October 11, 2011 • Page 10 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com LAURA ON LIFE 1650 Houses For Sale Learning to Speak When you get to a certain age – it takes some of us longer than others – you have learned some basic rules of life. If these rules are not broken, your life will be less stressful. Among these rules are: 1. Never wash a colored sock with your whites. 2. Never miss an oil change or inspection. 3. Never allow your child to eat a Popsicle indoors. 4. Always take a map even if you have GPS. 5. Never pluck a nose hair while you are wearing mascara. 6. Always carry cue cards in case you are ever asked to “say a few words.” That last scenario can strike “stress” (read terror) into the most fearless warrior. For me, public speaking was as awkward as trying to put tights on a wired toddler. I’m a writer; Laura Snyder a purveyor of the written word. Just because I can write with some degree of proficiency does not mean that my mouth works in tandem with my brain. Just because my brain and my mouth are located within an inch and a half of each other doesn’t mean there is any connection between the two. Some eloquent speakers have somehow managed to make that connection. It’s invisible, but it’s definitely there. My brain and my mouth are like nosy neigh- HUTCHINSON COUNTY LAND AUCTION 100 +/- ACRES, Kaylor Township bors. They are always wondering what the other is up to, but they don’t like each other enough to ask. So what’s a girl supposed to do when she’s asked to “say a few words”? She says as few words as possible. Once, I thought a simple thank you to the audience would be enough. I stood up on legs that had turned to cream of mushroom soup and spoke into the microphone. “I thank you all from the heart of my bottom.” …And then I had to apologize. I finally admitted I had a problem and promptly joined Toastmasters. Toastmasters, does not, as one might think, manufacture toasters. It is a group of people who practice speaking in front of that same group of people. When I first heard about it, I thought, “You’re kidding, right? People actually do that? On purpose?” It makes sense though, that if you make a mistake or have a brain spasm, the damaged is contained to the small group of people that have the same affliction. All Toastmasters have the same goal: To be able to speak coherently in front of an audience without having heart failure. When a new person joins and gives his or her very first speech, we all know what they are feeling. We’ve all been there. The symptoms are pretty much the same the world over. 1. Shortness of breath because you forgot to breathe. 2. Hands so clammy that they slide effortlessly in and out of the introductory hand shake. 3. Butterflies that amass in great quantities in your gut and threaten to spill out your mouth with the rest of your dinner. 4. Knees that knock like a Model T Ford. 5. A voice that shakes as if you were orating in a wooden roller coaster. Toastmasters prepares you for your first speech by giving you tips about what to say, how to say it and to wear cotton underwear to absorb the sweat. After the first speech, it gets easier. The cotton underwear is still a must, but I now feel like I can stand and speak for an audience without an urgent need for a nearby restroom. Somehow, simply knowing what the goal is and having the plan to get there gives me the confidence I need to speak to audiences. Learning to speak well is a basic skill everyone should master. This cannot be overstated, because another basic rule for life is that when someone asks you to “say a few words,” refusing is not an option. Laura Snyder is a nationally syndicated columnist, author & speaker. You can reach Laura at lsnyder@lauraonlife.com Or visit her website www.lauraonlife.com for more info. 620 Sawgrass New twin home. Quality built, no step design. Beautiful hardwood. 2-bedroom, 2-bath, laundry on main. HOA. List Construction (605)661-8003. 905 W 13th $379,000 This is better than the house you dreamed about with over 4,000 sq ft finished! Great floor plan. Spacious master suite with sitting area & closets galore. Huge 3 car garage on a nicely manicured lot. Lisa, Anderson Realty, LLC (605)661-0054 Move In Ready 3002 Mulligan Dr. (Fox Run) $205,000 3-Bedroom, 2-Bath, vaulted ceilings, open floor plan, fenced yard, sprinklers, unfinished basement. For more information visit www.yankton.net/3002mullig a n or call (605)661-5688 Call Classifieds 665-5884 Thursday, November 3, 2011 • 11 AM We will sell the following real estate at Tract 1 land site located from Kaylor, SD 2 miles north on 418th Ave and 1?4 mile west on 288th St. Don’t Miss This Auction if you are looking to expand your current farming operation or to purchase as an investment. These parcels include prime farm land and CRP income. Tract 1: Legal Description: W 1?2 E 1?2 W 1?2 SE 1?4 and W 1?2 W 1?2 SE 1?4 17-97-59 Hutchinson County, SD 60 +/- acres. According to FSA there is 58.7 acres of cropland. Soil Rating: .780 Taxes: $599.30 Tract 2: Legal Description : NE 1?4 SE 1?4 28-97-59 Hutchinson County, SD 40 +/- acres. This tract is located from Kaylor 1 mile east on 290th St. and 1?4 north on 419th Ave. According to the FSA there is 18.8 acres of cropland and 19.4 acres enrolled in the CRP program at $100.83 per acre thru Sept 30, 2020. Soil Rating: .823. Taxes: $423.56 TERMS: 10% nonrefundable down payment day of sale with the balance due on or before December 16th 2011. Both tracts are available to the new owner for the 2012 crop year. Title insurance and closing costs split 50/50 between buyer and seller. 2010 taxes due in 2011 paid by the seller. 2011 taxes due in 2012 paid by the seller. The property is sold in as is condition and as a cash sale with no financing contingency. Sold subject to existing easements, restrictions, reservations, or highway of record, if any. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information herein, it is not guaranteed. All prospective buyers are encouraged to inspect the property and verify all data provided. Statements made the day of sale take precedence over all written advertising. Real Estate licensees are agents for the seller. Sold subject to confirmation of owner. Jamie D Anderson, Darline Dalin, Vera Olson, Lois Zupp, Richard Zupp, Owners Allen B. Brown, Closing Attorney For additional information, maps and pictures visit: www.westraatkins.com Joel R. Westra, RE Auctioneer, Beresford, SD 605-310-6941 Pete Atkins, RE Auctioneer, Tea, SD 605-351-9847 Joel A. Westra, RE Auctioneer, Chancellor, SD 605-957-5222 Jerry Stoebner, Maxwell & Bowar Agency, Tripp, SD 605-661-2404 WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE Cars • Pick-ups • Trucks • Trailers Call The Car Crushing King 605.202.0899