Rotary Informer April 23, 2025

Visiting Rotarians:  None

Guests:  Theresa Will, Keely Platte, Sarah Schertel, Fletcher Spears; Leadership Little Traverse; Rick Donahoe, Light Kits for Ukraine

Life Events:  Herb Carlson is presently home again and home alone. They should make a movie about Herb; Home Alone with Herb.

Birthdays:  

Bill Collins

Anniversaries:  

Ric Loyd – 15 Years in our Club and 20 Years in Rotary

Singing/Song:  Howard Richards led us in Happy Birthday and Smile.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Roadside Cleanup – Volunteers Needed:  David Finley:  We’re still looking for a few more volunteers for our Roadside Cleanup which has been changed to be-tween May 10th. Let’s help keep our stretch of highway looking its best! Link to  Sign Up

Member Spotlight:  Nick White
Nick White was born in Williamsburg, Ohio, where his family owned a chair manufacturing company that supplied highchairs to major department stores including Macy’s, Hudson’s, and Sears. His early life was shaped not only by his family’s craftsmanship but also by his town’s historical role in the Underground Railroad, which instilled a strong sense of justice and perspective.

Nick fell in love with Petoskey as a child and later earned a degree in architecture from the University of Cincinnati. After working for John Wooden, he opened his own firm in 1970 and went on to design dozens of homes throughout Walloon Lake and Harbor Springs. In 2007, one of his projects landed on the cover of Architectural Digest, helping to further his reputation. He is licensed in five states.

Nick joined Rotary in 1982. His wife, Betsy, was a social worker at the Women’s Resource Center, and together they have three adult children. In his free time, Nick enjoys officiating soccer, biking, skiing, and traveling—especially to Cuba, where he participates in outreach through his Methodist church.

Last Call for Global Scholarships:  Do you know a graduate level student planning to attend or presently attending a university in another country August 1, 2025 – 2036 who might be interested in this Rotary opportunity? Global Scholarships fund graduate-level coursework or research for one to four academic years @$30,000 annually. If you know someone who may be interested in becoming a District 6290 Global Scholar, please have them contact Dr. Rachel Reed-Sytsma, rachel@greatlakescfa.org for more information.

Ukrainian Solor Project, Mr. Rick Donahue:  Volunteers are invited to join First Presbyterian Church of Petoskey this Sunday at 11:00 AM to help build and fundraise for light kits for Ukraine. For more information, see Reg Smith.

Spaghetti Dinner:  73rd annual Spaghetti dinner. We raised approximately $16,000; we served 782 meals and Jim Wibby won the pool. $2,400 raised in donations which will go to the disaster relief fund.

The following sponsors have donated to make this year’s dinner a rousing success: Perry Hotel, McLaren Northern Michigan, AdvisaCare; Home Health and Hospice, Dave Kring Chevrolet QNCD, Taylor Rental, Larson Health, Mitchell Graphics, Joe Blachy Petoskey Real Estate, Bearcub Outfitters, Terry and Betsy Newton, Greenleaf Trust, Brown Motors Petoskey, Walloon Central Marine, Honor Bank, First Community Bank, Preston Feather Building Center, Christian Smith, Michael and Kathy Snyder, Peg and John Emley, Northern Community Mediation, Walt and Nancy Byers, Karen Ragland, Lake Effect Restoration, Keep it Real Social, Neil and Marsha Bidwell for a combined total of $10,250.

Camp Daggett Stair Rebuild:  Join fellow Rotarian Paul Schmanski at Camp Daggett to help rebuild the stairs at the Rotary Pavilion on Saturday, May 10, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. All supplies will be provided—just bring your willingness to work!

Save the Date: April Social Our next Rotary social meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 30 at Tap 94 in the Odawa Casino. Don’t miss it!

PROGRAM:  Leadership Little Traverse

Representatives from Leadership Little Traverse shared their community project, "Egg-stra Love for Ziibimijwang." Ziibimijwang is a tribally designated nonprofit supporting food sovereignty within the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians community. The organization operates two distribution sites providing fresh eggs to community members.

The group’s $20,000 project will fund critical infrastructure improvements, including:

A large cooler for egg storage
An egg washer and baskets
An egg grader
An egg candler

These upgrades will help Ziibimijwang significantly expand egg production and better meet the community’s nutritional needs.

Next Week’s Program Kathy Peterson, Northman Den Youth Pantry