Elsie Remembered

My Grandmother, Elsie Mooers, was inducted into The Founders Hall of the The North Star Museum of Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting on Saturday. Below is info from the press release about the honor.

"The Founders Hall is a special permanent exhibit that recognizes the extraordinary contributions of Scout Volunteers, from Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop leaders to board directors and others who have played a pivotal role in the on-going formation of Scouting. The museum will ensure that their contributions are remembered forever."

The museum describes as a Founder as: "someone who has played a substantial role in the advancement of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or the North Star Museum of Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting. A Founder is a visionary leader who has played a meaningful role in the creation, innovation or direction of these Scout institutions over a significant number of years."

That certainly describes my Grandmother who was active in the Scouts as a leader, trainer and coordinator for 55 years (beginning in 1949 and continuing up until the week she died). She was instrumental in forming the Land of Lakes Girl Scout Council and became its first president. She received all the highest of Girl Scout Awards and in 2002 an award was even named after her: the "Elsie Mooers Award" recognizes those who have spent at least 25 years in active service to the Scouts (kind of pales in comparison to her 55 years, but then they needed to actually find people to award it to!).

My Aunt Judy (along with others from our family) were able to attend the event. Below are her words about the ceremony:

"Elsie was honored with an "unveiling" of her photo on the "Founder's Wall of Fame." She was one of a half-dozen honorees, most of whom were there (I sure wish she'd have been there too - but I felt her "presence!").

Three women who had worked with her, came from up north to be there as her photo was "unveiled." One of them spoke about Elsie, remembering her leadership and her commitment to girl scouts-and even some funny stuff, like how she said when she got older: "things haven't changed too much, except now the brownies have to help me up when we work on the floor!"

Wow...was I crying buckets while they spoke about her! I almost couldn't see the picture for the tears in my eyes!

What a wonderful tribute to Elsie's life, and how perfect that it came just when we are wrapping up the sale of the resort and the house. I sort of feel like her blessing is on all our heads...we were sure lucky to have her as a mom, a mother-in-law, a grandma, and a great-grandma!

Brava...Elsie!!!!"