On June 28th, I had the distinct pleasure of doing another Mark Twain meets Stephen Foster event! It was my third Twain/Foster event and they keep getting better. Larry Lytle played the part of Stephen Foster. The audience of 150 people loved hearing him sing the classic songs of Stephen Foster! Twain and Foster took … [Read more…]
7-8-2015 Last week, I delivered a patriotic Mark Twain speech at a public speaking event in Raleigh,N.C. Mr.Twain was often asked to speak at 4th of July events and he loved doing them. There were children present, so I seized on the opportunity to give some of Twain’s advice to youth. I dismissed the adults present … [Read more…]
I recently gave a presentation on techniques for starting a speech. Mark Twain was my teacher and I learned from the best. Mr.Twain was not shy about admitting that he borrowed from the other prominent speakers of the time. Artemus Ward was the best known speaker on the circuit when Twain came on the scene … [Read more…]
This month I will be doing a series of Mark Twain storytelling events at the 6 Regional Libraries in Wake County. I am looking forward to these speeches as a way of practicing some stories I have not tried in public before. Mr.Twain’s favorite humorous story was the story his heard when he was in … [Read more…]
I believe Mark Twain would not be at all surprised by the quality of candidates available to run for Congress. He covered Congress as a newspaper reporter. He needed a job and was very particular about the type of job he would accept. If the position required anything that could be described as work, he … [Read more…]
I did a “Mark Twain” speech this week at the James B.Green Masonic Lodge #735 A.F. & A.M. in Raleigh, N.C. The invitation to speak was offered by Master Mason Donald R. Steichen. I met Don a few months ago when he led the effort at starting a Toastmaster’s Club in the Bedford community of … [Read more…]
One of the causes that Mark Twain become involved with was the cause of the adult blind. His friendship with and admiration for Helen Keller inspired Twain to help raise money and awareness on the issue. In 1906, Miss Keller asked him to read a letter she had written meant to inspire New Yorkers to give until … [Read more…]
Mark Twain Don McNeill is available to visit your group.