Maybe you have seen the billboards, newspaper ads or one of the many commercials running on television stations all across the state!  Planning and implementing a statewide campaign for cookies has been a labor of love, but it takes all of us to keep the love alive.  Please visit the cookie page on our website for a press release and cookie ad.  If you have connections out there in the world of media, or someone can place a print ad for us at no charge, please forward.  If you need help with any of your publicity ideas or have questions, contact Theresa at tcassaday@girlscoutsnebraska.org.
 
We hope that all of this added exposure gives the girls a little boost while they work to fulfill their Cookie Program goals.  Go Girl Scouts!

Here are important dates for the 2009 Cookie Program
January 9 - 26, 2009: Girls take door-to-door orders
January 26, 2009: All orders due to Troop Cookie Manager (TCM)
February 23 - 27, 2009: Troops pick up cookies
February 23 - March 13, 2009: Girls deliver cookies and COLLECT MONEY
March 13, 2009: ALL money due to Troop Cookie Manager (TCM)
March 13 - April 5, 2009: Cookie Booths are open

We kicked off the 2009 Girl Scout Cookie program with SIX Union Pacific Girl Scout Cookie Trains all across the state and it was a trainload of excitement.  The media came out in full force to help our girls get fired up about their Cookie Program.  We are going places, there is no doubt. 
 
The Union Pacific Girl Scout Cookie Trains are still on display (with the exception of Norfolk), so if you can, go and see the best and brightest (and amazingly creative side) of Girl Scouts.   Thank you to all the girls and troops who participated, the staff and volunteers who make every Girl Scout event a success, and Union Pacific for being our proud sponsor. 
 
In case you missed it, there is a special Union Pacific Girl Scout Cookie Train fun patch.  You will find them at your local service center's Juliette's Boutique.  And while you're there, you won't want to miss out on the cool, new Cookie T-shirts for 2009.  Get 'em while they are hot (and yummy).
 
Here are the locations and the winners from each area, to see a photo gallery, please click here and use the password cookietrain.
 
Trails and Rails Museum, Kearney, NE
54 train cars on display through Jan. 21st
 
BEST IN SHOW
Troop 582 - Hitchcock County
"Gingerbread House"
 
BEST THEME
Troop 671 - Alma
"Go Green"
 
MOST INTERESTING USE OF COOKIES
Troop 909 - Kenesaw
"Minty Way"
 
Sidney Fine Arts Center, Sidney, NE
33 train cars on display through Jan. 26th
 
BEST IN SHOW
Troop 10140 - Chappell
"Suitcase"
 
BEST THEME
Troop 10122 - Chadron
"Camping"
 
MOST INTERESTING USE OF COOKIES
Troop 10050 - Gurley/Dalton
"Zoo"
 
Elkhorn Valley Museum and Research Center
No longer on display
 
BEST IN SHOW
Troop 354 - Randolph
"Hip Hop to the Top"
 
 BEST THEME
Troop 258 - Stanton/Norfolk
 "Santa" 
 
 MOST INTERESTING USE OF COOKIES
Troop 202 - Norfolk
"Monkey" 
 
Golden Spike Tower and Visitors Center, North Platte, NE
30 train cars on display through Jan. 31st
 
BEST IN SHOW
Troop 10126 - North Platte
"Caboose Girl Scout Spirit" 
 
BEST THEME
Troop 10014 - North Platte
"Zoo Car" 
 
MOST INTERESTING USE OF COOKIES
Troop 10215 - North Platte
"Spirit of Nebraska Boat"
 
Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE
55 train cars on display through the 31st
 
BEST IN SHOW
Troop 115 - Lincoln
"Gingerbread Locomotive"
 
BEST THEME
Troop 761 Nebraska City
"We're on fire for Girl Scouts"
 
MOST INTERESTING USE OF COOKIES
Troop 351 Lincoln
"Coal train cookies"
 
Durham Museum, Omaha, NE
150 train cars on display through Jan. 11th
 
BEST IN SHOW
Troop 2392 - Omaha
"Gingerbread House"
 
BEST THEME
Troop 3820 - Omaha
"Monkey Around/Going Places"
 
MOST INTERESTING USE OF COOKIES
Troop 2307 - Millard
"Dessert Car"

NEW SCHEDULE and HANDBOOK are Here!

We know that you have been awaiting the new training schedule and it is ready for you NOW.  We have also put together a new Training Manual to accompany the schedule and they are both on our website. Please visit our website and the Volunteer Training page to download your copy.
 
While you are there you can also check out our new Volunteer Guide.  Each leader will receive a hard copy through their membership specialist, but if you want a preview, you can download when you get to the Volunteer Training page on our website.

Keep in mind that leaders must register for training a minimum of five days prior to the training date with Trish Streur, training registrar, Great Plains Service Center. You may contact her at 1.877.447.5558 x221 or email: pstreur@girlscoutsnebraska.org.

It's not too late, WICKED is coming to the Orpheum Theater in May and you can still get great tickets.  From January 9-23, go to www.eventusher.com and enter the Girl Scout password, GSNEBRASKA to order tickets for select shows.  These tickets are being offered to Girl Scout members as well as all friends and family (so feel free to pass this on) at a group discount rate, plus $2 from every ticket sold goes to support Girl Scouting in Nebraska!

Spring Program Book Online!

 

The new program book for all of our new spring programs will be delivered in homes next week.  If you just can't wait (and we're hoping you can't!) please check it out online at girlscoutsnebraska.org.  
 

Homestead Service Area: Tracy Stewart at tstewart@girlscoutsnebraska.org

Prairie Hills: Amy Racine at aracine@girlscoutsnebraska.org

Goldenrod Service Area: Kathy Andrews at kandrews@girlscoutsnebraska.org

Guiding Star Service Area: Cynthia Gill at cgill@girlscoutsnebraska.org