Roll out the red carpet! It was a great night at Laurel Highlands Toastmasters and, it was my first time attending in-person since August. I missed the last meeting as I was spending time with the Johnstown Toastmasters club. Since summer turned to Fall, the parking lot was a little busier with things going on at the community center, in addition to our meeting. We had three speakers, some guests, and a wonderful time was had by all. We’re growing the club and we have a great agenda planned for our next meeting on October 22.

Our three speakers had great topics to share. Ryan talked about the joys of being a father. Andrea spoke on raising the bar, and discussed how we are influenced by alcohol, either through commericals, social media, or at sporting events. Sharon’s sister, Jennifer, gave her ice breaker speech and gave us some inspiring words and some food for thought. I evaluated her ice breaker and just last week at Greensburg Toastmasters I was in the same boat, giving mine as I began my new path. Our area director did her visit Tuesday night, so Greensburg should be seeing her soon (via Zoom).

On Wednesday, I made a rare appearance at Cutie’s (I usually go over the weekend on Sundays). I will likely go again on Saturday since I’ll be at my family picnic this weekend. Sunday is their one year celebration and there will be a market going on as well (across from their cafe in the parking lot). They’re having a staff party today to celebrate their one year anniversary. I got the Maple Cutie latte, complete with maple leaf cookie garnish. If my cousins are looking to go somewhere for coffee on Saturday, I’ll be very happy to mention Cutie’s. I wonder what I’ll drink this time. Next weekend, I’m happy to take a little fall drive to Ligonier if the time allows.

Sunday is the picnic and I volunteered to bring coffee just like I did last year. Since I’ll be en route to the Laurel Highlands, the plan is to stop in South Greensburg or Youngwood to pick up some boxed coffee. I did this last year and it went over very well. If it works well, just keep doing it. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday and catching up, whether it rains or not.

For those of you heading to Fort Ligonier Days or to Slippery Rock for homecoming this Saturday, you enjoy your weekend as well.

Monday night, we celebrated Annabelle’s birthday at EDO Hibachi. Over the last couple of years, I’ve really grown to love this place. Mr. Clougherty has enjoyed it and Aunt Sue did as well when I treated her to a nice birthday lunch last month. It’s that experience of watching your food being made, catching food in your mouth, and seeing the flames rise up from that onion volcano. The chefs here are very talented and don’t mess around when preparing your food.

Once again, I caught the broccoli in my mouth (I batted 1.000 as I did in September) and cleansed my palate with some sake. Annabelle didn’t do as well, but I gave her some of my winnings.

It was Dad’s first time at Hibachi and I wasn’t sure how it would go over. He liked the food but he passed on the veggies and sake, and the chef was very understanding. We all enjoyed our Hibachi. I ordered the shrimp just like last time, and Annabelle got the steak. Dad got chicken. I had a little bit left over for my lunch at work (which I ate at 2:30am). To challenge myself, I’d love to get the hibachi with the filet mignon. We have gone to Texas Road House in the past, and Annabelle did get to go there last week.

Monday night means it’s Halloween Baking night on Food Network. I’ve been watching this show for the last four years and this season is just as good. Since, I don’t have cable I’ve been watching it on the Discovery App on my Roku. Beats sitting through the commercials as well. Since it airs later in the evening and I’m usually getting ready for work, I watch it on Tuesday or Wednesday evening. While I enjoy this show, it’s second to the Holiday Baking Championship which begins in early November. Talented bakers come onto the show to create some masterpieces and a chance to win a grand prize (a lot of money). They are judged by some very experienced celebrity chefs, including Carla Hall. Their fate when they get voted off is all for laughs and isn’t real.

With three weeks left in the competition, things are only going to get more challenging from here on out, but that’s what keeps you watching. I already have two bakers in mind whom I want to see win that grand prize.

The Halloween Baking Championship runs through October 28.

In 2024, Eat’n Park celebrated its 75th anniversary in business. The years have been good for this iconic Pittsburgh institution that has withstood the test of time. Started in 1949 as a drive-in restaurant on Saw Mill Run Boulevard, they‘re a few years ahead of McDonald’s, which was founded in 1955. Eat’n Park has evolved from being a drive-in restaurant to a nice sit down family restaurant, serving comfort food that has been a favorite for generations of customers. So, why not write a book talking about the history of this iconic institution? That’s exactly what one author had in mind.

I went to breakfast one morning in August after getting some bloodwork done. Fasting for 12 hours, I was happy to have somewhere close by so I could eat some breakfast. The place for smiles was right across the road from where I was so I was definitely eating there. I enjoyed my first meal since the night before. As I was waiting to be seating though, up front were some copies of the book covering Eat’n Park‘s long history. I thought about purchasing the book myself after I ate. Can’t make financial decisions on an empty stomach, however.

I finished up the Harry Potter series at the end of August. I contemplated staying in the fantasy genre and reading Percy Jackson or Lord of the Rings. Then, Kamala Harris announced she was running for President which inspired me to reread her book I bought in 2020. Also, I’d like to finish that book on Barack’s first four years in the White House sometime in my lifetime. Today’s blog, however, is a review about the history of Eat‘n Park, called “The Story Behind The Smile.”

“The Story Behind The Smile” covers Eat’n Park from its humble beginnings to the present day. There are chapters on their involvement in the community, as well as Smiley and some of their other ventures. I’ll be reading about those this week and taking the book to our family picnic next Sunday to show to everyone.

Eat’n Park had ties to another famous Pittsburgh chain, the one with the chipped chopped ham, skyscraper cones, and Klondikes. They also collaborated with Cincinnati-based Frisch’s, home of the Big Boy burger. Those ventures Eat‘n Park was involved with include Parkhurst (which is dining services catered to schools and hospitals) Hello Bistro, and The Porch. I would love to try the other two. In the past, they experimented with a bistro in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. Plus, let’s not forget the Park Classic Diner, which was a trip back to yesteryear. Some of their best items were their onion rings, meatloaf, and the Park Party Cake, as well as their milkshakes. When I worked there, you could pick any flavor you wanted. Oh, and I loved playing songs from the jukebox up front and gaining an appreciation for the classic songs that my grandparents enjoyed.

The most recent chapter talked about some of those best selling items and the work that goes into creating them. The author of this book also interviewed my cousin, who is senior director of marketing for Eat’n Park. She was in a few commercials for Eat’n Park too if I recall, including one promoting the new pickup windows when they became a thing. Fun facts: Eat’n Park debuted their Salad Bar in 1975 at their New Castle restaurant and rolled them out a few years later. The pickup window was first introduced at Monroeville in 2008. The headquarters for Eat’n Park is now located in the Waterfront but they used to be located in Robinson Township. That move came in 2000. Also, the Soup and Salad Bar and the Superburger are the restaurant chain’s two best selling orders. I wonder if the Whale of a Cod sandwich would be number three?

Finally, Eat’n Park was my first job and if I were brave enough to cross US 30, I could have walked to work. It wasn’t much, but it would have to do. I worked at the Park Classic Diner in Jeannette, formerly an Eat’n Park. If I would have embraced the job and not counted down the days until I went back to college, I could have made it more enjoyable. Would it turn into something? Who knows.

But, alas, the days of being young and dumb.

Thursday night, I embarked on a little road trip to do some birthday shopping for my almost 12 year old niece. She’ll celebrate her birthday next week with a Taylor Swift themed party. While I was buying her present, I added some more Pumpkin Spice flavored foods to my pantry.

Last month took me to Market District in Murrysville where I took advantage of gift cards from my birthday and our work celebration party in August. This time I traveled to Monroeville where I shopped at Target and Giant Eagle. The two stores are next to each other just like at Hempfield, but much bigger.

I had success buying her present and replenishing some food I liked the first time around, like the Pumpkin Spice pretzels since they were so good. I’ll put out some of those Maple cookies and make some Pumpkin cheesecake bars. I also picked up a six pack of October-fest beer 🍺. It’s best to enjoy this as I want to be ready to plan for Thanksgiving by November 1.

Christmas is coming and I spotted some Christmas lights as well as some Christmas vinyl at Target.

Next weekend will be busy as Annabelle will be celebrating her birthday at Karate and enjoying the company of her cousins at the Gaffron Family Fall picnic. Monday is her actual birthday and she want to go to Hibachi for dinner. This week, I’ll continue my Fall coffee tour at Cutie’s as I try a Cherry Pie Chai and Maple Cutie Latte. I’ll go down on Saturday (as opposed to my usual Sunday) as well since I’ll be at the picnic that day. Next Sunday is the one year anniversary for Cutie’s and in the morning there will be a market. I’ll be getting ready for our picnic so I likely won’t be able to make it out. This weekend is a perfect one to be out’n about with the Apple Festival in Delmont and a Gilmore Girls themed event Sunday in Indiana.

Brace yourself. It’s October and that means Fall Foliage pics, sweaters, and leather jackets. It also means end of era blogs are coming. This is the time when events in my life were coming to an end. Some of these were needed for me to make beneficial changes in my life.

It’s also the end of the rewatch episodes for the Office themed podcast, Office Ladies. Jenna and Angela aren’t going anywhere though as the podcast will be retooled and that makes its debut on October 7. Office Ladies debuted on October 16, 2019 with a weekly podcast recapping all the episodes from nine seasons of the popular show. That podcast and the show got most people through 2020 and the pandemic.

Taylor and her fans are in their Eras, I’ll be in my End of Eras this Fall.

It’s been a bit of a crazy time for me. I’ve been getting content out but it’s been late. Reason being, that I’m spending more time preparing speeches to give at my clubs (Greensburg and Laurel Highlands). Hey, I’m stepping up and speaking more so that’s a good problem to have!

This Pumpkin Spice tour has been a success so far, but I feel as I’m trying to do too much; thus, it has drained my energy. Maybe staying local or in Westmoreland County is best for now. It’s my own journey and no one else’s. Instagram is pretty bad for enabling that FOMO in me. Also, traveling doesn’t come as naturally to me anymore as it did in the WIS era.

In Thursday’s blog, I’ll highlight my Pumpkin Spice shopping spree. For now, let’s recap Wednesday night’s Greensburg Toastmasters meeting.

We had a small turnout for our meeting but it was still a good time. Five in person plus one online and as always, fun times getting the technology up and running. For me, it’s the beginning of a new path in Presentation Mastery. That means my first speech was my ice breaker. After 13 years, what more is there to know about someone? The answer to that question is that there’s lots to know.

I spoke about what I planned to get out of this path, and the number one answer was not to commit “Death by Powerpoint”. I also want to get out of my comfort zone and try different electives for upcoming projects. One of those would be to create a podcast. I enjoy a lot of rewatch podcasts for shows that I grew up with. But I also want to follow those podcasts that are enriching too.

The meeting was good despite the low turnout, but we all agree that membership needs to come up and we’d love to see more people attending our meetings, online or in person. That was the subject of our Table Topics Moments of Truth at this week’s meeting. I’d like to share a couple of the answers, one being my own. One of our longtime members said that a club is doing well when he isn’t always filling roles, be it one or multiple roles. A healthy club should have 20 members. That’s what you need to charter a new Toastmasters club. My question was about Membership Drives and Speechcraft and the importance of those in gaining new members. For Speechcraft, we can help those who work in professions that require working with the public grow in their careers. Membership drives can keep us healthy throughout dues renewal and at the end when our status as a Distinguished Club is riding on the addition of three new members. Four new members plus four more helps fulfill #7 and #8 on the DCP.

In addition to what I hope to get out of my path, I also highlighted those three acronyms crucial to our Toastmasters Clubs, including the Club Success Plan. I also talked about some of the milestone blog posts that I published, as well as the current Pumpkin Spice tour and the upcoming Turkey sandwich and Thanksgiving tour.

We had a guest (one of our five in person attendees) at Wednesday night’s meeting. He enjoyed the meeting and we hope to see him at the next one in two weeks. I also did the agenda for the 16th and we have three speakers on tap. I’ll also be closing the Moments of Truth series in Table Topics.

Summer has ended and Fall is officially in full swing. So far the month has begun wet but the rain will be coming to an end soon. It’s been welcome with the drought we’ve had this summer, but we’re ready for some nice weather just in time for Annabelle’s birthday and the Gaffron Family Fall Picnic next week.

A lot happened in September but in this blog post, I will narrow it down to the three big events that took place in my life. I attended a potluck dinner with some of my amazing Toastmasters friends to celebrate a couple who will be moving to the south central part of the state. They’ll still be a part of the club but will be meeting online. We had a great spread including sliders (pot roast and chicken marsala), potato salad, and a veggie tray. I brought cookies and hummus as well as pita chips. The Teagues were very grateful for the party we threw for them and we wish them the best in their future endeavors.

After a long time gone, I returned to church in September. This came to light after my last Toastmasters meeting when I was talking with my club president and told her my story about what happened. One of the churches that she suggested was one I was familiar with, and so that’s the one I went with. I’d been to Community Church before as I’d attended church services once in a while. I also went there for Christmas Eve services. My first time back in a church in a long time (after I’d gone for 18 years) I told myself I was starting over, plus I was starting over. Last week was even better, the message was good and it was what I needed to hear. I’ll give myself a month before I call it my new church home, but I’m on the rebound.

Finally, I was able to keep my plans to visit Johnstown Toastmasters last Tuesday. I’m no stranger to the club and know most of the members well, having seen them at other meetings or club officer training. I got a warm welcome from the members and volunteered to do the last segment of the night, the one minute speech where I talk about something positive in my life. I said three positive things, including the completion of my Toastmasters path. The club president told me I’m definitely welcome to come back. The vice president of education invited me to the Christmas party in December. If I have to attend online, I will but maybe I’ll come in person. Weather permitting because it’s December in Johnstown, it gets dark at 5 o‘clock, and there may be snow.

Honorable mention for September would include news of the TSO (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) concert that I’ll be going to in November. My cousins are going and I’m happy to be joining them. My aunt told me the good news when I treated her to lunch at Hibachi for her birthday. It’ll be a great time and I look forward to it. A week later, I’ll be on my second vacation at work and starting my Christmas shopping.

The Major League Baseball season has almost come to an end, with two games being played today in Atlanta (Braves host the New York Mets) that will determine standing for the National League playoff bracket. Interesting scenario indeed if you follow the game. I think that this will be an interesting postseason.

As September comes to an end and we turn the calendar to October, it’s time to look forward to changing leaves and cooler temperatures. Let’s look ahead to the new month and see all the opportunities that are knocking.

I’ll admit that I’ve made myself a little crazy when trying to do everything and when I’m making another trip to get more Fall treats. I will do so this Thursday and that should run me through the beginning of November (when my Turkey Sandwich tour begins). The end of August took me to Market District in Murrysville where I was able to cash in my gift cards from my birthday and the nightturn dinner. This time, I’ll go to Monroeville and maybe I’ll use my perks to pay for my groceries, and to prove that I don’t use them just for gas. While there, I’ll make a Target run as well. But I don’t want to buy more than I can handle, as Turkey seasons begins November 1. Maybe that first day of November, I’ll also defrost Christmas Mariah and listen to some holiday music.

Next Monday is Annabelle’s birthday, but before that I’ll be attending Bakery Square Toastmasters online this Friday. It’s a long-awaited visit as I originally was going to go in August but never got around to planning it. Club visits are all” part of my effort to relight my Spirit of Toastmasters fire. Also in the cards is a Cranberry High Noon visit. I wanted to make a visit while the leaves were changing and the drive there was going to be very colorful. I do plan on a December visit though. Whether it’s online or in-person and if I go vacation week is still up in air at the moment.

The Pumpkin Spice Tour rolls on with a couple more trips to my favorite coffee shops planned over the next week. I am hoping to get out this month and try some out of town cafes to see how their drinks are. But am I setting myself up for “fear of missing out”, or FOMO? Look for my blog post later this week . Cherry Pie Chai is on my radar this week and next week, I want to try the Maple Cutie Latte. Also, next Monday is Bible Study, as is the 21st, both nights from 7-8pm. These will likely be the last ones held outdoors. Not sure what is planned for the winter months. Cutie’s Coffee Company celebrates its one year anniversary on Columbus Day weekend.

As I said earlier, it’s Annabelle’s birthday next Monday (at exactly 4:56AM). We will spend the week celebrating her. She’ll have her party on the 12th and do some karate to boot. The last four years have alternated between Twin Lakes and Mammoth Parks. The next day is the Gaffron Family picnic at Laurel Hill. I will bringing coffee like last year. The last three have been good and well-attended. We would like a sunny day like 2022 (which was also a little chilly) but last year, despite the clouds and the cool weather it was just as good. So were all the pictures we took. I slayed my outfit last year as well.

Mr. Clougherty and I will wrap up our 12th season of the Dinner Series on October 24th at Primanti Brothers. It’s an easy commute for both of us and we will enjoy dinner (and for me, a drink) and talk about the finer things in life. We’ll also try to calm each other’s nerves as it’ll be very close to election season next time we get together. From there, Kevin will begin his busy season at the pool and I will begin the Turkey Sandwich and Thanksgiving tour.

Finally, I’m halfway through the book covering the history of Eat’n Park and I’m covering some major ground this week. My cousin makes it into the chapter I’m reading this week. She works in Marketing for the iconic Pittsburgh institution. I’ll be sad when the book is finished later this month but I’m looking forward to learning about the things that make Eat’n Park what it is. I’m going to bring it to the picnic as well and show it to some of my family members.

I also plan to eat there a few times later this Fall to try some of their Fall and Thanksgiving features.

Last night, I went back to church at Community in Harrison City for the second week in a row. Last week was the first time and I wanted to prove that this wasn’t a one week thing. This time, I felt more comfortable. I knew that last week wasn’t going to be an immediate bounce back after being away for an extended period of time.I used the Bible app on my phone to get the scripture. In the past, I always brought my Bible and I will do that again. We have the option of both and either one works, depending on your preference. The message last night, as it was the week before, was part of a series tied to the upcoming Presidential election. But it was something that the pastor said last week that I really needed to hear. “Who you vote for doesn’t define you”. He also talked about how people think their ideology to reign supreme over everyone.

Over the years, I felt I would be torn down for voting for the Democratic ticket. This all stems back to my college days. I was also having a hard time dealing with post-academic life. But I’ve ran into some people who go to church and lean more to the left, making me feel better about myself. I learn to ignore most social media now but the political ads can be so cruel, making me remember some of those people who used to bully me in the past over my views.

My goal when going to church is to talk to at least three people either before or after the service, taking the initiative to introduce myself. I did get coffee before the service (hello, Pumpkin Spice Latte) and pushed my Cutie’s visit back to sometime this week (either Tuesday or Thursday). Cherry Pie Chai for me this week and then the Maple Cutie Latte next week. Who plans their drink options in advance? I may be the first person I know to do this. I have met at least one person whom I attended church functions with in the past. I’ve also ran into someone who works at Giant Eagle.

The Saturday night service is very laid back and is just the right mix for me as I ease back into church. They also have communion every week. This was one of the churches suggested by my club President. I told her about my situation and why I hadn’t been attending regular services for the last three years, save for Christmas and a brief stretch in early 2023 at Cornerstone. One of these days I will check out a Sunday service and when I get established, come for dinner on Wednesday night. I’ll do my best to go to a Christmas Eve service, depending on my schedule.

A couple more factoids about my experience with the church to close off this blog post:

I go against the status quo of most Christians in my political views and lean to the left. I don’t need to say much more about this and last night’s sermon cleansed a lot of those wounds for me. However, I still get flustered at some of the stuff I read on social media. But after a while and some venting, it all blows over. People can be so vicious behind a computer screen though, as well as when your ideologies don’t align with theirs.

Case in point, JD Vance and Primanti Bros.

I started listening to contemporary Christian music late in my Hiram G. Andrews Center/Johnstown days. It continued into my time at Slippery Rock. Eventually, by the post-college days I felt obligated to listen to it because other people I went to church with were doing it too. I also went through a lot of regret in those early post-academia days (usually over stupid decisions I made in school) and always got into it with people over stupid stuff too.

Last night, I listened to an HD jazz station and on the way back, the Charlie Brown Halloween soundtrack (which fit perfectly as I was driving home and it was getting dark). I felt very comfortable and didn’t worry about whether I’d fit in or not.