Toastmaster Magazine Reading Gathering in June

Strolling along Chung-shan North Road, from Section One till Section Eight, takes at least two hours non-stop. Japanese developed the first half of Chung-shan North Road (Section 1, 2, 3) in the first half of 20th century and Americans relayed to develop the second half of Chung-shan North Road (Section 4, 5, 6) in the second half of 20th century. The Filipinos now take charge of the middle of Chung-shan North Road (Section 3, 4) on weekends. For first timers in town, this lush and grand boulevard is a must for fun walkers to know the epitome of Taipei on foot. No other place can better showcase the modern history of Taiwan than Chung-shan North Road.

Toastmaster Magazine reading gathering, organized by Irene, took place at Artco Tea House Friday evening, the 27th of June, on Chung-shan North Road Section One. The European facade Artco Stood out among the Japanese style snack bars on the 8th Alley in Japanese Era. If we could transcend half a century backwards, Artco might have been a geisha house for Taiwanese elite to mingle together. Times changed! And now and here golden ladies had dinner and read Toastmaster Magazine May issue 2008.

Even though Irene assigned only four articles, Notes or Not by Steven L, Reagles, page 10; The Art of Persuasion by Paul Endress, page 18; Silence-the Secret of Negotiation by Liz Tabir, page 20; Get Off the Cow Path by Suzanne Riches, page 22, all five golden ladies read the May issue from cover to cover. Linda and Trini like Better presentations from A to Z by Carol Smith White, because it is useful and applicable. I vote for Notes or Not simply because of the ingenious analogy of Notes and Lilliputians in Gulliver's Travels.

The special musical treat was the highlight after the reading. The duet of Pianist Veronica Yen and Flutist Jennie Lin gave an entertaing and educational Friday evening recital at Artco and won a full house of applause. How lucky golden ladies were to stick around and got the chance to pose with the lovely couple with Toastmaster Magazines in our hands.