GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SALES BEGIN FRIDAY

It's cookie time, and the businesswomen of tomorrow are preparing to knock on doors everywhere.

Girls Scouts from the local Otahki Council will begin door-to-door sales of their cookies at 3 p.m. Friday. Sales will continue through Jan. 27, and cookie deliveries will begin Feb. 27. The cost per box is $2.50.

Laura Hinkebein, marketing director for the Otahki Council, said the project is important because it benefits the community.

"Cookie sale proceeds help to fund such programs as financial assistance for girls, volunteer and parent publications, maintenance, repair and improvements to camp properties, leader training and program development," she said. "In addition, troops earn funds that can be used to help pay for trips, service projects and special activities."

Hinkebein said the event also teaches girls important life skills. By participating in the project, she said, girls learn how to set goals, handle responsibility and work with others. They also learn how to take orders, be businesslike and follow through with a project, she said.

There are eight varieties available for cookie-lovers this year. Perennial favorites include shortbread, thin mints, peanut butter sandwiches, caramel deLites and peanut butter patties. Reduced fat ginger daisies and reduced fat lemon pastry cremes are new to the list. Also new this year are the five world cinnamons with sugar.

"Girl Scout cookies are an American tradition," Hinkebein said. "We are proud of this annual event."

Research has shown that thin mints are the most popular variety, accounting for about 25 percent of all Girl Scout cookies sold. The cookie sales fund-raiser has been an annual event since the 1920s.

Cookies can be ordered from any Girl Scout or by calling the Otahki Girl Scout Council at 334-7741.