Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER

September 13, 2023

101 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:  Howard Richards led us in America the Beautiful     

4-Way Test:  Ric Loyd          

Invocation:  Chris Hammond   

The U.S. National Confectioners Association has designated today as International Chocolate Day. It coincides with the birthday of Milton S. Hershey in 1857.

Milton Hershey was a community leader, servant, and philanthropist. When the Hershey Pennsylvania Rotary Club formed in 1943, they promptly named Hershey (who was then 86 years old) as an honorary member.

This quote from Hershey shows is understanding of the four-way test: 

One is only happy in proportion as he makes others feel happy and only useful as he contributes his influences for the finer callings in life.

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Vic George      

Calendar Winners September 13, 2023

     
Prize
Cal#
Calendar Winner
City
Sold By
$50
2628
Michael Joseph Landi
East Amherst, NY
Petoskey
$50
1936
Cindy Okerlund
Petoskey
Petoskey
$50
2870
Carol Jastal
Petoskey
P. Sunrise
$50
1764
Peggy Child-Smith
Grand Rapids
Petoskey
$50
1556
Sam McVannel
East Jordan
Petoskey

Visiting Rotarians:  Vic George, Flint, MI

Guests:  None 

Life Events: 

Birthdays:  None

Anniversaries: 

Neil Bidwell – 15 Years

Kristy Beyer – 23 Years

Singing/Song:  Howard Richards led us in Smile

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kudos:  Club members who assisted in the District Youth Exchange Retreat this past weekend:  Joe Blachy, Karen Ragland, Chris Hammond, Tim Dykstra, Jean Frentz, Bob Denton, Paul Schemanski, and visiting Rotarian Shirley Love.

Roadside Cleanup:  Save the date for everyone’s favorite volunteer day – Fall Highway Cleanup Day! Don your reflective vests and schedule an appointment with your chiropractor because Highway Clean Up Day promises to be as spicy and exciting as a the mini bottles of fireball we collect along the way. We meet at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 30th – more info to come!

Women’s Resource Center Fundraising Luncheon:  If you are interested in attending the WC/WD luncheon Sept 20th there are a few seats available. 

To learn more about the WRC check out their website https://www.wrcnm.org/

To get a ticket contact: Karen Ragland 734 320 0424 or Karenmragland@comcast.net 

Learning to Lead:  Rotary Zones 28/32 "Learning to Lead" is a perfect opportunity to "future-proof" your club and district.  We are offering two separate programs at the end of next month in Toronto, and one might be perfect for you or someone in your club: 

·        The Young Professionals program is for any Rotarian under the age of 40 (or close, we're not checking I.D.) looking to network with other YPs and see Rotary outside of their club/district.

·        The Future Leaders program is for any Rotarian, regardless of age, looking to understand what leadership opportunities are available outside of their club.

Register today at the Zone 28/32 website or use LINK

Calendar News:  Members need to contact Karen Ragland to arrange pick up of calendars.  734-320-0424 or karenmragland@comcast.net.

Also, very IMPORTANT: Calendar Caution:  Members please NO NOT cover up ticket number when applying labels.  It makes it impossible to assign your calendar buyers to a specific number.

Pedal For Polio:  Run, walk, or bike your way to eradicating Polio at this year’s “Pedal for Polio” on Saturday, September 23 at 11 a.m. Don’t want to exert yourself? You can support other participants by donating to the cause – see John Emley for more info.

Fall Festival News:  Ready to see a few hundred pumpkins roll, jump, and bump into each other as they race down the hill? Then don’t miss Rotary’s Fall Festival at Winter Sports Park on Saturday, October 7, 3 – 7 PM! Grab a drink in the beer and wine tent, groove to live music with Levitator, and enjoy the magic show—it’s fun for all ages! Our world-famous rotary brats will be sizzling on the grill, we’ll have cider & donuts, and food trucks will be onsite, too! Bragging rights are up for grabs in the new cornhole tournament, and be sure to get your raffle tickets for the pumpkin roll where great prizes will be awarded to the pumpkin that rolls the farthest down the sledding hill. Sponsors, volunteers, and prize donations are needed. Want to help? See the planning committee for more info. It’s fall y’all!

Billy-Duff Cabin Outing:  For the first time in ages, we are having a Billy-Duff Outing on October 25 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM. Please bring an appetizer and food will be served.

NOTE ABOUT ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Going forward, announcements will be limited to Rotary-specific topics. If you have an announcement for personal or work projects, fundraisers, opportunities, or campaigns, you can email Terry Newton or Andrea Coronado to be shared in the newsletter and on social media. This will aid our efforts to keep meetings to one hour.

PROGRAM:  Jeff Leslie, Petoskey Schools Superintendent, November Bond for Safety & Security

Our public school of Petoskey facilities are well maintained, yet they require renovations and improvements for students to continue learning in safe an secure environments. Unfortunately the existing budget cannot address the cost of necessary security needs. 

Like all public schools, Petoskey is primarily funded at the local level through voter-approved tax millages. Each funding source is carefully planned as part of a larger master-planning while minimizing impacts to homeowners. This November, voters will consider a tax renewal to improve our safety and security through a millage to generate $18.1 million in bond funds without increasing the tax rate above current levels. 

This bond proposal would fund indoor and exterior improvements to improve the safety and security of Petoskey Schools. These improvements include:

  • Renovate space to create secure vestibules

  • Improve playground equipment

  • Upgrade parking lots

  • Replace interior/exterior doors and hardware

  • Temporary door lock-down devices

  • Add security film to doors and windows

  • Upgrade fire alarms systems

  • Install new exterior lighting

  • Update security cameras

  • Enhance security technology enhancements

  • Improve access controls and building management

  • This $18.1 million millage is tax-neutral with a 0 mill increase to taxpayers, as it replaces an expiring existing millage.  

Get out and vote! Absentee voting is available September 28, 2023. Vote by November 7.

Next Week’s Program:  Rotary Foundation program and update. Bylaws vote.