The Salad Bowl February 2, 2010

A Note on “The Salad Bowl”

The “Salad Bowl” has replaced the “melting pot” as an analogy for the USA. A melting pot requires ingredients to give up their individual flavor. A salad, on the other hand, needs each ingredient to retain its uniqueness and participate in the overall flavor. The Salad Bowl is meant to provide girl and adult Girl Scouts with resources and ideas to recognize, celebrate and participate in the River Valleys’ “salad.” Bertrene Cage welcomes comments and suggestions at 800-845-0708 or girlscouts@girlscourtsrv.org.

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St. Patrick’s Day

Saint Patrick’s name at birth was Maewyn Succat. He was born somewhere near the end of the fourth century and took on the name Patrick or Patricus, after he became a priest, much later in his life. At the age of sixteen Maewyn Succat was kidnapped from his native land of Britain, by a band of pirates, and sold into slavery in Ireland. Maewyn worked as a shepherd and turned to religion for solace. After six long years of slavery he escaped to the northern coast of Gaul.

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In Gaul, Maewyn became Patrick and studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for twelve years. He came to believe that it was his calling to convert the pagans of Ireland to Christianity. St. Palladius was appointed to go to Ireland first but transferred to Scotland two years later opening up the door for St. Patrick. St. Patrick was about sixty years old when he arrived in Ireland. He used the shamrock, which resembles a three-leafed clover, to help explain the concept of the Trinity (father, son, holy spirit).

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St. Patrick traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries and setting up schools and churches to aid in converting the Irish country to Christianity. Legend has it that Saint Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland (and there are no snakes in Ireland today!), but the actual reference is probably to the pagans he drove from the land.

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Patrick’s mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. He then retired to County Down and died on March 17 in 461 AD. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick’s Day ever since. The first year St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated in this country was 1737 in Boston, Mass.

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Here is a list of other popular symbols associated with St. Patrick’s Day:

Blarney Stone

Blarney Castle is located in County Cork, Ireland. Built in 1446 by Cormac Laidhim McCarthy (Lord of Muskerry) the Blarney stone is located in the southern tower wall between the main castle wall and the parapet. In order to kiss the stone one has to lie on their back and bend backward (and downward), holding iron bars for support. It is said that the Blarney stone has magical properties. As legend has it an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone gave the king the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly.

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Leprechauns

Leprechauns are the “little people” of Ireland. They are like fairies or gnomes in other countries but smarter and more mischievous. They also own pots of gold that can be taken from them by really clever and lucky mortals.

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Wearing Green

Probably because you’ll be pinched if you don’t! School children started this tradition. Green is Ireland’s color and is also the color of spring and the shamrock and is connected with hope and nature.

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The luck of the Irish

Want to be lucky this St. Patrick’s Day? Follow this advice:

1. Find a four-leaf clover. 2. Wear green (so you don’t get pinched). 3. Kiss the blarney stone. 4. Catch a Leprechaun if you can.

In honor of the festivities I leave you with this Irish blessing: May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm on your face and the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

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Celebrations calendar

February

Black History Month

American Heart Month

14 – Chinese Lunar New Year (China, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam)

14 – Tet Nguyen Dan (Vietnam) “Year of the Buffalo”

14 – Race Relations Day

16 – Mardi Gras (United States)

17 – Ash Wednesday (Protestant, Roman Catholic)

17 – League of United Latin Citizens (LULAC) Founded American

24 – Flag Day (Mexico)

Culturfest January 29, 2010

Owatonna Girl Scouts’ passport booths won first place at the annual Steele County Culturfest event. They had three different booths at the festival, representing Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Pictured with the girls is Kelly deBruin, member of the Diversity Network Committee, which organizes Culturfest. The second place winner was a Girl Scout Cadette troop from Medford, Minn.

Go Green Girl! – Resuable Snack Kit January 25, 2010

If you serve a snack at each troop meeting, put together a reusable snack kit. Items to include in the kit will vary depending on the type if snacks. Consider the following:

• reusable cups
• plates and eating utensils
• cloth napkins
• containers for serving the snack

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Place items in a carrying case or bag. Each troop member takes turns taking the kit home after the meeting and having it washed for the next meeting.

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Calculate what you save

How many plastic bags, paper plates, cups, napkins, and plastic utensils do you use in a year? Find out what these items cost and determine the money you saved. You not only help the environment, but you’ll keep more money in your troop bank account to use for activities.

UPDATE: Girl Scouts can officially raise money for Haiti January 22, 2010

GSUSA Communications Alert
FROM: Kathy Cloninger, National CEO, GSUSA
RE:  Fundraising for Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts

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The outpouring of support for the people of Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake last week has been remarkable, and Girl Scouts across the country have pitched in to help in many different ways. We know, however, that after natural disasters like these, sending funds is often the best way to help.

Given the catastrophic events in Haiti, the Executive Committee unanimously adopted, and the National Board this morning ratified, the following:

THAT the Executive Committee of Girl Scouts of the USA’s National Board of Directors, on the National Board’s behalf, adopts a special rule of order to allow girl members to engage in activities, which may include the direct solicitation of money, from January 14 through September 8, 2010, to support emergency relief for the January 12 earthquake disaster in Haiti.  Monies raised shall be contributed only to organizations on the approved list of agencies (listed here); additions to the list shall be approved by the National President and CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA.

This now makes it possible for our girls to raise much needed funds for relief efforts in Haiti. Please take note that the money our girls raise can be contributed only to approved agencies. Much of Haiti is in ruins and a second major earthquake struck the country on Wednesday. The loss of life and suffering has been heartbreaking. I hope that this action by the National Board will serve as yet another opportunity for all of us as a Movement to do what we can to help the people of Haiti in their time of need.

Girl Scouts May Raise Money for Haitian Relief Efforts January 15, 2010

From Girl Scouts of the USA:

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Our thoughts and prayers are with Haitians, friends, and families, as they begin the process of managing the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake of January 12. We have received numerous calls from Girl Scouts around the country asking how to help.

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In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the National Board suspended the policy that prohibits Girl Scouts from raising money for other organizations. We are working with the Executive Committee of the board to suspend this policy once again. We will keep you informed of any action. In the meantime, all Girl Scouts councils should work though their local community groups to assist in relief efforts.

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The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) has issued a list of organizations that are accepting donations for relief efforts. I have included the list below. WAGGGS is also reminding all Girl Scouts that the theme of World Thinking Day this year is “ending extreme poverty and hunger.”  The tragic events in Haiti can clearly serve as a way to educate our girls about the issues of extreme poverty and hunger throughout the world.

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It is at times like these that Girl Scouts throughout the world come together in sisterhood and to take action to help those in need. We have seen our Movement rally in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters over the years, and I know that all of us in Girl Scouting will do everything we can to help Haiti and its people in the weeks and months ahead.

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Below is list of ways to help:

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The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is accepting donations through its International Response Fund.

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Pan American Development Foundation
The foundation is encouraging people to donate through its website at www.PanAmericanRelief.org.

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UNICEF
UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.

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Oxfam
You can donate to online at Oxfam America at www.oxfamamerica.org.

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Save The Children
Save the Children has launched an emergency relief effort for Haiti. Donate to Save the Children.

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Mercy Corps
Donate online, call 1-888-256-1900 or send checks to:
Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund
Dept NR
PO Box 2669
Portland, OR 97208

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Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders has set up clinics to treat people in Haiti. Donate to Doctors Without Borders.

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The UN World Food Programme
The UN World Food Programme is gathering all available resources to deliver food to the recently homeless and impoverished in Haiti. Donations can be made through www.wfp.org/donate/haiti.

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CARE
CARE is deploying emergency team members to Port-au-Prince to assist in recovery efforts. It’s focusing its efforts on rescuing children who may still be trapped in schools that collapsed. Donate to CARE.

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The International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee is deploying an emergency response team to Haiti. Donate to the IRC Haiti Crisis Fund.

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World Vision
World Vision has more 370 staff members in the Haiti. Donate to World Vision.

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United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
This fund is used for emergencies like the earthquake in Haiti. Donate online.

Girl Scout Court of Awards January 13, 2010

Brownie Girl Scout Troop 13433, third graders out of out of Elm Creek Elementary, recently held their first Court of Awards. These 14 girls earned more than 47 Try-Its in the last few months. They have been working very hard and are in the process of planning a service project.

Back: Isabella, Anna, Rhiannon, Bailey, Abby, Molly, Emma. Front: Ellie, Analise, Ana, Leah, Paula, Matigann, Kaeley.

Your Own Cookie Business January 6, 2010

On December 12, 20 girls from the Beta Gamma Girl Scouts (BGGS) program attended Your Own Cookie Business Council sponsored event in Blaine, MN.

The event’s goals are aligned with the Financial Literacy program for which BGGS receives funding. Girl Scouts wants to build financial leaders of tomorrow. Therefore, BGGS girls learn about marketing, market analysis, finances, and other business strategies. All these activities are part of an extensive college preparatory curriculum that goes in depth about being financially ready for college.

During the Your Own Cookie Business Program, girls were able to learn about 2010 Cookie Program Activity goals and objectives. They also had a chance to learn about business planning, marketing, and branding.

“Before coming to this event, I did not know that selling cookies had so much financial planning behind it … I learned a lot about selling more cookies by having an well-defined marketing plan,” said JuTon, a Junior grade High School student from Minneapolis.

View more pictures in the Facebook photo album.

The Salad Bowl December 23, 2009

The “Salad Bowl” has replaced the “melting pot” as an analogy for the USA. A melting pot requires ingredients to give up their individual flavor. A salad, on the other hand, needs each ingredient to retain its uniqueness and participate in the overall flavor. The salad is meant to provide girl and adult Girl Scouts with resources and ideas to recognize, celebrate, and participate in the River Valleys “salad.” Bertrene Cage welcome comments and suggestions at 800-845-0708 or girlscouts@girlscourtsrv.org.

Feast of Okambondondo

Okambondondo is a children’s harvest festival celebrated in the villages of Angola. It has no given date but may be celebrated at any time during the harvest season (February to April) and is sometimes celebrated more than once in a given year. For this celebration the children usually divide into groups, six to ten year olds meeting at one house, eleven to fifteen year olds in another, and those sixteen and older having their own feast in yet a third house. Each child brings a contribution to the feast. The boys bring dried fish or meat, and the girls bring cornmeal, beans, and corn. The children gather in the evening to play games and tell folk stories. Then the girls go to sleep in the kitchen while the boys sleep in another part of the house. At about one or two o’clock in the morning, the girls wake up and begin to cook the feast. When it is ready, they run to awaken the boys. They all eat together then leave the house for the village common, where there is singing and more games. At the first sign of dawn, they gather the remaining food from their feast to carry home for their parents to enjoy while they have a much needed rest.

Upcoming celebrations

January

18 – Martin Luther King Day

27 – World Holocaust Victims Remembrance Day

30 – Tu B’Shevat (Arbor Day)

February

Black History Month

American Heart Month

1 – National Freedom Day

2 – Groundhog Day

4 – World Cancer Day

14 – Valentine’s Day

15 – Presidents’ Day

17 – Ash Wednesday

20 – World Day of Social Justice

28 – Purim

Girl Scout trip to Yellowstone December 22, 2009

Troop 22213 spent the last week of July enjoying Yellowstone National Park. The vacation started early on Sunday morning. The girls were excited and settled into the 12-passenger van that would become their “home” for the next 23 hours. As we were leaving town, we decided to take a detour and see Mount Rushmore. It added on some time to the trip, but it was worth it. The girls enjoyed being able to see this national monument, and it was amazing seeing something that we had only seen in pictures. After the stop, we continued on our way to West Yellowstone. We arrived at 3 a.m. The girls were sent right to bed for a few hours of sleep before our activities really began.

The first day, we went to Fountain Paint Pots and Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. The girls learned that you cannot rush mother nature!

Day two brought us to a ranch where they taught us how to Fly Fish. It was a great experience. We then had supper with a Girl Scout Junior troop from West Yellowstone. They brought their flags, and we had a flag ceremony. After supper we went to the local Smokejumper base and learned all about smokejumping. It was a lot of fun.

Day three was exhausting but fun. The morning started with a nine-mile horseback ride that lasted two hours. One of our guides’ grandparents were from Faribault! After our ride, we enjoyed a great lunch of buffalo burgers and brats. The girls even had some time to rock climb.

Then the adventure began. We went white water rafting. It was the most fun experience we had. We all slept great that night!

Our last day, we spent at the Canyon in Yellowstone. We had “hobo lunches” that we made over a fire, and then we went on a ranger hike to look at the falls. They were wonderful. While in Yellowstone, we completed the Jr Ranger badge and learned a lot along the way! There was a little time found to do some shopping as well.

The next morning was early as we loaded up and got ready to call the van our “home” again. This time the trip only took us about 18 hours. All in all, we had a great time. The girls were wonderful, and we could not have asked for a better trip!

- Robin, troop leader

Click here to see more photos from there trip.

Girl Scout Troops 10451 and 10398 Bronze Award December 16, 2009

During the spring and summer of 2009, Girl Scout Troops 10451 and 10398 earned badges, completed the “Sign of the Star,” and participated in the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas Scoping Program to earn the highest honor for Junior Girl Scouts: the Bronze Award. The girls earned badges in wildlife and the environment to support their knowledge and skills required to participate in field work and data entry of the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas. Through the assistance of the staff from the Minneapolis Recreation and Park Board, the girls learned how to use binoculars and birding field guides, how to identify birds, enter data on the breeding bird atlas website, and raise awareness for bird species and their critical habitats. The girls of Troop 10451 provided 25 hours of  community service and identified more than 40 species of birds to the project.