Once a Brownie, always a Brownie | Brownie troop from Medina gets together again after 57 years to share memories

By Lindsay Larin • September 21, 2009 9:46 pm
Brownie Troop 778 from the Medina neighborhood reunite after nearly 60 years.
Brownie Troop 778 from the Medina neighborhood reunite after nearly 60 years.

In 1952, a group of second grade girls in Medina gathered together every Tuesday afternoon for their weekly Brownie Troop meeting.

The pint-size Brownie’s of Troop 778 wore the famous green vest, earning badges and building lasting friendships.

Now, nearly 60 years later, the same Brownie Troop members met on a sunny afternoon this past weekend for a one-of-a-kind reunion.

Brownie Troop member Sue Emanuels McKain of Bellevue opened up her home to the group of ladies who traveled from near and far to take part in the special occasion. One, Carolyn Greewich, came from Sydney, Australia. Troop leaders, 97-year-old Gerry Emanuels and 95-year-old Alice Ostendorff, shared some of their favorite memories of the little girls who are now grown and have daughters and granddaughters of their own.

Emanuels and Ostendorff became close friends in 1949 while raising their children in Medina. The two still stay in touch after 60 years of friendship.

“We loved these little girls and watching them grow,” said Emanuels. “I still remember teaching them how to thread a needle and having them bring me the wet thread from putting it in their mouths. I still laugh when I think of that.”

Brownie Troops begin in the second grade, teaching the young members the skills and activities needed to become a member of the Girl Scouts of America. Brownie members earn badges for demonstrating new skills such as swimming, beginning cooking, sewing and more.

“I remember going on our overnight trip to Camano Island and each girl was responsible for bringing items for the meal. Little Mary forgot the bread and we ended up eating peanut butter and potato chips,” Ostendorff said, laughing. “There are so many good memories.”

Brownie Troop 778 lasted for three years but has remained in the hearts of the women who gathered in Bellevue after all these years.

“I still remember the craft projects and all the fun we had, but most of all, it was the friendships that have stayed with us,” said Brownie Troop member Dianne Jones of Kirkland. “I still remember the song we use to sing – ‘Make new friends, but remember the old. One is silver, but the other is gold.'”

Lindsay Larin can be reached at 425.453.4602.