BREWER — The Bangor Toastmasters Club celebrated the 64th anniversary of its founding on April 1 at the St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church’s Shamrock event room in Brewer. Twenty-five people attended, including guests and former members.
Paula Rizzo Baines, vice president of membership and public relations, and Camara Bragdon, vice president of education, were two of the speakers at the event. Members Eric Smith and Donna Accettullo, club president, were the evaluators.
Baines coordinated the evening and served as toastmaster. Throughout the evening’s festivities, past and present officers Kristen Hornbrook, Betty Ford, Lynn Snow, Ravi Patil, Brian Maguire and Mary Hunter shared remarks on how Bangor Toastmasters has impacted them. Mary Hunter also shared homemade gifts with the guests. Hornbrook, coach, trainer and speaker, former member and club president, was one of six individuals to share remarks on how Toastmasters has impacted her life.
Betty Ford, past vice president of education, said it took many months of sitting in the back of the meeting room, but thanks to Toastmasters, she gained confidence and has served in club leadership roles and as past acting area governor.
Lynn Snow said she gained confidence in herself through membership in Toastmasters. As a child, she could not read due to severe dyslexia. She has worked hard over the years and thanks to the support of her peers in Toastmasters, she is challenging herself, she said. She now volunteers as a reader at a nursing home.
Brian Maguire said that thanks to roles as evaluator, he has become a better listener.
Ravi Patil said he joined Toastmasters to improve his speaking and communication, something he struggles with because of stuttering. He has been a member of the club for three and a half years.
Hornbrook said that Toastmasters has helped her set and achieve personal goals. Like Ford, Hornbrook did not say much during the first several club meetings she attended. Now thanks to Toastmasters, she has achieved many goals, she said.
Bangor Toastmasters Club 897 is part of the larger Toastmasters International organization now celebrating its 90th year.
For information, go to http://bangor.toastmastersclubs.org.