Rotary Informer 

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER 
November 12, 2025
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. 

Pledge/Anthem:  Howard Richards led us in the Star-Spangled Banner

4-Way Test:  Bill Collins

Invocation:  Tim Dykstra

November 12, 2025

Yesterday, the eleventh day of the eleventh month, our nation commemorated Veterans’ Day. I would like to ask that everyone present here in this room who did NOT serve in the U.S. military to please be seated.

To those who remain standing and to those Rotary veterans unable to join us today, I would like to say:

It does not matter when you served.

It does not matter where you served.

It does not matter why you served

It does not matter how you served. 

It does not matter how long you served.

It matters that you served.

On behalf of our entire club, thank you for your service.

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Bill Hicklen

Calendar Winners November 12, 2025 

Visiting Rotarians:  Heather Huffstutler, Speaker and member of Sunrise Rotary, Chuck Johnson, President, Sunrise Rotary, Dyann Chenaut, Jackson Sunrise Rotary

Guests:  None

Life Events:  None

Birthdays:  

Nick Liebler

Paul Schemanski

Rotary Club of Petoskey is 104 Years Old as of November 4, 2025

Anniversaries:  

Andrea Koch – 2 Years

David Hamm – 3 Years

John Scholten – 20 Years

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Past President Rotary Badge:  If you ever served as President in another Rotary Club, let Terry Newton know! He will order you a new name badge to denote that you are a past Rotary President.

STRIVE Update:  Andrea Koch shared a STRIVE update. The group had their second meeting last night. It was hosted by Lake Effect Restoration. The team there built a wall, burned it, and used that burnt wall to show the students some restoration techniques - very cool! Andrea also thanked everyone who donated to become a "pizza buddy." With this funding the students are not only enjoying pizza, but being exposed to other foods as well.

President’s Announcement:  Our next Club Assembly will be held on Wednesday, December 3, during our regular meeting. We’ll be voting on new board members for both the Rotary Club of Petoskey and PRCCI.

The ballot is attached for your review. If you’re interested in running for a position, please see a current board member for eligibility details and more information. Write-in candidates are welcome. 

Rotary Club of Petoskey

• President Nominee:  Drew Smith
No Board Positions on this Ballot 

PRCCI
• Member at Large:  Sarah McDonnell
• Member at Large:  Steve Brown
• Past President:  Jeff Wynder

We hope you’ll join us for this important annual meeting as we plan for the year ahead.

Limited Quantity of 4-Way Test Plaques:  Georgia Abbott recently cleaned out the Rotary cupboard at the Perry. She found some cool 4-Way Test plaques and is offering them to Rotarians for a donation to the Rotary Foundation. There are only 8 plaques - first come first serve! Contact Georgia if interested.

Can you help us "Build Good Will and Better Friendships"? Help our club recognize and support the challenges and achievements of each member. Our club's Care and Concern Committee reaches out to Rotarians who need encouragement and support, and to those whose accomplishments should be celebrated and shared. If you know of a club member (past or present) who would benefit from knowing that we support them, please let Chris Hammond know. Her email is christinehammond989@gmail.com; mobile number is 517-449-1149. Chris will reach out with a card or call on behalf of our noon Rotary club.

Northmen Den Youth Services:  With the federal government shutdown threatening SNAP benefits, thousands of families across Michigan could soon face additional food insecurity. At Northmen Den Youth Services, we’re making sure no student goes hungry — no matter what happens in Washington. Every child in need within the schools we serve has access to food and hygiene products, no questions asked. But we can’t do it alone. Your support fills backpacks, pantries, and bellies when families need it most. Please consider making a gift today to help us continue feeding local youth during this uncertain time. Together, we can make sure every student has what they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Link

Toys for Tots Begins This Week:  It’s that time of year again — Toys for Tots kicks off! If your business or organization would like a donation box, please let us know and we’ll make sure you get one. Let’s help make this season brighter for local children in need.

Save the Date – Upcoming Rotary Events

Nov. 19 Meeting at Manna Food Bank:  There will be no lunch meeting at the Perry Hotel on Wednesday, November 19. Instead, join us for a volunteer day at Manna Food Project, from noon to 1:30 pm, to help pack food boxes. A $10 donation will be added to your next invoice (no lunch charges). Please make your own lunch arrangements—pack a lunch to enjoy outside or grab a bite afterward with fellow Rotarians. Space is limited to 25 participants, so register soon to save your spot! There are 2 spots left open: Link

Rotary Holiday Party:  Monday, December 8, 5:30–7:30 PM At the home of Sharon Schappacher (1070 Grand Ridge, Petoskey)
•    We’ll provide appetizers, wine, beer, and soda—please bring an appetizer, dish, or dessert to share.
•    RSVP by Friday, December 5 so we can plan accordingly.
•    Guests welcome. (No dogs, please.)
•    Feeling extra merry? Join the optional $25 Secret Santa—sign up by Sun, Nov 24. You’ll receive your recipient by Nov 26. Bring your wrapped gift to the party with a notecard that includes three fun facts about you for the big re-veal. (Secret Santa is for members only.) Link to RSVP

Salvation Army Bell Ringing:  Save the date! On Friday, December 12 we will staff a bell ringing station at D&W Grocery store. And bonus, we'll be set up in the breeze-way, out of the weather.

Member Spotlight – None

PROGRAM:  Vocational Team – Heather Huffstutler Tip of the Mitt Watershed
Today we enjoyed a vocational program. Heather Huffstetler and Andrea Koch gave a talk on Leadership in Nonprofits.
Heather is the Executive Director at Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. Andrea is the Assistant Director at Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan. Both reflected on their paths to nonprofit leadership, followed by a Q&A with Rotarians.

Next Week’s Program:  November 19 – NO REGULAR MEETING - MANNA VOLUNTEER

New Member:  John Regan has officially transferred from his former club in Elgin, IL to our club.