Rotary Informer 

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER 
October 22, 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 God Bless America

4-Way Test:  Stafford Smith

Invocation:  Becky Philipp-Kranig

“The leaves are dying," said Tiny Dragon. "Don't be sad," said Big Panda. "Autumn is nature's way of showing us how beautiful letting go can be.” ― James Norbury, Big Panda & Tiny Dragon

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Ian Straley

Calendar Winners October 22, 2025 

Visiting Rotarians:  None

Guests:  Serena Lake, Speaker

Life Events:  

Birthdays:  

None

Anniversaries:  

Megan Dewindt – 2 Years 

Liz McKenney – 4 Years

Singing/Song:  Howard Richards led us in Smile. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 Next Week:  It’s that time of year again — Toys for Tots kicks off next week! 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
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 1,680 combined miles so far! To support the ride, you can make a cash donation that will be applied to your monthly invoice. Polio Eradication Day is 10/24, when they will hold a Celebration Ride. More details to come.       

Saturday, October 25
Film Screening – Join or Die – Time: 1:00 – 4:30 pm 
Crooked Tree Arts Center Theater
Followed by a welcome reception with local service clubs.

Guest Announcement:  Jesse Place, prospective member, is part of a non-profit, Project Piti Pami, which does medical work in Haiti. November 8th is a fundraising benefit at the Grand Unity Event Center at 6:00 with dinner at 7:00 pm. Check out their website https://www.3phaiti.org/.

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! Link

Rotary Holiday Party
Mark your calendars for the Rotary Holiday Party!
December 8th | 5:30–7:30 PM
Hosted at Sharon Schappacher’s home
Secret Santa participation is optional — come enjoy an evening of fellowship and fun!

Member Spotlight – Betsy Newton

At this week’s meeting, Betsy Newton shared her life story...
Born in Las Vegas as one of ten children to an almost-nun mother and an Air Force sergeant father, Betsy’s family later settled in North St. Paul, Minnesota, where she discovered her love for running. She excelled in middle and high school track, holding a school record and serving as cross-country captain.

After trying vocational school and restaurant work (neither of which she enjoyed), Betsy became a weekend supervisor at St. Joseph Hospital—where fate intervened. A wrong number led to her first date with Terry Newton, and exactly one year later, they were married.

Betsy continued her passion for running, completing her first marathon at 30 with two of her brothers and founding Team Sonnek with her family in 2014 to celebrate their shared love of the sport.

She and Terry moved frequently before settling in Petoskey, where Betsy worked at the Perry Hotel for over a decade and later ran their business, Back to Nature. After closing in 2014, she worked briefly at Kilwin’s and The Pier Restaurant.

Though she and Terry have no children, Betsy proudly fills many roles—auntie, grandma, sister, and friend. Now retired as of August 2025, she continues to serve Rotary as the “secretary’s secretary,” joking that her job is simply “to make the secretary look good.”

Program Summary – Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians: Great Lakes Fisheries Program
Presenter: Serena Lake, Research Technician & Outreach Coordinator

Serena Lake shared insight into the mission of the Little Traverse Bay Bands (LTBB) of Odawa Indians Great Lakes Fisheries Program, which focuses on honoring and protecting Mother Earth, fostering community accountability, and ensuring the long-term health of Little Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan.

Grounded in tradition, the program emphasizes giving back to the land through prayer, resourcefulness, and respect. Historically, the nine Odawa bands along the bay were built around the fishing trade, with whitefish serving as both a primary food source and a symbol of gratitude and community identity.

Today, several major challenges threaten the health of native fish species — including dams, pollution, overfishing, invasive species, logging, and climate change. Of particular concern is the lake sturgeon, whose population has dropped to just 12% of its historic range, marking a record low for the species.

To address these challenges, the LTBB Fisheries Program operates through three coordinated branches:
1.    Management Branch: Conducts surveys and sampling to monitor environmental conditions and ecosystem changes.
2.    Enhancement Branch: Leads community education programs, raises awareness about declining fish populations, and operates hatchery projects to support wild-life repopulation.
3.    Research Branch: Maps spawning sites, tracks fish movement, and studies behavioral patterns to better understand and protect vulnerable species.

One major research site is the Petoskey State Park, where active monitoring helps guide regional restoration and conservation efforts.
Serena closed by emphasizing that the program’s work extends beyond ecology—it represents a continuation of Indigenous stewardship, a voice for the Odawa people’s traditions, and a commitment to preserving the balance between culture, community, and the natural world.

Website:  https://ltbbodawa-nsn.gov 

Facebook:  LTBB Odawa Natural Resources Department 

The Facebook page is where we post updates on the work that we do, as well as any upcoming events like our Sturgeon Release or the “All Too Clear” documentary screenings.  

PROGRAM:  Serena Lake, LTTB Fisheries Enhancement Facility

Next Week’s Program:  Alex Fichera Oct 29, 2025: Big Brothers Big Sisters

Club Resignations:  Diane Willis resigned from the club.