Grapevine by Alex Vukoder

Girl Scouts from Troop 91224 Grace Fricker, Bridget Farrell, Katie Mostoller and Allyson Schultz recently embarked on an adventurous trip to Olympic National Park in Washington state. These Scouts, who have been together for about five years under the leadership of Christine Fricker, explored the stunning landscapes of the park, hiked its diverse trails and went whale watching along the Pacific coast.

Girl Scouts from Troop 91224 traveled to Olympic National Park in Washington state to explore the area and earn badges. Photos submitted.

During the trip, they also earned their Native American Heritage Badge by engaging with the history and traditions of the Native American tribes native to the region, gaining a greater understanding of the cultural significance of the land they were exploring.

Cindy Farrell, Tara Mostoller and Susie Schultz were also on the trip, providing support and guidance during this memorable and enriching experience.

A special congratulations goes to Katie and Allyson for earning the prestigious Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. This award requires Scouts to identify a pressing community issue, design and lead a project to address it, and ensure that the project has a sustainable and lasting impact. Earning the Gold Award is a rigorous process that often takes over a year to complete, involving hundreds of hours of planning and execution. It is a testament to the commitment, leadership and resilience of the Scouts who achieve it.

The Barry family continues to honor the legacy of their beloved matriarch, Betty Lou, with the annual Betty Lou Barry Memorial Golf Outing, now in its 16th year. This event, held in memory of Betty Lou, who passed away from cancer, brings the community together to support a chosen recipient each year.

This year, the outing supported Carson Strong, a foundation inspired by the brief but impactful life of Carson Higgins. Carson Strong positively impacts children facing life-threatening diagnoses. The foundation’s initiative, “Gift of Time Together,” provides families confronting cancer with memorable trips offering comfort, laughter and joy during a challenging time.

The event was supported by golfers from Bath and surrounding communities, raising an impressive $6,319. A heartfelt congratulations to the entire Barry family, including Bath residents David, Dr. Deanna, and their children Indy Lou, Mickey and Vincenza, as well as David’s sisters Julie Rule and Debbie Braaten – who not only organized this meaningful event but also presented the check to Carson Higgins’ family, including his parents, Debbie and John, and his brothers, Brendon and Derek. Their resolve to helping others is truly commendable and continues to be a source of inspiration in our community.

Since its inception, the Betty Lou Barry Memorial Golf Outing has raised $93,000, benefiting 14 local charities and continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.

The Carson Strong Foundation was this year’s recipient of the funds raised at the Betty Lou Memorial Golf Outing. Photo submitted.
 

Bath residents Sarah Wells and her son Will, a junior at Revere High School, recently participated in the American Cancer Society’s Pan Ohio Hope Ride, a moving multi-day bicycle event dedicated to raising funds and awareness for cancer research and patient support. On the fourth day of the ride, Sarah and Will cycled 80 miles from Dayton to Cincinnati, carrying with them the memory of their dear friends Erin Matheson and Jim Bond.

Sarah and Will Wells rode their bikes in honor of two loved ones affected by cancer.

Their journey was part of Team Bond EY Pathfinders, a devoted group of cyclists, including Brian Bortz, also from our community. Brian rides in honor of his mother, Susan Bortz, a 19+ year survivor of breast cancer. Together, the team raised over $169,000, contributing to the event’s impressive total of over $1 million.

The Pan Ohio Hope Ride spans 328 miles from Cleveland to Cincinnati, symbolizing a powerful community effort to support those affected by cancer. Sarah and Will’s participation, along with the commitment of all the cyclists, exemplifies the spirit of solidarity and hope in the fight against this disease.

Congratulations to Sarah, Will, and all the riders for their heartfelt dedication and remarkable efforts.

Thank you all for sharing and inspiring our readers with your exciting accomplishments and extraordinary acts of kindness. I would love to tell more stories from our great community and celebrate your good news, so please continue to send them to me at avukoder@gmail.com. ∞