Guests: Brian Scott (Jimmy Ssekewaabe's brother-in-law), Margaret and Tim McCarthy (Prospective members), Jordan Grossman (Asst. Superintendent Canton Public Schools), Drew DePippa (Principal Canton High School), Rachel Antonucci (Canton Public Schools Music Director)
Visiting Rotarians: Kevin Case (Superintendent of Canton Public Schools on his annual visit)
Happy Dollars: $9 (cut short due to lengthy program)
Raffle Winner: Sue Budde
Birthdays
Michael Mezheritskiy said he enjoyed skipping his birthday announcement when he was the Sgt-at-Arms. Misha has had a great run as our President. He enjoys the meetings and introducing new members to our group.
Len Dunstan was all dressed up in his "birthday suit" for the meeting. He has been a member for nearly ten years after being sponsored by Phil Worley. Len has enjoyed serving as the Membership Committee Chair. He had his check for The Rotary Foundation.
Two other members had birthdays coming up but were not present today - Tom Voorhees (Christmas Eve) and Chuck Joseph (Christmas Day)
Happy Dollars
Happy Dollars were brief this morning in order to make sure we had time for the Canton HS Chamber Singers to perform.
Robin DiNicola reported that her father was in the hospital with heart problems. She spoke about the need for heart donors.
Larry Sullivan was very looking forward to the Chamber Singer's performance and especially seeing Kevin Case on his annual visit.
Capri Frank reflected on 2018 and announced that she and John Brighenti were finally getting married in January after 8 or 9 years together. The wedding ceremony would be small and only one other Rotarian was invited--Reverend Salin Low would be officiating at the ceremony.
Don Bonner said the FAVARH Christmas party was great. He also read a bit of his research on the sailor who perished at Pearl Harbor. The sailor was from Toledo Ohio.
Jolly Lux was happy with the presentation on the last mission to Uganda that was held at West Avon Congregational Church last Sunday. She thanked Sue Budde for arranging the event and presenting a $490 grant from the church's Outreach Committee. Jolly is very pleased to have a GLO Ambassador--Phil Ferrari--who spoke about his participation in the last mission.
Announcements
Mike Mezheritskiy announced that a new cafe has opened inside the New England Pasta Company restaurant, and that some of his clients go there. Steve Morris and he discussed holding a Rotary meeting there one day. More information to come.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Bell Ringing on December 22 - Hank Frey is still looking for a few more ringers for the Saturday before Christmas. When we ring on the weekend, 90% of the money stays in the Farmington Valley. And it's a good time to visit with another Rotarian. Contact Hank to learn more.
Taste of the Valley will be held Saturday, March 30 at 6 PM. More information to come, but we will need some new restaurants as several of our past contributors are no longer in business. Next committee meeting is Tuesday December 18th, 5 PM at Dish & Dat.
Induction of New Members
None today.
Awards and Community/International Service Grants
Foundation Chair, Joanne Santiago, had the pleasure of presenting Salin Low with her Paul Harris +8 pin this morning. Salin is a Past-President and serves the club in so many ways. She organizes the Senior Luncheon every year, works on the Golf Tournament and Tastes of the Valley Committees, and has helped Mike Mezheritskiy with the morning invocation and song all year. Congratulations, Salin.
President, Mike Mezheritskiy, presented Sean Blacker with the money collected from previous weeks Happy Dollars. Sean is the epitome of an Honorary member. Sean personally ensures that our meetings run smoothly. He dedicates his personal time to his charities and is a proud veteran.
Don Bonner presented a check for $2250 to match the contributions to the Salvation Army raised and donated by our members. Jim Gordon accepted the check on behalf of the Salvation Army. He reported that the funds would go to the Holiday Store. In addition to all its other services, the Salvation Army delivers meals on all the holidays when Meals on Wheels is not working.
The Chamber Singers perform for us each year to celebrate the Christmas season. This group of high school students sung a variety of familiar tunes and were given a standing ovation from the members.
Mail Bag
None today.
Photo Credits
Photographs courtesy of Phil Worley, unless otherwise indicated.
Editor's 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?
Foundation Chair, Joanne Santiago, had the pleasure of presenting Salin Low with her Paul Harris +8 pin this morning. Salin is a Past-President and serves the club in so many ways. She organizes the Senior Luncheon every year, works on the Golf Tournament and Tastes of the Valley Committees, and has helped Mike 
