May 20, 2002

SUNOL GIRL SCOUT TROOP #2921 has been very busy since the special day in January when the 11 members bridged from Brownie Scouts to Junior Girl Scouts. You've read in this column, and may know if you're a Sunolian, that Sunol has the privilege of being home to three Golden Award Senior Girl Scouts, Shannon Kastriotis, Amelia Coplan and Erica Smith, all working hard at college these days. At the bridging ceremony on January 16, Shannon, Amelia and Amelia's mom, long-time Girl Scout Leader Toni Coplan, were there to wish our newest Girl Scouts well.

Troop Leader Victoria Christian and Assistant Leader Lori Nielsen couldn't be prouder of their troop. The group's third graders are Danika Beard, Bola Gbadebo, Becca Brown, Callie Milligan, Mary Chambers, and Stasia Hylas. The fourth grade Girl Scouts are Jessica Christian, Nicola Barnes, Mia Mezzetti, Caitlin Carter and Hayley Nielsen.

This school year so far, the troop's community service included providing a bountiful Thanksgiving basket to a family in Livermore, donating a Christmas tree and trimmings to a family in Hayward, and planting flowers in Sunol's Community Park.

The girls participated in an association-wide ice-skating event, enjoyed a private State Capitol tour with Sunol's own Senator Liz Figueroa, and sold 1,092 boxes of those delicious Girl Scout cookies some of us are still hiding in our freezers. They earned an impressive four badges just since becoming Junior Girl Scouts and are now preparing for scouting's annual Camporee at Boy Scout Camp Royaneh over Memorial Day weekend.

In addition to Victoria and Lori, the troop gets lots of help from some generous Sunol moms. Carin Milligan is helping with a sewing project these days, and Karen Newcomb (Stasia Hylas' mom), accompanied Lori and the girls on an overnight at the Girl Scout cabin in Livermore in March. Cathy Morris (Becca Brown's mom) jumped in to co-lead a meeting, and Martha Carter took charge of the daunting paper work for the cookie drive.

Lori describes Victoria Barnes as, "our faithful driver volunteer," which explains some of the many times I see her heading up or down Kilkare Road with a bevy of young ladies in tow. "As the girls get older," Lori said, "I anticipate future years of exciting events, activities and accomplishments!" That's a safe prediction, given the roster of stellar scouts currently and previously from our active community.

BRIDAL FAIRE REMINDER: Don't miss the Little Brown Church of Sunol's Bridal Faire Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. I just got a tip that some of the prizes donated by the vendors include accommodations for a three-day, two-night stay in the U.S. or Mexico from Brides2Grooms.com, a flower girl dress from Fremont Bridal, and lots of great gift certificates from places like Bodylines Day Spa and Bosco's Bones & Brew. Check out www.littlebrownchurch.com for LBC wedding info.

MEMORIES, MUSIC, FOOD AND FRIENDS: Hope to see all you Sunolians and your friends and families at the Save Our Sunol Memorial Day picnic Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. on the Sunol Glen School grounds. A service will be held at the Memorial Tree honoring Sunolians taken from us before their time and all the brave individuals lost in our country's service. And for the first time since Pearl Harbor, we will be honoring those lost in an act of war on our own soil. This being the first Memorial Day since the terrible events of September 11 brings a striking poignancy to the day.

There will be lots of fun, too, with barbecued chicken, hamburgers, hotdog, soft drinks and ice cream provided by SOS, which you can complement with a potluck side dish or dessert. Debra Knox's music, kites and camaraderie will fill the school grounds. Come and share.