Rotary Informer 

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER 
July 23, 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 America the Beautiful

4-Way Test:  Bill Hicklen

Invocation:  Jean Frentz

I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble. Helen Keller

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Reg Smith

Calendar Winners July 23, 2025 

Visiting Rotarians:  Vic George, Flint, MI; John Regan, Elgin, IL; Steve Kosinski Sunrise Grosse Pointe

Guests:  Dave McGreham, Speaker; Vince Halek

Life Events:  Betsy Newton is in a walking boot and attending physical therapy. She will soon be ready for her next adventure.

Birthdays:  

Drew Smith

Sarah Ulrich

Ric Loyd

Anniversaries:  

Andrea Coronado – 5 Years

John Mohler – 12 Years

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

Coastal Crawl:  The Coastal Crawl is open-water swim held at Zorn Park in Harbor Springs. The individuals who have put it on for 30 years are retiring and are looking for individuals or organizations to take over the management of the event to keep it going in the future. This was suggested as a possible service opportunity for Rotary. This year, the Coastal Crawl is also looking for donations and volunteers. Contact Patrick O’Brien for more info. 

Rotary Singles and Third Wheel Mixer:  October 15th from 5:30-7:00pm is a Rotary Singles and Third Wheel Mixer at Elder Piper, which will also serve as a club membership drive. 

STRIVE Update:  Strive is looking for pizza sponsors and expanded support this year. We will hear more next week. 
Northmen Den Fundraiser:  Adult Prom on August 8 - this is a fundraising event for Northmen Den. See Liz McKenney for more info. 

August 8th Meeting:  Members are encouraged to attend on 8/6 - Rotary committee information will be shared.

Member Spotlight – None

PROGRAM:  Dave McGreaham: Northern Michigan Opioid Response Consortium

Consortium's Mission:  To engage Northern Michigan in a coordinated response to reduce substance-use disorders. 

1 in 8 people have suffered, are suffering, or will suffer from addiction. Drugs now kill more than 100,000 Americans a year. This number has doubled since 2015. This year shows some improvement. 

The initial cause of increased overdoses was the increased prescriptions of opioids, then individuals turned to heroin when prescriptions tightened, then fentanyl came on the market. 

Opioid overdoses are not just a problem of young people. The greatest percentage of Narcan administration was for individuals 55 yrs and older. Overdoses are not only experienced by drug users but also occur in elderly people that accidentally take more medication than their regular dose, for example.

Best advice on pills - if you didn’t get it from your doctor, don’t take it.
Addiction is a disease and can be treated just like any other disease. What makes it challenging is that it affects the brain - meaning substance use is no longer a choice. The brain has physically adapted to higher levels of dopamine - and needs to sustain those levels. 
Treatment of substance abuse is multi-faceted, including access to withdrawal management, access to transportation and housing, and many other support systems. 

Dr. McGreaham shared information about the rise in fentanyl production as well as medications available to treat opioid use disorders. He demonstrated how to administer Narcan and shared locations and resources for obtaining supplies of Narcan. He encourages the administration of Narcan when individuals are suspected of overdosing (individuals are typically unconscious). Narcan won't harm an individual if administered in error. There is a community effort to increase access to Narcan, including having supplies readily available at schools, libraries, and other community locations. 

Next Week’s Program:  Chris Etienne: Rotary Peace Centers