Elegant Laurel Highlands Red Carpet Gala 2021

It was an event months in the waiting, since the club chartered on June 30. I wanted to attend this event since I learned about the new club following the summer club officer training. When the invite came up on Facebook, I was hoping that I would have had November 9 open on my calendar. Sure enough when my schedule came out, I was scheduled off that day. I was excited that I was going to be able to go.

I made my arrival on the red carpet last night at 5:45pm exactly. Emily, the photographer, got a few pics of me in my leopard print cardigan. She was all over my Coach purse which I had draped on my arm. I felt like I was on my way to the big premiere, which I was. The premiere of the Laurel Highlands Toastmasters club and the induction of its new officers, who are amazing and will do big things in the coming year.

I chatted with Bob and Dana I walked into the room. Both were dressed like a million dollars and would speaking at the event. Dana’s speech about the history of the club was excellent. Toastmasters was big in the Uniontown area and another club was added. It was the Fort Necessity Toastmasters club. The bad economy of the 1970s and early 1980s meant the end of Toastmasters in Fayette County. People tried and failed to bring it back, that is until a Toastmaster from New York City who moved to Connellsville got involved.

I met Sharon Joseph at the DTM gala this past July and learned more about her and the new club. I also learned that Dana Mitnik was involved as was the new Area 23 Director Ryan Jacobs and the Vornbrocks. It chartered really quick and a lot of people were really impressed. We had a great time that night and her and I ran the gauntlet (my first time). I’m hoping to visit again on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. The club chartered with 21 new members and the goal is grow the club even more.

Their area covers all of Fayette County into Westmoreland (Connellsville, Dunbar, Uniontown, Hopwood, Farmington, north into Scottdale and Mount Pleasant). They are the first club I know of to charter as a hybrid (both online and in person).

Laurel Highlands member Shawna Little and mentor Fred Vornbrock did a great job introducing the new members and Area 24 Director Yasmin Brown inducted the new officers, going over their roles in the club. She also recognized the club’s technology officer, Nick Cecchetti. Shawna and Fred also called the names of those who won door prizes. In case you were curious, tickets 🎟 were placed behind everyone’s name tags. I came pretty close to winning one of the prizes, which were books about great public figures like Aretha Franklin and Michelle Obama.

We ended the night around 8:30. I took the time to socialize with the new officers and members of the club, including Lee and Shawna, as well as Ryan and Nick, and of course Dana. Shawna and I talked about how great my high school’s softball team was back in the day. I traded VPE tips with Jesse who just recently took the role and I caught up with Sharon (whom I met at the DTM gala held at Westmoreland County Community College this past summer).

The club is LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈 friendly as well. Both Lee and Shawna were excited to see my Coach bag and a picture of the sweater dress I ordered from Target. Melissa can’t wait to see my cherries that I’m putting on my Coach bag.

I got home around 10 and settled down with the newest Dhar Mann video about a boy who quits football to bake. He gets shamed for it but he doesn’t give up. The video made me hungry for some pumpkin pie 🥧.

I’ll close off the blog with the cake celebrating our newest club in District 13.

Bye everyone. ❤️ you.