Dragged, Kicking and Screaming - into the 21st Century

Ann Johnston, Golden Seniors-on-the-Move Toastmasters Club

My children, grandchildren, great-great grandchildren are scattered all over the country. Actually all over the world, because, as I write this, my youngest grandson, Captain Joshua, is headed for Afghanistan.

In 2009, fourteen of the above (relatives) with spouses came to visit me and my husband, Rod, in our retirement home. It was wonderful to see them, but I wondered if I would ever see them again. The answer was... yes! When Rod and I were dragged, kicking and screaming into the 21st Century

Recently, my son John from Memphis and his son Paul, a Phoenix detective, came to see us at the Town and Country Retirement Center in Santa Ana, California. They brought with them a new technological development called “Smart Phone” or “Face Book.”

Say What??? More high-tech words and devices that we try to avoid-- iPod, Blackberry, Laptop, Cell phone, etc.  Who needs them??? But as it turned out, we were overjoyed that John and Paul had brought the Smartphone with them!

After finding an appropriate spot, Paul whipped out a device the size of a deck-of-cards,  and, what a miracle --there was the face of my grandson, Brett, in Virginia!  He talked to me, he saw my face -- and I saw the face he was seeing! Amazing! Or is it Witch Craft?  

I talked to Brett, then saw his wife, Bonny, and children: Adam and Easton --whom I had never seen! Would wonders never cease? Paul then brought up grandson Carson, who is in Virginia with the FBI, and his family. And they saw me! Next, he got my beautiful granddaughter, Christine, in Florida with her daughters: Shane and “Butter Bean.”

Amazing! or Witchcraft?!  It was truly wonderful. Rod and I are both over 80 and took what I suppose was an illogical pride in not needing --and therefore, knew nothing about-- anything invented after 1985.

But our encounter with the Smartphone made us feel like a couple of dinosaurs. Relics we are, but because of John and Paul, very happy relics!

Welcome to the 21st Century -- Ann and Rod -- Dragged, Kicking and Screaming.

Rod and Ann Johnston are members of the Golden Seniors on-the-Move Toastmasters Club in Anaheim, California. The club meets from 2:45 pm to 5 pm on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month at the Tryol Plaza Senior Club House, 891 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92806.  Visitors are always welcomed for FREE. For more information about the club, please call Rod at 714-667-0731 or email Dr. Patricia Adelekan, DTM, President at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 714-628-9844.

Douglas A. Bowers: His Philosophy About Life

Dr. Patricia Adelekan, DTM Founder’s District Journalist

Recently, I had the honor to meet and interview Founder’s District Treasurer, Douglas A. Bowers, ACS, CL, who seems to truly know himself and to share his wisdom, knowledge, talents and experiences with others he meets.

The first thing Doug said was, “The key thing about me is that I am an idea person. I love ideas about almost anything. I can get lost in them. They are my friends. I can relate one idea to another and find value in each of them. The skill comes in knowing how to put seemingly unrelated ideas together.”

Such a description reveals his philosophy about life, which in turn highlights some of his major gifts and talents: 

• observing
• listening
• seeing relationships
• creatively solving problems
• caring enough about others to offer solutions and
• taking deliberate action to solve problems.

All these reveal vital components to his approach by which he aims to benefit organizations, individuals and even his own life.

Ideas trigger Doug’s imagination and his unique ability to see relationships and trends. It is these ideas and experiences that assist him in creating various solutions, approaches and methodologies to solve problems or to arrive at certain predetermined outcomes. They are the “stuff” that he meditated upon and played with to come up with his DogOlogic method. Through DogOlogic, he seeks to empower leaders, managers, teachers and others to adopt a method to arrive at well-rounded approaches and solutions to both their concerns and their opportunities.

Roadmap to Success

They call her one of the ‘elite’. In 1993, she was the sixth woman in the world, 28th overall, to earn the Accredited Speaker designation for outstanding platform professionalism (in six speaking categories), out of 4.4 million members in 116 countries. Only 61 have earned the designation to date. She is our very own Sheryl Roush, DTM, PDG,

And now, Founder’s District’s Division C is offering you a wonderful opportunity to learn from Sheryl. She will present an interactive workshop utilizing an actual roadmap, and will expertly guide you to get the most value out of your Toastmasters membership. Whether you are at a crossroad in your Toastmasters journey, or clearly focused on the next goal, this highly‐engaging session will accelerate your success!

When: February 4, 2012 (9:00-12:00; Registration starts at 8:30 am)
Where: Southern California Edison, 7300 Fenwick Lane, Westminster, CA 92683
Cost: $8.00

Sheryl’s creative HANDOUT alone is worth attending! Watching the facilitator's style and Delivery - priceless!