Guests: Andrew Brochu - Avon High School Music Director
Visiting Rotarians:
Happy Dollars: $26
Raffle Winner: Phil Worley
Birthdays
Devra Sisitsky - Not Present
Happy Dollars
Nancy Nation was very excited for her grandson, Chase, who is an RPI hockey player. The whole family was on hand with signs for the RPI v UCONN game. RPI won and Chase was named MVP.
Jolly Lux reported that her spinning fundraiser at Zoo Health Club raised over $2000 to supplement the funds needed for her next project in Uganda.
Gary Miller was inspired by Andrew Brochu's rendition of the National Anthem. He mentioned having been to Fort McHenry where the story of the Star Spangled banner is portrayed in a movie followed by curtains opening onto a large flag is displayed.
Bill Barnes' invocation was praised by several members as a very thoughtful remembrance for MLK Day.
Peter Vignati said that he and Susanne when skiing for the first time in a couple of years at Butternut and survived to tell the story.
Joanne Santiago has a new associate member of her staff - her daughter, Joelle.
Robin DiNicola reported on behalf of Rick Heath that Chris is healing from her accident and is now wearing a boot.
Announcements
Gary Miller is looking for a few good members to purchase annual website ads for $100/yr. This supports the cost of the ClubRunner software and website subscription. Ads cycle every few seconds at the upper left-hand corner of the website and are a good way to promote member businesses. Contact Gary if interested.
Josh Gillooly announced that Tastes of the Valley (TOTV) material was available at the sergeant-at-arms desk or to be downloded online. There are flyers to post at members' work places and brochures to be distributed. The event will be held on Saturday, March 30, at Farmington Gardens on Route 4 in Farmington. All members are expected to participate.
On January 25th the meeting will be in Seasons Restaurant.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Taste of the Valley will be held Saturday, March 30 at 6 PM. More information to come, but we will need some new restaurants as several of our past contributors are no longer in business.
Induction of New Members
None this week.
Community Service Grant
Immediate Past-President, Don Bonner presented a check for $500 to Andrew Brochu to enable an Avon High School student to participate in an upcoming choral trip to Quebec. Andrew stated that the Chorus raises money to help students cover the nearly $1000 dollar cost. Our grant from Community Service will help one of three sisters attend. The trip organizer has graciously donated the cost for the other two twin sisters.
Presentation
Club Forum
The FAVARH Initiative: Don Bonner introduced Steve Morris who showed the video, Favarh-A Day in the Life: 60 Years in the Making. Click on this link to watch the video which depicts the daily lives of several of Favarh's clients.
Quite a few of our members have been to the new BeanZ & Co that is 80% staffed by Favarh clients. Mike is working with Steve to hold our March 22nd breakfast meeting at BeanZ & Co. Don also announced that The Rotary Building is scheduled to open in June. A ribbon cutting is planned.
Community Service Committee: Paul Mikkelson pointed out the committee report prepared by Gary Roman. The committee's annual budget for this Rotary year is $27,000. They are very close to fulfilling the entire amount. They have approved 13 grants totaling $22,363 so far this year.
Club Finances: Gary Hyde reported that the club is in great shape financially. Several longtime members, Bob Cave and Bill Barnes, remarked that in the early days of the club, the goal was for the President's to turnover $500 in the checkbook each year. We have come a long way.
Tastes of the Valley: Josh Gillooly said that the planning is moving along. Most of the restaurants have committed. The committee has been doing great work. Josh thanked each of them for their contributions.
President Mike Mezheritskiy wrapped up the forum with a discussion of the benefit of promoting our activities through our Facebook site. Taste of the Valley has been added as an event. Mike encouraged everyone with a personal Facebook site to "Share" our site and invite their friends to sign up for TOTV.
Mail Bag
Nothing this week.
Photo Credits
Photographs courtesy of Phil Worley, unless otherwise indicated.
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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Immediate Past-President, Don Bonner presented a check for $500 to Andrew Brochu to enable an Avon High School student to participate in an upcoming choral trip to Quebec. Andrew stated that the Chorus raises money to help students cover the nearly $1000 dollar cost. Our grant from Community Service will help one of three sisters attend. The trip organizer has graciously donated the cost for the other two twin sisters.
The FAVARH Initiative: Don Bonner introduced Steve Morris who showed the video, Favarh-A Day in the Life: 60 Years in the Making. Click on this link to watch the video which depicts the daily lives of several of Favarh's clients.
