Josh Gillooly was disappointed that there were no mimosas as there had been in 2022. He had spoken to Greg Frey, who took over the Salvation Army bell ringing after the death of his dad Hank. $7,100 had been collected on the six days when area groups took turns. A large proportion of those funds will remain in the Farmington Valley to help those in need.
Bob Cave had gone with wife Jane to visit family in Colorado. There was no snow on the adjacent golf course, which was a big change from earlier years. There was still some snow up in the mountains. Bob was happy that his grandson met a lovely teacher while doing part-time teaching in North Carolina. They had a date on New Year’s, which seems like a Hallmark romance.
Dick Kisiel was also in Colorado and got to spend time with his daughter who was with him in their recent car accident. They went to the Patriot - Bronco game in Denver. He stuck it out until the very end, which was exciting with the Patriots scoring the winning field goal with two seconds left in the game. It was a bit uncomfortable to be a Patriot fan among mostly Bronco fans with that outcome.
Don Bonner was happy about his five grandchildren, one of whom will be born around July 4.
Gary Miller had been skiing on the previous Tuesday and Wednesday. There wasn’t much snow, and it was more like March than late December.
Cal Miller-Stevens was very thankful that Miller Foods had been able to feed 100,000 people at Thanksgiving. She was also glad that of her family was healthy.
Linda Pendergast was happy to go with her sister to Bath, Maine, for the holidays. She saw the botanical gardens which had a beautiful presentation “Aglow.” It was also good to be with family, and they saw the movie Wonka.
Sue Budde was excited that her niece will be getting married in October, 2026. She was also pleased that 600 pairs of insulated gloves were donated at her open house on December 17. She had volunteered at the Christmas Dinner at Dish n Dat where 500-600 people were fed and received gifts. Debbie Stanwood had planned to be at the event, but after spending three hours on Christmas Eve setting up Dish n Dat for the holiday, she woke up on Christmas morning sick and unable to help. Bill Barnes took her place. She hated to miss after seeing both the need and the generosity of the community.
Debbie Stanwood was happy that her youngest daughter is now engaged and preparing for a 2025 wedding. Debbie and husband John had been planning to go to Mardi Gras this year, but family comes first. So they will be going to Portland (presumably Oregon) for John’s mother’s 100th birthday. Maybe next year for Mardi Gras.
Dick Kisiel, head of the Community Service Committee, said that the committee's goal is to provide at least two service opportunities to members each month. These are the upcoming opportunities. Past President Chris Lamadrid thanked Dick for his work on this effort.
1. Food Share Work Detail on Monday, January 8 has one opening for its six member team at Food Share in Bloomfield from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Please notify Dick Kisiel (rwkisiel@att.net) if you are willing to serve on the work detail.
2. Our Winter Glove Campaign ends this Friday, January 5. You still have some time to bring in an insulated glove to the club meeting. The gloves will be distributed to our homeless friends through Footwear with Care. Thanks in advance for you support of this service pproject.
3. Habitat for Humanity Build project will take place on Saturday, February 10 at a work site in Hartford from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We still need six volunteers to fill out the ten member team. No specific skill is needed. If you are comfortable using a hammer, painting, or just working on a non-skilled work detail, there will be a job for you. There will be work breaks and time for lunch. More details will be sent to registered participants. Club member spouses, partners, or friends can participate. Please notify Dick Kisiel (rwkisiel@att.net) if you are interested in joining our work team.
Big Band Jazz and Swing Concert: Sunday, January 21st at the Avon Senior Center from 2 PM - 4 PM. The Silk City Jazz Band will be performing two hours of swing and big band jazz for your enjoyment, to benefit Avon VFW Post 3272’s Afghan Resettlement Project. Funds raised will be used for food, clothing, rent and related expenses for an Afghan family whose members risked their lives to help US and Coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Calendar
April 20 - Tastes of the Valley at Farmington Gardens. Colleen Grasso has details and will need help.
Induction of New Members
None this week.
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