Page 18 - Voices 2024-10

Toastmasters in the Community

HOW TABLE TOPICS TEACHES VALUED INTERVIEW SKILLS

By B. Lee Coyne ATMS

Why do you and I find incalculable value in confronting Table Topics?
The answer: It can take the “imp” out of impromptu!

Preparation saves us perspiration. Yet real life deals in lots of surprises.

In this column I plan to illustrate two personal the library. George also leads hikes for the
experiences regarding the benefit of my Table Chemeketans, plays a viola in his church, and
Topics skills. You probably can add many of your collects stamps. Not bad for a fellow of only 84.
own.
Other guests followed.
Back in 2012 a new radio station was being born
in Salem. I knew a fellow Toastmaster who was I had retired pastor Paul LaRue, a peace
among those organizers. He invited me to craft a activist who led the Japan Prayer Vigil after
show geared to my aging specialty. the 2011 tsunami. I took in Fran Lattin, an
extrovert extraordinaire whose free time goes to
Thus emerged “Aging Without Raging” on local Pentacle Theatre and the Salemtowne Players.
station KMUZ. The format was to interview Lynda Sloan told the audience about her life
senior citizens on how to hone a productive in Toastmasters. In honor of National Poetry
retirement. Guests had no script and neither did Month our guest was elder poet LaVerne
I. Winegartner. She regaled us with an intimate
story about how her journal of daily reflections
I took the one-day dj training and launched when she became a widow led to her penchant
my talk show. Having been taught college for writing original poems.
gerontology and having operated a senior center
in Jamaica, NY, I’d be comfy interviewing senior
citizens. We launched the show on Sept. 10th Table Topics had pointed the way.
2012 and our first guest was George Struble,
who oversees the Camarata concert series at

Lee makes a tribute to his time on the radio at this LINK

18 Voices!