Meet Samoa Soiree Participant: Home Republic Brewpub

With a winning smile and a solid handshake, Barbara McElroy, co-owner of Home Republic Brewpub in Virginia Beach, regularly stations herself  near the front door to greet guests. It’s not hard to figure out why this young entrepreneur is a success, but helping run an up-and- coming restaurant and brewery isn't the only job she shoulders. By day, Barbara holds a pharmaceutical sales position and squeezes in graduate courses at The College of William and Mary where she intends to earn a MBA next year.

Barbara McElroy

Like most entrepreneurs, she seems to have “power ups” racked up for future use and endless energy. That impression has a solid foundation. She says it takes a lot of organizational skills, determination and planning to make it all work–  skills she says were learned in Girl Scouts.

“Selling Girl Scout cookies definitely taught me skills I’m using today,” she said emphatically. “ I used cold call sales techniques even back then. I'd research my neighborhood and surrounding area, get phone numbers and then start calling going from top to bottom on the list. I had a sales pitch to use on the phone, and I had one that I used when I went door to door or at cookie booths. It was a great way to learn how to speak to customers and it gave me confidence in public speaking that I used in school. Now, I’m using those same skills in my job!”

Barbara grew up in the Richmond area and was a Girl Scout until she graduated from high school. Selling Girl Scout Cookies is a big part of her memories, but having fun with her troop and the good feelings that community service brought to her are also part of her internal scrapbook. Her community service included time spent with disabled children in an equestrian program where children had an enjoyable experience while developing muscle tone, balance and coordination. Her work in community service helped her earn the second highest award a girl can earn in Girl Scouts, the Silver Award.

Barbara also recalls the great times she had as a teen in Girl Scouts where she was challenged by white water rafting and other high adventures. Skill building, good times and the relationships she built, are all part of the memories she took away from those years as a Girl Scout.   

“My mom was my leader for most of my years in Girl Scouts,” Barbara recalls. “My sister is just one year younger than me and was a Girl Scout, too. It was nice to have something we all shared. I think we’re closer because of Girl Scouts. “   

Chef Jeremy Wallace

Barbara and her fiance, Joe Curtis, who earned the rank of Eagle as a Boy Scout, opened Home Republic Brewpub last June. Their smoky burger and King Kolsch beer that is brewed on the premises are winning selections and have had great reviews, but many say the She Crab soup is the best on the menu. They’re excited to be part of Samoa Soiree, and their lead chef, Jeremy Wallace, has been experimenting with Girl Scout Cookies to come up with a winning recipe. Jeremy will be in competition with 18 other top chefs from Hampton Roads at this year’s event taking place on Saturday, March 7 at the Half Moone in Norfolk. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online here.

You can watch Barbara and Jeremy on The Hampton Roads Show on February 25 at 11 a.m. on WAVY-TV 10. Jeremy will be cooking up a savory dish using Samoas.

Betty Hoover Receives Dorothy Barber Lifetime Achievement Award

GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller and Betty Hoover

At this year's Adult Awards Luncheon, which was held on February 7, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast honored Virginia Beach resident Betty Hoover with the Dorothy Barber Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is given annually and honors a woman who has achieved success in her personal and professional life, contributed to her community and Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast and is a role model and mentor to other Girl Scouts.

Hoover joined Girl Scouts at the age of 10 in Portsmouth, Va. in the 1930s. She was the youngest of 17 children, and with five brothers between her and her older sister, Girl Scouts gave her the connection that she needed with girls her own age.

Hoover and her day camp unit in 1957

As an adult, Hoover served in several volunteer roles over the course of 16 years, including troop leader and day camp director. In 1958, her family moved to Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela and there was no Girl Scouting for her daughters. Betty set upon the task of starting Troop 1, and she became instrumental in recruiting and helping more than 3,000 girls become part of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in Venezuela. This wasn’t the only place that Hoover went to work to get Girl Scouts started for girls on foreign soil. When the family moved to Mexico, once again she organized troops where there were none.

Upon returning to the United States, Betty eventually became a professional staff member with the Lake to River Girl Scout Council in Ohio—first in volunteer services and later as the executive director. When Hoover retired, she kept active as an alumna and in recent years, has volunteered her time with the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast archive committee.

“Girl Scouting has been a tradition in my family for years and years,” Hoover said.

In fact, Hoover’s family now has four generations of Girl Scouts in it. Her daughter Barbara Tierney is currently a member of the board of directors for Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast.

Cosmic Cuisine and Galaxy Grub

On Friday, February 13, it was a night of experimenting and exploring for over 800 Girl Scouts who attended a special Girl Scout-only event at the Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton. The event was organized by Girl Scout volunteers in Community One, a membership area of Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast that encompasses the cities on the Peninsula.

Girl Scout Brownies Maddie and Alison discovering
the power of the Tesla coil

Throughout the evening, girls had the opportunity to explore the museum exhibits at the Virginia Air and Space Center, as well as participate in special Girl Scout activities. They took part in extracting DNA from strawberries and bananas, taste tested space ice cream and built marshmallow catapults. They also earned about electricity as they harnessed the power of a Tesla coil and made their hair stand on end by placing a hand on a Van de Graaff generator. Older Girl Scouts also learned about engineering as they constructed a shock absorbing system using Styrofoam cups, cotton balls and other household items to protect two “astronauts,” or marshmallows, as they dropped them two stories down over the stair railing.

Girl Scout Cadettes Sara and Covanna in the cockpit of a
DC-9 aircraft on display at the Virginia Air and Space Center

During the event, Girl Scouts were transported deep into space as they watched the giant-screen documentary adventure, Hidden Universe, in the IMAX theatre at the Virginia Air and Space Center. They also learned about a day in the life of an astronaut.

This event was a fun and informal way to give girls the opportunity to explore and discover in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields in the supportive, all-girl environment of Girl Scouts, where girls feel more comfortable asking questions and trying new things. In today’s world, where women hold only about 25 percent of STEM careers, Girl Scouts is working to fill the gap by engaging girls in opportunities to learn from female STEM leaders who inspire girls to envision themselves in similar careers.

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast is committed to giving all girls the opportunity to participate in STEM experiences. Upcoming STEM events for girls include a nanotechnology day at Port Discover in Elizabeth City, Fun, Sun and Wind, a day of energy and ecosystem exploration at Jeanette’s Pier in Nags Head and Science Alive, an annual day of hands-on science at Norfolk State University. These STEM events are open to all girls, whether or not they are currently registered members of Girl Scouts.

Girl Scout Legislative Day

Each year, Girl Scout representatives from various Girl Scout councils in Virginia gather in Richmond to hold an annual Girl Scout Legislative Day. The day helps raise awareness of the issues important to girls and young women and helps educate legislators on what Girl Scouts are doing to address issues and prepare girls for the future. Another important goal is to help demonstrate to policymakers that Girl Scouts is a resource and an authority on issues affecting girls.

Girl Scout Ambassador Lauren, GSCCC executive assistant
Sunny Smith, First Lady of Virginia Dorothy McAuliffe and
Girl Scout volunteer Dee Miner at Girl Scout Legislative Day.

Girls and volunteers helped host a Milk and Cookies reception in the General Assembly Building and were later introduced in the House and Senate. Part of the day’s schedule included a tour of the Governor’s home where they were greeted by Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe who proudly told the girls she is a Girl Scout alumna.

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast Tracy Keller joined other council CEOs in the afternoon to meet with Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Maurice Jones, and Virginia Secretary of Administration, Nancy Rodrigues. Rodrigues, who lives in Surry, Va. and who is a former Girl Scout, discussed ways to help make policy makers and leaders in the community more aware of the leadership aspect of Girl Scouting and was eager to hear how women in government could help mentor the next generation of leaders.

“We’re more than cookies, crafts and camps,” GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller said. “We’re about helping girls build courage, confidence and character to make the world a better place. When we accomplish that, we accomplish giving the world more responsible and caring leaders.”

Girl Scout Sunday in Suffolk

Each year, Girl Scouts across the country celebrate Girl Scout Sunday as an opportunity for girls to be recognized as Girl Scouts in their place of worship. On Sunday, February 8, members of Girl Scout Troop 5357 took part in a similar recognition during Scouting Ministries Sunday at Main Street United Methodist Church in Suffolk. For the special day Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts worked together to integrate the youth into the service.

Girl Scout Troop 5357

The service began with a processional of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, who then led the congregation in the Pledge of Allegiance. Each scout group also recited their respective promises. During the service, Girl Scout Senior Paris read the day’s scripture and Girl Scout Junior Claire read the prayer of dedication. The youngest scouts worked together to perform choreography during a song written for the centennial celebration of Main Street United Methodist Church, Joy! Girl Scout Brownies Kate and Claire served as ushers for the offering.

Girl Scout Cadette Maggie

During the service, Pastor Myrtle Hatcher invited all Girl Scout and Boy Scout volunteers to kneel at the altar and then led a prayer in their honor as the scouts came forward and placed a hand on the shoulders of their adult mentors. Pastor Hatcher also talked about the rich history of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts at Main Street United Methodist Church and the benefits of these leadership organizations for boys and girls.

Prior to the service, both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts shared the history of their organizations with the congregation through the display of archive materials, including old handbooks, uniforms and patches.

If you're planning an upcoming Girl Scout Sunday or Girl Scout Sabbath event, you can find bulletin covers or inserts for this special occasion here.

Guest Blogger: Girl Scout Cadette Michaella

In January, a group of more than 30 Girl Scouts took part in a travel adventure to New York City. The trip was planned by girls and volunteers from Community Two. Girl Scout Cadette Michaella from Troop 475 in Virginia Beach wrote about her favorite parts of the trip:

I have always wanted to go to New York City, and for my thirteenth birthday, I asked for a trip. My mom saw this opportunity through Girl Scouts and thought it was the perfect fit to go everywhere I wanted to visit, and have a fun mother/daughter experience. I raised all of the money for the trip selling jewelry, hair clips, photo cards and other crafts I create. I was super excited to go, and finally the day arrived. The bus trip was long, but worth it when I first saw the New York City skyline. It was amazing! We saw and did so much it is really hard to believe it was all in one weekend.

Michaella at the top of the Empire State Building

My favorite moment was going up in the Empire State Building at night. I was really anxious because I don't like heights, but when the elevator doors opened I could see all the city lights. It was breathtaking! It was so cold but I didn't want to leave because it was so beautiful. I also really loved the Statue of Liberty and took some cool pictures. Miss Eileen, our leader, challenged us to take a photo that looked like we were holding Lady Liberty between our thumb and finger. I got a great shot! I also loved the Broadway show Aladdin! The genie was so incredible and even got a standing ovation during the show. I also had a fun time taking pictures with my mom in Times Square. We even bought some New Year’s 2015 glasses to take silly photos.

This trip was the best and I hope to travel more with Girl Scouts. Our leader, tour guide, and bus drivers did a great job and took care of everything we needed. Thank you to Girl Scouts for offering this adventure!

Girl Scout Cookie Classic Run

On Saturday, January 31, over 250 people braved the cold and took part in the Girl Scout Cookie Classic Race at Bells Mill Park in Chesapeake. The race, which included a 5K and 1-mile option, was organized by Girl Scout volunteers from Community 3, a membership area within Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast that includes Chesapeake, Suffolk, Norfolk and surrounding cities.

The 5K race started at 9 a.m., following the Girl Scout Promise and Law led by Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast CEO Tracy Keller and an air horn blast from Chesapeake Mayor Alan Krasnoff. Racers were decked out in cookie-themed costumes that included a mother-daughter duo in Thin Mint outfits. Participants in the 5k ranged in age from 6 to 76 and everyone was awarded with a Cookie Classic medal at the finish line.

The 1-mile Samoa Stroll started just after 10 a.m. and had over 100 people participate. Racers were awarded with a participation patch at the end of the race. The Cookie Classic also featured a virtual race option for those who could not attend the race but wanted to support Girl Scouts.

Over 20 Girl Scout troops participated in the races as organized teams and with their family members. Girl Scouts who participated in either race completed a portion of the requirements to earn badges for their age level, including the My Best Self badge for Girl Scout Brownies and the Staying Fit badge for Girl Scout Juniors.

Following both races, prizes were awarded for best costume, best team spirit and to the top finishers in each age category.

Proceeds from the event will help provide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for local girls, by providing them with camp and outdoor experiences, leadership training, special events and more.

Members of the public can support the Girl Scout Cookie Program by purchasing cookies from local Girl Scouts. Booth sales begin on February 22 and the cookie program runs through March 22. When booth sales start, cookie customers can find nearby cookies by using the free Cookie Finder app, available in both the iTunes Store and Android Marketplace. Another opportunity to support Girl Scouts is at Samoa Soiree, an adult-only tasting event where top chefs create original desserts and appetizers using Girl Scout Cookies as the key ingredient. Samoa Soiree will be held on March 7 in Norfolk. Details and ticket information here.

View more photos from the day here.