In war, there are no unwounded soldiers. ~José Narosky

On Veterans’ Day I had the privilege of joining the Girl Scouts of Nassau County Chorus at the Veterans Hospital in Northport, NY.  The girls performed in Building 52, the Community Services building, which is also a long-term care building for individuals needing skilled care. Many in the audience were World War II and Korean War vets.  As always, the girls did a great job and received a positive response from the audience. Our Chorus closed their performance with “I’m proud to be an American.” Everyone there was proud to be with them …
 
As much as the girls gave yesterday, I think that they received even more. They had learned the “theme songs” for each of our military services – “Anchors Aweigh,” “When the Caissons Go Rolling Along,” as well as the songs for the Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.  Each of these songs were both history lessons and vocabulary exercise.  Where are Montezuma and Tripoli?  What is a ‘caisson?’  And who knew the Coast Guard had their own song. Just coming to understand what the words of these songs mean was enriching for the girls. And then seeing how much these patriotic numbers signify to our veterans, to the families of the vets and to those in the audience was another eye-opener. After the concert I overheard several parents of the girls encouraging the girls to speak with the veterans and to say “thank you.”  There were some very sweet moments in that hall…
 
My father was a World War II veteran who fought in North Africa, on to Italy, had a heart attack and was sent back to the States to recuperate, and then shipped off to fight in the Philippines.  His years of military service were part of his life story, and mine.  He died of heart disease when I was six years-old.  I have the flag that covered his casket and remember the twenty-one gun salute at his graveside.
 
In June of 2008 I traveled to Normandy, France.  I first went to the International Peace Museum in Caen, and then on to Normandy to see Omaha Beach, site of the World War II D-Day invasion that is credited with turning that war to the Allies favor. I had heard so much about that battle and that war. I have a cousin who died in the invasion and I went to visit his grave in the American Cemetery.  I learned that there is also a German Cemetery nearby.  I was surprised and a bit disappointed in myself that I had not known that in advance. It set me to thinking about both the horrors and the fragilities of war. And all those thousands of boys and men, as well as a few women, had parents, sweethearts, families and communities waiting at home for them, as did the American GIs. One of the quotes that I saw go by on Veterans’ Day referred to the fact that we know more about making war than we do about making peace…
 
As Girl Scouts, we promise to honor God and Country.  It is so important that we teach our girls about those who have gone before – who have served their country in war, many sacrificing their lives, each of them changed from their experience. We must honor the past, and continue to give our respect and support for those who are currently serving in the military. As Girl Scouts of Nassau County go boldly forward, building girls of courage, confidence and character, we recognize the value of a strong defense and military service. And we have the opportunity to study peace, to learn new strategies for building communities of unity, to exercise tolerance and to practice respect for diversity so that we can make the world a better place.  And maybe one day we will “study war no more …”  And on my next trip to Normandy I will be sure to visit all the cemeteries.

Golden Eaglet

Jaclyn Libowitz, Delores Swirin, Josie Duckett-Boyd, Laurette Hinkson, Susan Brooks and me

I recently meet a group of eleven extraordinary women, all Girl Scouts and all members of the The Golden Eaglet Order of the Hendrik Hudson Region. These women all earned their Golden Eaglet (then Girl Scouts highest award) between 1919 and 1938. I had the privilege of attending a reception in their honor at GSUSA, one of these women; Dagmar Yabsley is a member of Girl Scouts of Nassau County.

My guest blogger today is Josie Duckett-Boyd, Manager, Individual Giving/Stewardship & Alumnae Relations for Girl Scouts of the USA who arranged the event. Here are her impressions of the day.

On October 22, eleven women, all in their late eighties and early nineties, from The Golden Eaglet Order of the Hendrik Hudson Region, were honored at a reception hosted by GSUSA.  The Golden Eaglet Order of the Hendrik Hudson Region was formed so that its members could stay connected with Girl Scouting as well as with each other.  While many of the members have passed on, those that remain continue to meet bi-annually since 1926. 

There was a flurry of activity on the 11th floor of National Headquarters as excited staffers greeted and mingled with the honored guests and their families. All of the Golden Eaglets wore their Golden Eaglet pins and one svelte 89 year old wore her original uniform adorned with the 21 badges required to earn a Golden Eaglet award. (She made us all jealous!)  

Muriel “Mickey” Smith, Kathleen Boettigheimer and Dagmar Yabsley visiting the National Preservation Center at GSUSA

Our founder, Juliette Gordon Low would be proud that her vision of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place has truly been realized in the Golden Eaglets.  While all are now retired, they served our communities as teachers, librarians, chemists, authors, secretaries.  In addition, each Golden Eaglet has been passionately committed to the Movement for over 75 years - as volunteers with their councils as well as with the Olave Baden Powell Society. In addition to contributing their time and talents, they have also lent their support through their financial treasures. 

Jaclyn Libowitz, GSUSA Chief of Staff provided a very warm welcome, followed by a rededication ceremony led by Susan Brooks, CEO, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey and our very own, Donna Ceravolo, CEO, Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc. Later,Dolores Swirin, CEO, Girl Scout Council of Greater New York, Inc. provided remarks.

Special highlights of the afternoon included a heartfelt speech by Sarah Mackay, third generation Girl Scout whose “Golden Eaglet” grandmother also attended.

Dagmar Mackay and Sarah Mackay

Marion Schreter, President of The Golden Eaglet Order of the Hendrik Hudson Region, also spoke on behalf of The Golden Eaglets and delivered a humble thank you to the GSUSA staff who helped make this event happen.
 
All in all, it was a very special day highlighting the importance of Girl Scouts in the past century and beyond. It gave those who attended a deeper appreciation for the women who shoulders today’s Girl Scouts stand on.  More importantly, it connected our past with our present as we head toward the future and particularly, our 100th anniversary. 

Broadway Mall Helps More Than 1500 Girls Experience the Joys of GIRLFEST 2009

What an event! This past month the Girl Scouts of Nassau County were very proud to present GIRLFEST 2009 - “It’s Your Planet – Love It!” More than 1500 girls ages 5 to 17 years old celebrated what being a girl and a Girl Scout was all about on Sunday, October 4th at the Broadway Mall in Hicksville, NY.

We feel that this year’s event was a resounding success and we could not be happier with the turnout. The fact that we were able to reach so many girls in Nassau County and help educate them on how to make a difference and give back to the community all while having a terrific time only makes it that much better.

GIRLFEST attendees had the chance to preview the Fall Products Program and participate in more than 70 tables full of fun and educational activities and workshops focused on healthy living, science and discovery. Girls also learned how to make various arts and crafts while listening to the famous singing voices of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County Chorus. This year’s GIRLFEST taught girls to be resourceful and sustainable and to treat our planet earth with the utmost respect. We were also able to kickoff the Girl Scouts of Nassau County Kids-4-Kids Food Collection at the event raising more than 696 pounds of food for Long Island’s hungry.

So to everyone that participated in GIRLFEST 2009 – thank you for joining us! We hope you had as much fun as we did and can’t wait to do it again next year!

P.S. We’d like to thank the Broadway Mall, specifically Trish Ketelsen, Marketing Director who helped make the event such a success.

GSNC finds a new way to SPOTLIGHT the Fall Products Program!

At this time of year we look for new and exciting ways to encourage our members to participate in the Fall Product Program and gain the support of our community. This year we are trying a new method…video production.

Here is just one of our new videos.
 
If you enjoyed this video, visit our YouTube channel to see the rest.
 
You may be asking how I can support the Fall Products Program! Check with the Girl Scouts you know and visit our website to learn more about the Girl Scouts Fall Products Program. 
 
Like our outstanding Girl Scout Cookie Program, this program offers Girl Scouts the opportunity to hone their skills in: 

• Goal Setting
• Decision Making 
• Money Management 
• People Skills
• Business Ethics

In addition to nuts and candy, our girls offer a wide selection of magazines to purchase or for subscription renewal. This year, the online magazine sale will enable girls to reach out directly to their email connections – friends and family, near and far.  Ordering online is very easy, and 45% of the proceeds from your magazine subscriptions stay right here in Nassau County for the girls when you order from Girl Scouts. – You can also find great books and music too!
 
Don’t know a Girl Scout from whom to order your magazines? … You can follow this link and proceeds will be credited to all the Girls Scouts in our Council… 

When my "twenty-something" daughters were elementary school age...by Guest Blogger, Carole Aksak

I used to walk them to the bus stop every morning. On the first day of school I would take a picture of all the children standing there waiting for the bus to come. We always enjoyed comparing this year’s pictures with those from the years before. We could see how friendships may have shifted, how their sense of style was changing by the clothes they chose to wear, even how their interests were beginning to take shape by the musical instruments they toted along with them or by the sports equipment they carried. I’m sure the picture would look very different if I were snapping a picture of my daughters at the bus stop today. I would probably be snapping the pictures from my cell phone, downloading it to my computer, posting it on my Facebook page then sending it off in an email to my family and non-Facebook friends. And, I would probably get it all done before my daughters had even arrived at the front door of their school. Technology has changed everything, especially for our kids, not only in the way we communicate, but in the ways we work, play, and conduct our relationships.  
 
One of the “jobs” of a child is to figure out exactly who she is and where she fits in the world. School is a wonderful place to do that. For a few hours a day, we separate from our parents and move into a world where we get to try things out for ourselves. Friendships help us to navigate the school day. Our friends provide us with clues to our identity. Our friends help us to feel connected, which is a universal need. Our earliest ancestors depended upon the group for their survival. Kids today are no different. They still need the security and protection of a group of friends to help them figure out who they are. What’s different today is the impact of technology on our kids and on their relationships.  
 
Girls need our help to understand the intricacies of friendship, including what that means as a member of the “always on” generation. Parents need a better understanding of how they can help their child to have positive healthy relationships as their child grows. Girl Scouts of Nassau County is here to provide safety and guidance as girls navigate this “brave new world.”

For more information about healthy relationships or to bring a speaker to your parent group, please contact Carole Aksak at 516.741.2550 ext. 254.

The 2009 Juliette Low Award of Distinction Goes to Emily F. Franchina, Esq.

At Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s Annual Luncheon we once again turn to an outstanding woman in our community and present her with the Juliette Low Award of Distinction. Over the past 22 years our honorees have embodied the best and brightest of the women in our community, women who excel in business, the professions, arts and volunteer service. Beyond individual accomplishments, which are legion, each of these women demonstrates her commitment to the life of the community through service and philanthropy.

This year Girl Scouts is proud to salute Emily F. Franchina, Esq.  Emily is an attorney concentrating in Elder Law, Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, Estate Administration, and adoption. She is a graduate of Hofstra University School of Law.

Active in law and the community at large, Emily currently serves as President of the Nassau County Bar Association. Her dedication to the elderly, disabled, and their families is evidenced through her many committee affiliations. She is active in the Bar Association’s WE CARE Fund, which supports a Girl Scout troop in Hempstead. Her community activities include the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center, Mineola Garden City Rotary, Rotacare, the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation, NY Bar Foundation and St. Johnland Nursing Home.

Emily has been a guest speaker on radio, she has lectured for the National Business Institute, has presented numerous lectures for various community groups, libraries, adult education programs, area universities, the Women’s Bar Association of New York, the New York State Bar Association and the Nassau Academy of Law. She authored columns dealing with estate and elder law issues, entitled Counselor’s Corner, published through the Nassau County Bar Association and has authored articles for the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Emily’s long list of achievements and affiliations certainly tell us that she is a devoted community servant.  And, Emily is also fun, caring and inventive.  Each time I am with Emily, her warmth and humor are foremost. She goes the extra mile for her community and her friends.  She is an excellent role model for girls because she has chosen to put the words of the Girl Scout Promise and Law into action in her life.

I can’t wait until our Luncheon on October 27th at the Garden City Hotel …That is when the Girl Scout Community and so many of Emily’s friends and family will join me in the privilege of celebrating another great Girl Scout of Nassau County.  Emily, we will all be cheering for you … THANK YOU for being a leader and problem solver in our community.  You do us proud by accepting the Juliette Low Award of Distinction!

2008   Dr. Adrienne O’Brien-Salten
2007   Leslie Segrete
2006   Margaret Stacey
2005   Victoria Murphy                        
2004   Theresa Mall Mullarkey
2003   Myrka A. Gonzalez, Esq. EdD.
2002   Maureen Clancy
2001   Carol Silva
2000   Erica B. Garay, Esq.
1999   Dorothy Tripp
1998   Michelle E. DiBenedetto
1997   Esther Fortunoff
1996   Dr. Donna Lopiano
1995   Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy
1994   Karen Lutz
1993   Matilda Raffa Cuomo
1992   Susan Lucci
1991   Anne W. Ellis
1990   L. Eudora Pettigrew
1989   Jane S. Gitlin
1988   Melba Toliver
1987   Judith Davidson Moyers

GIRLFEST 2009!

Congratulations to Robyn M. of Troop 3262 whose winning entry was chosen for this year’s GIRLFEST patch! 

GIRLFEST is Sunday, October 4th! Thanks to the Broadway Mall in Hicksville, Girl Scouts of Nassau County will once again present GIRLFEST in its spacious corridors …GIRLFEST is an opportunity for girls and Girl Scouts of all ages to come together for FUN, friendship and to share program ideas and activities … Last year over 1000 girls came out for the fun! Many of our great vendors who promote their programs through our Possibilities publication will be giving demonstrations and providing more info on the opportunities available from their companies and organizations. This is a great chance for Troop Leaders and girls to get a better idea on the program activities available, which will help as the girls plan their year and set their goals.
 
There will be opportunities to learn more about the Girl Scout Journeys, about the Girl Scout special interest groups, such as the UMOJA Alliance, the Asian Task Force and the Hispanic Latino Task Force, as well as getting the latest information on other new programs.  You can learn more about our Critical Issues work.  – And see previews of our Fall Products Program.  
 
The most exciting parts of GIRLFEST are the activities that are designed by and presented by the girls themselves. Various girls and their Troops will be demonstrating everything from our winning Lego Robotics teams, to arts and crafts activities, SWAPS and community service opportunities. (If you want to present an activity, HURRY!, we may be able to make room.) The Girl Scouts of Nassau County Chorus will perform. And there will be a contest to design this year’s Holiday Card for Girl Scouts of Nassau County.  
 
I hope to see you on Sunday afternoon, October 4th … You can register in advance for $5, or $10 at the door … All girls, from kindergarten and up are welcome, regardless of whether they are registered Girl Scouts.  There is no charge for adults. – And to continue the Girl Scout spirit of giving back,  all guests are asked to be bring non-perishable food items (cans, boxed) that will be donated to Island Harvest.