Page 28 - Voices-2022-02

GLEANINGS FROM THE GROVE

“my” meeting place where I had weekly banged My original home Club from 2005-2011 is

the Club gavel to begin the Toastmasters meeting, now a distant memory—no Club anymore in
the place where we held our executive committee the whole Area where we had two thriving at one
meetings, planning sessions, training, and speech time. No Division left either. In fact, I believe the
contests. My favorite lunch hang-out across the Area itself is now in another Division entirely.

alley was also a smoking ruin. I received texts Now Downtown Lunchbunch has become just
from a former president, who with her husband, a historical name of what was in Hillsboro. The
had been presidents of the Club. He still worked life lost is tragic, making my personal loss a
at Weichert, but his cubicle, desk, chair, awards mere inconvenience. Yet Toastmasters will arise

on the wall, etc. were all now ash or trash. from the ashes some day and once again be a
We were all devastated. Fond memories thriving, community-based, integral part of the
abounded as it rapidly dawned on me that this Toastmasters world.
was closure of the Downtown Lunchbunch, the Thank you to all of you who are still

end of an era for Toastmasters in downtown committed to the Toastmasters program. You
Hillsboro. The meeting location was now gone, joined the program not to receive a certificate
along with whatever property may have been or trophy, not even the coveted DTM medal
still stored there as well as the Club’s name itself itself, but to better yourself in public speaking, in

which changed earlier. No more would I walk leadership development, and to become a better
down Main Street between Second and Third evaluator. Cherish each and every Club meeting
and see our meeting place and say hello to many you attend. Honor those within your Club for
people I knew who worked in the Area—many their progress, and do not forget to encourage

of them former Club presidents or members those who are striving towards the goal to be
of Toastmasters. It was over. I would be remiss a better public speaker. You may never know
as an historian to not declare “sic transit gloria when it all will disappear in a flash of flame and
mundi,” thus passes the glory of the world. smoke, nor be taken from you by the senseless

It was an arson fire to cover the burglary of act of another. Carpe Diem—seize the day and
Weichert Realty. Over a dozen businesses were build your memories, your friendships, and your
affected by the devastation that was created. legacy. Then you, too, can say “I am a Toastmaster
People lost their businesses, their property, and of the ____________ Club.”

(announced last week) their life as an unknown Fellow Toastmasters, enjoy your experience,
man’s body was found under the collapsed roof and strive to share it with others as we prepare
in the gutted remains of the Arcade. Hundreds of to begin the next round of open houses and new
people attended events, not only for Toastmasters member recruitment.

but a myriad of other community events. It was
the site of the Fourth of July Hillsboro Parade
headquarters. The monthly community Art Walk
and . . .the list could go on.

28 ONE COMMUNITY