The Rotary of Macomb meets Tuesdays at noon at the First Presbyterian Church.
February 17, 2026 President Seth Minter started the 34th Rotary Club meeting by ringing the Rotary Bell at the First Presbyterian Church in Macomb. The invocation was delivered by Larry Adams, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Nick Knowles.
Dennis Danowski presented the attendance data: 22 members attended in person and 3 participated via Zoom, representing 49% of the club’s membership. With the addition of 7 guests, the total attendance reached 32. The guests included prospective members Tom Casey and Blake Severs; visiting Rotarians Don and Kay Norton from Brookings, South Dakota (former Macomb residents); February Junior Rotarians Dakota Thorman and Ethan Dildine; and Rotary Exchange Student Thea Granheim from Norway.
Seth introduced Dakota Thorman, a senior at MHS, to discuss her involvement in school activities and her plans following graduation. Dakota recently contributed 14 points in the previous evening’s girl’s regional basketball game, which resulted in a significant victory. She is the daughter of Brent Thorman and Stepmother Abbey Thorman, and Mother Jessica Thorman.
Dakota is the eldest of the families’ four siblings. At MHS, she participates in Art Club, FFA, Track and Field, Basketball, and Volleyball.
After graduation, Dakota intends to attend Graceland College in Iowa to continue her track career. She plans to major in biology with the goal of attending veterinary school in the future.
Seven Rotarians contributed “Happy Money” in recognition of recent noteworthy events. Next was the 50/50 drawing and Bruce Biagini had the winning ticket with the chance to win $19 if he drew the 10 of Spades. Drawing the 2 of Hearts, Bruce did not win the cash.
President Seth announced that he had an update on the Shoes for Kids project that our club started. The present collection that has been raised to date is $3,750 and that would be money to purchase 75 shoes! He added that Jimmie Koller would be invited to speak to our club in the near future and tell us the success of this project. Also, the board today approved giving $250 to the McDonough County Humane Society to go towards the new shelter they are planning to build.
Seth introduced fellow Rotarian Steve Hopper, who delivered a program recounting two Rotary-related trips he undertook to Mexico in the past year.
Steve commenced his presentation by detailing his journey to Guadalajara in April 2025, where he represented the President of Rotary International at a District Conference in Acapulco. He expressed that it was a distinguished honor to be invited, and he accepted the role.
The conference proceeded successfully, and during the remainder of his stay, Steve and other representatives engaged with local Rotarians, attended club presentations on their respective projects, and processed requests for project funding. This experience provided valuable insights into the critical need for community-focused initiatives in Mexico.
He continued by sharing highlights from his second trip in November 2025, an annual visit to Mexico City that he has undertaken consecutively for several years.
This trip involved site visits to various Rotary-supported projects as well as opportunities to observe cultural distinctions within the region. Steve described tours of hospitals, technical schools, and community centers, emphasizing the tangible impact Rotary projects have had on these communities. He also noted persistent challenges encountered locally, including issues related to poverty, education, and health care.
The club members expressed appreciation for Steve’s commitment to Rotary and for his comprehensive overview, augmented by engaging commentary and visual documentation from his travels. Steve concluded by encouraging interested Rotarians to consider applying for future trips to Mexico that are conducted each November.
The meeting concluded with the recitation of the “Four Way Test” and the sounding of the Rotary bell, encouraging all members to make Rotary Part Of Their Life – and to “Unite For Good”.
Interested in speaking at Rotary or becoming a member, contact Tom Stites at tastites902@ gmail.com.
