THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 16, 1995 TAG: 9511160747
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FRANKLIN LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Girl Scout Troop 650 has its own time machine - taking members to the 1700s and 1800s.
The fifth-graders are offering a production based on The American Girls, a popular collection of dolls that also are the heroines of books and plays.
Each doll has six books, written by different authors. Each book represents certain eras, from Colonial times to World War II.
The Franklin Scouts have chosen ``Tea For Felicity,'' covering the Colonial period of the 1700s; ``Home Is Where the Heart Is,'' which tells of a pioneer family from Sweden heading to Minnesota; and ``Friendship and Freedom,'' which takes place after the Civil War.
The performances will be presented Saturday and Sunday at Joseph P. King Jr. Elementary School. Refreshments will be served. Like the costumes, they will be appropriate to the periods of history represented.
There are 18 girls in Troop 650, all of whom will be on stage and working backstage.
The production is a fund-raiser for a planned trip to Savannah to visit the home of Juliette Lowe, founder of the Girl Scouts.
It is also an opportunity to get a theater badge.
``One of the 20 requirements is to put on a play,'' said Susan Powell, co-leader of the group with Brucie Standahl.
Participation in the production also is a learning opportunity for the girls.
``I learned that there are many kinds of different people in the world,'' said Alexa Harris.
Jeanise Galloway is learning how to be a director, leading the players through ``Tea For Felicity.''
Meredith Powell is learning how to be a father. ``I have the lead role in ``Home Is Where the Heart Is,'' she said. ``I'm Kirsten's poppa. I'll be wearing a beard. I'm a compassionate daddy.''
LaChelle Blunt, who is in ``Friendship and Freedom,'' portrays Sarah, whom she describes as ``a poor girl, but smart.''
The girls claim no problem learning lines.
``I look at'em a long time,'' said Alison Carter.
``Dad and mom put me to bed and help me study my lines,'' said Peggy Hotchkiss. ``I study at the lunch table with friends, and I practice right after class.''
She and her friends are enjoying their costumes, but they are glad they are not living in those times.
``I wouldn't want to,'' Peggy said, ``because I don't like to have to sit up straight. And, I don't want to have to serve tea.'' ILLUSTRATION: AT A GLANCE
[For a copy of the graphic, see microfilm for this date.]
Photo by FRANK ROBERTS
Meredith Powell, Jeanise Galloway and LaChelle Blunt in "American
Girls."
by CNB