Arnie Goldman gave $5 because he was happy to be back after a long time away. He has traveled all over the country visiting veterinarians in various states. He has found the people almost universally warm and friendly, and what he has noticed is that there always seem to be some Rotarians in the groups he meets.
Peter Vignati gave $3, because he and Susanne found someone to take care of their dog, so they can get in some travel. They had just been to the Philadelphia Flower Show and were headed to Norwich, VT to the King Arthur Flour Company Baking Contest with Peter’s brother. After that they are going to Hawaii, staying on the big island near a volcano, and taking advantage of a telescope and very clear skies to do some stargazing. Bon voyage!
Ann Clark is a fan of CTN – the Connecticut network which broadcasts state hearings, etc. She had just seen Lauren Gardner on that network speaking to a group at the state legislature about Focus and the need for adults on the autism spectrum. After 22 there are almost no services for such adults. Ann was very proud of the way Lauren spoke.
Lauren’s mom Yvonne was also very proud and thought Lauren was very articulate. Yvonne had celebrated her mom’s 82nd birthday and her husband’s birthday. They are continuing that celebration with a week in Chicago where they will see the Boston Bruins, because the tickets cost a lot less than in Boston.
Gary Miller is going to Arizona to get together with some Dartmouth classmates. Then he and Debbie are going to see the Grand Canyon.
Sue Budde had the dubious pleasure of having a bone density test. The good news, probably, was the report that her bones are grossly normal. She and Peter Vignati had visited the Avon Senior Center to start planning for the annual Seniors’ Luncheon there, which will be held on Wednesday July 19.
Bill Barnes, as a former newspaper publisher, was proud of Rotarians and their spouses who are in the public media. He saw Steve Horenstein and his wife Arlene on NBC Investigates. Arlene had contacted the station to let people know all the terrible flight they took from New Haven.
Bob Cave has met one goal: he insisted his son have an extra bedroom in Florida, so Bob can visit.
Phil Ferrari was headed to Delray Beach for two weeks. He had ordered a plug-in hybrid on April 2 -2022 – and it showed up last week. He can leave it plugged in to be ready for him when he returns from Florida.
Jolly Lux gave $5 because she was happy and grateful because of a report she had received from the field in Uganda. The work in Uganda celebrate every little bit of progress. They had been working with an epileptic patient who seemed to believe that she would not to amount to anything. She was an orphan and her grandmother had taken care of her. She began sewing in the women’s group, and she sews very well. She invited her brother to her graduation. Now she has been hired to clean the clinic, and they are building cottages near the clinic.
Doug Morehouse, president of the Simsbury-Granby Rotary, teased that he came to our meeting because he had no other place to eat. He actually came to thank our members for helping with the Favarh Christmas Party, saying that our help tripled the effect of the party. He wants us to join Simsbury-Granby for this year’s party.
President Chris was very happy that President-elect Luke Violette was at PETS – preparing to take over as President in July.
Dick Kisiel, who is the new chair of the Community Service Committee spoke about refocusing the committee’s work to create opportunities for members to give service. We will be hearing about the service members do beyond Rotary.
Sue Budde has been involved with the Outreach Committee at West Avon Congregational Church for 21 years. That led to involvement with Gifts of Love and their gala. She has helped with the Christmas meal and gift giving at Dish n Dat for the last two years and has been a Farmington Valley visitor; Service is easier with Rotary because there is backup; she has served on all committees. She was also a founder Dog Star Rescue.
Gary Hyde served on the West Avon Congregational Church Outreach Committee for three years. He has worked with retired veterans and helped with the repair work at the Veterans’ Base Camp; and he has worked on the Connor Zieky Foundation to help kids with drug abuse problems.
Debbie Stanwood helped her kids in school and was involved in both Cub and Girl Scouts. She has also helped with the Dish n Dat Christmas event and does some volunteering through the bank. She is moved by people who cry because they are so grateful for the help they receive. She thinks volunteering is a way of life.
March 25 – Restocking store Habitat