Special to the Star-Herald
The Girl Scouts served as the springboard for several past and present community leaders in Presque Isle. Some of the first names and many newer names in Presque Isle Brownie and Girl Scouting include: Nancy Roe, Kay Young, Margaret Duncan and Karen Duncan, Mrs. Beatrice Rathbun and daughter in law Pat Rathbun, Jean Litch, Ruth Thibedeau, Mildred Smart, Margaret Wood, Wilma Miller, Nan Hunter, Penny Nadeau, Penny Kern, Lois Irving, Mary Holmes, Helen Barnes, Mrs. Coffey, Elaine Boyles and Sue Beaudet.
The very first Girl Scout Cookies dates back to 1917, and they were made at home by some Girl Scouts with their moms serving as technical advisers and sold in the girls’ high school as part of a service project. The official Girl Scout Cookie recipe wasn’t published until July of 1922 and the boxes sold for 26 cents a dozen. That tradition continued this year, with local Scouts selling cookies and delivering them just recently.
The first mention of Girl Scouting in Presque Isle was the formation of a troop in 1927. The three original troop numbers were 81, 63 and 517. In the early 1900s in Maine, any area reaching a total of 100 girls could be listed as a “Council,” and there were many in the Aroostook area. The first local council established was in Houlton in 1945. One news article noted that Presque Isle held their meetings at the Spragueville Methodist Church in 1948 “under their own council.” There were Girl Scouts and Brownies and they were sponsored by the WSCS with this continuing for many years with most girls belonging to the Epworth League, a part of the church’s youth program as well. One of the more well-known Scout supporters and leaders was Dorothy Dingwall.
In the 1960s, Brownie troops and one Girl Scout troop met at the Episcopal Church and later moved to a community building in the Dyer Street area. In 1964, there were only two councils in Maine, with Abnaki representing girls from Bangor/Brewer north and Kennebec covering southern Maine troops. In 2008, all girls in the state of Maine were placed into a unified council known as GSME — Girl Scouts of Maine. The areas of Girl Scouting are now recognized as “neighborhoods” and Presque Isle is a member of the “Sapphire” neighborhood.
Prior to 1989, the highest award in Girl Scouting was the Curved Bar Award. Some Presque Isle-area Girl Scouts who received this were: Jennifer Buzza, Karen Hilt, Joleanna Cannon, Laura St. Pierre, Christie Cochran, Penny Kern and Sue Beaudet — several of whom remain active with the organization, serving as leaders and/or advisors.
The first Girl Scouts in Presque Isle to receive the newly re-named “Gold” Award in 1989 were Sarah Ahmadi, Jennifer Hammond and Anne Higgins. They joined the ranks of Gold honorees including: Samantha Cousins, Emily Robertson, Ashley Hall, Abbey House and Jill Rathbun, These are but a few of the names of volunteers, leaders and Scouts. (Forgiveness is asked for those names left out.)
Girl Scout and Brownie Scout history is scarce. Anyone knowing more information, please send e-mail or call the following contacts: wburtchell@gsmaine.org, 551-1193; pkern@mfx.net, 764-0771; or gramchristie@yahoo.com, 455-8034. These small or large bits of Girl Scout information should be kept at a central site for future generations to enjoy. We’ll take everything from your Girl Scout/Brownie Scout days, from memories to old uniforms, scrapbooks or any other items you may find in your attic or memory. Thanks in advance from all girls in Scouting, especially the Aroostook County area.
(Christie Cochran is the oldest of three generations of Scouts in her family, in addition to her daughter, Anissa Levesque, and granddaughter, Kassy Belk. Cochran has been involved in Scouting for over 50 years.)
Photo courtesy of Dick Graves
THE WEATHER appeared perfect for these Girl Scouts to take part in a parade in the Star City, something in the 1950s. If you recognize any of these young ladies, please send the names to: rgraves001@maine.rr.com.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
GATHERING FOR A VETERANS’ event in 1956 were, from left: Leo Cormier, DAV national president from Maine; Girl Scout Christie Smart, of Presque Isle; and Ernest Smart, Navy veteran.
