Toastmasters Internationa has crowned a new World Champion of Public Speaking at this year’s virtual International Convention. One of these years I’ll attend the big event. Maybe next year or in 2023. I remember when Aaron Beverly won the title two years ago and then proceeded to give that championship speech at our 2019 Fall Symposium held at the Ramada in Greensburg (now demolished).

Congratulations to Distinguished Toastmaster Jackey Collier for accepting the nomination of District 13 Club Growth Director. She takes on the role as Stephanie Scott moves up to the Program Quality Director role in light of the resignation of Dr. Elizabeth Carter. I wish Jackey the best as she joins the trio and the best to our clubs as well as they go after their goals for 2021-22.

1943 was definitely a year of many firsts for District 13. It saw the formation of areas in the District. Toastmaster Magazine began showcasing the best of various club bulletins (newsletters). I love that name Waynesburg came up with. Toasties sounds very clever. Speaking of the formation of areas, whoever has Area 1 must be dreading that commute to Wilkes Barre. Somebody put me up in a hotel please?

I wonder where that Lieutenant Governor name came from. We used to have them in the trio before the titles changed. Director sounds better.

Looking forward to next week’s throwback, Dana, Bob, and Kat.

It’s Saturday night and I’m on my way to church. I decided to make a pit stop in my travels. It’s a little bit out of the way but, I decided on Moe’s this evening. It’s number two on my Murrysville restaurant trifecta. Burgatory will be sometime early this Fall.

This is my third trip to the Murrysville location. I have been here before twice with Mr. Clougherty back when he lived in Plum. I’ve had excellent service both times I was there so I’m hoping the third time will be just as good.

This is also my first time doing a review on a restaurant with counter service so let’s see how I did.

Service: The service was quick and efficient. They asked me what I wanted, helped me out with what the toppings were, and they got me in and out in a timely manner. The kitchen staff here did an excellent job. My grade: 9.5/10.

Food: The last two times I ate here I was impressed and the food was good. I ordered bowls my last two visits. This time I got the burrito 🌯. The free salsa was good (I got a small cup of the tomatillo and the roasted tomatillo chipotle). Great for dipping my chips. You also get a lot of options for what you want on your food, just like at Chipotle. My grade: 9/10

Menu: It’s pretty straightforward. You order what looks tasty to you. I love the bowls and the burritos when I come here or to Chipotle. Maybe one day when I’m brave I’ll come back and try the homewrecker. You also get your choice of sides (both the queso 🧀 and the guac 🥑 look tempting). My grade: 9.5/10

Decor: Even for a counter service type restaurant I was quite impressed. Great lighting and signs telling you “Welcome to Moe’s”. It’s not quite as fancy as the more modern Taco Bells but it does the job. My grade: 8.5/10

Ambience: Great dining atmosphere. A step up from Taco Bell, on level with Chipotle, and a small step down from a nice sit down Mexican restaurant like Patron or Acapulco (I’d like to review these in a future blog post. My grade: 9/10.

Overall, not a bad experience here once again. It’s quick (I’m surprised there was no line), efficient, and the food is on par with my Mexican/Southwestern restaurants. And that wraps up this edition of Stylish and Hungry. See you next time.

Final grade: A-

This weekend Cornerstone Ministries held its annual Uncommon Weekend, where instead of attending church, members are the church to the local community. For the first time in the six years that I’ve attended this church, they focused on one community instead of all around. That community was my hometown of Jeannette.

Before I go into detail about this year’s events, let me tell what Uncommon is all about. Credit goes to Senior Pastor Donn Chapman.

“It is with excited anticipation we here at Cornerstone Ministries look forward to our Uncommon weekend in Jeannette. We are so grateful to the community leaders who have worked so hard with grace and efficiency to help us prepare for this special time. We have found so many wonderful people coming to work alongside us.”

“Uncommon is a signature event for our ministry. We purpose to make a little difference in the lives of some folks who might need a helping hand; and we seek to leave a fresh dose of hope for many more.”

“Uncommon is vital to this church as well. We need to remember that before Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins, He picked up and towel and washed feet. We can’t be like Jesus if we don’t grab a towel as well. Our young people need to learn the joy found only in giving their lives away. While we pray that we can make a small difference for our friends in Jeannette, we believe that God will make a difference in us as well. We believe it will be a great weekend for all of us!”

Church family, I am so grateful to be serving with each of you this weekend. Let’s go and love our neighbor!

The Uncommon service started around 2pm with food being served as well as a bounce house being provided for the kids. So many book bags and school supplies were donated to kids who would be starting school this week. Food stores in boxes would donated to the local food bank. Uncommon weekend teaches us to “Be The Blessing” and to “Love our Neighbors.”

The worship team came onto the stage at 3:30 and led us in a round of uplifting worship music. After Pastor Trent led us in the last song, he welcomed Pastor Donn up to the pulpit, encouraging us all to take this weekend and make something of it. Becuase God has started something in us. Where will we be in our walk with God two weeks from now. He closed our special event just thanking the volunteers and everyone who worked together to make this weekend a success.

Pictures of the community projects can be found on the “Cornerstone Ministries” and “Cornerstone Friends” Facebook pages.

A big thanks to Pastor Henry from Father’s Heart Ministries in Penn for attending and just being the wonderful Man of God that he is. Shoutout to MOSAIC church as well. A wonderful team of volunteers stepped up this weekend to make Jeannette great again.

Prayers for the pastor of MOSAIC who’s at home under quarantine due to COVID. Prayers for my adopted mom as well with all she’s going through health wise.

God bless Cornerstone Ministries and God bless the City of Jeannette.

On this day in 2003, I was beginning the second phase of my college education. That morning we made the drive up I-79 to Slippery Rock University and moved me into my dorm room. I had help from SRU’s welcome team to get all my things into my room.

We had lunch at the Grove City Outlets and shopped for a bit before returning me to my residence hall and parting ways. We cried as we said our goodbyes, but it was a good cry.

I got settled in at Kraus Hall and thought about all that I would get accomplished in my first semester at Slippery Rock. I had my first meal at Weisenfluh (or “the Fluh” as everyone referred to it) and met up with a couple girls whom I’d be attending church with at Slippery Rock United Methodist (I met one of the members there a few days before). They educated me on some of the religious organizations on campus, as well as some of the trips Campus Crusade for Christ did.

We met some more new people in one of the off campus housing developments. Pretty soon I put a wrap on my first day on campus. After a fun filled weekend that included watching Bruce Almighty on the big screen, it was off to class Monday morning (the 25th).

But where did it all begin? It was an icy late October morning in Johnstown. The local technical school was holding a transfer fair and I felt it was best if I attended. I looked at about four schools that interested me (California, Edinboro, IUP, and a nice school about an hour from Pittsburgh and 90 minutes from home).

After reading through all that literature, I was hooked on that green and white school with the funny name. The rest is history.

I applied in the winter of 2003 and made a visit up there with my mother where we spoke to the Director of Transfer Admissions. We liked what we heard about the campus and a few weeks later after I sent in my application, I was accepted. Slippery Rock University here I come!

After a few minor hiccups (one being housing), I was officially on my way. I graduated from Community College and spent that summer planning my first semester at “The Rock”. I counted down the days and before I knew it, the time had come for us to make that trip up there and get me moved in.

Time to meet new people and make new memories.

Hard to believe that 18 years ago today that I was arriving at Slippery Rock.

It’s time for this week’s Toastmasters Throwback but first I want to share some highlights from this past week.

At work this week we had our usual Lowe’s. For Day 2, our supervisor did something different for briefing. She asked us questions pertaining to Lowe’s counting procedures. If we answered the questions right, we each got a candy bar. See where this is going?

On break, I asked her “What’s my favorite brand of designer bag?” To which her and my boss easily answered, “Coach.” Then I asked “What or WHO sparked my interest in Coach?” Maura gave me the best answer and told me she reads my blog (remembering the Ashtabula trip). It was the same girl who wore that cute pink dress.

At Toastmasters Wednesday night, we welcomed a new member into our club. This guy has podcasting experience and he dropped some famous names. I should have dropped Jordan’s name and his Local 724 podcast. With Jim and Michelle attending a big event out of town next meeting, Bobby agreed to take on the role of setting up the virtual platform for our club. We may have just found our new VP Multimedia guy.

Now onto the Toastmasters Throwback.

By now District 13 was hopping with four clubs and room to grow. Washington’s club had aspirations to charter a club just south in Waynesburg. That dream came true in May 1943.

The roulette wheel seems like an interesting way to get folks to participate in meetings. Maybe that’s something we should do in our club meetings. It might a good way to pique interest in other members to do their part or our guests to join the club. It was used at the Division C contest to determine speech order for contestants.

One of the Jeannette Toastmasters plugged his chapter in the local paper, and that same year the first ever District Speech contest was held at the Spring Conference. It took part at the Roosevelt Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. All five clubs sent participants, and the winner was the (original) Greensburg club. Woo hoo! The new Toastmaster year began on July 1 and saw a changing of the guard to a new District Leader.

Tonight Mr. Clougherty and I had our once a month dinner. We decided on Bar Nine this time. We were able to get a seat at the bar even though they prefer reservations. I could see why. This place was packed tonight and that’s a good thing. Restaurants were hit hard last summer during the pandemic and so it’s nice to see this place doing well. Here’s my thorough review of my dining experience at Bar Nine.

Service—We were taken care of despite the busy atmosphere (a good problem to have). Our server took our orders, they did their best to seat us, and they made sure we were all right. We got our food in a timely manner and this place went above and beyond despite understaffed and busy at the same time. Service: 9/10

Food—A much better meal here after my disappointing experience at Wahlburgers. I ordered the Texas burger and Mr. Clougherty ordered the Mediterranean Flatbread. The food had a lot of taste to it and the portions were perfect. I savored my burger and all that came with it. The margarita was good too. Food: 9.5/10.

Ambience—The atmosphere was really lit. The place was hopping for a summer night. The outside was filled to capacity and the inside was almost full. This is why it pays to call and make reservations people. Ambience: 9.5/10.

Decor—Not much to add here. It’s a sports bar with outside dining. This place will get a lot of business once football season gets here. Decor gets a 8/10.

Menu—I really loved the options that I was able to choose from. Lots of good entrees, burgers and sandwiches, as well as cocktails, and a list of wine 🍷 or beer 🍺. You know you’re having a great dining experience when it’s hard to choose and everything looks good. Shrimp poboy? Maybe next time, Bar Nine. Menu gets a 9.5/10.

Final grade: A-

Last night a few of us Toastmasters got together for a potluck dinner at the home of Ron and Sarah. We brought our salads and desserts while they had the main dishes covered. I arrived around 5:30 as did Nate and Laura. Emily and Jing came a little later but when they did, it was a party. Here’s us during the disco dancing portion of the night.

Ron and Sarah put together such a nice spread. We ate outside on the deck and talked Toastmasters shop as well as life. Some of us Toastmasters hadn’t seen each other in person since the pandemic started a year and a half ago, so it was nice to finally talk face to face. One of the subjects that got a lot of attention at the dinner table was improv which Sarah and Nate and Emily were passionate about.

It was a perfect night to be outside, especially after all the rain and thunderstorms that hit the area hard the last few nights. After we finished dinner and drank our wine 🍷, it was game time. Sarah let us choose between Catch Phrase and Pictionary (I haven’t played that in a long time). Some of us were artistically changed so the consensus leaned toward Catch Phrase. We made it so much fun with how hard the questions were. There’s definitely no easy way around that game without giving away the answer.

After sitting around for a bit, we decided to go some karaoke. Jing and Sarah gracefully performed “The Rose” by Bette Midler. They almost did “Wind Beneath My Wings” as well. Sarah and Laura performed “The Sounds of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel. We capped off the night by singing “Lyin’ Eyes” by the Eagles. I think all of us did pretty well. If we get together at Christmas, we need to rock our ugly Christmas sweaters and do Holiday Karaoke.

The best part of the evening was all of us doing disco dancing. Sarah loves Disco and our DJ Tyler played some classics at the DTM event a few weeks ago. Our dancing set off the fire alarms at the Community College. She and Ron picked the best songs for us to dance to. We made our way off the deck and into the grass for this fun night of dancing. I really loved how the did “The Hustle” to another song. Here’s all of us getting down on the disco floor (or grass, call it what you will). I’m just sad we didn’t end the night with “Last Dance” by Donna Summer.

Sarah suggested that I get my adopted family to do a disco night with me. I think the girls would be on board with that.

Overall it was a perfect night and I hope we can do something like this again soon. Maybe for Steelers vs. Packers or during the holidays. But it was nice just get together and socialize for the first time in forever.

If 2021 has taught me anything so far, number one is that health is important. Who knows where I’d be or let alone even be here if not for scheduling that doctor’s appointment. Things are a lot better now for me after that health scare.

Number two is that people’s opinions don’t matter. This has been the year that’s been a long time coming. It’s the year of me being gender nonconforming. If you think this is a phase or it just happened a few years ago, you’re wrong. This has been on my mind for years. It goes back a really long time. It’s just the way I feel.

Part of that gender nonconforming adventure I’ve embarked on this year has included buying my Coach purse (I was so proud when I bought it in February), eventually moving on to fashion and purchasing some cute cardigans and blazers in leopard print and pastels. I rocked that blouse and leopard cardi at Rob and Sara’s wedding.

I caught some heat for my outfits earlier this summer when a friend of a friend on Facebook criticized me for wearing women’s clothes. My adopted mom came to the rescue and praised my style and would be there for me no matter what. I’ll admit I do worry about the one person who will bring me down instead of the 99 who will complement me for doing this. Recently, I got some kind words from my longtime friend Rocco whom I met at Slippery Rock. His wife Kara also did the same. Glad to have these two on my side.

2021 has been the year of me shattering the glass or, gloss, ceiling. What am I talking about? I made my first visit to ULTA Beauty yesterday and I actually bought something. It was a four pack of Burt’s Bees lip balm. I was so proud of myself and it would warm me up for when we do our ULTA adventure this Fall. They’re part high end makeup (Lancome and Bare Minerals, like a Sephora) and part drugstore makeup (they have brands like L’Oréal and Cover Girl as well as Wet’n Wild. Be ready to drop a couple Benjamins here if you want a great experience. I did see some Gilmore Girls themed makeup and bath products though which I thought was way cool.

From there I shopped at Target. Whereas I felt confident in ULTA, in Target I seemed to be a little off. Maybe it was me worrying about people staring at me looking at makeup. I did feel a little bit awkward and unprepared in this section even though I knew where everything was (I planned well). The voice in my head was telling me to give up and drop this charade. But I got through it. I brought the drugstore brands like I see in Rite Aid. Some Maybelline, some Cover Girl, and a few products from e.l.f.

I bought some foundation and concealer as well as lip liner (Maybelline), lipstick 💄 👄 and blush (Cover Girl), and the brush and sponge were from e.l.f. I’ll learn to use these by watching YouTube videos. Hopefully, we can set a day soon to do our ULTA/Target run. We’re going to rock our red blazers as we. But overall it was a fun experience and I got to fill up one of my makeup bags.

My next gender nonconforming adventure will be Labor Day weekend when I go to one of the outlets to buy some more Coach.

Appreciate you. Be you. Do you. 💕 you.

Today I worked in McCandless and since I was close, I made plans to visit The Block at Northway afterwards. I would check out ULTA since Sara and I are going to shop there in the Fall and make a Target run to buy some makeup. Those experiences I’ll talk about in the following blog.

After I left work I went shopping at Old Navy (one of my personal favorite stores) and then it was off to lunch at Wahlburgers in the Block at Northway. I was hoping it was worth the money and worth the hype. Here’s my review of this hip new chain that is run by the Wahlberg family (including Mark and Donnie).

I walked into Wahlburgers after touring the Block at Northway (the mall looks so nice and it was the first time I’d been in there since they completed it). I was seated quickly by the greeter and the server took my order within a matter of minutes. It was a busy Friday afternoon lunch rush so I was patient with the staff. I had my lunch in good time. The server was friendly as well. I give service a 9/10.

The food was slightly above average. I loved the basket that the fries came in. The burger I ordered was “Donnie’s Choice”, a BBQ burger with white cheddar, jalapeños, barbecue sauce, bacon, and avocado spread. The flavor was there (I didn’t really taste the avocado spread though) but the portion size was a little small compared to my last couple of meals (the fish sandwich at NPL was hard to top as well as the Reuben from Morelands). We’re all due for a letdown sometime. I also the fries could have used some seasoning salt (like Red Robin). I give the food a 6.5/10. Taste was great but size was fair.

The noise in the restaurant gave off the impression that was a busy place (it was lunchtime after all). It was cooler indoors then it was outside. It didn’t impact my dining experience at all though. I give the atmosphere a 7.5/10 overall.

I fell in love with the decor. Above where I was seated, it shows every movie and act Donnie and Mark were a part of. For my New Kids on the Block fans, there is mention of the band. I noticed a lot of Steelers memorabilia as well. Here’s a nice picture of the Wahlberg family. I didn’t know the brothers came from a big family either. The things that you learn. I give decor a 9/10.

The menu looked pretty packed. There’s many things to choose from. This place is known for its frappes as well. That root beer float would have hit the spot on a hot day. I’ll give their fish sandwich a try as well. I believe in love and second chances and I’d like to give Wahlburgers another go around sometime. Maybe I’ll try the one in Robinson next. I give the menu a 9/10.

Overall, my first experience at Wahlburgers wasn’t bad. A few kinks here and there but I’m definitely giving this place another try. Maybe when we do our ULTA trip I can talk Sara into coming here. We will see. Final Grade: B-

Can you imagine if District 13 covered the whole state of Pennsylvania in this day and age? You would have to delegate responsibility to other Toastmasters and District Leaders, and eventually you have to split the Commonweath up (kind of like what they did with North Carolina (District 37 and District 117).

In 1943, the District was beginning to take shape. A demo meeting was held in Charleroi to a large audience and it formulated interest in new clubs in the foreseeable future. Jeannette and (original) Greensburg were able to have meetings together and there was interest in forming a club in Waynesburg. Greene County Toastmasters anyone? They could meet at Waynesburg University or possibly in Carmichaels.

We tried to charter a Mon Valley Toastmasters club back in 2014 and they met at a nursing home in California PA. The chapter had potential (and it could have succeeded if we had been able to get more of our other veteran members involved). One of the problems was California University of Pennsylvania, and another was the local economy in the Mon Valley.

Efforts to get the club off the ground fell through, and Mon Valley TM was officially dead. Let’s hope Jest 🃏 Speaking can grow their membership and charter soon. It looks like Laurel Highlands Toastmasters is going to do great.