Rotary Informer

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER

January 26, 2022

1921 – 2021         100 Years of Service Above Self

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey via Zoom on the world wide web and in-person from here on out if God willing and the creek don’t rise. President Ashley Whitney officiated the meeting. If you did not get the chance to attend, you can watch it from this:  Recording

Pledge/Anthem:  Andre Strydom led us in the; “Star Spangled Banner.”

4-Way Test:  Jane Millar

Invocation:  Dave Thomas although it did not get sent to the bulletin author prior to publishing

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Jeff Wynder

Calendar Winners January 26, 2022

Visiting Rotarians:  Randy Evans, Sunrise Rotary; Paul Heroman, DGE, Ada-Cascade; Gary Chenoweth, Elk Rapids; Jeff Coil, Fremont Rotary

Guests:  Craig Stolzenfels, Prospective Member

Life Events:  Perry Hotel server Andy -- His wife has been struggling with cancer and just found out she is cancer-free. Wonderful news!!

Rotary Care List:  None

Birthdays: 

Cam Culbertson

John Scholten

Anniversaries:  

Bill Hicklen – 19 Years

Bob Waldvogel – 22 Years

Singing/Song:  Andre Strydom led us in Happy Birthday, Smile and The Beatles' 1969; "Here Comes the Sun."

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Rotary Park Fund:  This year we have $88,394 to grant from the Rotary Park Fund. The deadline for nonprofits to apply is March 31. We hope to have volunteers on subcommittees to help vet the applications that come in. Contact Ashley Whitney if interested. We want to vet and approve applications by the May board meeting.

Rotary Foundation Raffle Drawing:  Tickets are $20 each, and are being sold until the end of February. Half of the raffle money will be donated to the Rotary Foundation and the other half will be raffle cash prizes. Please see Chris Etienne or Jane Millar if you'd like to buy tickets.

PROGRAM   

Today our very own Rotarian Dave Thomas gave a presentation called, "Why I'm an Optimist."

Dave presented several resources that argue the nature of human beings is to improve ourselves and make things better. And therefore, optimism wins in the long run, when thinking about pressing global challenges.

To learn more about this perspective, check out the book The Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley. 

Also check out the website www.dollarstreet.org, with photos that challenge pessimistic stereotypes about different countries/cultures.

During his presentation, Dave also showed us a BBC video called "200 Countries in 200 Years in 4 Minutes."

Great presentation, Dave!! Thank you for sharing this perspective with us.

Next Week’s Program:  Dibby Smith & Lisa Blanchard – League of Women Voters Secure MI Vote Initiative