Guests:Kevin Anderson, owner of CycleBar - guest of Brian O'Donnell and Chris Soline, new pastor of the Avon Congregational Church - guest of Phil Worley
Visiting Rotarians:
Happy Dollars: $41
Raffle Winner: Jolly Lux
Birthdays
None
Happy Dollars
Don Bonner was thrilled to announce that he has a Grandson who arrived at 8'2" and was named Jackson. ad $5 to celebrate her 16th wedding anniversary with husband, Bill, a successful voyage to Nova Scotia, and news that show was going to be a grandmother in the summer.
Natasha Haims wanted to say thanks for having her here.
Brian O' Donnell told us that literaly while we were singing happy brithday to him last week, his first grandchild was being delivered in Portland, ME. A Rotary welcome to Owen Brian.
Joanne Santiago was happy that she got to flirt with Richard Heath this morning.
Gary Miller reported that at last night 80 folks gathered at Farmington Woods for the Chamber of Commerce Stars of the Town Dinner to see Claire Cote honored for Service to the Community. Jay Kaplan from Roaring Brook Nature Center received the Business of the Year award, and Kathy Taylor of @Collinsville receive the award for Service to the Business Community.
Don Rossler was happy that his wife hasn’t hurt him yet, as they are renovating their house and she has to share a bathroom with their teenage sons. Don is also going on a road trip with his sons to Indiana to see his alma mater DePauw play Wabash for the 125th anniversary of the Monon Bell Classic. The winner gets bragging rights and a 350 lb. railroad bell. His frat house is reopening and celebrating their 40th anniversary.
Hank Frey is glad to be here after missing about 10 weeks. He also wanted to remind folks of our upcoming commitment to ring the bell for the Salvation Army, which will be on Black Friday and the Saturday before Christmas.
Phil Worley reminded us that the next Rotary Pub night is Wednesday, November 7th at Sessions Pub.
Jolly Lux is happy to be back from a very successful mission trip to Uganda. They were able to treat 1,155 patients. Kurt was also very happy to welcome Jolly home. Joanne Santiago led the club in a round of applause to acknowledge all of Jolly’s efforts.
Phil Mikkelson to acknowledge all the work that so many club members do. He also was glad to see Hank and Nancy back at the club. Dollar 3 was for it being UConn Basketball Season Again. He also wanted to celebrate the 4 wins that made up the World Series victory for the Red Sox.
Announcements
Don Bonner, was proud of the multiple awards that we received at last evenings foundation dinner in Agawam. Alex Leaderman, President of our Canton Interact Club received a RI Presidential Citation for their work. An amazing feat for their first year of operation. We received an award based upon all of the work that we accomplished this year in 30+ categories, as well as receiving awards for our donations to the Foundation and another one for our contributions to Polio Plus.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Rotary Pub Night is Wednesday, November 7th at Sessions Pub.
Favarh's 60th Anniversary on November 16th - Featuring the Corvettes Doo Wop Revue - See Scott Nardozzi for reservations or call Ronelle Cipolla at 860-693-6662 ext 116 for tickets.
Breakfast with Santa, December 8, 8 -11 AM - Details and Sign Up to Follow.
Induction of New Members
The Avon-Canton Rotary Club extended a warm welcome to our newest member Natasha Haims. Natasha came to the US in the early 70s as part of the first group of Russian Immigrants to settle in the Hartford Area. You will be able to learn all about Natasha in an upcoming edition of the Early Raiser.
Awards and Community/International Service Grants
None today
Presentation
Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower 5K
November 2, 2018
Joseph Piccirillo
Our guest speaker today is the Reverend Joseph Piccirillo who is the pastor of Avon’s Memorial United Methodist Church. Joseph was here to talk about his other life as a volunteer firefighter for the Avon Volunteer Fire Department, which is celebtating it’s 75th year. tHe fire company is a volunteer department and if you have the time and interest they are recruiting new members.
Joseph has also been actively engaged in a number of charitable events that support the American Lung Association and the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation. For the American Lung Association, Joseph participated in their “Fight for Air Climb” which required him to climb, as fast as he could, up all 35 stories of the Hartford 21, while wearing the full 80 lbs. of firefighter gear. Most of us probably couldn’t make it up to the top without gear let alone accomplishing this in under 10 minutes. This years event will be on April 13, 2019 with a goal of raising a $175,000.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation honors the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001. Stephen who had just gotten off duty ran back to the station to get his gear and then drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already been closed for security purposes. Determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back, and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life while saving others. This annual run retraces his route with the funds going to support first responders.
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?
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