Hometown Madison - May & June 2017

Each time we go somewhere, the girls are exposed to things they would not have
been exposed to, otherwise. We went diamond mining in Arkansas, and we did a
taste testing of Cajun/Creole foods at a restaurant in New Orleans.”
Argrett’s troop is part of the Tall Pines Council which encompasses most of
Madison County. Mary Brinson, communications director of the council office in
Jackson said that her office serves Girl Scouts in 45 Mississippi counties. “We
oversee cookies sales throughout our service area.” Nationally, nearly one million Girl
Scouts participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, generating almost $800
million in cookie sales during an average season. All of the net revenue through the
Girl Scout Cookie Program stays with the local council and troops. Girl Scout
cookies not only help Girl Scouts earn money for fun, educational activities and
community projects, but also play a huge role in guiding girls to discover their inner
G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader) as they learn essential life skills that
will stay with them forever.
Each year that the Tall Pines Council has presented the Desserts First event,
they feature a different Girl Scout cookie. “The first year it was Samoas, last year it
was Thin Mints, and this year it was Trefoils shortbread cookies,” explained Argrett.
Chefs are required to come up with a dessert that uses the featured cookie as an
ingredient. This year’s winner was Louis LaRose, owner/chef at Lou’s Full Serv in
Jackson. The dessert was a white chocolate bread pudding with a Trefoil and toffee
streusel topped with caramel and brown sugar ice cream. “It’s a fun event to do,”
said LaRose. “I love helping out the Girl Scouts. We try to get involved to help with
events in the community like this whenever we can.”
The event featured live music by Chris Gill and the Soul Shakers and the master
of ceremonies was Chuck Stinson of the Mississippi Organ Recovery Center. There
was a live auction as well.
“Desserts First is an adult event that raises money to support girls who can’t
afford the expense to be a Girl Scout,” said Argrett. “Most of them are not
mandatory expenses, but the girls want to feel included. We don’t want to turn
anyone away who may not be able to participate, otherwise. We also award a lifetime
membership to graduating girls and we support girls in a number of other ways.”
Being a Girl Scout leader is something Argrett says she was destined to be. “I
was in a great troop when I was growing up in Alabama, and another one when our
family moved to Virginia. I’m a second-generation Girl Scout, and I wanted my own
girls to have the same wonderful experiences I had and my mother had. I love doing
what I do.”
To keep up with plans for next year’s Desserts First event, like the Facebook
page for the event: www.facebook.com/dessertsfirsttallpines.
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