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Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
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Bulletin Editor
Lauren Gardner
Getting to Know our Members
Getting to Know Jennifer Gonzalez
Jenny Gonzalez was born in 1970 in the small country town of Perry, Florida, where her parents grew up. They moved to Tallahassee when she was four and she grew up with her brother Jon who is seven years older.
 
Both of Jenny’s parents were hard workers. Her mom was in business administration first in the medical field, then thirty plus years at an environmental law firm until her retirement two years ago. Her dad was a proud Vietnam veteran who had a 32-year career with the Postal Service. He retired early and enjoyed a life of leisure until he was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away three years ago. He was always working on cars, boats, and home improvement projects. In retirement he enjoyed spending time on my cousins’ farm in Alabama bailing hay, feeding cows, hunting, and fishing. His family misses him dearly.
Jenny met her husband in high school through friends they had in common, dated briefly during her junior year, and stayed in touch. When Larry graduated from the University of Florida out of the school of journalism, he moved back to Tallahassee to work. He looked Jenny up, and they decided to get married a month after dating. Jenny had been working at Holland and Knight Law firm as a file clerk and runner until they married a year later in December 1994. This past December they celebrated their 25th Wedding anniversary.
 
Jenny and Larry moved to Storrs, Connecticut once Larry was accepted to UCONN’s MBA program in 1995. Jenny worked in retail until he graduated, then spent a year matriculating into the CT college system at MCTC. She then applied and was accepted into the BFA program at UCONN. She was able to go to school full-time and completed a Specialized Concentration in Photography, Sculpture, and Ceramics. Larry and Jenny both graduated in 2000. He completed his law degree from UCONN, and she received her BFA.
 
She worked a few years after graduation as a Manager of the Non-Profit Women’s Exchange in West Hartford Center and went on to work for Capital Properties, first as a leasing agent for a residential property in Rocky Hill, later transferring to a West Hartford property as assistant property manager. She also began her Master’s program at CCSU. An artist at heart, she finished an MS in Art Education in 2007 with a concentration in Ceramics. She felt lucky to have studied with the best professor in her concentration and with one of the most talented students, who is still a good friend. She has had three art shows: a thesis show at Art Space in Hartford, a group show at Art Space with a painter, furniture maker, ceramicist and photographer, and another at the Farmington Library with three other ceramic artists.
 
Jenny started flying as a contract flight attendant for a small charter company out of Bridgeport and did sub-contracted flights for Netjets and Starflite International while she was finishing her Master’s program. In 2009 she secured a full time position with Travelers Aviation. She and her husband never thought that they would both end up working in the insurance industry, especially with Jenny in such a non-traditional role.
 
Larry and Jenny are very proud that their achievements have come about through their own efforts. They don’t have any children, but they are the happy to be aunt and uncle of seven nephews and one niece that they visit on trips to Florida and Atlanta, Georgia. They have two spoiled miniature dachshunds, Daisy and Oscar, who bring great joy to their home life. Their first fur-baby child was a Bassett hound named Marlee who was part of their family for the first 16 years of their marriage.
 
Jenny and Larry have been lifelong Thoroughbred horse racing enthusiasts and have a small stake in a NY breeding partnership and a couple of race horses with friends. Through their small interest they own perhaps a few horse hairs at most. This passion and their need to find a meaningful way to spend free time brought them to Shepard Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center. Jenny is on the fundraising committee and acting as Gala Chairperson, and Larry is VP on the Board. They still enjoy mucking stalls and feeding horses on the weekends as well as giving tours and acting as volunteer mentors.
 
Jenny is happy that Heather Pantano invited her to join Rotary. From the very first meeting she felt like she was home. She looks forward to getting to know all the members and working together to raise money and do good things for the community and beyond. 
 
Read more...
Speakers
Mar 27, 2020
Guiding Light Orphanage
Apr 03, 2020
Apr 10, 2020
Apr 17, 2020
Forest Bathing
Apr 24, 2020
Sex Trafficking in Connecticut
May 01, 2020
Updates on Avon
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Immediate Past President
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Foundation Chair
 
Membership
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Asst Treasurer
 
Interact Chair
 
EarlyRiser Presentations
A Promise to Jordan
The Annotated Guide to Ending Polio
Club Information
Rotary of Avon-Canton - Founded 1973
Avon-Canton
Service above Self
We meet Fridays at 7:30 AM
Avon Old Farms Hotel
279 Avon Mountain Rd.
Avon, CT  06001
United States of America
DistrictSiteIcon District Site
VenueMap Venue Map
hip
 
 
March 27, 2020
Jolly & Kurt Lux
Guiding Light Orphanage
 
The next 2 meetings will be held virtually via Zoom. 
watch for an email from Heather. 
 
Watch the presentation via our
 
Sergeant-at-Arms Report
 
Members Present: 31
 
Visiting Rotarians: Craig Buhrendorf   
Guests: Eileen Rau, our speaker, Jayden Kaplan, roto-tot
Happy Dollars: N/A
Raffle Winner: N/A
 
Fines
None.
 
Birthdays
None.
Happy Dollars
 
Heather Pantano was grateful for the club's patience and support during this unprecedented time. It was important to the board to maintain a sense of normalcy during this time and thanks the club for coming together virtually.
 
Bob Cave raised his virtual hand for a happy dollar from his "sunny beach" in Florida, Rollie asked if he was in Colorado, and Gary asked if he was with the spring breakers. 
 
Craig Buhrendorf was happy that he could join our club's virtual meeting from his lake house, his new club hasn't decided what to do with their meetings yet. His wife Jeane texted and asked, "Who are all those people you let in?". 
 
Salin Low had a reminiscent dollar as she reflected on ringing the bell with Heather three years ago and had a conversation about how Heather would like to increase our club's digital presence. Now, look at us!
 
Joanne Santiago was happy that she was able to get masks in her office to use for her patients.
 
Rollie Serling had a sad dollar for the loss of Paul Mikkelson's membership. We all understand the reasons for moving to another club and wish him all the best. May God bless him and his family during the challenges they face.
 
Announcements
President Heather Pantano confirmed that TOTV had been cancelled. She thanked Josh Giloolly and Colleen Grasso for co-chairing the event. Patrons would be reimbursed unless they wanted to make a donation or put their money toward next year's event.
 
Future Meetings in a time of COVID-19
Over the next two weeks, meetings will be held via Zoom - March 27 and April 3. Heather will send out the meeting invitation via email on Thursday evenings.
April 10th there is no meeting because it is Good Friday.
The board will reassess the situation and let club members know about future meetings before April 17.
 
Rescheduled:  Service project in collaboration with Roaring Brook Nature Center has been tentatively rescheduled for April 25 & 26th, weather permitting. Rotarians and girl scouts will pair and build an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant trail at the Roaring Brook Nature Center.  See the information below from the Club Forum.
 
Cancelled: Hartford Wolf Pack, scheduled for the evening of April 4th.
 
5/29: President's Installation Dinner at Golf Club of Avon.  Details to follow.
6/??: Rotary Pub Night will be held at President Heather's new home
9/14: 37th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at the Golf Club of Avon
 
Induction of New Members
 
None this week.

Awards
Salin Low was digitally awarded Major Donor Level One Recognition. Congrats Salin!
 
 
Community and International Service Grants
None this week.
 
PRESENTATION
 
Eileen Rau
The Rotary Foundation

Salin Low introduced Eileen Rau, Eileen was the first assistant governor of this club and was so for three years. 

Eileen started off by acknowledging the current COVID-19 crisis and how the Rotary Foundation is working on ways to respond while continuing to fundraise for the foundation. Eileen said focusing on helping club members and their families remain to be of utmost importance.

 

Eileen shared that she became passionate about Rotary when she hosted a Rotary exchange student from Germany, named Fiona. Fiona was in high school and was anxious to learn whether she would be accepted into Eileen's home and how other Americans would view her because Eileen is Jewish and Fiona recognized the role her country played in World War II. However, instead of any strain, they formed a beautiful relationship and Eileen grew to consider Fiona as an adopted daughter. Eileen shared that this relationship reflected the foundation's good work. Fiona spoke to over a dozen clubs and promoted peace and unity.

 

The Rotary Foundation allows clubs like ours to have a large impact on our community and the world. Eileen shared examples of some projects from her club that have had a large impact on communities across the globe, including a project that helped dialysis patients get the treatment needed to survive, and shipping 10,000 meals to developing communities.

 

These are just a few examples as to why our donations to The Rotary Foundation are so important. The Rotary Foundation is recognized by Charity Navigator as one of the top 100 501c3 (nonprofit) charities in the world. When you donate a certain amount, you can itemize your donation, and when you donate, your dollar is multiplied through different grants. For example if you donate towards eradicating polio, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation triples the amount donated. 

 

Eileen also wanted to virtually present and honor Salin Low with a badge and crystal recognizing Salin as a level 1 major donor. Eileen said Salin is a legacy to Rotary and she is very grateful for Salin's dedication to the foundation.

 

Congrats Salin! Thank you, Eileen!

 


Special Announcements
None this week.
 
Mail Bag
None this week.
 
Photo Credits 
Screen grabs courtesy of Lauren Gardner & Arnie Goldman.
 
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.
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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?