Axe Night

Exhangites and guests enjoyed BBQ and a fun night learning to throw axes at PIne and Iron in Hartford. Games included 10 frame clutch and 21 with a choice of axe sizes. Score keeping was a little iffy, but Kevin and Colin Morin seem to have won the most overall rounds. Injuries were limited, however Kevin had the most and first with one cut while unwrapping the tin foil on the pulled pork, and a second during an axe hand off during the round. Larry threw strong until a hamstring pull ended his run.

A great note from one of our scholarship night recipients:

Dear Exchange Club,

I am so incredibly honored to be a recipient of The Exchange Club of
Farmington Scholarship. The $1,500 award totally alleviates much of the
financial burden upon my family as I pursue a college education. I
cannot even begin to express my gratitude and appreciation in words –
I’ll start with a thank you.

I will be thinking of your generosity this fall when I am studying at UC Berkeley. It was a
pleasure meeting all of you at the dinner – all of you make a difference
in so many lives. Thank you again for supporting my passions and now
I’m more excited than ever to begin my college journey on the west
coast.

Warm regards,

Stella Z.

8th Annual Comedy Night

Gino and his committee put on yet another awesome evening of comedy at The Farmington Club. Over 220 people attended this year, a new record! Phil Chabot put out some great appetizers. Many thanks, Phil. We had 4 comedians this year (5 if you count Gino): Rick Roberts, the time-tested MC (and part-time attorney), Ellen Karis, Angel Rentas and Headliner R.C. Smith. The event was enjoyed by all and made a good profit for the benefit of our charities. Great job, Gino!!

Farmington Police Night

THIS JUST IN! The meeting was held at the Jeff Yates (past XC President [1994]) room in the Police Station on New Britain Avenue, and was excellently catered by Farmington Gardens. Sgt. Ken Miller spoke about CERT, the Community Emergency Response Team comprised of volunteers and founded in 2012. We were treated to a tour of the Police Station, including dispatch, and the holding cells. Everyone apparently made it home that night without incident. We managed to get a mugshot of Sue Ruigh, and she almost had to spend a night in a cell, ‘til the key was finally located!

Winding Trails Christmas Open House

Lou Rossitto and his team of Santa’s helpers pulled out all the stops to make this an enjoyable day for the kids. Exchange members were seen decorating the night before and were out early that morning making snow to cover the area. It was a total team effort. Skip Mason and Jerry Pagano came prepared with their own beards to fill in for Santa during his breaks.

Mike Gurski was instrumental in developing the proper recipe for hot chocolate: hot water and as many cans of mix that could fit in the jug. Dave Gallo and Dave Ruigh were able to pass out the donut holes while keeping the volunteers from eating them all before the crowds arrived. Thanks to Brian Gibbons at Highland Park Market for donating the hot chocolate and spare goods for the event. And thank you to Gino Moncada for getting donuts donated from The Whole Donut and Dunkin’ Donuts (we had 1,000 in total). Crowd was estimated by Scott Brown at about 900. We collected about $240 in donations from grateful parents. Also thanks to the scouts from Troop 68 who skillfully handed out hot chocolate.