14 Nov

On October 31’st, Halloween, Speakeasy Toastmasters held their fun/scary meeting in Chapel Lane, Mallow. The Halloween theme began, as we were welcomed at the door by Sergeant at Arms Ellen Broderick and Count Dracula, aka Elaine O’Donovan. President Pat Sexton welcomed us and promised us a scary meeting which was obvious as there was an abundance of Witches, Warlocks, scary masks, Jack O’Lanterns, nuts (of the edible type), apples, a little Red Devil and a blood soaked, bandaged Phantom lurking in the shadows.

Fourth to the lectern Noel O’Connor with a speech entitled “Just Ask”. Noel’s speech was from an Advanced Manual in which he had to write and deliver a speech that had a moral to it. He told of an incident which happened to himself and Kathleen as they were driving to Dublin Airport to catch a plane. The car not performing as it should and eventually stopped with only one house to be seen. After a quiet a number of failed attempts to get a taxi he eventually remembered a casual acquaintance that he contacted and told him of their predicament. This man left his work on his farm and drove them to the Airport just in time for the flight. As luck, or otherwise, would have it the plane was 3 hours late in taking off.
Noel’s speech was evaluated by Pat Sexton.

Finally it was the turn of Kieran Buckley with a speech entitled “The Spectre” “Strange things happen at Halloween” said Kieran as he went on to tell us of an incident, a true story, that happened to a friend of his at Halloween. Mary, a nurse with three children whose husband was working away from home. At Halloween when everyone was in bed she heard a strange sound from outside and on going to investigate she found the children’s pony stricken with fear and looking at something which she could not see. Then she saw it. A small old woman combing her hair and caoiniming. Terrified, she ran back to the house to check on the children who were ok. After a long and sleepless night she heard that her neighbour had died during the night at exactly the time that she had seen the Spectre.
Kieran’s speech was evaluated by Joan Lenihan.

After the Coffee break there were reports from Pat Duggan the Club EVP (Pat organises the programme for each meeting a number of weeks in advance). Sean Corcoran, PRO. Tony O’Regan, Membership. And also Jeremiah Roynane who spoke about the District Conference that is being held in Tralee on the weekend, November 8’th-10’th.
Then the meeting was handed over to Topics Master Bríd O’Keeffe who conducted a lively and highly entertaining Topics Session with of course, a Halloween theme, which kept the 22 members and 3 guests entertained for thirty minutes or so.
Some of the members who were asked a topic were Michael Cronin, Eileen Corkery, Noel O’Connor, Micháel Mc’Mahon, Jerry Mulcahey, Mary Stack. Played “Snap Apple”, Pat Sexton, Tony O’Regan.
Finally the Evaluation Session was conducted by General Evaluator, Tony O’Regan who presented prizes for Best Speech, Kieran Buckley. Best Evaluation, Joan Lenihan. Best Topic, Micháel Mc’Mahon with a special prize to Mary Buckley.
And so ended another fantastic Speakeasy Toastmasters meeting that left us looking forward to the next one which is on, tonight, Thursday Nov.14’th in which the following members will be presenting speeches, Deirdre Lenihan, Mieháel Mc’Mahon, Elizabeth O’Brien, Barry Mc’Carthy and Jeremiah Roynane. Toastmaser for this meeting will be Seán Lynch, Topics Master Mary Stack and Timekeeper Ray Ryan.
Members of the public are very welcome to attend all Speakeasy Toastmasters Meetings.
For further information on the Club contact Sean on 086 6054784 or Pat 087 2364240 or visit the Club’s Website at www.clix.to/speakeasy. Email, speakeasymallow@eircom.net