Toastmasters come in costume for special meeting

USMC LCpl Alex Hurla gives an icebreaker speech telling his life story about growing up in Kansas during a Fallbrook Village Toastmaster meeting on Oct. 26. The meeting carried a humor and Halloween costume party theme, hence Hurla's outfit choice. Toastmasters is a nonprofit organization that helps develop public speaking and leadership skills. Shane Gibson photos

Fallbrook Village Toastmasters members from left, humor contest speaker Barbara Lowry, vice pres. of public relations Marti Avila, and humor contest speaker Mike Majdick share a funny moment after the speakers finished their presentations at Crestview Estates on Oct. 26. The meeting carried a costume theme in light of Halloween.

Fallbrook Village Toastmasters members from left, vice pres. of public relations Marti Avila, Fallbrook Village Toastmasters founder Carole Hodges, and her husband, Fallbrook Village Toastmasters president Paul Schumann, pose for a picture at the organization's Oct. 26 meeting.

Fallbrook Village Toastmasters vice pres. of public relations Marti Avila, dressed as horror character "Elvira", hosts a humor and costume contest during the group's weekly meeting on Oct. 26.

Retired Los Angeles City fireman and Fallbrook Village Toastmasters member Howard Lewis tricks guests into thinking he was injured in a car accident on the way to the Oct. 26 meeting at Crestview Estates in Fallbrook.

Fallbrook Village Toastmasters president Paul Schumann welcomes members and guests to the humor and costume contest at Crestview Estates on Oct. 26.

Fallbrook Village Toastmasters members and guests attend the group's Oct. 26 meeting wearing Halloween costumes at Crestview Estates.

Fallbrook Village Toastmasters members and guests attend the group's Oct. 26 meeting wearing Halloween costumes at Crestview Estates.

In background, restaurant owner Faro Trupiano and Fallbrook Honorary Mayor Sandy Hull look on as Fallbrook Village Toastmasters members and guests display their Halloween costumes for a chance to win a $40 gift card to one of Trupiano's restaurants, 127 West Social House.