New Member Induction
(Left to Right - Phil Worley, Dr. Arnold Goldman, President Gary Miller)
Doctor Arnold Goldman was inducted into the Rotary Club of Avon-Canton.
Dr. Arnold Goldman is a practicing veterinarian and owns Canton Animal Hospital. He is the founding President of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Foundation. He has served in a wide variety of leadership roles in civic and professional organizations and is a consultant to the Capitol Region Council of Governments.
Arnie helped with the Passage of the Connecticut Public Act that mandates consideration of household pets in disaster planning. He also helped to pass legislation giving the CT Department of Agriculture stronger control over the shelter dog importation industry.
He was honored by the American Kennel Club in 2016, the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 2013, the HAVEN Program in 2012, the Canton Chamber of Commerce in 2010 and the Capitol Region Council of Governments in 2006. Arnie speaks throughout the United States on issues involving animal welfare and veterinary medicine.
Locally, Arnie is a member of the Republican Town Committee, Vice Chair of the Board of Finance and Treasurer of the North Canton Volunteer Fire Association.
The induction included readings from Dale Bronson, Tom Voorhees and Larry Sullivan.
Arnie has already agreed to become a member of the membership committee.
Paul Harris Awards
(From Left to Right - Evan Cooper, President Gary Miller, Joanne Santiago)
Rotary Foundation Committee Chair Joanne Santiago presented Evan Cooper with her second level Paul Harris Award pin. This pin involves both Community Service and level of giving to the Foundation.
President Gary urged Club members to see the raptor currently housed at the Litchfield Audubon Society. The eagle is convalescing and making good progress. Evan and her husband Ross have been greatly involved in saving that bird.
(From Left to Right - Ann Mikkelson, President Gary Miller and Joanne Santiago)
Also receiving a Paul Harris Award was Ann Mikkelson.
Ann's husband Paul joined Rotary in Hartford in 1989. He was President of the Hartford Club 1997-1998, with Ann assisting in many, many ways. Paul asserts that Ann has always been "supportive, encouraging attendance, donations, project work, etc."
With the Rotary Club of Avon-Canton, Ann has volunteered with Amber Alert and, most recently, she updated the Community Service Committee's Excel Illustration.
Ann additionally volunteers at Saint Mary's Church, in Simsbury, one day a week, doing various projects.
Community Service Check Presentations
(From Left to Right - Sue Budde, Kristina First, Deb Key Mundair and Paul Mikkelson)
Paul Mikkelson, Chair of the Community Service Committee, presented three checks at the meeting.
A $500 check was awarded to Dog Star Rescue, a non-profit dog adoption group that has placed well over 500 dogs in the community. Accepting the check was Avon-Canton Rotarian Sue Budde who is one of the Dog Star Founders.
A $250 check was given to Kristina First who was representing the group putting on a substance-free Graduation Party for the seniors at Canton High School.
Another $250 check was presented to Deb Key Mundair who was representing the Avon PTO. The money will be put towards the substance-free graduation party for the seniors at Avon High School. Deb thanked Rotary and said "we couldn't have this party without the help of the community."
Avon VFW Post 3272
(From Left to Right - Paul Mikkelson, Lee Wilson, Terri Wilson, Rollie Sterrett)
Desert Storm Veteran and Post Commander Lee Wilson accepted a $1,500 check from the Club that will help fund Post 3272's annual Poppy Drive.
This marks the kickoff of the Post's annual fundraising Buddy Poppy Drive, an 11 day event from May 19 – 29. Last year's Buddy Poppy Drive raised over $20,000 to support 25 local and state veterans' charities.
Lee asked Club members to remember that this is the 25th Anniversary of the first Gulf War whose soldiers faced the potential for chemical, biological and nuclear warfare. He also asked that everyone remember those who are presently serving and those who served and have passed away.
Veterans' Recognition Day
In conjunction with the check presentation to VFW Post 3272, the Avon-Canton Rotary held a Veteran's Recognition Day at the May 20th meeting.
Seen here, from left to right, are President Gary Miller (Navy), Ted Cowles (Marines), Rollie Sterrett (Air Force), VFW Commander Lee Wilson, Brian O'Donnell (who fought in Viet Nam with a helicopter unit), Tom Voorhees (Navy), and Phil Worley.
Ted Cowles, who fought in the Korean War, stated that he planned to wear his uniform but found that "the only thing that still fit was my dog-tags."
Unable to stay on for the picture was Phil Ferrari who served in the Air Force Reserve.
