What an odd assortment of guests around the dinner table,
ranging from cute bunnies and clowns, to a Viking with a wicked
weapon through her helmet, and the walking wounded. But then,
what else would you expect on the tenebrous occasion of our
“supernaturally themed” Halloween Dinner Meeting at Cheers?
“What a fantastic group! Educated, well dressed, good looking,
and tons of fun! Best dinner meeting that I have attended
(actually it’s my first time).” This quote is a tribute from a
first-time-attendee, and you will find that the ‘old timers’
were equally impressed:
“Good costumes and a festive, fun-loving, high-spirited
atmosphere were in evidence. Everybody was lively and
enthusiastic during the meeting.”
“I always enjoy the Halloween meeting! The hats and costumes
make everyone very relaxed.”
“Nice costumes and lots of fun.”
“Fun – a great sense of camaraderie.”
“Conviviality, fun, and good speeches.”
“The great profusion of costumes / hats.”
“Well, I love the hats and dress-up!”
“The party atmosphere, the costumes, the food, along with the
Table topics which included quite a few story-teller-style
speeches, ALL enrich the whole Halloween theme.”
Table Topics were once again a star:
“Don’s Table Topic Master humour shone through his instructions,
and the care and feeding of his Speakers.”
“Let’s Highlight Don and his Table Topics – good bridging and
good lead-in to Topics.”
As for the Table Topics Session itself:
“Table Topics tonight were Great!”
“A wonderful Table Topics session – full of imagination and
stories directly related to the theme of Hallowe’en.”
“The Table Topics fitted the theme well and were fairly straight
forward. All those who attended had the opportunity to
participate.”
Individually Highlighted Table Topic Speakers were:
“Elena’s surprised! performance (she’d thought, as Timer, she
would be off the hook!). Her speech was creative and
imaginative.”
“Carol’s fabulous sense of humour in her Table Topic completion
of a suspenseful story” was a special Highlight.
“Karen’s very effective Table Topics Evaluation should be
Highlighted. It was accurate and positive.”
“Two great speeches” were a focal point:
“Kate’s Ice Breaker speech (very first formal speech) was really
good, and it was good to hear her introduce herself to the club.
She has a great deal to offer our club.”
“Kate’s speech was a goldmine for a Wordsmith!”
“Kate’s speech was absolutely amazing – phrases swirling
throughout.”
“Jim Sinclair’s costume was the antithesis of what he was
saying, and the funniest thing was that he hadn’t realized it
when he quickly threw together this very effective last minute
outfit. The title of his speech was “Live Life on the Edge –
Risk Management”. His costume made him look like his motorcycle
had just collided with a train, while he was earnestly telling
us how to ride a motorcycle safely! SMIDSY must have happened to
him just before he arrived: ‘Sorry mate, I didn’t see you!!!’ “
“Jim’s costume was a Highlight for me – dressing for his
speech.”
Jim’s excellent visual diagram and explanation of proper lane
use for increased motorcycle safety was a Highlight for me. And,
of course, his ‘ironic costume’!”
“Highlight: Jim’s themed costume, speech, and charts.”
“Jim’s speech was good! He had a personalized approach combined
with some in-depth meticulous research in his presentation.”
Accolades for First Timers:
Jim, Sgt. @ Arms, for arranging his first dinner meeting so
well. “Excellent prop in advance.” “Preparation here was A1.”
Omar gave his first Speech Evaluation. “He did it so well! He
was so nervous beforehand but he followed the project objectives
and delivered an excellent evaluation”
“Omar didn’t only address the main goals of Kate’s speech, but
also he described how well she met (or didn’t meet) her own
personal goals.”
“Parvaneh did a great job as Toastmaster for her very first
time.” She was rewarded with the accolade: “A First Class job!”,
Further well endorsed Highlights of individuals were:
Ribbon Winners: Ruth for the way she phrased her General
Evaluation so that everyone under her scrutiny inevitably felt
very good
And Pam for her Table Topic of ghostly high-jinks
“Stuart’s interesting and thoughtful inspiration about the
importance of faith and it’s different incarnations in a
person’s life.”
And last, but not least by a long shot, was:
“Dave’s nose.”
“Dave was our incongruent centerpiece. He dressed the part of
the ideal, congenial Chairman for a Halloween Dinner Meeting as
only Dave could: From neck to toe he had spiffed himself up in a
handsome tuxedo. This dignified figure then donned a bulbous red
nose, and a most becoming curly ‘wig-of-many-colours’. Can you
picture him? But don’t let appearances fool you – he also did an
outstanding job in that role, blurring the lines between formal
and relaxed – just as the atmosphere in a Halloween Dinner
Meeting should be.”
“Overall, it was a fun, enjoyable evening in which we all, I
suspect, learned something! Dinner Meetings are definitely a
treat!”
Next week’s meeting will be in the usual venue at West Van
United Church starting at 7:15 when the theme will be
“Innovation”. Looking forward to seeing everyone there, along
with any guests who wish to come for the fun and friendship.
Club 1085
And Pam for her Table Topic of ghostly high-jinks 
