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GLEANINGS FROM THE GROVE
It's a Wonderful Life
Paul C. Fanning, DTM
SPOILER ALERT- No, this is not a late article for
last month, but a whole new subject. No Jimmy
Stewart, angels, (with or without wings) or
even holiday stories. The article’s name is just
a coincidence!
It is a wonderful life. Pure and simple, I have
found this to be true in many aspects of my
existence. No doubt about it. But I want to share
with you an aspect of that wonderfulness—
especially as it relates to Toastmasters and some
of the experiences I have had the privilege of
seeing and participating in.
I was sitting down recently for coffee in “my
office” in the Grove with a former Toastmaster
that I have been in two clubs with. She was
talking about her time in the education
program and the various speech contests she
had competed in through the years. I remember
some of the details perhaps a little differently
than she did—obviously since I was watching
her deliver these messages and presentations,
including the District 7 event held in Pioneer
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Square one Saturday many years ago where
she was one of the speakers. Her background
was that of a professional thespian where she
had appeared as a nurse in the classic TV show
MASH. Each contest, whether on the club level
or higher, brought anxiety and butterflies as
if she was doing this for the very first time!
Her speech that day in Pioneer Square was
on her 9/11 experience in New York City. Very
emotional, fraught with drama and well crafted,
and presented. I have had the distinct pleasure
to hear this speech several times through the
ensuing years and each time it has indeed been
a pleasure as well as part of my wonderful life
as a Toastmaster.
Another great and exciting part of that life
is hearing the “Ice Breaker” speech given by
dozens of new members through the years.
One most memorable speech involved a county
employee who had been recommended by his
boss to join Toastmasters. You see he had a
vital role in his department that involved not