April 14, 2023Lori Blackburn
The Underground of NEThe meeting will be held both in person and via Zoom.
Watch for an email from the Club for Zoom access and
please note we use a recurring ID for your convenience.
Sergeant-at-Arms Report -
Rotarians Present: 27 (including 5 on Zoom)
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: Christopher Cusano (Speaker); Erin Lamadrid and Gracen Lamadrid (Chris's daughter-in-law and granddaughter)
Happy Dollars: $59
Raffle Winner: Christopher Cusano
Birthdays: None
Happy Dollars
Salin Low gave $28 for her 28 years in Rotary. She also gave a dollar in support of the UCONN men’s basketball team, which beat some little team from down South that evening and won the national championship the following Monday.
Peter Vignati was happy about his trip to Hawaii. He said the big island size of CT and on the eastern most part of the island is Volcano National Park with ice and a crater. They experienced great skies and many stars. Wife Susanne discovered three different Guy Fieri restaurants to sample.
President Chris was pleased to have several members of her family at the meeting. She moved to Connecticut to be near them and thanked them for their love and support during the recovery from her kidney transplant. Granddaughter Gracen, who was present, is her personal stylist.
Steve Horenstein is happy to be the father of the bride. On April 28 his youngest daughter will be getting married in Maine.
Larry Sullivan was happy that the golf brochure for this year has gone to press. Soon it will be online, as will the golf book. Larry has been pushing the technological envelope.
Announcements
Tastes of the Valley
Tastes of the Valley tickets are $75.00 for the evening event.
In the past many Rotarians attended the VIP Session, now called the Sponsor Session. This session is available to our sponsors and to Rotarians who would like to purchase a table of 4 tickets for $400.00. This option is designated as the Friends of Rotary Sponsorship and is available only to Rotarians and their guests to fill a table for four. We encourage Rotarians to pair up with another Rotarian to purchase a table or for a member to purchase the sponsorship for him/herself and three guests.
We will distribute (2) tickets to each Rotarian. If you are unable to attend, please give the tickets to a friend or family member. In the past, there was an expectation that each Rotarian would sell or purchase (4) tickets. In lieu of the additional (2) tickets, we ask for your support by donating a basket to our auction; gift certificates or cash are happily excepted. We are also in need of spirit bottles. Bottles of wine or spirits valued at $20.00 or greater to support our "Bottle Bag" Pull. The money raised for both the auction and the bottle pull is 100% profit for our club.
Please contact a TOTV Committee member or Colleen Grasso if you have any questions.
Cherie Walton is still looking for money or ideas for raffle baskets! She will happily take gift cards or cash donations and put the basket together.
Let's work together to make this event great!!!
Calendar
May 6, 2023 - Tastes of the Valley at Golf Club of Avon
June 9, 2023 - President's Dinner
July 18, 2023 - Seniors Luncheon
September 11, 2023 - Annual Charity Golf Tournament
October 19, 2023 - Club's 50th Anniversary Dinner
Induction of New Members
None this week.
Awards
None this week
Community and International Service Grants
Gary Miller presented a check for $750 to Focus Center of Avon. Founder Donna Swanson thanked Rotary for their continuing support. The center is dedicated to providing a continuum of care to young adults on the autism spectrum. Government services end at 18 or 21 and leave them in need of guidance and support. The Focus Center helps to fill that gap. It is a wonderful organization.
Christopher Cusano, Exec Director
CT Brain Tumor Alliance
Chris Cusano told the club about his own experience as a brain tumor survivor. He entered law school in 2007. During his first year he experienced worsening headaches and eye problems, which might have had to do with the difficulty of law school. First he tried prism glasses to eliminate double vision, but their help was temporary. He had an MRI and found out he had a tumor that had been growing for at least six years. Surgery removed the tumor, although additional surgery has been needed. At first he lost all ability to communicate. One day after the insertion of a shunt in his brain, miraculously he was able to communicate as before. He was able to complete law school with some assistance because his reading comprehension was still affected. He passed the bar exam on his third attempt and worked for a law firm. However, he realized he wanted to do something that would benefit the community. First he was with United Way of Northeast Connecticut. Then he found an opportunity with the Connecticut Brain Tumor Alliance (CBTA).
Chris's slide presentation tells the story of CBTA.
It is inspiring to hear Chris's story and to know his experience is leading him to help others experiencing brain tumors or giving care to those who have been diagnosed with brain tumors.
Mail Bag
None this week.
Photo Credits
Mike Mezheritskiy
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?
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