Early Riser Newsletter (Dec 30, 2016)

Salin Low
(If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor)

Mar 03, 2017

Katelyn Stryeski

Roaring Brook Nature Center

Mar 10, 2017

Kathy McAfee

Tips for Presentations

Mar 17, 2017

Ellen Palmer

Healing Meals Community

Mar 24, 2017

Troy McFarlane

Kateri Medical Clinic-Nigeria

Mar 31, 2017

Janet Connor

Avon Historical Society

Apr 07, 2017

Gina Broadbent

Read to a Child

View entire list

Rotary Club of Avon-Canton - Founded 1973

Service above Self

We meet Fridays at 7:30 AM

Avon Old Farms Hotel

279 Avon Mountain Rd.
Avon, CT 06001
United States

District Site

Venue Map

December 30, 2016

Elaine Gagnon

"A Glimpse of Nigeria: Grace International School"

Sergeant-at-Arms Report

December 23, 2016
Members	34
Make-Ups	None
Guests	None
Visiting Rotarians	None
Happy Dollars	$ 122.00 (for Salvation Army)
Fines	None
Raffle	No raffle winner

Birthdays

Tom Voorhees (December 24) claims to have given up birthdays. Instead he celebrates the anniversary of his 35th birthday. Though he didn't claim it, this was a pretty significant anniversary. He has been in Rotary since 1973 and in our club since 1980. He was District Governor in 1999-2000. He is also a major donor to the Rotary Foundation and gave this year's donation as we sang a rousing Happy Birthday. (That sweater he's wearing is appropriately Rotary blue.)

Happy Dollars ($122 went to the Salvation Army)

Brian O'Donnell was happy to spend two weeks in Mexico at Cabo San Lucas.

President Don was happy that daughter Sarah has a job, an apartment and furniture, and is buying a car. She's getting settled quickly.

Kathleen Parr was happy to be in her home club. She has been attending meetings in Austin, TX and Belize.

Nancy Nation was happy that the Christmas gifts from the club had been delivered to Annemary Gordon and her children. In addition to the gifts, a tree and ornaments were also delivered. Nancy said the kids' eyes were like saucers when they saw all the club had done.

Dale Bronson was happy to have gained 16 pounds, something which wouldn't have pleased most of the members of the club. However, he was too thin at 139 pounds. His grandson had gone to the Nutmeg Ballet and had a different take on the dancing. When asked what he thought about the 25 dancers doing the same routine, he thought it was no big deal - just one leading and all the rest copying him.

Larry Sullivan was one member who would not want to gain 16 pounds or any pounds (and most of us agree with him). His daughter from Colorado was in town and he had gone with her to see Rogue Star.

Larry Haber wished everyone happy holidays.

Phil Ferrari was glad to have his son home from San Diego.

Craig Buhrendorf didn't have a Christmas sweater to wear, but he did have a very noticeable Christmas tie. He will see his family over the Christmas weekend.

Announcements

No, Josh Gillooly did not win the ugly sweater contest, although he was a contender. Instead, he got the consolation prize of now being the chair of the Tastes of the Valley Committee. Steve Roberto has a new job which involves travel and is leaving the club. We will miss Steve and thank Josh for taking on this major responsibility.

1/9: Len Dunstan Retirement Party at the North House. See or email (bruce@saywardcompanies.net) Bruce Sayward for details or to RSVP.

1/20: Regular Meeting: Vote to be Held on FAVARH Plan.

Note: Paul Mikkelson announces the formation of the FAVARH Initiative Committee. Members include Paul, Don Bonner, Nancy Nation, Heather Pantano and Dale Bronson.

Awards, Donations, etc.

Ugly Sweater Contest

As should be clear from the photos above, the ugliest sweater did not win. There were some interesting contenders (see pics of Tom Voorhees and Josh Gillooly above), especially Peter Vignati's sweater with the squirrel up the back. But Colleen Grasso won for the cutest and most impressive Christmas attire. Glad to see newer members get into the spirit of the season.

New Member Induction - Steve Morris

Steve was introduced by Ann Clark as a stand-in for sponsor Paul Mikkelson. Steve is the second Executive Director of FAVARH. He had been with the organization before and then gone to Guilford before returning. He is originally from Simsbury and attended the University of Rhode Island and UCONN. He enjoys outdoor activities including hiking and mountain climbing. He is married and has two adult children. Welcome to Rotary, Steve!

Presentation

Canton High School Chamber Singers

Once again Brett Gottheimer led the singers in a program of primarily traditional Christmas music with a few changes, including a rebuttal to The Twelve Days of Christmas and the Beatles' In My Life. They went to the hotel lobby to perform on WTIC as part of the Salvation Army Holiday Store drive.

They were joined by some folks we recognized and Paul Mikkelson with a group of cyclists. They were too late for the ugly sweater competition.

Mail Bag

We received a thank you note from Shawn and the hotel crew thanking us for the Christmas gift and for Shawn's Paul Harris recognition.

Photo Credits

Photographs courtesy of Phil Worley, unless otherwise indicated.

Editors Notes

Submission Deadline: Members are kindly encouraged to submit all materials for each week's Early Riser as quickly 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.