http://www.pecanvalleycommunicators.org/

Pecan Valley Communicators, 205 E. Weinert Street, Seguin, TX (2026)

06/19/2026

The Pecan Valley Communicators met on June 17th with President David Caulkins calling the meeting to order. Connly Willmann provided the Inspirational Thought: "The secret of getting ahead is getting started." Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Brett Dillon was welcomed as a guest.

Richard Brewer served as the Meeting Leader and entertained the audience with challenging questions relating to the theme of "Comedic Trivia".

The training segment entitled "Huh?" highlighted commonly used phrases by speakers in business lectures, on TV, social media, and in everyday conversations. Connly Willmann stated a phrase followed by G.K. Willmann sharing thoughts about why saying phrases such as "to be honest with you" or "believe me" can put doubts in the listener's mind. G.K. urged everyone to choose words carefully to avoid sending an unintended message.

Ana Trest was the evening's first speaker with "A New Beginning". Ana recently was promoted into a new job area in her professional sewing career. The new position calls for her expertise in making alterations to racing suits. These fire resistant suits have several layers of varying materials which makes performing the alterations challenging at times. Using an actual suit, Ana told how she can inconspicuously increase the pant's leg length to provide a better fit. Mike Diaz was her Speech Reviewer.

David Caulkins was the second speaker with "Solving Complex Problems". He commented that the Lincoln Memorial as well as the Jefferson Memorial are experiencing deterioration. Expensive governmental studies were done. A practical solution was found which did not meet with everyone's satisfaction; therefore, the problem of deterioration continues. David mentioned that in life we will encounter different problematic situations and "what we think is a solution is not". His Speech Reviewer was Richard Brewer.

Impromptu Speaking Leader Mike Diaz used the meeting theme as the basis for his challenging questions for those willing to step up to speak for one-to-three minutes on an unannounced topic. Those participating were David Caulkins, Dina Dillon, Richard Brewer, Ana Trest, and Connly Willmann.

As Timer, Dina Dillon monitored speaking activity and noted only one speaker went over the suggested time. G.K. Willmann had provided the Word of the Day, hilarious, which was used at least seven times during the meeting. G.K. also served as the Grammarian and tallied seventeen filler words. She called attention to the filler phrase "all right" which was used five times as a segue from one activity to another. Using "all right" once or twice might be acceptable; however, too many times is noticed by the audience.

The next meeting is scheduled for July 1 at the Veterans Outreach Center, 205 E. Weinert Street, in Seguin, 6:30 pm. The theme will be "Red, White, and Blue". Guests are welcome.

G.K. Willmann
Meeting Coordinator

06/05/2026

The Pecan Valley Communicators met on June 3rd with David Caulkins handling the duties as President and Meeting Leader. After an interesting Inspirational Thought by Richard Brewer, President Caulkins led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Guests welcomed were Michelle Brickman and Brett Dillon.

Training Presenter Dina Dillon's educational segment focused on "Body Language" as she emphasized that communication involves more than words. Her takeaways included using appropriate, natural gestures as well as not leaning on the lectern, maintaining eye contact, and keeping shoulders relaxed.

Richard Brewer was the evening's first scheduled speaker. He spoke about "Gratitude" and shared how he was thankful for his wife, his children and his grandparents, especially one of his grandmothers who raised nine children alone during the Depression. Richard feels that expressing gratitude helps release stress, and it also helps to withstand unpleasant things. Richard challenged everyone to practice being more grateful on a daily basis. Dina Dillon was his Speech Reviewer.

The evening's second speaker was Mike Diaz whose speech title was "What Do Phones, Pain Killers, Co***ne, and Shiny Pieces of Cardboard Have In Common?" Mike had the audience's undivided attention as he spoke about addictions of varying types. He has studied different aspects of addiction, and has a respectable understanding of how addictions can affect anyone. He had a Group Review.

Ana Trest was the Impromptu Speaking Leader and posed questions prompting an answer to "would you rather this or that". Those stepping up to the challenge of speaking one-to-three minutes off-the-cuff were Dina Dillon, Richard Brewer, Mike Diaz, David Caulkins, and Connly Willmann.

Timer Connly Willmann reported every speaker observed the suggested speaking times. David Caulkins had provided the Word of the Day, courageous, which was used at least six times during the meeting. Grammarian G.K. Willmann reported 24 "filler words" were used.

The next meeting is scheduled for June 17th at the Veterans Outreach Center, 205 E. Weinert Street, in Seguin. Guests are welcome.

G.K. Willmann
Meeting Coordinator

05/22/2026

The Pecan Valley Communicators met on May 20th with President David Caulkins calling on Gwenn Long for an Inspirational Thought. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mary Caulkins and Brett Dillon were welcomed as guests.

President Caulkins served as the Meeting Leader and shared the top twenty Texas-born musicians as he led the meeting.

President Caulkins also stepped up as the Training Presenter. His training segment, "The Invisible Prop", was informative as well as entertaining. As he made related comments, he quickly donned three different looks (a mortician, a doctor, and a chemical company representative) to demonstrate the impact a speaker's apparel can have on the message being delivered.

Richard Brewer was the evening's first speaker with "My Best Friend". Richard believes that if you have a dog you will always have a friend. He reminisced about having a dog as a young child and how his dog was there for him no matter what may have been going on. As an adult, he has a dog who welcomes him home every time he returns and is his unconditional friend. Richard suggested getting a pet because of the joy and friendship you can experience by having one. He had a Group Review.

Mike Diaz was the evening's second speaker with "Fancy Phrases and My Friend Dave". He kept the audience listening closely as he spoke about how going snorkeling can give you a variety of issues if you are not experienced. His silent companion "Dave" kept nudging him in a mindset of "Just Do It" and "Fake It 'Til You Make It" even when not being prepared. He urged everyone to take such catchy phrases with a "grain of salt" to avoid unintended consequences. He had a Group Review.

Impromptu Speaking Leader Dina Dillon used a grab bag of varied items to prompt "off-the-cuff" speaking for one-to-three minutes. Those participating were Gwenn Long, David Caulkins, Connly Willmann, Richard Brewer, Mike Diaz, Mary Caulkins, and G.K. Willmann.

Timer Richard Brewer reported everyone did a "good Job" in observing the suggested speaking times. Dina Dillon's Word of the Day, presto (suddenly, as if by magic), which was used at least seven times during the meeting.

Grammarian G.K. Willmann tracked 19 "filler words" with the two-letter "so" being the one used the most.

The next meeting is scheduled for June 3rd at the Veterans Outreach Center, 205 E. Weinert Street, in Seguin Guests are welcome.

G.K. Willmann
Meeting Coordinator

05/08/2026

The Pecan Valley Communicators met on May 6th with President David Caulkins opening the meeting with an Inspirational Thought. He then led the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Guests at the meeting were Brett Dillon and Mary Caulkins.

Richard Brewer served as the Meeting Leader. His theme for the meeting was "Inspiration". Richard shared various inspirational quotes and short stories during the meeting.

Training Presenter G.K. Willmann provided a humorous example of misunderstanding a simple road sign. She reminded everyone to think about the words they use and their intended meaning. Speakers need to consider the audience and watch their body language to see if the correct message is being received.

David Caulkins was the first scheduled speaker. At a prior meeting, a fellow Communicator suggested David challenge himself by speaking without notes. David answered that challenge and entertained the audience with portions of his life history which led up to revealing "the non-family member who impacted his life the most". That person was a gentleman who interviewed him for a company job. David had a Group Review.

Dina Dillon was the second scheduled speaker who expressed heartfelt thoughts about "The Miracle of Birth". Being a mother of four herself, she shared the birth experience of her most recent grandchild born in April. She and her husband Brett are looking forward to their eighth grandchild in the very near future. Richard Brewer was her Speech Reviewer.

David Caulkins served as the Impromptu Speaking Leader. He had interesting topics for participants including "the most famous person you have met" , "Devil's Claw" (an unusual plant), and "what is under your bed?" Those participating were Joe Saenz, Mary Caulkins, Dina Dillon, Connly Willmann, and G.K. Willmann.

Connly Willmann served as Timer and reported that all suggested speaking times were observed. G.K. Willmann had provided the Word of the Day, scrupulous, which was used at least five times during the meeting. G.K. also served as the Grammarian and commented that 17 "filler words" were used with "ah" and "um" being the biggest culprits.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 20th, 6:30 pm, in the Veterans Outreach Center, 205 E Weinert Street, Seguin Guests are welcome.

G.K. Willmann
Meeting Coordinator

04/19/2026

The Pecan Valley Communicators met on April 15th with President David Caulkins calling on Dina Dilllon for an Inspirational Thought. After the Pledge of Allegiance, guests welcomed included Mary Caulkins and Brett Dillon.

Gwenn Long served as the Meeting Leader. Throughout the meeting she entertained the audience with various tidbits about the events of the day such as National Laundry Day and World Art Day.

Richard Brewer was the evening's Training Presenter. Richard's topic was based on "Speaking Is Selling". He correlated parts of a speech and a selling pitch. For example, the opening of a speech should recognize the audience and get them interested in what you have to say. A catchy opening, perhaps a tasteful joke, can draw people in to want to hear more, not unlike someone wanting to sell a service or a product. Good eye contact and a clear voice will keep them listening. A speech should have a closing that includes a call to action, just like an effective sales pitch would.

Mike Diaz was the evening's first scheduled speaker. Mike told the audience that he was in an unfulfilling job and his health was beginning to take its toll because of it. He knew he needed to do something different. His wife had some excess habanero peppers and told him, "do something with these", and the hot sauce adventure was kindled. He started tinkering with flavor combinations with his goal each time being that his hot sauce was to complement the food, not destroy it. He had brought six bottles of his hot sauce and described the contents of each. Mike is enjoying his hot sauce endeavors and is even attending hot sauce festivals. David Caulkins was his Speech Reviewer.

Ana Trest was the evening's second speaker with "Our Little Blessing". Ana described the surprised finding of a puppy on her front porch, evidently abandoned. Fortunately, the puppy was left with someone who likes canines as Ana and her husband Tom already have a bigger dog who easily became friends with the playful, teasing puppy. A DNA test indicated that the puppy is a mixture of many breeds. G.K. Willmann was her Speech Reviewer.

David Caulkins led the Impromptu Speaking Practice. He brought actual items that he used to prompt the speaker with "this or that"; for example, would you prefer coffee or tea. Those participating in the speaking challenge were Gwenn Long, Richard Brewer, Mike Diaz, Ana Trest, Dina Dillon, and G.K. Willmann.

Timer Dina Dillon noted that speakers observed the suggested speaking times. She also had provided the Word of the Day, fiscal (relates to money), which was used at least five times during the meeting. Grammarian Richard Brewer gave the "Filler Word" report, noting that "pretty much" was used as a filler word too many times.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 6th at the Veterans Outreach Center, 205 E Weinert Street, in Seguin, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Guests are welcome.

G.K. Willmann
Meeting Coordinator

04/04/2026

The Pecan Valley Communicators met on April 1st with President David Caulkins calling on G.K. Willmann for an Inspirational Thought authored by Mark Twain: "Never argue with a fool -- onlookers may not be able to tell the difference." After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, guests welcomed were Mary Caulkins, Greg Cunningham, and Brett Dillon.

Dina Dillon served as the Meeting Leader and throughout the meeting she shared fun facts relating to April 1st and April Fool's Day.

Mike Diaz was the evening's Training Presenter with "Body Language and Non-Verbal Cues". Mike told the group that a speaker's body language says more than the actual words being spoken. He emphasized that "stage presence" is quite important, He challenged everyone speaking to move out from behind the lectern to allow the audience to see all of you.

The first scheduled speaker was Paula Cunningham who has a part-time job teaching ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) lessons. She detailed segments of the parental interviewing process which is designed to help determine the ease and success of training the child. Paula mentioned that the training environment is quite structured to allow for optimum outcomes. Her Speech Reviewer was Dina Dillon.

The second scheduled speaker donned a colorful apron and musically danced his way to a cooking table set up for his "Tamale Making For Dummies" session. Joe Saenz shared his recipe for making good-tasting pork tamales. According to Joe, a perfect tamale is one that "cleanly unwraps". He also offered some hints for making successful tamales David Caulkins was his Speech Reviewer.

Impromptu Speaking Leader Ana Trest had topics for communicators to use to practice speaking off-the-cuff. Those participating were Dina Dillon and David Caulkins.

Gwenn Long served as the TImer and mentioned that speakers did okay on suggested times. G.K. Willmann had provided the Word of the Day, absurd (foolish, ridiculous), which was used at least ten times during the meeting. As the meeting's Grammarian, she commented that the group had used at least 38 filler words!!

The next meeting is scheduled for April 15th, 6:30 pm, at the Veterans Outreach Center, 205 E. Weinert Street, in Seguin. Guests are welcome.

G.K. Willmann
Meeting Coordinator

04/02/2026

Great night at PVC last night, April 1st.
We learned how to make tamales- sadly no sample to taste….. we were April fooled lol

Pecan Valley Communicators

06/19/2026

06/05/2026

05/22/2026

05/08/2026

04/19/2026

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