Rotary Informer 

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER 
July 2, 2025
103 Years of Service Above Self 
 

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey. President Andrea Coronado officiated the meeting. If you did not get the chance to attend, you can read about it in this newsletter. 

Pledge/Anthem:  Howard Richards led us in God Bless America

4-Way Test:  Tim Dykstra

Invocation:  Jeff Wynder

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it…. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it”
Unknown Author

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Patricia Wimmer

Calendar Winners July 2, 2025 

Visiting Rotarians:  Patricia Wimmer, Rochester, MN

Guests:  Tracy Ulrich, Speaker

Life Events:  Betsy Newton is still recovering. Her husband has been seen pushing her around in his wheelchair. She is loving every minute of it and frequently is heard yelling; “Mush” in order to get him to move faster. 

Birthdays:  

None

Anniversaries:  

John Logan – 20 years 11 months

Singing/Song:  Howard Richards led us in Smile

ANNOUNCEMENTS
New Rotary Message: The Rotary International message for the 2025-26 year has been announced: "Unite for Good."

4th of July Celebration:  Reg Smith encouraged last-minute sign-ups for 4th of July volunteer slots, particularly 9-11pm for fireworks perimeter security at the Bay-front/Waterfront with Karen Ragland. To do so click on the following link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AAAD23ABFFCE9-56838377-2025#/

Alzheimer’s Walk – September 27:  Join us in supporting the Alzheimer’s Walk this fall in Pennsylvania Park. Whether you walk, volunteer, sponsor, or donate—every step makes a difference. Connect with Ian Straley to get involved.

Member Spotlight – None

PROGRAM:  Tracy Ulrich - Temple Ball Field in Oden Restoration
The Oden Community Association (OCA) is a 501c3 operated by a volunteer board. 

In 1950, Harvey and Gladys Temple donated property at the corner of Moore and Luce Road to the OCA with the condition it must be made into a ballfield. The ballfield was created, but later fell into disrepair. 

Last year, a new board was at the helm of the OCA and decided to restore the field so that it could return to use as an important Little League and baseball travel league lo-cation.

At the time, the scoreboard was rotting away, fence line cappers were broken and sun-bleached, parts of the fence were broken by ATVs running through property, bleacher caps were missing and dangerous, and the trees and brush around the property had become massively overgrown.

Thus began Phase 1 of the restoration: they cleared trees, replaced the dugout roof, installed a new gate, and finished in-field restoration. In addition, they installed a donated flagpole, a new maintenance shed, and soon a new scoreboard that bears the name, “Temple Field.” Much of this was made possible with support from a PHSACF grant. 

By Fall 2024, the field was in great shape! Since then, baseball teams have returned in droves – the field has held 30+ events this year. 

They have also added banner sponsorships – which provides $12,000 annually to sustain operations.

Up Next - Phase 2 projects:
1.    Electrical: install power and lighting.
2.    Water: drill well for clean drinking water and ability to water the field.
3.    Sewer: for bathrooms. 

What the OCA is looking for from the community:
1.    Help identifying other possible funding sources.
2.    Business partners that can assist with the restroom/concession/maintenance project with their expertise (masonry, plumbers, etc.).
3.    Additional banner sponsors.

Other future ideas under consideration include adding a soccer or softball field on the property and opening the space up for more community events, like a drive-in movie night.

Lastly, everyone is invited to their 75th Anniversary Event on Saturday, July 19, 2025 from 10am-3pm.

Next Week’s Program:  Cheryl Bachelder, a top restaurant industry executive and former CEO of Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen.