Speech contest winners advance

Sparta — First of Sussex Toastmasters have a lot to talk about. Two seasoned members won their club’s Humorous Speech and Table Topics contest on August 30 and both went on to win the next leg of the competition at the area level on September 27. They advance to the next competition, at the Division level, on October 25.
Dori Zarr, from Highland Lakes, has been a Toastmaster since 1985. She proudly won the Humorous Speech portion of the area contest with her very funny take on the trials and tribulations of aging. Debra M. Hollinrake, from Milford, PA, has been a Toastmaster since 2010. She took the top prize for Table Topics with an impromptu speech on autumnal inspiration. The area contest included Toastmaster club contest winners from four area clubs and was hosted by Toastmasters Division A Director, Anthony Snow, at Denville Community Church.
The October 25 division contest will be held at Denville Community Church at 190 Diamond Spring Rd, Denville, beginning at 6:30 pm. Division A contestants can potentially hail from ten area clubs in Northern New Jersey.
Winners of the division Humorous Speech and Table Topics contest will advance to the final leg of this annual competition at the Toastmasters District 83 Conference on November 5 at the DoubleTree Somerset, 200 Atrium Dr, Somerset NJ. Contestants will include division winners from Toastmasters clubs in the New Jersey and New York area.
Toastmasters contests are open to the public and guests are warmly welcome. RSVP to attend the division contest on October 25th by contacting Anthony Snowden at tonysnow@verizon.net. The November 5th District Conference offers inspiring workshops and talks on the personal and professional value of public speaking, and how to hone your skills. It culminates in the District 83 Humorous Speech and Table Topics contest at 3:05 pm, followed by dinner and final keynote speaker. You can purchase tickets at tm83.org/conference/2016-fall-conference.
First of Sussex Toastmasters have been meeting in Sparta since 2007. They provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. For more information, please visit the club web site at www.firstofsussextoastmasters.org.
Toastmasters International is the leading nonprofit organization devoted to creating effective leaders and communicators worldwide. Through its member clubs, Toastmasters International helps people learn the arts of speaking, listening and thinking — vital skills that promote self actualization, enhance leadership potential, foster human understanding and contribute to the betterment of mankind.