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Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile
Bulletin Editor
Arnie Goldman
Speakers
Aug 09, 2019
Aug 16, 2019
Guiding Light
Aug 23, 2019
iDevice
Aug 30, 2019
Haitian Water Project
Sep 06, 2019
Amber Alert
Sep 13, 2019
A Promise to Jordan
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Immediate Past President
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Foundation Chair
 
Membership
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Asst Treasurer
 
Interact Chair
 
EarlyRiser Presentations
The Annotated Guide to Ending Polio
GLO Fall 2017 Mission Trip
Eastern Europe Trip to Vienna and Prague Presentation
Avon Village Center Project Presentation
Club Information
Rotary of Avon-Canton - Founded 1973
Avon-Canton
Service above Self
We meet Fridays at 7:30 AM
Avon Old Farms Hotel
279 Avon Mountain Rd.
Avon, CT  06001
United States of America
DistrictSiteIcon District Site
VenueMap Venue Map
Upcoming Meeting Speaker
Stacy Perrone-Peta
Patriot Day Initiative
Sergeant-at-Arms Report
February 1, 2019
 
Members Present: 43
 
Make-Ups: None  
Guests: Dr. Joelle Santiago guest of Joanne Santiago
Visiting Rotarians: None
Happy Dollars: $27
Raffle Winner: Brian O’Donnell
 
Birthdays
 
Don Bonner, who tried to hide the fact, who reported being "older than dirt" said that he had a great two years as president and enjoyed it.
 
Not present but also celebrating birthdays were Larry Sullivan, Carol Ann Whelan, and Steve Harris
 
                                                                                                                                                    
 
Happy Dollars
 
Richard Heath had two happy $5 first shared the news that his wife and fellow club member Christine Heath's tibia has totally healed and her other break has almost healed.  He then announced his retirement as of May 31.
 
Lisa Barall-Matt , who has had to travel back in forth this winter to FL because of her mother having a stroke, reports that she is doing fantastically.  She is doing everything but driving and Lisa feels truly blessed. 
 
Gary Roman noted that this was Super Bowl weekend, but he would not be going to a Super Bowl party because they will be going to their granddaughters 1st birthday.
 
Don Rossler gave 2 happy dollars, which may be his last, as his two boys are turning 18 on Wednesday and they are seniors in high school and he will be paying for college for the next 4+ years.
 
Joanne Santiago acknowledged Don's birthday and was thrilled to announce a 6th restaurant for our upcoming Taste of the Valley.
 
Dale Bronson had 6 happy dollars in recognition of the 6th anniversary of the transplant that saved his life.
 
Gary Hyde reported that he and his son had been able to tour Devera Sisitsky's MakerspaceCT.  They were very impressed with the work being done to set up a center for innovation.
 
Paul Mikkelson going on a ski trip tomorrow with about 25 people, which should be a lot of fun.  He also mentioned that Nancy and Craig Nation are down in Houston to see if there are any Clinical Trials that would be available to Nancy.  
 
Alicia Canning is asking for prayers for her daughter, who has her last chemo appointment on Monday, although she will need infusions the rest of her life, they are not as bad as chemo.  She is going for a PET scan today to make sure that there is nothing new. 
 
 
Announcements
 
President Mike announced that on 3/22/19 the Club will meet at Beanz in Avon.
 
Gary Miller is looking for a few good members to purchase annual website ads for $100/yr. This supports the cost of the ClubRunner software and website subscription. Ads cycle every few seconds at the upper left-hand corner of the website and are a good way to promote member businesses. Contact Gary if interested.
 
 
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Taste of the Valley will be held Saturday, March 30 at 6 PM. 
 
Induction of New Members
None this week.
 
 

Awards - Paul Harris Fellow
 
Joanne Santiago presented Paul Mikkelson with his Paul Harris + 6 award this morning.
 
Community Service Grant: Town of Avon, Special Needs Fund.
 
 
Gary Roman introduced Hank Frey who presented a $2,500 check to Alan Rosenberg, who is the Social Service Director in Avon, for the Avon's Special Needs Fund which was created in 1980, with the assistance of former Chief of Police, James Martino, to assist local families faced with temporary, short-term crisis situations.  During the past year, the Special Needs Fund assisted local families on ninety-two (92) occasions with prescriptions, utility bills, rent, automobile repairs, and basic needs. It is anticipated, that there may be additional hardship for some families this year due to the high cost of electricity, food, gasoline, and uncertain economic times.
 
 
Special Guest
Prognosticator - CT Cider
Hear-ye, Hear-ye!
 
On this first day of February, Rotary stands with Connecticut Cider, ready to make her predication.  Here is what she has to say.
 
"After an early morning with lots of chatter
it's time to get to the heart of the matter!
 
I think I see a shadow of a tree, NO WAIT.... THATS ME!
 
If I dare, I do declare
6 more Weeks of Winter!"
 
 

 
Presentation
 
Save Nod Road
Robin Baran and David Richman
Board of Directors, Nod Road Preservation, Inc
 

Nod Road Preservation, Inc. (NRP) mission is to protect the natural beauty, country peacefulness, and authentic charm associated with Nod Road and the greater Farmington Valley through responsible land management. NRP’s goals include permanent land preservation, protection of wildlife, and expanding open space areas into neighboring towns.  By educating residents, working with local government and regulatory agencies, and implementing alternative land use solutions for the benefit of all citizens and visitors of the area, NRP represents those whose priority is preserving open space in Avon and beyond.

 
A proposal is pending before the Town of Avon which would add 100 homes to the Fox Run Golf Course and in the process destroy wetlands and the character of the area.  NRP is concerned because it would:
  • Negative environmental impact

  • Zoned AG (Agriculture)

  • Out of character for area

  • Open space throughout Farmington Valley rapidly vanishing

  • Increased traffic

  • Does not align with Plan of Conservation and Development

NRP has had a number of accomplishments in its initial stage:

  • Formed the non-profit public charity Nod Road Preservation, Inc.

  • Formed Board of Directors with 8 directors spanning 3 towns

  • Retained esteemed land-use lawyers and consultants

  • Reached 97% of Drive For 25 fundraiser goal of $25,000 by year’s end in just 6 weeks in Nov/Dec 2018

  • Keystone Companies LLC reduced plans from 177 units to 100 units

  • Registered hundreds of supporters from 23 towns across 7 states

  • 72% of all registered Save Nod Road supporters do not live on or near Nod Road, confirming this is NOT a NIMBY issue

  • Have public support of 20+ local businesses across 6 towns who display our lawn signs and brochures

  • Established relationships with environmental groups at local, state and federal level

  • Applied and approved for Adopt-A-Road for Nod Road (Avon side)

  • Continue to receive considerable media coverage: Valley Press (2x), front page of Hartford Courant, WFSB Channel 3 segments (2x)

  • Official partners with Farmington River Watershed Association

  • Regular attendance by Board at Planning & Zoning, Inland/Wetlands, WPCA meetings

  • Strong presence at community-wide events

  • Successful fundraisers held at Flatbread, E&D, Dom’s Coffee

  • Received GuideStar’s Seal of Approval (Bronze Level) for transparency on website

If members of the club have interest in their work, they can be reached through their web site, www.savenodroad.org or Contact@savenodroad.org

 

 



 
 
 
 

 
Mail Bag
 
Nothing this week.
 
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?