banner
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner
Bulletin Editor
Larry Haber
Speakers
Jan 05, 2018
The Outreach Program-Food for the needy
Jan 12, 2018
“Bipartisanship Works-A Success Story”
Jan 19, 2018
New Horizons Village
Jan 26, 2018
Body By Cheryl
Feb 02, 2018
Avon-Canton Animal Control
Feb 09, 2018
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Immediate Past President
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Foundation Chair
 
Membership Chair
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Asst Treasurer
 
Presentations & References
Eastern Europe Trip to Vienna and Prague Presentation
Farm to Family Gala at the Marguee - Nov 4th
Avon Village Center Project Presentation
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
 November 17, 2017
 
A Stroke of Luck
Bob Newbold
 
 
 
Sergeant-at-Arms Report
 
November 10, 2017
 
Members:36
 
Make-Ups: none  
Guests -5; No info on Names
 
Visiting Rotarians: None  
Happy Dollars: ??  
Fines: None  
Raffle Winner: None
 
 
Birthdays
 
None
Happy Dollars
 
Sue Budde was happy that Joanne Santiago was coming home from McLean. She still might enjoy a visit, since her recovery will be slow.
 
Gary Miller was happy to see Marguerite Janelle, because they have worked together since 1992. He was on his way to Boston to see a game between Brown and Dartmouth at Fenway. It seemed like a good idea when he bought the tickets, but with Friday's cold and wind it was seeming a lot less inviting. He also reminded members about the Canton Chamber of Commerce holiday part on December 6. Proceeds go to Gifts for Canton. Cost is $20.
 
Evan Cooper was glad to be at the meeting after being in Washington, D.C. Her son Max, a military doctor in Afghanistan is home on leave. Her son Ben who is with the Peace Corps in Namibia is also home - although he's off visiting friends. They will all be having Thanksgiving at Evan's house, but husband Ross is in a boot from achilles tendon issues and may not be able to help as much as usual. Evan brought her check to the Rotary Foundation, since she will miss her birthday meeting.
 
Hank Frey wasn't really happy that a deer had tangled with his car, but he was relieved that the damage was covered by Bearingstar Insurance and that Tim Sullivan will be making the repairs. He was glad that the tutoring was going so well this year. At this point Larry Sullivan jumped up and pointed out that after many years of tutoring 4th graders, the group is now working with 2nd graders. "We got that!"
 
Curt Lux has been traveling at Curtis Bay. There are jobs to help people with disabilities. One position is a firewatcher, who keeps watch in case of fire on a ship.
 
Dale Bronson wanted to salute both his parents for their service in the navy in World War II. His father served in the Pacific. His mom worked in DC. Their generation made many sacrifices for the freedoms we enjoy today.
 
Ann Clark survived the election on November 7. She was inspired by the Lenz family's presentation to the club on November 3. She was also part of a new record for the longest bocci ball tournament and took her turn before dawn.
 
Rollie Sterrett was happy about the Veteran's Day event at Canton High School. There was a special assembly and breakfast, which were quite impressive. He was off to Colgate and hockey games with Harvard and Dartmouth. There was also going to be a sport banquet.
 
Bill Barnes was praising a grandchild - something he generally refrains from doing. His 16-year old grandson has been bitten by the acting bug and played the title role in "The Great Gatsby." Bill thought he was terrific and couldn't be prouder. And just think, if the young man's theatrical career falters, he may have the skills to follow in his grandfather's footsteps.
 
Kevin Case was glad to be at the meeting. He has been wearing a boot since May 7 and wants to be done by Christmas. Two weeks ago he realized he had a torn retina. He had to lie face down while it healed after surgery. He introduced Michelle (not sure of last name) a Spanish teacher who has a passion for global education and will be leading the Canton Interact group. Alicia Canning will be overseeing the Interact initiative in both towns' high schools.
 
Bruce Sayward had attended a Rotary Means Business gathering. This is an effort to get more business networking among Rotarians in the district. Rotary actually started with the idea of a business round table, hence the name Rotary. It will be good to emphasize that part of Rotary's tradition in a positive manner.
 
President Don was happy that there will be a special meeting on January 12 with Republican Tim LeGeyt and Democrat Derek Slap discussing the state of the state, especially talking about the budget process.
 
 
Announcement
 
New Badges will be coming soon.  If you have a Pace Maker please speak to Don as the magnetic clip may be a problem.
 
 
Scott Nardozzi:
11/17 - FAVARH gala, at Riverview. The club has already filled a table for 12 and another table or half table can still be had.
 
Hank Frey:
The Friday after Thanksgiving (11/24) and again before Christmas (12/9), Bell-ringing for the Salvation Army, raised 120K on 5 Saturdays last year!
 
From the Favarh Committee
 
  • The Rotary- Favarh Bowling Night is indefinitely on hold. Not many Favarh participants signed up for November 28th because they have to work the next day.
  • The Favarh Holiday Party is scheduled for December 8th. Steve Morris is hopeful that some Club members will volunteer to help out at the event.  Nancy Nation will be talking about this at upcoming meetings.
  • The next Favarh Committee meeting will be Friday, December 15 after the regular meeting.
 
From President Don
 
"This week's happy dollars and contributions will be to cover the costs of a Rotary basket of goodies to be auctioned off at this Friday's Favarh Gala event" Favarh has supplied the club with baskets for our auction, so this is appropriate. Larry Sullivan and Colleen Grasso are assembling the basket.
 
 
 
Awards and Community Service Grants
 
None this week.
Haiti Alliance
 
Marguerite Janelle & Sherry Pesino
 
 
Larry Sullivan introduced Marguerite Janelle to talk about the school at Lilavois Croix des Bouquets in Haiti. The alliance began work through St. Patrick Church in Collinsville in 1999. In 2011 they were joined by St. Mary Star of the Sea in Unionville, and in 2012 South Church in Granby joined the effort. It is now truly ecumenical.
 
The program emphasizes feeding the children at the school every day. Most Haitians eat only 3 or 4 meals a week. Learning suffers when children are hungry. When they have full stomachs, they can learn better. The meals the children receive are very simple by our standards, with an emphasis on rice. However, even that was more than their kitchen could handle. Now the kitchen has three walls and a roof, and the cooks are relieved to keep the sun out of their eyes. Another addition is toilets, which replace latrines.
 
The children are taught French, because it is the language of the educated, rather than the native language of Creole. Young children start to learn the language by learning French songs and gradually increase their knowledge as they grown. The alliance has helped with teacher salaries and with acquiring a vehicle for the parish. The result is that the school has grown from 4 to 15 classrooms since 1999. The curriculum is fairly advanced following a European model which includes five years of high school. The alliance has also donated books to help with a library.
 
Our club gave the school computers in the past. Now they need more computers, because none of the children have computers at home. The computers they have are solar-powered, which they need because the electrical system is very inconsistent and unreliable. They also need another generator to power other equipment during the school day. To provide security for the school's equipment there is a wall with a locked gate around the school.
 
The alliance is asking our club for more, because the need is so great. The people are grateful for what they have received and are being helped to improve themselves so they can improve their country.
 
All work and no play would be too grim. In the past the alliance has taken volley balls and jump ropes for the children to play. Members are planning a trip in January or February and will take volley balls and nets.
 
 
Special Announcements
None today.
 
 
Mail Bag
None today.
 
Photo Credits
Photographs courtesy of Les Zinner
 
Editors Notes
Submission Deadline: Members are kindly encouraged to submit all materials for each week's Early Riser as quickly 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?