A barnstorming evening with Mullingar Toastmasters

(Above) Philip Howlin of Mullingar Toastmasters, bubble wrapped.

The sun was still shining when Mullingar Toastmasters met virtually on Thursday May 28 through Zoom.

President Anne Drury opened the meeting as she introduced the Toastmaster for the evening, Lorcan Sleator. Fáilte Officer Maureen McCormack welcomed everyone and told them of the members and guests in attendance.

Linda Gavagan, counted the ums and the ahs in her role of Grammarian, and had the word of the night – ‘barnstorming’, meaning flamboyantly energetic and successful. This word was such a great addition to the night as people used it with ‘aplomb’, yet another great word introduced during the year.

Zoom-meister Tara Wright kept manners on everyone as Timekeeper and impressed all as she changed her background to green, orange and red to indicate the length of speeches.

We were joined by two visitors from Tullamore Toastmasters, Timothy Green and Charles Malone. Congratulations and best of luck to Timothy, who is Area 9 director for the coming year. We know you will do a fabulous job.

Billy Gough kicked off the speeches in a cowboy hat with ‘My love for the Wild West’, a personal story wrapped in history. His spoke of his move to Arizona with his family for work and some real adventures in The Wild West.

Pat Cavanagh enthralled with a speech entitled ‘Those Magnificent Men And Their Flying Machines’. It was a warm and interesting journey through history and flying endeavours. From Icarus and Daedalus, to hot air balloons and on to today’s flights, Pat delivered with enthusiasm, knowledge and some great accents.

Lorraine Murphy tried to make people laugh with a speech entitled ‘Tell us a joke’ taking us through her life as a funny (odd, not ha ha) girl and how keeping a sense of humour helped, but only in the right context. She refuses to divulge ‘that’ joke, so no point in asking!

Philip Howlin was tasked to present a speech on a lesser known subject to achieve his Level 2 Pathways award. He achieved it with a speech entitled ‘Don’t burst my bubble’, a hilarious, zany, look at how we could fill the space left by Mullingar Fleadh with a bubble wrap festival. He left us with a great wrap too, pardon the pun. His arts and crafts were on display as he modelled his new bubble wrap helmet.

A quick break to grab a cuppa with a virtual slice of cake baked by Lorcan from his aunt’s recipe. A bitter sweet moment as he revealed that she had passed away recently. She would have been proud of his marvellous creation.

Pat Kenny, Topics master, kicked off the second half with excellent and inspiring topics. Speaking on the spot on a subject previously unknown can strike fear into the heart of the bravest Toastmaster, but Pat had everyone eating from his hand.

Evaluators Mags Healy, Geraldine Smith, John Waldron and Joan Heduan gave encouraging and thorough evaluations that will motivate the speakers and help them to improve.

Tara and Linda gave their Timekeeper and Grammarian reports before General evaluator Maria Costello summed up the whole meeting. Lorcan thanked us all and Anne Drury closed the meeting as president.

It’s been three months since Mullingar Toastmasters moved meetings online. Nobody could have foreseen the changes we have experienced, and to still have successful meetings is a testament to the leadership of Anne Drury, the support of the committee and the adaptability of the members. Well done everyone!

Mullingar Toastmasters would like to extend heartfelt sympathies to treasurer Daniel Lynam, whose mother Cecilia Lynam passed away on Saturday May 30, peacefully at home. Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam.

Following their AGM, Mullingar Toastmasters will break for the summer and reconvene in September. Maybe this is the year you will join us, and we would love to have you. Please contact us with any queries, and we are happy to answer.

Facebook: Mullingar Toastmasters

Website: www.toastmasters.org.