Rotary to Award Taylor-Davis, Maynard and Irish for Lifelong Devotion to Avon

AVON – Avon rotarians will be publicly awarding three community giants for investing their lives and livelihoods in the Village.

According to a press release from Avon Rotary, on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m., the Middle School auditorium will be the venue for the award ceremony for Bonnie Taylor-Davis, Peter C. Maynard and Sandi Irish. Channel 13’s Don Alhart will give an address and light refreshments will be served during a social hour beginning at 6:15 p.m.

Irish, a business owner for 47 years, has served in several town offices and was the first woman elected to the Town of Avon Board, remaining a member for 20 years. She has sponsored a Little League team, has raised money to support Avon High School football and as coach won a championship for the school cheerleading squad.

In addition, she has donated money to the Avon Fire Department, Historical Society, St. Agnes School and to fight cancer. “I love this community,” said Irish. “Words can’t describe how honored and humbled I feel.”

Taylor-Davis, a prime mover behind the formation and running of the Avon Farmers Market, also helped win a grant to improve the village business district. Although she says she likes to stay in the background and not be recognized, her community service has included Chamber of Commerce director and working with the Village, Livingston County and Genesee/Finger Lakes regional planning boards, among other committees.

Maynard is an airline pilot with family links to Avon who has driven from Virginia for decades to help with the Corn Festival. When he started volunteering, he quipped, “the only thing they would let a newcomer do was pick and husk corn. Fast forward 30 years…and I haven’t progressed past my entry-level job.”

Peter Bruckel is the owner of Quicklee’s Traver Center, a large service station and convenience store built at Exit 9 of 390. The multi-million-dollar building represents a heavy investment in Avon.

Rotary contributes $1000 for each Paul Harris Fellow recipient to the charitable Rotary Foundation in their names. Recipients also receive a bronze lapel pin, a certificate and a medallion.

Avon Rotary is honoring them as Paul Harris Fellows in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.

According to rotary.org, Paul Harris Fellow recognition ‘acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.’

Rotary will also recognize the new Quicklee’s Travel Center itself as an investment in the town.