NEW JERSEY—The Northeast Spokesman Club celebrated its club graduation and final meeting of the year on July 20 at the Brook Hollow Winery in Columbia, with 19 spokesmen and 11 wives and guests attending, some from as far away as Pennsylvania and Maine.

Director Greg Nice opened the meeting by welcoming members and guests and commenting on the delightful outdoor setting: a backdrop of growing vineyards drenched in brilliant sunshine. President Tom Garstka, from Massachusetts, compared the growth of a consistently pruned vineyard to a Christian’s growth through God’s pruning and correction.

“I am thankful for the ladies’ gala event,” Connecticut member Christine Szabo said. “It’s inspiring to observe the men in God’s Church working towards being the leaders God wants them to be.”

Topicsmaster Nathan Barkei got spokesmen to their feet with a variety of questions to stimulate conversation. Later, toastmaster Fernando Escobar introduced five speakers and their evaluators for the evening. The group heard speeches designed to help them save money, replace car brakes, write an article for True Education , reread The 7 Laws of Success , stay healthy in sedentary jobs, and build a portable camp stove.

Afterward, Nathan Barkei came forward to receive a certificate of merit recognizing him as the first graduate of the Northeast Spokesman Club.

New Jersey member Harriet Barkei said that getting to see her son receive his graduation certificate was the highlight of her night.

To show their appreciation, club members presented Mr. Nice with two bottles of wine, each imprinted with a special quote as a reminder of the club’s motto: “Exalting God With Visionary Leadership.”

Later, the vintner and owner of Brook Hollow Winery spoke about the vineyard’s operations and its wines, cranberry being a favorite, while members and guests participated in wine tasting.

“The lovely lady guests, the scenic vineyard backdrop, and comfortable temperatures provided a great club graduation setting,” Garstka said. “The capstone was the vintner’s funny, informative lecture while tasting his three best wines.”

Before the day ended, club members and guests shared a buffet meal prepared by Garstka and his wife, Donna. Members and guests finished the day with a visit to the winery store to browse through wines that are unique to New Jersey.