On Sunday December 31, 2006, Connecticut Trails and Girl Scouts lost a long-term and dedicated member. Alice Sonnichsen Birnbaum at age 92 died quietly after a long illness.

Alice started in Girl Scouting as a very young girl. A "blue-bird" in Miss Inez Godman's first Girl Scout Troop in Madison, progressing all the way up to a Leader and National Delegate (Florida in 63 and Detroit). She assisted with everything from cookies, to camping, to being instrumental in the merge of Middlesex Council that made the base for Connecticut Trails.

Alice received her 50 year pin, and was very proud of her service to Girl Scouts and the girl that Girls Scouting helped. Her daughter-in-law reflects “It was her drive that inspired me to enter Girl Scouts as a leader and to have both of my children involved in Scouting.” Alice's granddaughter Laura has completed her Silver Award and is now a Junior in high school. Her namesake Alice E. Birnbaum has just re-entered Girl Scouting as a freshman in high school.

Over the years, Alice had many interests in her life, but nothing was as dear to her as Girl Scouts.