Photo and article by Mary Alice Murphy

The Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Silver City Girl Scout Little House on June 18, Wednesday afternoon, to celebrate the building's recent renovation, including a new roof, paint, and flooring, heating and cooling, as well as a door on the bathroom.

Scott Terry, chamber president, said: "Scouting plays such a magnificent role in a community like ours."

Silver City Mayor Mike Morones said he has been bringing his girls there for the past half a dozen years. "It is important what Girl Scouts does for our young ladies. It's important for their self-esteem and as they grow into adults."

Dan Cook, chamber board chairman said: "I buy my cookies by the case. I love seeing families involved. Scouting is what builds our leaders."

Annette Toney, Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest membership manager, thanked Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc. for giving the organization $40,000 out of the Community Investment Fund. She introduced Brian Cross, who was the contractor on the project, and she said MasterCraft put on the new roof.

Diane Flannigan, Girls Scouts of the Desert Southwest chief executive officer out of El Paso, said: "Every time I come here, I'm amazed by your sense of community. Our district covers 94,000 square miles. Twelve percent of the girls in the program are right here in Grant County. The rest of the counties have 5 percent or 6 percent of the girls enrolled. The Girl Scouts have been in this building since the 1940s and this is the first renovation. "