Rotary Informer 

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER 
June 4, 2025
103 Years of Service Above Self 
 

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey. President Christian Smith 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:  Reg Smith

Invocation:  Neil Bidwell

This is taken from an Irish Prayer:
You've blessed us with friends, laughter and fun
With rain that's as soft as the light from the sun
You've blessed us with stars to brighten each night
You've given us help to know wrong from right
You've given us so much, please give us too
A heart that is grateful and knows what to do.

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Howard Richards

Calendar Winners June 4, 2025 

Visiting Rotarians:  None

Guests:  Julie Joles, Speaker 

Life Events:  

Well Wishes: Please keep fellow Rotarian Betsy Newton in your thoughts. Betsy was recently in a bicycle accident and suffered a broken ankle in three places. She’s currently recovering at Boulder Park Terrace in Charlevoix, where she’ll remain for another week before returning home—with Terry stepping in as her “nurse.” We wish her a smooth and speedy recovery.

Birthdays:  

John Emely

Roy Longworth

Anniversaries:  

Roy Longworth – 58 Years in Rotary and 10 Years in our Club

Jane Millar – 27 Years 

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Looking ahead, help is needed for Petoskey’s 4th of July celebration. Sunrise Rotary is spearheading the event, and there are lots of ways to get involved—volunteering, donating, or sponsoring. Join the fun and show your red, white, and blue! To do so click on the following link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AAAD23ABFFCE9-56838377-2025#/

Karen Ragland:  2026 Rotary Calendars are coming! Each member is responsible for selling 10 calendars at $25 each, or may opt out with a $200 contribution. We will be reducing the weekly winners to three instead of five to make this program successful. 

Save the Date:  Mark your calendars for a Rotary Social Gathering at the Bay View cottage of Jane Millar on Sunday, June 30. Bring a beverage or snack to share, and come enjoy good company in a beautiful setting! 

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 – Sharon Schappacher: Sharon shared her five-minute journey through her life—from Cleveland, Ohio, where she was born the oldest of four children, to becoming a dedicated Rotarian in Petoskey. After attending community college (which sparked her passion for supporting our own North Central Michigan College), she moved to Philadelphia, discovered her talent for accounting, and returned to school to earn her degree.
She met her former husband through work, raised two children, and spent years on Mackinac Island helping run this family’s hotel before they built their own. The family later relocated to Petoskey for better school and activity access for the kids. Here, Sharon became active in SCORE, Rotary, and local volunteer efforts. She’s now a proud mom and grandma, and enjoys gardening, cooking, baking, volunteering, scuba diving—and beekeeping!

PROGRAM:  Julie Joles, Camp Daggett

Julie Joles gave an engaging and heartfelt presentation about the rich history and impact of Camp Daggett, nestled on the west arm of Walloon Lake. She shared how Camp Daggett began in the early 1900s, when Henry R. Daggett brought Sunday School students to his lakeside property. His daughter Harriet later donated the land, and in 1925, with strong support from Petoskey Rotary and Kiwanis, Walter J. MacMillan opened the camp to young boys.

Camp Daggett has grown significantly over the past 100 years—introducing girls' sessions, building new facilities, launching year-round outdoor education programs, and evolving into a co-ed, mission-driven nonprofit that serves youth and the broader community.
Rotary played a key role in founding Camp Daggett and has continued to be a vital partner for a century. Most recently, our club supported the kitchen renovation and repairs to the sailing pavilion, ensuring the camp remains a welcoming and well-equipped place for generations to come. Camp Daggett lives its motto—“The Other Fellow First”—a value shared by Rotarians everywhere.
More history and photos can be found at campdaggett.org/history-camp-daggett

Next Week’s Program Megan DeWindt, Bay View Association History