Lots to Look Ahead to in May

Last week I did my monthly look ahead to May. While it mostly remained incomplete, only getting up to around Mother’s Day, that means I wasn’t sure what the rest of this month would entail yet. A week into May, and I have a better outlook for this month. Looking back to last week’s meeting,Continue reading “Lots to Look Ahead to in May”

Toasting With Styleβ€”Breakfast

On Sunday morning, we had breakfast which was included with registration. Our keynote speaker joined us and talked about how we can get more members into Toastmasters. Those in attendance at the breakfast added their input. We got great feedback from our most seasoned members. Also talked about at the breakfast was the dues increase.Continue reading “Toasting With Styleβ€”Breakfast”

Toasting With Style: A Full Day

Day two of the 2024 District 13 Spring Conference took place today. We had breakfast in the junior ballroom and listened to an excellent keynote speech from our presenter for the week, Distinguished Toastmaster and International Director Dawn Frail. She was a district director for District 60 in Toronto. She splits her time been OntarioContinue reading “Toasting With Style: A Full Day”

Toasting With Style: Friday Fun Night

The first night of my first conference in person since 2019 is in the books. I arrived at my hotel just after 5 and took some time to relax after getting checked in. The night began with our business meeting where we elected new officers at the District and Division levels. Afterwards, the Friday FunContinue reading “Toasting With Style: Friday Fun Night”

Conference Week Is Here!

Clothes? Check. Laptop? Check. Toiletries? Check. Friday marks the return of an annual event that I haven’t been to since before the pandemic hit. I’m talking about the annual District 13 Spring Conference. I’ve missed tradition three out of the last four years due to work and COVID. I attended in 2021 but it wasContinue reading “Conference Week Is Here!”

Toasting With Style: Indiana and Johnstown Toastmasters

A few weeks ago at the Division C International and Humorous Speech Contest, I made plans to visit a few clubs in April. I spoke to a few of the officers and got their contact information. Last week, I visited Indiana and last night was my Johnstown visit. Both visits were online through Zoom. IndianaContinue reading “Toasting With Style: Indiana and Johnstown Toastmasters”

The Spirit of Toastmasters!

The 2020 series continues as we turn the calendar ahead to April. We are now officially into the Fall of 2020, which is now when this series will take place the next few weeks. Restrictions have eased on eating out but everyone is still playing it safe. Malls have opened back up but are onContinue reading “The Spirit of Toastmasters!”

Contest Season: A Look Back at March

March is officially a memory as the calendar has now turned to April. It was a pretty eventful month with everything that it had to offer. The weather was pretty mild for the first half of March with temperatures in the 70s. As I began to up my fitness game, I spent some time outsideContinue reading “Contest Season: A Look Back at March”

The Health Scare: Three Years Later

Today three years ago was a wake up call for me. It all started at my doctor’s appointment. I was getting a referral to have a bump on my head removed. While there, I found out that my blood pressure was off the charts. My doctor thought it was best that I check to ExcelaContinue reading “The Health Scare: Three Years Later”

My First Conference in Five Years!

For many years, Toastmasters conferences and Slippery Rock homecoming have always been yearly traditions for me. From 2003 to 2018, I was present at all but three homecoming celebrations (2011, 2013, 2015). I always made a fun Saturday out of homecoming and reminisced about my days on campus at Slippery Rock. In the early post-academiaContinue reading “My First Conference in Five Years!”