"Everybody Hurts" but "Is this A Cure?"

These were the intriguing titles that we had for the contestants in in International Speech Contest held at Pania's meeting today. 12 members attended along with a guest (Past member Jan) and although only two entered the Contest it was a case of "quality not quantity"!


President Craig welcomed the members and after General Business introduced the Chairman of the Contest, Jan. Although no longer a member, Jan showed that she had lost none of her ability and Chaired a very good contest.First speaker was Barbara with "Everybody Hurts" a sad tale about a friend's husband who suffers from Alzheimers and the onset of the disease and subsequent problems, an excellent story well told by Barbara, which demonstrated to us all that you just never know what is around the corner.
Next up was Helen with "Is This A Cure?" a enlightened story about a sore back, a deep luxurious bath and a spam telephone call, All of which combined to provide an entertaining 5/7 minutes at the end of which the back was better and the Indian gentleman from Spark, who  ended up being the Supervisor actually 'hung-up' on Helen not the other way around! Well told, lots of humour and a message.
Unfortunately there can only be one winner and on this occasion its was Helen, who now represents the Club at the next level of Area Contests on 20th March.Barbara has won this contest many times in the past and I am sure that she will again. Congratulations to both of you for entering and entertaining us.

Graeme had some Table Topic subjects to complete the meeting and these were well answered by all.He had a series of 'well known and utilised sayings' which members had to respond to. I was involved with Judging 'things' and did not get all the details but those that spoke and their subjects were; Noel "Cor blimey";Wendy "You don't say";Mike "Get Lost" (exactly what he told the Table Topic Master to do!!):  Linda "I'm hungry" (sound familiar-those of us with children!)Linda goes to bed haunted by those words!; Jeanette "Yeah Right" (in Canada it is apparently su u r r e thing" with the right accent); Cheryl "Please yourself" and she did!; David "Who Cares" and he does!: Craig "Are we there yet?"(young kids again in the back of cars); Darryl "Is That Right!" and it was all right: and finally Jan with "know all"(and once she thought she did-then she met me!!)
Thanks Graeme for filling in the program allowing everyone, apart from Ian to speak-and he had the chance!

Thanks also to the Judges, Timekeepers (Ian & Jeanette) and particularly to Chairman, Jan and off course the two wonderful contestants.

Back to 'normal' next week- might see you then!