08/03/2026
Summary for the Patuxent Toastmasters Bonus Meeting – July 30
Our fifth‑Thursday bonus meeting was offered as a Speechathon which gave members an additional opportunity to grow through speaking. The Speechathon is a meeting agenda devoted entirely to prepared speeches. The evening was led by Jimmie Curtis as Toastmaster.
Larry Bratt opened with his Icebreaker, “The Present,” reflecting on mindfulness, truth‑seeking, and the empathetic bridge Toastmasters builds between people.
Jie Wang followed with “It All Began with a Tube of Blood,” giving us a fascinating behind‑the‑scenes look at how blood samples are processed and analyzed.
Our third speaker, Drew Bonsu, delighted the audience with his top summer culinary picks—charcuterie, pasta salad, and a refreshing rosemary spritzer.
The fourth speaker offered a humorous yet thoughtful take on media exaggeration, describing today as “the peak period of gullibility,” while reminding us that misinformation is not unique to our era.
Closing the evening, Linda Thompson shared her inspiring public speaking journey, weaving personal stories with the challenges she has overcome.
This bonus session highlighted the strength and diversity of our club. Each speaker brought a unique perspective, reminding us why these additional meetings matter: they create space for growth, confidence, and connection. We look forward to continuing this momentum in the weeks ahead.