Rotary Informer 

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER 
October 1, 2025
103 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 My Country tis of Thee

4-Way Test:  Liz Ahrens

Invocation:  Kassia Perpich

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. – Victor Frankl 

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Lyle Peck

Calendar Winners October 1, 2025 

Visiting Rotarians:  Michelle Gallagher, Traverse City

Guests:  None

Life Events:   Joe Blachy shared the sad news of the passing of longtime Rotarian Roy Longworth. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Petoskey, with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

Birthdays:  

None

Anniversaries:  

Jim Wibby – 46 Years

Singing/Song:  Howard Richards 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the 2025 Pizza Buddies program, raising over $3,000 to support STRIVE! Neil Bidwell, Joe Blachy, Steve Brown, Walt Byers, Ashley DeCarteret, Megan Dewindt, Terry & Betsy Newton, Chelsea Platte, Sharon Schappacher, Mike Snyder, and Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council.

Save the Date – Upcoming Rotary Events

The club is looking for a Care and Comfort chairperson.

Library Event:  Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the Petoskey District Library. "A Night at the Library" is Thursday, October 9, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This special fundraising event, with the theme "The Other Side of the Story," will feature live performances by local actors, including short skits inspired by popular novels like "Wicked," "Salem Witch: the Fire & the Silence," and "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs." You'll also enjoy literary monologues throughout the library, and delicious drinks and culinary delights from local craft breweries and food vendors. All performances, food, and drinks are included in the ticket price. Don't miss this unique opportunity to support the library's programming and materials while socializing with friends and community members after hours. Click here for tickets.

Pedal For Polio Event:  John Scholten announced that Pedal for Polio will be slightly different this year. Bikers, please start logging your miles individually from September 15 – October 15. These will be tallied and then all cash donations will meet the 2 for 1 match by Bill Gates. Donations can be given to any of the participants. Pedaling for Polio has reached over 1,000 combined miles in September! To support the ride, you can make a cash donation that will be applied to your monthly invoice.                                                          

Wednesday, October 15
Rotary Third Wheel Social at Elder Piper 5:30-7:00
Theme: “Awkwardly Seeking Inclusion” – make a match, meet a friend, or fall in love with Rotary. Members drive.

Saturday, October 25
Film Screening – Join or Die – Time: TBD and will be announced
Crooked Tree Arts Center Theater
Followed by a welcome reception with local service clubs.

Nov. 19 Meeting at Manna Food Bank:  Megan Dewindt announced that our Wednesday, November 19 meeting will be held at Manna Food Bank (not the Perry Hotel). We’ll be packing meals, with up to 24 volunteer spots available. A SignUpGeni-us link is coming soon—please keep an eye out and grab a spot!

Member Spotlight – Rich Perlberg
Richard Perlberg was born into the newspaper business—his father started the family in the industry, and Richard’s first job was cleaning up around the newspaper facility before moving on to melting lead in the back room (a task that, he jokes, likely wasn’t OSHA-approved). Over the years, he took on greater responsibility and eventually managed part of the family’s newspaper group, which included both daily and weekly papers serving rural communities. As the industry shifted and news moved online, Richard retired and chose to make Northern Michigan his home.

PROGRAM:  Brian Peterson – Nehemiah House
Our speaker was Brian Peters from The Nehemiah Project, who shared about the organization’s mission to care for people experiencing homelessness in our community. He described the many ways the Nehemiah Project provides shelter, support, and dignity to neighbors in need. Brian also outlined how we can help—through donations, volunteering, or contributing to daily needs such as socks, toilet paper, and food for the home.

Next Week’s Program:  Ethel Larson: History of Petoskey Area Garden Club