Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • May 7, 2014 Wyckoff Girl Scout Troop 24 keeps township ‘buzzing’ by John Koster Wyckoff Girl Scout Troop 24 -- seven girls in the fifth grade at Sicomac School -- kept the bees buzzing as they installed a honeybee hive at the township-owned Larkin House with the help of experienced beekeeper Richard Schluger. Lauren Achter, Megan Allen, Ava Com- petiello, Claire Nadler, Emily Riotto, Tara Sproha, and Sofia Wuensch first became aware of the problem of Colony Collapse Disorder at a science class at the Sicomac Elementary School and decided to try to bring the problem to the attention of the Wyckoff Township Committee, and then to pitch in on their own. Their project was completed as the community service ele- ment of their Girl Scout Bronze Award requirements. The girls appeared before the Wyckoff Township Committee and received unani- mous approvals and considerable praise for the project. “They really did an exceptional job con- ceiving the idea for the beehive, raising the funds necessary to build it, and having the idea become a reality,” said Wyckoff Town- ship Committeeman Brian Scanlan, who is also an avid environmental advocate. “I have a beehive in my own back yard and I think it’s a great way to deal with Colony Collapse Disorder.” To raise funds for the project, the Girl Scouts made rubber bracelets with their slogan -- “Keep the Bees Buzzing” -- and attached their mission statement to each bracelet. “Bee the best you can bee, by saving the bees. Seven Little Bronze Bees saving colonies. Thank you for supporting the Larkin House Honeybee Hive.” The girls sold the bracelets at the Boul- der Run Shopping Center, located just a few (continued on page 18) Wyckoff Girl Scout Troop 24 and local officials at the dedication.