Kathy Allen of Sarver and five of her friends get together monthly for Girl Scout meetings. The last time they were active Scouts, though, was around 50 years ago.

Although the women stayed in touch throughout the years, they only would meet if Allen was in town for more than a weekend.

After living in Pittsburgh; Buffalo, N.Y.; and Charlotte, N.C., she returned last year to the house her father built in Sarver. Allen's homecoming led to more frequent gatherings.

The friends meet once a month at the Fieldhouse Restaurant, formerly the Pike, on Route 356.

Jane Emerick of Cabot is one of the six who enjoy being able to see each other on a regular basis.

"I tell people I have to go to a Scout meeting. They say, 'What?'"

Most of the group met in first grade at Winfield School in 1948. The last two joined them the next year.

Emerick recalls the stern first grade teacher.

"She ruled with the ruler," Emerick said.

The group served as Girl Scouts together through high school, graduating from Winfield-Clinton in 1963.

Allen says it's remarkable she and her friends have stayed in contact for more than 55 years.

"Our paths over the years have gone into separate directions, but we've always stayed in touch."

Most of the other members of the group, Barbara Gray, Joyce Daubner and Beverly Murray, are from the Cabot/Sarver area. Gladys Wilbert lives the farthest in Fenelton.

Allen agrees with Emerick that they have experienced the others' good and bad over the years, including births, deaths, marriages and divorces.

"We've seen each other through a lot," Kathy said.

The women also got together in March to see one of their former Scout leaders, Marcella Gray, who also is Barbara's mother.

Although the 90-plus Marcella stays at the Concordia Lutheran Ministries facility in Cabot for physical care, she remembers her former Scouts.

Emerick said when told about the visit ahead of time, Marcella said, "My goodness, that's fine."

Barbara says her mother's recollection is better than the former Scouts in some cases.

"She probably remembers things we don't."

Jane explains that's part of the fun, when one person brings up a story everyone else has forgotten. Everyone has a selective memory, she says.

"There are things I probably don't want to remember," she joked.

Kathy doesn't let Jane forget about a boy from their school days who liked Jane. Of course, Kathy liked the boy.

The close-knit group has even more ties. Beverly's late mother was the other Scout leader.

Joyce was Marcella's hairdresser.

Barbara says the monthly meetings are the best way to ensure the friends see each other.

"Nobody takes the time to visit anymore," she said.

However, a group of six friends who have shared life's travails and triumphs for more than 50 years are sure to be found at a certain restaurant once a month adorned with Girl Scout pins.