Happy 4th of July GSMISTS Girl Scouts!

What is your 4th of July like? When I was little, we would go to my grandparent's friends house at Silver Lake. We would swim, eat hot dogs and just as the sun was setting- swirl sparklers around. Then we would watch the fireworks over the lake. As a teenager, my 4th of Julys were spent going downtown Grand Rapids with a group of friends (and possibly a boyfriend) to watch the fireworks. And as an adult- we have a big pool party at my parent's house...still involving grilling out and sparklers and possibly going to see fireworks. Ahh summer! I hope whatever you do this 4th- it is filled with family, friends and lots of memories. Happy 4th of July everyone!

5 year old Top GSMISTS Cookie Seller for 2011!

5 year old Brynn Fortner holds a title that very few can claim ~ Top Cookie Seller! She worked very hard to sell 1,563 boxes. While some girls rely on their parents to take their cookie order card to work, Brynn sold her cookies on foot. She wanted to do the whole thing. Brynn set a goal of getting the stuffed animal. Her mom said, "Brynn, I think you can do better than that." "OK, Mama" she said, "I want ALL the prizes on the order form." Brynn's mother explained that she had to sell 1,500 boxes and that was a lot of cookies. "We can do it, Mama" Brynn said. And they did. Every day after school they went out, door to door and sold cookies. They took a break for supper and went out again after that. Day in, and day out- night after night- door to door they sold cookies. Brynn gave her cookie speech and talked about her goal of selling 1,500 boxes to earn the laptop computer. They even went out in a blizzard! Brynn was determined- she wanted to do the whole thing, her mother said. Brynn took her cookie order card with her everywhere: the grocery store, restaurants, etc. Who can resist a 5 year old asking to buy Girl Scout Cookies? At one particular house- a gruff guy in his 30s was decked out in Michigan Gear. Brynn said, "Would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies? Oh, and GO BLUE!" The guy began to chuckle...and of course, bought some cookies! Her troop did not participate in booth sales so literally it was Brynn going throughout her neighborhood and town selling cookies!

It was a great day when Brynn, her mom and Grandma came to pick up her laptop computer. Asked what she was going to do with her computer, Brynn responded, "I want to play a Dora game on it!". Well Brynn, have fun playing your Dora Game. You deserve it!

Top Troop at Double JJ Ranch last weekend

Last weekend, the Top Selling Cookie Troop enjoyed their Super Troop Award ~ an overnight trip to the Double JJ Ranch.

Troop 20488 hit the water park at Double JJ and slid down Western Michigan's tallest indoor water slide! The water park also included: other fun water slides, a lazy/crazy river, wave pool, water fort, water basketball, and a hot tub. Then the girls headed off for a hay ride, complete with a real, live singing cowboy! They ate s'mores around a campfire and slept in tepees. In the morning, the girls were up bright and early to go horseback riding! Wow- a real live cowboy, horseback riding, tepees, an indoor water park....all in 1 weekend! Phew! These girls were busy have tons of fun! Congrats, girls- on a cookie-selling job well done! I'm glad you had an amazing trip!

Total troop sales were $20,419.

3 new pictures of our Super Cookie Sellers!

Pictured: Zoe Paul-Shepard, Jennavieve Gilliam and Bethany Kartes with their brand new laptops! Way to go, girls!!

Other Cookie Super Seller who opted out of the laptop

Rachel Dembinski sold 1500 boxes of cookies & did not choose the laptop. Instead she chose to take the extra incentive for her troop. She also donated all her cookie dough to the troop so we they could register girls for free.

Congrats, Rachel on all your hard work!

Cookie Super Sellers earn laptop computers!

10 amazing girls sold 1,500+ boxes of cookies this past season! This is a major undertaking and a HUGE accomplishment! I am so proud of the following girls: Ashley Caverley Natalee Hill, Gretchen Heegeman, Mariah McNeilly, Emily Oldenburg, Meredith Allen, Jannavieve Gilliam, Brynn Fortner, Zoe Paul-Shepard and Bethany Kartes. Girls received laptop computers along with a cool carrying case.

I asked these girls how they raked in the big numbers...
1 went out every day after school for 3 hours each night going door to door in the cold selling, selling, selling. That is dedication! Another sold in cases- saying, "1 case of thin mints is only $42". And one girl attached recipes from Little Brownie to her order sheet as she went around to potential customers. Way to go girls! We are so proud of each of you!

Pictured: Ashley Caverley, picking up her laptop at the Grand Rapids Service Center.

Nostalgic about this past season

Yesterday I was cleaning up and putting away papers from the Product Sales Fall and Cookie Seasons to make way for 2011-2012. I had to smile as I looked at pictures from the sales. There were several highlights I wanted to share.

Fall Sale
Super Sell-abration Dinner for Top Sellers. This was my 1st opportunity, being new to interact with the girls! I had so much fun eating and chatting with each of you throughout the 30 counties.

Cookie Sale
Community Cookie Booth Weekend. I loved how our staff and troops came together to make this weekend a success!

Cookie Kickoff Events. What fun we had at our 3 venues with your girls, teaching them about cookies, laughing and just having a great time.

Bling Your Booth Contest. I was pleasantly surprised with all pics I received for this contest. I believe our troops have the best Girl Scout Spirit in the nation! I also enjoyed celebrating with the top troop with dessert out!

I could go on and on but I just wanted to say 'thank you' to all of you for making my 1st official Product Sales season rock. I have learned so much from all of you and cannot wait for 2011-2012!