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Bulletin Editor
Salin Low
Speakers
Aug 05, 2022
Diaper Bank of Connecticut
Aug 12, 2022
Transition Programs for Adults
Aug 19, 2022
Aug 26, 2022
Secular challenges faced by churches today
Sep 09, 2022
GLO Update
Sep 16, 2022
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Immediate Past President
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
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
 
March 25, 2022
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Melanie DiNicola 
 
The meeting will be held in person at Golf Club of Avon. 
Watch for an email from the club.
We are now using a recurring ID, etc.
 
Sergeant-at-Arms Report 
 
Members Present: 30, including on Zoom
 
 
 
Visiting Rotarians: None
 
Guests: Ken Doyle; Fred Ostern; Rich Carpentier(Guest of Phil Ferrari, prospective member); Gena Hamilton and John Seagrave (Guests of Michael Mezheristkiy, prospective members; Sarah Mitchell from Chrysalis.
Happy Dollars:$5 (We weren't very happy)
Raffle Winner: Jolly Lux
 
Fines: None today.
 
Birthdays: The birthday kids celebrated on their own.
Happy Dollars
 
Arnie Goldman gave $5, because he was so proud of his new name: Grandpa.
 
Salin Low (who had no money and put in an IOU) was happy about two things: 1. The board has approved an increase in the scholarships to the two local high schools. Avon and Canton will each receive $7,000 per year, an increase from $6,000 each. 2. The board approved a scholarship to support the college education of the Little Sisters of St. Therese in Haiti. This requires the club to make a commitment of $1,000 per year for four years. The recipient will be determined by the priest associated with the school. We have expressed our desire to be in touch with the recipient and to develop a relationship with the graduate.
 
 
Announcements

Sue Budde, as a member of the People of Action group, talked about the Rotary Day of Service on Apr 9. Our club is doing a food drive to help stock the food pantries in Avon and Canton.; Members are asked to sign up for two hour shifts at the Big Y and the ShopRite. We also need two trucks to deliver food – one to each Sign-ups have gone out. Check your email.
 
Cal Miller-Stevens told us about a fundraiser for the Avon Historical Society, which was taking place last weekend. The fundraiser is table settings prepared by various groups. Maybe our club could do that next year.
 
President Chris gave and update on our effort to support Ukraine. The board has done vetting to be sure that the money we send to Slovakia. They’ve checked out the bank and the club’s website. Everything seems on the up and up. The money we send will be for humanitarian relief for the refugees. At this time the plan is to send $5,000 from the club, $1,000 from the Community Service Committee, and $3,000 donated by club members. We hope to do more later. The success of TOTV will help us to offer more support.
 
 
May 14th: Taste of the Valley at Golf Club of Avon
 
Induction of New Members
 
None this week.
 
Awards
None this week.
 
Community and International Service Grants
 
 
 
 
 
 
Community Service Chair Gary Roman presented a check for $1,000 to Sara Mitchell of Chrysalis, which provides many meals in Hartford and also trains clients in meal prep. Some also help raise the food used in the meals. Their main fundraiser is on March 30, and they hope to raise $5,000-$10,000. Our contribution gives the fundraiser a good start, which is harder, since they have to hold it virtually. Chrysalis served 1456 families and individuals and provided 161,000 meals in 2021, so there is clearly a strong need.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRESENTATION
 
83 Men in My Bedroom
Carl Heizelman, Author
 
 
 
Carl Heizelman, who lives in Avon, was introduced by Gary Hyde. He has written about his experiences in the military, especially about his time in Vietnam. His book has been described as a combination of Mash, Cinderella Liberty, and Catch 22.
 
Carl told his that he had wanted to write his book for 50 years. It’s not that Vietnam is funny, but there is a lot of time to fill in the military. He quit high school at 17 after receiving a G in one course. The teacher said his work wasn’t good enough to deserve and F. He’d heard stories from his dad about the fun he’s had in the marines, so he enlisted. Then he figured out that the marines are not fun.
 
The 83 men in his bedroom was the men living in his barracks. It’s hard to live so close to so many other soldiers. The lights go on at 4:30 A.M.! And if a soldier is slow to get up, the sergeant makes him suffer. So you get up and get the bunk made in record time. He was afraid to ask questions; he just tried to listen and understand.
 
In boot camp he had to navigate an obstacle course. It was manageable until he had to climb a 25-foot rope. He was terrified about the rope, but finally had to climb it. During that time he got 2” taller and gained weight in his chest and shoulders.
 
He was then sent to Camp Pendleton, which was his first time in California. He was told to go over to a corporal and congratulate him because his sister had won an ice-skating championship. The corporal’s sister actually had no legs. Fortunately the corporal was used to the joke and played along. From that time on Carl realized that practical jokes were frequent.
 
Carl volunteered for Vietnam to be part of the action. His first impression of the place was the incredible heat and the horrible smell. He was assigned to Camp Evans, which was responsible for an ammunition dump. One day he was riding in a truck carrying live ammunition and started to light a cigarette. The driver pointed out that an open flame so close to live ammunition isn’t wise.
 
Marine draftee – home schooled by Mormons – have you gotten your period.
 
Transferred to north in Vietnam – Marine C130’s don’t have seats; link arms on takeoff and landing. Spotter planes Piper Cub. Sometimes an empty seat and asked for ride. Best friend from grammar school. 4th trip. Asked to fly himself – got good instruction.
 
Air and Space Magazine – stories about first flight – wrote the story and was published. Got in touch with the pilot after many years.
 
He learned a number of lessons in Vietnam:
 
  • Worrying doesn’t alter the outcome
  • You’re more capable than you think
  • Don’t chew tobacco when you’re picking up explosives.
 
Thanks, Carl, for sharing your experiences and your insights.
 
 
Special Announcements
None this week.
 
Mail Bag
None this week.
 
Photo Credits
Scribe's screen grabs.
 
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?