Almost 75 people feted the Free-hold Phrasers Toastmasters Club at a special dinner meeting held on April 18 at the Freehold Gardens Hotel and Conference Center, Freehold Township, in recognition of the club's 10th anniversary.

The event was officially opened by the presentation of colors by the Old Bridge High School Air Force JROTC honor guard. Included in the festivities was a sample Toastmasters meeting, the graduation and award ceremony for Old Bridge High School's 2007 Youth Leadership Program and a special address by retired Fire Department of New York Chief Dan Daly, a veteran Toastmaster of 15 years.

The club recognized its past presidents who were in attendance. They included Jim Collins, Roseland; David Tolleth, Holdmel; Diane King, Freehold; Melissa Roberge, Manalapan; Joan Hepscher, Jackson; and Patrick Arga-bright, Jackson.

Iris Kingma-Johnson, current president of the club, presented Loretta Kuhnert, president of the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, with a plaque in appreciation for the chamber's original support and continued sponsorship over the last 10 years.

Also recognized was Joan Hepscher, the longest standing charter member of the club. She was named the Freehold Phrasers Toastmasters Club Outstanding Member 1996-2006, and has held several club and district positions, including club president and district area governor.

The Youth Leadership Program is a pubic speaking training program presented through Toastmasters International. The Freehold Phrasers sponsor a Youth Leadership Program at Old Bridge High School and this year's graduation took place at the 10th anniversary dinner.

The celebratory address was given by Daly. A 24-year veteran of the FDNY and a Toastmaster, Daly told his story of being afraid of speaking in public and joining Toastmasters 15 years ago to improve his self-esteem and confidence. After being called to Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001, Daly worked extensively at the scene. During his time there he became aware not only of the horror of the event, but also of the love and caring that became the dominant force. He felt a mission to tell the real story on behalf of those who were lost and credits Toast-masters for helping him "find his voice."

"My focus is children who are going to inherit the world from us. I do not want the young ones to feel that the world is devoid of good and caring people. The world is full of loving and caring people, that is my message to them," he said.

Daly has since been recruited by the U.S. State Department to present his message of peace, hope and tolerance in more than 70 countries around the globe.

The Freehold Phrasers Toastmasters Club is sponsored by the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce and meets on the first and third Wednesday of every month in the chamber office, 17 Broad Street, Freehold Borough, at 7:15 p.m. Membership is open to everyone 18 years and older. For more information call (732) 928-3356 or visit the Internet Web site www.freeholdphrasers.homestead.com.