Rotary Informer 

Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER 
September 17, 2025
103 Years of Service Above Self 
 

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey. President Elect Georgia Abbott officiated this week’s meeting because Andrea is off galivanting to strange locations in the world.  

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:  Bill Collins

Invocation:  Jeff Wynder

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.  Mahatma Gandhi

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Mike Snyder

Calendar Winners September 17, 2025

Visiting Rotarians:   Val Meyerson, Sunrise Rotary

Guests:  None

Life Events:  None

Birthdays:  

Maggie Steffy

Anniversaries:  

Kristy Beyer – 24 Years

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Val Meyerson was here from the Morning Club seeking signatures for the Rank Choice Voting petitions.

Dave Thomas gave us a brief history lesson on Constitution Day.

Save the Date – Upcoming Rotary Events

We are looking for one more STRIVE pizza buddy - be the one! See Andrea Coronado – Make her Day! 

Meal Train for Sam Fee and baby:
Rotarian Sam Fee recently welcomed a new baby, and we’d love to help support her and her family in the coming weeks with meals, coffee, and words of encouragement for new parents.
They’re limiting gluten, dairy, and processed sugar, so please keep that in mind when planning. This is a casual meal train — simply pick a date on the SignUpGenius list (I’ve set up the next month) and drop Sam a quick note so she knows when to expect you. Instructions are on the sign up sheet.
No time to cook? Rotarian Sarah McDonnell of Little Bay Gourmet (231.622.5281) can prepare a hearty, diet-friendly meal for $40 and arrange delivery for an additional $5. No muss, no fuss — and baby and mom are cared for!
Sign Up for Sam’s Meal Train

Light Kits for Ukraine:  Reg Smith announced that the First Presbyterian Church of Petoskey will once again be assembling light kits for Ukrainians without power. Volunteers are welcome to gather at the Church on Thursday, September 18 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. They are one of the few churches in the country doing this project - it's a unique opportunity to support others in crisis abroad.

Billy Duff Event:  Wednesday, September 24 | 5:00 – 8:00 PM | 555 Creekside Drive, Levering
What is Billy Duff, anyway? It’s a Rotary tradition that goes back decades, named after and hosted by patriarch Stafford “Duff” Smith and the late Bill “Billy” Fedus in Levering. The first Billy Duff was created as a good natured gathering for Rotarians—part fellowship, part feast, and all fun. Since then, it’s become a beloved tradition of food, fire, and friendship.

This year, Gary Fedus and Reg Smith will continue the tradition, carving ham, serving it with buns, beer, and wine. Bring an appetizer, side, or dessert to share and note it when you sign up. Guests are welcome! Cost: $10/person (added to Noon Rotary in-voices or cash for guests). PLEASE RSVP SOON SO WE CAN ESTIMATE A GUEST COUNT.  RSVP Here

Roadside Clean-Up:  Saturday, September 20 | 8:30 – 10:00 AM. We’ve got 21 volunteers signed up—can we make it 24? With just three more helping hands, this will be our quickest, cleanest cleanup yet. JOIN THE FUN! KEEP WHAT YOU FIND :)
Sign up on SignUpGenius

Rotary District Learning Academy:  Saturday, 9/27, Charlevoix Public Library. Great opportunity for current and prospective board members. 

The club is looking for a Care and Comfort chairperson.

Alzheimer’s Walk – September 27:  Join us in supporting the Alzheimer’s Walk this fall in Pennsylvania Park. Whether you walk, volunteer, sponsor, or donate—every step makes a difference. Connect with Ian Straley to get involved.

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.

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.

Coastal Crawl:  The Coastal Crawl is open–water swim held at Zorn Park in Harbor Springs. The individuals who have put it on for 30 years are retiring and are looking for individuals or organizations to take over the management of the event to keep it going in the future. This was suggested as a possible service opportunity for Rotary. This year, the Coastal Crawl is also looking for donations and volunteers. Contact Patrick O’Brien for more info. 

STRIVE Update:  Strive is looking for pizza sponsors and expanded support this year. Please see Andrea Koch or Georgia Abbott to give a donation. 

Member Spotlight – Georgia Abbott 
As an only child, Georgia tried to please both her mother and dad by being very interested and accomplished in both manufacturing and music.  She worked for GM in Chicago, rising through the ranks of leadership very quickly but she never forgot her love for music, playing the piano and Harpsicord.  Moran Welding brought her to northern Michigan where she ran their welding school.  At one time she also owned a music store.  Currently she is a consultant, and a member of Season Roads rock band. Thanks for sharing your story, Georgia.

PROGRAM:  Charlie McInnis: The Vietnam War 
Our speaker, Charlie MacInnis is a well-known figure in northern Michigan, organizing the NCMC luncheons for the past 21 years. Today he spoke about the Vietnam War, and what Vietnam is like now. He reminded us that our war was started in this already war-torn country by our leadership who didn’t want another Korean situation.

General Westmoreland went to Vietnam in March of 1964 and in Aug, President Johnson was able to get the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. No actual war was ever declared, yet over 58,000 Americans and even more Vietnamese were killed in terrible fighting.

Left behind now in this beautiful, peaceful country are unexploded ordnance (bombs), agent orange, and other highly toxic effects, and many biracial children (now adults) who were often castaways. ‘The war has ended but the killing continues.’

Today, the Vietnamese economy produces electronics, textiles, shoes and relies on tourism. Our Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC is a beautiful tribute to the 58,000 American souls who were lost. Charlie, who was a clerk in an office said most of the boys did not know why they were fighting. He recommended several books, including: The Coldest Winter by David Halbertstam, A Bright Shining Life by Neil Sheehan, We Were Soldiers Once and Young by Al Moore and Joe Galloway.

Next Week’s Program:  Clare Forester, Planning for Life's Uncertainties (and the unavoidable)