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LAMBERTVILLE: Brownies laud women leaders

Ceremony helped girls earn one of their badges, which the Brownies call a Try It. This Try It was called “Her Story”

By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
   LAMBERTVILLE — The Brownie Girl Scouts of Troop 80109 have honored 10 local women for their leadership in the Lambertville community.
   The ceremony, held recently at Centenary United Methodist Church, on North Union Street, helped the girls earn one of their badges, which the Brownies call a Try It. This Try It was called “Her Story.”
   The gathering was the culmination of the planning performed by the 10 Brownies, all of whom are second- and third-graders.
   ”The girls brainstormed, which was neat to see how aware they were of their community,” said Charlie Groth, co-leader of the troop along with Sharon Hallanan. “There are so many wonderful women in town, the girls had a hard time narrowing it down.”
   Ms. Groth added, “Leadership starts with brainstorming. The girls chose the women, and they hosted the women. The women were wonderful with the girls, and the girls were wonderful hosts.”
   Some of the honorees have daughters in the troop, such as City Councilwoman Elizabeth Asaro and Lambertville Public School PTA co-President Christine Miller.
   The other honorees include Lambertville Public Library children’s librarian Jennifer Sirak, the Rev. Judith Gehrig, pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church, retired LPS teacher Muriel Meserve, LPS school nurse Janet Nocar, Fisherman’s Mark founder Barbara J. Petty and LPS co-President Paula Coll.
   Heather Caroline, the proprietor of the Missing Peace, a puzzle shop on Kline’s Court, also was an honoree. According to Ms. Groth, Ms. Caroline left her job as a microbiologist to open her shop.
   Ms. Groth said, “She’s a role model in science. She’s a role model in business. She’s a role model in following her dreams.”
   Also honored was LPS first-grade teacher Mary Jane Legere. She is “an enthusiastic person in the community who supports the kids,” Ms. Groth said.
   In school, Ms. Legere has taught the children interpersonal relationship skills and conflict resolution skills, Ms. Groth said.
   Outside of school, she cheers them on. For example, the city’s Memorial Day parade passes Ms. Legere’s house.
   ”All the girls have to stop and run over,” Ms. Groth said. “She has a way of brightening up a street.”
   The women talked with the girls about the challenges they have faced in life and in their careers. Ms. Coll, for example, spoke about wanting to do well in the variety of roles she faces as a wife, mother and member of the workforce.
   A lighthearted — and heartwarming — moment occurred when her daughter, a Daisy, younger than the Brownies, called out from the back of the room, “Oh, mom, you do them all well!”