Outagamie County, WI - "Girl Scouts Celebrate 50 Years in NL" ************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************* Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives Subject: newspaper article "Girl Scouts Celebrate 50 Years in NL" Submitted by: county coordinator EMAIL: jmmarasch@aol.com Date Submitted: 15 March 2000 Source: New London Press newspaper article from Bicentennial issue, undated. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Girl Scouts Celebrate 50 Years in NL New London has had Girl Scouting for 50 years, and one could write millions of words on the subject. Girl Scouting has come a long way since 1912, when the founder Juliet Gordon Low started the Scout movement with 12 girls. Juliet Low died in Savannah, Georgia, in 1927, and in September of that year a World Friendship Fund was started to provide money for girls of all countries to act as good-will ambassadors. To this day Girl Scouts in New London and elsewhere contribute pennies, nickels and dimes once a year to this fund. In 1932, March 12 was designated as the Girl Scout Birthday and week, when the donations flow in. The first uniform consisted of a dark middy and skirt, light blue tie, no hat. But the following year it was changed to khaki blouse and skirt, black kerchief, and felt campaign hat to be worn by girls and leaders alike. It was later changed from khaki to green. Mrs. Beatrice Monsted was the leader of the first Girl Scout troop in New London, organized in 1926, consisting of 12-14 girls. The girls had no special meeting place, and it seemed no one wanted them. Mrs. Catherine Gens became a leader around 1934. The first cookie sale started in 1936 and profits were used for camping development funds in the Council, with Mrs. John Monsted, Jr. acting as Cookie chairman for a number of years. Mrs. Herbert Schulz was Registar, and Mrs. Robert Fitzgerald publicity chairman for many years. Mrs. George Ostermeir, Mrs. Robert Taubel, Mrs. Kenneth Breitung were also workers who carried scouting through its early years in New London. Back in 1939 Mrs. Ralph Mortenson became an enthusiastic leader for 24 girls, and worked with then for 7-1/2 years, often taking them on camping trips. Mothers of the girls were sponsors at that time, and sold various items to make money for the troop. In 1945, a New London Girl Scout Council was organized and received its first charter. Mrs. George Polzin was the first president, and Mrs. George Kopp held practically every office at one time or another. Mrs. Rudd Smith was Cap Chairman. A Dec. 29, 1945 letter to national headquarters contained a check for $2.28 which covered dues of 12 cents per girl - 19 girls in Troop 7, New London. Another check for $13, covered dues of 50 cents per person for two leaders, five troop committee members and 19 Scouts. A final check for $1 was for a subscription to American Girl Magazine to be mailed to Maxine Knapstein, leader. Troop 5 was supposedly the first to register under the new council, on Dec. 21, 1945. They met in the Girl Scout rooms at city hall, and were sponsored by the Women's Relief Corps. Leader was Selma Prell assisted by Florence Flugaur and Sylvia Noll. Committee members consisted of Messrs. Leonard Manske, Leslie Lowell, Adolph Lercher, Charles Palmer and Clarence Beaudoin. Troop members were Peggy Brandow, Dneka Brown, Peggy Colburn, Shirley Dorschner, Jane Edminister, Lois Ingersol, Nancy Johnson, Sue Kische, Luonne McDermott, Peggy Park, Rae Plowman, Katherine Roberts and Sarah Salter. On Dec. 30, 1945, Troop 3 registered they were sponsored by the Congregational Ladies Aid, with Mrs. Wm. Park leader, assisted by Mrs. Walter Brandow and Mrs. Edgar Lathrop. - committee members were Messrs. C.P. Larson, Walter Stewart, Charles Abrams, and Herbert Schulz. Girls were Carol Brown, Betty Burns, Maryon Earll, Rosalie Handschke, Holly Hetzer, Geraldine Huettl, Bonnie Jeffers, Carla Kopp, Karen Kroll, Kay Lathrop, Donna Lipke, Linda Longrie, Wenda Maxted, Nora Puer, Linda Rousseau, Jane and Janet Ruhsam, Jo Ann Soffa, Donna Spencer, Deloris Spoehr, Diana Thomas, Patsy Van Torkhaven, and Marjorie Warner. Troop 2 was sponsored by their mothers and leaders and committee members were Messrs. August Beckert, M. Westphal, Floyd Webb, F. Griswold, M. Edminister, G. De Groff, and Ray Prahl. Girls in the troop were Barbara Brehm, Sharon Diestler, Jackie Dorschner, Mary Jane Griswold, Barbara Henriott, Joanne Huettner, Violet Leinhard, Lavonne Luick, Carol Meverden, Audrey Monsted, Alice Nollenberg, Jill Polley, Ardeen Popke, Sharon Rodgers, Mary Rozelle, Mary Ellen Smith, Joyce Soffa, Marjorie Stern, Marilyn Warner, Rae Wendt, Joyce Wernberg, Carol Westphal, Donna White, and Joanne Zaug. Catholic school leaders at that time were Messrs. James Prohaska, Louis Wright, Richard McClone, Merlin Bruette, George Wochinski, Loyd Pohlman, Lawrence Geiger, Ray Kassner, Wm. Snyder, Reginald Eckhart and Dennis Roberts. During these early years the camping program was developing with Day Camp being held at Hatten Park for a four-day period. Members of the council were then Messrs. Fitzgerald, F.S. Loss, Schulz, Kopp, Bernegger, Carlton Schneider, Norman Ortleib, C.P. Larson, Harold Smith, and Greg Charlesworth. It was in the fall of 1947 that there seemed to be a need for organizing a Brownie troop in New London. The Girl Scouts had already been activated, but up to this date there was no opportunity for girls between the ages of seven and 10 to participate in the Scout program. The Senior Sodality of Most Precious Blood church was approached and asked to sponor a brownie troop, and voted to assume the responsibility if leaders could be found. Mrs. Loraine Halverson and Mrs. Armella Bernegger, both having daughters in that age group, consented to act as leaders, and the new Brownie troop consisted of 44 eager and excited girls. After three years of Brownie leadership both Mrs. Halverson and Mrs. Bernegger moved up to the executive Board of the newly organized local Council, with Mrs. Bernegger acting as President. Then in 1954 the New London Council received for its very own, Camp Vic-to-Rae on the Little Wolf, a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Victor Thomas, who were interested in providing a real camping spot for the 157 Girl Scouts then in New London. The original letter dated April 22, 1954 reads: "Mr. and Mrs. Victor Thomas will deed a plot of land consisting of 19 acres more or less, situated on the bank of the Little Wolf River in the town of Mukwa, to be used and maintained as a Girl Scout Camp." "Said deed to take effect upon the death of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Thomas. Grantors receive the use of the property during their lifetime, but will allow the Girl Scouts to use it with permission." "No green timber is to be cut unless necessary to clear land for a building site, and the land may not be pastured." "Girl Scouts to maintain their own personal liability insurance while on the premises." "If for any reason this property is not used as a Children's Camp for five years, it shall revert to the Wisconsin Crippled Children." The Thomases brought joy to the heart of every Girl Scout and officials when they presented this tract of land for a permanent camp-site, on the Little Wolf river in Ostrander, about six miles southwest of New London, boasting a half-mile frontage along the curving course of the beautiful river. The blessings of the gift did not end with the land alone, for the property had a handsome well-built lodge and shed, built around 1937 by Mr. Thomas, who used logs and lumber from trees growing on the property. The land, acquired by Mr. Thomas in the early 1930's had nearly every type tree native to Wisconsin. This lodge was completely furnished for year-round use, with chairs, tables, picnic benches, and other equipment necessary for camp-life, even to a stuffed alligator and a 'petrified' rabbit. A large stone outdoor fireplace provided ample barbecue facilities. At that time there were 11 troops in the Council and Mrs. Edward Beatty observed that figures showed one in every five New London girls was active in scouting, and camping was rather primitive at first at Camp Vic-to-Rae. Some slept in screened-in shelters, while others stayed in tents. Meals were cooked outside, with a minimum amount of luxuries. Crude fireplaces were built of concrete blocks by the girls for cooking. The blocks were donated by Henry Miles, Sr. The first day camp for New London Girl Scouts (103 girls) at the camp was held in June, 1956, and was acclaimed a huge success. Plans were made to drill a well and put in electricity, also to put the shore-line in shape for swimming and boating activities. Girls were asked to earn money through promotions, and part of the annual Community Chest allowance was planned to be channeled into the camp improvements. Cash and labor from firms and individuals was to be welcomed and appreciated. When the Thomases donated the land, the first problem that arose was the digging of a well. It became a costly project as it was very difficult to get water, and at first the water supply was very limited, as were also the finances to cover the cost. It was 1957 that New London was asked to join the Fox Valley Girl Scout Organization headquarters at Appleton. There was such controversy on this decision. New London hestitated to deed their local newly acquired camp, and their yearly Girl Scout Drive money over to the Fox Area Council. There were pros and cons on this issue, but at last New London was automatically in the Fox Area Region, which helped the camping program. Then the late Frank Zaug, a great friend of scouting, in 1957, financed the construction of the lodge at Vic-to-Rae. Mrs. Reginald Eckhart had the honor to turn over the first spade for same on November 7, 1957. The lodge, 40 x 20, contains a fireplace, kitchen and laundry, six double bunk beds, and a dining room. Mrs. Gilbert Kroll was program chairman, and Mrs. Russell Hotchkiss a leader. In 1961, three kitchens were built at the camp with volunteer help, with men from King doing a large part of the work. George Wochinski spent countless hours working there at the camp also. In 1957 one of life's final acts and projects of Mrs. Beatrice Monsted was culminated during the opening session of the Day camp. She had previously offered to help the Girl Scouts equip their camp with silverware if they,. saved coupons. Save, they did, and about 3,000 coupons, with Mrs. Monsted sending a personal check of about $100, was mailed to a cereal company, before her death. Two of her survivors, Dr. John and his sister Beatrice Cartwright presented 16 place settings of silver-plate to the camp. - Another gift that reached beyond her grave for NL Girl Scouts was a check for $102 which was contributed from friends and relatives of Mrs. Monsted, whose last request was that donations be made to the scouts rather than send flowers to the funeral home. Bits and pieces of news tell that: Senior Roundups were organized in 1956, and in 1961 our own community was represented by Jan Demming at Button Bay, Vermont. Lori Bender attended at Denver, Colorado in 1972; Theresa Laux at Ten Sleep, Wyoming in 1973; Merry King, Renee Nichols and Jolene Obertin were in Wyoming in 1975, and Theresa Elliott in Dallas that same year. Sue Kamke was a delegate to Dallas Convo. In 1973 Troop 141 planned a New Mexico trip where they repaired and painted houses in Mora area - members were Sue Kamke, Teresa Laux, Kathy Thompson, Chris Klatt, Denise Thompson, Mary Ritchie, Julie Elliott, and Mary Ellen St. Marie. In 1960 the first Marion Award was earned by Mary Stern and Judy Zaug. In Feb. 1961, the VFW Auxiliary presented a 50-Star flag for Vic-to-Rae. By 1962 there were seven troops and four Brownie groups - 155 girls and leaders - in New London. A Lincoln school troop had leaders Messrs. Daniel Daggett, Herb Olson, Korman Kawell, Ned Demming, Henry Miles Jr., Everett Klinzing, Jay Mattick, Karl Hammerberg. Mrs. Reginald Eckhart helped and maintained Camp Vic-to-Rae for many years, and in 1964 received the highest Girl Scouting's award, the 'Thanks Badge' which climaxed her many years of service to the Council with initiative and drive. The Senior Troop 141 (Mrs. Simon Quaintance, leader) received the Reader's Digest Grant - awarded for helping mentally retarded camp at Vic-to-Rae August 16-20, 1965. In 1967 the Vic-to-Rae Camp sign was donated by Waddie Nader. Mrs. Ned Demming retired as a leader in 1972, after serving scouting for 16 years. Throughout the years many other women have worked hard and long hours to bring the Scout movement to New London, and to staff Vic-to-Rae. Perhaps that is why Girl Scouting in New London has prospered and remained active for 50, years. Along with the many mentioned in this story, there are still a hundred or more, too numerous to list, but all helped make the Girl Scouts what they are today in New London. Girl Scouts meet together, work together, have fun together, and help others together.