No Club Members celebrated their birthday this past week; however legendary golfer Arnold Palmer was born on September 10, 1929 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. One of the beloved athlete's most famous quotes goes thusly: "How did I take a 12 on a Par 5 hole? It's simple. I missed a four foot putt for an 11."
Happy Dollars
Craig Buhrendorf- will be traveling Saturday to Yankee Stadium, (aka The Cathedral In The Bronx), to see the Yankees lock horns with the Blue Jays in what he calls a "meaningful game."
Bob Cave - thanked the Club for its donation to the Senior Job Bank, an organization he is greatly involved in. (See below).
Evan Cooper - shared that her son is in Namibia, staying with a host family that heats the water when someone wants to take a shower.
Joanne Santiago - honored the work Evan's son is doing and and honored the victims of 9/11.
Robin DiNicola - Robin's son Joe is back in school (at Avon Old Farms), and the "I need this" and "I need that" text messages arrive frequently.
Ted Cowles - after spending a "good part of August in New Hampshire," Ted is "happy to be back."
Gary Hyde - had seven and a half Happy Dollars because his NY Mets now have a seven and a half game lead in the National League East Division.
Announcements
Sam Collins Day Is This Saturday!!!
Sam Collins Day is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th. We could use your help and maybe your spouse's or teen's help. The busiest time is from 11:30 to 1:30.
The shifts run from 9:00 to 11:00, 11:00 to 1:30 and 1:30 to 4:00. More volunteers are needed, especially for the later shifts.
Let Salin Low know if you or a family member can help. Your service to and through Rotary is appreciated.
Avon Day
Steve Harris indicated today that signups for Avon Day have picked up since his recent e-mail.
HOWEVER: He still needs help with the 1:00 and 3:00 shifts.
Avon Day will be held Sept 26th behind the Pine Grove and Thompson Brook schools.
Avon Day/Amber Alert
Tom Voorhees hasdetailed that there will be an Amber Alert session at Avon Day in conjunction with the food booth. He is in need of volunteers. Tom asserted "it's a way of helping out at Avon Day without smelling like grease."
Golf Tournament
Nancy Nation has three points to share with members.
* Club members should go to the Club website and check on the golf ads they brought in this year. All the ads have been posted there. Please check for accuracy and make sure the ads meet the specifications the sponsors asked for.
* As of September 11, it wasn't too late to accept money for tee signs.
* 140 golfers have registered. It's not too late to bring in more. We need more.
Nancy urges all members to PULL OUT THE STOPS.
Hole In One Observers
Larry Sullivan needs witnesses for the Hole In One Contest.
At all times during the tournament, there must be two Club members at the contest hole, one at the tee and one just off the green. Larry is planning on two shifts, each lasting 2.5 hours.
Golf Raffle/Auction
Sue Budde stated she would be numbering and bundling the auction and raffle items September 12th and 13th. If you have an item still coming in, let Sue know as soon as possible.
Golf Tournament Dinner - Set Up/Clean-Up
Ann Clarkstillneeds members for setting up and cleaning up at the tournament dinner. She's hoping some males will volunteer to set up the tables and chairs, a job that is physically demanding. Tables and chairs will begin right at 3 o'clock when the Club is allowed to takeover the building.
The Surf and Turf Crew
Linda Pendergast detailed that Josh Gillooly needs more people to grill the steaks and steam the lobsters the afternoon of the tournament. A volunteer is also needed to get the clam chowder ready. Traditionally, the chowder is the first dish available to the golfers as they enter the Senior Center.
Wolfpack Hockey
Les Zinner is currently gaging interest in another Wolfpack Hockey Night for the Club. Last year's Avon-Canton Rotary Hockey Trip was a big success.Over 30 members and spouses attended, which allowed the Club to purchase tickets at the lowest possible group rate. Please let Les know if you are interested.
Amber Alert - Burlington Tavern Day
Ben Dunning reminded that there would be an Amber Alert on September 13th at Burlington's annual Tavern Day. The Lewis Mills High School Crew Team was scheduled to help with Amber Alert, but Club members were needed as well.
Simsbury-Granby Rotary Costume Party
Prasad Menoh (Past District Governor), has alerted our Club that the Simsbury-Granby Club will hold a Halloween-related Costume Party on October 30th. Last year's edition, which was held at the 1820 House, sold out. This year's Party will be held at the Simsbury Inn. Prasad predicts it will be great fun, and he foresees another sell-out. Contact Prasad if you are interested, or visit the Simsbury-Granby Club's website.
Rotary Leadership Institute
IT’S COMING!
The Rotary Leadership Institute is a powerful tool to grow member leadership strengths and build member retention.
Attendees learn
-how to lead in a service organization
-how to create effective committees
-how to work with volunteers
AND come back to their clubs motivated, energized and inspired
AND they share that enthusiasm with other members.
SIGN UP NOW!
This fall, District 7890 will host an RLI session:
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2015
The Mass Mutual Training & Conference Center
350 Memorial Dr.,Chicopee, MA
You accepted the invitation to become a Rotarian for a reason. You stay a Rotarian also for a reason. Spending a day at an RLI session will add many more reasons for you to be a Rotarian. Remember, “Those who serve the best profit the most.”
For more information and to register, visit www.rlinea.org
Coming off a very successful September Rotary Pub Night, our next Rotary Pub Night (RPN) will be held Tuesday, October 6th at an Avon site to be determined. Phil Worley will let the Club know the location soon.
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, friends, 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 including a pub menu.
Please note that RPN now alternates between Tuesday and Wednesday each month to accommodate Rotarians who can participate on one of those days but not the other.
Senior Job Bank
The Rotary Club of Avon-Canton donated a $1,000 check to the Senior Job Bank which helps find employment situations throughout the Farmington Valley and West Hartford. Club member Bob Cave has been active in the Job Bank for many years. He asked other Club members who have helped the Job Bank to accept the check with him. Seen in the picture (from left to right) are Les Zinner, Len Dunstan, Chuck Joseph, President Gary Miller, and Bob Cave. Peter Vignati presented the check on behalf of the Community Services Committee.
Bob also thanked the late Bill Noble, a longtime Club member who was very supportive of the Job Bank.
Since 1974, over 2500 seniors have been referred into successful jobs.
Focus On Canton
(Left to Right: Peter Vignati, Nancy Mackie and President Gary Miller).
Nancy Mackie accepted the Club's donation to Focus On Canton, a non-profit, community-based group dedicated to nurturing, assisting and enabling the residents of Canton who are in need. Focus on Canton is involved with Neighbors Helping Neighbors, the Canton Thanksgiving Dinner, Gifts for Canton, Sam Collins Day, the Canton Food Bank, medical transport, the Canton Fuel Bank, the Walk for Hunger and many other local initiatives.
Nancy described Focus on Canton as "the last resort for people in desperate need." She added that the group "really appreciates Rotary's help."
Presentation
Dress for Success
Club member Heather Pantano detailed her involvement with Dress for Success Hartford (DFS), a non-profit group providing women in need with professional attire, advice and teaching when they have secured a job interview. DFS started in 1996, and there are now 114 affiliates in the United States.
Heather quickly pointed out that Dress for Success is "about much more than simply a new outfit." There are three main programs:
* Suiting - once a woman has secured an interview, DFS will provide an appropriate interview outfit along with guidance and support. (Heather is a Suiting Supervisor).
* Leadership - the women learn strategies that will help them advance once they've found a job, and they learn ways to give back to their communities.
* Employment Retention - strategies are taught that will nurture professional growth and career stability.
This three-pronged approach creates long-lasting solutions and enables women-in-need to break the cycle of poverty. Help with hygiene and communication skills is ongoing.
Women ages 18 to 38 are typically referred through such agencies as the Salvation Army and the Red Cross. Over 100 non-profit organizations have directed women to DFS. Corporate sponsors include Talbots and Wal-Mart. The DFS Boutique, Heather asserts, looks like any good clothing store. It is located at 280 Trumbull Street in Hartford. Donations of clothing are accepted.
Local TV personality Kara Sundlund, who has made appearances at the Avon-Canton Rotary's Golf Tournament, is on the Hartford DFS Board of Directors.
Who Can Pass A Bar Without Stopping?
This week's buffet included an unexpected treat; lemon bars and pecan bars.
In The Mail
P.O. Box 11 was a silent as Marcel Marceau this week.
Photo Credits
Photos by Phil Worley:
* Senior Job Bank
* Focus on Canton
* Heather Pantano
Photos by Les Zinner:
* Lemon Bars and Pecan Bars
Arnold Palmer courtesy of Google Images
Mets Logo courtesy of nymets.com
Photo from "Blazing Saddles" courtesy wikiimages.com
