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GLEANINGS FROM THE GROVE

artists, signed my work-except at four, “Fanning” walks and rabbit holes, concluding that we do
written by me sure looked like “Fuddy” and I often use nicknames from events, family names,

was called that up to junior high school when I or professions. It is a part of life as we know it. Even
outgrew it. My little brother Neil was named at ask your editor how she acquired the “P2” handle!
first “Bubbles” by me as I had found him and a Toastmasters is renowned for their usage of
very wet Winnie the Pooh sitting in the garden acronyms for titles and professional identities.

making a funny noise and blowing bubbles. Later There are the DDs, ADs, DTMs, and a whole host
it seemed silly to continue that name, so I called of others. We thrive on them, promote them, and
him “Legs” when I needed him to fetch something even invent them! (R u going to the A3SC next Sat?
from the second floor and he even called himself DTM Jones, our DCGD will emcee the event and

“Igor” (I’m off to the tower to ring the bells!) all DTM Smith will compete for the A3SC trophy as
nicknames which he would deny today. she completes her PSL4.)
Ergo, totally distracted from my task at hand, In the end, the boxes needed to be restored to
I pondered further the nicknames of those I their shelves in the closet, with yet another year

knew in town, Jess “Butcher” Fitch, a name using passing that they had not been purged, lightened,
his profession like my neighbor now “Barrister” and unwanted items put into the recycling bin.
Bob, and on another floor “Fireman” Bob, and the They are doomed to forever sail through another
third in our building “Bicycle” Bob. Others may generation, maybe unscathed, unkempt, and

receive their moniker from the town or state they unexposed to the light of day. But the silver lining
are from-as “Hawaii” Ted Turner, or “Oklahoma” was that I could renew an old title or nickname
“Starman” Starmer-a double-moniker name. bestowed upon me, that I can add to my resume
Erik “Viking” Jorgensen, his heritage proclaimed, that of the “Collector of Collections.”

attributions such as “Winky,” the constant blinker, Look around in your closet. Open those old file
“Flaco,” skinny in Spanish but was neither, and drawers. Sift through your mind about the past in
“Duke” Williams, a master or the “duke” of pipe your life. And begin to share your moniker, your
fitters, and “Prince George,” not the cute little one sobriquet, your nickname in a speech or other

in England today, but someone who was given his media for all to see and celebrate. For indeed, as
nickname from the coach calling roll call daily Toastmasters, we are “collector of collections” of
in PE class, last name first-“Prince, George?” Of tales, of speeches, of unique events that have great
course, his brother was Chuck or Charles Prince meaning for life.

who became “Prince Charles.” Or another Chuck Your fellow traveler and Toastmaster, Paul
who wore western pearl button shirts, jeans, the big George Cardew-Fanning, CETr, CStCG, BA, DTM,
buckle, and could ride a horse, became “Cowboy” CoC.
Chuck Lancaster. Yes, I finally ended my bird

36 ONE COMMUNITY