The Rotary Club of Marquette

06/14/2026

As you may know, our exchange student, Ray (Pin-Rui Huang), will soon be returning home after a wonderful year in Marquette. Ray has been an outstanding ambassador for Rotary and has become a valued member of our club and community.

Ray's departure is scheduled for:

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
Time: 4:23 PM
Airport: Sawyer International Airport (MQT)
Flight: American Airlines Flight 3712

It would be wonderful if as many Rotarians as possible could join us at the airport to wish Ray a safe journey home and thank him for the many friendships and memories he has shared with us during his exchange year.

Please consider coming out to give Ray a true Marquette Rotary send-off. I know it would mean a great deal to him and his host families.

Thank you for helping make Ray's exchange experience so special.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Chuck Blaksmith
President 2025-2026

06/14/2026

Last Week Recap – June 8, 2026
Antonio Adan speaking on the Marquette County housing update

This week – June 15, 2026:
Joe Thiel and 3D Printing

Meeting Link:
http://meet.google.com/znq-ejwu-kud

Upcoming Events:

Do we change our regular meeting day from Monday to Tuesday? Voting Closes
📅 Monday, June 15
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccdtKcJLbJEwP4xgBDhZaKQyuiUjI1EiGWcBkl19dirOBk0A/viewform?usp=header

Bog Walk Clean Up
📅 Monday, June 15
🕚 Right after the noon meeting
📍 Bog Walk

Feeding America Meeting
📅 Monday, June 15
🕚 Right after the noon meeting
📍 Holiday Inn

Feeding America
📅 Wednesday, June 17
🕚 11-2
📍 Berry Event Center

Thank you,
Kevin Dinser
Club Secretary

06/08/2026

Today's speaker was Antonio Adan who is the Executive Director of the Marquette County Land Bank. Appointed in 2024, Antonio serves as the Upper Peninsula’s first Housing Specialist. He brings over 10 years’ experience in the private sector having worked in Chicago in Facility and Property Management. In his two years at the Land Bank, he has been instrumental in finding solutions to the housing challenges faced locally and regionally. He has won the Emerging Leader of the Year award from the National Land Bank Network/Center for Community Progress, the Home Builders Association of Michigan Emerging Advocate award, and the 2026 Regional Impact Award from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
Antonio and his wife Kristina reside in Ishpeming and have a 1 year old toddler. He also volunteers his time and serves on the Board of the Marquette Food Co-op and is the Vice President of the Michigan Alumni Association of the Upper Peninsula chapter.
He's here today to talk about housing issues in Marquette County.
He was joined by Grace Freed, one of the staff t the Land Bank.

More information at https://www.facebook.com/mqtcolandbank.

06/03/2026

Kenneth “Charlie” passed away on March 19th, 2026

06/03/2026

Following our Rotary meeting on Monday, June 15, we will head to the Bog Walk for a cleanup project.

Our focus will be trimming back tree branches and bushes along the trail to help keep the area accessible and enjoyable for visitors.

Please bring:

Work gloves

Branch trimmers, loppers, pruning shears, or any type of cutting tool suitable for small branches and brush

Sunscreen

Tick repellent/protection

Water and appropriate outdoor footwear

There is a potential for ticks in the area. Sally did find one tick after our last cleanup. It's always best to be prepared and take precautions.

At this time, we believe the cut branches and brush can be left in the bog area rather than hauled away.

We will begin immediately following the Rotary meeting.

Also, there will be a very brief meeting of the Feeding America Committee immediately following the Rotary meeting to coordinate final details for the Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry scheduled for June 17.

Thank you for helping maintain one of Marquette's unique natural resources and for your continued service to our community. I hope to see many of you there.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Chuck Blaksmith
President 2025-2026

06/02/2026

Services for Charlie Wright, a great Rotarian and person

Wednesday, June 3, 2026
10:00AM - 12:00PM
Woodland Church
393 M-553
Marquette, MI 49855

Service
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
12:00PM
Woodland Church
393 M-553
Marquette, MI 49855
Dr. Wright’s service will be livestreamed at the link below.

https://my.gather.app/remember/kenneth-charlie-wright-md

05/30/2026

Thanks to Scott Schmeltzer, the sponsorship chair and Steve Whelan, the teams chair,for their tireless work that assured a successful golf outing, and to the entire committee.

05/30/2026

A great day and great PR.

Over three decades of this fundraiser in and the club has raised a lot of money to give back.