4-17 Unity & Some "Halycon" moments from 4-24

Unity was the theme of Toastmaster Stan Coss on 4-17.  He was barely afloat in a sea of disunity, after sharing two April anniversaries on the start and end of the Civil War, sharing a screen about the dismal Covid-19 statistics and other epidemics, and sharing a tale of an Asheville Toastmaster club debating the need to say the pledge of allegiance.  That's when Melinda Lowrance threw out a lifeline of some humor as joke master.

"Are You Stuck?" was the title of Ron's speech. His opening captured his audience by relating how drivers in western North Carolina were so helpful in a time of crisis.  In times of emergency, Ron explained how it was important to have various  items in your car:  primarily, tire changing equipment like a four-way wrench, a knife, a fire-starter, and cash.  Ron's speech did not have just one evaluator but a roomful in a round-robin.  There was an abundance of glows and a few grows as well.  This was a speech prepared on very short notice to fill a vacant speaking slot, but Ron pulled it off like a pro.

Karen Alexander was the Table Topics Master and gave prompts that largely dealt with the current crisis:  all three guests gave their response, as did veterans like Hoyt Griffith and Betty McCallister.

The Eyes and Ears Team gave their reports:  Jeanne Resen as Grammarian; Ray Daley as Word Master (with collaboration); Don Glovan as Timer.  Judy Groff gave the General and Table Topics Evaluation.

Those in attendance were the following:  Karen Alexander, Ron Climer, Stan Coss, Ray Daley, Don Glovan, Hoyt Griffith, Don Groff, Judy Groff,  Sally Jones,  Melinda Lowrance, Betty McCallister,  Jeanne Resen,  Susann Swan.  Guests included Rotarian Dick Miley, Mark Burdett, and former Toastmaster Tuck Cox.

The screen shot above was from 4-24. The Zoom recording could not be converted successfully for any use. 

(    https://youtu.be/PpVL-QCt4ao     This was finally converted after a Zoom technician got back in touch with me four months later.  We still love you, Zoom!  From 8-3 update   )

That leaves Dr. Ralph Smedley for visuals below to illustrate Carole Kitchen's great word of the day:

"Halycon."

On 4-24 Don Groff was Toastmaster and poured his passion for sports (as a former athlete and coach and as a long-standing and long-waiting fan) into his theme of "Life without Sports."  The above photos show our Toastmaster founder, Dr. Ralph Smedley and the pool at the Santa Ana, California YMCA for a halcyon moment, one of nostalgia and reflection of a happy past.  Smedley was executive director of several YMCA's and did not just manage them but helped the architect plan and design them.  The famous basement meeting place for the first Toastmaster club was in this Santa Ana Y in 1924 ; the basement included the 50,000 gallon pool, offices, and a dining room that could seat 300+ people.   His family portrait dates back to this time before his Toastmasters became International in 1930.  He remained at Santa Ana Y until 1941 when he retired to devote himself full-time to Toastmasters. 
      

There will be a time when pools and dining rooms are once again filled with people!

Joke Master Hoyt Griffith served up some choice humor about sports.  

Susann Swan spoke about Nameology.  She related how she'd legally changed her name and explored how names can shape how you are.  Her evaluator was Betty McCallister.

Stan Coss spoke from the Successful Club series to touch on mentoring, keeping committed, and going beyond the club.  He went beyond the time limit in trying to incorporate power point slides with audience members resizing the speaker box.  His evaluator was Judy Groff.

Ray Daley was Table Topics Master and had sports theme prompts for audience members to respond to.

Jeanne Resen was General Evaluator and Table Topics Evaluator.  The Eyes and Ears team had Don Glovan to start as timer and Hoyt to relieve him when Don had another meeting to attend to.  Sally Jones gave her report as Grammarian.

Members attending were the following:  Stan Coss,  Ray Daley, Don Glovan, Josh Gravley, Hoyt Griffith, Don Groff, Judy Groff, Sally Jones, Carole Kitchen, Melinda Lowrance, Betty McCallister,  Jeanne Resen, and Susann Swan.  Dick Miley was a guest.