THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 17, 1997 TAG: 9701150138
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 50 lines
It takes skill to scout.
Area Girl Scouts proved their mettle Sunday during a talent show at A Place For Girls. The new Chesapeake recreation and education complex is the scouting hub for the Carolina Coast region, which covers 25,000-square miles in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Chesapeake is located in the heart of the region.
According to Diane E. Orlando, program specialist for the Chesapeake center, nearly 90 girls performed in the show. They came from throughout the region.
Orlando, a Hickory resident who was a Girl Scout during her childhood in Norfolk, said, ``We've got individuals and groups doing things like playing the violin, doing drama skits, playing piano, dancing and singing. And it's totally a girl-run production, other than the fact that Mr. Jeff Bunn (was) the Master of Ceremonies.''
Bunn is the center supervisor at the Great Bridge Community Center and the executive director of the Chesapeake Scholarship Pageant. One more special guest attended. Beth Howell, the current Miss Hampton/Newport News and a former Miss Chesapeake, was on hand.
But the focus was on the girls.
Rebecca M. McCrickard, 11, of Virginia Beach has been in scouting since first grade. She sang ``Wind Beneath My Wings'' during the show.
``It's fun and interesting and I get to do a lot of fun stuff,'' McCrickard said of scouting, though her nerves were a little rattled about her upcoming solo. She has performed at school talent shows before, but more people watched at A Place For Girls.
She took the stage and sang the tune Bette Midler imbedded in the heads of millions after ``Beaches'' hit the silver screen some years back. The tune was McCrickard's choice ``because I've known it for a long time and I like it.''
Allison J. Flick of Norfolk played piano. She finds playing relaxing and enjoys watching her fingers move across the ivories.
She played three standards. Said the 11-year-old, ``It's a medley. `Amazing Grace,' `Fandango' and `Go Down Moses.'''
Flick looked forward to the performance, though it was her first attempt at a medley. This is her second year as a Girl Scout, and she had high hopes for her fellow talents. It was a good idea for a Girl Scout function ``because it's people doing different things.'' MEMO: A Place For Girls is located on Cedar Road. For more information
on Girl Scouting and A Place For Girls call 547-4405.