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Allen County Edition Ed E Reaching Fort Wayne And Surrounding Counties
www.seniorlifenewspapers.com
Vol. 36, No. 4
Girl Scout alums… …support their beloved organization *,5/ 6&287 +($'48$57(56 ³ 6KRZQ IURP OHIW DUH &DURO :LQWHUV ZKR LV FKLHI GHYHORSPHQW RIÀ FHU )DLWK 9DQ *LOGHU DQG 3DP *DUULVRQ HQMR\LQJ WLPH DW WKH *LUO 6FRXWV )RUW :D\QH KHDGTXDUWHUV %\ &$7+< 6+286( )HDWXUH :ULWHU Lois Hess may celebrate her 90th birthday in August, but her heart remains with the Girl Scouts, an organization she has supported for decades. In July, three alums met at the Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana office to reminisce.
Later, they shared how their Girl Scout experiences have impacted their lives over the years. “I started working with the Girl Scouts when my daughter got the age for it,” Hess said. “I’ve always enjoyed it and my daughters, and my granddaughter do, too. It’s a family affair. At one time, over Labor Day weekend and Memorial Day weekend, the whole family, including my late husband, Robert, and my son, would go up to Camp Logan to work and make sure the camp was ready to go for whatever was to come.” One of Hess’s daughters, Carol Winters, headed to Camp Logan in July. She
volunteered as the camp nurse, although she’s actively working as an emergency room nurse for 29 years. Winters remembers her beginning with the Girl Scouts, and her passion hasn’t waned. “I started as a Brownie in 1969. Girl Scouts started in second grade back then. I went all the way through to 12th grade, and earned my Gold Award, formerly called First Class,” Winters said. She added, “I participated in what is now called “Destinations.” Mine was to National Center West in Wyoming. We lived with the horses for two weeks and Girl Scouts came from all over the U.S. My favorite activities at Girl Scout camp in the summer were the horses, canoeing and sailing.” After graduating high 9,17$*( ,7(0 ³ &DURO :LQWHUV D JH YLQWD S D OGV X school, Winters worked KR OXP *LUO 6FRXW D UQ UWKH I 1R WV R FRX summers as a counselor LUO 6 KH * LWHP DW W QH :D\ )RUW D·V and later taught waterKLDQ 0LF ,QGLDQD LGHG SURY WRV SKR front in swimming, sailing, $OO UV DUWH GTX KHD canoeing, and rowing. When E\ *LUO 6FRXWV RI 1RUWKHUQ ,QGLDQD her oldest daughter was in 0LFKLDQD
kindergarten, she started a Daisy troop, among many other experiences. Juliet Gordon Low started the Girl Scouts, and there is a JGL society, which is a group of donors who support the Girl Scout mission. Lifetime members show supporting Girl Scouts and the mission and passing on that same love and knowledge to girls. “Girl scouting has played a big role in my life,” Winters said. “I have made many lifelong friends through Girl Scouts. I enjoy camping and hiking with my friends. Several are former Girl Scout leaders, affectionately called the “GS Mafia.” Another Girl Scout alum, Pam Hughes Garrison, is retired from Summit Middle School as a para-educator supporting eighth grade students. She started in the second grade, in 1956, and was a leader for her daughters’ troops and her granddaughter is currently involved. Continued on page 4