Six girls from Senior Girl Scout Troop 2886 and their leader, Betty Klinefelter spent nine days in Italy and two days in
New York City in June. It was a delightful, exciting time. In Rome they saw all the places and things they had long heard about. The first evening they walked — and walked — to Nero’s place, the colosseum, watched children in a park. On Sunday they were in St. Peter’s Square to see Pope Paul and receive his blessing. This now, of course, is especially meaningful to them. Then on to all the rest of the places of interest. They rode city busses frequently which they thought fun to be with the Roman citizens and not tourists. The hour ride to Tivoli to the fountains and Villa D’Este took them through areas not on a regular tourist schedule.
The girls went to a disco several evenings where they met not only Italian young people but people from Arabia, Libya and Somali.
One day was spent in Florence. Michelangelo’s “David” was on the “must list” for several and how thrilled they were to stand before the statue. All of the museums and historic buildings in Florence were much enjoyed and appreciated.
Another day was spent in Naples, Pompei (the real purpose of the trip and very much enjoyed) and Sorrento. A “friend of Scouts” had sent money for each girl to have a gift for herself so five girls selected cameos at a factory in Naples and one selected a wooden picture for which Sorrento is famous.
Fun and fabulous food! They ate dinner in Rome at small, neighborhood, family-type restaurants where there was variety but not expensive. And no English made it more fun. The pizza at a walk-in type shop was lunch twice. It was sold by weight and the varieties endless. Eggplant pizza is so-o-o good. The meals on the two trips outside the city were the five-course variety in outdoor restaurants and small town establishments.
Beth Bender and Betty Klinefelter collected beer cans for their collector friends at home and met some interesting people in the doing. Meeting people from all over the world was a big part of the enjoyment. Everyone threw coins in the Trevi Fountain.
New York was a good time even after Rome. They enjoyed the ride to the Statue of Liberty and all the other sights. (Some decided N.Y. was just too crowded and dirty.) One afternoon at the Museum of Modern Art was especially good.
And on the way home, an unscheduled overnight in Pittsburg (the air-traffic slow down) brought them back a day late, rested and very happy.
The six lucky young ladies are Carol Tagger at University of Kansas, Lawrence; Anne Claseman, St. Louis U.; Karen Thomas has a job and Rhonda Elmore is at Central Missouri State at Warrensburg.
Beth Bender and Mary Claseman are at Rosati Kain H.S. Anne and Karen who are registered as adults in the Troop will assume leadership roles this fall. The Troop is open to all girls in High School.
Original photograph caption
At Villa D’Este, Tivoli, Italy — Carol Tagger, Anne Claseman, Beth Bender, Karen Thomas, Rhonda Elmore. In front, Mary Claseman. Photo by Betty Klinefelter. The Paper, September 1978, page 7.
Originally published in The Paper, September 1978.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: The source spells the unplanned stop “Pittsburg”; retained without silently changing the place name.
Original source: SD_Times1978_09.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
