Local North Reading GS Bowling Event

The event will take place on October 18 from 11 - 1 at the Candlewood Lanes, 35 Main St., North Reading.  It is $10 per Girl Scout and includes bowling, pizza and fun patch.  Please see flyer here.

International Dance Festival

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.

Camping Training Being Offered This Fall!

If you are interested in taking the Camping Training through GSEM, check out the dates of these trainings this fall at http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/aboutus/calendar.html.  Once you are trained you will be able to take your troop camping on their own or at the next encampment!

Summer Girltopia Journey Weekend

NRGS Seniors and Ambassadors! (9th-12th graders)--

Winchester's Service Unit is thinking about offering a Girltopia Journey weekend and is looking for a weekend that would work for most girls who may be interested.  This event would be open to any current 9th-12th grader needing to complete one or two Journeys before working on their Gold Award Project.  This is not a North Reading Girl Scout event.  The cost of the event is $30 and would cover lodging, food and supplies.  The majority of the Journey would be hopefully completed that weekend, except for the take action journey project.

If interested, please discuss with your Leader or complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/83R97PH   

Any questions, please contact Elli Goeke at troop77026@gmail.com.

Lion King Tickets!!!! Sponsored by the Concord/Carlisle Service Unit

The Lion King is coming to the Boston Opera House from Sept 9, 2014 thru Oct 12, 2014, and the Concord/Carlisle Service Unit has arranged for group discounted tickets for Girl Scouts and their families and friends.

These are the 2 different ways to get tickets, so read carefully.

Tickets for the Sunday Oct 5, 2014 Matinee at 1pm   -   PAYMENT DUE THURSDAY, JUNE 26 - BY 3PM -

Although all matinee performances are sold out to the general public, I am holding a block of seats for this matinee performance only.  The seats are Mezz Right Center and Left Center, rows L, M, N.  If you go to the Ticketmaster site they will NOT appear as available (because I have them reserved), but you can see where they are.  The cost is $100 per ticket.  If you were to buy them online on your own, they would cost $138 per ticket, if they were available, which they are not.  To get some of these seats, you need to send a check for $100 per seat to me at my home address or send me a Paypal payment.  If you are interested in tickets for this show, e-mail me IMMEDIATELY at swalkerma@hotmail.com  and I will send you my address or Paypal info.   Note: Although I have 75 seats reserved, Concord and Carlisle Girl Scout families will have 1^st priority if I get too many requests.  UPDATE _ STILL HAVE 40 MATINEE SEATS AVAILABLE!

The cutoff for my receiving your payment for this matinee performance only is 3 PM ON JUNE 26, SO DON’T DELAY.   THERE WILL NOT BE ANY EXCEPTIONS OR EXTENSIONS.   Any unsold held seats will be released after this date.

Tickets for non-matinee performances – ANY show you want   –   Available until Aug 31 -

I do not have any seats reserved for this method – you purchase your seats from whatever is available. This means the longer you wait, the less selection you have.  The prices are different for different performances, with not all seat locations offered at the discount.  Prices start at $63 for some of the shows.   To purchase tickets at our group rate, you use a special version of the Ticketmaster system and will need a Broadway in Boston login.  If you created one for purchasing tickets for Wicked last year, you can use it again.   There is an 8 seat limit per account, so if you need more than 8 tickets, contact me (or create another account).

Step 1:  go to this page and select a show date.  You must go to this specific page, NOT the regular

Ticketmaster page.    https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=baabos&o=81386730&g=3304

Step 2:   Enter the Special Offer Code         CONCORDGS

Step 3:  Log into your Broadway in Boston account.  If you created one for purchasing tickets for Wicked last year, you can use it again.  You can also create a new account.  You must have an account to get these tickets.  To create an account you only need to provide a name and e-mail.  

Step 4:  Select your number of tickets and price point.  The system will then offer you specific seats, which you can accept or select different ones.  If you pick "Best Available" you will get the more expensive seats.   I suggest you open up a separate Ticketmaster window and pretend you want to buy tickets.  If you do this you can mouse over seats and see where they are and what they normally sell for.   The full price Ticketmaster site is:   http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/8835/820969?brand=baa      

Step 5:  Once you have the seats you want, press “Continue” and you will be prompted for your credit card information.  You must pay for the tickets at this time.  You will get electronic tickets that you must print out yourself.  These are your only tickets to the show.

General info:

-  Use the interactive Opera House seating chart to see the view from different locations:  http://www.bostonoperahouse.com/SeatingChart.htm 

-  To see what full price tickets are, go online and check for specific seats.      http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/8835/820969?brand=baa

- e-mail me with questions:  swalkerma@hotmail.com

- This is NOT an official Girl Scout event.  Adults are responsible for their own children and transportation. 

- And no, there are NOT any patches this time.

Final Leader Meeting/Social - Thursday, June 26

Barbara Gravel has graciously agreed to host the end of year Leader social on Thursday, June 26, at 7:00 pm.  She lives at 16 Patriot Way (first left off Spruce Road).  Please park on the street on the same side as her house.  The final deadline for troop financial reports is this night!  We hope you will come and share some refreshments and drinks provided by the Service Team members.  Please RSVP to  North Reading Girl Scouts by June 23rd if you will be attending as the Service Team would like to bring refreshments and adult beverages, and we would like to know how much food and drinks we will need to bring.

 

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Service Project - Watering the Town Hall Gardens  WE NEED YOUR HELP, PLEASE!!!!

We need volunteers to help keep the gardens watered all summer long!  Ruth Kennedy sent every Leader an email for you to sign up for a week through Volunteer Spot!  Please consider taking a week this summer to help water the plants as these vegetables will be harvested and given to the Food Pantry families in need all summer long.  You will need to carry about 10 one gallon jugs full of water to the site as there is no water source at Town Hall and we are not allowed to use the water in the Town Hall for watering these plants.  Please, Please, Please Leaders...we only have one week assigned thus far!!!  It's a long, hot summer...we are particularly looking for help from August 13-26th when Ruth will not be able to be there for back up!  Weeks begin on a Sunday.  It would be a shame if the plants failed as this was a wonderful Gold Award Project initiated by a fellow Girl Scout two summers ago.  Please contact Ruth Kennedy at ruthekennedy@gmail.com with any questions!  

Canobie Lake Park Girl Scout Day!

Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies... attention all Scouts!  Canobie Lake Park Scouts Day is scheduled for SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2014 where Scouts can Buy 1 Get 1 FREE when in uniform! Visit www.canobie.com/specials.phpfor complete details and for a full list of all of our upcoming specials.

Whale Watch!

4 hour Whale Watch leaving Plymouth Harbor for Girl Scouts

Saturday May 31st @ 9am there is a 4 hour whale watch leaving Plymouth Harbor for Girl Scouts and it is on the Pilgrim Belle Cruise Lines next to the Mayflower.  They have offered it to Plymouth Girl Scouts at cost. $13 per person.  Normally $43. The boat holds 250.   They were hoping Plymouth was going to fill the boat but only 60 have signed up.  This is now open to all Scouts and troop volunteers from all towns.  Please contact Pilgrim Belle Cruise to reserve your spots and mention you are from Plymouth Girl Scouts!!!

Mayflower II State Pier

77 Water St. Plymouth

508-747-3434

www.pilgrimbellecruises.com

If they fill the first cruise they will offer a second trip at 2pm.  Can't think of a better way to end a scouting year.  This is rain or shine dress appropriately for weather.

The whales are abundant right now looks to be a great time.

 

 

North Reading Girl Scout Community Service Project!

Service Project to benefit "Camp to Belong"  All are invited to participate!

 "Camp To Belong" works to reunite siblings who have been separated by foster care, adoption or other out-of-home care. The week of camp provides these brothers and sisters the opportunity to spend time together, have fun, create and share memories and bond together. Campers also meet other youth who have experienced similar life situations and learn that they are not alone."  While at camp, the children create scrapbooks of the time they share with their siblings.  We are asking North Reading Girl Scouts to donate scrapbooking and arts and craft supplies.  Specific items they are looking for are:

 

8 x 8 Scrapbook pages, Fun summer camp Stickers, Family (brother/sister) stickers, Acid Free glue sticks or tape, Rainbow Loom bands, kits, and containers

Markers, Colored Pencils, Crayons, Paper, Stamps, Paint

 

Please bring your donations to Kristin Puliafico (177 Central St.) before August 1st.  She will deliver them in time for camp!

Thank you for your consideration and support of this NRGS Community Service Project.

 

 

Watering the Town Hall Gardens - Service Project

The vegetable gardens are in the ground!  We need volunteers to help keep the gardens watered all summer long!  Ruth Kennedy is putting together an email to be sent to each Leader.  It will come from her for you to sign up on Volunteer Spot!  Please consider taking a week this summer to help water the plants as these vegetables will be harvested and given to the Food Pantry families in need all summer long.  You will need to carry about 10 one gallon jugs full of water to the site as there is no water source at Town Hall and we are not allowed to use the water in the Town Hall for watering these plants.  Please contact Ruth Kennedy at ruthekennedy@gmail.com with any questions!

 

 

 

Memorial Day Parade IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

We wanted to remind all Leaders and parents about the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26th at 10 a.m.   The parade starts are 10 a.m. from the Third Meeting House on the Common.  Girls, troops, parents wanting to participate should arrive by 9:45 to start lining up by level by troop starting with Daisies first.  If a troop or her Leader is not participating, girls are still welcome to march in the parade with a parent or by joining in with another troop!

 

There are a few important reminders and tips we wanted to share in case this is your first time marching in the parade as a member of the North Reading Girl Scouts.

• we no longer carry latex balloons in the parade*
• it is NEVER allowed to hand out or throw candy or food to the sidelines**
• girls should wear their Girl Scout uniform, sash, vest or pins
• comfortable footwear appropriate for marching should be worn
• girls should apply sunscreen before marching and carry a bottle of water
• leaders should carry a first aid kit with annual permission forms if marching as a troop

Marching in the Memorial Day parade is a big day for many and an honor for us to be able to participate.  We would ask that the girls march in a respectful manner as they represent our Organization. 

 

**The Parade Committee has asked that NO one throw candy into the crowds for many safety reasons, which include children stopping along the route to pick up candy and not paying attention to bikes and vehicles in the parade, as well as small children picking up candy that could be a choking hazard or cause an allergic reaction. 

 

*The NRGS made the decision to no longer carry balloons after a Cadette Girl Scout years ago did her Silver Award project on "when balloons fly, animals die".  She taught us about the dangers of latex balloons to not only small children but also to animals when they are released out into the atmosphere and then pop.  We would ask that you respect these Committee rules if you are marching as part of the Girl Scout Organization.  We cannot control what other Organizations do, but we would like to abide by the rules.

 

Thank you for being part of North Reading Girl Scouts, and we wish you a safe holiday weekend!

 

Leader Meeting Minutes 5/21/14

Meeting Called to Order:  7:45 pm

Attendance:  Debbie Nearing (73891), Kristin Puliafico (85118), Ruth Kennedy (73899), Anne Valade, Sarah Stetson (76213), Marnie Littleford (78181), Lindsay Felix (76211), Bridget Easler (76212), Kim Fischer (85337), Kristin Lamont (85193 and 71880), Kerstin March, Melissa Lally (85118), Amy Kelly  (73897 and 71901)

Financial Forms for each troop are due to Kristin Puliafico no later than June 15.

The basic idea of the form is for council to determine what troops are spending their money on:  project supplies, field trips, uniforms, etc.  Form is available on line at Girl Scouts of Eastern MA under "resource library and forms".  Contact Kristin with questions:  kscott1104@aol.com

Memorial Day Parade is Monday May 26.  Arrive at the Building on the Common at 9:45am for the 10am start.  Please remind parents to use sunscreen on the girls, have the girls wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared with a water bottle if it's very warm. 

PLEASE REMEMBER, per the Parade Committee, and the Girl Scouts of Eastern MA, North Reading Girl Scouts, as well as other organizations, are NOT to throw candy while walking!  If your troop wants to hand out an item, think about handing out flowers, pencils, or some other non-food item.

North Reading Girl Scout Fly Up is Monday, June 16 from 7-8:30pm at NRHS Auditorium.  Daisies are now included in this Fly Up!

Please bring your troop banner and have girls arrive early in their GS uniforms, no later than 6:45 pm.  If your troop is flying up, please email Anne Valade immediately to let her know you plan to attend ( annevalade@comcast.net).  Also, a list of all the girls and adult leaders needs to be sent to Deb Nearing ( bcednearing@comcast.net) for inclusion in the program.  To have PHOTOS in the slide show, send those photos to Kristen Lamont ASAP at  kristinlamont@yahoo.com.

And troops are asked to bring 2 dozen baked goods or cookies to share at the reception immediately following the ceremony.

As a reminder, North Reading Girl Scouts will have a small gift for each girl who is flying up and participating in the ceremony.  If troop leaders also want to give out a gift to their troop members, please wait for a private time to hand those out.  Please do not hand gifts out at Fly Up as this has created an issue in the past with other girls from other troops feeling left out if their troop didn't do the same.  Thank you!

Town Hall Veggie Gardens:

This is an important project between NR Girl Scouts, The NR Food Pantry and NR Garden Club. 

Beds are all turned and will be planted on Saturday, May 24 at 9:00am.  If you are available, please come and help.  We need TOMATO CAGES or SUPPORTS.  If you have an extra one or can donate one, please contact Ruth Kennedy (ruthekennedy@gmail.com). 

Also, the gardens will need to be watered all summer.  Troops are asked to pick a week and plan to water the garden beds several times (depending on weather) that week.  There is no water source, so you will need to bring your own water.  Re-use gallon milk containers (or similar) to bring water with you.  Have at least 10 gallons of water.

Encampment:

All troops attending have a folder of information.  The blue form lists where troops are assigned.  Also, please refer to this sheet for all emergency and contact information.

Each troop should have bandanas for each girl in their troop.  AC Moore is a good source for this item.  Bandanas hold back the girls' hair from the campfire (and there will be a campfire).

Further details on a "what to pack" list, the schedule of activities, and more are all included in the folder of information.

Troops should bring their own food.  Plan according to the schedule.

Also in folder is the white Troop Attendance List form.  Please complete this form and return to Deb Nearing at check in the day of encampment.  SAVE A COPY for yourself.

The Yellow Form is a GS Eastern MA form and needs to be returned for each girl also on the day of check in.

Troops coming for just the day have a PINK Packing list.  The Overnight list is on an ivory colored paper.

There is a map of the facility in the folder as well as a detailed list of facility resources (refrigeration, etc).

REMINDERS to all girls in attendance:  please leave electronic devices at home.  Girls should not have cell phones or other devices with them.   Girls should NOT bring their GS uniforms.

SWAPS (Some Whatchamacallit Affectionately Pinned)  The swapping of SWAPS is an encampment highlight!  Each girl should bring at least 10 SWAPS to exchange with other Girl Scouts.  Melissa Lally is having a SWAPS workshop on Sunday June 1 from 2-4pm in the Library Activity Room.  Stop by any time during those hours. This event is for girls attending encampment only.

If you still have Cookie Sale Incentives that you have not picked up, email Kerstin March.   march.family@verizon.net  Please make sure that if you have cookie credits from 2012-2013, they expire on June 30, 2014!  They must be used or you will lose them.

Meeting Adjourn 9:15pm

Spring Registration Event for NEW Girls and Adults

Spring Registration Event for NEW girls and adults for the upcoming 2014-2015 membership year, Saturday, June 7th, 10 am to 2 pm, at IRP, under the big tree near the concession stand.  Please pass along this information and encourage friends who are interested in registering!  This includes those girls entering Kindergarten in the fall.  Note: this event is not for scouts reregistering, only those new to scouting. 

 

 

SWAPS Event for Girls Attending Encampment

Every girl signed up to attend Encampment, whether attending Encampment with her troop or as an individual, is invited to attend a SWAPS event on Sunday, June 1 at the Library Activity Room from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.  SWAPS are "Some Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned on Something or Someone"!  These SWAPS will be "swapped" with other Girl Scouts at our June Encampment.  You can come as a troop or stop by anytime between 2:00 and 4:00 to make up to 10 SWAPs for encampment!  

Gardening Service Project

We are looking for older Girl Scouts in grades 6 and up who want to help turn the garden beds at the Town Hall on Saturday, May 17 at 3 pm. Bring work gloves and a large garden shovel or pitch fork. Adults and/or Leaders welcome too.

Then help plant the beds for a summer of harvest for the North Reading Food Pantry on Saturday, May 24 at 9 am.  Brownies and up, bring your own gloves and a small planting shovel or trowel.  Please RSVP Ruth Kennedy by email: ruthekennedy@gmail.com if you are available for either of these service projects!

Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra's Spring Pops

The Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing Spring Pop's on 5/9 at 8pm and 5/18 at 3pm.  Suggested donation is $10/pp.  Venue locations and concert program details can be found at www.lowellphilharmonic.org

Girl Scout Night at The Breakers Soccer Game 6/1/14

All Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts members, families and friends are invited to:
Breakers vs. Washington Spirit match on Sunday, June 1st at 6.30pm.
We would like to offer everyone discounted tickets to attend the game and have a fun
night out with family, friends and classmates. Don’t miss out on this event, order your
tickets today!
Please see flyer here.

Re-Registration is Now Open!

Spring Re-Registration in E-Biz for the 2015 membership year is now open!Leaders can start talking with their girls and registered adults about re-registration for next year, and begin the re-registration process online.   If re-registered by June 30th, the girls will receive an early bird patch for their uniform.  If any questions, please contact our Registrar, Barbara Gravel:  BarbGravel@msn.com

Any Leader not continuing on next year, please contact Kristin Puliafico kscott1104@aol.com  ASAP so we can reach out to families with alternate placement options for 2014-2015.
The link to register is here.

Leader Meeting Minutes 4/16/14

Meeting Start:  7:50pm

Attendance:  Deb Nearing, Kristin Puliafico, Barbara Gravel, Ruth Kennedy, Christine Damphouse, Sarah Stetson, Amy Kelly, Debbie Aalto, Lynne Alley

Leader Appreciation Day is Tuesday, April 22.  Thank you, leaders, for all you do for the girls!  Service team chair Kristin Puliafico presented all leaders present with a lovely plant to thank them for their service to North Reading's girl scouts.

Upcoming Events (visit the NR Girl Scouts blog for additional details on these events)

Cupcake Challenge, Sunday May 4, 2-4pm at Union Congregational Church.  Reg deadline was April 16.  Contact Anne Valade:  annevalade@comcast.net    

Storytelling: Friday May 16, 6-8pm, $5/girl.  Third Meeting House.  RSVP by May 2.  Contact Anne Valade  annevalade@comcast.net.  

She and Me Daisy Tea:  Sunday, May 18, 1:30-3:30pm at St. Theresa's Parish Center.  Reg deadline May 2.  Contact Anne Valade:  annevalade@comcast.net 

Memorial Day Parade:  On Monday, May 26.  Arrive at Building on the Common no later than 9:45am to organize.  Parade starts at 10am.  Any Girl Scout can march in the parade with any troop or their own parent/guardian, especially if their own troop is not marching.  Girls should dress for the weather as the parade is rain or shine.  

Encampment:  June 13-15 at Camp Runnels, Pelham, NH.  

SWAPS in the Park:  A drop in event open to all North Reading Girl Scouts.  Saturday, May 31 from 1-4pm.  More details coming soon!  Check the blog.

Registration for 2014-2015 is around the corner.  Registrar Barbara Gravel informed leaders of upcoming changes to the registration process, including the elimination of paper registration forms.  Watch the blog and the Monday emails for updates on changes to the registration process effective this year.  

Arbor Day Celebration - Thursday, May 1 at 6pm.  Meet at the Gazebo at IRP.  From there, we will walk to the tree planting site.  Girl scouts and boy scouts are encouraged to attend and assist with the planting of the tree.  This event is organized by North Reading Garden Club.  Scouts in attendance will receive a patch and a seedling tree courtesy of the North Reading Garden Club.

Meeting End:  8:45pm