Christmas Traditions – Free for All

Don’t tell me you missed our meeting last night! Another exceptional night of fun, laughter, sharing, and great speeches were liberally sprinkled with Holiday Cheer and topped off with a Stocking gift from our ‘First-time-Toastmaster’, Dan Adams.

Yep – if you weren’t there you missed a ‘Good-Un’.

Our Area 11 Governor, Mike Kesselring dropped by and volunteered to help out in a couple positions that were vacant do to missing (imagine that) members. We have a number of members currently traveling for their jobs, and they are sorely missed. Thank You Mike, for stepping in and sharing with us a new word “chrysalis” and for evaluating Alan’s speech. Your experience was very useful for us all in giving a good speech evaluation.

Dan did a remarkable job for his first time as Toastmaster. He communicated his thoughts and family traditions for the Holidays. With some memories and tidbits from his families’ past of ribbon candies and favorite family events he ended with sharing a stuffed stocking to each member and guest present. We were all in the Spirit of the Season from then on.

Then our own comedian, John “Baldhead’ Becker had us hurting from laughter as he recited actual classified ads from around the country, that had been extremely distorted in meaning by word placement or choice. But they sure were funny! And remember – ‘Stay away from Isle 13′!

Dwayne Philips then took command with Table Topics that stretched the thoughts and speaking skills of his three victims, but Kathy Clifton, Jim Alvord, and John Becker were up to the task and showed us how it should be done.

Michele Hubbs continued in the theme of the evening with her speech on Christmas Traditions but ended it with a twist in suggesting that we all look for the “Free-for-All” aspects of the Holidays with our families. As always, Michele made a professional presentation with movement away from and behind the lectern using appropriate gestures and vocal variety to get her message across. She made excellent use of tempo or voice speed to convey the rush – rush – rush of modern day shopping, partying, function participating, etc. Then she slowed everything down giving us time to think as she suggested the Free side of watching a favorite Holiday Movie (“Black and White are still the best”), making a contest out of cookie decorating, driving around and looking at Christmas Lights Displays, and in general taking time with your loved ones. Great Job Michele!

Next it was Alan Keling’s turn at the lectern for his ‘Ice Breaker’ speech. Alan has a ‘Secret’ and he delivered a masterful speech about it. NO I can’t tell you what it is – It’s a Secret after all. You had to be there! But I can tell you Alan had us all in AWE of how well he delivered his first speech. His word pictures and continually repeating theme introduced us all to a different Alan, that we are fortunate enough to have found in his speech. Alan used humor, personal experiences , and family situations to carry us all through his family album of snapshots from his past verbally. Alan, you are a wonderful addition to our Toastmaster’s Club. Thank You for sharing!

Our meeting participants reported on our progress and performances and we adjourned on time at 6:50 PM. I know I speak for everyone when I say “A good time was had by All”. What a way to start off the Holidays.

Submitted,

Jim Alvord, President

Gem City Forum Toastmasters Club # 296