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Russell Hampton
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Arnie Goldman
Getting to Know our Members
Getting to Know Jennifer Gonzalez
Jenny Gonzalez was born in 1970 in the small country town of Perry, Florida, where her parents grew up. They moved to Tallahassee when she was four and she grew up with her brother Jon who is seven years older.
 
Both of Jenny’s parents were hard workers. Her mom was in business administration first in the medical field, then thirty plus years at an environmental law firm until her retirement two years ago. Her dad was a proud Vietnam veteran who had a 32-year career with the Postal Service. He retired early and enjoyed a life of leisure until he was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away three years ago. He was always working on cars, boats, and home improvement projects. In retirement he enjoyed spending time on my cousins’ farm in Alabama bailing hay, feeding cows, hunting, and fishing. His family misses him dearly.
Jenny met her husband in high school through friends they had in common, dated briefly during her junior year, and stayed in touch. When Larry graduated from the University of Florida out of the school of journalism, he moved back to Tallahassee to work. He looked Jenny up, and they decided to get married a month after dating. Jenny had been working at Holland and Knight Law firm as a file clerk and runner until they married a year later in December 1994. This past December they celebrated their 25th Wedding anniversary.
 
Jenny and Larry moved to Storrs, Connecticut once Larry was accepted to UCONN’s MBA program in 1995. Jenny worked in retail until he graduated, then spent a year matriculating into the CT college system at MCTC. She then applied and was accepted into the BFA program at UCONN. She was able to go to school full-time and completed a Specialized Concentration in Photography, Sculpture, and Ceramics. Larry and Jenny both graduated in 2000. He completed his law degree from UCONN, and she received her BFA.
 
She worked a few years after graduation as a Manager of the Non-Profit Women’s Exchange in West Hartford Center and went on to work for Capital Properties, first as a leasing agent for a residential property in Rocky Hill, later transferring to a West Hartford property as assistant property manager. She also began her Master’s program at CCSU. An artist at heart, she finished an MS in Art Education in 2007 with a concentration in Ceramics. She felt lucky to have studied with the best professor in her concentration and with one of the most talented students, who is still a good friend. She has had three art shows: a thesis show at Art Space in Hartford, a group show at Art Space with a painter, furniture maker, ceramicist and photographer, and another at the Farmington Library with three other ceramic artists.
 
Jenny started flying as a contract flight attendant for a small charter company out of Bridgeport and did sub-contracted flights for Netjets and Starflite International while she was finishing her Master’s program. In 2009 she secured a full time position with Travelers Aviation. She and her husband never thought that they would both end up working in the insurance industry, especially with Jenny in such a non-traditional role.
 
Larry and Jenny are very proud that their achievements have come about through their own efforts. They don’t have any children, but they are the happy to be aunt and uncle of seven nephews and one niece that they visit on trips to Florida and Atlanta, Georgia. They have two spoiled miniature dachshunds, Daisy and Oscar, who bring great joy to their home life. Their first fur-baby child was a Bassett hound named Marlee who was part of their family for the first 16 years of their marriage.
 
Jenny and Larry have been lifelong Thoroughbred horse racing enthusiasts and have a small stake in a NY breeding partnership and a couple of race horses with friends. Through their small interest they own perhaps a few horse hairs at most. This passion and their need to find a meaningful way to spend free time brought them to Shepard Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center. Jenny is on the fundraising committee and acting as Gala Chairperson, and Larry is VP on the Board. They still enjoy mucking stalls and feeding horses on the weekends as well as giving tours and acting as volunteer mentors.
 
Jenny is happy that Heather Pantano invited her to join Rotary. From the very first meeting she felt like she was home. She looks forward to getting to know all the members and working together to raise money and do good things for the community and beyond. 
 
Read more...
Speakers
Jun 12, 2020
Being a Rotary Scholar
Jun 19, 2020
For All Ages
Jun 26, 2020
Canton Historian
Jul 03, 2020
Jul 10, 2020
President's Installation Dinner
Jul 24, 2020
Mediators Beyond Borders
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
A Promise to Jordan
The Annotated Guide to Ending Polio
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
 
 
February 28, 2020
Esam Boraey
Facing the Challenge: An American Dream 
 
 
Sergeant-at-Arms Report
 
Members Present: 33
 
Visiting Rotarians: Rich Friedman - Rotary Youth Exchange - Speaker  
Guests:
Jenny Gonzalez introduced Dave Desmarais, of Shepard Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center, a Community Service grant recipient.
Mike Mezheritskiy introduced Singh Kershwin, a prospective member.
Josh Gilloolly introduced Stan Krzanowski, of Canton Little League, a Community Service grant recipient.
Gary Roman introduced Vickie Dirienzo of McLeans Meals-on-Wheels, a Community Service grant recipient.
Heather Pantano introduced speaker Kathy Subasic
Heather Pantano introduced Josh Kaplan and Jayden Kaplan, husband and son of Katelyn Kaplan.
 
Happy Dollars: $13.00 contributed to upcoming 50/50 Raffle.
Raffle Winner: No winner.
 
Fines
None.
 
Birthdays
 
Gary Miller has been a Rotarian for a "very long time" and noted, tongue in cheek, that in any organization he joins, his goal has always been to become past president as quickly as possible. Gary loves attending Rotary. Prior to joining, while a guest, didnt understand how people could be so happy at 7 oclock in the morning. After joining, he soon found out. Gary then donated $72.00 for the Polio Fund of the Rotary Foundation, quipping about the amount "you can guess which birthday this is." Happy Birthday Gary!
 
Kaitlin Kaplan's son Jayden turned two today, and was rewarded with a personal rendition of Happy Birthday by all present. Jayden pointed and beamed in observing this reception, but was reluctant to take up further time by giving a speech. Now that's our kind of Rotarian!
Happy Dollars
 
Sue Budde donated 2$ in honor of her boss's (Gary Miller) birthday. "Happy birthday Gary and thanks for the day off!"
 
Scott Nardozzi was touched that Dale Bronson called to check on him when Scott missed a recent meeting. Said Scott: That's what our Rotary family is all about!"
 
Joanne Santiago comes to Rotary to get a hug and appreciates our many caring members.
 
Linda Pendergast oldest son getting married.
 
Cherie Walton is now, as of January 2nd, Mrs. Cherie Morris, officially the wife of our own Steve Morris. She's happy to be back at Rotary. Congratulations to the happy couple!
 
Dale Bronson, shared a cautionary Happy Dollar. Dale cautions against phone scammers claiming they are with the Social Security Administration and asking for personal details. Don't fall for it!
 
Announcements
 
Gary Miller announced the renaming of the golf tournament in memory of Nancy Nation.
 
Joanne Santiago solicited names for the upcoming season for non-Rotarian, Community Service, Paul Harris Awards.
 
Josh Gilloolly announced that the Taste of the Valley Committee will meet every two weeks until the event. The next meeting is this Tuesday, 2/25. Happy Dollars collected from now until the event will go into the event's 50/50 raffle.
 
Dale Bronson noted the FAVARH committee will meet next Friday after the next Club meeting.
 
Heather Pantano reminded Rotarians of the upcoming service project in collaboration with Roaring Brook Nature Center on April 4 and 5, weather permitting. Rotarians and girl scouts will pair and build an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant trail at the Roaring Brook Nature Center.
 
Heather Pantano also announced a club night at the Hartford Wolf Pack, scheduled for the evening of April 4th. Details can be found in the email that was shared. Interested members will share dinner ahead of the game at the Coliseum Club.
 
Calendar of Upcoming Events
 
3/7: Rotary Pub Night at FAVARH's Rotary Building
3/28: Tastes of the Valley tickets available now. $50.00/regular ticket. $75.00/VIP ticket, which includes the VIP function 90 minutes ahead of the main event.
5/29: President's Installation Dinner.  Details to follow.
6/??: Rotary Pub Night will be held at President Heather's new home
9/14: 37th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at the Golf Club of Avon
 
Induction of New Members
 
None this week.

Awards
Joanne Santiago invited Brian O'Donnell to the podium to receive his "Paul Harris Plus One" pin and the applause of the membership for his contributions.
 
Community and International Service Grants
 
Gary Roman introduced Stan Krznowski, Vicky Dirienzo and Dave Desmarais.
 
Stan Krzanowski received $250.00 for the Canton Little League. He's been involved in the organization, including as a player, since 1977 and appreciates the consistent support of Avon-Canton Rotary during all of that time. Stan recognized a number of business owners present among our membership, that have also independently supported the Canton Little League over the years.
 
Vickie Dirienzo, present on behalf of McLean's Meals on Wheels, accepted a $1000.00 check on behalf of the program. Said Vickie, "We are the only not-for-profit organization providing meals to needy residents in the Farmington Valley. All ages are served though most are elderly." The McLean's Meals-on-Wheels program has been in operation since 1980 and prepares more than 20,000 meals each year.
 
 
Dave Desmarais, representing Shepard Meadow Therapeutic Riding Center in Bristol, in accepting a $1000.00 contribution, noted he'd been involved since its founding in 2004. They serve children and adults including veterans with 14 horses, as well as goats and cattle. They have been cultivating their infrastructure, now with the oversight of a professional director and are involved with FOCUS of Canton and seek to be involved with FAVARH. They also hope to broaden their work with veterans by encouraging their attendance. Their blacksmith shop in particular is an attractive activity for some veterans and they are invited to participate in that.
 
 
 
Presentation
Kathy Subasic
Home Modifications: Simple Solutions to Make Your Home Work for You
 
Ms. Subasic opened by noting that "we often plan our financial futures, but don't often plan for the accessibility changes that will be needed in our homes as we age."  "Aging-in-place" is the term that describes the ability to stay in one's home, if appropriately modified, as one ages.
 
Examples of construction that enable Aging-in-Place include no steps necessary to enter, single floor living, extra wide hallways and doors, accessible electrical controls and lever style handles for doors and faucets. Bodily limitations associated with aging may require such modifications for safe and comfortable daily living.
 
The facts are there are 575,000 people greater than 65 years-of-age living in Connecticut, with 16.8% of Hartford County residents also over 65 years-of-age. 87% of people want to stay at home as compared to moving to assisted living facilities yest 38% of adults greater than 65 have at least one functional deficit. Further, 25% of Americans over 65 suffer falls each year and are injured. Every 11 seconds an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fall related injury and every 19 minutes an older adult dies from complications associated with a fall.
 
Yet there are low cost , no cost and larger, greater cost projects and modifications that can assist in achieving the aging-in-place ideal. Below are short lists of the kind of modifications suggested:
 
 
No Cost Solutions
Keep outdoor pavement in good repair.
Don't allow exposed wiring.
Have no freestanding objects on stairs or in hallways.
Have handrails present and solidly attached.
Maintain carpeting at transitions and on stairs solidly attached.
Have throw rugs placed with no slip devices or adhesives.
Keep furniture arranged for clear paths across rooms.
Keep frequently used items easily accessible.
Keep blinds open in daytime for adequate lighting and provide adequate lighting in darkness.
Trim brush and bushes for clear lines of sight through windows.
Keep your water heater's maximum water temperature at or below 120 degrees to avoid accidental scalding.
 
Low Cost Solutions
Have an oven rack puller to avoid accidental burns.
Install a hand held shower device.
Elevate furniture with furniture raisers.
Install toilet raisers.
Add shower benches and chairs.
Use color contrast tapes and stickers to allow easier visual identification of the location of switches and doorknobs.
For stairs use non-slip tapes on treads.
Remote controlled lighting helps avoid traversing darkened areas to reach light switches.
Rocker type light switches are easier to manipulate.
Use night lights and where needed use motion sensor night lights
Use toilet bowl lights.
Use grab bars instead of towel racks to serve both purposes.
 
Bigger Projects
Access ramps at entrance doorways.
Vertical platform lifts.
Appliance modifications to enable easier access and use.
 
###

Special Announcements
None this week.
 
Mail Bag
None this week.
 
Photo Credits 
Photographs courtesy of Phil Worley.
 
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.
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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?