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Bulletin Editor
Lauren Gardner
Speakers
Oct 13, 2023
Supporting Nursing Education
Oct 20, 2023
Oct 27, 2023
Nov 03, 2023
Early Self-Detection and Prevention of Melanoma
Nov 10, 2023
Saving First Church Steeple
Nov 17, 2023
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Treasurer
 
Immediate Past President
 
Membership
 
Rotary Foundation
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Interact Chair
 
Club Information
Rotary of Avon-Canton - Founded 1973
Avon-Canton
Service above Self
Fridays at 7:30 AM
Golf Club of Avon
160 Country Club Road
Avon, CT 06001
United States of America
Fax:
(860) 760-6364
All meetings are hybrid both in-person and Zoom available
DistrictSiteIcon
District Site
VenueMap
Venue Map
 
July 14, 2023
Trip to India
Lauren Gardner
The meeting will be held both in person and via Zoom. 
Watch for an email from the Club for Zoom access and 
please note we use a recurring ID for your convenience.
Sergeant-at-Arms Report - 
 
 
Rotarians Present: 31
 
Visiting Rotarians: Rick Lawrence (Manchester)
Guests: Elin Lawrence, Denise Borret (Prospective member)
Happy Dollars: $36
Raffle Winner: Cherie Morris
Birthdays: Bill Barnes & Gary Roman (July 4) Gary was not in attendance but Bill celebrated his brother from another mother. Bill will not reveal his age, but will say he's not as old as our country and was born on the 160th signing of the declaration of independence. He was reminded of his age when chatting with Luke Viollette reminiscing on being past president from 88-89 35 years ago, to which Luke responded that was the year he was born! 
Happy Dollars
 
Gary Miller had three dollars, one was in memory of his sponsor Phil who he worked with in the Canton Chamber of Commerce. He learned a lot from Phil and will miss him. He enjoyed a family reunion in Sand Peak, Virginia for about 58 people ages 6 months to 93 years old. 
 
Don Bonner was sad thinking about how he ran into Greg Fey on Monday who was hopeful for his father's recovery, Don shared this as a reminder to love your people, you just never know how much time you have.
 
Peter Vignati remembered Hank fondly through memories of St. Ann's Church. He remembered how generous and humble he was, heading off painting groups together on service days. Peter was happy he got to play a round of golf with his brother and Gary Roman and his brother, they tied (so they will need a rematch) and they shared a wonderful dinner.
 
Salin Low remembered Greg Fey and was grateful for the work he put in for our ringing of the bells. To continue his legacy, Salin would like to know how he arranged this act of service so that it may continue this holiday season.
 
Joanne Santiago thanked Arnie Goldman for his special edition tribute of the Early Riser honoring Phil Worley. Hank sponsored Joanne into our club and she will hold fond memories of both Phil and Hank.
 
Yvonne Gardner remembered Phil Worley and how helpful he was to FOCUS Center for Autism. He helped FOCUS find their current office space. She was also happy that she spent a fun weekend in NYC with her two daughters.
 
Arnie Goldman had happy dollars in remembrance of his sponsor and friend Phil Worley. Arnie will remember Phil as a kind and humble man who had a child-like quality when around the things he loved - his family, dogs, and aviation. They were both adopted and bonded over how adoption shaped their lives. He will be very missed.
 
 
Larry Sullivan met Hank in 1968 when he joined the Jaycees where Hank and Larry became friends. Larry is so sorry to see him go.
 
Bob Cave also met Hank in 1968 and remembered how Hank was always there whenever there was a hands-on project. Hank truly lived the four-way test and he will be missed. 
 
Dale Bronson gave in honor of Phil and Hank. Phil joined the club the year Dale was president. No one has brought in as many new members as Phil! Dale was grateful for the encouragement Hank gave him when Dale was diagnosed and had his transplant. He was a wonderful support and friend.
 
Steve Hornstein was happy to share one daughter got married on July 3 and his second daughter got engaged!
 
Ann Clark remembered Phil and Hank. She was having breakfast with the Lonely Rotarians last Friday when they got the news that Phil passed and they toasted to him. Hank and Ann were arch-rivals in high school with her being from Farmington and he being from Canton! As they got older, he sat behind her at 7:30 mass every Sunday. Hank will be missed. 
 
Bill Barnes was sad for Hank’s passing and warned the club it may also be the end of Bill's jokes. Hank would send Bill a corny joke every month that Bill recited to the club. Only time will tell if we've heard the last of the jokes.
 
Sue Budde fondly remembered Hank as always kind to her. Phil worked for four years at Canton Chamber where he hired her and she had a great time with him, she will miss him dearly.
 
 
Announcements
Sue Budde reminded members that the Senior Luncheon will be held at the Avon Senior Center on Wednesday, July 19. Extra help will be needed because we have been asked to serve the seniors at their tables. She passed a sign-up sheet and will have it at the next two meetings, or you can email her if you can help. We are in desperate need!
 
End Polio Night at the Yard goats will be July 22. The district buys tickets which includes BBQ. We have been advised to order tickets by July 1. They are popular this year. Eileen Rau has been sending emails with information for ordering tickets.
 
Cherie Morris needs help with the silent auction at the golf tournament. She encouraged members to get gift certificates at restaurants, golf courses, massage therapists. She is also willing to shop for items if members want to make a cash donation.
 
Calendar
July 19, 2023 - Seniors Luncheon in Avon
 
September 11, 2023 - Annual Charity Golf Tournament
 
October 19, 2023 - Club's 50th Anniversary Dinner
 
Induction of New Members
None this week.
Awards
None this week
 
Community and International Service Grants
 
None this week
Guatemala Water Project
Rick Lawrence

 
Yvonne Gardner introduced Rick Lawrence. 
Rick received Bachelor of Building Science and Bachelor of Architecture degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. He was a practicing architect in Manchester, CT for 46 years until his retirement in 2015 when he and Elin made Ft. Lauderdale their residence and began spending summers in Charlestown, Rhode Island.

He joined the Manchester, CT Rotary Club in 1978 and in 2000 received the first of eight Paul Harris Fellow awards. For the past eight years he has served as District 7890 Chair for Water & Sanitation Projects. In 2014 Rotary International presented him with the “Service Above Self” Award – Rotary’s highest honor and awarded annually to a maximum of 150 individuals throughout the world.

While vacationing in Guatemala in 2006 Rick attended a meeting of the Rotary Club of La Antigua, Guatemala, making the initial connections that resulted in twenty-nine sustainable clean water and sanitation projects completed from 2007 through 2023. The 30th village, Tonajuyu, is currently under construction, utilizing the twelfth Global Grant he has written.

His presentation shows the history of these projects, the four basic components and how they improve the lives of the Indigenous Mayan recipients immeasurably.

Current projects include:




WHY  PARTICIPATE IN A CLEAN WATER PROJECT?


■ 1.1 Billion People (one in five) lack access to safe water.


■  2.5 Billion People have no sanitation facilities readily available.


■  30,000 people per day die due to water-related illnesses – 90% are children less than 5 years old.

■  2003 -2004 RI President  Jonathan B. Majiyagbe from Nigeria established the goal for every Rotary club to participate in a clean water & sanitation project yearly.


■  With the foreseeable success of Rotary’s drive to eradicate polio from every country in the world, RI has determined clean water & sanitation projects as the next priority.


To learn the latest updates of this tremendous work click the google doc below to view the slideshow containing the areas and people affected.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Rzdj_lIWmjUAnpN1FgTWPdq03IZ6uZ558xr5N0E8tf0/edit?usp=sharing






Since this projects inception 15 years ago, each village is self sustaining. When water projects are installed, the people in the village are trained to maintain the system. The villages that have older projects wish to update their diesel powered services to solar like the new installs. 
Jolly modeling proper form in carrying a water jug
Luke and Rick showing memories from Ecuador
The plaque that is placed on each project.
 

Special Announcements

None this week.
 
Mail Bag
None this week.
 
Photo Credits
Mike Mezheritskiy
 
Technology Credits
Zoom platform management expertise by Mike Mezheritskiy.
 
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?