Rotary Informer

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER

August 21, 2024

102 Years of Service Above Self

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey. President Christian Smith officiated the meeting.

If you did not get the chance to attend, you can read about it in this newsletter.

Pledge/Anthem:  Howard Richards led us in My Country tis of Thee

4-Way Test:  Dave Thomas   

Invocation:   Jean Frentz

Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. 

Robert Kennedy

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Bart English

Calendar Winners August 21, 2024

International Insight:  The percentage of the globe covered by tropical forests has plummeted from 12% to 5%.  The loss accounts for up to 19% of greenhouse gas emissions (Drawdown Report).  The Rotary clubs of Antananarivo-Tsimbaroa, Madagascar; Tonio Mole Antonelliana, Italy; and Annecy Tournette, France have partnered with a local nonprofit in Madagascar to reforest about 125 acres with native species grown from wild seed, creating jobs for area families and a tourism infrastructure.

Life Events:  Larry Liebler, Nick Liebler’s father is in ICU at Henry Ford Hospital. Messages can be sent through Caring Bridge: Link

Visiting Rotarians:  Tonya & Joe Matthews, Percival, VA; Sally Crowley, Petoskey Sunrise Rotary; Shirley Love, Cincinnati, OH; Sandy Bliesner, Kalamazoo Rotary with a guest and prospective member Samantha Fee

Guests:  Emily Thomas, Kim Larson, Prospective Member

Life Events:  

Birthdays:  

Gary Baxter

Anniversaries: 

Reggie Fiel – 2 Years

Singing/Song:  Howard Richards led us in singing Smile

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Planning Commission Meeting:  There is a Planning Commission meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at City Hall. On the agenda is the new pavilion at Winter Sports Park. Rotarians are invited to comment in support of the project and rezoning of the area for the new covered pavilion.

Don’t Pay the Ferryman; Until he Gets you to the Other Side:  There may be an opportunity in September for an evening Ferry Ride with morning Rotary, stay tuned for more info or contact Christian Smith.

Camp Daggett Volunteer Opportunity:  Camp Daggett is in need of volunteers for the annual district exchange student retreat September 6 – 8. Volunteers are need to help with meals Friday – Sunday, a sign-up sheet is being distributed or reach out to Reg Smith.

Bear River Cleanup:  Rotarians can sign up for the Bear River Cleanup on September 7 with the Watershed Council. A signup sheet will be distributed next week. More info and register HERE.

Billy Duff Cabin Outing:  Save the date for the 2024 Billy Duff on September 12 in Levering, MI. An RSVP form will be distributed soon. Guests are asked to bring a dish to pass.

New Fundraiser:  We are bringing back a fundraising event (along the lines of Diamonds & Denim) in 2024. We will begin planning in September for an event September 2025. If you’d like to join the committee, contact Andrea Coronado.

Rotary Lapel Pins:  New Rotary lapel pins are available for purchase - $5.00. See Terry if you want one.

Parade of Roses:  Already thinking about ringing in the new year? For more than 40 years, Rotary has been a part of the Parade of Roses. For more information see https://www.rotaryfloat.org/

PROGRAM:  Calendar Launch with Karen Ragland, and a short Alzheimer’s program featuring Sunrise Rotarian Sally Crowley.

It’s Calendar time! Calendars are ready for pick up. Each member is asked to sell at least 10 calendars. All ticket stubs and money are due at the end of the year. If you need to pick up your calendars outside of normal meeting hours, please arrange with Karen Ragland.

Sally Crowley Poem from Today:  Hardly a dry eye from the many who have been affected by this horrible disease.

I had several people ask me to share the poem I read today and I’m happy to do so.

An Alzheimer’s Poem

Do not ask me to remember,

Don’t try to make me understand.

Let me rest and know you’re with me,

Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.

I’m confused beyond your concept,

I’m sad and sick and lost.

All I know is that I need you,

To be with me at all cost.

Do not lose your patience with me,

Do not scold or curse or cry.

I can’t help the way I’m acting,

Can’t be different, though I try.

Just remember that I need you,

That the best of me is gone.

Please don’t fail to stand beside me!

Love me till my life is done.

-Owen Darnell

Thank you all for allowing me to share the 2024 Alzheimer’s Walk information with you today. The walk is September 21^st. You can find more information, join the Petoskey Rotary Club’s team or donate to the club goal by clicking this link: https://act.alz.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=walkrpc_2024&pc2_page=center&fr_id=17687 or scanning this QR code to get to the club page.

The Petoskey Walk to End Alzheimer’s:  Link

Next Week’s Program:  Peter Pallas, Michigan Employer Support for Guard and Reserve

Two-Week Notification:  Kim Larson was voted into the Rotary Club of Petoskey on August 13, 2024 at our Board Meeting. This is the second of her two-week notification.