LEWISTON – Dirigo Service Unit hosted a 95th Girl Scout Reunion at Bates College recently. Eighteen Girl Scout troops, which included 168 girls and adult volunteers, attended. Previous Girl Scouts and the public were invited.

All levels of Girl Scouts engaged in age-level badge programs throughout the morning at the Carnegie Science Building. Badge programs explored the stories of women and Girl Scouting through the generations.

As a service project for elders in the community, the Girl Scouts collected pet food items to donate to the Eden Project at d’Youville Pavilion, where pets live on some floors with the residents. Junior-level Girl Scouts created centerpieces for the dining commons at d’Youville.

Gene Clough, a Bates College physics teacher, presented a planetarium show, “Stars over Savannah.” The planetarium show shares the life of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouting, by using Girl Scout memorabilia, slides and the stars over the places where Juliette traveled.

In addition to arranging for Bates College to sponsor the reunion, Clough facilitated an invitation to the Girl Scouts to dine at Chase Hall and walk the campus to get a feel for college life.

In the afternoon, Dirigo hosted a coffee house at the Muskie Archives. There were gold and silver award projects, troop trips, past events, Dirigo memorabilia, uniforms and banners.

Many of the displayed items were provided by Bob and Anita Desjardins of Lewiston, who were involved with Dirigo Girl Scouting for many years.

There was also a camping display with information provided by Ann Randall of Kennebec Council. Elder Girl Scouts were asked to share their experiences for a book of Girl Scout memories that is being created by Anne McAllister of Lewiston.

During the coffee house the Girl Scouts presented a uniform fashion show of past and present uniforms. Forty girls modeled, and Karen Schneider of Lewiston presented the commentary. Karen Bonneau, also of Lewiston, coordinated the models.

The program ended with a Girl Scout’s Own ceremony to mark Girl Scout Sabbath/Sunday. The girls learned traditional songs and made “promise flowers” to share at area houses of worship. The ceremony was facilitated by Susan Tierney, a minister at the UCC Church in East Windham and Girl Scout.

The 95th reunion was facilitated by Cathy Hunter, a service unit manager for Dirigo, and Dawn Walker-Elders, Lisbon troop consultant and Kennebec Council adult trainer.

Level workshops were presented by Geneva West, Mara Beth Duncan, Tina Binette, Nancy Moyer, Debbie Williams, Susan Karnes, Ilea Bragg, Elizabeth Hunter, a 2004 Gold awardee, Ellen Young and Heather Cameron, both membership and marketing managers at Kennebec Council. Other volunteers included Lillie Sylvester, Denise Chase, Gerry Costanzo, Linda Henault, Trudy Duval, Erica Duval and Alicia Gilman, a Bates College student.