Rotary Informer 

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER

March 6, 2024

102 Years of Service Above Self

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey. President Reg Smith; officiated the meeting.

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

Pledge/Anthem:  Andre Strydom is back and led us in America the Beautiful

4-Way Test:  Andi Symonds

Invocation:  Jeff Wynder

"Positive thinking can be contagious."

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Sharon Schappacher

Calendar Winners March 6, 2024

International Insight:  Through service projects, peace fellowships and scholarships, and international exchanges, Rotary promotes peace by tackling the underlying causes of conflict.  In today’s world, more than 70 million people are displaced by conflict and half of them are children.

Visiting Rotarians:  Dan McDonnell, Ann Arbor and spouse Carol

Guests:  Patrick Obrien, Liz Eddington, Maggie Steffy, Prospective Members; Andre Strydom, Piano Man  

Life Events:

It is with sad regret to inform the membership that Bill Millar has passed away. Our deepest condolences. Bill was a wonderful man and a great friend to Rotary.

Birthdays:

None

Anniversaries:

Nikki Devitt – 4 Years

Singing/Song:  Andre Strydom led us in Smile. Angels were smiling from above at the fabulous on key singing. We are so thrilled to have Andre back. The dogs  

ANNOUNCEMENTS  

PRCCI Grant Cycle:  The PRCCI Grant cycle has begun, the application is available on our website. Please send to the organizations you would like to apply.

District 6290 Conference:  Save the date for the Rotary District 6290 Conference “Hoofbeats and Handshakes” May 2-4 at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, MI.

Rotary Peace Fellowships:  Each year, Rotary awards fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders for continued education focused on peace. Applications now open!

April 3 is 'Bring a Guest to Rotary' Day:  On Wednesday, April 3 the Club will hear a program from Leadership Little Traverse. Members are encouraged to bring a colleague, friend, or family member who you think would be open to exploring membership with us. Rotary will pay for all guest lunches that day.

Spaghetti Dinner on April 18:  Mamma Mia! It’s time for the 72^nd annual Spaghetti Dinner. Save the date for April 18, 5 – 7 PM at Petoskey High School. Every Rotarian is asked to volunteer that day—from slinging spaghetti and working the ticket table, to washing dishes and cleaning up, there’s plenty of fun to go around. Sponsorships are available and we ask for your support to make this event a roaring success. There is still time to join the Spaghetti Dinner Committee – contact Drew Smith or Karen Ragland to learn more.

Save the Date:  Save the Date for Career Day at Petoskey Public High School on Wednesday, March 13. Rotarians will be called upon to represent their professions again this year.

New Member Inductions:  We welcomed new members Maggie Steffy and Patrick O’Brien today to a round of applause!

PROGRAM:  Vocational program with Drew Smith and Sarah McDonnell – Hospitality and Food Industry

Rotarians Sarah McDonnell and Drew Smith gave a great talk today about their experience and the future of hospitality and the food service industry. After 20 years in the industry in the Chicago area, Sarah moved back to Petoskey to open Parkside Deli. During COVID, she pivoted to private chef services and take-home prepared meals. She is excited to announce that she will be opening at a new location this spring as “Little Bay Gourmet” offering hot and cold bars, sandwiches, prepared meals, and private catering.  

Drew Smith follows a long line of family in the industry and started his career at Chick-Fil-A, where he helped open new restaurants in several states. He returned to Petoskey in 2018 to join his family business and help manage 5 properties in Northern Michigan. He says his key to success is treating customers and guests as you would family in your own home. Customer service is what they are known for, and that tradition will continue as they navigate new owners and management groups.

Next Week’s Program:  Middle School Career Day and Jeff Leslie

Special Report:  Last night, at a special Rotary Board meeting, the board voted and agreed to split the returned $59,000YMCA (Diamonds and Denim) funds to be distributed to other organizations to help our community with the child care crisis. We voted to spend the funds in the following distribution:

• $50K to the Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan's Child Learning Center and...

• $10K to Camp Daggett 

We used several criteria in making our decision:

1st – how many children and families could/would be impacted and assisted with child care.  

2nd – what was the timing of the projects and how quickly would the funds be used to move the needle on providing more child care in the community.  

3rd – were the projects presented  brick & mortar projects (since the original YMCA $$ was for facility needs)

The Women's Resource Center currently operates a year-round child care for ages 2-5 (pre-K) and this will be expanded to 65. They have a capital campaign underway and our contribution of $50K will be very helpful towards that endeavor and eventually, the child care offering will be well over 100 children.

Camp Daggett will be filling the gap left by the YMCA immediately in June and offering a DAGGETT DAY CAMP for 30 children ages 5-12. This day camp will help families right away this summer and will be held in the Adventure Center. The road in and out of the camp will need to be expanded and restrooms and windows need refurbishing.

The board voted unanimously to split the returned YMCA funds $50K to Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan and $10K to CAMP DAGGETT.