Avon Rotary Club

09/30/2026

Avon Rotary took their show on the road for the last week in September, Our Tuesday night meeting was held at Studio Sales Pottery Supply Co., where we were hosted by owner Mike Carroll. Mike shared with the Club a history of his business here in Avon, and a little about the old school house that he renovated and now uses as the main Gallery and Gift Shop. What this attendee was not expecting however, was a cool description of the local clays that are available right in our region and how he is now experimenting with their use and different firing, and glazing techniques. He spoke passionately about how he was attempting to mimic pottery methods that may have been used here by indigenous people for hundreds of years. It was clear that beyond Artist, Mike is a passionate historian, geologist, and chemist as well. MIke also demonstrated his artistry by throwing a small pitcher on his wheel for us. He made it look pretty easy as his 50+ years of experience of working with clay became evident. Avon Rotary appreciates Mike and the artistry and craftsmanship his local business brings to our local community. Studio Sales Pottery is truly a hub of art culture in our Western New York region, Thank you to Mike for hosting and SAVE THE DATE ; June 19th and 20th, 2027 for the Western New York Pottery Festival, celebrating their 15th years as the region's preeminent Pottery Showcase!!

09/25/2026

Our Club was honored to be joined by Past District Governor Jim Crane at our meeting on September 22.

Jim presented Avon Rotary President Katie DeGraff and Past President Rob Lupisella with a Club Excellence Award from District 7120.

The award recognizes Clubs that achieve specific goals throughout the year, such as increasing their membership, engaging members in sustainable service projects, giving to the Rotary Foundation, building awareness of Rotary, and having an up-to-date strategic plan.

09/23/2026

Shout out to Rotarians Ryan Pacatte and Karen Vanderbilt, who were joined by members of the Avon Central Schools Board of Education and District Office last Saturday to cook and serve a meal for Martha’s Kitchen.

Martha’s Kitchen is a service project of the Zion Church Avon that provides free meals to the community twice a month.

Thanks for your service!

09/23/2026

⭐️ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ⭐️

Our September Member Spotlight shines on Helen Zamboni!

Throughout this Rotary Year, we plan to highlight one of our members each month so they can share why they joined our Club and explain what it means to be a Rotarian.

Helen is a retired attorney who has been a dedicated Rotarian since 2005 and was named our Rotarian of the Year in 2011. She remains active in our community, currently serving as President of the Avon Public Library Board of Trustees. Beyond her local work, Helen has traveled to Nicaragua on several school building trips with Linking Hands for Learning. When she’s not giving back, you can often find her out enjoying a bike ride!

Thanks for your service and dedication, Helen!

09/15/2026

GVRC 2026 was another unforgettable week! Avon Rotary is proud to be a Member Club of Genesee Valley Rotary Camp, joining Rotarians from 12 other Clubs to bring a week of adventure, friendship, and fun to children and young adults with disabilities across Allegany, Livingston, Steuben, and Wyoming Counties.

This year's "Up in the Air" theme brought tethered balloon flights, a drone demo, skit night, and so much more. The week also included celebrations and well-deserved recognitions for longtime staff and campers who've given decades of service to camp.

Click the link below to read the full recap. Thank you to the GVRC staff and the many generous supporters who make this week possible year after year! HIL 💙

https://gvrc.org/2026/09/read-all-about-gvrc-2026-camp-week/

09/12/2026

Rotarians Jean and Greg Antkowiak and Nick Westfall volunteered at this morning’s Greenway Cycle Challenge event!

09/12/2026

09/12/2026

At our September 1 Club Meeting, Avon Rotary recognized Honorary Member Bob House on receiving his Paul Harris Fellow +3!

Bob has been an Avon Rotarian since 1987, demonstrating four decades of Service Above Self.

Earning a PHF +3 reflects $4,000 in support for the Rotary Foundation, directly funding humanitarian projects, health initiatives, and community programs, both locally and globally.

Bob’s legacy of service continues on through his son-in-law, Rotarian Mike Giso, and his grandson Victor.

Please join us in thanking Bob for his generosity and decades of service to our community!

09/12/2026

On this special anniversary, Avon Rotary would like to memorialize the victims of 9/11 and honor those who came to their aid 🇺🇸

09/09/2026

🎓Congratulations to Robert Bridges🛠

The Avon Rotary Club is proud to celebrate Robert Bridges as a recipient of the Avon Rotary Vocational Scholarship!

Each year, our Club awards a Vocational Scholarship to two graduating seniors who demonstrate hard work, a commitment to service and honesty in dealing with others, and who intend to pursue higher education to attain a career in a vocational or skills-based trade.

We were happy to celebrate Robert's achievements and wish him well in his future endeavors at our meeting on September 1.

Robert has spent the last two years honing his craft through the Genesee Valley BOCES Building Trades program, where he gained hands-on experience in carpentry, plumbing, roofing, and electrical work. As captain of the Avon football team, he has shown the same leadership and dedication on the field, and he has given back to his community through volunteer work with Special Olympics, local blood drives, flood relief efforts with the Avon Town Fire Station, and time spent at the Avon Nursing Home.

Robert shared that he has applied to the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee Inside Wireman program with IBEW Local 86, working toward a career as a union electrician.

Reflecting on what drew him to the trade, Robert said in his application essay, "Once I've graduated from the apprenticeship after 5 years I will have the knowledge, experience, and skills to have the ability to give back to the community and get a good job that pays well... I will use my experience and knowledge to help others."

Robert's character and work ethic did not go unnoticed by his instructors, as Sean Strathearn remarked in his recommendation letter: "Typically a student with such advanced skill and knowledge tends to be arrogant but [Robert] is one of the kindest, well mannered people I have ever met. He is honest, humble and brings everyone around him to a higher level."

Please join us in congratulating Robert!

(Pictured below with President Elect Kirk Vanderbilt)