Rotary Informer 

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER

October 16, 2024

102 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:  Gary Voison

Invocation:  Neil Bidwell

A quote by Winston Porter: 

"Life is like a camera. Focus on what's important. Capture the good times, develop from negatives, and if things don't work out, take another shot."

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Howard Richards

Calendar Winners October 16, 2024

International Insight:  Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace. Each year 130 full-funded peace fellowships are awarded.

Visiting Rotarians:  Gary Voison, Cheboygan

Guests:  Abby McKiernan, Speaker; Kim Larson, Prospective Member; Art Tebo

Life Events:  Please keep Ashley DeCarteret’s mom and family in your thoughts as her mom is not doing well.

Birthdays: 

Megan DeWindt

Elaine Keiser

Jeff Leslie

Anniversaries:

John Emley – 9 Years in our Club

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Member Spotlight: Kassia Perpich

In this week’s Rotary member spotlight, we heard from Kassia Perpich, whose impressive career included work with nonprofits in Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Boston. To be closer to family, Kassia and her now-husband Jeff relocated to Petoskey in 2016, where she continued her commitment to non-profit work for the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation. Recently, Kassia took on a new leadership role as the Executive Director of the Great Lakes Center for the Arts. In addition to her nonprofit work, Kassia and her husband also own Vine Ride, a wine tour company that showcases the local vineyards and scenic beauty of the area.

New Member! Kim Larson

Today we inducted new member Kim Larson. Kim has owned a home in the area for over a decade, but moved to the area full time two years ago. She is the founder of Larson Health & Weight Loss, where she is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals to lead healthier, happier lives. Welcome Kim!

Pedal for Polio:  Get ready to pedal with purpose! On October 19 at noon, the Rotary Club of Petoskey is hosting Pedaling for Polio—a fun ride to raise money for the fight to End Polio Now. Don’t worry about a little rain; we’ve got you covered with a rain date on October 20! Join fellow members for a spirited ride, or cheer from the sidelines by donating to support our participants. Every dollar brings us closer to a polio-free world, and we need your energy—whether it's on two wheels or through a generous gift! Let’s make a difference together, one pedal at a time. See Terry Newton or John Scholten to sign up or donate. ***Turn $100 into $300! Every dollar you donate is matched by a $2 donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation!***

Santa’s Secret:  Secret Santa is coming soon! A sign-up will be circulated soon to participate.

PROGRAM:  Abby McKiernan, Non-Profit “Help Link”

At today’s Rotary meeting, Abby McKiernan delivered a powerful presentation about Help Link, a vital community resource designed to connect people with the assistance they need. Abby explained how Help Link acts as a hub, directing individuals to services ranging from housing and food security to healthcare and mental health support. Since its inception, Help Link has made an incredible impact, assisting with more than 100,000 immediate needs in the community. Abby shared compelling stories of how the program has transformed lives by providing quick, accessible solutions during times of crisis. Abby emphasized the importance of strong partnerships with local organizations and agencies, which allow Help Link to provide this level of support, and encouraged Rotarians to spread the word and engage with this critical initiative.

Next Week’s Program:  Art Tebo (History of Boyne Resorts)