GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL GEARS UP FOR COOKIE SALES

From the hot-selling Thin Mints to the new, low-fat Snaps, Otahki Council Girl Scouts will have it all to offer cookie lovers this week.

The annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale has begun, and residents in the council's 11 Missouri and Illinois counties can expect to see more than 2,000 Scouts swarming the streets, trying to be top sellers. They have until Jan. 30 to take orders, with delivery set for between Feb. 21 and March 10.

Emilie Statler of Jackson was last year's top seller, hawking 772 boxes. The average Girl Scout sells a more modest amount -- 82 boxes.

In addition to raising money for Girl Scout projects, the money supports paid staff and four council properties. Marketing Director Laura Hinkebein said the sale goes further than mere fund-raising.

"The girls call on their customers, learning to speak in front of people and to handle money," she said. "Also, every troop gets a goal sheet. They decide what they want to do that year, and hopefully realize that those things take money. They have to get out there and sell cookies."

There are eight types of cookies offered this year at $2.50 per box. Calorie and fat-gram counters can look for Snaps, an iced oatmeal cookie with 1.5 grams of fat per seven cookies.

"It's nice to sell a product just about everyone likes," Hinkebein said. "We always have extras here at the office in case someone doesn't get called on."

For additional information about the sale, talk to any Girl Scout or contact the Otahki Girl Scout Council Service Center, 1432 Kurre Lane in Cape Girardeau or call 334-7741.