Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/139689
Book Club Join us on July 9, at 9:30 am, in the Conference Room at the Lodge to discuss I'd Know You Anywhere, written by Laura Lippman. In 1973, a bank robber and his accomplice held four people hostage in Stockholm, Sweden, and the bizarre incident inspired Nils Bejerot, a psychiatrist and criminologist to coin the term "Stockholm Syndrome" to describe the phenomena of captives beginning to have positive and even caring feelings toward their captors. It is a rich topic that has been well mined in film and literature. In her latest novel, Laura Lippman at once explores Stockholm Syndrome and turns it on its head. I'd Know You Anywhere is the story of wife and mother Eliza Benedict. Back from years living abroad with her husband and two children, Eliza is just settling back into life in the states when she receives a letter that threatens to destroy her emotional well-being. The letter is from Walter Bowman, who, when Eliza was just 15 years old, kidnapped her, held her hostage for six weeks and raped her before letting her go. Walter is on death row for the murder of another girl, and though Eliza knows he still has the power to damage and manipulate her, she gets drawn into a correspondence with him. Contact with Walter causes Eliza to relive the horrible summer she was forced to spend with him driving around and camping outdoors or staying in cheap motels, fearing for her life, missing her family and being emotionally abused. The six weeks are bookended by two murders: the one of the girl Eliza caught Walter trying to bury, and the one she witnessed and was powerless to prevent. Contact with Walter also opens the floodgates of guilt and questions: Why did he bring her along on his run from the police and, most importantly, why did she live when the other girls died? Now Walter wants to meet with Eliza face to face and she must confront her traumatic past in order to try to understand it. ~ Doreen Sanders Toastmasters Interest Group This month's article is different. Instead of explaining why YOU should be joining, I'll explain why some of our members have. First, the news! We've grown from a paltry start of four members in late January to a possibility of adding at least two more by July 1. We'll likely quadruple our membership in only four months, because our members have found purpose for being a part of Toastmasters. Two originating members were past Toastmasters. They came back to Toastmasters because they remember the good times they had, being part of it. Mrs. C joined because she was extremely uncomfortable talking in front of groups which was part of her job. If you have the pleasure of listening to her speak, you'll see a wonderful speaker. She'll tell you how her improved communication skills helped her to succeed in work and in life. Mr. H, also a past TMI member, is responsible for getting Toastmasters into Four Seasons. Career-wise, he's a success story. He's been in politics, and in the pubic and private sector. He seems to know everyone. Mr. H is certain that Toastmasters helped him achieve all he has. When Mr. H or Mrs. C has a speech to give, they are always so entertaining. We had a guest recently, Mr. B, who belonged to Toastmasters in the 60s and 70s, and decided to check it out again. Now retired, he wears a hearing aid and is somewhat active. I am so proud of Mr. B, for being a hearing aid wearer and not being discouraged, embarrassed, or shy about it. Many of us have different kinds of disabilities and it shouldn't stop any of us, just as it hasn't stopped Mr. B. He decided to join us and seemed to love it all over again. He doesn't plan on giving any speeches in the near future, but he got that familiar feeling that comes with being part of an organization, a family that tries to help one another… not through harsh words but kind, positive words of encouragement. Mr. B said that he'd be coming to our next meeting. Just because most of us are retired, we still want to be a part of something. We may no longer be giving speeches to large groups of people, but we continue to communicate with others on a regular basis. Most of us still want to be putting our best foot forward when we communicate to one person or 100. Mr. B, I hope you continue to return again and again. We all have much to learn, but even more to share. Everyone has many interesting stories inside them. Another member is Miss A. Miss A's involved in many activities; our Wine Club, Women's organizations, Veterans, and more. Miss A, came to Toastmasters, literally to find her voice and within weeks she found it! She started speaking so softly you could hardly hear her. Not any more! Miss A has become a more confident speaker. What's important is that we are learning, improving, having fun, and making new friends in the process. I'll be highlighting other members in future issues. Keep your eyes peeled for more interesting stories about your friends and neighbors. Come and visit on Wednesdays, 6:30 pm, in the Conference Room of the Lodge. If you plan to order from Smitty's, please arrive earlier. They'll deliver it to you. A fact: Toastmasters was designed around dining. Come on over and share a meal with us. I promise, we don't bite! If you have any questions, please call me at (951) 992-9156. ~ Teri Meyers-Kelman CLUBS & GROUPS | FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JULY 2013 29