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Bulletin Editor
Lauren Gardner
Speakers
Jul 21, 2023
Food Services in the Avon and Canton Schools
Jul 28, 2023
Aug 04, 2023
Canton Schools
Aug 11, 2023
Career In Sports Broadcasting
Aug 18, 2023
District Plans for Coming Year
Aug 25, 2023
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Treasurer
 
Immediate Past President
 
Membership
 
Rotary Foundation
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Interact Chair
 
Club Information
Rotary of Avon-Canton - Founded 1973
Avon-Canton
Service above Self
Fridays at 7:30 AM
Golf Club of Avon
160 Country Club Road
Avon, CT 06001
United States of America
Fax:
(860) 760-6364
All meetings are hybrid both in-person and Zoom available
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District Site
VenueMap
Venue Map
 
March 24, 2023
Club Meeting
The 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: 23
 
Visiting Rotarians: Dave Tedeschi, Assistant Governor
Guests: Justin Lipe (Speaker)
Happy Dollars: $27
Raffle Winner: Cherie Morris
Birthdays: Ike Eickenhurst (3/15)
Happy Dollars
 
Joanne Santiago had an FYI dollar, her personal email got hacked, so beware! Don’t click on any links or believe she needs an amazon gift card. She is working on the problem.
 
Larry Sullivan enjoyed an evening with one of his boys they took him and his wife to Warner Theater to see the Irish Tenors. 
 
Gary Roman gave $5 happy/sad dollars. In anticipation of his last Rotary visit he had a "nightmare", in the dream he was celebrating his twin Bill Barnes, Chris was still president, Heather became district president, Rollie was celebrating the Colgate Raiders winning the NCAA, Larry opened up his 15th dealership a Hyundai one… Gary reflected on why he’s been doing 20 years of Rotary, a lot of it is because we give back to the community, but most importantly, it’s the friendship! He thanked the club for all the friendship.  
 
Dave Tedeschi had $10 happy dollars to his favorite club in area 9. The camaraderie is great, and friendship is key. He also was happy to spend the weekend with Luke Violette to train as upcoming president. He says our club is in great hands!
 
Jolly Lux was happy because on Wednesday, she is going to Uganda, and she will be building a greenhouse. The water pump they have is making 1200 liters per hour. It’s powered by solar panels, and they will address hygiene and food security because they have extra water. 
 
Lauren Gardner passed her licensing test last week and is now a Licensed Master of Social Work.
 
Mike Sherber was happy that Princeton beat Arizona by 3 points.
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 that 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 4.  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 3 quests.
 
Friday, March 24th, tickets will be distributed to the members in attendance at our Friday meeting to be held at Favarh.
 
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 years 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 Tastes Committee member or Colleen Grasso if you have any questions.
 
Cherie Walton is still looking for money or ideas for raffle baskets!
 
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
 
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
May be an image of 3 people and people standing
The international committee presented a check for $5,000 to Jolly Lux for her upcoming trip to Uganda to help build her greenhouse and address her water and hygiene initiatives!
Trip to South Africa
Lauren Gardner & Justin Lipe
Chris Lamadrid introduced fellow Rotarian Lauren Gardner and her husband Justin Lipe to speak about their honeymoon to South Africa.
 
Lauren Gardner is a licensed master of social work who recently earned her master's graduate degree in social work policy practice at the University of Connecticut. For over 13 years, Lauren has continued to work at FOCUS Center for Autism, a nonprofit organization based in Canton that aims to provide a continuum of care to individuals with autism and their families. She is an active volunteer with SUMMIT Adaptive Sports. Currently, she resides in Simsbury, CT, with her husband Justin and their rescue pitbull mix Frankie where they enjoy traveling and the great outdoors.
 
Justin Lipe is a chemical engineer at Quantum Biopower a startup company that converts food waste to energy. He earned his masters degree in chemistry from Southern Connecticut State University and is an active volunteer with SUMMIT Adaptive Sports he too lives with his wife Lauren and their dog Frankie.
 
Lauren and Justin went to South Africa between November and December. They shared their itinerary and what they learned and experienced in the beautiful country.
 
 
 
Cape Town is a beautiful city with wonderful, welcoming people, great food, and beautiful scenery.
Robben Island just off the coast of Cape Town, was first used as a watering and reprieve station for colonists en route to India, many storied centuries later, it was last used to imprison political prisoners known as Freedom Fighters who spoke out against Apartheid.
Wine Region in South Africa
 
 
Their sommelier and tour guide is the mom of supermodel Candice Swanepoel!
Hlhuwe Imfolozi Park is the last reserve in South Africa to successfully save the white rhino from the brink of extinction due to poaching for their horns. Their horns are believed to hold some kind of magical properties. However, they are made from keratin, just like our own hair and nails.  All white rhinos seen in other reserves come from this park.
 
 
 

Special Announcements

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Congratulations to Healing Meals founder and CEO Sarah Leathers, who has been named a 2023 Wonder Woman by the Malta House of Care! 
 
Each year, the Malta House honors a small group of extraordinary Connecticut women who are improving their communities in extraordinary ways. Sarah will be honored on May 3rd at an awards ceremony/fundraising event at the Bushnell Theater.  This event will raise funds for the Malta House medical clinic, where they provide free primary care for uninsured adults.
 
 
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?