Meeting in a Hallway at Greensburg Toastmasters!

This is likely one of the most obscure titles for a blog and one of the most obescure places to hold a Toastmasters meeting, but we made due with we had to work with and it was a success.

Wednesday night was our meeting night at Greensburg Toastmasters and we found ourselves in a dilemma. However, we resolved said dilemma very quickly. The key is to improvise. Our normal meeting room had voting machines in it, so that was a no go. The jury room was holding a DUI class, and that room is our backup when our main room has the class on our meeting nights. Sometimes we meet in the Commissoners Room, but I’m not sure if that was an option.

Instead of holding the meeting online, or cancelling it, we held it in the hallway between the lobby and the walkway which connects to the annex of the courthouse. Wednesday night’s meeting was a lesson in structure and setup. Maybe sometime in the summer, we can hold a meeting outside if no rooms are available.

Two speakers led that portion of the meeting, and I was the first one up to bat. Michelle was our second speaker and was coming to us online. Her speech was a behind the scenes look at the mud run that Jim spoke about at the District Conference last Spring. The mud run is something my blogger cousin would be interested in hearing about, as she has run in many marathons. I spoke about how giving speeches at meetings has helped elevate my mood and improved my mental health since last summer. I’m looking to have four levels completed by the end of the Toastmasters year, and three of those are in my newest path.

The last few Springs have presented me with quite a set of challenges. Of course 2020 needs no explanation. 2022 and 2024 had a lot to do with whether or not I wanted to continue on with my journey. The latter year saw me become distracted with social media, pining for likes and attention, which I never seemed to get. The former saw me adjusting to my new routine and missing my support system from my old job. 2023 was out of my control with a loved one spending an extended period of time in the hospital plus the Canadian wildfires bringing haze and smoke into our region.

After my downtrodden mood last year lingered into summer, enough was enough for me.

From my evaluator, I was told that my speech and the fact that I’ve embarked on this speaking run has helped me overcome some of those (emotional and physical) trials and tribulations. He also mentioned that this has been like therapy for me as I’ve been capable of sharing my feelings. I ended my speech with some words of wisdom in addition to saying how speaking has elevated my mood.

How you handle or react to a situation depends on your attitude; Love yourself and don’t be afraid to be you; and, always find the joy in everyday life, whether it’s a cup of coffee from your favorite cafe (Cutie’s) or the most recent chapter in the book you’re currently reading (The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop).

Table Topics centered around books and the questions were very legit. I’m enjoying my Kelly Bishop memoir right now and may reread Michelle Obama’s first book since I like her podcast now. One of these days, I’ll finally read Barack’s book from beginning to end.

We began the meeting at 6:33 and technology was up and running, despite us meeting in the hallway. I loved this setup but I know we can’t do it all the time. We went over the new slate of officers for 2025-26 and voted on it. The agenda for the next meeting was also prepared and we will be back June 4, hopefully in our normal meeting space.

But is it time to start thinking about a new location for our Greensburg Toastmasters meetings?

Learning About Distractions at Cutie’s Bible Study! (Blog 777!)

Monday night’s Bible Study was worth the wait and it was one that I needed to hear (truthfully, it’s one we all need to hear). The subject was all about distraction. I arrived a little after five to set up my seating location, and went inside to get my coffee. I finished the In Bloom season as I began it in April, with a Cutie Cannoli latte. This season went by fast! Just after six we began with a praise and worship song and then heard our message from our Cuties barista Victoria.

I’m leaning towards visiting another local cafe sometime next week and then coming back at the beginning of the month when A Cutie Summer menu makes its debut. The next Bible Study is June 2, so that may be my next time there, or sooner.

One thing I heard on Monday night was that one of the ways we get distracted is by scrolling on our phones, looking at social media posts, and feeling envious that other peoples’ lives are better when looking at their posts. It’s one of the ways that the world keeps us from growing in our walk with God. I am guilty of that, and we all are. I’m gender nonconforming and I have spent a lot of time on Facebook and Instagram. When I don’t see likes or comments on some of my posts, it makes me feel discouraged and want to give up. That was the case in 2022 and just last year. When it lingered into summer, enough was enough.

The Presidential election results didn’t discourage me. Neither has this stretch of wet, cool weather nor the cold winter we had. Even the Steelers’ most recent one and done season and offseason quarterback drama has not had staying power. They’ve all come close. I’m happy my Eagles beat Kansas City in the Super Bowl, though.

I attended a few Cutie’s Coffee Bible Studies last summer just after they began in July. This was the first one I stuck around for after it ended and talked to some of the leaders and shared my story with them. The early start time helps too (6 to 7 versus 7 to 8 last year). I’m very happy with the response that this little community bible study has gotten and how much it has grown, and what this coffee shop has done for Greensburg. Plus, the small business collaborations have been amazing and their social media has always inspired my drink choices, even well in advance. I love all the cafes and restaurants that Greensburg has to offer, and the new kid in town has done very well.

I want to close with the message that I read about Cutie’s and my journey the last few years, and while some of it is negative, it does end well.

Recently, the owner of Cutie’s was blasted on social media for her faith. That person mocked the bible study, criticized her as a human being, and tried to create division. The truth is: someone’s salvation is more important than one’s comfort, and someone’s salvation is more important than another person’s hate.

I walked away from the church in 2021 and the exit was pretty acrimonius. That year brought with a lot of change for me in terms of my health, my job, and my faith. I started nonconforming in the summer of that year and I had been feeling like this for a long time, not just before 2019. I didn’t know how to explain it and I ended up blurting it out one day while out to lunch. I was called out for how I dressed several weeks later, being questioned on whether or not I was gay, and that ended up leading to my exit. The next few years saw me take a break from the church, only coming back for one Christmas in 2022 and during the Easter season in 2023. I also attended Community Church a few times in the fall of 2024 but that didn’t stick. Before that, I discovered the Bible Study that Cutie’s held on Mondays during the Summer. I attended a few times and really liked it.

I returned a few weeks ago and just at the last meeting on Monday, socialized more after the study ended.

God is really using this platform to reach people in the community. It’s changed my life and has gotten me excited about Jesus again. That, as well as getting up on stage and sharing my story at my Toastmasters clubs, which helped improve my mental health as well as my mood.

I’ve felt very welcome at Cutie’s, and the staff is starting to get to know me better. We all have our differences, but aside from those we can all come together.

God can use you right where you are, if you’re ever scared to step out in faith just know that.

Developing an Exercise Routine!

This past week, I made the most of my time getting outside; thus, I took advantage of the sun and warm weather whenever I can. On Sunday morning, I walked over three miles on the walking trail at Mammoth Park that circles around the lake. Also, I took advantage of my mornings off to walk around Lincoln Heights. When the weather turned wet, I made some time to do cardio at Planet Purple. With the weather trending unsettled and on and off shower chances later next week, I’ll put in a couple of days there.

Next week, I’d like to go out to the Penn Township Municipal Park (maybe Sunday or Tuesday as those days are looking dry at the moment) or Indian Lake in Irwin. On nights that I work, I’ll go early and put in about half an hour to 45 minutes. I’ll go out after I wake up, not really wanting to stay too late so I can relax and get ready for work. That’s why I went to Mammoth on Sunday and put in the time and effort (over three miles Sunday morning!). Since I was home for my Laurel Highlands meeting on Tuesday, I used that time I would have to go to Twin Lakes and walk over two miles. Though, I wish I stuck to my original plan and walked around Lincoln Heights and then Friday morning go to the gym. Afterwards, I was going to go to Fruits and Roots to try one of their bowls.

Monday and Wednesday next week are out. I have Bible Study at Cutie’s on Monday, and the weather looks much better than this past week. On Wednesday, I have Greensburg Toastmasters. Since I’m meeting Kevin for dinner, I’ll just go to Planet before that since it’ll be close to where we are meeting. Plus, the forecast is trending wet on Thursday.

I’ve felt inspired to get out more since my parents have been talking charge of their physical fitness. I’ve had a membership to Planet Purple since 2013 but really haven’t made the most of it. I even got the black card in 2018 but still haven’t done too much. I’m trying to make time even though it hasn’t been easy. In the few years though, I’ve made more of an effort to try and attend. I didn’t go to the gym for three years due to fears of COVID from 2020 to 2022.

Monday night is Bible Study at Cutie’s. This was rescheduled from last Monday but repeating myself, all systems are go. I’ll come a little bit early to get coffee and get my chair set up in the parking lot. I’m thinking of getting a lavender butterfly matcha to wrap up this In Bloom season, as the next time I go will be when the Cutie Summer menu is up and running. The message on Monday night will focus on Distraction. Can’t wait to be fed with the words of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, I will be speaking at Greensburg Toastmasters on Wednesday night about how to Inspire My Audience. The title of my speech will be “Continuing my Magnificent Speaking Run!”. It will be edited from what I posted in the blog to stay on on the subject. I will highlight some of the speeches I’ve given as well.

Feeling Self-Aware at Laurel Highlands Toastmasters!

Tuesday night, we had our Laurel Highlands Toastmasters meeting. I was all set to go to Connellsville when I got word of a last minute change. I received a text at 4:30 with the option to cancel or meet online. We chose the second one and met via Zoom. Even though the rain wasn’t quite as bad at home, just east of us in Somerset County they got a deluge. Flooding took place in Westernport, MD, near Cumberland, where an elementary school had to be evacuated and students and staff rescued. Meyersdale, just south of Somerset, was devastated by the flash flooding that came through on Tuesday. Some of our members in the Laurel Highlands Toastmasters club have been affected as well by these floods.

We began a little bit late as we were trying to fill roles in the agenda. Our theme was self-awareness and the word of the day was “state”. Toastmasters wear many hats and we had some of our members double and triple up. Hats off to Ryan for not only serving as Toastmaster, but also our General Evaluator and Timer. I almost felt a little bad because I was a speaker but could have filled at least one role. Everything worked out and we had a great meeting despite the small turnout.

My speech was a repeat of one I gave at Greensburg back in March about life at the onset of COVID. This time when I spoke, I switched up some of the things that you can still do during the pandemic that weren’t cancelled. This helped me get to know my audience better. I also explained how I handled things being home from work. The meeting ended a little earlier than usual, just after 7pm. Included in the announcements were a special end of year meeting at Bud Murphy’s on June 24. Hopefully, we’ll celebrate as a Presidents’ Distinguished club on that night. I also brought up Summer TLI which is scheduled for June 21 at WCCC, and I briefly hit on realignment in our District. Laurel Highlands is leaving my area and will be pared with Western Maryland, Johnstown, and Achievers in Area 23. The changes were made in the interests of geographical area.

Its important to be self-aware of the state of the drugstore chain, Rite Aid, and the impacts its closures will have on the rural communities that are closing stores and pharmacies this summer. Greensburg, for now, is safe as their stores will stay open and aren’t affected by this wave of closures. But the shelves aren’t full either and that too is an issue. For people in the rural Cambria County communities, it’s more concerning. Cresson is down to one pharmacy when Rite Aid closes theirs next week. Residents there and in Portage may have to travel to Ebensburg or Altoona for their medication. If Derry closes theirs, the town will be without a pharmacy and the closest one will be in Latrobe.

It’s only a matter of time before Rite Aid is an afterthought like Kmart and Sears. Joann Fabrics will be there soon. The pieces of my WIS history are going away little by little. I looked at the Rite Aids that were closing and told myself that I counted some of these stores, including the far north ones, once upon a time.

Mother‘s Day

Today, we celebrated Mother’s Day at home by taking the cover off of the pool and enjoying Chinese food from Szechuan Garden. I took advantage of the beautiful weather this morning and walked three miles at Mammoth Park (actually it was 3 ½). I was also able to snap a few pictures of the wildlife and the running water going into the stream down below. I just missed a great photo op when a bald eagle flew overhead, but overall was happy with how the morning turned out. 

With unsettled weather in the forecast during the week, we thought today to best day to get the pool ready for the summer. We all worked together to remove the cover from the pool and get the ladder in. Upon taking off the cover, we worried that the water would be green and we’d have to shock it. It was very clear. This week will not be warm enough to take the first swim but we are looking forward to Summer nights and refreshing drinks. A Cutie Summer menu debuts at Cutie’s on June 1, the same day as their summer market which will run in the morning. The Cutie Carnival Flight debuts June 2.

For dinner, we enjoyed sesame and orange chicken as Lo Mein and Crab Rangoons from Szechuan Garden. I also got my fortune cookie and read my fortune. For dessert, we enjoyed Texas sheet cake and Ice Cream. We took this Mother’s Day Weekend to remember Gramma Gaffron. Her birthday always fell on the holiday and many of my childhood years were spent in Berlin, at Laurel Hill State Park, or at Shawnee State Park. We always got a group picture of all of the grandchildren, and this one from our family reunion at Laurel Hill in the Fall of 2023 should bring back memories.

Graduation

Stylish

May 10, 2025

Graduation

Yesterday marked commencement ceremonies for students at Slippery Rock University as students received their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Graduation marks the end of one person’s time in an institute of higher learning, but it also marks the beginning of a new adventure. For me, that’s how I felt when I graduated high school and began college later that Summer. 

Some key takeaways from graduations that I attended or took part in included:

  • My high school graduation when it had rained the night before and it was chilly the night we walked. Hard to believe that’s going to be 25 years ago very, very soon. 
  • Memorable keynote speakers, including Auntie Anne who spoke at my college graduation in 2005. Her nephew was graduating that day as well and we were both part of the school’s Campus Crusade for Christ chapter.
  • Going all out to buy a graduation gift for a girl that I liked. She graduated in the Spring of 2004 and I attended her commencement that May. 

I loved hearing the Slippery Rock alma mater at the ceremonies I attended, the most recent being Rocco receiving his graduate degree in the Spring of 2009. He now works for the university in the Bailey Library and is doing well for himself. 

Slippery Rock Alma Mater 

WHERE THE SLIPPERY ROCK CREEK WANDERS

WITH ITS SPARKLING FALLS

THERE IN STATELY GRACE AND BEAUTY

STANDS OLD S.R. HALLS

(CHORUS)

SING HER PRAISES LOUD RESOUNDING

SPEED THEM ON THEIR WAY

WE’LL BE TRUE TO THEE, OH, S.R.

TRUE FOR AYE AND AYE.

II.

ALL THY HALLS THE DAY IN DYING

CROWN WITH GOLDEN LIGHT

AND THE MORN IN WAKING SPLENDOR

GREETS THEE IN THY MIGHT

III.

LONG MAY YOU, OUR ALMA MATER

SHED YOUR LIGHT ABROAD

AS YOUR LOYAL SONS AND DAUGHTERS

LIVE FOR YOU AND GOD.

One thing that I never did at graduation that most people do now is write on my mortarboard. It was never a thing when I finished high school in 2000 or college in 2005. If it was, what would I put on mine? Maybe “Once In a Lifetime” since my graduation year was at the turn of the century, or “I Hope You Dance” which was a popular song on radio stations during my graduation year. Which leads me to my next topic, and that’s graduation songs. 

Ours when we graduated high school was “I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan. This was the song that played just after the Columbine High School shooting and I don’t think it was one of the best choices. “Graduation (Friends Forever)” was in my opinion a far better choice, but I digress. Even “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack was also one that could have been used in the early 2000’s. 

Finally, here’s a quote appropriate for graduation from Dr. Seuss’ “Oh The Places You’ll Go!”Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!

Continuing my Magnificent Speaking Streak!

This coming Tuesday begins a challenge for me where I’ll be speaking back to back weeks at Laurel Highlands and Greensburg and achieving another level. I’ll be doing the same thing in June, on the heels of Summer TLI and my week off. Where that award ends up will depend on if we have enough to get to President’s Distinguished at Laurel Highlands. Thus, my magnificent speaking streak that I’ve had since August will continue. I didn’t give speeches in January but still it’s been a mighty good run eight out of the last nine months. 

In February, I spoke twice within a week. My Greensburg speech was on Hartley King as he had recently passed away. My first job out of college was at Kings. My Laurel Highlands speech less than a week later promoted my favorite little coffee shop in Greensburg, Cutie’s. I feel that stepping up on stage and speaking has helped elevate my mood as well, since for most of Spring and at least the first part of summer, I was feeling down. That has been a recurring theme for me every Spring at least since COVID and even going back further. A few years ago, it was because of feeling attacked in my journey due to the Bud Light fiasco,the Canadian wildfires which shielded the sun on a nice day, and wondering when Benny would be coming home. Last year, it was simply wanting attention and likes on the socials.

This Spring feels different though. 

Tuesday night at Laurel Highlands, I will revisit one of my past speeches from earlier in the year. It will be about life at the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. One way I plan on improving the speech is by knowing my audience and their interests, reminding them that everything isn’t cancelled. I’m now looking for speech ideas for next week at Greensburg and into June. That should wrap up Level 3 in Presentation Mastery.

It took me four years to finish my first path, Dynamic Leadership. Now, I might have three levels on my new path completed, all within nine months. Time will tell but I may be up for starting a new path or two when the new Toastmaster year begins in July. Taking a page from the current VPE at Laurel Highlands and Western Maryland, work on one path at Greensburg and one at Laurel Highlands. I’m just looking ahead to the future.

Wednesday night at Greensburg Toastmasters, before we wrapped up the meeting, the realignment proposal and changes coming to our District was up for discussion. There were some ruffled feathers over the changes but this could help when contest season comes up. More contestants may be able to compete at area contests, which are usually held in February. 

Finally, we picked our officers for the 2025-26 Toastmasters year. While swapping officer roles in Greensburg would have been an option (President and Vice President Education), our Treasurer stepped in and will take on the role of Presiding Officer for next year. I’m hoping to swap club roles for next year. I took the VPPR position for 2025-26 at Greensburg. At Laurel Highlands when we do officer roles for next year, I hope to get the VPE position. At Greensburg, it may likely be the end of an era as our Treasurer accepts the Presidential nomination. 

Looking ahead to next year, I’m looking to make Greensburg distinguished again. I’ll take a page out of my VPPR friends’ books and go from there and, blog about our meetings. 

A Surprise Guest at Greensburg Toastmasters!

Tonight, we had a special guest in person by one of our former Greensburg Toastmasters. The Teagues are still part of our club but since moving to South Central PA last Fall, they’ve been attending meetings online via Zoom. Jim was attending a John Maxwell event and so he was in the area and thus, was able to drop by and serve as our Toastmaster. It also felt good for me to attend an in-person Greensburg Toastmasters meeting for the first time since March. It didn’t feel good to contend with the Palace on a meeting night, but it is what it is.

Our small turnout made for a great meeting, and we had a guest join us online from the Pittsburgh area. I had one job and that was to remember the banner that I kept with me since the conference. I got it back to Mike in good condition.

We began the meeting a little bit late but it ran very efficiently. Our only speaker for the evening talked about his experience running in marathons. We just had the Pittsburgh marathon on Sunday amid the unsettled weather pattern. He spoke of the preparation and what to put in your body. My cousin is no stranger to marathons as she’s run in a few herself. She may have blogged about it or posted pics on the socials. I evaluated the speech and learned a lot of new practices and picked up some good tips if I ever decide to run a marathon or the full, half, or mini variety.

Our Table Topics proved that we weren’t going to be acing the English section of the S.A.T’s anytime soon. Goodbye, Stanford or Ivy League. Our topicsmaster gave us some words and we were to come up with what we thought was the definition. None of us got the words right and we learned what the words really meant. Mine was “kenspeckle” and I described like a pickle, or embarrassing situation. One takeaway I got from the Toastmaster of the day was to cherish our friends. At my age, friends are definitely hard to find. In my case, likes are hard to find on the socials as well and that contributed to my mood over the Spring and Summer of 2024. I have friends in Toastmasters to keep me company and I’m not as discouraged as I was at this time last year.

Patience is most definitely a virtue, though.

Finally, I made my weekly Cutie’s visit today and how cutie is this little treat? This is the Oreo Dirt Dessert which I ordered as a frappe. I got tripped up a little bit while ordering when I saw the Strawberry Lemon Matcha but I think I’ll wrap up the In Bloom menu with matchas including that one and the Lavender Butterfly 🦋. At some point before the month is over, I’m up for taking a road trip, possibly to Latte Lane in Cheswick.

The new Summer menu debuts on June 1.

End of an Era?

In 2023, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy and thus, many stores across the country closed their doors, including here at the home in Pittsburgh. In the wake of the restructuring, all but four stores remain in Ohio and in Michigan, all Rite Aids have closed their doors.

In the Fall of 2023, many stores in our region shuttered after the bankruptcy, including the one closest to me on US 30 across from Wal-Mart. That Rite Aid was once an Eckerd that was bought out by the chain in 2007. It’s rumored that Sheetz is supposed to build a location where that Rite Aid was, but nothing has happened yet. 

Rite Aid emerged from bankruptcy in late 2024, but several months later have gone back into Chapter 11. It’s possible that this may be the final nail in the coffin for the longtime pharmacy chain based out of Philadelphia.

For me, this is yet another link to my WIS days that will likely be going away sooner, if not later. Earlier in the year, Joann Fabrics announced that all of their stores would be closing. Rite Aids were a big part of my WIS years, especially early on. I was part of a dedicated team doing four stores a week most of the time on top of our big events (Lowes, JoAnn Fabrics, JCPenney). Being on Rite Aid didn’t come without growing pains though and I worked with quite a few personalities there and at other stores. Despite the drama, I was still happy to be part of a team. Signs of my past are really starting to fade away, with Century III Mall being torn down, Pittsburgh Mills hanging on by a thread, and stores like Party City and JoAnn Fabrics are going away. Can’t forget the passing of Hartley King, either. Who knows how much longer the three remaining Kings stay open?

We are truly experiencing the end of an era.

One Week Later

It’s now a week since our 2025 Spring Conference. I’ve taken the time to look back on how great this weekend was, but the struggle has been real. My mood has improved this Spring compared to last year and I’m ready to get back into speaking mode for May and June. Laurel Highlands and Western Maryland are battling neck and neck to see who makes President’s Distinguished first. That makes going to these meetings a lot more fun. We’ll be electing new officers at the next couple of meetings and I’ll be picking them for Greensburg. I’m done with Level 2 in Presentation Mastery and hopefully by the end of the year in June finish up Level 3.

Not to repeat myself from the last blog, but Cutie’s Bible Study had a great turnout Monday night. The next one is May 12 and I’m excited for what’s to come. Since I’m off Mother’s Day (or for now part of the day) I’m thinking about attending the Sunday morning service at 4TheCity Church in Southwest Greensburg. The panel discussion brought back memories of my time being a Christ follower in college. That seems to be a contradiction in terms. I discovered a Student Fellowship meeting at HGA which ran on Wednesday nights. I began to listen to Contemporary Christian and Praise and Worship music during my last year in Johnstown and again at Slippery Rock. I didn’t discover K-Love until 2009 when it replaced Froggy 98.

It’s a good thing that we had nice weather for our Bible study Monday night. The next day was a completely different story with severe weather all throughout our region. We sure paid for it Tuesday, but we were spared while others saw the worst of it, especially in Allegheny County. Some are still without power until May 5 at the earliest.

One week later, as I look back on the past weekend and all I took from it, I tell myself that I almost wasn’t going to come last year. Again, it was my mood and I was feeling lonely, not getting attention. The past few Springs were like that for me and 2023 was the Bud Light fiasco and Benny’s prolonged hospital stay. I have a better handle on things now and seem to have planned a little better in 2025 than I did in the past. Looking back, the contests were run well and so were the workshop. Had I remembered to bring cash, I might have even come home with some books from the authors who were at the Friday Fun Night event.

Finally, while I was out over the weekend. My mother kept herself busy by cleaning up my space upstairs. I’d taken it for granted for far too long and it needed a little TLC, so I’m glad she did that. I plan to keep it looking that way as well. It felt like somewhat of a metaphor. I need to take care of myself just as I need to keep my upstairs space. There’s plenty of time, even after dinner, when I can put in a quick walk.