Rotary Informer

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER
March 12, 2025
103 Years of Service Above Self

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey. Past President Jeff Wynder 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 My Country tis of Thee 

4-Way Test: Georgia Abbott 

Invocation: Becky Philipp-Kranig No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted. (Aesop) 

Calendar Winners: Read off by Howard Richards 

Calendar Winners March 12, 2025 

Visiting Rotarians: None 

Guests: Ian Straley, Prospective Member and he was inducted today, Alex Fichera, Alexandor Petok, Potential Members; Cyndy Tonkavich, Katie Allen, Stacey Martin, Haylee Baker, Destiny Wiertalla, Angie Kelley, Dana Pinney, Career Day People; Ceara Struck, Nehemiah Project. 

Life Events: None

Birthdays: Chris Etienne 

Anniversaries: 

Rocky Karr – 2 Years 

Nikki Devitt – 5 Years 

Tim Dykstra – 23 Years 

Chris Etienne – 34 Years 

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS Roadside Cleanup – April 12: Mark your calendars! Our next roadside cleanup is scheduled for Friday, April 12. If you're interested in volunteering, please reach out to Dr. Findley. 

New Member Induction: Today, we welcomed Ian Straley as the newest member of our club. Ian works at Comfort Keepers and is excited to join our Rotary community. Be sure to introduce yourself and give him a warm Rotary welcome! 

Member Spotlight: Sarah McDonald Sarah McDonnell moved to Petoskey as a two-year-old in 1975 and grew up in the community. After college, she spent a year in Chicago for a culinary program but ended up staying for 20 years, working in various restaurants. She later returned to Petoskey and purchased Parkside Deli, which she operated for several years. Now, she is focused on her latest venture, Little Bay Gourmet, offering catering and personal chef services. This spring/summer, she will open a new establishment in Petoskey featuring grab-and-go meals, sandwiches, a salad and soup bar, with plans to expand into events and private cooking classes. Stay tuned for more details as she prepares for the grand opening! 

Rotary Lunch Charge: Recently the Club announced an increased fee for Rotary lunches. However, that fee neglected to include sales tax. The correct fee for 2025 is $18.50 per lunch per week. 

Spaghetti Dinner: Spaghetti Dinner tickets are now available for pick-up from Karen Ragland. Each member is responsible for selling or purchasing 10 tickets at $10 each. There are several ways to support the event beyond ticket sales, including sponsoring, donating an item to the silent auction, or contributing a bottle of wine or spirits for the Basket of Cheer. Bottles can be brought to any upcoming meeting and given to Samantha Fee, who will collect and package them for the auction. Volunteers are also needed for the event, so please consider lending a hand. 

Upcoming Rotary Happy Hours: All Rotarians are invited to gather for drinks and fellowship at an upcoming happy hour: on Wednesday, March 26 from 5:00 - 6:00 PM at Elder Piper. See you there!  

PROGRAM: Career Day Representatives from Petoskey Schools shared an update on this year’s Petoskey Middle School Career Day. Students explored a wide range of career paths, from business, marketing, and health services to tattoo artistry and hospitality. The event provided valuable insights and inspiration for students as they consider future career opportunities. 

Next Week’s Program: Kellie Halverson, Compass Program and Methodist Church