Can’t say enough about scouting

   I never thought my Charleston column would call for an encore, but I was amazed at how my readers responded. Nancy Parker, of Auburn wrote, “While I was in high school my best friend and I were "flappers.” What a kick! I haven't thought about that in years.” Several women, including my editor, Shelley Mann, told me when they were “flappers” they had to learn the Charleston by rewinding the dance scene from the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, a hundred times. And several book club members wrote that they were reading books set in the 1920’s and the girl scouts’ dance added a spark of real life to their reading pleasure.

   The dance itself was a real delight. Seeing Thirtysomething dads donning fedoras and overcoats escorting teeny-tiny flappers on their arms made quite a memory for me, not to mention what a memory it will be for the fathers and daughters themselves.

   And then there were the unexpected reactions. When Scout leader, Marissa Markley, read my column to the girls, they picked up on the part about my grandmother still being fresh off the boat in 1920. “How could someone as old a Miss Susan have a grandmother who just got off the boat,” they asked, as if immigration to America were something new.

   And the surprises get bigger and better. I couldn’t believe it when Marissa awarded me a Girl Scout patch for my efforts – the first I’ve earned in 50 years. I pinned it to the collage of badges I earned in the 50’s and the Cub Scout den mother stars I earned in the 80’s. And to really ice the cake, the girls got a gig dancing for the residents of the Lifecare Center of Lawrenceville!

   I love all the fun I’ve had with scouting, both as a child and an adult. But scouting is about more than simply having fun. I’m touched by all the ways all Scouts – Daisies, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Tigers, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Eagle Scouts - contribute to their community. Eagle Scout projects line up end-to-end across Gwinnett. At the Mill Creek Nature Center alone, Ryan Crist, Kurt Gunther, Justin McDougall, Bryan Derry, Michael Norling, Bryan Derry, Lee Gaunce, and Nick Pouncey earned their Eagle rank with their environmental efforts. And it seems everywhere I go I see the Bear Den of Pack 551 serving their community.

   With this being Girl Scout Week, I’d like to be inclusive and dedicate this column to all Scouts in our county, from the famous, like our Tax Commissioner, Katherine Sherrington to the behind-the-scenes guys like Hans Friedrichsen, who for over 40 years has been making patterns for Boy Scouts’ woodworking projects and mentoring boys for their God and Family merit badge.

   To all Scouts everywhere, on my honor, I salute you. 

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