Rotary Informer

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER

December 13, 2023

102 Years of Service Above Self

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey. President Reg 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 God Bless America   

4-Way Test:  Mike Snyder 

Invocation:  Becky Philipp-Kranig

“This is the season when people of all faiths and cultures are pushing back against the planetary darkness. We string bulbs, ignite bonfires, and light candles. And we sing.” Anita Diamant

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Jim Wibby

Calendar Winners December 13, 2023

Visiting Rotarians:  Patricia Wimmer, Rochester, MN

Guests:  Andi Symonds, Prospective Member; Trooper Corey Hebner, Trooper Josh Rybinski, Speakers; Charlie McGinnis

Life Events: 

Birthdays: 

Herb Carlson

Karen Ragland

Anniversaries:

Sarah McDonnell – 2 Years

Kam Culbertson – 6 Years

Singing/Song:  Howard Richards led us in Happy Birthday and Smile and then we sang Oh Christmas Tree

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Blood Drive:  Reg Smith let us know that we should ‘Save the Date’ of Tuesday, January 16, 2024 for Versiti Blood Center of Michigan Blood Drive at the Perry Hotel. Send no money but please give us your BLOOD!

Fletch's 2024 'Share a Christmas':  Any family that resides in Emmett or Charlevoix county and needs help this Holiday season are invited to stop in and sign up for Fletch's Share a Christmas at one of the three locations listed below. Sign up locations: 

Fletch’s GMC Buick & Audi Petoskey 805 Charlevoix Ave Petoskey, MI 49770 

Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency 2240 Mitchell Park Dr Unit A Petoskey, MI 49779 

Hear Michigan Center 173 M-66 Family Fare Plaza Charlevoix, MI 49720

For more information go to this link: https://linqapp.com/james_skop 

Calendar News:  Members need to contact Karen Ragland to arrange pick up of calendars. 734-320-0424 or karenmragland@comcast.net.

Also, very IMPORTANT: Calendar Caution:  Members please NO NOT cover up ticket number when applying labels.  It makes it impossible to assign your calendar buyers to a specific number.

Reminder! Calendar sales are due soon. Please submit stubs and funds to Karen Ragland. If you do not submit before the end of the year, you will be invoiced for the cost. We have 35 extra calendars to sell- See Karen Ragland.

Salvation Army Bell-Ringing:  Thank you for all who signed up for bell-ringing for the Salvation Army! For those who did not get a slot, please consider making a gift to the Salvation Army or stopping by to support fellow Rotarians during their shifts.

Toys for Tots:  Dave Thomas made a request for Toys for Tots donations to make the holidays happy for families in need. There is a special need for cash (can be used to purchase toys at a discount, and gifts for teens.

Madrigal Singers:  The Madrigals will be performing at our club meeting next week. If you were not in attendance at the meeting today, and will be bringing a guest to next week’s program, please let Reg know so we can get an accurate lunch count.

Honduras Global Grant Project:  Chris Etienne updated the club on the Honduras Global Grant Project. This $235,000 project in El Rodeo, Honduras will build clean water infrastructure for more than 500 homes and 2,500 people.

Save the Date:  Save the Date for Career Day at Petoskey Public High School on Wednesday, March 13. Rotarians will be called upon to represent their professions again this year.

NOTE ABOUT ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Going forward, announcements will be limited to Rotary-specific topics. If you have an announcement for personal or work projects, fundraisers, opportunities, or campaigns, you can email Terry Newton or Andrea Coronado to be shared in the newsletter and on social media. This will aid our efforts to keep meetings to one hour.

PROGRAM:  Trooper Corey Hebner, Michigan State Police, Gaylord Post

Social Media Addiction

In the age of digital connectivity, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. While it offers numerous benefits, there is a dark side that often goes unnoticed - social media addiction. This phenomenon has drawn increasing attention from experts, and its consequences are becoming more apparent.

Social media addiction, much like other forms of addiction, involves a compulsive and excessive use of social media platforms. Trooper Cory Hebner from Gaylord emphasizes the potential dangers associated with this modern-day affliction including security issues, sleep disruption/inability to disconnect, and the surge in online gambling.

One of the primary concerns is the impact on youth. Constant exposure to social media has been linked to decreased productivity and disrupted sleep patterns. The endless scrolling through feeds, notifications, and the constant need to check updates can interfere with schoolwork and compromise overall well-being.

Addressing social media addiction requires a combination of individual responsibility and societal awareness. Setting limits on screen time, practicing digital detoxes, and seeking professional help when needed are essential strategies in combating social media addiction.

Next Week’s Program:  Madrigal Singers

Special Announcements: 

Hunters…Please consider helping those less fortunate by donating as little as 1 lb. of venison from your harvest.  Donate an entire deer and we pay the processing!

The Manna Food Project provides food to over 35 local food pantries and programs, from Mackinaw City to Mancelona.

Coordinated by the Petoskey Sunrise Rotary Club, since the program’s inception, generous hunters have donated over 10 tons of venison!  THANK YOU!

“Fun Fact” is that this project gained international attention when it was written up in the Rotary International Magazine April 2017.

All donations must come through a licensed processor.

Those participating:

Kruegers Fish Market – Mackinaw City

203 Etherington, Mackinaw City 231-436-5946

Mackinaw Custom Meats – Brutus

1121 Plains Rd., Brutus 231-539-7112

Ida's Kitchen - Boyne Falls

3473 Penfold Rd., Boyne Falls 231-549-2098