My first encounter with the Encinitas/Solana Beach Toastmasters (ESB TM) occurred in the summer of 1990.  I had just moved down from the Bay area and wished to continue my Toastmasters experience.  I was delighted to find a club located on my doorstep.  What a find it has turned out to be.  As I looked through some of my records, I estimate that about two hundred toastmasters have attended ESB TM meetings as members over the last seven years.  It is a shame that those that left the fold are unavailable to experience some of the memorable moments that I will share with you.

    ESB TM are the reigning bull throwers of District Five.  A team of Joyce Chu, Pete Prendergast, and Ernie Dubnicoff competed against three other teams in 1993 and were proclaimed champs by delivering the most outstanding tales of the night.  We set such a high standard that no one has come forward to challenge us.  Someone commented that we knew how to pile it on!

    We had many memorable speakers and speeches.  I can still remember Pete Prendergast leaping through the air to land on the floor with a resounding thud as he made a point in his award-winning speech on how he conquered his fish.  Lance Lee, a student from China, joined our club to improve his English ability.  His drive and determination were a jewel to behold.  Who will ever forget his speech on travels in China especially his graphic descriptions of a Chinese outhouse.  He had the Area Contest audience in stitches.  The most memorable speech I heard (saw) was Liz Blanchard's winning speech on changes in her life.  The highpoint was her description of "hot flashes" and when she took off her nightgown to reveal a chemise the audience gasped.  The other contestants didn't have a chance.  Her speech was great, too!  Bob Anderson and Leonard Reese have been our mainstays in recent times.

    In the early 90s our club struggled at times; attendance was a problem.  The arrival of Debby Henry from Texas in 1993 helped get us going again.  Members who played leadership roles and left their mark on our club were Mark Rivest, Andrea Calbow, and Leonard Reese.  Doug McGetchin, our current president, is adding new dimension that will secure our future.

    It is not fair to single out one member because all members of a Toastmasters club contribute to the overall success of the organization.  However, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Vickie Stone.  Vickie joined our club in November 1991 and is the second most senior member of our club.  We are thankful Vickie remained a member in spite of daunting work schedules.  Whenever she attended a meeting she always added the spark that gave us the incentive to keep going.  The current roster I am pleased to say includes many Vickie Stones, so I hope many of them will be writing about their recollections on ESB TM's thirtieth anniversary.

    (from Speak Easy Vol. 15 Issue 1 Aug/Sept 1997)

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