Rodger & Hammerstein's Cinderella at the Boston Opera House

Another great Girl Scout Membership Benefit:
Broadway in Boston presents Rodger & Hammerstein's Cinderella at the Boston Opera House, September 29th to Oct 11th. See flyer here for more details about the Girl Scout special offer. 

Silver Award Recipients

Recently 14 North Reading Girl Scouts, (members from four different Senior level troops) were recognized and awarded for their hard work and diligence over the past two years in earning the prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award. The Silver Award is the highest award a Cadette Girl Scout can earn and puts these girls among an exceptional group of girls who have used their knowledge and leadership skills to make a difference in the world.

These girls were asked to: Identify an issue they care about; Build a team to work with or do it on their own; Explore a community that they are part of - that could be school, church, town or another focus area; Make a decision about how they want to help that community; and Develop a take action project around that idea. They must put that plan into motion with the expectation of putting at least 50 hours into the process. When they have completed their project, they then reflect on their accomplishment, share their story with others, and celebrate their achievement.

The girls were awarded at the NRGS Annual Fly Up and Bridging Ceremony held at the International Family Church on Concord Street in North Reading.

Anna Buscemi and Emily Nearing worked together as a team and created a recipe website, http://nrfprecipebook.weebly.com/about.html, including many of the food items they found on the shelves of the food pantry as well as using fresh produce harvested from the vegetable gardens located at the Town Hall. The vegetable beds, installed a few years ago by another Girl Scout for her Gold Award project to benefit the food pantry families, are now maintained by the North Reading Girl Scouts. In addition, the girls put together a hard copy of the recipe book for those families without access to a computer, as well as recipe cards to put on the shelf with those food products that are not as popular to families. North Shore Printing generously copied and donated 25 spiral bound copies of the cookbook and recipe cards for the girls to give to the NR food pantry.

Claire Bailey coordinated an afternoon of music at the North Reading Senior Center, in which the young vocalists and pianists shared their talents with older residents. The performance was also filmed and put on DVD so future visitors to the Senior Center could enjoy the performance.

Jessica Kelly held a book drive and book collection. She then sorted through the books and used the donated books to rebuild the library at the main building for the residents of the Peabody Court Housing Authority in North Reading.

Julia Kushakji focused her project on the importance of Reading, English and Literacy. She did research on the topic and then completed two main activities to promote her project. Julia created a website surrounding the topic and then built a bookshelf which she donated to the Hood Elementary School.

Brooke Sponzo spread awareness about Barn Owls, a threatened species in Massachusetts. She created a poster display and researched and built an owl box. The box and poster were on display at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, and then Brooke had the box installed at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Martha's Vineyard.

Carly Sponzo set up a “Letterbox” in the Ive’s Forest here in North Reading. She prepared parts of the trail, hid the boxes containing hand carved stamps of a Boy Scout symbol, a Girl Scout symbol, and a North Reading Hornet symbol. Her Letterbox series information is "live" on Atlasquest.com, and Carly has taken some of our North Reading Girl Scout troops on hikes to find them!

Gillian Audier, Emily Humphreys and Nicole Shedd as a group raised funds through various bake sales. They used the funds they raised to purchase and plant two trees and various shrubs for a beautification project at the Hood Elementary School.

Joanna Keaton raised funds through bake sales to purchase craft stamps and cardstock. She then made greeting cards to be handed out at Elder Services and also donated the materials necessary to make their own cards.

Zoe Kennedy, Allyson Kirby and Olivia Esposito worked together on their Silver Award, learning about the importance of honey bees in a healthy ecosystem. Their research focused on the increasing problem of "colony collapse disorder", an event that threatens our native honey bees, which are the pollinators of most of our grown food supply. Without honey bees to pollinate, crops can fail on a large scale. The girls planted "pollination stations" which contained native wild flowers, at three locations around North Reading. These stations provide food for the honey bees. Additionally, they presented information to encourage homeowners to set aside areas of their yards as honey bee safe zones, free from harmful yard pesticides. They handed out wildflower seeds at North Reading's Apple Festival in September which folks could plant this spring. The girls received donations from local businesses including Wal-Mart, Boston Flower Market, Moynihan’s, and Reading Lumber.

GSEM Sponsored Family Fun Days at Camp

 The GSEM outdoor program department has put together several great family events for the summer:  one- or two-night overnights and day programs at our properties.  The overnights are at Camp Menotomy in NH - on Lake Winnipesaukee (awesome!) - and at Cedar Hill in Waltham.
Camp staff have also planned Family Fun Days (the day program) at several of our camps and include opportunities to try archery, boating, swimming and high ropes.  Yes - high ropes!
You can find information and registration here:  
http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/programs/family-camp.html

Boston Symphony Orchestra Family Concerts

Troop Field Trip Idea:  Boston Symphony Orchestra holds a number of Family Concerts annually.  Sat. Nov. 14 at Noon, the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra presents Peter and the Wolf.  Boston Symphony Hall.  $20/Adult, Children 18 and under are FREE.  The season includes two other family concerts:  Sat. March 5, 2016 at Noon, and Sat. April 30, 2016 at Noon.  More information at:  http://www.bso.org/brands/bso/education-community/children-families/family-concerts.aspx

Leader Meeting June 11

Attendance:  Ruth Kennedy (73899), Debbie Nearing (73891), Kristin Puliafico (89118), Anne Valade (SU), Joanne Gibson (69179), Bridget Easler (76212), Barbara Gravel (69184), Lisa Alexander (86279), Melissa Audier (73894). Kerstin March (SU),. Jennifer Casol-Vant (85337)

Leader Social at Lisa Alexander's home.  THANK YOU, Lisa!  (Check your Monday Email for Lisa's address)  Monday, June 29 at 7:30pm.  The Service Team will provide refreshments to THANK you all for a great year of Girl Scouting!

Financial Reports are Due!  Anne Valade is collecting them.  This is a requirement.  Please contact Anne if you have not already turned in your form.  You can also scan your report to submit it to GSEM.  Visit this site:  http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/forms.html?cat=6718

Planning for next year.  There are many "town wide" events sponsored by the NR Service Team that are possible.  Troops are encouraged to sign up to organize an event.  Town Wide Halloween Party, Caroling on the Common, Me and My Guy Dance, etc., are all events that a committee to organize and hold them.

The NR Service Team is in early stages of planning a town wide encampment.  If you are interested in being involved in planning this activity, please let Anne Valade know. 

The NR Service Team is having some changes.  Kristin Puliafico is stepping down as Chair and will assume the job of Recording Secretary.  Ruth Kennedy is stepping down as Recording Secretary and will take the job as Batchelder School Coordinator.  Joanne Gibson will be the Hood School Coordinator.  Lisa Alexander has taken on the role as Treasurer and Event Coordinator.  Anne Valade will be the acting Service Unit coordinator.  Barbara Gravel will remain as the Registrar.  She is looking for a leader/adult to mentor for this position in the future.  Melissa Audier will remain as Blog Manager.  Debbie Nearing will remain the Corresponding Secretary.  Kerstin March is stepping down as Cookie Coordinator.  She needs someone to mentor.  And Ruth Kennedy and Kerstin March will both coordinate Fall Product Sale.

Positions that need to be filled are:  Little School Coordinator, Media Coordinator

The Service Team presented Kerstin with a gift for her years of service to North Reading Girl Scouts.  THANK YOU, Kerstin!

The Town Hall Garden Beds are planted and need to be watered.  The vegetables benefit the North Reading Food Pantry.  Please sign up to water for a week.  This is a great reason to get your girls together during the summer.  Watering jugs will be provided. 

It is time to RE-REGISTER your girls!  Register now and get the EARLY BIRD patch.  Registration is quick and easy using the GSEM website.  Patches will be handed out in the fall.

Fly-Up is Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30pm, at International Family Church on Concord Street, North Reading. 

Fall Stargazing Event - Monday, Oct. 19 at Mendel Observatory, Merrimack College.  Exact time and cost to be determined.  Junior level girl scouts.  Limited space.  If there is enough interest, a 2nd date will be added.  More details in September.

Troop Field Trip Idea:  Boston Symphony Orchestra holds a number of Family Concerts annually.  Sat. Nov. 14 at Noon, the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra presents Peter and the Wolf.  Boston Symphony Hall.  $20/Adult, Children 18 and under are FREE.  More information at:  http://www.bso.org/brands/bso/education-community/children-families/family-concerts.aspx

Service Project - Watering the Town Hall Gardens

Please sign up for a week using this link:  http://vols.pt/FB6jNd

Share this link with your troop families as this does not have to be a troop service project!  Contact Ruth Kennedy at ruthekennedy@gmail.com with any questions!  Older girls

can get community service hours this summer by signing up!

Scouting Day at Canobie Lake Park!

Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies... attention all Scouts! Canobie Lake Park Scouts Day is scheduled for SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015 where Scouts can Buy 1 Get 1 FREE when in uniform! Visit www.canobie.com/specials.php for complete details

Planting of the Town Hall Garden Beds Has Been Postponed!!

Damage to some of the beds was discovered today and will need to be repaired before planting can occur.

Positions Open on the North Reading Service Team

North Reading Girl Scout Service Team has open positions for the 2015-2016 year.  A new "cookie organizer" is needed as Kerstin March hopes to step down after many years of performing this task.  Kerstin is available to mentor anyone who is interested.  The job CAN be split into two different jobs:  a booth sale coordinator and a "door to door" sale coordinator.  march.family@verizon.net

Another position available is Recording Secretary .  This is minimal in the time commitment.  Recording Secretary takes notes at town wide Leaders' Meetings and forwards them to the NR Blog coordinator to be uploaded to the blog.  Other than a monthly Service Team meeting, there are no other responsibilities.  It is a perfect opportunity for a leader with a younger troop, and a great way to start being more involved in the town service unit. ruthekennedy@gmail.com

The town's Troop Registrar position will be available.  Barbara Gravel currently holds this position and is looking to mentor someone new for the 2015-2016 year, to then take over the position for the year after that.  The Registrar sets up recruitment of new girls, and through GSEM, places girls in troops.  Barbara has enjoyed being the registrar and said it is a fun position to hold. barbgravel@msn.com

Treasurer is also available.  Anne Valade holds this position and would help transition a new person into the job.  annevalade@comcast.net

Service Unit Coordinator is available.  Kristin Puliafico has held the position for 2 years and would like to step down.  kscott1104@aol.com

Other available jobs currently unfilled include Media Manager who would be a person who contacts the local paper(s) with press releases and important information.

Events Coordinator:  a person to help organize events town wide.  Would require filling out any necessary forms, filing any necessary financial papers. 

These positions can all be filled by anyone.  The person does NOT have to be a Girl Scout leader or a Girl Scout parent.

Memorial Day Parade

It's not too early to start working on your troop banner if you don't already have one!  Check out the flyer here for more information about the parade and the banner dimensions.  This year's parade is Monday, May 25.  The parade starts promptly at 10 a.m. from the Meeting House on the Common.  If your troop is marching, you should plan on lining up at 9:45.  Individual girls are also welcome to march and join in with other troops sharing their level of scouting! 

We ask that no troop carry and/or hand out latex balloons.  Not only are they dangerous for young children, but in conjunction with a Silver Award done by a Cadette Girl Scout a number of years ago, they are dangerous to wildlife.  Her slogan was “When Balloons Fly, Animals Die”.   Again, we also ask that for safety reasons, the NRGS troops DO NOT throw candy into the crowd.  The parade committee also requests this of each group and organization participating in the parade for safety reasons and although others do not honor their request, we would ask that the Girl Scouts adhere to their policy as part of our Girl Scout Law to respect authority.  

Leader Meeting Minutes 5/12/15

Attendance:  Kristin Puliafico (85118), Ruth Kennedy (73899), Kim Baker (69176), Marnie Littleford (78181), Bridget Easler (76212), Kerstin March, Barbara Gravel (69184), Jennifer Casolivant (85337), Anne Valade (SU Treasurer), Amy Kelly (73897, 71901), Kristen Permberton (69171), Mays Hanegraaff (78188)

NR Girl Scout Service Team has open positions for the 2015-2016 year.  A new "cookie organizer" is needed as Kerstin March hopes to step down after many years of performing this task.  Kerstin is available to mentor anyone who is interested.  The job CAN be split into two different jobs:  a booth sale coordinator and a "door to door" sale coordinator. 

Another position available is Recording Secretary .  This is minimal in the time commitment.  Recording Secretary takes notes at town wide Leaders' Meetings and forwards them to the NR Blog coordinator to be uploaded to the blog.  Other than a monthly Service Team meeting, there are no other responsibilities.  It is a perfect opportunity for a leader with a younger troop, and a great way to start being more involved in the town service unit.

The town's Troop Registrar position will be available.  Barbara Gravel currently holds this position and is looking to mentor someone new for the 2015-2016 year, to then take over the position for the year after that.  The Registrar sets up recruitment of new girls, and through GSEM, places girls in troops.  Barbara has enjoyed being the registrar and said it is a fun position to hold.

Treasurer is also available.  Anne Valade holds this position and would help transition a new person into the job. 

Service Unit Coordinator is available.  Kristin Puliafico has held the position for 2 years and would like to step down.

Other available jobs currently unfilled include Media Manager who would be a person who contacts the local paper(s) with press releases and important information.

Events Coordinator:  a person to help organize events town wide.  Would require filling out any necessary forms, filing any necessary financial papers. 

These positions can all be filled by anyone.  The person does NOT have to be a Girl Scout leader or a Girl Scout parent.

******

Financial Reports are due by mid June.  The financial form is available on the GSEM website or by clicking here:  http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/forms.html?cat=all

Town Hall Vegetable Beds will be planted on Saturday, May 23 at 8:30am.  If you or any girl in your troop wishes to help, it will take about an hour or less.  Girls should bring their own trowel, work gloves, and a gallon of water to water the plants.  Meet at the rear of town hall.

Early Bird Registration is now open.  Girls who are registered before the end of June receive an Early Bird patch from GSEM.  Troops can use troop funds to re-register.  You don't have to re-register the whole troop, especially if there are girls who are unsure.  You have until Sept. 30 to re-register any girl who wishes to continue.  Girl Scout membership runs Oct. 1-Sept 30 annually.

Cookie Recognitions are available if you have not picked them up. Additionally, Kerstin is looking for feedback on this year's sale.  Please contact Kerstin March  march.family@verizon.net

The Memorial Day Parade is Monday, May 25.  Troops should arrive at the Building on the Common at 9:45am.  Girls should be prepared for the weather and bring water if necessary.

Possible town wide encampment in 2016.  Details are developing.

GSEM Summer Camps are still taking registrations for camp.

There will be a number of sign up forms for events in 2015-2016.  Please consider running an event for the town.  It can involve only one level of Girl Scouts or all levels.  It's up to you!  Watch for the forms.

Last meeting is June 11, 7:30pm at the Moose Lodge.

Spring Re-registration for 2015-2016

Spring Re-registration is now open online through GSEM.   If you re-register before July 1, girls will receive an early bird patch for their uniform.  If any questions about the re-registration process, please contact Barbara Gravel at BarbGravel@msn.com.  Go to the GSEM website to sign up under your troop E-Biz online account. http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/

International Dance Festival Special Girl Scout tickets ***available before May 14***

Calling all dance lovers! Immerse yourself in a full day of dance at the longest-running international dance festival in the United States: Jacob’s Pillow, nestled in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts.

Whether you are a first time visitor or past attendee, join us on June 25, 2015 for our 3^rd Annual Girl Scout Day.  Enjoy a personal guided historical tour, explore the dance Archives, watch videos of past performances, and view the photographs and artifacts on exhibition. Attend an optional ticketed performance of professional dancers from across the world in the historic Ted Shawn Theatre or intimate Doris Duke Theatre. To end the event-filled day, spread out your blanket, unpack your picnic dinner, and enjoy a free performance featuring students of The School at Jacob’s Pillow Ballet Program on the breathtaking outdoor stage. Earn Jacob’s Pillow Dance Fun Patch. Additional activities and programming to be determined. Visit http://www.jacobspillow.org/your-visit/your-visit/girl-scouts.php for more information or call Patsy Garcia at 413.243.9919x141.

Tickets are available for a special performance of Cinderella but only a small number of tickets are being held for Girl Scouts through May 14.  Please see flyer here.