Does Your Speech Have the 'Essentials to Effective Communication'? Erie, PA ~ You are invited to a Toastmasters Special Event to Gain Confidence and Find Your Voice.   FREE SEMINAR  David Brooks, 1990 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking is presenting 'Essentials to Effective Communication' Monday, November 18, 2013  6:00 - 8:00 pm Erie Maennerchor Club - Gold Room 1607 State Street (park in rear & enter back door) Erie, PA 16501 RSVP:  lisa@lisapustelak.com SEMINAR ~ FREE Cash bar prior to seminar; $20 dinner buffet after seminar (dinner reservations due by 4:00 pm Thurs. Nov. 14, 2013) Does Your Speech Have the 'Essentials to Effective Communication'?   DavidBrooksTexas.com Toastmasters.org     11/11/2013

Yikes!  Is a Real Estate Office Manager My Competition?     Yikes!  Are you competing for listings only to learn that your real estate office manager is one of your competitors?   Yikes!  Does your office manager/broker have more listings than anyone in the office?  Do you wonder why? Yikes, is your office manager doing open houses in same neighborhood as you are?  Who is scooping the prospective buyers at the open houses? Yikes, doesn't Pennsylvania Real Estate law require the broker/manager to supervise & train all agents? Yikes, how can I rely on my manager for honest, non-biased assistance when he/she is my competition?  Somedays I feel like my manager/broker is just eating my lunch rather than helping me feed my family. Yes, Pennsylvania Real Estate law does require the broker/mana... 10/28/2013

Success in the Woods ~ Boom Kudos, Dave Yonkers!  Every hunter's dream is to bag a deer whether early in the day or just before sundown or any time in between.  The weather the last few days has not been very conducive for hunting, but a late day clearing meant Dave was off to the woods across the road from our house.    I heard the shot while racking leaves & hoped it was Dave's.  A phone call a few minutes later confirmed it and the rush was on to retrieve the deer before dark. A long story shortened the deer is now securely hung in the barn & the hunter is happily watching the World Series.   But I know he will dream about the eight-point buck that is still roaming the woods.     10/26/2013

Erie, PA Are You Ready to Get Your Real Estate License in 2013?                                   Erie, PA begin your Real Estate classes with Alan Kells School of Real Estate.  Pennsylvania Real Estate License requirements: 18 years old Complete 30 hour Fundamentals class Complete 30 hour Practice class Pass Pennsylvania Real Estate exam Fundamentals class November 9, 10, 16, 17  Practice class December 14,15, 21, 22 Cost $178 Time  9:00 -4:30     Location:  3036 W. 12th Street Erie, PA 16505 (building behind Animal Ark Pet Hospital) Erie, PA Are You Ready to Get Your Real Estate License in 2013?     Register now Alan Kells School of Real Estate   10/24/2013

Erie, PA:  Online VS Live Real Estate Class??? In this world of technology why does Erie, PA prefer a live Real Estate class VS an online class?    As a Real Estate instructor who has been teaching Real Estate classes for 20+ years I constantly hear Real Estate pre-license students say that they prefer live Real Estate classes VS an online class.  Why?  One student who had attempted to take the Pennsylvania pre-license classes online, gave up in frustration and paid to attend live class.  Why? 'Taking an online class was like reading a 500 page book, line by line with no explanation and no input from an instructor.' I remember reading 500+ page books in college literature classes.  Crime & Punishment was more captivating, I am sure.   No text book for review & studying is another compla... 10/23/2013

Speak if You Dare!  A Warning to All Toastmasters Speak if You Dare!  A Warning to Eriez Toastmasters: I dare you to speak at Eriez Toastmasters meeting October 28, 2013.  WHAT:  Eriez Toastmasters Club WHEN: Monday, October 28, 2013 TIME:  6:15 - 7:45 pm WHERE:  Millcreek Mall Library (next to Dick's Sporting Goods)     WHY:  It is fun to scare away the demons that cause us to fear speaking in front of group.  Visit Eriez Toastmasters Club in Erie, PA and have fun with us.  To find a club in your area visit:  www.toastmasters.org   We are waiting for you . . .     10/21/2013

Lights, Camera, Action: C-Span to Feature Erie, PA History & Culture Lights, camera, action in Erie, PA October 19, 20, 2013 Check with Time Warner, DirecTV and Dish for channel in your area Online:  www.c-span.org/localcontent Erie, PA's key role in Battle of Lake Erie U.S. Brig Niagara & Oliver Hazard Perry Presque Isle State Park History of Hammermill & Behrend family Life & history of Ida Tarbell Colonel Strong Vincent at Battle of Gettysburg C-Span spent a week in Erie filming this series.  Assisting the regular C-Span crew were many local Erie photographers, videographers, technicians and historians with help from Caleb Pifer, executive director of the Erie County Historical Society.  Per Pifer, "The crews were very, very throughly details in their approach and took every effort ... 10/19/2013

Let's Talk . . .  NO, We Don't Discuss Those TOPICS Sex, religion, politics . . . Sex, religion, politics were taboo topics in my childhood home.  I declined being on the debate team in high school as I didn't want to discuss anything controversial. As adult I added many other topics to this list:  Gay Marriage  Management vs union  Obamacare  Race  Abortion  Gun control  Immigration  Tattoos  Other   Finally I joined Toastmasters and learned that is okay to discuss controversial topics  without self-destructing.  In other words it is okay to disagree and still conduct a civil conversation. At every Toastmasters meeting members are given the opportunity to speak extemporaneously about a topic for a minute or more during Table Topics. The Topicsmaster introduces the topic of the day.  So... 09/25/2013

Are You Ready to Excel as Leader and Speaker? Eriez Toastmasters Can Help!     Excel at job interviews Give powerful presentations Lead successful seminars Effectively teach classes or training sessions Present persuasive proposals at business meetings Give humorous, informative or special occassion speeches     Visit Eriez Toastmasters Club 2nd & 4th Monday 6:15-7:45 pm Millcreek Mall Library (next to Dick's Sporting Goods) 2088 Interchange Rd. Erie, PA 16509 Contact:  Tom Quiggle, President, 814-899-0123 or Mary Yonkers, 814-881-7548 or askmary.yonkers@gmail.com  Join us on Facebook: Eriez Toastmasters Club Eriez Toastmasters Club website Find a Toastmasters club in your area:  www.toastmasters.org         09/22/2013

Just a Glimpse of Fall Periodically I catch a glimpse of fall.  Here along the southern shore of Lake Erie it still a little early for fall, but lately I have been seeing a little glimpse of fall here and there.  With the cool nights in the forecast for next few days I am sure I will see more fall scenes.  More photos as soon as Mother Nature waves her magic wand.     09/15/2013

Have You Registered for Real Estate Fundamentals? Erie, PA   Class begins tomorrow and I have one more opening.  Call now.   Erie, PA Real Estate Pre-license Class:  Fundamentals Sept. 14,15,28,29   Location:  3036 West 12th Street Erie, PA 16505   Call 814-881-7548   Time:  9:00 - 4:30   $178   Alan Kells School of Real Estate     Erie, PA Real Estate Classes: Sept 14,15,28,29 - See more at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/4181357/erie-pa-are-you-ready-for-a-career-change-#sthash.4fwkEHJG.dpuf 09/13/2013

Country Beauty Yes, I could buy bouquet of flowers at the Farmers Market or any grocery store, but I love the simplicity of the wildflowers.      Mother Nature nurtures these flowers with sunshine and an occasional rainshower.   From early spring to late fall the flowers on my dining room table are wildflowers picked while walking along a country road or in the field across the road from my home.    Country Beauty   09/10/2013

And It Is Time for Real Estate Classes to Begin in Erie, PA     Erie, PA Real Estate Classes      Real Estate Fundamentals:  Sept. 14, 15, 28, 29   Real Estate Practice:  Oct. 12, 13, 26, 27    Location:  3036 West 12th Street Erie, PA 16505     Time:  9:00 - 4:30    $178   Register:  1-814-453-4274     Alan Kells School of Real Estate   09/10/2013

Can I Succeed as a Part Time Real Estate Agent? Am I Doomed to Failure as a Part Time Real Estate Agent?  Well, the best answer is, 'It depends.'  It depends on you.  How motivated are you?  Are you willing to make a commitment to hard work?  Are you willing to flex your schedule to meet your clients needs?  Are you willing to work long hours at both jobs, your regular job and your real estate job?  Yes, it is just like having two full-time jobs. In case you didn't know Real Estate agents get paid when their listing sells or a buyer buys.   No, we don't get a regular paycheck every two weeks, but a Real Estate closing check is often bigger than a regular paycheck!!  Can I Succeed as Part Time Real Estate Agent?  Absolutely!  You can succeed if you are willing to work hard and do whateve... 09/08/2013

Add a Little Humor at Eriez Toastmasters Club in Erie, PA Erie, PA are you looking for a Toastmasters Club that knows how to have Fun while they learn to be better speakers and leaders?  Come visit Eriez Toastmasters Club and see for yourself as Eriez Toastmasters compete in the Humorous Contest and Table Topics Contest on September 9, 2013.  Eriez Toastmasters meets at the Millcreek Mall Library (next to Dick's Sporting Goods) 6:15 -7:45 pm.    And you can vote for me in the Humorous Contest.  'Go to the Devil'         Eriez Toastmasters Club Eriez Toastmasters Club 2nd & 4th Monday 6:15 - 7:75 pm Millcreek Mall Library (next to Dick's Sporting Goods) 2088 Interchange Road Erie, PA 16509   Eriez Toastmasters Club Can Help Eriez Toastmasters Club will help improve your communication ski... 09/08/2013

Ahoy, Tall Ships Arrive in Erie, PA Sunny skies, calm seas with just enough breeze hailed the Tall Ships as they sailed across Lake Erie. A replica of Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship, the U.S. Brig Niagara, led the parade of nine tall ships through the channel into Presque Isle Bay.  I was one of thousands who lined Presque Isle Bay and the Erie Bayfront to see the Parade of Sails.  Here are just a few photos Dave and I took from shore.  See links below for additional photos provided by GoErie.com    U.S. Brig Niagara booming carronade  2013 Tall Ships Erie Festival  Street View: Parade Last weekend the tall ships took part in re-enactment of Battle of Lake Erie at Put-in-Bay.  The young US Navy under the command of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry defeated the powerful British navy near Pu... 09/06/2013

A Surprise Visit at Eriez Toastmasters Toastmasters International has 292,000 members in 14,350 clubs in 122 countries worldwide and two Toastmaters from Erlangen, Germany made a suprise visit to Eriez Toastmasters Club in Erie, PA.  David & Morag Mathieson were on their way to Toastmasters Internation Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio visiting Toastmasters clubs in United States and Canada. Morag Mathieson is orginally from High Balantyre, South Lanarkshire, United Kingdom. Both David & Morag are Toastmasters in Germany and hold Toastmasters highest award, DTM, Distinguished Toastmaster.  Morag had just completed a term as Distric Governor of Toastmasters International District 59 which encompases most of Western Europe. Morag's District 59 was recognized at the convention as Toastmasters... 09/05/2013

Erie, PA Are You Ready for a Career Change? Are you ready for a career in real estate?  Are you ready to do more than make a living? Your Real Estate career is waiting for you. No sales experience necessary Manage your own schedule in-depth training to help ensure your success Direct your income level Very rewarding   Make an impact!   Are You Ready for a Career in Real Estate?   Erie, PA Real Estate Pre-license Class:  Fundamentals Sept. 14,15,28,29   Location:  3036 West 12th Street Erie, PA 16505    Time:  9:00 - 4:30   $178   Alan Kells School of Real Estate     Erie, PA Real Estate Classes: Sept 14,15,28,29   09/01/2013

Per the Almanac the Winter Prediction for Erie, PA:  Cold & Snow So what's new?  Every year the almanac predicts Cold & Snow for Erie, PA.  Along the lakeshore Erie, PA averages 90-100 inches of snow and the 2012-2013 season dumped 106 inches.   Inland areas, especially the snowbelt, receive 150-200 inches.  Of course the ski resort, Peek 'n Peak, couldn't be happier with this year's almanac prediction. Yes, I love skiing but I am not quite ready to think about winter.  The Yonkers at the Peak. However, the Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field had two new snow plows on display at recent air show.  Per the Almanac the Winter Prediction for Erie, PA:  Cold & Snow Let's enjoy the last few days of summer and hopefully a long, colorful fall before Old Man Winter arrives.         09/01/2013

A Backwards Toastmasters Meeting?? ~ Eriez Toastmasters Club Really? What's a Backwards Toastmasters Meeting??  Come to Eriez Toastmasters Club and find out.  We have FUN! Toastmasters focuses on communication and leadership skills and we like to have fun while we learn.  Periodically we mix it up a bit by running a backwards meeting.  At the last meeting I was awaken with a jolt because I thought it was 6:15 am.  Not only was my schedule backwards but the agenda was printed backwards. (see below) Eriez Toastmasters Club meets 2nd & 4th Monday 6:15-7:45 pm at Millcreek Mall Library       Eriez Toastmasters Club meets 2nd & 4th Monday 6:15-7:45 pm at Millcreek Mall Library (next to Dick's Sporting Goods) 2088 Interchange Road Erie, PA 16509   08/26/2013