Speakeasy in recent times has created a Grammarian role at the meeting, a person whose role it is to look at use of English and optionally, choose a word too that they would like to see used. Advent was the word chosen this week by Grammarian for the night, Marie Fitzpatrick.
It was an apt choice, for this Christmas meeting, but also because the club for the second meeting running, heard 2 new members on the advent of their membership of Speakeasy, making their introductory speeches. Anne O’Donovan and David Roche both gave delightful entertaining speeches. Anne’s was full of enthusiasms and David is obviously good at planning because one reason he joined was to get the speech right for his daughters wedding, and she’s just 7 !. Marie had quoted from the Patrick Kavanagh poem, “Advent”, in introducing her word,- “Through a chink too wide there comes in no wonder”, and Anne and David’s speeches were beautifully judged, in giving an interesting glimpse on their lives.
There were 2 other excellent speeches. Marie Lynes gave a fascinating account of how pagan symbolism around Christmas Time was adapted by early Christian saints to help explain their faith. And Marie told us of one more thing we must thank the Germans for,- the origin of the Christmas Tree. Marie’s speech was so informative and full of her hallmark humour. Mary Buckley continued the Christmas theme with a delightful delivery of an old Christmas story, “The Christmas Bear”.
Michael Cronin as Toastmaster introduced every speaker with a story he had garnered from their own Christmases past, which added to the festive atmosphere. The member who shall be nameless, whose story involved Santa going off with her babies bottle forever, stole the show with her tragic tale. Noel O’ Connor produced some very thought provoking topics like the comparison between the mind and an umbrella which provided some equally thought provoking answers.
Anne Buckley kept a close eye on the timekeeping duties and Pat Sexton as General Evaluator evaluated the meeting as a whole in an encouraging manner.
President Jerry Mulcahy welcomed the Area Governor, Michael Sheehan who addressed the meeting, explaining his role and praised Speakeasy for its welcoming atmosphere and the continuing vibrancy of the club.
Speakeasy Toastmasters extends warmest Christmas Greetings to All and invites you to join us for our next meeting, the first of 2013, on Thursday January 10th, 8pm, Hibernian Hotel.
Speakeasy toastmasters meets at 8pm Hibernian Hotel Mallow every other Thursday,
Non members are very welcome to attend all meetings and will not be asked to speak
Contact Jerry 0863752895,or Noel 0872427485.
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