Rotary Informer

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER

August 19, 2020

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey via Zoom on the world wide web and in-person at Rose Garden Veranda at the Perry Hotel. Liz Ahrens, President officiated the meeting. If you did not get the chance to attend, you can watch it from this:  Recording

We struggled mightily with the internet connection outside.  I believe it got better towards the midpoint of Becky Goodman’s presentation as I switched to Elaine Keiser’s hotspot (thank you Elaine).

Pledge/Anthem:  Pledge of Allegiance

4-Way Test:  Dave Thomas

Invocation:  Lisa Hammond

Six Little Stories with Lots of Meanings

1. Once all the villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of the prayer, all the people gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella. That is faith.

2. When you throw babies in the air, they laugh because they know you will catch them. That is trust.

3. Every night as we go to bed without any assurance of being alive the next morning, but we still set the alarms to wake up. That is hope.

4. We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of the future. That is confidence.

5. We see the world suffering, but still, we get married and have children. That is love.

6. On an old man’s shirt was written, “I am not 80 years old; I am sweet 16 with 64 years of experience.” That is attitude

Have a happy day and live your life like these six stories. Remember, good friends are the rare jewels of life, difficult to find and impossible to replace.

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Terry Newton

Calendar Winners August 19, 2020

Visiting Rotarians:  None

Guests:  Becky Goodman, Speaker; Reggie Fiel; Peggy Emley; Neil Ahrens

Life Events:  None

Rotary Care List:  None

Birthdays: 

John Parker

Anniversaries:

Melissa Colby – 3 Years

Tom Smith – 18 Years

PERSONAL UPDATES

Calendar Sales PICK UP NEXT THURSDAY:  Karen Ragland let us know that calendars will be available for pick up at the Perry from 1:00 – 5:00 pm on Thursday 8/20. This year’s calendar is Rotary based with local and national pictures. Please DO NOT CALL the Perry, Reg or stop by the front desk, there will be directions on where to get them.

Upcoming social on Friday, August 21:  Join fellow Rotarians on Friday, August 21 at 12:00 PM for a socially distanced outdoor gathering at the Pennsylvania Park gazebo. During this time, Crooked Tree Arts Center is hosting a free concert there. Let's come together to enjoy local music and each other's company. 

Nikki Devitt has offered to set up some tables, and Dave Thomas has offered to buy pizza or Jimmy John's for lunch!!! If you want to take advantage of either, please CLICK HERE TO RSVP so we have an accurate headcount. Otherwise, please bring your own lawn chair and lunch, and look for our group!!

Centennial Planning -- As you know, next year is our club's 100th anniversary.  Liz Ahrens noted that we as a club need to move forward in selecting our big Centennial service project sometime soon. Before COVID-19 hit, our club was exploring three options: (1) Renovations/upgrades at NCMC, (2) Renovations/upgrades at the Winter Sports Park or (3) Creation of a Dog Park. We need to move forward with presentations on those options and come to a final decision. So, in late August through early September, committees that investigated each option will present their information to the club and then we will do an official vote. These programs will be on the following dates:

August 26, 2020 – North Central Michigan College

September 2, 2020 – Winter Sports Park

September 9, 2020 – Dog Park

PROGRAM 

Today we were joined by Becky Goodman, Petoskey's downtown director.

Becky summarized the many adaptations that city officials and downtown merchants have made in light of COVID-19. 

The City eased its restriction on parking spaces, and is allowing downtown restaurants to construct outdoor dining platforms in the parking spaces in front of their restaurants. The City also eased its restriction on alcohol consumption on public land. It created designated "social districts" where people may enjoy an alcoholic beverage in an outdoor public space without being fined. And per a recent executive order from Governor Whitmer, restaurants and bars may also offer "cocktails to go."

Restaurants and merchants have also created walk-up windows where customers can receive food, beverage and merchandise to-go. 

All of these measures are meant to attract people downtown and support downtown businesses in the safest manner possible.

Next Week’s Program:  David Finley; North Central Michigan College Project

Parting Shots:  Howard Richards treated us to 1956 Nervous Norvus; “Transfusion.” I can no longer provide links to songs because of copyright concerns. You can always look these up on YouTube.