From mid-February into early March, Doralians will be drawn to an annual American ritual: Girl Scout cookie sales, courtesy of several local Girl Scout troops.

On weekday evenings and weekends, expect some bright-eyed young lady to approach you outside of Publix, Wal-Mart, or Blockbuster Video with the question: "Good evening, ma'am. Would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?"

Girl Scout cookies? The phrase conjures up memories of childhood up north, when in the dead of winter, with nothing much to celebrate in gloomy February except Ground Hog Day, George Washington's Birthday sales (whatever happened to them?), and sometimes a good snowfall, when suddenly things would brighten up some and taste better too with the appearance of Girl Scout cookies.

Like crocuses, they have been the harbingers of spring.

Okay, granted that while Girl Scout cookies don't signal a change in season in balmy South Florida, they do still remain a unique seasonal treat.

With names like "Do-si-dos" and "Tagalongs," they are all made from original recipes that don't mimic Oreos, Chips Ahoy, or anything else in the world of boxed cookies.

Those of us who grew up in the U.S. usually have definite favorites, acquired in childhood, among the eight available varieties.

Nancy Billitz, co-leader of local Junior Troop Number 9, has a running battle with her daughter Nikki over the relative merits of "Samoas" vs. "Do-si-dos."

That's just for fun, of course, but on a serious note Mrs. Billitz says, "Cookie sales are a major source of revenue for the Girl Scouts. The proceeds help fund camp outs and a lot of other Girl Scout activities. So our troop takes the sales drive very seriously. Each of our girls must sell at one of our booths, and I train them in how to sell. For most, this is their first experience at raising funds for community service. That's my take on our actual role during the cookie sales drive. Besides, selling is only fun if you actually make sales. So we sell, we really sell. I don't plan to have a house full of unsold cookies, come March 15."

"Where Girls Grow Strong" is the Girl Scouts' motto.

Claire Best, the other co-leader of Junior Troop 9, explains that "our girls, who live in Miami Springs and Doral, represent a cross section of American society. Hispanics, Anglos, families from the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean, we're all joined together here. In our troop, we let the girls' own interests determine our specific activities. They love to camp out. It's just plain fun for them and it gives them the opportunity to act responsibly together and take care of themselves, away from home overnight, and roughing it a bit."