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Speakers
Mar 16, 2018
“Bipartisanship Works-A Success Story”
Mar 23, 2018
Cycling for Peace, Partnership and the Environment
Mar 30, 2018
Apr 06, 2018
AFRICA EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP/Grace International School
Apr 13, 2018
TBD
Apr 20, 2018
District 7890
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Executives & Directors
President
 
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Immediate Past President
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Foundation Chair
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Asst Treasurer
 
Club Information
Rotary Club of Avon-Canton - Founded 1973
Avon-Canton
Service above Self
We meet Fridays at 7:30 AM
Avon Old Farms Hotel
279 Avon Mountain Rd.
Avon, CT  06001
United States
DistrictSiteIcon District Site
VenueMap Venue Map
 January 26, 2018
 
Cheryl Stone
Body by Cheryl
 
Sergeant-at-Arms Report
January 19, 2018
 
Members Present: Yes
 
Make-Ups: None  
Guests: Bob Maher (speaker), Gary Gross (speaker), Marissa McDougal (speaker), Carol Fitzgerald (speaker), Betty Beagstrom
[Bob, Gary, Marissa, Carol & Betty were present representing New Horizons Inc. and New Horizons Village]
Michelle Traub (member inductee), Debbie Stanwood (prospective member)
 
Visiting Rotarians: Marcel Schmidt (Asst District Governor; Southwick, MA Rotary Club)  
Fines: None  
Happy Dollars: $2.00
Raffle Winner: No winner!
 
 
Birthdays
None this week.
Happy Dollars
 
Rollie Sterrett reported he would be leaving forthwith for his alma mater, Colgate University, to enjoy a weekend of hockey against their rival, Cornell. He'll be rooming with his former college roommate, with whom he plans to share (more) than a few beers. He has high hopes for a respectable performance by Colgate, ranked 19th nationally, in their contest against 4th ranked Cornell.
 
Heather Pantano announced that her brother's wife will have a baby boy, and thus Heather will become an auntie, in the near future. Naming plans remain private for now.
 
Many other Rotarians were too happy for words this morning!
 
Announcements
 
Committee Meetings: Following this morning's meeting the Bylaws Committee, Membership Committee and Rotary-Means-Business Committees met.
 
Calendar of Upcoming Events
 
Saturday, February 24: Taste of the Valley, at Farmington Gardens.  Each member has been provided 4 regular tickets ($50) for personal use or to sell. Anyone wishing to obtain VIP tickets should contact Chuck Joseph. Tickets can also be bought online on the Club's website. Checks should be made out to "Avon-Canton Rotary Community Fund, Inc." which is our 501c3 charity. Gary Hyde has asked that the ticket numbers be written in the Memo field. The information on the back of each ticket should also be filled in.
 
Awards and Community Service Grants
 
Paul Harris Awards
 
While we very much missed Joanne Santiago, who was unavoidably absent from Rotary today, her absence did afford Tom Voorhees the opportunity to honor Chuck Joseph with the Paul Harris +4 recognition and pin. Tom noted, repeatedly, the high value he places on the three, distinct pieces of blue, cut glass found on the PH+4 pin, and the esteem with which its wearers are regarded.
Tom also recognized Canton Superintendent of Schools Kevin Case with a Paul Harris Fellow award.
 
In closing Tom noted that both Rotarians were "selflessly helping people they have never met."
Main Presentation
 
Bob Maher, Carol Fitzgerald, Gary Gross & Marissa McDougal
New Horizons Village
Bob Maher
 
It was with a bit of melancholy that New Horizons Village Executive Director Bob Maher introduced himself and his companions today, noting that after 25 years as the New Horizons Exec, he would be retiring from that role in the near future. Mr. Maher noted that current CFO Carol Fitzgerald, also scheduled to speak today would assume his duties as the new Executive Director, and he asserted that New Horizons leadership will be in good hands.
 
Along with Mr. Maher and Ms. Fitgerald, others present associated with New Horizons Village included Gary Gross, a New Horizons resident for 30 years, Marissa McDougal, a resident since 2008, and Betty Beagstram an aide to Gary.
 
Describing the structure of New Horizons, Mr. Maher explained that New Horizons, Inc., a corporate entity has three entities primarily dedicated to helping people with physical disabilities live full and productive lives. Those entities include New Horizons Village in the Unionville section of Farmington, Cherry Brook Health Care Center in Canton and New Horizons Middlebury. Mr. Maher also noted with pride that our own Paul Mikkelson, a personal friend, serves on the New Horizons Board of Directors.
 
New Horizons was founded in 1986 by a group of physically disabled persons who desired to live independent lives. Set on 26 landscaped acres it serves 100 residents and employs 50 staff members. In the early 1990s, the Board of Directors voted to expand the New Horizons mission to provide skilled nursing and rehabilitative care, and in 1994 Cherry Brook Health Care Center was opened in Canton under New Horizons corporate leadership. In 1995, the Middlebury facility, serving 5 physically disabled and/or elderly persons, was opened.
 
Speaking broadly, Mr. Maher expressed his joy and thankfulness that the New Horizon's mission "draws employees with good hearts." He noted that their employees "care about the residents as well as each other." Mr. Maher loves his job at New Horizons, and having spent 25 rewarding years in it, feels deeply, a love for its people. New Horizons is decisively operated for and by the disabled, noting that by Bylaws, 55% of its Board of Directors must themselves be physically disabled. This arrangement assures preservation of its mission and conveys a deep respect for its residents.
Gary Gross & Marissa McDougal
 
Mr. Maher next introduced Gary Gross, who has resided at New Horizons village for 31 years. Carefully gauging his audience, Mr. Gross first polled those present about their loyalty to the New England Patriots Having successfully ascertained the friendliness of the audience, Mr. Gross expressed his feelings of gratitude for having access to the opportunities afforded him by his residence at New Horizons Village. He noted those opportunities included his speaking engagement at Rotary this morning. Mr. Gross and his fellow New Horizons Village residents have access to transportation for work, school or personal matters, the assistance of personal care attendants and aides, planned trips, and an emergency office staffed 24 hours-a-day for personal emergencies. "It's a great place", remarked Gary, "and Cherry Brook (Health Care Center) is also great." "I'm very fortunate to live at New Horizons." Punctuating Mr. Gross' comments, Mr. Maher noted that Mr. Gross is very active in the larger community and involved in political life, including being on a first name basis with Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty. Mr. Gross has served on the Farmington Democratic Town Committee and has attended that party's nominating convention as a delegate.
 
Next, Mr. Maher introduced New Horizon's resident Marissa McDougal. Ms. McDougal first learned of New Horizons Village in 1999 while pursuing a degree at Tunxis Community College, where she met and was assisted by a New Horizons resident, who she described as "saving her." On 12/2/2008 she moved from her then home in New Britain to New Horizons Village. Since then she has been active in the community and continued her education between 8/27/2011 and 5/15/2016, earning a degree in communications and journalism with honors on that latter date. These days, Ms. McDougal is in training for a 5K run with the assistance of Anytime Fitness in Farmington. On February 1oth, she will compete in a charity race as a part of her training.
 
Carol Fitzgerald
 
Mr. Maher then introduced our final speaker, current CFO, and soon to be Executive Director of New Horizons, Carol Fitzgerald. Ms. Fitzgerald first promoted the new, New Horizons website, which can be found at: www.newhorizonsinc.org
 
She views her role as trying to bring awareness to the public about disabled people as well as about New Horizons and its work. Outreach has included community events, such as their October 2017 Wellness Festival. Upcoming on February 7th, will be a morning educational symposium termed an "Active Learning Seminar" to be held at New Horizons Village, and highlighting the ways in which employers have successfully incorporated disabled persons in their work forces, to mutual benefit. Representatives of the Walgreen Corporation and the State of Connecticut's "Connectability" agency will participate. More information about the New Horizon's February 7th event can be found here: http://nhvillage.org/events/ or by calling 860-673-8893. You can also learn more about "Connectability" at: http://www.ct.gov/connect-ability/site/default.asp
 
In closing, Ms. Fitzgerald indicated New Horizons Village welcomed visitors, that tours were available and that volunteer opportunities for persons seeking to serve others were also available. Learn more about New Horizons at www.newhorizonsinc.org
 
###
Special Announcements
 
Welcome New Rotarian Michelle Traub
President Don Bonner welcomes new Rotarian, Michelle Traub
 
The Rotary Club of Avon-Canton warmly welcomes new Rotarian Michelle Traub as a member. Michelle is a teacher in the Canton school system, and already has a long resume of service to others. In her young life, Michelle has been a Fulbright Scholar and subsequently earned a graduate degree in international education. She has taught in Spain and Guatemala, and is co-leading the new Interact program at Canton High School, with Superintendent and fellow Rotarian Kevin Case. As is our custom, Michelle was formally inducted into Rotary with many members participating in the ceremony and process. Welcome Michelle!
 
INTERACT Update....
President Don Bonner called upon Alicia Canning to report on the progress of development of the INTERACT program in the Canton and Avon High Schools respectively. Alicia noted that she was working closely with Kevin Case and newly inducted Rotarian Michelle Traub, as well as an energetic group of students. In existence for just two months in Canton, Interact meets every other Tuesday at 7:15 AM. Avon's program, in cooperation with Rotarian John Shea, will get underway on February 7th.
Alicia noted that the recent District Newsletter advertised an upcoming Interact conference which she plans to further explore.
Conference Details are as follows:
 
Interact Conference – March 24th 2018 – offers Advisors and Interactors a leadership program where we also learn about the most successful Interact service projects and fundraisers in the District. Rotarians  and youth leaders working to start new Interact Clubs or grow existing programs should join us to be inspired and empowered.
 
Finally, Alicia noted that Avon Old Farms School may also be fertile ground to pursue Interact. Contact to be made in the future.
 
In response to a question from Rollie Sterrett on the purpose of Interact, Alicia explained that Interact has an international and global focus, and Kevin Case added that the students will independently raise funds and assist those in need in foreign nations, much as we do. While Interact will remain independent, we expect to provide organizational mentorship, and opportunities for participation in service projects as time goes on. Kevin added how notable it was that the students dove in without hesitation in using proper parliamentary procedure in electing their officers, and their overall enthusiasm towards helping others. Alicia explained that Interact was directed towards students <18, whereas Rotaract was a college oriented program intended for those between 18 and 30 years of age. Kevin noted that he will be seeking ideas from our Club for ways in which students can serve. Bob Cave pointed out that we should support Interact because, "they are our future Rotarians."
 
Mail Bag
No mail today.
 
Photo Credits
Photographs courtesy of Phil Worley unless otherwise indicated.
 
Editors Notes
Submission Deadline: Members are kindly encouraged to submit all materials for each week's Early Riser as early as possible. Please note that some editions may be published and distributed as early as the Saturday following our meetings, and during those weeks further contributions to the Early Riser will be included in the subsequent week's edition.
“The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do”:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all Concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?