When cookies are so much more

Several years ago, I crossed paths with Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho CEO Brian Newberry. He’s a passionate and enthusiastic advocate for the Girl Scout programs. Every year since our first meeting, he’s given me two special patches to present during Girl Scout cookie sales. Receiving an “I Sold Cookies to a VIP” patch is special for the girls since they’re limited and random.

I love stopping by two different locations to present them each year. Who am I kidding, I also love any excuse to buy (and enjoy) Girl Scout cookies.

On Saturday, my first stop was to a Troop 2385 stand outside Walmart on Mullan Avenue. There was a bit of a line, which gave me the opportunity to see 9-year-old Ember Card interacting with her customers. She was polite and friendly, a thank-you given to each.

After making my purchase of Thin Mints and Samoas, I said I had something special for her and presented the 2026 VIP patch. Her face lit up and she included a spontaneous hug with her thank you.

In visiting with the entourage of mother Brytnee Masters and grandmother Heather Montee, I learned Ember is a bit of a VIP herself. In 2025, she sold 2,262 boxes of cookies, earning Top 40 honors for all of Eastern Washington and North Idaho as well as an invite to the 58th Annual National Girl Scout Convention in Washington, D.C., in July. Impressive.

My second stop was at the Troop 2408 booth inside Seright’s ACE Hardware in Post Falls. There were two or three Girl Scouts when I walked up and asked, “Who’s going to sell me some cookies?” “I am!” said Post Falls second grader Aria Hutchison with a smile. I added another box of Thin Mints and a box of Adventurefuls to my day’s cookie haul. Aria grinned ear-to-ear when I presented her with a VIP patch.

I’ve reflected on how the annual cookie sales are so much more than a fundraiser. These budding entrepreneurs are learning responsibility, commitment, customer service and how to interact with people of all ages. They are also spending quality time with supportive moms, dads and grandparents who dedicate themselves numerous afternoons and weekends to pack, haul and chaperone the sales effort. It’s a win/win/win.

My appreciation to Brian for including me in the VIP patch program and to the many local businesses who allow cookie sales at their stores. Kudos to the moms, dads and grandparents who are showing up for their daughters in a meaningful way.

This is the final week of the 2026 cookie sales so treat yourself and in turn become part of something so much more than cookies. Go to gsewni.org to locate where and when the cookies are being sold through Sunday.

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April 18 is the 251st anniversary of Paul Revere’s famous ride. “One if by land, two if by sea” was the signal phrase. Join me in placing two lights in your window on Friday as we celebrate 250 years of American independence!

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Happy Main Street birthday today to Brian Walker, Betsy Hawkins, Denise Edmonds, Ian Waltz, Doug Harms, Dave Holmes, Clay Ownbey, Caroline Crollard, Tori Gray, Randy Teall, Kara Hicks and Judy Donner. Tomorrow, J.D. Dickinson, Leslie Gourley, Kevin Johnson, Kay Riplinger, Chris LaVoie and Tom Fisher turn the page on another year. Celebrating on Friday are Pat Krug, Andre Ney, Blythe Templin, Jonna Harris-Bowman, Sheila McDaniel, Curtis Ormesher and Peggy Fairfield. On Saturday, Gerry Wilson, Jason Allred, Anna Goodwin, Brad Dugdale, Chris Mueller, Rebecca Priano, Glenn Gatherer, Ryan Edmonds, Branson Mc Alister and Lisa Johnson enjoy April 18 birthdays. Sunday, Rich Piazza, Gerlinde Hamilton, Angie Hannon, Rick Seymour, Petrina Spellman, Carolyn Beard, our son-in-law Rick Gonzalez, Steve Adams, Charlie Staples, BreAnna Brunton and Joe Bodman blow out the candles. Hayden Hustoft, Rowan Bauman, Maritom Pickett, Sherry Mundt, Jerome Pollos, Scott Hough, Bill Hilbish, Sarah Gondo, Marcia Jimenez, Laura Warner, Sara Myers, Blaise Koep and John M. Smith take another trip around the sun Monday. On Tuesday, Gunnar Amos, Brent Hostetler, Sandy Langston, Ali Taylor, Larry Bird and Janet Johnson will celebrate.

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and a former publisher/editor with the Hagadone Newspaper division. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. Kerri can be reached on Facebook or via email at [email protected].

Kerri Thoreson with Girl Scout Aria Hutchison in Seright’s ACE Hardware on Saturday in Post Falls.