Since 1955
Bi-monthly bulletin of District 47 Toastmasters Serving Florida and the Bahamas www.toastmastersd47.org
July / August, 2001
District 47: #2 in World! • Toastmasters International Convention Aug 22 to 25 - Anaheim California “Go Evelyn”! • Clubs Finish Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contests August • Second DEC Meeting October 27 • District 47 Fall Conference November 16-18, Cocoa Beach Hilton
Earns “President’s Distinguished District”!
L ed by “General” Meunier, his Lieutenants Epler and Gerbin and his mighty “army”, District 47 has risen to the pinnacle of the second highest ranked District in the world out of around 80 Districts! This earns the title of “President’s Distinguished District”. All 8 Divisions received the coveted President’s Distinguished Division honor with a total of 42 Areas achieving Distinguished status. This includes an
Our home town lady is a success! Evelyn Peyton of Club 1917, “World Toasters”, took home the 1st place trophy from the Region 8 International Speech Contest. This win comes after winning the District 47 contest in May. She now will go on to compete in the International Conest, held during the Toastmasters International Conference in Aanaheim, CA in August of this year. Congratulations and good luck! • S0107A
Evelyn Peyton poses with the District 47 “Top 3” at Region 8
District 47’s success started to reveal itself early. As of May 31, 2001, District 47 had already become a Distinguished District. District 47 had a record 12,000+ per caps for the year, exceeding our “stretch” goal. We were See “District 47 Success Story”, Pages 4-5
Peyton Places 1st in Region Now on to International
amazing 15 President’s Distinguished Areas. Eight Areas earned Select Distinguished, and 19 earned Distinguished status.
Spring Conference: Safari, So Good!
G orillas guarded the door. Entertainers from Splendid China and the Bahamas
the Junkanoo.
This Conference helped celebrate and dazzled us. The decorations and build bridges with the Bahamians. In a programmed music added ambiance. conference with international flavors, it The contestants and pyrotechnics is valuable to recognize the internaadded passion and fire. Toastmasters tional cultures within our own District. International President JoAnna Later on, the Bahamians proved that McWilliams, in a rare conference visit, was involved, even holding a workshop they had real fire when 2 of their area governors placed in the top 5 Area and a keynote address. District Governors of the Year! conferences are always exciting but this one was truly There were valuable special. Conference workshops on Saturday chair Barbara that challenged and Bergstrom brought a developed our speaktouch of the Bahamas, ing, listening and Asia and Africa to the thinking skills. In the weekend with Safari and two superb contests, Junkanoo themes. Evelyn Peyton won for Splendid China provided International Speech entertainment for the Contest and Fred Asian Luncheon. The Bahamians provided See “Safari, So Good”, some of their local and Paul Meunier Encounters Page 2 Fire Dancer unique entertainers for
Farewell and Fare Thee Well, District 47
District Governor’s Report Cathy Epler, DTM
T hey may tell you that being District Governor is a
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!
A
s we begin our new Toastmaster New Year three little words should be ringing! What are those three words? DISTINGIUSHED CLUB PROGRAM (DCP)! This program has TEN goals for Clubs to measure their effectiveness to their members. Remarkably each year, the Educational goals are the LEAST achieved. This year, we are “Sharing the Spirit of Success” with you! If your club follows these TEN goals, you will be successful by meeting the needs of the members! Start now! The months of August and September are ideal months to add members to you club. If you add 5 new members not only will you earn the Smedley ribbon from TI, you will be earning one of the DCP goals! Besides that, you will add members to your Club base so that when then October per cap period rolls around, your club isn’t at a low membership level! It is a WIN-WIN!
lot of work. They may tell you that there is much drudgery and paperwork. They say the mail from World Headquarters is mind boggling. Not to I’m so proud of each and mention the e-mails and every Toastmaster in our telephone calls. And all Paul Meunier, DTM, IPDG; District. I’m proud of those those complaining ToastNow What? who earned educational masters and their little awards, those who served as Club Officers, problems! Bah! Humbug! Do not listen to our speech contestants, and of our District them! This has been a trip – a wild, crazy officer team and our past leaders (who are trip. I’m glad I didn’t miss the ride. really current leaders in disguise). I’m even With each trip and every meeting, I became proud of our Region which is having its way ever more impressed with the people in our with the other Regions. organization — their motives, concerns and Most of all, I’m proud of our successors in drive to succeed and help others succeed leadership. To our accomplishments this also. I met new friends and kept old friendyear, I say “You ain’t seen nuttin’ yet!” To ships thriving. I was blessed with good District 47, I say: fellowship and cheer everywhere. Time commitment? As I look back on my increasingly lengthy life, there are years that
Educational Vice Presidents need to survey all members to see where they are in their manuals. This will allow for effective programming. It also allows the Club to see who will be achieving their CTMs and ATMs. The EVPs need to ask all members to empty their manuals! You would be amazed at how many educational awards are out there and haven’t been submitted. Remember that a measure of a clubs success is by becoming Distinguished. SUCCESSFUL=DISTIGUISHED! Three cheers to a Successful (Distinguished) new year: Hip-Hip-Hooray! Hip-Hip-Hooray! Hip-Hip-Hooray! Warmest Regards,
Cathy
disappear into the firmament of memory. What did I do that year? What did I accomplish? What did it mean? NOT THIS YEAR! Never will I forget it. And never will I need question whether I was doing something worthwhile or that made a difference.
By Paul Meunier, DTM, IPDG
•
“Farewell and Fare Well” •
Safari, So Good... ...Continued from Front Page Lester Levarity took first place in the Table Topics. Is there any wonder there was unprecedented attendance? It was noted that many new Toastmasters participated in working at the conference, a fervent attitude that is to be commended. Also many of those for whom this was The D47 Banner graces the decor at the their first conferSheraton Safari in Orlando ence reportedly were “blown away” and ”set on fire” for Toastmasters! We look forward to “I had a feeling” this would be a seeing YOU at the next Conference! GRAND conference! And it was! •
LGM on Retaining Members by Larry Hyman DTM, LGM
Making members feel that they are important to the success of the club is the key factor in o thine own self be true” retaining a member. Usually most Polonius told his son Laertes. members feel that they have When members who join Toastlearned the basic skills of public masters at the same time we did speaking about the time they earn are no longer active in our club, Larry Hyman, DTM their CTM. Giving them an we must look into our own selves. assignment in the ‘Moments of To them the excitement is no longer there. Truth” is one easy way to getting them to stay involved. The member must be brought The fault lies within the very essence of our into the decision making process of the Club. individual clubs. Few people ever quit an When an Officer asks a member for advice organization because they are overworked. or for their help on some meaningful topic, They quit because they are bored and lose the member perks with excitement. interest. Who is at fault? We are.
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Seldom does anyone leave an organization if they feel that they are needed, that their work is essential to the well being of the organization. You keep a member by involving them in all aspects of the club. Mentoring a new member is usually a GREAT way to retain a member. There is great pride in helping someone else succeed. I joined TI in early 1997 and immediately was given a mentor. She has become my friend and she still is my toughest critic AND I love her for it! I may have my DTM, but I still have a great need for improvement.
Feeling needed is one of the STRONGEST emotions in our lives. It is essential to our very being. If we make others feel that they are important to the club then we will have succeeded in our quest to improve the club. We have gotten our members involved. Their enthusiasm will become infectious to others. There is nothing better than sowing the seeds of enthusiasm. Our own “Thuzem” can easily be shared with others if we care to share. “Share the work with others” should be the motto of every Club. •
Blastic Nets Distrtict 47 “Toastmaster of the Year”
Having spun the gossamer strands of the District Web Site and otherwise being an exceptional Toastmaster and leader, Dave Blastic, ATM·B has netted the title of District 47 Toastmaster of the year. Said IPDG Paul Meunier in his congratulatory e-mail:
“You played a major role in our success as President’s Distinguished District this year... …On top of that,
you served as a volunteer repeatedly in performing training, presenting workshops, adding immeasurably to countless demo meetings, and undertaking many thankless tasks at the District Conferences and Planet Toastmasters.”
Dave Blastic, ATM·B
Congratulations to Dave Blastic, District 47 Webmaster and Toastmaster of the Year! You deserve this honor! •
District 47 End·of·Year Statistics Per Caps: Stretch Goal: Achieved:
12,000 12,611
Clubs: Strtetch Goal: Achieved:
255 265
CTMs: Stretch: Achieved:
600 572
ATMs: Stretch: Achieved:
250 250
CLs:
129
Distinguished Clubs: 127 •
Righter Raises Sunshiner to Top Ten “Righter’s Top Ten” takes on a new meaning in light of the recent honor bestowed upon The Sunshiner. The Sunshiner was selected as one of Toastmasters International’s Top Ten newsletters for 2000-2001. Karl Righter, editor, supported by Paul Meunier, publisher, received the following accolades in a letter sent by Terry McCann and JoAnna McWilliams: “You have made a significant contribution to the excellence of our organization. Newsletters like yours promote effective communication among districts, help members and the organization achieve goals, and foster pride and fellowship among members” Congratulations to Karl Righter for his outstanding achievement and for setting a new high standard for The Sunshiner. •
President’s Distinguished Clubs
Meunier Explains Success in General terms
D • 47 + TM = 2 / 80
By Paul Meunier, DTM, IPDG Club # Club Name 22 28 892 984 1066 1178 1600 1667 1669 1841 1958 1978 2096 2155 2225 2262 2284 2445 2463 2582 2733 2862 2903 3274 3299 3659 3674 3695 4272 4823 5173 5390 5758 5807 6690 6796 6818 6861 7178 7250 7286 8122 8248 8370 8503 9269 9288 9322 9491 9551
Palm Beach Noon Orlando Arlington Trafalgar Orlando Conquerors State Farm First Bahamas Branch Suncoast Twilight Osceola Sarasota West Boca Good Morning Top O’ The Rock Delray Newsmakers Lakeland St. Petersburg Club Awesome South Dade Plantation Tampa Downtowners Beaches Area Achievers A1A TMs of S. Brevard Boca Raton Early Bird Winter Park Kennedy Space Center Tampa Bay Florida Hospital Freddy’s Forum Talk Of The Town Weston Area Radiant Ridge Collins Cable Beach West Bill Gove Golden Gavel Omni Healing Communicators Vista Tms On The Halifax Nature Coast Orators Palm Harbour West Kendall Orlando International Toast-stars Tropicana Perrine-cutler Ridge The Big Wheels Toast Of St. John’s County
What would IPDG Paul Meunier have to say, in his own words, about the success of his administration this past year? In an exclusive story, The Sunshiner tracked down the shy, demure and reclusive Mr. Meunier to get the story straight from the proverbial horse’s mouth. Please enjoy the following clever colloquy supplied by our IPDG in Q and A format. SS) The District earned the Distinguished District award in May. To what do you attribute our success? PM) Three things, which I would apply to personal excellence, Club excellence or District achievement: (1) Clearly-defined goals. (2) Passionate leadership….”walking the talk.” (3) TMs caring to commit and daring to deliver! SS) What has it been like, being District Governor of such a large District? PM) You’re right about “large!” District 47 is the second largest District in the world in terms of numbers of active Clubs. In my address at the Spring Conference Banquet, I likened it to Elton John’s words from his song, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” Those words are: “Kings and Vagabonds feel the very best”. At times, I felt like a vagabond; in my truck, headed for a new club demonstration meeting, charter presentation, or committee meeting. I wish there were a million-dollar prize for the person who best knows Florida geography! But the Clubs and officers treated me like a King. Being District Governor is sheer fun, tremendously satisfying and a delight in every way. Especially if you have a wife who takes care of the paperwork! SS) They say that there is a lot of “politics” in being a top District officer. Did you find that
The Formula for Success
Top Awards 2000•2001 Outstanding Toastmaster of the Year Dave Blastic, ATM·B
District 47 Success Story Division Governor of the Year
...Continued from Front Page one of only FOUR Districts or so to make Distinguished in May, one month early. This early success was harbinger to the stats revealed on the annual report. TI sets standards towards which Districts are to strive, but here in District 47 we dared ourselves to deliver “Stretch Goals”, which transcend the normal goals. District 47 had a record 12,611 per caps, exceeding our “stretch goal” of 12,500. We had the lofty stretch goals of 600 CTMs and 250 ATMs, and reached one of those peaks: we recorded 250 ATMs exactly! We only fell short of our CTM goal by a scant 28 : a record breaking 572 CTMs!! Yes, when the final bell rang, District 47 ended up with 12,611 per caps, 265 Clubs, 572 CTMs, 250 ATMs, 129 CLs and 127 Distinguished Clubs! Records have been broken and the stage has
been set for continued greatness in District 47! According to “The General”, “We committed to International President Jo Anna McWilliams and we delivered on all FOUR critical success factors: CTMs, ATMs, New Clubs and Per Caps. Congratulations to you all and to your Clubs and their officers and members! You cared to commit and you dared to deliver! Our performance exceeded my wildest expectations and I am grateful beyond measure”! [editor’s note: If you don’t understand the “General” reference you need to see the web site] As a side note, perhaps our exuberance was catching. All 8 districts in Region 8 (which extends from Louisiana to Virginia) earned Distinguished District status; a feat which has not been witnessed in a number of years! •
Bill Grey, ATM, Division A Governor (Northeast Florida)
Area Governor of the Year (Top Dog) April Genter, CTM, Area 6 Governor
Top 5 Area Governors: April Genter, Area 6 (North Tampa) Margaret Wan, Area 48 (West Tampa) Jamal Hepburn, Area 35 (Bahamas) Tony Maxemchuk, Area 51 (Boca Raton) Keith Major, Area 44 (Bahamas)
Distinguished Areas Area #
Area Governor
President’s Distinguished Area Area 1 Area 2 Area 5 Area 6 Area 7 Area 14 Area 16 Area 17 Area 18 Area 19 Area 22 Area 35 Area 48 Area 49 Area 50
Jeanette Garcia Margie O’Connor Tim Holloway April Genter Bill LeClere John Pancoast Dorothy Day Otis Lynda Ryan John Mandujano Tom Moss Amy van Tartwyk Jamal Hepburn Margaret Wan Helen Joseph Gloria Grehl
Select Distinguished Area Area 9 Area 13 Area 25 Area 27 Area 31 Area 33 Area 42 Area 51
Art Banister Tim Holloway Jim Sanders Harold Greenberg Ann Ross Ed Goddard Dave Deeter Tony Maxemchuk
Distinguished Area to be the case? PM) Absolutely not. A reason for our success this year not mentioned earlier, was the lack of dissention. The District was focused on the members and Clubs and did not have time for fighting or politicking. We had fun. Part of the credit for this goes to my predecessor, Jack Jamba DTM, who did much to create an era of goodwill in the District. Our Lieutenant Governors and I tried very hard to maintain that atmosphere. SS) What could you have done better? PM) Many things. There is room for improvement and I predict that this new year, the District will improve in every way. We continue to fall
way short of our goal of “Every Club Distinguished.” My hope is that our immediate past Club and District Officers “share the spirit of success” with this year’s new leaders. The theme this year is apropos because it correctly identifies Success as a state of mind or being, not a matter of good fortune.
the speech contestants, Club Sponsors, Mentors, and Specialists, Club Officers and World Headquarters staff. There are too many to thank, but I am very grateful. •
SS) Any final thoughts? PM) Yes. I thank all those who made 2000-2001 a great year for Toastmasters in District 47: Our Lieutenant Governors, Division and Area Governors, other District Officers, Conference Chair and other Chairs, the whole group of Bahamian Toastmasters, the Demo Demons, all the volunteers,
Gen. Paul Meunier, DTM
Area 3 Area 4 Area 8 Area 10 Area 11 Area 15 Area 20 Area 21 Area 23 Area 26 Area 30 Area 32 Area 34 Area 36 Area 38 Area 39 Area 40 Area 44 Area 45
Nubielena Medina Gomez Terry Avalos Kathryn Gaertner Ben Delmonico Derwood McKinley Rauha Jessup Rebecca Cooper Virginia Behr Lynda Hammond Michael Walsh Joe Boniface Anita Crosby Jack Church Vicky Iozzia Carla Christianson Nathan Emanuel Richard Lotharius Keith Major Jackie Smith
Righter to Receive Presidential Citation NEW STRETCH GOALS for 2001-2002 Karl Righter, DTM, 35 year member of Club 1066, has been selected by Toastmasters International to receive a Presidential Citation for his lifetime achievements in Toastmasters. This award will be bestowed at the International Convention in Anahiem. As far as we can determine this award has not been bestowed upon a District 47 member in over 15 years. Look for more
details in an upcoming issue. Karl is the immediate past editor of The Sunshiner (which recently was selected as a Toastmasters International Top Ten Newsletter), is a Past District Governor, authors the “Righters Top Ten” feature seen in The Toastmaster and has served in innumerable capacities throughout his mythical career.
Clubs: 1 New Club per Area (no net loss) Per Caps: 13,300 CTMs: 650 ATMs: 275 “We can do this”!!! -Cathy Epler, DTM, DG •
Way to go, Karl! •
Cocoa Conference Cometh By Eileen Gerbin, LGET
ing. You will not want to miss our 2000-2001 Hall of Fame Cerark your calenemony on Saturday, dars! The District 47 recognizing the Fall Conference will be individuals and clubs held on November 16 leading District 47 to - 18, 2001 at the Hilton President’s DistinCocoa Beach Oceanguished District. This front. The conference will be followed by the registration form will roasting of Immediate soon be posted on the Past District Governor District website: Paul Meunier at the Saturday luncheon. www.toastmastersd47.org Each Club should The Cocoa Beach Hilton send a delegate at the Room reservations District Business meeting on Saturday may be made directly with the hotel: afternoon. Be prepared to laugh the 321-799-0003 or night away as we are entertained by 800-526-2609 some of the District’s funniest Toastmasters in our District Humorous Be sure to mention that you are with Speech Contest at the Saturday evening Toastmasters to get the group rate of banquet. $70 per night, single or double. Would you like to take an active roll in Nine of the best evaluators in the the conference? It takes many volunDistrict will be competing on Friday teers to put on a conference. If you are evening at the District Evaluation interested in helping, please contact Contest. Bring your Club banner and Eileen Gerbin, DTM, LGET at participate in the banner processional at the Opening Ceremonies on Saturday 941-923-1881 or morning. Educational, informative and e-mail egerbin@gateway.net • S0107B fun workshops will fill Saturday morn-
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New officers elected! At the Spring Conference, our new District Officers were elected! The new roster is as follows: District Governor:
Cathy Epler LGET:
Eileen Gerbin LGM:
Larry Hyman Cathy Epler’s motto for this next year is
“Share the Spirit of Success” To commemorate the new administration and help introduce some of their visions to you, this issue of The Sunshiner features articles from each of our new officers (plus a farewell from IPDG Paul Meunier). We congratulate them, wish them well and stand behind them in this next year! •
Gerbin: Growing Healthy Clubs By Eileen Gerbin, LGET
1) Two CTMs 2) Two more CTMs ow successfully is your Club 3) One ATM-B, ATM-S, or ATM-G meeting the needs of the 4) One more ATM-B, ATM-S, or ATM-G members? Why do members 5) One CL, AL, or DTM join? Most likely, the answer is 6) One more CL, AL, or DTM to improve their communication 7) Four new members skills. Without manual 8) Four more new members speeches, adequate speaking 9) Minimum of four Club officers trained Eileen Gerbin opportunities, helpful speech during each of the two training periods evaluations, and enough members to 10) One semiannual membership report and conduct the meetings, Club members will not one club officer list submitted on time. “get what they came for.” The Distinguished Club Program is a set of benchmark goals In addition, at year-end (June 30, 2002) the that will help your Club accomplish its Club must have at least 20 members OR a net growth of at least five new members from purpose by focusing on educational awards July 1, 2001. and membership.
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All members should be encouraged to work through the communication and leadership tracks and attain their Competent Toastmaster (CTM), Advanced Toastmaster (ATM) Bronze, Silver and Gold, Competent Leader (CL), Advanced Leader (AL), and Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designations. The Club should also continually strive to bring in new members to combat unavoidable membership turnover and to bring fresh, new ideas and personalities to the Club. What are the Goals your Club should strive to achieve this Toastmaster year?
Clubs that meet the membership requirements will be recognized based on the number of goals achieved: 5 or 6 goals = Distinguished Club 7 or 8 goals = Select Distinguished Club 9 or 10 goals = President’s Dist. Club. You can track your Club’s progress in achieving the Distinguished Club goals monthly on the Toastmasters International Website at www.toastmasters.org/ creports.htm. By striving to achieve the educational and membership goals, your Club will be meeting the needs of the members and sharing the spirit of success. •
Bahamas Becomes New Division “I”
D ue to the hard work of Jamal Hepburn, Keith Major and many impassioned Bahamians, the Bahamas became Division I at the Spring Conference business meeting. Said Keith Major: “The Bahamas had been a division for many years and lost that status in 1998 due to not having 12 clubs. We became consumed with spreading the toastmasters
message throughout the land in order to regain our status. The fire was lit and excitement brewed. We then worked towards the goals of the district and here we are. We had great assistance from Paul Meunier and Cathy Epler. Locally, many people were very supportive”.
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Top Ten signs you’re not being taken seriously at Toastmasters: 10) You constantly receive evaluation slips suggesting that you give more outside speeches 9) The Toastmaster of the Evening uses your written introduction as a coaster for his iced tea 8) The food servers criticize your speeches 7) When you are introduced, people clap with only one hand 6) Your mentor keeps saying, “You’re no Zig Ziglar!” 5) Members eat your meal while you’re speaking 4) Someone makes a motion to adjourn in the middle of your speech 3) You are criticized for the way you lead a silent prayer 2) You are introduced as a guest 1) Members not only finish your sentences for you, they finish your speeches for you
AD Space! The Sunshiner is considering a classified or business ad section. If you are interested in advertising in The Sunshiner, please contact Jerome R. Kalisz at webmaster@tm1066.org
We will see them at the next contest! • Since 1955
Sunshiner Goes “e” he Sunshiner is creating a new web presence to house “all the news that won’t fit in print”. This web site, which can be found on the menu of the District 47 web site (www.toastmastersd47.org), is meant as an adjunct to the printed Sunshiner. There you will find expanded articles, additional features
Karl Righter, DTM
and enhanced pictures. This “Sunshiner Web Section” will allow for more Toastmaster submissions to be featured each month. You also will find archived issues. When you see a number at the end of a printed article, that is a reference number for additional material pertaining to that article you will find online. •
Publisher Cathy Epler, DTM 9831 Alvernon Dr. New Port Richey, FL 34655 e-mail: cepler@gte.net
Editor Jerome R. Kalisz, ATM·G 424 E Central, Box 352 Orlando, FL 32801 e-mail: webmaster@tm1066.org
Non-Profit
District 47 Toastmasters 302 Baltimore Blvd. E Orange Park, FL 32073-4321
U.S. Postage
PAID BEST MARKETING 32707
Since 1955
Jerome R. Kalisz, Editor Orlando, FL webmaster@tm1066.org
New Sunshiner Web Section on the District Web Site enhances The Sunshiner!
TOASTMASTER CHATTER • Celebration Creation Celebrations
items! With the expanded Sunshiner Web • Club and Area Contests Section, we will be looking for for material to Start than ever! Please send submissions, news Celebrating the good times with the first new items or story ideas to Jerome Kalisz at: Clubs should be gearing up for their webmaster@tm1066.org • club of the “New Year”! Celebration contests with area contests soon to follow. Toastmasters, Club 2508, has chartered in Don’t forget the Humorous Speech and Div. B and has become the first club in Evaluation Contests will reach the District District 47 to charter this year. • level at the Fall Conference in Cocoa Beach this November. Visit a few clubs’ contests • Advanced Club Sees and laugh your badge off! •
• Submissions Sought Do you harbor a desire to be a writer? Yearn to see your name in print? Maybe you just have something important to convey to fellow TMs. If so The Sunshiner seeks your submissions! We will consider whole articles, editorials, educational pieces or simple news items of which we should be aware. We want your participation and depend on fellow Toastmasters for our news
Orange
Central Florida’s Advanced Club 8001 has joined forces with West Orange Toastmasters to form an advanced club that also has a focus on mentoring. The club will retain the number 8001 but will assume the West Orange Toastmasters name. Watch for their clever “commercials” on the web and other events! •
• Dunnellon; How Did You Do It? Dunnellon Toastmasters Club # 1176, from Division G, was chatered just 2001·06·18, yet still managed to make Distinguished Club! We don’t know how you did it but we don’t care! Just keep doing it (maybe it will be catching...) •
The Sunshiner is printed by Michael Rubin, CTM, Altamonte Springs, FL