Rotary Informer

4 Way Test:  Thank you Ingrid Flemming

Invocation:  Randy Evans delighted us with a reading of his poem “Trillium”. The poem can be found in Randy’s book: “Red Sky Anthology”

Life Events/Requests:  Happy Birthday to Bob Maldegen

Calendar Winners:  Past President Terry Newton shared the calendar winners (http://www.petoskeyrotary.org/Page/raffle-calendar-winners) along with a brief history of his Presidency in 2012-2013. Terry Newton had the distinct pleasure of distributing the largest amount of money ever granted through the Rotary Park Fund. Seven organizations shared $110,000 in proceeds from the Rotary Park Fund including: 1.) Crooked Tree Arts Center, was awarded $17,000 toward lighting improvements in its Ross Stoakes Theater 2.) Petoskey Youth Soccer Association, was awarded a grant of $45,910 for use in constructing a permanent pavilion at the Click road soccer complex 3.) Petoskey High School’s cross country program, was granted $6,000 toward the purchase of a chip-based timing system for its running events 4.) Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, was awarded $5,000 to help fund security features for the organization’s main office site in Petoskey 5.) Pellston Public Schools, was awarded $6,918 toward replacement of auditorium curtains 6.) Petoskey Department of Parks and Recreation, was granted $5,400 toward replacement of fencing at the Winter Sports Park’s hockey rink and a public address system at the park 7.) St Francis Xavier School, was granted $23,500 toward a project to reconfigure the school’s playground and obtain new equipment for it. During 2012, two committees were formed. The first committee formed would determine a project worthy of raising a large sum of money. Since the Rotary Club of Petoskey had been involved in large projects in the past, like Camp Daggett and the Winter Sports Park, the current project would need to be large. The other committee would determine a signature event our club would develop to fund the project. Joe Blachy led the project committee and another group was chaired to determine the large fundraising event. The project voted on was the Athletic Complex at Petoskey High School and Diamonds & Denim was determined to be the fund raising event. See more at the following Link

Song of the Week:  Steve Cross led us in the 1964 standard by Manfred Mann’s, “Do Wah Diddy Diddy”

Visiting Rotarians:  There were no visiting Rotarians this week

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Paul Harris Award:  Today, John Calabrese, was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow. This recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or, in this case, have had a contribution made in their name. Honorees are individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris. John has been an active and accomplished Board member and has been a volunteer at almost every Club event. We will miss him and we wish him well in his new role at Macomb Community College

Kyle Prue:  You may recall this young author spoke to the Club a few months back. Thursday, May 5^th, he will be speaking at The Crooked Tree Arts Center. The talk will be at 7:00 and is free of charge

First Thursday:  May 5^th 5:30ish, at The Noggin Room. Appetizers have been provided by Reg. Let’s give John Calabrese a great sendoff

Financials:  Jim Wibby announced that the quarterly statements have been sent. The bill is for January, February and March along with any past due charges. Please see Jim if you have questions or concerns

Board Meeting:  The May Board Meeting will be held at the Bob-In. The date is May 10^th at 3:30. All Rotarians are welcome to attend Board Meetings

Habitat for Humanity:  Our Club will be participating May 7, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to Noon in Alanson. Please sign up online for the work group. Also, liability forms need to be filled out for Habitat. Please fill them out and turn in to Tim Dykstra or Terry Newton. 21 workers are needed. Please check on-line for directions to the building site

Semper-Fi:  The April Award went to John Calabrese. Well-deserved

Top of Michigan Trails:  Jim Harrington provided more information on the event. This is the first year of the event and Jim thanked Stafford’s, Inc. for their sponsorship. The 10K walk or Run will start at the Trails Council Office and will end up in Harbor Springs. If you can place a poster at your business it will be greatly appreciated. The Club will be sponsoring an Aid Station for the Memorial Week-end Marathon Event.  The event is on May 28^th from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. We need folks to sign up for the aid station

We need three more runners! See Angie Cranney to sign up. Logo T-shirts will be provided

Beach Bums:  Save the Date of June 11, 2016 to attend a ball game in Traverse City. Cost will be $8.00 and we need 25 people to go. You will be receiving an e-mail to prompt your registration

PROGRAM

Well it is summertime, Father’s Day Weekend and time again for Wings Over Northern Michigan. The event is June 18-19^th and is held at the Gaylord Regional Airport. Once a year Otsego County and the Gaylord Regional Airport host this event. The event is designed to promote all the regions communities and their stores and businesses. It also promotes aviation to new generations while at the same time giving families within a short driving distance an inexpensive weekend to enjoy during hard economic times. The event is comprised of both civilian and military aircraft acrobatics and combat demonstrations that draw the eye skyward for almost three full hours. For more information regarding timing of events and ticket purchase see the following Link

Next Week’s Program:  Katie Manthei on Petoskey Downtown Management