....................................................................................... 10,000.00 1939 Marie N. Wheeler ..................................................................................... 2,000.00 1939 and 1941 Henry G. Barbey ...................................................................... 16,753.11 1918 John Brooks Leavitt ................................................................................. 386.55 ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS and MEMORIAL FUNDS Lady Gabriel -- for three children at Greer School. Bennett School -- Barbara Rollins Memorial Scholarship -- for a graduate. Mrs. Arthur W. Butler -- A. Lentihon and Victorine E. Foster Memorial Scholarship -- for a graduate. Betty V. Hazzard Memorial Scholarships -- for children at Greer School. William H. Erskine -- for a child at Greer School. Russell A. Hibbs Scholarships -- for children at Greer School. Sevilla B. Doudge Library Fund Jane Fowler Daniels Library Fund Steven Barlow Library Fund H. LeRoy von Lackum Medal Fund FORM OF BEQUEST I give and bequest to Greer School, a corporation of the State of New York, the sum of .................................................................................................................. to be used for its general purposes. |
    |
    |
 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1942 President.................................................................................................. Arthur W. Butler Vice-President ............................................................................................ Edward Pulling Secretary ......................................................................................................... Victor Elting Treasurer ................................................................................................ Charles C. Gifford Hubert S. Aldrich Mrs. Henry R. Labouisse, Jr. Hugh D. Auchincloss Mrs. David Rockefeller Mrs. Henry G. Barbey Theodore B. Russell, M.D. The Rev. Roelif H. Brooks, S.T.D. Mrs. Theodore B. Russell Mrs. Arthur W. Butler Mrs. Alfred Seton Mrs. Charles C. Gifford Mrs. Frederick Sheffield Mrs. Russell A. Hibbs Alan De Forest Smith, M.D. Mrs. Charles B. Kaufmann The Rt. Rev. Ernest M. Stires. D.D. Henry R. Labouisse, Jr. Mrs. John W.F. Treadwell ¤ Philip E. Donlin, Counsel Frederick G. Behrends, Director Kenneth Kenneth-Smith, Executive Secretary ADVISORY COMMITTEE Mabel Carney, M.A. ............Associate Professor of Education, Teachers College Theodore H. Eaton, Ph.D. ..........Professor of Rural Education, Cornell University Mary Holmes S. Hayes, Ph.D. Director, Vocational Service for Juniors, New York Clyde B. Moore, Ph.D. ...............Professor of Rural Education, Cornell University Lois C. Mossman, Ph.D. .... Associate Professor of Education, Teachers College Wilhelmina Spohr, M.A. Assistant Professor of Household Arts Education, Teachers College VISITING MEDICAL STAFF Scott Lord Smith, M.D. ............................................................ Consulting Physician Davenport West, M.D. ............................................................ Consulting Physician Theodore B. Russell, M.D. ...................................................... Consulting Physician Alan De Forest Smith, M.D. ....................................................... Consulting Surgeon Carl M. Sautter, M.D. ................................................ Consulting Oto-Laryngologist William B. Dunning, D.D.S. .......................................................... Consulting Dentist Charles E. Bauer, M.D. ........................................................................ Opthalmologist E. Gordon Mackenzie, M.D. ...................................................... Attending Physician Charles B. Dean, D.D.S. ..................................................................................... Dentist John Kanya, D.D.S. ............................................................................................ Dentist James William Bellows, D.D.S. .......................................................................... Dentist |
Back to Archive Documents