Emil M. Hartl

[ca. April 1979]

"Infinite patience" - that's what's needed to get along with troublesome boys according to the new 1973 Massachusetts mother of the year, Mrs. Emil M. Hartl of 3 Queen St., Dorchester. And the 43-year-old lady ought to know because she's been playing mother to more than 5000 boys between the ages of 12 and 17, during the past ten years. And she has three boys of her own, too. She's the wife of Dr. Emil Hartl, director of the Hayden Goodwill Inn School which houses and teaches disturbed boys who for one reason or another, cannot be in their homes. She and her husband lived in the school until five years ago. Her selection as Mother of the Year was announced by Mrs. Charles H. Newcombe, Jr., president of the American Mothers Committee. Mrs. Hartl was sponsored by the executive committee of the Greater Boston District of the Women's Society of the Christian Service. "Give them another change" she said yesterday when discussing the training of the boys. "They are always scrapping, just grit your teeth and hang on." Mrs. Hartl said it is important to keep the lines of communication open with the boys and working with the parents as much as possible also helps. "I once had to start a basketball game in a gymnasium and every time a basketball bounced it bounced in my ear," she said. "However, it only bugged me after 10 at night. "I had to start it when the boys would say 'hey someone shout, 'cheez-it. Here comes Mom.' By the time I got there there'd be no one around, but the basketball usually would still be rolling along. "I never had a dull moment in the 41 years. About a good third of the boys are holy terrors. My own three boys played with them and grew up with them."