Bill & Janet Newman (Community Paul Harris Recipient)
Susan Elliot (Quilts of Valor)
Bridget Carnemolla (Avon Schools Superintendent)
Fines: None
Happy Dollars: $ 10.00
Raffle Winner: Salin Low
Birthdays None today.
New Members
Jim Gordon was inducted today. Jim is a long time friend of Don Bonner. Jim has been a member of the Farmington Exchange Club for many years. He is Director of Public Relations and Development for the Salvation Army. Jim remarked that most of the titles in his bio had "Past" in front of them. He hoped that didn't mean anything.
Happy Dollars
Nancy Nation returned to a standing ovation. She thanked everyone for all the love that was sent her way while she and Craig were in Florida.
Dale Bronson was glad to be back at a meeting after his ordeal with cancer surgery on his lip. He told an old joke in memory of Jim McIntosh who always had a great story to pass on to us at meetings.
Joanne Santiago was very pleased that her daughter Joelle was graduating. She will be the sixth member of the family in the chiropractic profession.
Sue Budde was delighted that her son was finally graduating after completing his eight year college career.
Kevin Case introduced Bridget Carnemolla, the new Superintendent of the Avon Public Schools. Kevin was very happy to have a new colleague.
Gary Miller announced that he and Debbie were headed to Portsmouth NH after the meeting. Debbie was attending a Makey Makey workshop. Gary was planning a tour of the breweries. Gary also said that he first met Bridget Carnemolla when she came to Watertown as the Principal of the High School while he was the Interim School Business Administrator. Gary was happy that Avon would finally have a Superintendent of high calibre after a long hiatus.
Phil Ferrari said that he had seen Dick Kisiel recently. Dick was the last great Superintendent of the Avon Schools.
Larry Sullivan shared a joke about his friend Father O'Malley.
Ann Clark pointed out that she was sending a graduation card around for Joelle Santiago and asked everyone to sign it.
General Announcements
Gary Miller introduced his guests: Yvonne and Lauren Gardner from Focus Center for Autism. They announced their fund raising event on June 24th at 41 Bridget Street. FOCUS ROCKS is a benefit concert that will support their Center and supplies for the Fresh Start School. Tickets are $25 General Admission or $45 for FOCUS Rocker VIP seating and a commemorative t-shirt. For more information on tickets and sponsorships, go to: http://focuscenterforautism.org/event/focus-rocks-benefit-concert/
Don Bonner posted a memorial picture of Jim McIntosh who recently passed away. The picture would be displayed at Jim's memorial and funeral service this weekend. Don hoped for a good turn out from our membership. Jim was a Charter and Honorary Member who was involved in the clubs activities and always had a good joke of the ready.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Friday, May 18: Joint Rotary - FAVARH Yard Goats Game Event.Sold out!
Friday, June 8: 2018 President's Installation Dinnerat Farmington Woods Club House. President-Elect Michael Mezheritskiy and a new slate of Officers and Directors will be installed for the 2018-2019 Rotary Year. Don Bonner, Heather Pantano & Colleen Grasso will receive Paul Harris Fellowships for club service. Tickets will be $45 each.
Monday, June 11: Canton Chamber Silver Jubilee Golf Tournment See Gary Miller for details.
Thursday, July 26: Luncheon for the Senior Citizens of Avon and Canton. Noon. Canton Community Center.
MONDAY, August 27: Rotary of Avon-Canton Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Presentations
Paul Harris Awards
Joanne Santiago called Thor Cheyne to the podium to be congratulated and receive his PHF +2.
Brian O'Donnell introduced Bill Newman to receive a Community Service Paul Harris Award. Bill was unable to join us on April 27th. Bill is a fellow member of the VFW who served in the Army and is married to Janet, who was an Army nurse. Bill has spent the past 17 years collecting oral histories of 185 veterans. The histories are compiled in volumes at the Avon public Library. Bill hopes to reach 200 of the 600 surviving veterans in Avon.
Community Service Grant
Paul Mikkelson presented a check for $250 to Susan Elliot who was representing the Quilts for Veterans group. Susan has visited previously to present one of their quilts to Rollie Sterrett.
The Main Event
Rollie Sterrett introduced Father Tom Furrer who has visited us frequently to talk about the Kateri Medical Services clinics in Nigeria. The first clinic was founded in Kateria in 2003. Since then three additional clinics have been created in Iburu in 2016, Kafanchan and Gusau in 2018. The latter in Gusau will open soon. Father Tom thanked us for the $1000 that had been granted by us last year. He stated that it takes about $20,000 to operate the week long clinics at each location. About $2.30 per person covers the services that are provided to almost 6700 in the last few weeks. The Clinics are staffed by a doctor, 3 nurses, a lab technician and a pharmacist. The patients receive a screening and then wait in long lines to see the doctor. They are receive eye screening and medications. Father Tom assured us that everyone that comes to the clinics is treated with kindness, love and respect. He invited anyone that was interested to come along on one of their clinic trips.
Mail Bag
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 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?
Nancy Nation returned to a standing ovation. She thanked everyone for all the love that was sent her way while she and Craig were in Florida.
Dale Bronson was glad to be back at a meeting after his ordeal with cancer surgery on his lip. He told an old joke in memory of Jim McIntosh who always had a great story to pass on to us at meetings.
Don Bonner posted a memorial picture of Jim McIntosh who recently passed away. The picture would be displayed at Jim's memorial and funeral service this weekend. Don hoped for a good turn out from our membership. Jim was a Charter and Honorary Member who was involved in the clubs activities and always had a good joke of the ready.
