Late last week, I learned of the passing of Kings Family Restaurant founder, Hartley King. King opened his first restaurant in 1967 in North Versailles, and by the end of the 1970s, the chain grew to six locations. By the end of the 1980s, Kings had 21 locations. He was an icon in the restaurant business, and a pillar in the communities his restaurants served (primarily in the Pittsburgh area and surrounding areas, as well as rural communities). Kings was a place for families to get together after church on a Sunday morning or for a nice dinner out. It was the meeting spot for friends to gather after the big Friday night football game. They were a sponsor for WPXI’s Skylights segment during high school football season. I’ll be speaking about Hartley and Kings at my next Greensburg Toastmasters meeting on February 19.
Last night, we had our Laurel Highlands Toastmasters meeting. It was remote due to the weather forecast which called for more snow in the ridges and Connellsville is on the border. Therefore, we played it safe. I filled the role of timer and luckily, I had some construction paper on hand to use as timing cards. Sometimes we use a timing light at the meetings or if we need to, we improvise.
Our theme for the meeting was “Love Is In The Air” as Valentine’s Day approaches, and our Table Topics centered around that theme. My question was “What Is Your Passion?”. I answered that by talking about my blog, and how I have over 700 posts. I also explained that I like to talk about my life, even though I have done a few blogs centered around NFL games and most recently, the Super Bowl. A few other answers that I could have provided would include Toastmasters itself, as well as podcasts (which I’ve started getting into more since the beginning of the year). That Table Topics question may just spark a future speech from me.
Look for future blog posts on key Toastmasters Topics like the Moments of Truth and the Distinguished Club Program. I will also be talking about membership drives as we Talk Up Toastmasters from now until March 31. It’s also contest season, and having more members in your club means more participants for your club speech contests.
I’m enjoying the Valentines menu at Cutie’s (Love You A Latte) and the St. Patrick’s Day menu will be dropping soon. This place continues to impress and innovate and I’m happy that they’re adding seating as well in the future. Two new coffee flights are here or will be soon. The Lucky You flight debuts on February 17. The Cutie Engagement flight is out now and is a cute flight for newly engaged or married couples. I follow wedding and branding photographers and wedding venues on social media (including some of the most beautiful ones that are tucked away in the countryside). This engagement flight caught my eye as well. The Valentines menu (Love You A Latte) as well as St. Patrick’s Day menu (Lucky Cutie) will run through March 31.
Bible Study will be held again at Cutie’s starting in April. The first night will be announced at a later date. It will be every other Monday from 7 to 8pm. I attended a few of them last year from July through September and plan on doing so again in 2025. After being a regular church attendee and having participated in CRU when I was at Slippery Rock, I fell off the radar in 2021. I’ve visited church a few times but nothing has really stuck. Part of me wanted to get away because of the politics and the other part of me has had a hard time due to my work schedule. I still have a heart for Jesus and long to know Him.
The Bible Studies have been different though. They’re held outside during the warmer months and are very laid back. Last summer, they had great turnouts. I got a lot out of the message that was being spoken (by one of the Cutie’s employees). It’s great to see what this place has been doing for the community.
Stylish 🍒 