Girl Scouts

Myrna Williams receives the God and Community Award, November 6, 1966.L to R: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Williams, Jr., Myrna Williams, Reverend Rustad (Vienna Methodist Church), Donald Moyer, Mrs. Charlotte Granelly (Troop 411 leader)

The Girl Scouts of America have enjoyed active membership in Vienna Township longer than anyone can remember. Troop leaders of the past include Mrs. John Granelly, Mrs. Kathryn Osborn, Mrs. John Hyre, Mrs. Greg Birskovich, Mrs. Robert Hawkins, and Mrs. Earl Schieffer. Many women have devoted time, energy, and their rec rooms and basements to Girl Scout troop meetings, and many more young girls enjoyed camping, crafting, and other activities. The month of March would not be the same without Girl Scout cookies and the Township's annual Memorial Day services include Scouts carrying germaniums to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

Vienna Girl Scouts at the 2013 Memorial Day Observation.Image courtesy of Christine Novicky

Leaders typically start a new troop for girls in 1st or 2nd grades. The same troop is kept organized until the girls in the troop graduate or the troop disbands.

Known Vienna Troops:

411 (active in 1966)
673 (active until 1975)
80031 (active from 2013 to 2026)
80139 (active from 2012 to 2022)
80154 (active 2005 to 2018)
80253 (active 2014 to 2018)
80278 (active in 2024)
80379 (active from 2007 to 2020)
80543 (active from 2010 to 2023)
80955 (active from 2012 to 2025)

Girl Scouts First Class Award recipients.L to R: Shirley Wajda, Brenda (Schieffer) Robb, Donna Schieffer (Troop leader), Vicki Nau Botsko, Kathie Kernohan DomanWarren Tribune Chronicle, circa 1975

The Girl Scouts in Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties have a serene place to retreat at Camp Sugarbush. Located in Kinsman, Ohio, it encompasses nearly 200 acres of natural space. This camp features a dining hall and activity center, a swimming pool with shower house, low ropes course, archery range, astronomy building, sports activity court, and a lake for canoeing. Housing units include cabins, platform tents with roofs, and covered wagons. The units have a common space for group activities, a fire circle and/or fireplace, latrines, and a wash area with sinks. [1]

Troop 139 at Camp Sugarbush, 2017Image courtesy of Michelle Croyle.

Gold Award

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can achieve, recognizing their extraordinary leadership and impact through a project that addresses a community issue. The project benefits the scout herself by developing leadership skills and personal growth while making a positive impact in the community.

Zoe Fisher, Vienna Girl Scout Troop 80543, helped to construct a playground in the shape of an ark at the Methodist Church as her Gold Award Project in 2023.

Makayla Tarr, Vienna Girl Scout Troop 80543, was approached by Vienna Township Trustee, Phil Pegg, about the need for an Retired Flag Drop Box in the community. She decided to take on the task to earn her Gold Award. Makayla held many bake sales and accepted donations to raise enough funds to purchase a box. It was installed in 2022 next to the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.

Zoe Fisher, Troop 80543, Gold Award Project, 2023.Image courtesy of Christine Novicky

Makayla Tarr, Troop 80543, with a newly constructed Retired Flag Drop Box, 2022.Image courtesy of Laura Tarr

In 2020, Isabelle Gibson, also of Troop 80543, assisted the Vienna Historical Society by creating a digital record of all donated items to the Society to earn her Gold Award.

Jorja Bonar, Troop 80139, earned her Gold Award in 2021. She collected toys and sent them to a school in Harrisburg, Liberia to enhance imaginative play. Her father had completed a mission trip there a decade before and Jorja remembered him telling her that the children there had no toys.

Isabelle Gibson, Troop 80543, receiving her Gold Award, 2023.L to R: Wendy Gibson, Isabelle Gibson, Chris GibsonImage courtesy of Wendy Gibson

Jorja Bonar, Troop 80139, with her Gold Award project, 2021.Image courtesy of Aimee Bonar

Updated 5/09/2025

This entry is adapted from "GIrl Scouts" in Vienna, Ohio, "Where We Live and Let Live": Town 4, Range 2 of the Connecticut Western Reserve (Apollo, PA: Closson Press, 1999), p. 206.
Additional information by Christine Novicky, 2025.
Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio was contacted in April 2025 but were unable to provide historical information for Troops prior to 2015 in Vienna Township.
[1] Information obtained from Camp Sugarbush website.

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