GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SALES BEGIN

The Thin Mints are coming: Girl Scout cookie sales begin Friday.

Girl Scouts in the 11-county area of the Otahki Council will be taking cookie orders through Jan. 31.

"The Thin Mint that's still the number one seller and probably always will be," said Millie Turner, public relations director for the Girl Scout council.

Seven varieties are being sold this year. Each box costs $2.25, the same price as last year.

Other varieties are: Do-si-dos, peanut butter sandwich cookie; Samoas, vanilla cookie covered with caramel with coconut and chocolate coating; Trefoil, shortbread cookie, Golden Nut Cluster, caramel and pecan with a light maple flavoring; Chalet Creme, lemon and vanilla sandwich cookie, Tagalongs, cookies topped with peanut butter and covered with chocolate coating.

The cookies will be delivered Feb. 22 through March 7. Turner explained that cookies will arrive by the tractor-trailer load.

Last year, scouts in the council sold 159,996 boxes of cookies.

Cookie sales constitute Girl Scout's largest fund-raising activity.

Each troop gets a percentage of the profits. Money is also used for council-wide programs.

In addition to raising money, selling cookies provides a learning experience, Turner said. "They see a video about how the cookies are made. They also practice their skills in talking to people and selling. They learn safety skills and money responsibilities."

Girl Scout councils across the country choose the time they want to sell cookies.

Turner said early in the new year works well for the Otahki Council.

"It gives us time to get all the girls registered and the troops in place, and also gives us administrators enough time to prepare for the cookie sales," she said.

Plus, money raised through cookie sales can be used for activities this spring.

To order cookies, call 334-7741.