Rotary Informer February 25, 2026

Petoskey Rotary Club NEWSLETTER 
February 25, 2026
104 Years of Service Above Self

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey. President Andrea Coronado officiated this week’s meeting. 

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

Patriotic Song:  My Country Tis of Thee

4-Way Test:  Walt Byers

Invocation:  Dave Thomas

Excerpt from “Ode to the West Wind” 1819

“If winter comes can spring be far behind?” – Percy Bysshe Shelley, 1792 - 1822

Calendar Winners Read Off By:  Andrea Coronado

Calendar Winners February 25, 2026

Visiting Rotarians:  Chuck Johnson, Suzanne Perry, Sunrise Rotary

Guests:  Derek Shiels, InvestMitt; Jake Meyers, Calla Beers, Brenden Weaver, Melissa Mansfield, all from Leadership Little Traverse.

Life Events:  We also received an update on Chris Hammond and are happy to report she is home and in great spirits. She is currently on palliative care but seems to be doing well and in a good place.

Birthdays: 

Kendall Klingelsmith

Sam Fee

Terry Newton 

None

Anniversaries:  

Terry Newton – 28 Years

Singing/Song:  Howard Richards led us in Happy Birthday and Smile. Dogs were breathing a sigh of relief because they were spared from Andrea leading us in singing this week. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Save the Date – Upcoming Rotary Events

Spaghetti Dinner – Spaghetti Dinner planning is underway with sponsorships still available and volunteers needed, so members are encouraged to sign up. If anyone is unable to use their tickets, please let Karen Ragland know so they can be distributed to community members or local nonprofits who could use them. New this year, we are offering a “Dine-In to Win” promotion where guests who choose to dine in will be entered to win one of three great gift baskets, helping encourage folks to stay and enjoy the evening together.

Thanks:  A thank-you letter was also received from Top of Michigan Trails Council for our support of their upcoming race. Rotary is sponsoring the event and will be staffing an aid station.

Congratulations: Joe Blachy shared warm congratulations with Becky Philip Kranig on the opening of the new Bearcub Outfitters location and encouraged everyone to stop in and see the new store.

Member Induction:  None

Member Spotlight – None

PROGRAM:  Derek Sheils, InvestMitt and Jake Meyers, Leadership Little Traverse Derek Sheils presented alongside Leadership Little Traverse about InvestMitt, a new nonprofit housing initiative in Petoskey that grew out of a grassroots effort launched in 2020. What began as a small group of local residents with a shared vision for a thriving Northern Michigan community has evolved into InvestMitt Cooperative, which was formally established as a 501(c)(3) in 2024. The organization focuses on giving everyday residents a voice and a stake in local housing solutions by creating opportunities for community investment, keeping profits local, and expanding access to attainable housing. Leadership Little Traverse has selected InvestMitt as its 2026 class project and will partner with the organization to help support its launch and early development.

Next Week’s Program:  Melanie Leaver (NCMC)

Kudos to Madam President for getting these notes out to Terry so fast that he was able to get the bulletin out to you very quickly, even though he and his lovely bride are in Florida. It happened to be in the 70’s today and they feel very sorry for you still feeling the cold and snow in Michigan. Thanks to all of our other wonderful note takers; Sam Fee, Chelsea Platte and Kassia Perpich. And also, a great thank you to Karen Ragland for taking attendance.