The

Early Bird Toastmasters held their Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contest recently.In the Humorous Speech category, first place went to

Linda Harigan and second place went to

Walt Smith.Smith also took first place in the Table Topics category.

Robert Humphreys won second place in Table Topics.The winners advanced to the area contest held at Jamison Hospital in New Castle.At the area contest, Harigan took second place in Humorous Speech and Smith and Humphreys took first and second place in Table Topics respectively.The contestants will advance to a division-level contest.For information about the Toastmasters, contact Harigan at hari@nauticom.net.---

On Sept. 10, the <b>Visiting Nurses Association</b> Western Pennsylvania celebrated its 40th anniversary with a Ruby Red Gala at The Mansion in Butler Township.More than 150 supporters, attended the black-tie optional event, which included a silent auction, a Chinese auction and a raffle for a $5,000 ruby. The event yielded $38,000 in cash as well as thousands of dollars in donated services and prizes."These contributions will help us even better serve the community as the VNA establishes an inpatient hospice in Butler County," said Kristy Wright, president and CEO, VNA, Western Pennsylvania.For information about VNA Hospice or other services provided by VNA, Western Pennsylvania, call 877-VNA-ONLY or visit its Web site at www.vna.com.---

Twenty-eight models from the <b>Marilyn E. Kane Modeling School and Agency</b> in Butler recently raised $2,641 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association through its Mannequin Modeling for MDA program.The top fundraiser in the group was<b>Hope Schnell</b>, 7, daughter of Mike and Tracy Schnell of Prospect, who raised $536.Proceeds were donated to MDA during the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.---

Winners at the <b>Butler Duplicate Bridge Club</b> Game held Sept. 22 were:Jacquelyn Skirboll and Mary Anne McNeirney,Helen Brydon and Betty Thompson,Lorraine Worsley and Robert Freemon,Jan Horwitz and Lynn Rafferty,Christine Volchko and Howard Langston,Raymond Kramer and William Frank and Teresa Fraas and Nancy Welch