Santa Sheelagh

Hello Everyone - Our final Bolton Banter Toastmasters meeting of 2008, held December 18, was graced by the presence of guests Vince, Area Governor Theresa Murray and President Brendan Dineen's dad Dan Dineen.  Vince, who was a guest at our last meeting, advised Jane Collier, VP of Membership, that he intends to join Bolton Banter.  Welcome Vince!

Chair Sheelagh Rennie, suitably dressed for the occasion in a Santa hat and humungous earrings, selected "Festivities" and "Harmony" as theme and word of the meeting respectively.  Sheelagh explained that throughout the ages, mankind has celebrated ideas through festivities and festivites lead to harmony.  In fact, Sheelagh's research revealed that there is only one day of the year, December 13, that does not feature a festivity somewhere in the world.  We must find something to fill in that date. 

Bondy Nair offered the toast and newly minted member Lesley Webb was the meeting's humourist. Toastmaster Carol Dowell introduced the evening's speakers.  Terence Canastraro in "My Cellphone and I" told us how cool he felt when he acquired his first cell phone.  Now that he uses it for business purposes, it's not so cool anymore.  In fact, he quivers when it rings because people call looking for service or to complain, not to say hello. 

Minnie Grewal, working on a project "Read out Loud" from an advanced manual, read a letter from a young woman to her mother in India.  Minnie's presentation was called, "I'll be home for Christmas".  In her letter, the young woman tells her mother about her world travels and describes Christmas celebrations in a number of countries. 

Lorraine Van Wagner continued the Christmas theme with a presentation entitled, "I'm dreaming of a green Christmas".  In her project, she represented an environmental group trying to sell a local PTA on the notion that Christmas is an ideal time to remember the need to reduce, resuse and recycle. 

Following the evaluations, everyone met at Sheelagh's home to continue the meeting and partake of Christmas cheer.  Club members brought a variety of lovely goodies for all to enjoy.  Fortunately, Sheelagh did not put out her good white tablecloth, always a magnet for Lorraine's glass of red wine. 

Eric Solowka led the group in Table Topics and his topic, fittingly, was about gifts you would like to give to others.   Gifts such as patience, courage and connection are always important.  To absolutely ensure that we never forget the Toastmasters skill of listening, Carol led us in a "Left right night before Christmas" group exercise.  You had to be there!  Corina Simu finished off the evening with a parting incite.  Special thanks to Brendan's wife Paula and to Lesley Webb who arranged the group pictures and of course, to our gracious host Sheelagh and her daughter Evelyn. 

We look forward to continuing the pursuit of our individual and club goals in 2009.  Our next meeting is set for January 15, 2009.  Merry Christmas and a very happy new year to all. 

Lorraine Van Wagner - Webmaster