Published February 7, 2019

BROWNIE TROOP 62798 members learn how to properly fold and care for Old Glory from Senior Troop 71901 Girl Scout Elizabeth Kelly (center) as part of their Celebrating Community badge requirement. See story on back page. (Courtesy Photo)

NORTH READING — Did you know that North Reading has a flag?

We didn’t.

Did you also know that it was created by a North Reading Girl Scout Troop in 1973?

Neither did we.

Those were just a few of the interesting bits of history that Girl Scout Brownie Troop 62798 learned January 30 while earning their “Celebrating Community” badge. Even better was the fact that they learned these facts from another troop, Girl Scout Senior Troop 71901.

The girls also learned some interesting facts about the American flag and how to properly handle, hold and fold it, too. They also learned about the deadly airplane crash during World War II that happened not far from where the North Reading High School now stands.

SENIOR GIRL SCOUTS created a program to enable local Brownies to earn their Celebrating Community badge. Participating were, front row, from left: Brownie Troop 62798 third-graders Shyanne Thomas, Gargi Bhosle, Kathleen Jewer, Isabella Rom and Elizabeth Ayer; back row, from left: Senior Troop 71901 10th graders Shannon Alley, Anna Bryk, Elizabeth Kelly, Gianna Naulivou and Alison Rabideau. (Courtesy Photo)

How these two troops came together to learn about North Reading history is a great story too. The Senior Troop (10th graders) has been doing a variety of fundraisers to go on a European trip. One of their fundraisers was a shoe collection. They added some incentives and offered a fun patch and a badge program to the troop which contributed the most shoes to their cause.

Brownie Troop 62798 (third graders) came through and won the prize. And so, the Senior Troop assembled a wonderful program to help the Brownie Troop earn their “Celebrating Community” badge, which they now have earned thanks to the older girls. All girls from both troops learned about this great town. And they got to spend some fun time with their Girl Scout sisters.

Psst… There is even rumor of a secret tunnel that runs underground between the Flint Memorial Library and Damon Tavern! Very mysterious…