Outside Looking In
For the first time in several years, Minneota has a Girl Scout troop. And why is that a big deal? Well, for one thing, Girl Scouts are an integral part of a community and ….. oh, wait a second. Let’s be honest. We’re not fooling anyone.
We all know that the main reason we’re giddy. It’s because of the cookies! Girl Scouts is a century-old group that has done incredible work for individuals and communities. Still, it’s the cookies that we most associate them with. Over the years, the packages of cookies may get lighter or cost a little more, but few people seem to mind. Girl Scout cookie recipes seemingly contain a secret addictive ingredient that keeps us desiring more and more; much like Colonel Sanders’ 11 herbs and spices.
On Saturday morning, boxes of cookies were sold from 9 a.m. to noon by the recently-formed Minneota Girl Scout Troop 37814. The girls had wide smiles as they greeted customers at their tables set up at Gislason’s Hardware and AgPlus in Minneota, and Patzer’s Appliance/Hardware store in Marshall. Sales reportedly went “very well” at all three locations. Troop leader Julie Pohlen, a former Girl Scout, revived the program recently. When I was growing up in Tracy, my parents always purchased six or eight boxes of Girl Scout cookies, and we would practically have them eaten before the girl selling them got off our front porch. The money from the cookie sales is used to support Girl Scout councils and individual troops. Originally, the Girl Scouts went door-to-door, but the majority of troops now camp at business locations where traffic is prevalent and they can generate more sales than knocking on a door or ringing a doorbell.
During an average selling season -- January through April -- over one million girls across the country sell over 200 million boxes of cookies to raise money. The first box of cookies was sold by Girl Scouts 103 years ago. Cookie sales are organized by 112 regional Girl Scout councils, who select one of two national bakeries to buy cookies from.
The bakery that the council chooses then determines which cookie varieties are available and the cookie price. This year, the cookies being sold by the Girl Scouts, although not in all regions, were: Lemon-ups (new), Lemonades, Thin Mints, Caramel deLites/Samoas, Peanut Butter Patties/Tagalongs, Do-Si-Dos, Toffee-tastic, Caramel Chocolate Chip, Girl Scout S’mores, Shortbread/Trefoils and Thanks-a-Lots. The cookie sales are the largest annual fundraiser in the world dedicated to girls.
Tournament Time
We have to go through February Madness to get to March Madness. That’s where we are now. The Minneota wrestling team suffered a 30-29 heartbreaking loss to Tracy-Milroy-Balaton/Westbrook-Walnut Grove in the Section 3A wrestling semifinals Saturday in Lamberton. The Viking matmen will now regroup and compete in the individual portion of the 3A tournament Friday and Saturday in Canby. The top two finishers in each weight class advance to the state wrestling tournament Feb. 28-29 at the Xcel Energy Center in Minneapolis. The Minneota girls basketball team was seeded No. 1 in the Section 3A tournament and will face the winner of Dawson-Boyd vs. MACCRAY at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 at Montevideo. If the girls win that game, they will play at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24 in the semifinals at SMSU. The finals are slated for 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28 at SMSU. The Section 3A boys basketball tournament begins on Feb. 27. Seedings have not yet been determined.
Pet of the Week
Our Pet of the Week, sponsored by Tri-County Veterinary Service in Taunton, has featured five pets so far, and we would like more participants. Showcase your pet, whether it’s a dog, cat, turtle, rabbit, goldfish, or any other type of pet you might have. Either email us at editor@minneotamascot.com or stop into the Mascot office with a photo of your pet, along with your name, the pet’s name, age, breed, and a favorite activity. It’s free.