Making headlines today, my vacation has come to an end. Sometimes your time off has to end for the next one to begin, and that will be in October. By then I’ll be trading the pool and the fruity drinks for autumn leaves and pumpkin spice lattes. I needed a vacation from my vacation, and now I have the Fourth of July to look forward to, and that weather forecast for Friday is looking good. Dry and seasonal. Perfect for the fireworks at the Gaffron farm.
Also making headlines, my dinner plans with Mr. Clougherty are up in the air for the foreseeable future. That’s because Kings may be on the way out in Hempfield. The property has been subdivided and is under contract for redevelopment. Valvoline Instant Oil Change has acquired half of the property. Kevin and I can meet for the next few months before swimming season takes over in November. But, we may have to reshuffle our meeting spots though he and I are very flexible when it comes to moving things around. I planned to meet at Hempfield Kings for our September dinner but who knows how much longer they’ll be around? If they have a closing date, I want to have one last meal, even if it’s just me.
On Thursday night, the Western Maryland Toastmasters club held its end of the year celebration at the Comfort Inn and Suites in LaVale. The club chartered last May in and its first year made history by achieving Presidents’ Distinguished with nine goals. At the event, there were Outstanding Toastmaster and Leadership Award winners as well as Most Improved Toastmaster and Toastmaster of the Year. Chick Fil-A in LaVale catered the event as well as a cake that I’m sure was tasty and from what I read, looked amazing.
New club officers were inducted. The incoming president of Western Maryland Toastmasters and new Area 23 Director shared her story and vision for the year ahead. Toastmasters changes lives and has done a lot for Autumn, whom I’ve had the opportunity to meet at the Spring Conference, at the recent Summer TLI, and at a Western Maryland meeting back in April (I attended virtually). I know that stepping up to the plate and sharing my story through speaking at Greensburg and Laurel Highlands has helped me as well.
Recently, two new clubs chartered in District 13, and one of them got there very quickly. Calgon Carbon (chartered 5/6/25) and Country Roads Toastmasters (chartered 6/22) are the new kids on the block.
Country Roads Toastmasters held their demo meeting on June 6 at Panera Bread in Morgantown and were already on their way. Just a few weeks later they got their charter. People attended in person and online, and the virtual attendees were from all over the country and the globe. They join NED APA all stars and Thermo Fisher as new clubs in the 2024-25 Toastmasters Year. Calgon Carbon will be in Area 2 next year with other corporate clubs, and Country Roads in Area 3. Welcome to Division Awesome, our new clubs!
Will the Mounties Club and the prospective Kittanning Club make headway? What other new clubs are in the works in 2025-26? We shall see.
Stylish 🍒 