1www.girlscoutsjs.org

AVEAVETHE JERSEY SHORE

Want Samoa?Discover exactly how the cookie crumbles

To The ExtremeFrom Mt. Washington to Alaska, Girl Scouts are everywhere

Melting PotDiversity in action. Many backgrounds, one troop.

Spring 2009Volume 2 • Issue 1

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore

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By their nature, Girl Scouts are optimistic. From our youngest members to our adult volunteers, we learn how to make the most of every situation. These qualities serve us well throughout life, especially in uncertain times like today. It’s during challenges like these that the life-long lessons we teach girls become most valuable. When girls see the great and immediate impact they make through community service it becomes easy to understand how one individual taking action can affect the world.Girls learn this lesson through every Girl Scout opportunity. Discover, Connect and Take Action are more than just words to define the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, they’re the core values we address in everything we do.Because Girl Scouting is so important, we’re committed to making it available to every girl in Ocean and Monmouth counties who is interested. We can offer our programs at reduced prices thanks to the generosity of members like you. The vast majority of the donations we receive aren’t from businesses, but from individuals and families, each giving what they can generously afford.Troops and Juliettes benefit from this generosity every day. They attend programs and activities during the school year at extremely low prices and during the summer. Camps Amity Acres and Sacajawea provide girls with experiences they’ll remember forever, and for far less money than similar programs offered through other organizations.Girl Scouts also helps girls achieve dreams that are much more expensive. Our annual cookie sale provides them the opportunity to earn money to pay for Girl Scout activities while learning entrepreneurial skills that will last her entire life.When you talk with girls who take advantage of these opportunities, you see the priceless confidence and character created by Girl Scouts. Through hard work, these girls achieve goals that would otherwise be out of reach. Some earn money for a summer of camp, others have set goals to travel to Europe or Australia, without a penny spent out of pocket. There are also those with smaller ambitions that also become reality, such as completing an archery program, whitewater rafting or visiting Hershey Park.As the year progresses, we all hope to see improvement in the world around us. Whether it’s quick to arrive or takes longer than expected, know that we’ll be here – now more than ever – to help your girls do great things.

Susan H. McClure JoAnn McCann

Earning Girl Scouts’ priceless opportunities in tough times

Susan H. McClure

JoAnn McCann

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore(800) 785-2090www.girlscoutsjs.org

Board of DirectorsJoAnn McCannPresident Dr. Grace Hickey First Vice President Judy Hart Second Vice PresidentDiane Friel-Padlo Third Vice President Mary Anne GearingSecretary Bonnie ChankalianTreasurer

Members at LargeMuriel BeekmanGeraldine Bownik Gary Casperson Julian CastellanosToni Clay-Hall Carolyn Coates Dolores Coulter Debra Dobies Barbara Dunzelman Wendy Galloway Barry W. Johnson Frances Keane Roger Keil Craig Lynch Bill MacDonaldHarriet Primack Charles RichterPenny Rone Shrabanee Shah Roberta Sheridan Karen Souffrant Ben Waldron April Yezzi

Girl RepresentativesKaitlin KraftErin Markov Alexandra MurdoccaMarissa RegadKristine Rosko Victoria Schwarz Rebecca Cora Van Ness

Executive StaffSusan H. McClureChief Executive OfficerRichard RenzulliChief Operating OfficerBahiyyah AbdullahSenior Director, Membership and MarketingJenny CodySenior Director, Program ServicesPatricia J. KurzSenior Director, Facilities and Camping ServicesPat WalshSenior Director, Fund Development and Public RelationsKaren WelchChief Financial Officer

On the Cover: Ashley Fuentes, from Freehold Troop 2780 proudly displays a box of Samoas in preparation for the annual Girl Scout cookie sale.

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Q What about Girl Scouts inspired you to bring the

Girl Scout program to rural Alaskan girls?

It’s a free camp program, one of the few free camp programs that goes out to the villages. Being able to bring that kind of empowerment to these girls who normally don’t get that kind of special attention is important; they never have the opportunity to just be a group of young girls having fun.

Q What was your best experience?

We were in Kotlik, which was my favorite village. On one of the last days, there was a wedding during the day. When there was a wedding, we didn’t conduct camp because the girls would want to do that instead of go to the wedding and that’s disrespectful. Instead, we attended the wedding celebration and had a chance to see the Eskimo dancing. It was so cool at that moment to be immersed in the community and exerpience the culture of the girls we had been working with all week.

Q How did you introduce the girls to Girl Scouts and

what did you introduce them to?We taught the promise and the

law and explained Girl Scouts to the campers. We also introduced the idea that Girl Scouts is a worldwide organization and members are part of a larger group of girls from all over the world, all doing the same things to become strong women. We talked about courage, confidence and character and incorporated that message into every activity we did.

Q Did you try the Alaskan food?

Yes. The king salmon is my favorite. When we were in Hooper Bay, one of our first villages, a woman invited us over and served bearded seal, beluga whale skin and dried salmon. The beluga whale skin was really delicious, you wouldn’t think it would be. I also tried Akutaq-Eskimo ice cream, which is Crisco with sugar and berries. The one I tried had salmon in it, but that was a little much. It’s definitely an acquired taste.

Serving the lower half of Alaska, the Susitna Council is one of the largest Girl Scout councils in the country, covering 228,000 square miles. In comparision, it is 144 times larger than the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, which totals 1580 square miles. More than

20 percent of the Girl Scouts there live in small, remote, rural villages. To reach girls in these communities, the Girl Scouts offer village-based,

summer day camps to Yup’ik Eskimos in northwest Alaska. One counselor is Jessica Kaari, a New Jersey Girl Scout and granddaughter of Penny Rone, Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore board of directors. Kaari studies psychology at Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, and will graduate this spring.

Girl Scouts Are EverywhereSharing the promise and law in Alaska

Jessica Kaari, back right, spent 14 weeks spreading Girl Scout values in Alaska.

Read more on the council website.

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QWhat is it like living on top of a mountain?

There is a lot of moisture in the environment, we are in the fog 60 percent of the time. You can go days, sometimes weeks, without seeing sunshine. However, sometimes we get amazing visibility, with views extending up to 130 miles.

QWhat is a typical day for you at the Observatory?

Well, typically, I get into the weather room, where we do all our work, by 4:30 or 4:35 am. Then I briefly talk with both the night observer and the other day observer about what happened overnight.

Observations are done every hour for wind direction, visibility, clouds (heights and how much sky they

cover), temperature, dew point, weather, amount of precipitation, three hour pressure change and tendency and snow depth.

My current project is working on our distance learning program. Our goal is to be able to reach schools through this video conferencing and have a live and interactive program to keep students interested in science, using the allure of Mount Washington.

QHow did you become interested in this field?

It is somewhat embarrassing, but the way I became interested in the weather is through the blockbuster movie “Twister.” I saw this movie when I was eleven years old, and ever since then, weather has been my passion. However, as I grew older and learned more about weather, I learned to respect the elements, and became more and more awed by the power of storms and how much destruction they can cause.

On TOP of AmericaIt’s called the home of the world’s worst weather,

and they’re not kidding. It can snow every month of the year on Mt. Washington, New Hampshire, with snowfall averaging more than 21 feet per year.

Scientists recorded the world’s surface wind speed record, 231 miles per hour, there, and winter wind chills can plummet to -60 or lower.

Only a few scientists live at its peak. Council intern Kathryn Miller spoke with the only woman there, New Jersey native Stacey Kawecki.

During the summer, above, Stacey Kawecki enjoys temperatures above freezing on Mt. Washington, but snow and high winds, left, can occur at any time.

Read more questions and answers with Stacey Kawecki on the council website.

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• Adult and Child Uniforms• Journey / Activity Books (All Levels)• Gifts and Accessories

• Earned Awards / Certificates• Fun Patches• Council-customized clothing• Jewelry

Everything Girl Scout. Available OnlineIf you want to buy something Girl Scout related, you can find it on the council’s new online store. Shop from the convenience of your home and have what you need delivered to your doorstep.Available Items Include:

Shop Online Now • shop.girlscoutsjs.org

NameCouncilTroopAddress (No PO Boxes)CityState ZipHome PhoneCellEmail

PaymentCheck # is enclosed orCharge to r Visa r MC r AmexCard Number ExpSignature

Due to maintenance and other circumstances, certain rides and attractions (including new rides) may not be open to the public.

Mail ONE check payable to:Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shorec/o Girl Scout Days1405 Old Freehold RoadToms River, NJ 08753

Questions:Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Six Flags Great Adventure(732) 349-4499, ext. 224 (732) 928-2000, ext. 2850ddeangelo@girlscoutsjs.org NJspecialevents@sixflags.com

Price Quantity Total Girl Scout Day Package Includes: One-day admission to $44.00 theme/safari, lunch and free Includes Taxplay-again ticket

Season Pass Holder Package Includes: Lunch and free play-again $17.00ticket Includes Tax

Vehicle/Car Parking Parking passes are not available for $15.00advanced purchase after 4/10/09 Includes Tax

SAT SUN

Tickets will be shipped via Federal Express and

large orders will require an adult signature.

Processing Fee

Total Order Amount

$12.00

Children two years old and under are FREE

Package IncludesOne-day regular admission to Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari A $59.99 VALUE

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT Lunch Buffet featuring hamburgers, chicken nuggets, nacho chips and cheese, pasta salad and more – A $17.00 VALUE

FREE Play-Again admission ticket to Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari for everyone who attends lunch – A $59.99 VALUE

Limited Edition 2009 Six Flags Girl Scout Day patch for all Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts

April 25 or 26, 2009EVENT HELD RAIN OR SHINE

• MealticketmustbeusedonselecteddateONLY.• Ticketsarenotavailableatthegate.• Admissionticketsandparkingmaybeusedthroughout the2009season.• Ordersandpaymentmustbepostmarkedby April10,2009

Girl Scout Days Bring your family and

friends

“I’ve always considered myself a strong woman and I want my girls to be strong women and leaders as well,” said Garcia, who initially thought she’d face difficulties. “I started this troop with five girls of different levels and was worried we weren’t going to have enough.”

After their first meeting, those five girls told their friends how much fun it was and the numbers blossomed. Today the troop has 28 members: 13 Daisies, eight Juniors and seven Cadettes as well as three co-leaders, Iris Fernandez, Kelly Guerra and Vanessa Taylor.

“We always have lots of fun and sing

songs,” said six-year-old Eryka

Fernandez, with a big smile

on her face.“Coming

from different cultures the girls are so unique, but

they still enjoy the same things other girls their age enjoy,” said Garcia. “We’re one big happy family.”

At every meeting, that family demonstrates there is no such thing as a “stereotypical Girl Scout.” Ten girls in the troop are Puerto Ricans; five are Caucasians. Three girls are black and three are half-black and half-Puerto Rican. Two are half-Puerto Rican and half-Dominican; half-black, half Caucasian, or Mexican. One is half-Puerto Rican and half-Caucasian. “It doesn’t matter that we are

different ethnicities because we still like doing the same things,” said 10-year-old Ashley Fuentes.

LeadershipWith three different Girl Scout

levels, Garcia has a lot to juggle on top of her two daughters, a teenaged son and her full-time job. “There are three levels with three different Journey books,” she explained. “It seems like I am thinking about Girl Scouts every day. But, I’m not complaining because it’s been such a learning experience for me and the girls.”

The new Girl Scout Leadership Experience makes it simple for Garcia to educate girls of different levels while keeping them entertained. The process of Discover, Connect, Take Action is designed to grow along with girls

through age-specific activities.Garcia discovered the power of

the Leadership Experience when she asked all her girls to play “The Garden Bug” game from the Daisy Leader Journey Book. The game teaches girls that no matter where you live, gardens are never far away and can be found in homes, parks, schools and many other locations.“I was so worried that the Juniors

and especially the Cadettes would think it is too babyish,” Garcia explained. “I asked the older girls to humor me and before I knew it they were wiggling around on the floor pretending to be caterpillars and laughing just as hard.“Those are the moments I love

being a Girl Scout,” she added.

ActivitiesEven though it’s the first year

for most girls in the troop, they’ve

Melting PotMany backgrounds. One troop.

Every parent has a different reason for involving their daughter in Girl Scouts. Freehold resident Susu Garcia chose to create a troop for her two

daughters because she wanted them to learn the strong values she associates with the organization.

Susu Garcia leads a troop of 28 Girl Scouts, ranging in age from 5 to 13, most in their first year.

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already experienced their share of Girl Scout activities. Since their first meeting in September, they’ve gone rock climbing and pumpkin picking; navigated a corn maze; toured Petsmart and a fire station; traveled on the Jolly Trolley; attended Spooktacular, and slept over at a troop leader’s house. That’s in addition to their regular troop meetings.“The world these girls are living

in is so tough,” Garcia said. “It makes me happy to give them a place of happiness and some new experiences they’ll remember for a long time.”“Girl Scouts is a really good thing,”

said nine-year-old Jaleesa Mackey. “We go on trips and learn about each other and make friends.”“I like that we can do community

service and we can make the world a better place,” said Neesa Mackey-

Guerra, age nine, who explained the benefits. “You can help people who are poor and sick.”

“What would this world be like if people stopped doing community service and acts of kindness?” asked Garcia. “How are kids going to understand what it feels like if they’re not given a chance?”

BelongingThat message is why 13-year-old

Tyler Holt became a Girl Scout. “All of my friends were in Girl Scouts and I wanted to spend more time with my friends,” she explained. “We do interesting stuff, like ‘Caring for Camp Sacajawea’, than we would do if we weren’t Girl Scouts.”

For several girls, joining Girl

Scouts taught them self-confidence. “I never wanted to do Girl Scouts and now I do,” said seven-year-old Paulina Chavez, who cried through her first meeting because she was scared.

Now, Paulina is a different girl. “I don’t cry any more. I have fun.”

Regardless of their age, every member of Troop 2780 thinks more girls should join Girl Scouts.

“Instead of staying home Saturday and Sunday you get to go out and have fun and help the community,” said Holt. “We get to play a lot of games and spend a lot of time with other Girl Scouts.”

Twelve-year-old Selena Young agreed. “Since I’ve been doing Girl Scouts I haven’t been at home being bored doing nothing,” she said.

“We always do fun stuff and I really like it when we help out with the younger girls.”

Melting PotMany backgrounds. One troop.

Paulina Chavez, reflected in glass, became more confident after joining her Girl Scout troop.

The girls of Troop 2780 love getting together and having a good time.

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Boxes Sold Incentive Earned5 (Gift of Caring) Gift of Caring Patch24 Participation Patch200 Great Adventure Ticket350 Invitation to Top Sellers’ Event500 Membership in the 500+ Club535 Niagara Falls Trip1487* California Excursion2250* One of several European Vacations3012* Once-In-A-Lifetime Australia Adventure

* Girls registered in a teen troop who have commited to a council-sponsored, national or international Wider Opportunity (valued over $1,000) have the opportunity to earn a higher commission for a trip instead of traditional incentives. Girls have a maximumoftwoyearstoearnthecommission.Alltripslistedareplannedfor2010.Contactthecouncilforspecificprogramand age/grade requirements.

Set Your Goals

...you were the face of Girl Scouts.You can be! The top selling girl at each level will be featured on posters and other material that will be distributed during booth sales in March. It’s simple, easy and fun. Just sell the most and it could be you!

It’s Time for Girl Scout Cookies!“No check from a parent could replace

this unique leadership program. Thousands of successful women

trace their earliest success to selling

Girl Scout cookies. Girls who fully

participate in this program receive a great foundation

for life-long success.”

– Susan H. McClureChief Executive

OfficerGirl Scouts of the

Jersey Shore

www.jerseyshoregirlscoutcookies.com

For the second year,

the Girl Scouts of

the Jersey Shore

have designated

the Food Bank of

Monmouth and

Ocean County its

primary Gift of

Caring Charity.

This year, more than ever, the food bank needs

our help. In the past year, requests for assistance

have gone up 30 percent while donations have

seen a 15 percent drop.

When selling cookies, girls should explain how

this generous donation helps families in our

community. It’s not just the poor or homeless; it

could be someone

they know who is

affected by the

current financial

situation.

Troops can also

make a difference

by donating unsold

boxes of cookies

once they’ve

completed booth

sales.

Donations to the

Food Bank of

Monmouth and Ocean

Counties in 2008.

Requests for support

to the Food Bank of

Monmouth

and Ocean

Counties in 2008.

15%

30%

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How the Cookie crumbles!All proceeds – every penny – of the Girl Scout cookie sale remain with the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, benefiting girls in Ocean and Monmouth counties. In addition to the more than $600,000 that goes directly to troops, this money also reduces program costs for girls; trains adult volunteers; provides financial aid and camperships, and expands opportunities for girls.

Council Program Support $1.84Cost of Cookies $0.87Troop Earnings $0.67Recognitions/Financial Aid/ Wider Ops/Cookie Dough/Cookie Credits $0.12

Box of Cookies Price $3.50

...you were the face of Girl Scouts.You can be! The top selling girl at each level will be featured on posters and other material that will be distributed during booth sales in March. It’s simple, easy and fun. Just sell the most and it could be you!

It’s Time for Girl Scout Cookies!Girls become women of courage, confidence and character with the help and guidance of their parents. Families are encouraged to help their Girl Scouts set goals and achieve them. • Identify the incentives she wants to earn• Ask how her troop plans to use cookie sale proceeds• Help her write her goal on the cookie order card

• Review the cookie sale safety tips• Listen to her practice her sales message• Go with her to sell and deliver cookies• Help to organize cookie orders

• Volunteer to chaperone booth sales• Arrange booth sales at work, school or other locations frequented by people who love Girl Scout Cookies

There’s no substitute for giving your Girl Scout the exciting, enriching experience that comes from selling Girl Scout cookies.

www.jerseyshoregirlscoutcookies.com

The council’s Juliette Gordon Low Society recognizes and honors caring individuals who have made a commitment to ensure that girls will continue to benefit from the Girl Scout experience. A planned gift to the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore offers many advantages, which may include estate or income tax benefits; variable or fixed income for your life or the life of someone you care about; capital gains savings, and the satisfaction of leaving behind a legacy that will ultimately benefit thousands of girls. To become a member, simply notify the council of your commitment by calling (800) 785-2090, ext. 230.

This year, eight new members were inducted into the Juliette Gordon Low Society: Bob Novy, Esq., Jenny Cody, Linda Rieche, Susan H. McClure and Roland J. Lewis III. Not pictured are Barbara Birdsall, Dolly Corona and Patricia Kurz.

Honoring Juliette

AchievementThis year’s five Women of Distinction all make a

difference in their communities: Sylvia Allen, Kathleen Ellis, Wendy Galloway, Sister Rosemary Jeffries, and Gina Petillo.

They will be celebrated April 7 at Jumping Brook Country Club, Neptune.

The three women selected to be this year’s Women of Achievement are Diane Disbrow of Tuckerton; Marion Hergert of Waretown, and Helene Koseff of Ship Bottom.

They will be recognized March 11 at Sea Oaks Country Club, Little Egg Harbor Township.

Sponsorships and tickets are still available for both events. For more information, call (800) 785-2090, ext. 223 or e-mail info@girlscoutsjs.org.

Distinction

Women Of

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Ashley VanDerWiele, a Red Cedar Cadette Juliette, brought a story and craft to Brownie Troop 71. She read a book about squirrels and helped them to make foam squirrels.

Members of Sugarberry Cadette Girl Scout Troop 48 made a peace pole for their school, St. Joseph Grade School. The 7th graders – Shannon Murphy, Grace Talian, Amanda Kacperowski, Heather Kicki, Rachel Rogers – joined former troop members Katie Weeks and Rachel Anton to learn how to write, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in seven different languages in addition to English. They chose Polish, Spanish, Gaelic, French, Filipino, German and Italian. The peace pole was erected during the school’s, “International Day of Peace” celebration. Throughout the day, the students of St. Joseph School surrounded the peace pole in prayer and decorated the grounds with handmade pinwheels of peace.

Dogwood Brownie Troop 153 sold 71 cans of nuts for service men overseas. They also sent holiday cards, letters, hand-drawn pictures and photos from the booth sale. The service men loved the nuts and thanked the girls. The girls hope to become pen pals with the troops and send cookies to them after the cookie sale.

With the assistance of Georgina Lentini, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, Toms River, Red Cedar Daisy Troop 231 and Junior Troop 171 installed pole bird feeding systems at Manchester Manor. The feeding systems can be seen from 30 of the residents’ rooms. On the day of the installation, Lentini spoke to the girls about wild birds, their habits, diet and nesting requirements.

Evergreen Junior Troop 245 learned to knit this fall and decorated several holiday trees at Laurelton Village, Brick.

Girls from Sweet Bay Troop 297 participated in a Pearl Harbor event at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. They also met a Pearl Harbor survivor and served as color guard for the ceremony.

Sweet Bay Brownie Troop 307 cleaned up the park and surrounding area at Lake Horicon; made a generous donation to the Ocean County Food Bank, and visited their adopted grandparents at the Silverwoods Community.

Neptune-Asbury Brownie/Junior Troop 316 visited a new puppy store in Red Bank where the owner, Karin Owen, gave them a tour.

Troop News

Above: Point Pleasant Troops 528 and 1396 went on a whitewater rafting/camping trip to Whitewater Challengers in Lehigh, Pennsylvania and had a blast.

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Manalapan-Englishtown Troops 335, 385, 409, 532, 1006, 1152, 1153 and 1800 joined Juliette Girl Scout Caren Fitzgerald and planted almost 1,000 bulbs at Thompson Grove Park, Manalapan.

Manalapan-Englishtown Brownie Troop 335 used their cookie funds to see the production of Annie at the State Theater in New Brunswick.

Dogwood Troop 371 is working on their Bronze Awards. This fall, the girls conducted supply drives for Blossom International, Manasquan. The items they collected were stuffed into 500 duffle bags given to children entering the foster care system. The bags included toiletries, clothing, toys, arts and crafts, school supplies and other items.

As a service project, Dog-wood Troop 596 will work with the Standardbred Retirement

Foundation, Hamilton, a racehorse rescue organization, as part of the Brownie Quest. The girls visit the farm monthly to care for the horses. This year, instead of a holiday grab bag, the girls will donate money to buy bedding for horse stalls.

Neptune-Asbury Troop 679 conducted a booth sale and food drive for the Bradley Beach Food Pantry at Central Jersey Bank, Bradley Beach. Customers could also buy nuts and donate them.

More than 80 Colts Neck Girl Scouts held their 2nd annual Caroling for Cans at the Bucks Mill Community Center. During the event they filled more than 70 shopping bags, resulting in 405 pounds of non-perishable food for the Monmouth County Food Bank! Approximately 140 attendees were entertained by holiday carols sung by the girls from Troops 690, 1139, 1604 and 1605. They were accompanied by Damon Casucci on guitar. The girls also provided guests with the opportunity to write and send Christmas cards to recovering soldiers home from war.

Holmdel Brownie Troop 903 visited Pleasant Valley Adult Day Care, Holmdel, and sang their favorite holiday songs. They then played bingo and cards with the facility’s guests.

Howell-Farmingdale Junior Troops 1002 and 1688 merged and invited Cadette Troop 319 to join them for a trip to New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium at Sandy Hook to earn their Beaches Forever Badge. The girls went seining, searched for shells on the beach, learned about the history of Fort Hancock and studied the fragile ecosystem of the dunes.

Freehold 4th grade Junior Troop 1032 went to the Sunrise Senior Center, Marlboro, and brought canvas bags to paint with the residents. As a service project, the girls will fill the bags with comfort items. The bags will then be given to children who need foster care.

Rumson-Fair Haven Junior Troop 1126 earned their cooking badge during a recent trip to the Grade School Gourmet, Rumson. They made apple crepes and milkshakes

Wall Troop 1865 collected more than 270 tins of nuts and candy and donated them to soldiers in Afghanistan as a Gift of Caring project.

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and learned how to use kitchen equipment and follow a recipe.

Brownie Troop 1153 and Junior Troop 1800 from Manalapan-Englishtown visited Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. They completed chores and learned about farm life during the 1890’s during Longstreet’s Girl Scout program.

Holmdel Troop 1248 had a great time at an African/Caribbean Dance session.

Hartshorne Junior Troop 1281 donated food to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Food Pantry, Highlands.

While on their Brownie Quest, Brick Troop 1306 made a banner depicting children from around the world for the Ocean Inc, Head Start Center to hang in their school.The troop also performed a play for younger children.

Four members of Point Pleasant Ambassador Troop 1396 were inducted into the National Honor Society at Point Boro High School. These girls, now juniors, earned their Silver Award as freshmen. This achievement, along with their leadership experience and community service, helped them earn their membership. All four girls have been Girl Scouts since they were Daisies.

Point Pleasant Brownie Troop 1449, which includes second grade girls from Ocean Road and Nellie Bennett schools, worked toward their Safety Sense badge, with a visit from Point Pleasant Police Department Lt. Michael Colwell. He taught them essential safety tips, such as the importance of the buddy system, being aware of strangers and how to alert someone if you are in danger.

Freehold Senior Troop 1538 assembled 10 backpacks loaded with school supplies and donated them to local elementary schools. They also assembled and donated holiday gift baskets to the 180 Turning Lives Around women’s shelter.

Marlboro Brownie Troop 1584 had their holiday party at The Pottery House, Matawan. The troop paid for the party using proceeds from its participation in last year’s Girl Scout cookie sale.

Freehold Junior Troop 1641 celebrated a holiday from another culture instead of Thanksgiving. Diwali is a Hindu holiday celebrated for several days during October.

For Veterans’ Day, third year Brownie Troop 21 from Holy Family School, Lakewood, collected needed items for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The girls decorated 18 collection boxes in red, white and blue and placed a box in each classroom for grades Kindergarten through eight. The collection was a huge success.

Hartshorne Daisy Troop 1680 participated in Operation Christmas Child. Each girls’ family donated items and the girls packed and wrapped the boxes themselves during their meeting.

Wall Troop 1749 donated to the SPCA of West Long Branch and spent time with the animals. They also donated troop funds to the Monmouth County Food Bank, Neptune, for food donations.

Wall Junior Troop 1865 donated a tree to Wall Township. With the generous assistance of Waterbrook Nursery and Garden Center, Sea Girt, the tree was planted at the Wall Township athletic fields. The tree planting demonstrates the troop’s dedication to the environment and is one step toward earning the Eco-Action Badge. To earn their Bronze Awards, the troop will host a

“Green Expo” this spring to raise environmental awareness.

Freehold Troop 1926 helped residents make holiday cards at the Chelsea in Manalapan, an assisted living facility. They helped those who needed assistance writing and gluing. The girls, all 7th grade students, then sang several songs – a preview of their chorus concert at The Eisenhower School. The girls also handed out beaded bracelets and bookmarks – gifts they made at a previous troop meeting.

Twenty-nine Eatontown-Ft. Mon-

mouth Juniors had the opportunity to be engineers while earning the Making It Matter Badge. They learned through hands-on science experiments relating to current, pH and ball bearings.

Hartshorne Junior Troop 1876 collected and donated more than one million soda tabs to support

Troop News

More than 300 girls from 30 troops in the Harmony-Beacon Hill and Middletown Trails Service Units donated Thanksgiving food baskets to “Middletown Helps Its Own” and to the Food Pantry of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

HOLY FAMILY Victoria AdamsKathryn ArwayJulianna AugustJulia BarryKristen BrooksKatie CarlsonAmelia CarlsonLydia ChrzanowskiJulia ChrzanowskiAlyssa CiervoHannah ConartyKatie ConsidineElizabeth DemianMegan DiCostaMeghan DonahueMeghan DonnellyClare EckelJuliana EspositoGabrielle FarrellTiffany FerrerSarah GallagherEmily GallowayHannah GammondKirsten HeineMarissa HighamCiara HoffmanRebecca HuttonCamryn KennedyCristina KovacsGabrielle KozlowskiIsabella KrynyckyiFaith KurywczakAngela LacovaraSamantha LehmannCaroline LowryHayley MallandMary Elizabeth

McCaffertyErin McDonaldCaroline McHughMartha McLaughlinMaureen McLeanKathryn MilewskiErin MooneyhamJennessa MorganErica O’KellyIsabella PalumboMelissa PaughTara PetersonGrace PetrosiniNichole PopoloEmily RosaSofiaRuizGina SaliolaMikayla SantanaNatalie Savoia Samantha SimoneMadison SimsAlexandra SivulichDanielle SivulichGabrielle SivulichHaley Soccodato

Samantha SoccodatoNatalie SwindellMegan TheobaldShannon TierneyAlexis UzzoAllison WetherellMichelle WittreichAlexa WoolfEmilie Zuhowski

I LIVE MY FAITHKaela BertolinoEmma CantlonElizabeth ClarkEmily CortCameron CranleyKayla DillingerRebecca FrandanoElizabeth GossLauren HarperCasey HendricksonEmily HendricksonKayla JacobusVicki KiernanGrace KurywczakKatelyn KusterKiyomi LockerShayne McNallyKatie OrlandoKelsey PatrickClare PeropatIndigo Grace SheaMallory SoccodatoKayla StacyLauren SuessNatalie SuessNicole VaianiFaith Westhoven

MARION MEDALMadeline CollinsJulia DreifusKaitlyn KohlheppJacquelyn LawrenceSamantha Mason Stephanie Sawicz

ST. TARCISIUS Judith Barcheski,

AdultLauren Barcheski JoAnn Cort, AdultMichelle Feery, AdultRachel Feery Jaclyn Ferriso Sandra Frandano,

AdultRose Kuster Linda Lennon, AdultPaige Lennon

The following Girl Scouts received religious awards from the Catholic Diocese of Trenton between October 2007 and September 2008.

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the Ronald MacDonald House, Long Branch.

More than sixty Junior Girl Scouts from Fair Haven and Rumson gathered at the Church of the Nativity for the “Power of One” Summit. Seven inspirational local women were invited to share how they’ve made the world a better place and talked about the different ways to make a difference, including donating items to hospitalized teens and replacing playground equipment.

Sassafras Troop 488 helped Brownie troops make peace poles during the Peaceful Living workshop at the Program Activity Center.

Millstone Troop 9 visited the Moms Club of Millstone Township to read stories, decorate cupcakes, create cards for soldiers and collect books for the Bridge of Books program.

Colts Neck Service Unit Troop 428 went on a tour of Historic Longstreet Farm at Holmdel Park on September 30, 2008. The second grade Brownies got a hands-on overview of life on the farm that included a tour of the farm, milking a cow, making butter and learning about general chores and games that children their age did in the 1890’s.

Girl Scout members and volunteers seeking feedback and support have a new resource to turn to, the council message board.

“This is the first time I’ve seen something like this,” said BJ Wood, Sugarberry Service Unit manager. “I like the concept.”

Since its debut in October, members of the community have joined to discuss a wide variety of

topics including troop trip suggestions, next year’s World Thinking Day and Girl Scout history. There is even a place where members can directly address questions to Susan H. McClure, council chief executive officer, and JoAnn McCann, council president.

“This is an incredible opportunity to use technology to further our understanding of the culture of Girl Scouts in the Jersey Shore,” wrote McCann in her first message.

Members aren’t just talking about Girl Scout activities. Rachael Cousens, council registrar, wrote about her work fostering animals with Puppy Love Pet Rescue and Service Unit Manager Lori Kobular asked for information about hosting a cookie exchange.

“I think this is going to be a wonderful site to get help and information,” Kobular wrote.

To join the community, go to www.girlscoutsjs.org/forum.

Council opens message board to members and community

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