Addison Dionne, Todd Matt, Khamis Abu, Tom Marinak (Presenter)
Visiting Rotarians
None
Happy Dollars
$30
Fines
None
Raffle
Lisa Barall-Matt, $40
Birthdays
Bob Cave- was in Colorado last week and got to see his grandson score his first soccer goal. Bob is celebrating the "25th Anniversary of his 50th Birthday." He is in his 44th year with the Club and is a Past President. Bob and his wife Jane live in West Hartford.
Happy Dollars
Gary Miller - started the speaking portion of the day's festivities by giving Addison Dionne her first Rotary pin. Addison has accompanied her mom Jackie to the Club meetings for several consecutive weeks. Jackie shared that, as a single mom, Fridays are much easier when her daughter comes to Rotary with her.
Rollie Sterrett - told a funny joke involving a paper route.
(Joanne and Joelle in Australia)
Joanne Santiago - and her daughter Joelle have just returned from their "trip of a lifetime" to Australia and New Zealand. Joanne particularly enjoyed the great Barrier Reef, and stated that this was a trip she had wanted to take since her college days.
Capri Frank - revealed that today's surgery had been rescheduled, hence she was able to attend the meeting. Also, Capri's son loves to play basketball, but had been sidelined because of a head injury. He finally got to play again last night, and Capri believes he played with greater passion than ever before.
(Recent Photo of Ben and Donna Dunning)
Ben Dunning - detailed that he has doctor appointments over the next few days and back surgery next Tuesday in New York City. Time-wise, this will be a short surgery, but this procedure will be trickier than previous ones. Ben will be out of action for possibly three months. Ben's wife, Donna Bartkus Dunning, is posting updates on Facebook. UPDATE: Ben went into surgery at 8 a.m. today, January 19th. The doctor will update Donna at 2 p.m.
Dale Bronson - told a funny joke about surgeons.
Gary Miller - was happy to report that Ski Sundown had surprisingly good skiing despite the warmth and recent rain.
Announcements, Etc.
What Happened To Our Sign On Route 44
(New Rotary Club of Avon-Canton sign on Route 44, at the bottom of Avon Mountain).
The Rotary Club of Avon-Canton sign that has welcomed westbound travelers on Route 44 for about seven years was knocked over and damaged, we believe, by a DOT mower last fall. The sign, which we share with the Avon Lions Club and Unico, was restored and replaced January 8.
Our Club has similar signs on Rt. 44 in Avon near Amici Italian Grill, in Canton near Best Buy and at the Rts. 44 and 202 merge near Saybrook Fish House. The estimated 32,000 daily commuters on Rt. 44 are certainly aware of our Club.
Message from Les Z. - Hartford Wolfpack Hockey
Dear Rotarians:
The Club will be going to the Saturday, Jan. 30th game. The game starts at 7pm. We will have 30 seats reserved in section 116.
Tickets will be either $20 each or $23 each, depending on the total number of members who decide to go. This represents a $12 or $9 discount. I will also get $5 vouchers for discount parking.
I need to know who is going and how many will be in your party before Jan 25th, so I can give your name at the "Will Call" window.
We have also talked about dining out before the game. I have learned that dinner at the Coliseum Club is a buffet @ $19/person including tax, no gratuity.
The bill of fare includes Prime Rib, peel-and-eat shrimp, 3-4 salads, 5 hot items and, of course, dessert. I will need a head count to reserve tables so that we are all together.
This Friday I will again pass around the sign up sheet to get the number who are going to the game and/or dinner.
Thanks, and have a good day.
Les Zinner
Reading/Tutoring Program
Don't forget the Avon-Canton Rotary Reading/Tutoring Program which is now in its 19th year. In a typical session, you meet the other Rotarians at 8:10 in front of the Big Y supermarket. Everyone carpools to Hartford. There are two 30 minute one-on-one sessions. The tutors arrive back at Big Y circa 11:15.
If interested, contact Hank Frey.
District & Global Grants
In order for our club to remain eligible to participate in the District and Global Grants program we need to maintain a cadre of members that have completed the annual refresher training. Please review the following information. If you are available on either of the two dates and would like to know more about how we can access our Foundation donations to leverage club projects, please sign up for one of the webinars.
In order for Rotary Clubs to qualify for District and Global grants, two people from your club must be qualified by attending a Grant Qualification Webinar. This year we are combining the District and Global Grant qualification into one webinar. Attendance by 2 members from your club is part of the qualification process in order to apply for grants for the 2016-2017 Rotary year.
Attendees can register for one of two webinars: Tuesday, February 23rd from 7:00-8:30 PM or Thursday, March 3rd from 7:00-8:30 PM.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Yours in Rotary Service,
Eileen
Eileen Rau, PDG
District Foundation Chair 2015-2018
Club Website Advertising
You have probably noticed the advertisements on the upper left corner of the website. These advertisements help defray the cost of hosting and other services on ClubRunner.
The cost of an advertisement for one year is $100. If you are interested in advertising your business on the website, please contact me. You can provide a graphic, or I'll have one created that will link to all of your business contact information and website.
If you are already a website advertiser, please consider renewing.
Thank you and Happy New Year!!
Gary
Scheduling Speakers
Ike Eikenhorst is now scheduling speakers for March and beyond. Speakers are needed, but keep in mind that the third Friday of each month is held aside for club business. Remember, business pitches are not allowed. Otherwise, persons with interesting jobs, hobbies, charitable activities, etc. will be welcome to present their stories. Presentations must not exceed 20 minutes.
Rotary Pub Night
Our February RPN will be February 2nd, 4:30 - 6:30 pm at the Saybrook Fish House in Canton.
As you have heard a few times, RPN is all about socializing, networking and getting to know your fellow Rotarians and their guests better. Bring your spouses, significant others, partners, pen pals, friends, swashbucklers, sidekicks, satirists, prospective Rotarians, etc.
You may, of course, come and go whenever you want to. Should you wish to eat before, during or after RPN, there are plenty of choices.
Presentation
Farmington Valley Hunger Initiative
(Left to Right - Paul Mikkelson and Khamis Abu)
Community Service Committee Chair Paul Mikkelson presented a check to Khamis Abu of the Farmington Valley Hunger Initiative. On Saturday, January 16th, the Initiative would be packaging upwards of 33,000 meals. The Club's donation will pay for 2,000 plus meals.
Paul pointed out that last year the Club provided a check and several volunteers to help with the packaging.
Khamis detailed that the there are more indigent persons in the affluent Farmington Valley than one would ever imagine. He also stated that twenty different civic and religious groups support the Initiative. The food packaging was scheduled to take place at the Farmington Valley Muslim Center.
Community Companion Homes
Tom Marinak spoke about CT's Community Companion Homes Program (CCH) which is offered by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Tom is the Assistant Manager of the program which tries to connect persons with disabilities to persons with the willingness and space to take on a boarder "in a family setting."
Many persons with disabilities have parents who are now at the age that they can no longer take care of their child. The "child" is beyond school age and typically knows how to live a quality life with assistance. Group homes and state institutions would not be appropriate settings. The "providers," who take in an individual, run the spectrum: singles, couples, children, childless, rich, poor, etc.
There is a licensing process the potential home provider must go through. The process can take from 3 to 12 months. Once the process is complete, the licensed provider can have their client involved in all the family activities including going out of state on vacation.
The clients feel that they are living in a comfortable, family setting. The State saves $20,000 per year by placing the client in a CCH licensed home rather than a group home or institution. (The State gives the licensed provider $1120.57 tax free every month to cover expenses. The State will also cover medical expenses, vacation money, clothing, outings, etc. when the need arises).
Tom's cousin is developmentally delayed. She works at a Home Depot and lives in a Community Companion Home. The program is "very real" for Tom.
A thank you note was received from Sandra Trudeau , the President of Paws Pride. The Club presented Paws Pride with a $500 check back in December.
Paws Pride "continues to advance its mission of providing immediate relief and assistance to animals suffering from malnutrition, injury, abuse, neglect, illness and more." Many lives have "changed for the better."
The note concludes "thanks again for generously opening your heart to help animals who unconditionally give us so much."
Like Mother/Like Daughter
Photo Credits
All photos from the meeting by Phil Worley
Like Mother/Like Daughter photo by Phil Worley
Photo of Rotary Sign by Phil Worley
Photo of Manet's "A Bar at the Folies-Bergere" courtesy drinksbusiness.com
Hartford Wolfpack logo courtesy of Hartford Wolfpack
Global Grant Chart courtesy of Rotary International
Photo of Joanne and Joelle Santiago courtesy Joanne Santiago
Photo of Ben and Donna Dunning courtesy of Donna Dunning
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