FRIDAY <>   MAY 18, 2012 KISSIMMEE UTILITY AUTHORITY

CALL TO ORDER:  RON SZASZ

********

INSPIRATION AND PLEDGE – MARY GUIDONE

“IT’S SO MUCH BETTER TO HOLD A TUNE THAN A GRUDGE!”

MARY GUIDONE

*********

THEME:  “GIVING GRATITUDE ATTITUDE”

TOASTMASTER – PAMELA LEONARD

********

PRESIDENT’S REPORT, RON SZASZ FOR HEATHER SZASZ

SANDY GEROUX REPORTED ON THE CLUBS GOALS, TO MAKE PRESIDENT’S DISTINGUISED CLUB.  WE HAVE NINE NEW MEMBERS.  MAIRA DURAN AND GWEN FIX HAVE ACHIEVED THEIR CC LEVEL.  RON SZASZ IS ONLY ONE SPEECH AWAY.  WE ONLY NEED ONE MORE CC.  IF WE HIT THESE, WE SHOULD BE VERY CLOSE TO HITTING PRESIDENT’S DISTINGUISHED CLUB

• ·          17  PEOPLE PRESENT
• ·         NO GUESTS TODAY

********

WORD FOR THE WEEK – SANDY GEOUX

“APPRECIATION”

A judgment or evaluation; a favorable assessment; an expression of approval of value for others.

*******

FIRST SPEAKER – MARISA ATHERLY – (5-7 MINUTES)

SPEECH # 4  - “HOW TO SAY IT”

“ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING”

If you think you are beaten you are.  If you’re thinking you’re losing you’re lost.  If you think you’re outclassed you are.  You have to stay with it to win.  Attitude is everything.  It’s the one thing we DO have control over.  Our attitude is really the foundation of how circumstances affect us.  I am a firm believer in positive affirmation.  Attitude determines success or failure, especially at the beginning of a project.  Face every problem as if you can and will solve it.  A few weeks ago, Neil Allen brought his daughter Kami to Toastmasters.  I shared with her how much I hated writing people citations.  Traffic stops are one of the most dangerous situations we face.  You don’t know if they just ran a light or just robbed a bank.  I always put on my bullet-proof vest and I would say to myself “I’ll make it home tonight from this shift!”  Contrary to popular belief, most law enforcement agents do not have a quota.  I always greeted them, asked for their license, proof of insurance and registration.  I would always say “The reason I am pulling you over is….”  Generally, their attitude is what dictated how I reacted to the situation.  My point is, attitude dictates how you live your life.  “You cannot climb a hill by thinking downhill thoughts.  If you do not like something, change it.  Most people are about has happy as they think they want to be.  Remember, attitude is everything!”

*********

SECOND SPEAKER – IRENE PATRICK – (5-7MINUTES)

SPEECH NUMBER TWO

“COMMENCEMENT SPEECH”   

Have you ever asked these questions?  What do I want in life?   How can I make my life better?  What is preventing me from achieving what I want in life?  I’m glad I asked those questions because I have arrived at my goal- GRADUATION.  Many of us have posed these questions.  It gives me great privilege and honor to address this graduating class or Registered Nurses.  As you worked your way through computer crashes, sleep deprivations and all the other challenges, you endured and now you have reached your goal.  I want to thank all of you for supporting one another through this process.  The most important thing now is to secure a job.  Historically, unemployment rates rise and fall.  Competition is very strong but employers are seeking the very best candidate.  You have to give your employer a reason why they are employing you in their institution.  Be yourself.  Be real.  Be honest and true.  Have high standards for yourself.  Know your limits.  Show enthusiasm.  Employers are seeking people who will fit in, so be compatible with the company’s culture.  It requires dependability, punctuality, ability, motivation and a positive attitude.  Attitude reflects your work and your work reflects your attitude.  It can be a key to securing and keeping your job.  Your boss judges you not only on the work you do but also your attitude.  Walk tall and with a purpose.  Your posture tells a story.  Hold your head high.  Un-slouch your shoulders.  Be respectful.  Have faith in yourself and God.  Maintain high integrity.  Every challenge is an opportunity.  Strive for excellence.  Remember, life is what you make it.  Graduates, be your best, do your best and give your best.  “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.”- Winston Churchill

*********

TIMER REPORT- IRENE PATRICK

Both speakers qualified.

********

TABLE TOPICS – ANNIE YAN

NANCY STREET….    I appreciate many small things; rain when you need it.  No traffic jams.   There are so many things to appreciate.  When you concentrate on the negative, you empower it and give it credence.  It’s not that hard to find if you use the right attitude.

RON SZASZ… I appreciate Heather in so many ways.  I just went through some interesting things in looking at gratitude.  Every day we encounter things we should appreciate.  Take a pencil.  It writes.  It erases.  When you speak of people, Heather’s list of things is endless to me.  I appreciate her so.  Some are small, a simple “I love you” when I need that.  Or when I’m doing something wonderful, she shows her appreciation.  Joy is brought when you show someone appreciation.  When giving any gift, both sides benefit by giving and receiving something great.

CAROL CAMPBELL-NORRIS… I’m not an animal lover like most people.  That was before I got my first little kitty “Snowflakes.”  As a grief therapist, I need therapy myself.  I noticed as the nest was emptying, I noticed I needed something to take their place.  So there I am sharing my thoughts in group therapy when someone offers me one of two beautiful white cats.  My husband said “Bring home only one!”   “Snowflakes” has been the greatest addition to my life

TONY MORELLI… One of my mentors said the best things in life are free.  They bring the most happiness.  I must admit that I like my cell phone.  It’s an expensive gadget.  It allows you to be connected to your e-mail all the time.  You can have anything from music to facts and figures on it.  You can listen to radio stations and watch television around the world.  But there’s nothing better than waking up next to your spouse and saying “I’m sure glad I’m here.”

CHARLIE TIFFANY… Why should I appreciate being a human rather than an animal?  I guess it’s my sentence.    I don’t understand Facebook.  It goes public today and people are hoping their stocks will appreciate immediately.  Right now, Facebook is trading at 20 times its value.  No company in history has succeeded with that ratio.

CINDY HANNA … Who makes me happy?  Me!  I do that for everyone else.  I want to be happy all the time.  We all get down at times.  I appreciate everyone in my life and I like to let everyone know, especially my husband and children, how important they are to me.  I strive to be happy and make sure everyone around me is happy as well.

SANDY GEOUX… You may or may not know that I’m a motivational speaker and it’s the greatest job in the world.  “A positive attitude may not solve all your problems but it will annoy enough people.”   I hate mornings but I’m always cheerful.  Getting up at 6 am should be against the law but it’s worth it when you can show up with great people like we have in Toastmasters. 

Michael Aun… blah, blah, blah.

Jeremiah Fix… The best thing I like about Florida is West Palm Beach because even if it was hot, the wind would take all the heat away.  My brother left some keys on a blanket on the beach and they removed the blanket and left the keys in the sand.  I wonder what would have happened if they could not have found those keys!  In Florida you have bad weather and good weather to help you appreciate what you have.

BILL SNYDER… I remember listening to Dr. Denis Waitley who always found the good in the bad.  Edison always commented about the many ways he found “not” to make a light bulb.  I was really grateful for a delay in Chicago because of a problem with an auxiliary power unit.  I was grateful that they cared enough to take care of the problem protecting our safety.

*********

TIMERS REPORT: IRENE PATRICK

Everyone qualified except Cindy Hannah.

*********

BREAK TIME

MASTER EVALUATOR – GWEN FIX

**********

EVALUATING MARISA ATHERLY –NEIL ALLEN

Marisa’s presentation this morning was to focus on “How To Say It!”  The projects challenges us to select the right words and eliminate jargon.  You were asked to use correct grammar.  Your title tied in with you goal.  When you shared with us terms like “infraction,” those might need to be explained to some people.  I was a bit confused about the five points you made.  I lost track at some point on what your points actually were.  I’m already envisioning you being in the right position.  Using short and understandable sentences was also a challenge and you did that often.  You closed with quotes.  Next time, use less notes.

EVALUATING IRENE PATRICK – CHRIS HAMMOCK

Irene’s presentation today opened with great questions.  Your gestures were terrific.  The long pause made it look like you were searching for something.  You had great eye contact today.  You had an exemplary closing.  You tend to sometimes look up in the sky as if you are searching for something to say.  If your audience follows your advice, they will be successful.  I would suggest you throw a little humor into a commencement presentation.  Well done, Irene!

********

TIMERS REPORT- HEATHER SZASZ

BOTH EVALUATORS QUALIFIED

********

AH / GRAMMARIAN – RON SZASZ

And’s….Annie.

You know’s….Pam.

Ah’s… Marisa, Annie, Jeremiah (3),

But’s…None today.

Umm’s…Marisa.

Grammatical problems… None today.

********

WORD FOR THE WEEK REPORT – SANDY GEOUX

“APPRECIATION”

A judgment or evaluation; a favorable assessment; an expression of approval of value for others.

Michael, Neil, Annie, Carol, Nancy, Pam, Irene, Chris, Ron, Mary, Charlie, Cindy, Sandy, Jeremiah, Gwen all used the word for the day one or more times.

JOKEMASTER –TONY MORELLI

Ten dollars is ten dollars!

Every year a husband and wife would go to the county fair.  One of the attractions at the fair was short airplane ride that did loops and flying tricks.

 The husband would ask his wife year after year about riding the airplane.  She would just reply, It is too expensive.  Ten dollars is ten dollars”

 Finally after many years of hearing this the pilot offered a ride to the couple for free with the condition that they would not be able to speak during the ride.  The couple agreed.  After all, ten dollars is ten dollars.

 The pilot then gave them a ride with his loops and tricks.  He then landed and was surprised that nothing was said.  The pilot exclaimed to the husband that he was surprised that he had not spoken.

 The husband replied that he was going to say something when his wife fell out during the ride, but ten dollars is ten dollars!

********

CLOSING AWARDS – MARY GUIDONE

TABLE TOPICS WINNER: SANDY GEROUX   

BEST EVALUATOR: CHRIS HAMMOCK

BEST SPEAKER:   MARISA ATHERELY 

FRIDAY <> APRIL 6, 2012 KISSIMMEE UTILITY AUTHORITY

CALL TO ORDER:  HEATHER SZASZ

********

“WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH.”

PROVERBS 29:18

********

INSPIRATION AND PLEDGE – IRENE PATRICK

“LEVYING TAXES SHOULD BE LIKE SHEARING SHEEP… YOU SHOULD STOP BEFORE YOU GET TO THE SKIN.”

*********

THEME:  “TAXES, TAXES & MORE TAXES!”

TOASTMASTER – NEIL ALLEN

********

PRESIDENT’S REPORT, HEATHER SZASZ

WELCOME TO ALL

• ·          17 PEOPLE PRESENT
• ·         GUEST, JACK BASTRUE, GUEST OF HEATHER SZASZ
• ·         GUEST, KAMI ALLEN, DAUGHTER OF NEIL ALLEN, 9^TH GRADER
• ·         GUEST, E. J. JONES, RETURN VISITOR

********

WORD FOR THE WEEK – KAMI ALLEN

“ALBATROSS”

Something that causes deep concern…. the word ‘albatross’ is sometimes used metaphorically to mean a psychological burden that feels like a curse.

*******

FIRST SPEAKER – GWEN FIX – (5-7 MINUTES)

SPEECH # 9-FROM THE COMPETENT COMMUNICATOR MANUAL

“CUT YOUR COST WITH COUPONS”

Have you ever stood in the check-out and glanced at the person’s cart in front of you and you notice that they bought some of the same things you bought?  Have you noticed that their bill is less than yours because they used coupon?  You can save 10%-20% on you bill by using the D-O-T method… DO, ORGANIZE, THOROUGHLY.  First thing, make a list of what you need.  Watch for sales, especially on Sunday.  Look through the newspapers and look on-line.  Box-tops for kids are one of my favorites.  Every month I receive by e-mail a choice of coupons I can download.  I choose the ones I want and I’m good to go.  Many of the products we buy have a “box-top for education” which my youngest takes to school.  Organize your coupons.  Use a box or use my method, a three ring binder.  Mine are organized by types, i.e. beverages, cereals, pets and so forth.  Watch for expired coupons.  Don’t embarrass yourself at the cashier.  Be thorough.  Compare your brands.  Do you really need to buy the most expensive kind just because you have a 50 cents coupon?  Sometimes store brands are much cheaper even with the discounts.  Buy pizzas on sale and get double savings.  Do make your list.  Organize your coupons.  And finally, develop a technique that will work for you.

*********

SECOND SPEAKER – MARISA ATHERELY (5-7MINUTES)

“AS LONG AS I HAVE BREATH IN MY BODY…”   

Do you have a bucket list?  If you don’t, you should.  What exactly is a bucket list?  They are the things you want to try before you leave this earth.  Don’t let your bucket list become an albatross in your life.  When you ask a child what you want to be when they grow up, that’s the start of their bucket list.   Mine was to be an FBI agent.  Later, I decided to pursue the legal profession.  First and most important, write it out.  Your bucket list should never be empty.  Add and subtract items as you go.  Put them in by categories with deadlines.  Some on my list are travel goals, like Alaska, Vegas, Australia, Japan and China.  So far I’ve walked on a black sand beach in Hawaii and walked through the red-light district in Amsterdam.  My list also has fitness goals, a 5-K, a 10-K and one day a marathon.  I’ve lost 60 pounds, another item on my bucket list.  My list also has education goals like speaking Spanish and earning my Juris Doctorate.  My list includes ownership goals, a home, a gym, a business and a ten unit apartment building.  A few items in my miscellaneous category include driving a stick shift, a motor cycle and speaking to a group of 100 or more people. I want to fall in love, have children and/or adopt.  I want to read the bible in a year.  My letter wrote me this letter when I was at FSU years ago.  He encouraged me to pursue my goals and make them a reality.  I held on to the letter to blackmail him at a later date.  It’s never too late to start your bucket list if you haven’t already done so.  And, if you’re like me, you can cross joining a Toastmasters Club off your list!

*********

TIMER REPORT- IRENE PATRICK

Both speakers qualified.

********

TABLE TOPICS – PAM LEONARD

Tony Morelli…   We pay the highest corporate taxes in the world because government seems to think that whatever money we make is theirs.  Our constitution is written to protect us against those invasions.  Government should have limited responsibilities but because government is trying to do more, taxes will continue to grow up.

Charlie Tiffany…  The debt has become a terrible albatross.  People have got to stop wanting something for nothing.  All you people who are taking care of me and my wife.  I get a VA pension for doing nothing.  My wife and I get social security for doing nothing.  Before you know it, we’re getting $60,000 per year for doing nothing.  The real debt is not the national debt, it’s the debt the people have.  The average person has $12,000 in credit card debt.  Stop spending people!  You don’t need to buy your jackass kid a jet-ski!

Annie Yan…  My green project would focus on energy.  Natural resources are important.   Because of globalization, we are all one community.  Pollution is everywhere and our resources are dwindling.   In China they are now using natural resources like agriculture to solve some of their energy problems.

EJ Jones…  I pay somebody else to do my taxes.  I check to see if they did it correctly.  Choose wise investments, diversify.  I purchase stocks that do not pay dividends so that I don’t have a taxable debt.  You should have stocks that appreciate that will grow and earn dividends.  Nobody cares more about your money than you do, so my mother says.

Heather Szasz…  Yoga sounds like a group of snorting pigs.  Why would New York tax them?  When someone advise you that you don’t have to pay taxes because of something supposedly in the constitution you’re taking a chance.  When you’re in this country on a Green Card, you have to pay your taxes on time.  $245 later I learned that you have to do it on time.  Stand up for your rights.

Kami Allen… Entitlements are unnecessary.  We should all be taking care of ourselves.  We came to America for freedom and now we want others to take care of us.  Why should we have someone pay for us to live?  100 years ago, we did everything for ourselves and we didn’t rely on anyone for anything.  I even see it in school.  My classmates have the nerve to ask for a copy of my homework!  Why should I?  I did the work and I refuse to give it away.  People need to do their own work.  Get off your lazy butts and do your own work.

Michael Aun… blah, blah, blah.

Jack Bastrue… If I were President, it’s impossible to bring everyone together.  You can’t please everyone.  I have a Facebook page that is designed to tick people off.  Too many people take politics very personally.  I actually set up a politics page because of the discourse.  Discourse is good; just try to be civil about it.

Irene Patrick… A fair tax is where everybody is entitled to the same.  Everyone should take responsibility.  Everyone should pay their fair share.

*********

TIMERS REPORT: IRENE PATRICK

Everyone qualified except “albatross” Irene Patrick

*********

BREAK TIME

MASTER EVALUATOR – MARY LEE GILL

IF I HAD TO GIVE THE WORD FOR THE WEEK WITH A THEME OF TAXES, I WOULD HAVE CHOSEN “FICTION NOVEL.”  NOW FOR CORRECTION AND DIRECTION FROM OUR EVALUATORS.

**********

EVALUATING GWEN FIX – FRED MOORE

Gwen’s presentation today was designed to “persuade with power.”  Gwen has her black belt in couponing!  Saving money is a wonderful topic and she supported it with great examples.  One of the things you did that was wonderful was that you were “on deck” and ready to go.  You started the speech off with a question.  What a great way to start a speech.  You used props and you do it so well.  You even used exhibits even in your ice breaker.  You’re very comfortable with your props.  If you could pre-set them you can avoid what the call “dead air” on the radio.  You could actually talk and secure your props simultaneously, eliminating your dead air.  You have some “comfort” gestures like holding your hands so I’d watch out for that but you did terrific without the use of a single note.

********

 EVALUATING MARISA ATHERLY –NANCY STREET

Marisa’s presentation this morning was to “get to the point.”  She has a lot of points.  Her bucket list would be an albatross around my neck. Your organization was excellent with a beginning, a body and an end.  She got in all her goals from travel to education to careers to financial goals.  You are very confident when you’re up here.  This particular speech requested that you “not” use notes but I saw you sneaking a peak every now and then.  You gave so many examples that perhaps the notes were necessary.  A bucket list is a good thing because it’s all about goals.  My list today is mainly about travel.  I love your enthusiasm and your bright, shiny smile makes us want to listen to every word you say.  You’re on your way to becoming an outstanding speaker.

********

TIMERS REPORT- IRENE PATRICK

BOTH EVALUATORS QUALIFIED

********

WORD REPORT – KAMI ALLEN

ALBATROSS

Marisa, Neil, Tony, Charlie, Nancy, and Irene used the word for the day.

********

AH / GRAMMARIAN – TONY MORELLI

Ands….none today.

You know’s….none today.

Ah’s… Annie Yan.

But’s…none today.

Use of repetition… Fred Moore (a good use)

********

JOKEMASTER –HEATHER SZASZ

********

CLOSING AWARDS – HEATHER SZASZ

TABLE TOPICS WINNER: KAMI ALLEN  

BEST EVALUATOR:  FRED MOORE

BEST SPEAKER:   MARISA ATHERELY 

FRIDAY <> MARCH 30, 2012 KISSIMMEE UTILITY AUTHORITY

CALL TO ORDER:  HEATHER SZASZ

TOASTMASTER OF THE DAY – ANNIE YAN

“IF YOU FEEL GOOD, NOTIFY YOUR FACE!”

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

********

“YOU’LL NEVER FIND A BETTER SPARRING PARTNER THAN ADVERSITY.”

GOLDA MEIR (JEWISH WORLD REVIEW 3-30-2012)

********

INSPIRATION AND PLEDGE – HEATHER SZASZ

“When visiting a friend in hospice last night, it occurred to me… what legacy will you leave behind?”

*********

THEME:  “SPRING IS HERE!”

TOASTMASTER – ANNIE YAN

(FIRST TIME EVER!)

********

PRESIDENT’S REPORT, HEATHER SZASZ

WELCOME TO ALL…

• ·          18 PEOPLE PRESENT
• ·         1 GUEST, CAROL NORRIS, GUEST OF IRENE PATRICK

********

WORD FOR THE WEEK – CHRIS HAMMOCK

“Machiavellian”

A personality type that believes it’s acceptable to deceive and manipulate others for personal gain.

*******

FIRST SPEAKER – IRENE PATRICK  – (5-7 MINUTES)

SPEECH # 1-THE ICEBREAKER

“ABOUT ME”

Do you want to know about the newest kid on the block?  I’m going to tell you anyway.  I’m Irene Patrick, the third of eight Jamaican children.  My parents were determined that each of us would be educated.  They believed “You can do all things with Christ who strengthens you.”  Upon earning my bachelor’s degree, I married my high school sweetheart.  We have been blessed with three beautiful children.  By design, I delayed continuing my education to give my attention to them.  When they were all grown, we moved to the sunny isle of Florida… and I love it.  Once in my nursing years in Jamaica, I was exposed to community nursing and I was exposed to the disenfranchised of the world.  It inspired me to work toward my Masters in Public Health from Walden University.  Presently I work at Winnie Palmer Hospital taking care of the “little ones.”  I am so proud to be affiliated with Toastmasters.  Your goals are so noble.  When I’m not working, I enjoy music of all kinds.  I’ve also challenged myself to learn the violin.  I am also passionate about health and it has inspired me to “lose my tummy.”  My desire today is to help others, but my weakness is that I can’t help everyone.  My motto is to live simple, love generously, speak kindly… and leave the rest to God!

SECOND SPEAKER – NEIL ALLEN  (8-12 MINUTES)

“DO YOU BELIEVE IT?”

What is this? (Exhibit-razor)  Is it sharp?  Do you believe it?  I’m suffering a bit of a nick here, so believe it; it’s sharp.  Can anybody see this?  (Exhibit).  How many squares to you see?  Who thinks they know?  Actually, there are thirty (do the math utilizing the exhibit).    You believed what you “thought” you saw.  What do I have in my hands?  (Gloves)  What do they do?  What are these?  (Work boots).    Do they protect you?  (Audience interaction again.)  These particular boots (Red Wing) have a steel tip toe.  Not all steel is the same.  Why would I want to wear boots like these?  When you’re moving a two-ton safe, you’re grateful when something happens.  You think gloves will help.  This is a trap (exhibit).  These are not legal anymore.  It was designed to trap an animal so that it would be fresh when the trapper finds it (shows how the trap works).  I need a volunteer.  (Ron Szasz steps up).  What do you see?  $500.00 is yours if you can lift it off without setting off the trap.  You cannot touch it or set the trap off.  “I can’t touch it but you can,” said Ron.  “The object is to take that little green thing off.”  Neil just sets off the trap and hands the $500.00 to Ron!  We will always act on what we believe.  Whether it’s true of false… it doesn’t matter.  It’s our perception.  Years ago on a camping venture with some boys, the leader was advised by someone “Don’t be so hard on these kids; they’re just boys.”  When I was told that, frankly, I was pissed for months because he told me that, but he was right and right then I knew I had to change my behavior and not be so Machiavellian.  I later went to that man and apologized for my behavior.  Do you believe it?  You will behave accordingly!

*********

TIMER REPORT- HEATHER SZASZ

Both speakers qualified.

********

TABLE TOPICS – MARY GUIDONE

Charlie Tiffany…   Some signs of springtime in our economy.  That same question was asked of the Republican candidates and their answers were more Machiavellian.  Spring is the Lion’s time of the year.   All I can say about spring, it’s a great time if you like baseball and if you like seeing people like Alex Rodriguez make $75,000 per inning.

Sandy Geroux…   Allergies… yes I do have allergies and they are brutal.  One of my cousins ended up in the hospital for two days.  I have them and they affect me because I sing.  I came across a remedy- apple cider vinegar.  It works.

Mary Lee Gill…   Basketball or baseball, which do I prefer?  I’m so happy to see Mary Lee here because Annie called me last night to ask if I would fill in for Mary Guidone.  I don’t approve of either baseball or basketball.  David Letterman is picking on Tim Tebo, who is straight as an arrow, saying that he’s going to lose his virginity. 

Marisa Atherly…   I am glad that we moved our clocks forward.  I go to Law School in downtown Orlando and I hate the walk in the dark from my school to the parking lot.  And while I’ve had law enforcement experience, I don’t feel that comfortable.  Daylight savings time gives me the feeling that I have more time in my day.

Heather Szasz…   I love this time of the year because I love to garden and walk my dogs, which are outside activities.  At nighttime you have the extra time to work in your garden.  We have figs, pineapples, a cherry bush, mango trees… you name it.  We get a thrill out of growing things I could never grow in England.

Pam Leonard…   Spring cleaning has zero relevance in my life.  It’s not at the top of my list.  People who like to clean don’t like to cook and people who like to cook don’t like the clean.  My neighbors like to play music.  I live on a quiet dead-end road and this nearby Mexican family love to play their music in the yard after 12 midnight.  I hope the police are keeping count on how many times I’ve called them.  How long can you be expected to put up with this music, which is part of the Mexican culture.  I guess I’ll be doing the cha, cha, cha this weekend!

Michael Aun…   Blah, blah, blah.

Tony Morelli…   My favorite spring time flowers are tomatoes!   I started my garden in the greenhouse and have moved it into the sun, where it’s now wilting.  My grandfather had a lot of tomato plants and you could smell them.  My little yellow flowers on my tomato plant dry up immediately.

Nancy Street…   I spring into action when someone calls me up and says, “Guess what, I’m on my way to see you!”  I had a big day planned to clean up my office.  When you hide things, you’re not really cleaning.  My friend came and left and I cleaned out the entire house.  I finally got around to those nice thick plastic hangers, which I proceeded to wash and hang out to dry!

*********

TIMERS REPORT: PAM LEONARD

Everyone qualified.

*********

BREAK TIME

MASTER EVALUATOR – NANCY STREET, ATMS

**********

EVALUATING IRENE PATRICK – GWEN FI

Irene’s presentation today was her icebreaker and she did a wonderful job!  She gave us a fantastic beginning- “the new kid on the block.”  You won’t be the new kid very long because you’re off to a terrific start.  You gave us information about who you are, where you’re from, and even your favorite verse in the bible.  You shared with us great information about your family and your parent’s philosophy about education, which as shaped your life as well.  Your presentation showed excellent preparation.   I would like you to move out in front of the lectern and move a bit when you can.  Your speech was very informative and we now know a lot more about you!

********

 EVALUATING NEIL ALLEN, ACS –“TOMATO” TONY MORELLI, ACG, ALB

Neil’s presentation this morning presents me with a challenge as an evaluator.  You gave us a series of everyday things and you posed questions to us.  You were very effective with your examples.   From a mechanical point of view, you were very smooth.  You were involved with the audience.  When you put on the boots, it took away from the audience connecting with your eyes.  Your vocal variety is among the best of our club members.  You know how to gain and keep people’s attention.  What you presented today was very effective for me and everyone present.

********

TIMERS REPORT- HEATHER SZASZ

BOTH EVALUATORS QUALIFIED

********

WORD REPORT – CHRIS HAMMOCK, , ACB, CL

MACHAVELLIAN

Neil,  Charles, Michael, Nancy and Chris used the word for the day.

********

AH / GRAMMARIAN – RON SZASZ

Ands….only two.

You know’s….none today.

Ah’s… none today.

But’s…none today.

********

JOKEMASTER –PAM LEONARD

 (SIGN ON A CHURCH DOOR)

THIS IS THE GATE OF HEAVEN, ENTER YE ALL…

THIS DOOR IS KEPT LOCKED BECAUSE OF THE DRAFT!   PLEASE USE THE SIDE DOOR

********

CLOSING AWARDS – HEATHER SZASZ

TABLE TOPICS WINNER:   NANCY STREET

BEST EVALUATOR:  “TOMATO” TONY MORELLI, ACG, ALB

BEST SPEAKER:   IRENE PATRICK 

FRIDAY <> MARCH 23, 2012 KISSIMMEE UTILITY AUTHORITY

CALL TO ORDER:  SANDY GEROUX, ACS, ALB

*********

 “EVEN A TWO CAR PARADE GETS FOULED UP IF YOU DON’T DECIDE AHEAD OF TIME WHO IS GOING TO LEAD!”

ZIG ZIGLAR, CPAE SPEAKER HALL OF FAME

*********

“FOR ME, WORDS ARE A FORM OF ACTION, CAPABLE OF INFLUENCING CHANGE.”

INGRID BENGIS

**********

“MAKE SURE YOU HAVE FINISHED SPEAKING BEFORE YOUR AUDIENCE HAS FINISHED LISTENING.”

DOROTHY SARNOFF

*********

INTERNATIONAL SPEECH CONTEST

CONTEST MASTER: 

SANDY GEROUX, ACS, ALB

CHIEF JUDGE: 

HARRY FIX, ACS, ALB

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: 

ANNIE YAN

TIMER AND BALLOT COUNTER: 

GWEN FIX

JUDGES: 

NANCY STREET, MARY LEE GILL, MARY GREGG (AREA GOVERNOR)

********

WELCOME TO ALL…

• ·         18  PEOPLE PRESENT
• ·         DEE CAMERON (GUEST OF MARY LEE GILL)
• ·         MARY GREGG (AREA GOVERNOR)

********

INSPIRATION AND PLEDGE – SANDY GEROUX, ACS, ALB

“TAKE TIME TO DELIBERATE; WHEN THE TIME FOR ACTION ARRIVES, STOP THINKING AND DO IT.”

ANDREW JACKSON, AMERICAN PRESIDENT (B-1829)

********

CHIEF JUDGE EXPLAINS RULES:  HARRY FIX, ACS, ALB

5-7 MINUTES

********

INTERNATIONAL SPEECH CONTEST

• ·         HEATHER SZASZ, CC
• ·         BILL SNYDER, CC

*********

HEATHER SZASZ, CC

“WHAT IS LOVE?”

Did you know that you judge people by the way they love you or the way they don’t love you?  We like to be judged in particular ways.  My mother comes to mine.  I don’t ever remember her saying she loved me.  There was a distance between her and me.  I always judged her by the way she loved others rather than me.  We would sometimes get into arguments and not speak for six months.  I’ve been here for six years and my mother has never come to visit me so we went home to see my mother and her new husband.  It was a beautiful day… the sun was out.  One of my sisters called me after my visit with mom to tell me that she didn’t want to see me anymore.  Why?  She thought I see my father more than I do my dad.  The next day I got up and visited my mom at 8:00 a.m.  “What are you doing here?” she asked.  I told her we need to talk.  We sat over tea for an hour or so and we talked out the things that were wrong between us.  She vented; I let her talk.  The next day I was about to return to America.  Saying goodbye is never easy.  I said goodbye to my two sisters.  My mother came over and hugged me and said “I love you,” the first time she ever said it in my 41 years of life.  I’ve now been here in America for 18 years and my mother has still never come to visit me… but I know she loves me.

********

BILL SNYDER, CC

“ANOTHER THING”

Kane’s Furniture has an ad on television that says you can keep your furniture for life.  Well you can do the same if you take care of yourself.  We cannot choose our ancestors but it’s good to know what their health was because it can impact our health.  We can’t control that but we can control our own environment- what we eat and drink.  Avoid tobacco at all costs!  They say cats have 9 lives; I think I have used up four.  I was only four pounds when I was born.  In 2005 I had an aneurism I next learned I was diabetic and weighed 250 pounds.  I weighed this morning and I now weigh 161 pounds and my blood sugar is 92.   The males in my family do not have longevity, so I have to watch myself because I’m now 73.   Avoid “white” things like bread.  Think colors, yellow (squash), green (vegetables) and red (tomatoes).  Brown rice and red or black beans are good.  When it comes to meat, portion sizes are most important.   In 1961, I owned an old Ford; I installed seat belts.  It has saved me many times.  I want to drink a toast to you…. a drink of water.  You need to drink a lot of this.  Learn to forgive others.  The Lord’s Prayer says to forgive us our trespasses as we forgive our trespassers.  Learn to forgive.  Another thing… I plan to go to the movies tomorrow but I will not eat their popcorn.  I consider it to be “heart attack in a bag!”

*******

TABLE TOPICS CONTEST

CONTESTANTS

• ·         BILL SNYDER, CC
• ·         NEIL ALLEN, CC

********

TABLE TOPICS QUESTION:

THE SECRET SUCCESS IS…

BILL SNYDER

The secret to success is doing what unsuccessful people won’t do.  People who are successful are interested in results, not pleasing methods.  I’m met some great people in the insurance business.  A concert pianist once said, “If I miss practice for a day, I can tell it.  If I miss several days, the public can tell it.”   The secret to success is doing things unsuccessful people won’t do.

NEIL ALLEN

“I want to be successful.”  How many people say this?  Have you defined what success is?  You need to decide what you want to do and then “want to do it.”  Faith without action leads nowhere.  There a lot of people who want to be successful but they suffer from “fanny-i-tis.”  They sit on their fanny and take no action.  Get up and start moving forward.  That’s half the battle.

********

INTERNATIONAL SPEECH CONTEST WINNER:

HEATHER SZASZ – WINNER

BILL SNYDER – RUNNER-UP

********

TABLE TOPICS CONTEST WINNER:

NEIL ALLEN, CC – WINNER

BILL SNYDER, CC – RUNNER-UP

*********

AREA CONTEST:

APRIL 14, 2012 @ TUPPERWARE 9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.

(CONTESTANTS SHOULD ARRIVE EARLY)

FRIDAY <> MARCH 9, 2012 KISSIMMEE UTILITY AUTHORITY

CALL TO ORDER:  HEATHER SZASZ

TOASTMASTER OF THE DAY – HEATHER SZASZ

“A PERSON WITH TALENT HAS A MORAL OBLIGATION TO FULFILL IT.”

VINCE LOMBARDI

*********

THEME:  “CLOTHING THROUGH THE AGES”

TOASTMASTER – HEATHER SZASZ

********

PRESIDENT’S REPORT, HEATHER SZASZ

WELCOME TO ALL…

• ·         20  PEOPLE PRESENT
• ·         JAY EGG (GUEST OF CHRIS HAMMOCK)
• ·         EJ… (A VISITING CLUB MEMBER)
• ·         IRENE PATRICK (SECOND VISIT)
• ·         ASHLEY OWENS (FROM FT. LAUDERDALE  GUEST OF MARISA ATHERLEY) 
• ·         FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2012 INTERNATIONAL SPEECH CONTEST AND TABLE TOPICS CONTEST

********

INSPIRATION AND PLEDGE – MICHAEL AUN

“I’VE NEVER KNOWN A MAN WORTH HIS SALT WHO IN THE LONG RUN, DEEP DOWN IN HIS HEART, DIDN’T APPRECIATE THE GRIND AND THE DISCIPLINE.  THERE IS SOMETHING IN GOOD MEN THAT REALLY YEARNS FOR DISCIPLINE.”  

VINCE LOMBARDI

********

WORD FOR THE WEEK – GWEN FIX

“ELEGANCE”

REFINED… BEAUTY IN APPEARANCE

Elegance is a synonym for beauty that has come to acquire the additional connotations of unusual effectiveness and simplicity. It is frequently used as a standard of tastefulness particularly in the areas of visual design, decoration, the sciences, and the esthetics of mathematics. Elegant things exhibit refined grace and dignified propriety.

*******

FIRST SPEAKER – Marisa Atherley – (5-7 MINUTES)

SPEECH NUMBER  

“INVISIBLE BLESSINGS”

What exactly are invisible blessings?  The dictionary is hidden and out of sight.  A blessing is invisible.  Last Christmas while visiting my family in Barbados, we visited my grandfather’s grave in Barbados.  We were deep in thought after the visit.  My grandfather’s sudden death reminded me that life is fleeting and that we’re only passing through.  When I returned to Florida, I drove four hours to Tallahassee to listen to a friend speak.  I also took the time to visit some friends as well.  It was one a.m. before I returned to Kissimmee.  I did all I could to stay awake.  Bam!  I opened my eyes widely as I made contact with a guard rail at 75 miles per hour.  It was after 3:00 a.m. and not a car in sight.  I tried to call my father.  “Are you hurt?” he exclaimed.  While the car was damaged, I could drive it so I headed the remaining 30 miles back home.  My life was extremely lopsided.  I was busy in law school, putting off things I wanted to do.  I literally had no life; I was miserable.  I was lacking something.  My car accident was a hidden blessing and surely it was a hidden benefit.  It woke me to the reality of my situation.  I was blessed that I came out of that injury free.  Today, I remain extremely busy in law school and in my internship, which takes 20-40 hours per week.  I’m now focusing on little things like working on my weight, reading a non-law school book per month, attending church weekly and yes, joining a local Toastmasters Club, which is how I got here.  Why put things off until later?   Later may never come.  Find the invisible blessings in your life.  Look closely; they’re always there.

SECOND SPEAKER – CHRIS HAMMOCK

“THE NEW ME”

I stand before you a lesser man.  This was my swimming suit from a year ago (exhibit).  This used to be one of my favorite shirts (exhibit) because it fit.  I now weigh less than I did in high school.  I want to get to my fifth grade goal weight- 210 pounds.   I went the elegant route.  I started on this trek about a year and one-half ago.  I went to a nutritious.  Their advice was to never drink while eating.  I stopped drinking during my meal.  I lost 50 pounds just by that one thing.  You’re not washing your food down.  You feel fuller.  I struggled all my life with weight.  My wife doesn’t understand it.  She’s the same size as she was in high school.  The only time her weight changed was when she was pregnant with my five daughters.  My left leg weighs more than my wife does.  I talked with a lot of people who had lots of advice.  I didn’t do the gastric by-pass which is radical.  The lap band included extra parts.  I went with the gastric sleeve, which the removal of 75% of my stomach.  I don’t miss that space.  I don’t need to eat a whole chicken at every meal.  I need to lose another 35 pounds and you’ll see a new me.

*********

TIMER REPORT- FRED MOORE

Chris qualified.   Marisa did not.

********

TABLE TOPICS – MAIRA DURAN

Pam Leonard…   In schools, uniforms are a great idea because kids aren’t trying to outdo other kids.  As far as the rest of us, not so much except in the military, where there is a place for them.  Clothes should be about comfort.  If you’re comfortable, that’s the key.  I’m like Adam and Eve… I like to wear as few clothes as possible, except in public where we don’t want to embarrass people.

Mary Guidone…   I don’t think I’ve ever been dressed as a nun though my husband dressed as a nun once at Halloween.  I’m dressing around variety and bright colors.  Black is nice for evening colors, but I’m not sure the nun look would be good for me.

Irene Patrick …   I’m like Pam… she referred to being as comfortable as possible.  Should men wear tux (i.e. monkey suits)?  Sure if the occasion calls for it.  Why aren’t ladies like men?  They keep their clothes on.  Men should continue to look good and ladies should be elegant enough and to keep their clothes on, not like Adam and Eve.

Jay Egg…   The Roaring Twenties was the inception of the short skirts… Since you brought up the twenties, I can recall my mother talking about that kind of dancing.  I’m one of nine children and I recall my mother talking about dance styles of the twenties.  Gentlemen and ladies should dress as such and treat each other with great respect.

Jeremiah Fix…   I don’t keep track of fashion, as you might be able to tell.  My idea of a fashion era would be the cave man era.  You wear what God gave you.  Then women came along and started dressing up the men so that we now have dress code laws that include vests and pin stripes.  It’s a war between comfort and fashion… just give me the cave man era.

Charles Tiffany…   I was a show of elegance because at one time I had hair down to my rear end, which caused me to end up in a colony.  Long hair can’t be kept clean.  The group called me Samson because of my long hair, not because I looked like a piece of luggage.

Fred Moore…   If I had to wear a girdle… it kind of bind right about here.  It would be very restricting.  The old corsets are like today’s push-up bras.  In war situations warriors dressed appropriated.  The leaders dressed in red so that when they were wounded, his troops wouldn’t notice the blood.  The French wore brown pants.

*********

TIMERS REPORT: PAM LEONARD

Everyone qualified.

*********

BREAK TIME

MASTER EVALUATOR – HARRY FIX

EVALUATING MARISA ATHERLEY – MARY LEE GILL

Marisa’s presentation today had a fantastic title and you opened with a question, which is a fantastic way to get the audience involved.  You captured us with your title and you closed it with your title.  You paint great word pictures.  The body of you speech flowed smoothly and your conclusion was great.  The only suggestion I would offer is to spread your notes out with page number one on the right and page number two is on the left, and slip the second and third pages over as you come to them.  Try to make more eye contact and utilize notes less and you might want to slow your pace.  Buy a timing device and always make sure you stay on time.  You had a fantastic speech but you went overtime.

********

 EVALUATING CHRIS HAMMOCK – SANDY GEROUX

Chris Hammock’s presentation today was to give us a “new ice-breaker.”  I love the title of his speech “The New Me.”  Chris opened with humor using exhibits.  “I stand before you a lesser man!” which immediately made me to want to know more.  Your props reinforced you’re the exhibits.  The surprise prop (your shirt) that you took off to show the new you.  The only suggestion… show your props to everyone, especially people who are hidden by the side lecterns.  You gestures and body movement, without a specific purpose, can be distracting.  You humor like exercise/extracize was terrific.  Great job!

********

TIMERS REPORT- FRED MOORE

BOTH EVALUATORS QUALIFIED

********

AH / GRAMMARIAN – NEIL ALLEN

So…. Chris

You know…. Maira…  

Ah’s…Irene

But… Mary

Ah’s…Jay, Jeremiah

********

WORD REPORT – GWEN FIX

ELEGANCE

Chris, Heather, Maira, Charles, Fred, Harry and perhaps others used the word for the day.

********

JOKEMASTER – MARY GUIDONE

Announcer in a Wal-Mart… “Attention K-mart shoppers (oops)… you’re in the wrong store!

********

CLOSING AWARDS – NEIL ALLEN

TABLE TOPICS WINNER:  CHARLES TIFFANY    

BEST EVALUATOR:  SANDY GEROUX

BEST SPEAKER:   CHRIS HAMMOCK 

FRIDAY <> FEBRUARY 24, 2012 KISSIMMEE UTILITY AUTHORITY

CALL TO ORDER:  RON SZASZ

TOASTMASTER OF THE DAY – TONY MORELLI

“THE QUALITY OF A PERSON’S LIFE IS IN DIRECT PROPORTION TO THEIR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR CHOSEN FIELD OF ENDEAVOR.”

VINCE LOMBARDI

*********

THEME: “FUN IS…?

TOASTMASTER – TONY MORELLI

“RUNNING IS FUN… ESPECIALLY FOR BEER!”

********

PRESIDENT’S REPORT, HEATHER SZASZ

WELCOME TO ALL…

• ·         19 PEOPLE PRESENT
• ·         TWO GUESTS (NANCY STREET’S BROTHER AND SISTER-IN-LAW ORRIN TOWNER AND WIFE, BECKY) 
• ·         FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2012 INTERNATIONAL SPEECH CONTEST AND TABLE TOPICS CONTEST

********

INSPIRATION AND PLEDGE – PAM LEONARD

“WHEN YOU CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT THINGS, THE THINGS YOU LOOK AT CHANGE.”

DR. WAYNE DYER

********

WORD FOR THE WEEK – CHRIS HAMMOCK

“FACETIOUSNESS”

NOUN

PLAYFUL HUMOR… “WE ENJOY A LOT OF FACETIOUSNESS AT OUR MEETINGS.”

*******

FIRST SPEAKER – GWEN FIX – (5-7 MINUTES)

SPEECH NUMBER TEN/BASE MANUAL – TO INSPIRE YOUR AUDIENCE

“WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE”

Some of you may have heard about the shoe salesman that went to Africa.  He arrived, looked around and noticed that no one wore shoes.  He boarded the next ship and left.  Two years later a second salesman arrived, looked around and immediately sent a telegram to his company that read:  “Dear Sirs… please send as many shoes as possible… no one here owns any shoes.” 

In Toastmasters, we should be tuned in to W-I-I-F-M, what’s in it for me.  We Toastmasters can share a lot of “DRAMA” (exhibit).  Five new members in our club by September would earn us the Smedley Award.  The “D” stands for demonstrate.  We can all share what Toastmasters can do for you.   My husband Harry had to bug me to come and I’ve returned ever since.  “R” could stand for “rewards” (exhibit).  Some of these ribbons are my husband’s (I just borrowed them).  “A” is for the arithmetic.  Share the meager cost of Toastmasters and explain the terrific return on their investment.  “M” stands for measure.  We have been building speakers and leaders for 87 years in Toastmasters all over the world.  “A” represents the word “assure.”  That’s what we do here in Toastmasters… we assure speakers that they can improve.   You can even download an application for membership and give it to a friend (exhibit/audience participation).

SECOND SPEAKER – FRED MOORE

 SPEECH FOUR (ENTERTAINING SPEAKER MANUAL

DRAMATIC TALK

 “RESISTANCE IS FUTILE”

Resistance is futile.  You would recognize that from Star Trek.  I’m not talking about the normal resistance, i.e. “I’ll never give up.”  That’s a good resistance.  Stephen Pressley talks about negative people and self-doubt.  90% of all businesses fail in their first year.  You’ll never be able to do magic.  Magic is a nice hobby but you’ll never make a living out of it,” said my father in a not too facetious manner.  My dad had the same job for 25 years and he didn’t get magic.  At my dad’s recommendation, I did call and audition for a magic gig at Disney, thinking I’d be turned down and would move on with my life.  I got the gig and proved to my parents that it could be done and they became my biggest fans and here I am today.  Eleven months ago I was booked to do “strolling magic entertainment” in Japan.  I don’t speak the language and I was taking on Pressley’s negative resistance.  I turned down the contract and I’m glad I did because sometimes happen for a reason.  My father had triple by-pass surgery during the time I would have been in Japan.  I was able to join him and say goodbye to him when he died.  The very next day, my agent got another gig for me in Japan, where I met my wife-to-be who is now six months pregnant with our first child.  Listen to the voice in your head and follow your instincts.  Years later all these balls of resistance get balled up and they become “regret.”  When you give in to resistance all the pieces will come together and you will come to understand that “resistance is futile.”

*********

TIMER REPORT- PAM LEONARD

Both speakers qualified.

********

TABLE TOPICS – HEATHER SZASZ

Charles Tiffany…   I’m not being facetious about this… I actually have fun washing dishes.  I got to be a dish-washer in a Sobriety House.  All their boyfriends had no use for me.  They had this huge water device that would be used to wash the dishes.  The Sobriety always had ceremonies they had to perform 15 minutes later, so we had to get done.

Michael Aun…   Blah, blah, blah.

Nancy Street…  Of course you can have fun on vacations.  Last year I was snowed-in in Chicago with these folks (brother & sister-in-law).  Vacation means you don’t have to answer your phone, clean house, pick up the mail, cook or do the dishes.  I like vacations.   I want to have a vacation at home by getting one of those devices that Charles spoke about.  Why would you even go on vacation if you weren’t going to have fun?

Neil Allen…  Fun could be a day at beach.  Years ago I enjoyed eating more than I do now and I’m sitting on the beach about to eat a sandwich.  Before I could eat the food, I was literally being attacked by birds that weren’t resistant at all.  They dive-bombed me the entire time we were there.  Going to the beach can be fun if you bury someone in the sand, as long as it’s not me.  When my second son saw the ocean for the first time, he would not go near it.  I literally had to carry him down and place him on a blanket, which became his own jail; he wouldn’t leave it.

Bill Snyder…  Family is fun.  I enjoy my own family and my wife’s.  Unfortunately they have stopped the traditional family reunions.  We’ve given thought to having a smaller reunion for just the kids.  Family is a lot of fun.  One of my favorite memories was about my cousin Pete, who taught me how to ride a bicycle.   I turned to Pete to see how I was doing and he was about 200 feet behind me; I literally crashed at that point.

Priscilla Villareal…   I like to cook and it’s a challenge when you’ve been married to people who are particular about what they eat.  I’ll ask don’t you like that?   “Well, I’m eating it, aren’t I?”  When my boys decided they wanted to go vegan my new cooking broke that habit rather quickly.  I also have a dog who likes everything I cook!

Wanda Boerio…   I love to go clothes shopping.  Over 40 years of marriage, I think I’ve spent over a million dollars on clothes.

Marisa Atherley…  I love to blast my favorite music but now that I’m a little older I can’t take it as much as I used to.  When visiting South Africa last year, I picked up a CD and “The Professor” was singing in one of the 11 languages they used in the country.  I also like to listen to the music of the island of Barbados where my family is from.  I like to dance to music, listen to music; dance to it… music is fun.

Pam Leonard…   Fun is great as long as you’re not the timer.  I can never figure this blasted thing out.  I’m just not mechanical.  I was telling Gwen how hard you have to concentrate to be the timer.  I have my friends come over and I’ll feed him lunch.  He’ll fix my computer; take out my trash… anything I need.  Toastmasters are fun because all the people here will help you to have fun!  Keeping time at Toastmasters is NOT FUN!

Chris Hammock…   I’m not going to be facetious about this at all.  I don’t want to paint my house.  If my wife and kids paint every room would be different.  Any man who doesn’t acknowledge that he lives in his “wife’s house” is not in tune.  I’m okay with that.  I’d rather go to the dentist than to paint my own house.

Becky Towner… I lived in Kissimmee 48 years ago when I met my husband and he became an airline pilot.  I used to say I’ll never marry an airline pilot because they were never home.  I bought all the warm clothes I could when we moved to Denver and later to Chicago.  This was a brave adventure for a southern girl like me.  Our trip to Denver was in a small car and everything we owned was on the top of the car.  Of course, the car ran hot and we had to fill it with water, which froze in the radiator.  It was not until we got to Kansas that we were able to get someone to repair our radiator.  The story gets worse.  The next thing that went out was a radiator hose.  And…I’m still married to this man for 40 years.

*********

TIMERS REPORT: PAM LEONARD

Everyone except Wanda Boerio (under) and our guest  Becky Towner (over).

*********

BREAK TIME

MASTER EVALUATOR – ANNIE YAN

EVALUATING GWEN FIX – SANDY GEROUX

Gwen’s test this morning was to inspire the audience.  It is supposed to be uplifting and relevant to your audience and it was all of that and more.  Gwen always brings into the room some very creative props.  They are always simple but powerful.  People are visual learners and the retain more when they can see and hear.  Your opening story was terrific and it set the table for your presentation.  You could have tied the title of the speech into your presentation a bit more.  Your conclusion was a bit abrupt.   Your fantastic acronym of D-R-A-M-A could have been tied into your closing.  I loved your dry sense of humor that sneaks up on the audience.  With a bit more of vocal variety, you could polish the presentation even more.

********

 EVALUATING FRED MOORE – RON SZASZ

Fred….not only did you give us a page out of your life; you gave a great speech on a dramatic talk out of the entertainer manual.  You gave us relevant information that was evidenced by stories in your personal life about people who are near and dear to you.  That made us feel even greater about what was being shared because it was about you.  Your use of the string was an excellent reinforcement of your topic.  You are not just an entertainer… you’re a great speaker as well mainly because you reveal to us who you really are!

********

TIMERS REPORT- PAM LEONARD

BOTH EVALUATORS QUALIFIED

********

AH / GRAMMARIAN – NEIL ALLEN

Repeated phrases… Tony

So…. Tony

Well…. Gwen

Um… Pam, Priscilla

Ah’s… Nancy

Facetious was awkward for Tony.

********

WORD REPORT – CHRIS HAMMOCK

Michael, Tony, Chris, Fred, Charlie, Neil, Sandy, Nancy.

********

JOKEMASTER – BILL SNYDER

Thank you for the chicken… it was delicious.  (You had to be there).

********

CLOSING AWARDS – NEIL ALLEN

TABLE TOPICS WINNER:  PRISCILLA VILLAERAL

BEST EVALUATOR:  SANDY GEROUX

BEST SPEAKER:  FRED MOORE 

FRIDAY <> FEBRUARY 18, 2012 KISSIMMEE UTILITY AUTHORITY

CALL TO ORDER:  RON SZASZ

TOASTMASTER OF THE DAY – HEATHER SZASZ

“THE HARDER YOU WORK, THE HARDER IT IS TO SURRENDER.”

VINCE LOMBARDI

*********

THEME: “IS IT SPRING YET?

TOASTMASTER – HEATHER SZASZ

********

PRESIDENT’S REPORT, HEATHER SZASZ

WELCOME TO ALL…

·          23 PEOPLE PRESENT

·         FOUR GUESTS JASON CARTWRIGHT (PROGRAMMING CONSULTANT) & WIFE JEANNA CARTWRIGHT, FROM HAINES CITY. 

·         ALSO, CHATELL PATTON AND HUSBAND TYLER, FROM KISSIMMEE, FRIENDS OF JASON CARTWRIGHT.

·          THANKS TO MARY LEE GILL FOR THE USE OF HER HOME FOR OUR PARTY

********

INSPIRATION AND PLEDGE – TONY MORELLI

“IF THERE WAS NO GOD, THERE WOULD BE NO ATHEISTS.”

G. K. CHESTERTON

“I TOLD THE DOCTOR I BROKE MY LEG IN TWO PLACES.  HE TOLD ME TO QUIT GOING TO THOSE PLACES.”

HENNY YOUNGMAN

********

WORD FOR THE WEEK – HEATHER SZASZ

“FLETCHERIZE”

TO CHEW OVER

*******

FIRST SPEAKER – PRISCILLA VILLAREAL – (5-7 MINUTES)

SPEECH NUMBER FOUR – HOW TO SAY IT

“DOG TALES”

This week we’ve been able to see the Westminster Dog Show on television and there are many interesting stories behind these dogs.  The Newfoundland dog was brought to the US by Lewis and Clark, who were looking for an intercontinental waterway.  They named the dog Seaman.  They crossed the country over the next two years with Seaman where he had a variety of good and bad experiences, including being captured by Indians.  Captain Meriwether sent out a search crew for the dog, threatening to kill the Indians if he was not safely returned.  The Lewis and Clark journals reflect their party having eaten 263 dogs, but not Seaman.  Another famous dog was pictured with FDR, Faller.  Faller traveled with FDR everywhere.  His opponents accused FDR of leaving faller behind, which was not true.  FDR went on the radio and blasted his opponents for 39 ½ minutes.  President Putin also has an interesting dog.  Putin was the head of the KGB before assuming the Presidency of Russia.  Putin and George W. Bush had a friendly completion with Bush’s dog.  And then there was Jackie, a Dalmatian dog mix.  Her owner did a lot of business with Nazi German in the early forties but the Finish owners did not like Germany.  When the word Hitler was said, Jackie would raise his pay.  This ticked the Germans off and they wanted to arrest the owners.  Jackie and her owners survived that because the company is still in business today!  There are lots of dog tales!

SECOND SPEAKER – LARRY MATTERN

SPEECH # 8 – GETS COMFORTABLE WITH VISUAL AIDS – (5-7 MINUTES)

 “A GUITAR LESSON”

Who didn’t want to be a rock star when they were young?  (Guitar prop).  My dream was to play the guitar someday.  My first dream is for the power to come back on! (Laughter).  I went to my first guitar lesson and we were told to get a book.  I opened the book and began to practice.    After a lesson or two, the kids were mixed in with us adults.  They could play the intro to any rock song but couldn’t play the tune of “Mary Had A Little Lamb.”  I quickly learned that I wasn’t going to learn much in a group session so I paid significantly more for one-on-one lessons.   I learned how to hold the guitar on the first lesson.  On the second lesson, I had to bring a CD of my favorite six songs.  I eventually got my own little karaoke machine which plays background music as I lead in.  If I screw up, don’t fletcherize me and spit me out.   After five or six weeks (at $17 a clip), I did learn scales.  Once you have scales down, it opens other doors.   I have a lot of respect for the rock stars who jump around the stage and play.  Finally, a friend gave me some good advice- play for you! 

*********

TIMER REPORT- CHRIS HAMMOCK

Both speakers qualified.

********

TABLE TOPICS – MAIRA DURAN

Chris Hammock…   Table Topics is about talking for two minutes on anything you’d like to talk about (except rainbows).  It was raining one day and we saw this great looking rainbow.  I told my wife about it and she said for me to pay attention to my driving and not the rainbow.  After feeling totally fletcherized, I shut up and went back to driving.

Sandy Geroux…   Larry, here’s a tip… leave your guitar case open and people might put some money into it.  Behind our home, there is a beautiful lake and after most rainstorms, a beautiful rainbow always seems to appear.  I always carry a camera with me wherever I go and I collect pictures of the.  Rainbows make people happy!

 Pam Leonard…   If I was flying on a rainbow, it wouldn’t matter where I ended up, as long as it’s warm and I can travel with friends, at least three people total.  The third person breaks the tie.  If you plan right, you can go anywhere.  My sister and I drove to the Florida Keys, a great place to visit.  Going further requires planning.  Plan it out.  Don’t let life pass you by without making the trips you want to make in your life… and that rainbow might appear.

 Tyler Patton…   If I had three wishes, my main goal would be to share it with everyone else.  Last Saturday my wife and I were at the Universal Studios and we got to ride on a float.  When we tossed things to some 10,000 people, they were so appreciative.  Another wish I would have would be to go to Africa. 

Nancy Street…   What self-respecting kid doesn’t stomp around in the rain!  The happiest moment for a child is stomping through a mud puddle in the rain.  My sister is somewhat of an historian and she came across a note written by my grandfather.  “Life is short, eat right, sleep well, work hard, laugh….and don’t forget to fletcherize.”

Mary Lee Gill…   If you want to be happy, no one can stop you!  It’s like making a sandwich; you can make it your own way.  No matter what else you put on it, it should include peanut butter.  The best secret of all is to give something to someone else.  When you give you gather!

Michael Aun…   Blah, blah,  blah.

 Jason Cartwright…   I grew up as a Southern Baptist and was a son and grandson of Baptist preachers.  I now understand diversity better because I eventually opened my eyes to new things.  Without diversity of Florida’s rainbow of peoples, you cannot experience diversity in your own life.  Reach out to others; consider speaking to a group you know little about.

Marisa Atherley…  I have never seen a rainbow that does not have the typical colors.  My walk-in closet is organized by the type of clothes and by color.  I do this because I have a little OCD… just a little.  I choose by color like one would from the rainbow… and since the green light is on, I’ll take my seat.

*********

TIMERS REPORT: TONY MORELLI

Everyone qualified.

*********

BREAK TIME

MASTER EVALUATOR – GWEN FIX

EVALUATING PRISCILLA VILLAREAL – ANNIE YAN

Priscilla’s presentation offered us a very interesting story.  I work with diseases in plants and I see a parallel in animals.  Her project today was to focus on “how” to tell stories.  I wish I had had you as my English teacher when I came to this country because you speak so clearly and you’re so knowledgeable.  You are very confident and you have excellent eye contact.  The only suggestion I would offer is for you to move out from behind the lectern and address both sides of the room.

********

 EVALUATING LARRY MATTERN – MARY GUIDONE

Larry’s presentation today was to focus on getting comfortable with using visual aids.  Larry is excellent at this.  Your guitar helps us to understand the topic.  When using visual aids, you should always have a backup plan when the power doesn’t work.  You worked through the challenge of your equipment not working.  You might have had the guitar ready to go when you were introduced to lessen the time to get started.  I had trouble hearing you on my side of the room.  Perhaps the background music was too loud as it overrode your voice.  I wish I had been a fly on the wall during those $17 lessons you took.

********

TIMERS REPORT- TONY MORELLI

BOTH EVALUATORS QUALIFIED

********

AH / GRAMMARIAN – PAM LEONARD

Ah’s… Priscilla (2), Ron (1), Jason (2), Annie (a few), Mary (1).  As far as the grammar report, Priscilla used some interesting verbiage.  Jason had one “you know.”  Chris said going downhill quick… should be quickly.  Annie said, “You speak so clear” and it should have been “clearly.”  We interchange adjectives and nouns, and we want to avoid that.

********

WORD REPORT – HEATHER SZASZ

Larry, Michael, Gwen, Jason, Tony, Chris, Nancy, Jason and Ron all used the word for the day… “fletcherize.”

********

JOKEMASTER – MICHAEL AUN

Hey dad, guess what, nobody slept with mom while you were away…. Okay, you had to be there!

********

CLOSING AWARDS – HEATHER SZASZ

TABLE TOPICS WINNER: JASON CARTWRIGHT   

BEST EVALUATOR:  MARY GUIDONE

BEST SPEAKER:  PRISCILLA VILLAERAL  

FRIDAY <> FEBRUARY 10, 2012 KISSIMMEE UTILITY AUTHORITY

CALL TO ORDER:  RON SZASZ

TOASTMASTER OF THE DAY – HEATHER SZASZ

*********

THEME: “LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

TOASTMASTER – HEATHER SZASZ

********

PRESIDENT’S REPORT, HEATHER SZASZ

WELCOME TO ALL…

• ·         16 PEOPLE PRESENT
• ·         TWO GUESTS MARJORIE MANN (JUST MOVED FROM TAMPA) & YOLANDA PEREZ (MOVED A YEAR AGO FROM TAMPA) CAM JOHNSON (FROM FLORIDA A & M SCHOOL OF LAW)
• ·         SEMI-ANNUAL PARTY- VALENTINE’S MONTH.  SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012- 6:00 P.M. AT THE HOME OF MARY LEE GILL.
• ·         HEATHER MADE A VISIT TO THE ST. CLOUD TOASTMASTERS EVENING CLUB LAST WEEK.

********

INSPIRATION AND PLEDGE –  GWEN FIX

“Success is the good fortune that comes from aspiration, desperation, perspiration and inspiration.”

Evan Esar

********

WORD FOR THE WEEK – ANNIE YAN

“ADULATE”

ADMIRATION FOR ANOTHER’S FEATS

….to love or admire too much

<it’s ridiculous how she adulates that airheaded rock star>

Synonyms adore, adulate, canonize, deify, dote (on), hero-worship, worship

*******

FIRST SPEAKER – MARY GUIDONE – (5-7 MINUTES)

“WHAT VALENTINES DAY MEANS TO ME”

 What Valentine’s Day means to me… When you think of Valentine’s Day, you think of roses, chocolate and other things.  For me it’s the annual start of my diet!  It’s the worst day of the year for me!  Every year on Valentine’s Day, they would give out cards for the first five years in school and I missed every one of them.  When I got older, the day became more romantic.  My first two boyfriends broke up with me on Valentine’s Day!  Why couldn’t they do it the day before or the day after?  What’s that all about???  I was with a boyfriend in St. Augustine and he brought me chocolate covered strawberries.  He later tells me a story about a dream he had of marrying a woman with brown hair.   Wouldn’t you know it… years later I now have brown hair.  For me, Valentine’s Day is the annual start of my diet.  My best friend is from Viet Nam and they celebrate New Year’s about that time of the year.  So starting a diet after these celebrations makes more sense to me.  Now my husband and I actually celebrate the day by volunteering for community projects.  On Saturday, we will be volunteering for the Special Olympics in St. Cloud.  So the next time you see me, I should be skinnier. 

SECOND SPEAKER – MARISA ATHERLEY

SPEECH # 1 – ICE BREAKER – (4-6 MINUTES)

 “WHAT’S BEHIND A NAME ANYWAY?”

 What’s behind a name anyway?  My name is Marisa Nicole Atherley.  My name is often misspelled and I have to correct people and some are actually certain that I’m not pronouncing my own name correctly.  How would you spell Lisa?  (EXHIBIT).  Marisa means “of the sea.”  My family is from Barbados, a small island in the Caribbean.  I’ve lived in three states, Indiana, Wisconsin and Florida, where I finished high school.  Last summer I lived in Cape Town, South Africa.  I finished Florida State University, graduated and went into law enforcement.  I currently attend Florida A & M College of Law.  I wanted to be ready to go to law school so I postponed the LSAT 19 times.  Now I want to actually finish early.  I now work as a guardian adlidum in a clinic in Orlando.  The act is, I still answer to many different names!

*********

TIMER REPORT- GWEN FIX

Both speakers qualified.

********

 TABLE TOPICS – PRISCILLA VILLAREAL

Ron Szasz…   Love in the air might smell like Epcot’s perfumery at Walt Disney world.  You can’t be anywhere near the site without smelling perfume in the air.  What would it smell like if you poured all of them together?  Would it smell like love?

Pam Leonard…   I have a cat that we picked up at a rescue shelter.  It’s very pretty and all its shots were current.  “Delilah” who I actually call “Cutie” will respond when I call her.  She’s always there and gives you lots of attention.  When I come in she meows a hello to me.  It’s almost like having a person around.

Mira Duran …   The name Kissimmee was probably an American Indian name.  The correct spelling in the morning is Kiss’-m-me.  At night, it’s pronounced Kiss’-a-me!  I love the name; it’s very romantic.

Gwen Fix…   It’s possible to love a teenager, despite them.  I’ve had five teenagers.  My last one is 16 and I think they get worse as they grow older.  She goes to a private school and she plans to go to college.  I love her to death but boy, can she argue with you.  I think to myself, she’s just like her mother was at her age!

Mary Lee Gill…   If love were a food, for me the official food will be chocolate.  Why are people so depressed?  Let’s flush the Prozac down the toilet and give everyone chocolate.  I don’t believe in doctors but I go to them to make the family happy.  When they can’t find anything wrong, it frustrates them and I attribute it to chocolate.

Neil Allen…   If you’re madly in love, you’re probably stupid or ignorant or you just don’t know what the heck you’re talking about.  Do you really know what the other person is all about?  Months later, the glow wears off and they admit they weren’t thinking or in their right mind.  There is a way to be madly in love… with your children.  You hope their dreams come true and that they will make the right choices to find real happiness, real peace and real joy in their lives.

Annie Yan…   My loving memory of my grandparents is vague because I only saw them twice in my life, so I remember very little about them.  When I moved here to Florida I was further away from them.  My memories are limited.

Marjorie Mann…   If two countries fell in love it would have to be the United States and China, one of leading trade partners or even Italy, which would be a good combination of food.

Nancy Street…   My best friend in grade school is still one of my best friends.  It’s only been in the past four years that we have lived in the same state.  We met in Vermont and then she moved to Virginia.  We wrote back and forth.  She then moved to Maryland and I moved to Florida.  She lives in Maine now half the year and when you hear me talking about “God’s corner of the world,” you know that I’m visiting her in Maine.  She is so comforting… she can actually complete my sentences.

Sandy Geroux…   The color of love would be whatever your favorite color is.  People have different qualities and therefore are different.  My husband, Bruce, and I have rebelled and we refuse to buy cards, so now we go to the store and we review cards, show them to one another, and say this is the card I would have bought for you.

*********

 TIMERS REPORT: GWEN FIX

Everyone qualified.

*********

 BREAK TIME

MASTER EVALUATOR – NEIL ALLEN

EVALUATING MARY GUIDONE – LARRY MATTERN

Mary’s presentation come out of no manual, so we decided it would be an entertaining speech.  Your speech was entertaining.  I noticed you did not have the choppiness that you were concerned with.  Perhaps we should put you on the schedule more often.  Sometimes adversity brings out the best in you and this was one of your best presentations.  You were quite at ease today.  When you can project who you “really” are, this makes it more believable.  If you just come up here and be yourself, you will deliver a smooth presentation.  The good speeches are the ones that share who you are.  You get great marks across the board.

********

 EVALUATING MARISA ATHERLEY– TONY MORELLI

 Marisa’s presentation was her icebreaker.  Marisa, I enjoyed it very much.  Even though you came in late, you didn’t have to apologize; just get right into your speech.  Once you got started, you were fun and engaging.  Your opening was terrific.  You drew us in with your name, explaining how people often misunderstand and mispronounce it.  You used notes but they didn’t really detract from your presentation.  It was obvious that your speech was themed and well organized and the opening tied in nicely with the closing.  Great job; I can’t wait to hear your next speech.

********

TIMERS REPORT- MARY GUIDONE

BOTH EVALUATORS QUALIFIED

********

AH / GRAMMARIAN – MAIRA DURAN

We had some ah’s and um’s…. three for me…ah… make that four… Heather 3, Marisa 4, Larry 1, Tony 1, Mary Lee 1 okay and Mary Guidone 1 ah.

********

WORD REPORT – ANNIE YAN

“ADULATE”

ADMIRATION FOR ANOTHER’S FEATS

….to love or admire too much

<It’s ridiculous how she adulates that airheaded rock star>

Synonyms adore, adulate, canonize, deify, dote (on), hero-worship, worship

Four people used the work Priscilla, Tony, Maira, Sandy, Neil used the word.

********

JOKEMASTER – YOLANDA PEREZ (OUR GUEST)

A husband and wife were arguing about who should make the coffee in the home.  She says to him I’ll prove to you in the bible where it says the man is supposed to make the coffee.  So she opens up the bible to “he-brews.”

********

CLOSING AWARDS – HEATHER SZASZ

TABLE TOPICS WINNER:   

BEST EVALUATOR:  LARRY MATTERN

BEST SPEAKER:  MARISA ATHERLEY  

WELCOME TO MARISA ATHERLY, OUR NEWEST MEMBER

FRIDAY <> JANUARY 27, 2012 KISSIMMEE UTILITY AUTHORITY

CALL TO ORDER:  RON SZASZ

TOASTMASTER OF THE DAY – NEIL ALLEN

*********

THEME: “REMEMBER WHEN!

TOASTMASTER – SHON COLEMAN

There are 100,000 miles of blood vessels in the brain and the human brain is the fattest organ in the body and may consists of at least 60% fat

********

PRESIDENT’S REPORT, HEATHER SZASZ

WELCOME TO ALL…

• ·         17 PEOPLE PRESENT; ONE GUEST – WANDA BOEIRO (RETURN GUEST)
• ·         MARISSA ATHERLEY JOINED LAST WEEK… CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME!
• ·         SEMI-ANNUAL PARTY- VALENTINE’S MONTH.  SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012- 6:00 P.M.;   DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUCNED.  MARY LEE GILL HAS OPENED HER HOME TO US FOR THE EVENT.

********

INSPIRATION AND PLEDGE –  MARY GUIDONE

“Put a smile on your face; it’s contagious!  Bring a little sunshine into someone else’s life by giving away a smile!”

Anonymous

********

WORD OF THE WEEK – PATRICIA VILLAREAL

“OBSEQUIOUS”

ob-sec’-qui-us

1-Servile compliance or deference- fawning

Example:  Eddie Haskell (from Leave It To Beaver) demonstrated obsequious behavior.

*******

FIRST SPEAKER – MARY LEE GILL

SPEECH # n/a – (6-8MINUTES) – N/A

 “PLAN B”

Plan B…. plan A is how we think our lives will go.  We all think our lives are perfect and then change hits and you start living plan B, which is both scary and exciting.  Plan B can be a great chapter in your life if you play your cards right.  When I learned my friend Kitty was moving back up to Maryland, I called her to congratulate her on Plan B and to tell her that this could be one of the best chapters of your life.  Plan B for me was when I met all of you.  I joined a church to meet some sinners and found none there but I came here and found plenty of them in Club 1841.  Since I hate old people, I resisted going to centers where they congregate.  I did attend a Senior Center where widows were bragging about how many husbands they had buried, some of which were just napping.  I can’t possibly top those people who have buried four husbands; I won’t be around that long. Both my husbands are taking a dirt nap.  The only thing they both had in common is they both slept in the nude with a watch on.  I always wanted to know “Who is going to ask you what time is it?”  When I go on a dinner date now, I try to find out what the guy sleeps in.  My friend Kitty has had so much plastic surgery done… when she blinks her eyes her toes curl up.  She looks like a startled, hard-boiled egg!  If that was the look you were going for, you hit it.  If you can’t afford plastic surgery, go bra-less and it will pull the wrinkles out of your face.  Someday, you will all start living Plan B… and it could very well be one of the best chapters of your life.

*********

SECOND SPEAKER –TONY MORELLI – (5-7 MINUTES)

SPEECH NUMBER 8 – GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH VISUAL AIDS

“RUNNING”

Do you like to have fun?  How about having fun when you exercise?  I do!  I used to play handball, which is very similar to racquet ball except you use a hand instead of the racquet.  As you get older and put on weight and your cholesterol gets higher, my doctor told me I needed to change my diet and exercise.  My dad is 90 and I don’t want to die before him.  RUNNING- what a terrible way to do something for fun!  I joined Weight Watchers and started to run.  My son got me involved in a 5-K run, dressed to kill, of course.  3.1 miles is a long way.  After finishing the first mile, it was finally time to walk.  Before I finished, I walked four different times between the running.  An older gentlemen gave me some good advice- get running sneakers, not what you have on.  These running sneakers (exhibit) have over 200 miles on them.  If you log over 300 miles on a pair of shoes, they break down and you have not support.  He also told me to get rid of the cotton shirt and replace it with a tech shirt (exhibit).  I also have a winter shirt (exhibit) to provide warmth when it’s cold out.  I have shorts but when it gets too cold, I got some nice long pants (exhibit) so that I can be comfortable.  He also told me to get rid of the knee length sox and replace them with thick, tiny sox (exhibit) to allow my legs to breathe.  When you’ve run a lot, you occasionally need spray (exhibit) and lights (exhibit) when it’s dark out.  My friend suggested a series of different types of running, varying the cadence and length and speed.  The day I had the most fun was when I did six miles, which takes about one hour to run.  I run early in the morning.  The idea is to keep your heartbeat up for a period of time.  You have to be careful that the lactic acid that builds up in your body is exhausted as you build up your run.  After I finished that day, I literally had a “runners high,” which was the first time that’s ever happened to me.  Running can be fun!

********

TIMER REPORT- MARY GUIDONE

ONLY MARY LEE QUALIFIED; TONY WENT OVER.

********

TABLE TOPICS – ANNIE YAN

Michael Aun…   Blah, blah, blah…

Patricia Villareal…   The book I read over and over as a child was “Black Beauty” which was a story about a horse who had Plan A and Plan B.  I have two older brothers who knew not to bother me when I was reading “Black Beauty” because I would always be crying.  

Mary Guidone…   Turning 30 was okay for me.  The only thing that changed was my parents who recently retired and purchased a home in Merritt Island.  They’re thinking about selling the house that I grew up in.  I hate to see them move on because it’ll take me a while longer to visit, which is selfish for me.  I’m excited for them!

Pam Leonard…   I remember when I got the lead in the high school play, which was par for me because I loved to show off.  The male lead in the show was popular but he was sort of boring.  I look back on it now and wonder where he is today.  When we graduated, I had to have crutches to go up and this male lead was to help me.  When he failed to show up at our class reunion, we all got in our cars and went to his home to see why he didn’t show… but he wasn’t home.

Marisa Atherley…   When I was younger, I used to visit Barbados where my family is from.  I still visit twice a year.  As a child, I was picky when it came to eating and I didn’t want island food; I wanted McDonalds.  My grandfather told me to eat my eggs so I could have big “mus-kels.”  That was our running joke until he passed away a few years ago.

Neil Allen…   I don’t think my kids have been obsequious.  My second son liked to run around and do the things that I did.  He wanted to help mow the yard and had to pull the bars down, causing him to miss parts of the grass he missed.  When Debbie came out and looked, she complimented Brandon on the good job and I returned to finish the rest of the yard.

Maira Duran…   My first bicycle… I’m the youngest of six- four boys and two girls.  My sister didn’t really want to play with me because I was so much younger.  I used to play handball growing up in Brooklyn and I really didn’t have a bike of my own.  I had a trike but I mostly played what my brothers played, hand ball or whatever.  We had a giant playhouse in our back yard and we always played school and teacher.  I eventually got a red bike which I shared with my cousins. 

Ron Szasz…   I was born and raised in Miami and there is a place called “Monkey Jungle.”  We rarely went there.  I was told there was an island down in the Keys where people experimented with monkeys and the joke was that these monkeys in “Monkey Jungle” were escapees from the island.  You would never think of a monkey as a pet but many people do have them today.

*********

TIMERS REPORT: MARY GUIDONE

Everyone qualified except Priscilla, who was two seconds short.

*********

BREAK TIME

MASTER EVALUATOR – RON SZASZ

EVALUATING MARY LEE GILL- HEATHER SZASZ

Mary Lee’s presentation was great.  When you have a great speaker like Mary Lee, it stretches you as an evaluator.  Mary Lee sent me an e-mail and asked me to give her some thoughts about how to get to the next level.  Your opening was terrific. But you only worked one side of the room predominantly.  Had you used both sides to play off of one another, it could have reinforced your title Plan A versus Plan B.  Mary Lee’s humor is wonderful.  She took us down one road (playing Bridge) and we ended up learning about the people playing and how many husbands they had buried.  You word pictures… i.e. “looked like a hard-boiled egg.”  Lock in with audience members a tad more and don’t scan the eyes and move on too quickly.  Despite distractions with the lights, your ending was practiced and perfect. 

********

 EVALUATING TONY MORELLI – GWEN FIX

Tony’s presentation was wonderful… your smile is contagious and your laughter invites all of us to laugh with you.  You do like to have fun; we can tell.  We all have to watch our weight.  Many of us don’t like to run or walk.  You used your body as a visual aid and you showed us your running wardrobe in the form of exhibits.  The only thing I could see was you tended to work one side of the room and our side didn’t always hear what you were saying.  You explained to us how you built up your running and that’s great and informative.  Try to stay on time next time because you ran a tad long.  Great job on Speech Number Eight.

********

TIMERS REPORT- MARY GUIDONE

BOTH EVALUATORS QUALIFIED

********

AH / GRAMMARIAN – SANDY GEROUX

We had some of the following:  you-know, like, so, and a lot of run-on sentences and paragraphs.  Too many sentences were starting sentences with “and” and “so.”  They are words that keynote run-on thoughts.  Tony had some double-clutches.  There were no grammatical problems today.

********

WORD REPORT – PRISCILLA VILLAREAL

“OBSEQUIOUS”

ob-sec’-qui-us

1-Servile compliance or deference- fawning

Example:  Eddie Haskell (from Leave It to Beaver) demonstrated obsequious behavior.

Michael, Neil and Sandy used the word for the day.

********

JOKEMASTER

PAM LEONARD

********

CLOSING AWARDS – HEATHER SZASZ

TABLE TOPICS WINNER:  MARISA ATHERLY

BEST EVALUATOR:  HEATHER SZASZ

BEST SPEAKER:   MARY LEE GILL

FRIDAY <> JANUARY 20, 2012 KISSIMMEE UTILITY AUTHORITY

CALL TO ORDER:  RON SZASZ

TOASTMASTER OF THE DAY – NEIL ALLEN

*********

THEME: “FEELING STRESSED!

AS MY PAPPY ALWAYS SAID:  “IF YOU GET TO THE END OF YOUR ROPE, TIE A NOT AND HANG ON.”

********

PRESIDENT’S REPORT, HEATHER SZASZ

WELCOME

• ·         17 PEOPLE PRESENT; THREE GUESTS – WANDA BOEIRO, MARISSA ATHERLEY, PAMELA HALL
• ·         SEMI-ANNUAL PARTY- VALENTINE’S MONTH.  DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUCNED.  MARY LEE GILL HAS OPENED HER HOME TO US FOR THE EVENT.

********

INSPIRATION AND PLEDGE – ANNIE YAN

“DON’T ANTICIPATE TROUBLE OR WORRY ABOUT WHAT MAY NEVER HAPPEN.  KEEP IN THE SUNLIGHT.”

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

********

WORD OF THE WEEK – TONY MORELLI

“CHOLER”

NOUN –

IRASCIBILITY; ANGER; WRATH; IRRITABILITY.

MANY PEOPLE REACE WITH CHOLER UNDER SIMPLE SITUATIONS WHEN UNDER STRESS

*******

FIRST SPEAKER – GWEN FIX

SPEECH # 4-( 5-7 MINUTES) – COMPETENT COMMUNICATOR MANUAL

(HOW TO SAY IT)

“NEVER AGAIN?”

Up, up, up!  Ten years ago America was invaded by British teenagers in the form of one Harry Potter.  My youngest daughter was caught up with this stuff as well as she purchased a $25.00 twig.  When my oldest son wanted to go to Universal and wanted to ride the Harry Potter ride.  On January 26, 2010, it was cold, wet and miserable.  Seven members climbed into our car to ride Harry Potter.  It was so cold that day and the snow on the Potter rooftops made it seem even colder.  As we went through the castle, it was just as impressive as the outside.  We entered a door of darkness.  When we stepped into the cars, the iron bar closed in and we went up, up, up into the night sky.  I thought we were stuck but instead we were surrounded by life size characters.  They beckoned “come this way” as if we had a choice.  The ride rocked back and forth, causing me to close my eyes until I got sprayed by a flying spider.  I was so happy to be on solid ground when the ride mercifully came to an end.  My daughter said “Mom, you did it.  You came.  You rode.  You conquered!”  The fond memories of the experience made it a wonderful family outing.

*********

SECOND SPEAKER –MAIRA DURAN – (5-7 MINUTES)

SPEECH NUMBER 10 – THE ENTERTAININ SPEAKER

“POWER SKILLS”

We all have power skills that come in different forms, shapes and beliefs.  The ability to persuade people to accept our idea.  Your greatest asset is yourself- treat yourself like a billion dollars.  Your dreams and ideas are yours.  Close your eyes for a second and say to yourself “I have a dream.”  I have a dream to one day have this island “Dream Island” (photo exhibit).  How many people here yearn for a family reunion (photo exhibit)?  How many people want more control over their lives (photo exhibit)?  Our club member Fred Moore is a magician and he makes fantasy seem like reality.  Always smile for your accomplishments… I think of Mike in a thong and heels…and a smile comes to my face!  I think of Mary Lee as the owner of Rachel’s…and a smile comes to my face.  Meditate more; eat less.  When you meditate you refresh your mind to start a new beginning.  I hope I can inspire you but in reality only you can inspire yourself.  Be positive and look for the good in yourself and others.

********

TIMER REPORT- ANNIE YAN

BOTH SPEAKERS QUALIFIED

********

TABLE TOPICS – HEATHER SZASZ

Charles Tiffany…   I think I’d take my cantankerous fellow worker up to Massachusetts to visit the Kennedy’s because they were also choler.  My commanding officer in the military asked me what job I wanted and I told him – “Yours!”  I didn’t get the greatest evaluations from him.  One observation said if this officer was mediocre it would be an exaggeration. 

Michael Aun…   Blah, blah, blah…

Pamela Ward…   My first thought about Toastmasters was to come to learn more about speaking and to meet people.  This is such an interesting group with diverse personalities.  I’m enjoying learning about each of your lives.  I didn’t know when I came here that I’d learn so much about you.  Even in the church experience, you think you’d learn more about others but here I’ve become intimate with you quickly because of the joviality, the motivation and the inspiration.  Walking in and not knowing you caused me choler but I now feel at ease.

Wanda Boeiro…   When my alarm clock went off this morning at 6:00 A.M. I actually thought I have to take the dog out right away and I’d be late for Toastmasters.  Next time I’ll set the alarm for 5:30 a.m.

Marisa Atherley…   I went to Florida State to prepare me for law enforcement.  I later learned that I wanted to practice law.  I decided to apply for law school so I quit my job.  I’m now in my second year in law school and its rewarding and I think I’ve chosen the right career path.

Pam Leonard…   I joined Toastmasters because the leader of the company of which I was a part suggested that it would be wise to join if we wanted to improve our leadership and communication skills.  I’m a yacker and a show-off so I was a natural in Toastmasters.  But this club is the most diverse and fun way to start a Friday morning.

Bill Coeking…   If you don’t read the paper or watch television, should you vote?  I’m glad you asked those questions.  I was happy that this morning’s topic was stress.  As far as voting is concerned, everyone should to do the patriotic thing.  Vote and express their opinion.  I have lots of choler and irritability.  When I first came here, the stress that I felt when I walked into this room that that I haven’t wanted to come through that door- because of Table Topics.

Annie Yan…   I had an early day off and I decided that wow, it’d be nice to have a new look.  So I took my day to get a new style.  She showed me pictures and we finally decided on a couple of choices so I told her to pick something in between.

*********

TIMERS REPORT: ANNIE YAN

Everyone qualified.

*********

BREAK TIME

MASTER EVALUATOR – SANDY GEROUX

EVALUATING GWEN FIX- MARY GUIDONE

Gwen’s  presentation today was today wonderful.  I loved your opening.  When you dragged up the broom, I was fascinated and drawn into your story with your words and exhibits.  You used vivid word pictures to describe your experiences and we were on the Potter ride with you.  Your props were nice because you used them all appropriately.  If you had any nervousness today, your body language definitely covered it nicely.  You hand gestures were right-on and appropriately used.  I might suggest you memorizing your opening and closing.  You are a natural story teller.  Thank you for bringing us along for the ride.

********

 EVALUATING MAIRA DURAN – MARY LEE GILL

Maria’s presentation today is one more of the many subjects on which you have spoken in the past.  There is power within each of us.  You entered the group and asked rhetorical questions.  When you work one side of the room, your back is to half of your audience.  You gave great examples.  You had your hands in your pocket on occasion.  You did have good volume and great eye contact.  Your ending could be different and I would change it.  We all know people with crazy ideas but if you believed in the person, you would follow.  Your ending did not exhibit a lot of self-confidence.  You gave us the formula for success.  Show us your power skills and let us learn from them.

********

TIMERS REPORT- ANNIE YAN

BOTH EVALUATORS QUALIFIED

********

AH / GRAMMARIAN – PRISCILLA VILLARREAL

Bill Coeking made it so easy, recognizing his own ah’s and um’s.  Gwen had 1 ah.  Maira had one repeat.  Charles said “me and him.”  Pamela, Marissa (2 um’s), Mary had one um.

********

WORD REPORT – PRISCILLA VILLAREAL

“CHOLER”

NOUN –

IRASCIBILITY; ANGER; WRATH; IRRITABILITY.

MANY PEOPLE REACE WITH CHOLER UNDER SIMPLE SITUATIONS WHEN UNDER STRESS

Charles, Bill, Michael, Pamela, Neil, Sandy said the word for the day.

********

JOKEMASTER

CHARLIE TIFFANY

********

CLOSING AWARDS – HEATHER SZASZ

TABLE TOPICS WINNER:  GWEN FIX

BEST EVALUATOR:  MARY  GUIDONE

BEST SPEAKER:   BILL COEKING