Rotary Informer March 18, 2026

Petoskey Rotary Club NEWSLETTER 
March 18, 2026
104 Years of Service Above Self

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey. President Andrea Coronado officiated this week’s meeting. 

If you did not get the chance to attend, you can read about it in this newsletter. 

Patriotic Song:  Howard Richards led us in God Bless America

4-Way Test:  Jeff Leslie

Invocation:  Jean Frentz

“The fact is always obvious much too late, but the most singular difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a solid and joy a liquid.” J.D. Salinger

Calendar Winners Read Off By:  Reg Smith

Calendar Winners March 18, 2026

Visiting Rotarians:  None

Guests:  Chrissy Woodbury

Life Events:  Reg Smith announced the early arrival of new grandson Damien. Mom (Reg’s daughter, Jess) and boy are both well and will be home tomorrow.

Birthdays: 

Dave Thomas

Anniversaries:  None

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Save the Date – Upcoming Rotary Events 

Wednesday, March 25: Centennial Funds Vote 
The club will vote on the next step for our Centennial Project funds at the March 25 meeting. Voting will take place in person only during the meeting. 

Wednesday, April 8 – Vocational Meeting 
Great Lakes Center for the Arts at 12:00 PM
We will meet offsite at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts and will not meet at Stafford’s Perry Hotel that day. GLCFA staff will share about their work and what happens behind the scenes to bring performances and programs to our community. Lunch will be provided by Julienne Tomatoes and will include assorted sandwiches, chips, cookies, and beverages. The cost will be billed to your next Rotary invoice at the normal lunch rate. Please Register by Monday, April 6.
Register HERE

Thursday, April 30 – Rotary Spaghetti Dinner
Petoskey High School, 5:00–7:00 PM
Our annual Spaghetti Dinner is back. Join us for an evening of great food and fellowship while supporting Rotary’s community projects. Dine-in and carry-out will be available.
Sign up to Volunteer HERE 

Member-Hosted Community Events

Monday, March 16: Northern Community Mediation – Oscar After Party  Jane Millar announced due to the weather the Oscar Party was rescheduled to March 23rd. Tickets are still available, if you already have tickets they are transferrable for the new date.

Thursday, April 9: Building Supportive Communities 
Hosted by Rotarians Andrea Coronado and Andrea Koch
Join Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan for an evening with nationally recognized survivor advocates Samantha Stites and Dr. Danielle Moore. Samantha’s 13-year experience with stalking is featured in the Hulu docuseries Stalking Samantha: 13 Years of Terror. Dr. Moore is a clinical and forensic psychologist and survivor of the Olympic Doctor Larry Nassar. The evening will include presentations followed by a facilitated discussion and audience Q&A. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Program begins at 6:00 PM. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.
Register HERE 

Saturday, August 15: Northmen Food Den – Adult Prom Masquerade
Hosted by Rotarian Liz McKenney
Join the Northmen Food Den for Adult Prom: Masquerade on Saturday, August 15 at the Grand Unity Event Center in Petoskey from 5:00 to 11:00 PM. This fun evening invites guests to relive the magic of prom with grown-up flair and includes signature cocktails, appetizers and a buffet dinner by Sweetwater Catering, a live auction, photo booth, and Prom King and Queen voting. Proceeds support the Northmen Den Youth Pantries.
Tickets and details HERE

Member Induction:  None

Member Spotlight – Ashley DeCarteret – Centennial Project Update – In 2021 our club selected the Winter Sports Park Pavilion as a legacy project for the centennial celebration. We granted funds through our Parks and PRCCI donor-advised funds and generous pledges from past presidents, intending to build a year-round pavilion over the outdoor rink. Despite the tireless efforts of Parks & Rec Director Kendall Klinglesmith and strong support from members, the City has decided not to proceed. Cost estimates ballooned to more than $3 million, and the council declined to move forward. Only $167,315 was transferred out of our donor-advised fund; the $40,000 challenge grant, $10,000 PRCCI commitment and $60,000 in past presidents’ pledges remain in their accounts. The board will be voting to cancel the grant since the project is not moving forward.  With the grant canceled, we now have two options: (1) redeposit the $167,315 into our combined donor-advised fund, increasing earnings for future grants; or (2) set aside all centennial funds for a new “to be determined” shovel-ready project. We will be voting on these options on March 25th – if Option 2 passes, we will form a committee to review potential projects before full club vote on final outcome later in the year.

PROGRAM:  Kyle Bagnall, Strange but True Tales from the Straits of Mackinac 

Kyle Bagnall entertained Rotarians with a talk on Strange but True Tales from the Straits of Mackinac, sharing some of the region’s oddest stories and legends. He spoke about reported sea serpents said to lurk in the Great Lakes, with some people even blaming them for shipwrecks and claiming sightings near Mackinac Island. He also shared the mystery of a skull found on Mackinac Island that puzzled residents for years and was described at the time as belonging to a “great beast” before later being identified as a walrus skull. Another favorite tale involved the discovery of a supposed “cave” under the island that promised adventure and exploration, but turned out to be more publicity stunt than real discovery, meant to lure curious travelers to the area.

Next Week’s Program:  Noelle Behling, Emmet County Recycling