Rotary Informer

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER
March 26, 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 My Country tis of Thee 

4-Way Test:  Steve Cross 

Invocation:  Jean Frentz 

Nothing is more Important than empathy for another human being’s suffering. Nothing. Not career, not wealth, not intelligence, certainly not status. We have to feel for one another if we’re going to survive with dignity. Audrey Hepburn 

Calendar Winners:  Read off by David Hamm 

Calendar Winners March 26, 2025 

Visiting Rotarians: None 

Guests: Brett Hardy, Shannon Sabo, Speakers 

Life Events: Herb Carlson is currently receiving care at Blissful Cottages in Petoskey and would welcome visits from fellow Rotarians. Please call ahead before stopping by.

Birthdays: Dave Thomas 

Anniversaries: David Finley – 6 Years in our Club, 13 in Rotary 

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Roadside Cleanup – Volunteers Needed:  We’re still looking for a few more volunteers for our Roadside Cleanup on Saturday, April 12. Let’s help keep our stretch of highway looking its best!

Rotary Fund Grant Review in Progress:  The Joint Rotary Fund at the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation is currently reviewing grant applications. This year, the club has approximately $50,000 to award to area organizations making a difference in our community.

Member Spotlight:  Andrea Koch

Andrea Koch was born in Detroit and moved to Plymouth at the age of 12. As a teen, she worked at a local hotel where the Rotary Club met for lunch—her first glimpse into Rotary and the good work it does.

She attended Eastern Michigan University, where her curious spirit led her to change majors five times before graduating with a degree in psychology. Her professional journey has been equally diverse. Andrea built a career in hospitality—working in restaurant management, catering, and as a director of convention services. Eventually, she moved into consulting, focusing on training, hiring, recruiting, and talent acquisition, with many of her clients being large restaurant groups like P.F. Chang’s and The Cheesecake Factory.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Andrea’s consulting work was significantly impacted. Like many, she found herself at a crossroads and asked, What’s next? That question led her to northern Michigan and to a mission that hits close to home.

Andrea now works at the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, where she channels her skills into making a difference in the lives of women and families in our region. She was married for 18 years and is the proud mom of a 25-year-old daughter who is about to graduate from MSU this May—an experience she describes as the most rewarding of her life.

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 – Volunteers Needed! We need your help for this year’s Spaghetti Dinner! Volunteers are needed for: Wednesday afternoon/evening – Setup. Thursday, 3:00–4:30 PM – Pre-event load-up. Thursday evening – Post-event clean-up. Thank you for helping make this event a success!

Tonight: Rotary Fellowship at Elder Piper. Join us for fellowship tonight from 5:00–6:00 PM at Elder Piper (923 Baxter St, Petoskey, MI 49770)

Save the Date: April Social Our next Rotary social meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 30 at Tap 94 in the Odawa Casino. Don’t miss it!

PROGRAM: Brett Hardy joined us this week to share the mission and story of Higher Ground at Lake Louise, a Christian camp and retreat center located just outside Boyne Falls. Set on 22 peaceful acres along the shores of spring-fed Thumb Lake (fondly known as Lake Louise), the camp offers a place of rest, connection, and spiritual growth. Campers come for the beach, the lake activities, and the break from the noise of daily life—but what brings them back year after year are the deep relationships formed and the sense of belonging they find there. Brett highlighted how Higher Ground partners with churches and community organizations to reach people from all walks of life, including an impactful program that supports single mothers. Through special camp sessions, they create opportunities for moms to rest, reconnect with their children, and build lasting support networks and mentorship for youth without a father figure in their lives. 

Next Week’s Program:  Leadership Little Traverse