By Lori BODNAR  

The historic Scout House in Montrose was filled with hundreds of happy Girl Scouts who gathered for the 37^th Girl Scout Tasting Bee on April 23. The Scouts – and ticket buyers – learned about the customs and cultures from around the world through tastes of traditional food.

Thirteen Girl Scout troops represented different countries for the Tasting Bee having made posters, prepared food and wore outfits relating to their chosen country. Over 150 countries are part of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS).

The Tasting Bee booths reflected the countries of China, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Italy, Japan, Scotland, Sweden, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. Participating Girl Scout troops ranged from the Daisies (in kindergarten and first grade), Brownies (second-third graders), Juniors (fourth and fifth grade), Cadettes (sixth through eighth grade), Seniors (ninth and tenth graders) and Ambassadors (11^th-12^th graders).

Organizers of the Tasting Bee included Cally Lau, Marisa Gallo and Patti B.

“The Tasting Bee motivates the Girl Scouts to start thinking about travel and awareness of the sisterhood of Girl Guides in different areas,” said Patti B. “Whenever I travel to a new country, I try to meet up with Girl Scouts. There are five World Centers of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.”

The five WAGGS World Centers include Pax Lodge in England, Our Chalet in Switzerland, Our Cabaña in Mexico, Sangam in India, and Kusafiri in Africa. Local MaryJane Craig, a Girl Scout for almost 60 years, has been to four of the World Centers and is part of the Silver Trefoils.

Craig said, “Our chapter of the Silver Trefoils is involved with council, the history and traditions of Girl Scouts; [for example] explaining why we put up three fingers for the Girl Scout promise and law, and the history of our badge. Our membership requirement is 25 years of Girl Scouting. The Silver Trefoils is a great way to continue to stay involved with service and Girl Scouts.”

Troops researched the culture, customs and ethnic food from their chosen country, with some troops having members who may have firsthand knowledge about that culture, such as Scotland.

“I’ve been to Scotland and my husband is Scottish, so our troop thought it would be fun to represent Scotland,” said troop leader Leah Blackley. “Troop 2931 [members have] done the Tasting Bee since they were Daisies so for about eight years. We spent about two-three months planning and preparing for the Tasting Bee. We are serving Scottish shortbread and the traditional haggis (sheep offal).”

The troop also wore tartan clothing and had set up a mini-golf course for Scouts to play, since Scotland invented the game of golf.

Suzie Bodnar, a Cadette in Troop 2931, said she enjoyed learning how to make Scottish shortbread.

“My favorite taste was the shortbread we made,” Bodnar said. “I also liked the Italian meatballs. I had fun hosting our Scotland booth, learning about other countries and trying their tastes, and collecting stamp stickers from each country. I also liked exchanging SWAPS with other scouts.”

SWAPS, or Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere, are small keepsakes that Girl Scouts exchange with one another, serving as a reminder of a fun event. SWAPS are unique and hand-made by the girls in each troop. Most troops had special SWAPS that reflected their country, such as flags crafted from beads or laminated tiny pictures of landmarks from their represented country.

Troop 1601 served English scones and “toad in the hole” (sausages in Yorkshire pudding) at their booth representing England. Erin Blackley, a Girl Scout ambassador of Troop 1601, has been part of Girl Scouts for about nine years.

“We chose England because when we graduate we are traveling to England for our Girl Scout senior trip,” Blackley said. “I attended the Girl Scout Tasting Bee before but this is my first time hosting a booth. I like how we can see different cultures and explore the traditional food at the Tasting Bee.”

Sweden was also represented at the Tasting Bee by Troop 846. Junior Girl Scout Emilia Feinberg started Girl Scouts last year.

“Our troop put different country names in a hat and we picked Sweden,” Feinberg explained. “My mom is from Sweden, so she knows a lot about it. We are serving gingersnaps, which is known as pepparkakor in Sweden. One fun fact about Sweden is that the country has a king and queen. Sweden also celebrates St. Lucy on Dec. 13.

“I like learning about the different cultures and tasting the food at the Tasting Bee. I enjoy earning badges in Girl Scouts and my friends are in the troop.”

“Our troop chose Taiwan. Both of my parents come from Taiwan,” said Cadette Katherine Hsias. “We are serving boba milk and pork balls (gong wan). We did the Tasting Bee one time before. I like that we get to eat and learn about a ton of different places at the Tasting Bee. I enjoy making friends and doing activities in Girl Scouts.”

The afternoon culminated with the girls gathering together, holding the flags of their countries. They marched in a Parade of Countries enjoyed by the parents and spectators.

After the march, Christie Crahan, a Juliette Gordon Lowe impersonator (Juliette Gordon Lowe is the founder of Girl Scouts), commended the Scouts for coming together as Scout sisters to learn more about the world.