The Suburban Newspaper for Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County
OVER THE MOUNTAIN
INSIDE
JOU RNAL OTMJ.COM
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
VOL. 21 #5
Good times with good weims
ABOUT TOWN PAGE 6
A Century of Girl Scouting
Today as in years past, Girl Scouts develop patriotism, explore the great outdoors (top right, at Camp Coleman, the oldest Girl Scout camp in the U.S.) and visit with VIPs (Lady Bird Johnson). And, as always, both the Scouts (like these from Troop 140, Vestavia) and their patrons look forward to the organi ation’s annual cookie sale.
Group is still growing, changing BY LAURA MCALISTER
S
JOURNAL EDITOR
ome of the badges and programs have changed and the variety of cookies has increased, but the mission of Girl Scouts – to teach girls leadership skills by giving them confidence, courage and character – has remained the same for the past century. The Girl Scouts of the USA will celebrate its 100th anniversary March 12. In honor of the milestone, the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, which includes the Over the Mountain area, will look back on the last 100 years of Girl Scouting at its annual Women of Distinction luncheon and awards ceremony set for 11:30 a.m. March 9 at the Harbert Center. The event is one of many this year that will celebrate Girl Scouts. The GSUSA has also declared 2012 the Year of the Girl to celebrate girls and recognize their leadership potential. Hilary W. Perry, director of communications and advocacy for the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, said while lots has changed since the first troop formed in 1912, Girl Scouting remains the premier leadership
girlscoutsnca.org
Over the Mountain Girl Scouts share what they love about Girl Scouting. See page 2
organization for girls. “The best thing about Girl Scouting is we listen to the voice of the girls,” she said. “If they’re interested in technology, we can adapt programs to fit their needs. That’s how we stay relevant.” Despite the growing number of extracurricular activities available, Girl Scouting numbers continue to increase. Nationwide, there are about 3.6 million Girl Scouts, and in the North-Central Alabama region there are around 15,300. Locally, Hilary said, that’s up 7 percent over last year. When the first troop formed in Savannah, Ga., under the leadership of Juliette Gordon Low, the goal was to help girls develop leadership skills. At the time women weren’t allowed to vote, and there was little room for them in the workplace. “Years ago, women weren’t asked to be leaders in their communities,” said Joan
Page, a longtime Girl Scout and volunteer of Vestavia Hills. “It was really a courageous thing Juliette did at the time. I still think the organization creates courage, confidence and character.” Joan said Girl Scouting gave her the confidence later in life to try new things. That was some 40 years ago, but twins and current Girl Scouts Kaitlyn and Kristen Gurosky of Hoover said the program has done the same for them. The sixth graders are members of Troop 532 and have been in Girl Scouting since kindergarten. “Girl Scouts has helped me have more confidence,” Kristen said. “I have learned to do a lot of things that I thought I couldn’t.” Both agree that camp and community service are their favorite activities in Girl Scouting. While they participate in the annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale, Joan said that’s just one of many programs Girl Scouting offers. “We’re not just about cookies,” she said. “We’re so much more.” The Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program has been around almost as long as the organization and is recognized as the biggest ecoSee GIRL SCOUTS, page 11
Style network spotlights irmingham’s organi ing professional
LIFE PAGE 10
Alabama Ballet Pointe Ball inspired by Swan Lake
SOCIAL PAGE 12
Couple combines talents to update 1950s home
HOME PAGE 22
ST. PATRICKʼS DAY 5K FUN RUN IN HOMEWOOD P. 6 • STOCKING THE PANTRY IN CAHABA HEIGHTS P. 28 • LADY BUCS BRING HOME HOOPS TITLE P. 36