Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER – February 4th, 2015
 
Four Way Test:  Thank You Jane Millar       
 
Invocation:  Thank You Dave Thomas
 
Visiting Rotarians:  Roy Longworth of Boyne City and Ken Taber of Brooksville, Florida
 
Song of the Week:  We sang “Smile” as, we were lacking in Steve Cross to guide us in some modern music interpretations.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Coast Guard Tour & Luncheon:  Bill Collins is organizing the trip for March 5th trip to the Coast Guard Station in Traverse City. Trip Costs $20 for veterans and their families, who can ride on the bus, provided by Fletch's. All others can ride share and follow along for the tour.
 
Toast for Literacy: Lorraine Manary announced a United Way “Toast for Literacy” fundraising event to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. 1200 children 0-5 in Emmet and Charlevoix County participate in this program on a year to year basis. The Event is on February 21st, and more information can be found on their website.
 
Fellowship – Robert announced for Steve Cross that our next cocktail hour will be held Thursday, February 5, 2015 at Vernales.  The fellowship will begin at 5:30 PM.  Spouses and/or significant others are welcome to join.
 
Spaghetti Dinner – Save the Date.  February 12th, 2015.  Sauce Night will be the evening before, on February 11th at the Bay View Inn.   If you have not picked up your tickets to sell, please do so. Please e-mail Mike Snyder if you will not be attending so, you will not be placed on the work detail. Many thanks to Paul Hramiec for packaging the tickets and Gary Fedus who donated printing the tickets.  Invoices for the tickets have been sent out.
 
Northmen Night:  John Scholten announced the 11th annual Northmen Night on February 21, 2015 at the Knights of Columbus to benefit athletic programming for Petoskey Public Schools. If you are unable to attend you may fill out a pledge form.
 
Paul Harris Pool:  It is time to register if you would like to join in. Each quarter, starting with the 1st quarter of 2015, you make a $50.00 donation to the Rotary Foundation, along with other Rotarians participating in the pool.  Once a total of $1000.00 has accumulated in the pool, one name will be drawn and a Paul Harris Fellow will be designated.  This continues until all participants have received their Paul Harris Fellow Certificate. The registration form can be found on the home page of ClubRunner.  Forms are due on February 4, 2015!!!
 
 
Program:
Bob Bleyaert. Bank of Northern Michigan.
State of the US Economy
  • World themes that had an effect on US Economy - Weather, Oil (low prices), Isis, Ebola, Strong US Economy vs. Weak Global Economy
     
  • General thoughts on US Economy- Stocks performed well, Inflation was kept low, Interests rates remained the same or lowered and the energy sector was strong.
     
  • 5 unanswered questions for 2015
  • Global Currency Battle (All currencies can’t be low, right now the US is Strong)
  • US vs World Economy (Identified Russia, China, India and Brazil as emerging markets that are struggling and not living up to perceived potential). Japan No Growth for 3 generations. Euro Zone- Greece vs. Northern European States (question of debt reconciliation).
  • Energy Prices experienced a similar dip in the past and took 20 years to reach pre-dip levels.
  • What will the Fed Do?
  • Inflation/Deflation
  • Bob’s Predictions for 2015
  • Volatility in the movement of commodities and stocks 
  • Economy will grow
  • Oil with stay low ($70)
  • Inflation will stay low
  • Fed will increase rates this summer.