Rotary Informer

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER

June 30, 2022

1921 – 2021          100 Years of Service Above Self

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey Officers Exchange evening. President Ashley Whitney officiated the meeting and passed the baton on to Jeff Wynder. It was a lovely evening at the Perry-Rose Garden Veranda. If you did not get the chance to attend, you can read about it from this newsletter.

Pledge/Anthem:  Georgia Abbott, Melissa Thompson and Jeff Wynder led us in God Bless America

4-Way Test:  Bill Hicklen

Invocation:  Neil Bidwell

Please pray with me:

Wow!  What ride this past 2 and a half years has been, for each of us individually, for businesses and organizations, including Rotary. This evening, as we enjoy our fellowship, let us remember how fortunate we are to be able to serve people around the world through our great Rotary organization, especially during the pandemic and now during this time of recovery.

We have certainly been blessed to have such good and dedicated leaders during this time.  Thank you for Ashley Whitney’s leadership and guidance as the pandemic unfolded and her willingness to extend her term as President.  Truly  “service above self”.

We are grateful for Jeff Wynder’s acceptance of the reins of leadership.  As we move ahead and the Petoskey Rotary Club continues, with the rest of the world, on the road to normalcy, we are confident that under Jeff’s leadership, the Petoskey Rotary Club will continue to achieve great things.

Volunteerism is alive and well and “Service above self” is a reality in the Petoskey Rotary Club.  We are grateful for Rotary leadership, at all levels, and for those willing to serve in leadership positions.  Guide Jeff and the Petoskey Rotary Club as we move into an exciting year of making our community, our country, and our world a better place. 

Amen.

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Reg Smith

Calendar Winners June 30, 2022

PROGRAM  

Cocktail Reception Hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Stafford’s Hospitality

Ashley managed to ring the bell with authority to begin the official meeting. No more wimpy bell strikes.

Calendar Winners President Elect Reg Smith

Invocation Rotarian Neil Bidwell

Dinner

Welcome and Comments Ashley Whitney (2021-2022) & Jeff Wynder (2022-2023) President, Rotary Club of Petoskey

Recognition of Outgoing Board Members Ashley Whitney

Oath of Office for 2022-2023 Ashley Whitney

Presidential Recognition and Rotary Recognition – Ashley Whitney presented two Paul Harris Fellow awards; one to her father Bill Brower and the other to her soon to be husband, Steve DeCarteret. Very emotional.

Installation of New Officers Jeff Wynder

2022-2023 President’s Address Jeff Wynder

Music Melissa Thompson, Georgia Abbott & Jeff Wynder

Tom Petty - Wildflowers
Van Morrison - Into the Mystic
Toots and Maytals - Take Me Home Country Roads
Coldplay - Viva La Vida

We got the opportunity to see Ashley and her beau dance their pre wedding dance in front of an adoring crowd. Also, newlyweds Kassia and her spouse joined them. Totally romantic and hearts were melting.

It was a fun 18 months with Liz Ahrens first, followed by Ashley Whitney and now we are back to a 12-month presidency. Even though Ashley did a fine job she was made to look so much better through the efforts of Jim Wibby, Treasurer and Terry Newton, Secretary and her wonderful Board of Directors.

We go into the new presidency with a new president’s theme:

Imagine Rotary

Give em Hell Jeff Wynder, the Singing President. We expect to see an occasional guitar at the podium with; “The Band.”

I got to sit with the big cheeses. Four Past Presidents sitting at this table

 

A look out into the crowd. We had well over 60 people in attendance

 

Jeff Wynder’s family sat at one of the head tables

 

We had our own musical ensemble last evening

 

Ashley Whitney is having Jeff Wynder recite his President’s Oath of Office

 

Next Week’s Program:  Carrie Klingelsmith – Manna Food Project