Home Page Stories
Meet the Officers
Our new officers were inducted at an outdoor dinner at the home of new president Mary Sloan and husband Jeff Lichty.  The officers are, from left, Stephanie Banks, president elect, Jeff Lichty, treasurer, Matt Senter, past president, Mary Sloan, president and Kayla Haddad, Interact co-president. Planning for a great and productive year!
 
Rotarians helping  DRAW
Rotarians spent a Monday evening at DRAW (Disaster Relief at Work) packing buckets with cleaning supplies, latex gloves, work gloves, safety googles, baths and hand towels.  The buckets were sealed and placed along with others on warehouse shelves to be sent to communities around the US hit by natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes and tornadoes. 
 
Our Exciting New Project
As the President of the Rotary Club of Clarkston, I’m excited to announce that the Rotary Club of Clarkston is sponsoring a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for Clarkston!  This initiative allows each child from ages 0 – 5 to register for a FREE book each month in the three zip codes of Clarkston: 48346 – 48347 – 48348.
Each year, the President of the Rotary Club of Clarkston, along with its members, decides on a “Presidential Project”.  These projects aim to give back to the community in unique ways and are something the club takes great pride in.  Past projects have included assisting the Clarkston Lighthouse with a new vehicle and a storage shed, Christmas lights for downtown Clarkston and  many, many others.  During the early stages of COVID, while meeting virtually, the members of the Rotary Club of Clarkston came up with the idea of sponsoring the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for the children in the local community.  While I’m proud to call this my presidential  project, it was, and will continue to be, an effort by every member of our club and our community to ensure that every child is able to enjoy this program to the fullest extent possible.

Want to help support this wonderful community endeavor?

We greatly appreciate anyone wanting to donate to ensure ALL kids in our community are able to receive a FREE book each month.  To continue this project for years to come, we need a total of $40,000+- a year.  With enough support we hope to add additional zip codes of our neighboring communities to help enrich the lives of even more children. Follow  the link below to donate

https://donate.imaginationlibrary.com/#us-MICLARKSTON

Clarkston Rotary & Interact Clubs Working Together
 
The Lakeview Cemetery Restoration Project provided the perfect opportunity for the Clarkston Rotary and its sponsored Clarkston High School Interact Club members to join forces on Saturday, May 8th in helping to clean and preserve gravestones. Over twenty members helped to scrape away years of moss and grime. Afterwards, everyone could take pride in their completed efforts and planned on returning for future scheduled activities.
The Clarkston Interact Club presented a check for $350 to the Daughters of the American Revolution, Sashabaw Plains Chapter to help clean gravestones. They held a can and bottle drive and donated fifty percent of their proceeds to the restoration project.
The Lakeview Cemetery Project is a multi-year effort to restore and repir gravestones of many of the people who helped to settle and establish Clarkston.
Read more...
Good-Bye, Dear Friend!
It is with heavy hearts that we say "good-bye" to our friend, John Priebe.  John joined the Clarkston Rotary Club October 4, 1976.  He served as club president  in 1987-88, which was the first year women were allowed in Rotary. He described that as a very volatile time, as many male members didn't want women in their club. He weathered the storm and pulled the Clarkston Rotary ship into calmer waters.  Instead of "Happy Bucks" at our last meeting, we shared some of our favorite memories of John; timekeeper for Clarkston High School football games, organizing the annual SCAMP picnic for students and their families, directing families at the annual Shoes for Kids event, top sales person for our wine party fund raiser.  He liked to complain that he "never won the 50-50 raffle," which we showed many times wasn't true.  He liked to contradict the other members, and no one paid any attention as they knew he wasn't serious.  He kept perfect attendance in Rotary for 40+ years, until Covid made it hard to meet.  He will be missed by many.  It's hard to say "good-bye."
Read more...
Clarkston's New Interact Club
Clarkston's new Interact club is up and running!  Their first two projects were decorating gift boxes for a project at Pine Knob Elementary and their second was planting crocuses in downtown Clarkston and at Pine Knob Elementary.  Their most  recent project is described by their president, Annabelle, in the following exuberant paragraph.
 
The Interact Winter Drive went perfectly. Starting with the marketing for our event, my communication officers did a flawless job spreading the word. Savannah and Aj reached out to just about every part of Clarkston to ensure that we'd get maximum donations. And that we did! We ended up with an abundance of donations shown in the pictures attached. Included in these donations were brand new toys/clothes, and lightly used books, clothes, coats, toys, and miscellaneous items. Over the weekend, we were visited by some of Clarkston's own Rotarians, and by some of the parents of the volunteers. The volunteers consisted of primarily my Interactors (which is what we call club members), and by two CHS students. A great turnout of Interactors and donators! Everybody was happy to be volunteering and donating. We loved all the smiles and words of encouragement. While we weren't promoting donations to our club, we managed to get $50 cash. Our next project is to raise money so we can do more projects and we're working on getting a checking account for Interact under Rotary. Our club is solid! My service coordinators, Jake and Quincy basically set the entire event up from getting a volunteer schedule together to contacting Grace center of Hope and just figuring everything out. I'm beyond excited for what's to come! Thank you, Clarkston! 
Good-bye to our Favorite Santa
Sadly, we lost another former Rotary member. For many years Ken was our favorite Rotary paper seller as he dressed up in his wonderful Santa Claus outfit and collected donations at the corner of Washington and Main Streets in downtown Clarkston.  He will be missed!
Good-bye Rotarian Lu Hewko
For those who knew Rotarian Lu Hewko, I'm sad to report that he passed away December 2 at 91 years of age.  At the time of his death, he was surrounded by his children. Lu was a great and devoted Rotarian having served as Clarkston Rotary's president in 1992-93.  He was very active in Ukranian Boy Scouts and involved our club, along with two other international clubs, in a major medical equipment shipment after the Chernobyl disaster. He helped found the Rotary Club of Kiev. 
 
Lu came to the United States after WWII.  He had to survive crossing both the Eastern Front at the beginning of the war and the Western Front toward the end of the war.  His stories of his life were fascinating!
 
You may have known him through his wife Natalie, who was a very popular teacher in Clarkston for years.
 
He will be missed by many.
Thanking Our Supporters
For obvious reasons, we won't be able to hold our fall wine party this year, but that doesn't mean we're not still working hard.  We want to be sure we are supporting the restaurants that have been so generous to us by providing the fabulous food for our wine parties over the years, so our club members are ordering meals or gift cards from those establishments and letting them know it is Clarkston Rotary's "Thank You" for their ongoing help. We encourage others to join us and to tell the restaurants how grateful we are.  If you've had a favorite at the party, please patronize them and say "thanks" from Rotary.   If you go, please take a picture and send it to me at marymsloan@comcast.net.  
 
Our weekly meetings
We are holding our weekly meetings on line, Mondays at 6:00PM.  If you would like to join a virtual meeting, please email President Chad or Immediate Past President Cassie to have them send you a link.  We'd love to see you.
 
 
In With the New
Well, we couldn't do it in person, but Cassie welcomed Chad to the presidency virtually.  Last year he welcomed her as the 2019-20 president, now she would love to hand him the gavel in person.  Although the big party will have to wait until a safer time, we're all behind our new president as we move into the new Rotary year.  Congratulations Chad!

Back in Action at the Clarkston Lighthouse
Last week we got back into action at the Clarkston Lighthouse. We will once again be partnering with this great organization to help improve the flow of resources to those in need in the Clarkston community. Rotarian's gathered (safely!) to assist with the cleanup of an overgrown parking space in the preparation of new shed that will be installed this summer. Keep on the look out for more on this project as the weeks go on!
Upcoming Virtual Meeting
Update from the Chamber
If you would like to hear what's going on with the Clarkston Chamber activities during this social distancing time, join us at a virtual meeting on Monday, June 15 at 6:00 PM.  Contact president Cassie for a link to the meeting.
Come Join Us
Our club is meeting virtually on Monday evenings at 6:00.  If you would like to join us, please let our president Cassie know so she can send you an invitation.  We'd love to have you!
Rotary/VOSH Trip to Kenya Presentation
Clarkston Rotarians Mary Sloan and Jeff Lichty teamed up with 15 others from Michigan, Ontario, Virginia  and Colorado to accompany 5000 pairs of eye glasses to Kenya.  The team saw 2198 patients in five clinics north of Nairobi to perform eye exams and dispense glasses to those found to need them. 
New Meeting Day
Our meeting day has been changed.  Please join us on our new meeting day,  Mondays,  6:30PM at Buck Shot's Bar and Grill to enjoy Rotary fellowship, interesting speakers and planning Rotary "business."
What a Party!
Thank you to everyone who attended our fundraising party at Bordine's Nursery.  And thank you to all the restaurants who donated their time and great selection of food as well as the individuals and businesses that donated raffle and auction prizes.  You all made the evening a real success!  Your donations allow us to do a lot of good work!
Rotary Club of Clarkston 2021 Community Service Project - Newspaper Sales & "Shoes for Kids"
Posted by Joel DeLong
Volunteerng for Rotary Club of Clarkston (Goodfellow) newspaper sales:
Clarkston Rotarians and other community volunteers will be on Clarkston area streets and at local businesses on Friday, November 12th and Saturday, November 13th from 7:30 AM until 5:00 PM selling the Rotary Club of Clarkston published paper for donations.
Sign Up!
On Saturday, December 4th additional groups (including Boy and Girl Scouts) will be at Neiman's Family Market and three Holiday related locations (CIDL Holiday book sale, Clarkston Garden Greenery at Calvary Lutheran, and a Christmas Craft show at CHS). Volunteers can sign up for two hour shifts.
100% of the monies collected that weekend will be spent the following weekend on the Clarkston Rotary's annual "Shoes for Kids" program.
 
Sign up on-line at Signup Genius.com - Rotary Club of Clarkston 2021 Rotary Newspaper Volunteers
TO SIGNUP FOR NEWSPAPER SALES COPY AND PASTE URL: 
 
 
 
OR GO TO: signupgenius.com/findasignup-  Under "Search for a Sign Up" enter e-mail  mindyjoel@aol.com
 
Volunteering for “Shoes for Kids” program for Clarkston school children:
Rotary Club of Clarkston "Shoes for Kids" 2021 program will provide over 400 Clarkston school children with new shoes, winter boots, hats and gloves. 
The Clarkston Area Lions will offer free eye exams and the Clarkston Optimists will provide new socks. Local dentists are donating toothbrushes and toothpaste to promote better dental hygiene. In addition MPK Photography will be taking a family portrait or a sitting with Santa at no cost to the family.  
 
"Shoes for Kids" begins with a setup at Calvary Lutheran Church on Bluegrass Drive on Friday night, November 19th with over 40 volunteers needed between 3:30 PM until about 8:30 PM helping set up tables, unloading and setting out the shoe, boot, hat and glove inventory to get ready for the event on Saturday, November 20th. 
On Saturday, December 14th, 140 volunteers are needed in two hour shifts beginning at 7:30 AM until the last child leaves about 3:30 PM.
Various assignments include checking in and out families at various areas, hat & glove room, shoe and boot inventory area, shoe helpers, shoe fitters, guides and kitchen help. Several of the locations permit sitting down.
After the event ends about 3:30 PM another 20 to 30 people will take an inventory, help pack up, load into vehicles, and the church cleaned and set up for Sunday services. We will be finished before 7:00 PM. Food and drinks will be made available for volunteers throughout the day.
Join us in one of the largest annual Clarkston community service projects. 
Clarkston Community School students and others can also earn community service hours. 
 
Volunteers are able to sign up on-line for a variety of jobs at Signup Genius -- Rotary Club of Clarkston’s “Shoes for Kids” .
 
TO SIGNUP FOR "SHOES FOR KIDS" COPY AND PASTE URL (below):
Sign Up!
 
OR GO TO: signupgenius.com/findasignup - Under "Search for a Sign Up" enter e-mail  mindyjoel@aol.com
 
We are also asking for donations of hotel size or larger soaps, body wash, shampoos, creme rinses, body lotions, deodorant, toothpaste and mouthwashes for "Shoes for Kids". If you or anyone you know have extras please consider donating and bringing them either on Friday, November 19th or by calling Joel or Mindy DeLong at 248-625-9741 to make arrangements before the day of the event for pickup.
 
Background:
For the past 81 years the Rotary Club of Clarkston has proudly sold a published newspaper for donations on the streets of Clarkston. The first 38 years were primarily focused on providing Clarkston families with Holiday food baskets, Christmas gifts and funds for medical issues, heating and lights. During the past 43 years our club's "Shoes for Kids" program has focused on providing new shoes, winter boots, hats and gloves to Clarkston school children.
 
Over the past 23 years over 11,000 children have participated in the program, thousands of volunteers have committed their time and the Clarkston community has generously donated over $300,000 to help make "Shoes for Kids" a reality for Clarkston school children. The Clarkston Rotary would like to sincerely thank everyone involved for their trust and dedication. 
For more information regarding Rotary Club of Clarkston, the programs or the volunteer positions please call Joel or Mindy DeLong at 248-625-9741 or e-mail mindyjoel@aol.com.
Help make a difference in a child's life.
 
Rotarians in Action
Posted on Sep 05, 2019
Last evening, several Clarkston Rotarians helped cook dinner at Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac. They also helped the kitchen crew get ahead on some meal prep for the week by hand shredding about a dozen cooked turkeys. What a great place to do some good in the world!!
Team RUSH
Posted on Aug 14, 2019
Team RUSH joined us during our meeting this evening and gave us an update on their many successes over the past school year. Team RUSH is a high school robotics team out of Clarkston High School, located in Clarkston Michigan. The Clarkston Rotary is a proud sponsor of this fantastic group of bright minds and we were honored to present them with this years donation! 
Change in Leadership
President Cassie Driscoll holds the gavel as she begins her year of leadership.  Her parents and grandmother were on hand to help us celebrate!  It promises to be a great year.  "Clarkston Rotary is the Place to Be."
Welcome Diane and Laura
The Clarkston Rotary welcomed two new members, Laura Naglik and Diane Pierce to our family on May 29th.  Laura and Diane were both searching for ways to enrich their community and have found that through Rotary. Could you be the next piece of the puzzle?
What a Party!
Thank you to everyone who was able to enjoy the Spring Wine Party on May 14 at Andiamo's!  It was a great evening of fellowship, and helped raise money for the many projects, local and international, that the Clarkston Rotary supports!  We really appreciate the local businesses that donated raffle prizes.   Thanks to our wonderful community for your continued support.
Welcome, Sara!
President Mary Sloan welcomes our newest member, Sara Hennig, to our Rotary family.  Sara has long been a supporter of our Rotary Youth Exchange program and is a most welcome new Rotarian!  It's great to have her aboard.
Rotary Welcomes new member Eric
Clarkston Rotary's now second newest member, Eric Yeloushan, and his family were welcomed into the club.  It's a pleasure to have them aboard!
Rotary Moving to a New Night
Beginning in January, the Clarkston Rotary will be moving its meetings to Wednesday evenings.  Same place.  Please check the meeting schedule on the right hand column.  Join us for dinner and fellowship as we work to make our community an even better place to live. 
2018 - A successful “Shoes for Kids” program for Clarkston children:
 
Clarkston Rotary's "Shoes for Kids" held on Saturday, December 8th invited 436 Clarkston school children to attend the event and receive new shoes, winter boots, hats and gloves. The Clarkston Area Lions provided free eye exams and the Clarkston Optimists gave new socks to each child. Fifteen local dentists donated toothbrushes and toothpaste to promote better dental hygiene. MPK Photography ended a perfect day by taking a family portrait or a sitting with Santa at no cost to the family. Santa listened intently to a lengthy request list.
 
"Shoes for Kids" began with a setup by 50 volunteers at Oakland Woods Baptist Church on Maybee Road on Friday night, December 7th in preparation for Saturday. 
On Saturday, December 8th, 140 volunteers volunteered in two hour shifts and stayed until the last child left around 3:30 PM. Various assignments included checking in families, the hat & glove room, selecting socks, shoe inventory, shoe helpers, shoe fitters, and guides.  
 
The Clarkston Rotary would like to thank all of the volunteers who took time out of their busy December schedule to help make “Shoes for Kids” a reality again this year.  
  
Background:
For the past 78 years the Clarkston Rotary has proudly sold a published newspaper for donations on the streets of Clarkston. During the first 38 years were primarily focused on providing Clarkston families with Holiday food baskets, Christmas gifts and funds for medical issues, heating and lights. During the past 40 years our club's "Shoes for Kids" program has been providing new shoes, winter boots, hats and gloves to Clarkston children.
Over the past 21 years over 8,400 children have participated in the distribution project, thousands of volunteers have committed their time and the Clarkston community has generously donated of $275,000. 100% of the donation directly support the yearly program.
 
For more information regarding the programs or volunteering in the future please call Clarkston Rotarian Joel or Mindy DeLong at 248-625-9741
 
Read more...
What a Party it Was!
October 25th was the evening of our biggest fundraiser, our wine, beer and spirits party, and it was very successful.  The crowd was large, the food was delicious, the added spirits were a hit with those people who don't drink beer or wine, the auction tables were active.  Thanks to all who attended and those who worked the party with us.  If you weren't able to attend this year, please make a note to watch for the party next year.  Your generosity makes it possible for us to do all the great things Rotary does, locally and internationally.  Clarkston Rotary allows us to make changes in our local community, in the world and in ourselves.
 
 
What a Great Meeting!
We held our meeting at Clarkston Lighthouse where we sorted and packed donations that the football team had collected at their food drive.  We packed 3500 pounds of food, or 39 pounds per minute! And we had a great time doing it.  Talk about organizations working together to create change!
Amazing Young People
We heard a fantastic presentation by representatives of Team RUSH, our high school US CHAMPIONSHIP ROBOTICS TEAM.  What energetic young people!  We are proud to help them achieve their goals.
What a way to spend the evening!
Tonight's Rotary meeting was held at the home of Rotarian Dan and his wife Carol.  A great meal, Rotary fellowship, some serious Rotary business and boat ride on beautiful Dixie Lake.  Aaaah, Rotary!
Good-bye party for Louis
We said "Good-Bye" to Louis, and he's on his way back to France.  The party was a great success with talks by Louis, his host families, his counselor, and returned YE students Miranda Moore and Sara Banks.  Now we're looking forward to meeting our three incoming students from Switzerland, Thailand and Ecuador.  
Dinner program
At Monday’s meeting we enjoyed a video of a Rotary trip Rotarians Mary Sloan and Jeff Lichty took to Kenya to provide eye care to about 1200 people.  Working with Rotary clubs in Nairobi and Nakuru, the team of 10 traveled with eye doctors from VOSH (Volunteer Optometrists Servicing Humanity), and the movie documenting the trip was enlightening and entertaining.  
Read more...
A Present for Louis
Congratulations, Louis, for earning your letter jacket!    Louis's host mom, Laura Burrum, sent the following to the Clarkston Rotary Club in December.  
"Louis is a fantastic kid...that has recently made a great accomplishment by any 16 year old standard.  He received his Clarkston Varsity Letter in Cross Country Running.  His personal record was a 5k in 19:11. He improved 4.93% through his season. Clarkston has an incredible cross country team and because of that the requirements to acquire a letter is difficult and challenging.
Varsity letters and Varsity Jackets are not heard of in France and Louis really really really wants this badge of honor on a Clarkston jacket.
Louis is not the kind of kid that asks for much of anything and appreciates everything!"
 
So on Monday evening, with many of his host parents, host siblings, Rotary counselor  and friends in attendance, Louis received his jacket.  What a great evening.  The club thanks its Youth Exchange team  from the club and the support from the community for this great opportunity. 
Off site visit for Clarkston Rotary
On Monday evening, January 29, Clarkston Rotarians gathered to assemble goody bags and craft kits for the the upcoming Valentines Dance being held by the Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan. Member Brad Evans serves on the Foundation's Board and is very supportive of their work. If you'd like to read more about CLF or ways to donate, please visit their website http://leukemiamichigan.org/about-us/
 
"Shoes for Kids" benefits from newspaper sales
Posted by J DeLong on Dec 18, 2017
            The Clarkston Rotary Club would like to sincerely thank all of those who so generously donated during the recent newspaper sales on local streets and holiday activities. The spirit of the donors was encouragement for those volunteers collecting, not only for their contributions but also for the appreciation of their efforts.
            “Shoes for Kids” has been the Clarkston Rotary’s signature community service project for the past 39 years. It takes the collaborative efforts of not only club members but the many friends of Rotary and family members to bring each year’s project to fruition.  The Clarkston Rotary has been proudly involved in a Goodfellow type newspaper sales and subsequent service project for the past 77 years.
            On December 9th 320 Clarkston community school children were hosted at Oakland Woods Baptist Church and provided with new winter boots, shoes, hats, and gloves.
The Clarkston Rotary Club and all of the many volunteers would like to say thank you to the Clarkston community as collectively, ‘We Can Make a Difference in a Child’s Life’.
            The Clarkston Rotary would like to express its gratitude and appreciation by acknowledging the following groups, organizations and businesses for the success of this year’s program:
            ● A special thank you to The Clarkston News, Jim Sherman and Don Rush, Publisher and their staff for preparation and publication of the special Goodfellow edition, as well as the efforts of Rotarian Mary Sloan in bringing the paper to print.
             ● We are truly grateful to Oakland Woods Baptist Church, Pastor Sheridan and their congregation for hosting the annual shoe distribution day. To their church members for volunteering their time to help insure that both projects are an absolute success.
            ● To Boy Scout Troop #199 and their troop leaders for organizing troop members in collecting donations at three holiday event locations. They exemplify everything a community looks for from its future leaders. Troop #199 has provided continuous support to this community service project for the past 19 years.
            ● To Cub Scout Pack #499 for participating in their fifth year of selling newspapers at Neiman’s Family Market. The enthusiasm and efforts of the scouts did not go unnoticed.       
● To the Clarkston Optimists for their continued support with the Opti-Socks program.
            ● To the Clarkston Area Lions Club for providing free eye exams to all of the families attending.
            ● To the City of the Village of Clarkston for providing their warm DPW garage for use as a newspaper headquarters.
            ● To Lighthouse of Oakland County, and the Clarkston Community School administration, Social Workers, teachers and staff for their efforts and support of the “Shoes for Kids” program.
            ● To MPK Photo and Mark Kelly for building family memories through the family portraits and photos taken with Santa throughout the day.
            ● To Jim Jacques for spending the entire day in a warm red suit making kids laugh and smile as they tell Santa what they want for Christmas.
            ● To Neiman’s Family Market for permitting Cub Scouts to learn community service by selling newspapers at their Clarkston store and their continued support of the Clarkston Rotary’s many community service projects.
            ● To Union Joints (Woodshop and Clarkston Union), Hamlin Pub, Brioni’s Café and Deli, and the Tim Horton’s on Maybee for their commitment and dedication in supporting the many volunteers involved over the two weekends.
            ● A special thank you to the Clarkston elementary schools who hosted their annual Hat, Mitten and Glove Tree collections. Their continued support provides variety for the attending children as well as extending the program further into the community. 
            ● To all of the volunteers, friends, and family members of the Clarkston Rotary Club who gave so generously of their time, energy, and donations to make this year’s events a true gift. It is the dedication and commitment of the almost 300 volunteers over the two weekends that ultimately benefits so many Clarkston children.
 
From the Clarkston Rotary Club & Joel DeLong “Shoes for Kids” Chair
Yet another great speaker at Monday's meeting!
Nice crowd at tonight's meeting!  10 members and 6 guests.  Our speaker was Chelsea O'Brien of the Clarkston Family Farm.  Chelsea enthusiastically engaged us in what sounds like an energetic undertaking and a real positive experience for the students of Clarkston Community Schools.The community has been very supportive of the farm on the corner of Hubbard Road and M15.   Many of us didn't even know it was there!  Some of us knew it was there but only knew bits and pieces of what goes on there.  Chelsea explained that the property adjacent to the Independence Elementary School was originally being used by the District for storage.  She learned about it and three years later she and Doctor Rock worked together to make it a wonderful opportunity for the children here in Independence Township.  "It's a win-win for all of us.  A perfect fit for a non-profit educational farm to be on an educationally-zoned property that used to be a horse farm " Chelsea said.  She also mentioned that the soil is rich for gardening, thanks to the horses.
 
For more information about it and to learn some of the opportunities for children, go to http://www.clarkstonfamilyfarm.com  or to the Clarkston Family Farm Facebook page.
November 15 meeting a big success
Posted by Mary Sloan
What a great evening!  Our public meeting on opiod abuse held at the Clarkston Independence Library was well attended and proved to be worth the time spent.  We had 39 people in attendance, 13 of whom were Clarkston Rotarians.  We also had some Ortonville Rotarians attend.  Our speaker, Rony Foumia, did an excellent job of explaining how the problem has become so serious over the years and what needs to happen to start to turn the awful statistics around.  The consensus of Rotarians seemed to be that we should consider doing more public interest meetings, maybe quarterly if we have interesting and timely topics.  Something for discussion, certainly.
 
Opioid Crisis Explored - Thursday, Nov15th 6:30 PM @ CIDL
Posted on Nov 15, 2017
Opioid Crisis Explored
 
The Opioid Epidemic has become a national emergency and impacts every community in Michigan.
 
On November 15th the Clarkston Rotary and Clarkston Inependence District Library present a program to explore this critical topic. Rony Fournia, an expert on opioid addiction will lead the discussion on the causes, risk factors, protective strategies, warning signs of addiction and how to find help.
 
Mr. Foumia, Pharmacist and Regional Manager for Rite Aid, is a nationally recognized speaker on opioid addiction and was recently appointed to the Michigan Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee by Governor Snyder. Rony feels passionately about the importance of educating the public and has presented numerous lectures on public health issues.
 
The opioid program will be held at the Clarkston Independence District Library, 6495 Clarkston Road on November 15th beginning at 6:30 PM. To reserve your seat see the CIDL's event clendar at www.cidlibrary.org or call the library at 248-625-2212.
 
The Clarkston Rotary, providing service to the community for 77 years.
 
Great Meeting tonight! November 6th
What a great evening!  We had 10 guests, pretty much a full house.  Many of them came to hear our Rotary Youth Exchange student, Irene Caracciolo, talk about her exchange year so far.  She told us about the activities in which she has participated as well as a bit about her family and home in Sicily.
 
Scott Loney was a visitor from the West Bloomfield Rotary Club.  He came to tell us about a program to be put on by his club and the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor West.  On December 3, the clubs will be presenting and honoring Martin Lowenberg, Holocaust survivor, with the Rotary Distinguished Service Award.  Mr. Lowenberg has made it his personal mission to share his story with younger generations in order that this dark period in history is never forgotten.  Five Clarkston Rotarians and their 3 guests have signed up to attend.  Please let me know if you'd like to be added to the list. Or you may register at the link below:
 
More volunteers are needed for the Ronald McDonald trip on November 11.  Please contact President Al if you can participate.
 
Al picked up $22 as winner of the 50-50.
 
Club anniversaries were celebrated by Jim Tedder (4 years), Brad (11 years) and Joel (24 years).  Great to have you all aboard!!
 
We sang "Happy birthday" to Karrie.  We would have sung to Jeff Reddy, too, but he is still in Germany and wouldn't have heard us.
 
Jeff Lichty won the Foundation Drawing.
 
Remember there is no meeting next Monday evening as we are meeting Wednesday, Nov. 15, instead.  Please plan to attend the Wednesday meeting at the Clarkston-Independence Library to hear our speaker on the opiod crisis, a very timely topic.  The meeting is open to the public and has been advertised in a number of places.  A flier is attached.  It will be helpful to have everyone register so we know how many will be in attendance and can plan accordingly. 6:30 refreshments.
A Taste for the Holidays:  A THANK YOU FROM THE CLARKSTON ROTARY
Posted by J.DeLong on Nov 02, 2017
To all those who attended last Thursday's 'A Taste of the Holidays' wine, beer & food extravaganza at Bordine Nursery - THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING AND SUPPORTING THE CLARKSTON ROTARY CLUB.
This event allows our club to fulfill its commitment of community service, both locally in Clarkston as well as internationally.
 
We especially want to thank the great local restaurants and eateries that take time out of the busy, hectic schedules to prepare a virtual palate of taste, textures and colors to the almost 500 patrons that night. Please be sure and tell them what a great job they did the next time you visit them or even better like them on Facebook.
 
The variety of wines of the world and beers sourced from local breweries only added to the intrigue of the night.
 
We hope to see you again next year and ask that you tell your family, friends, neighbors and business associates about the Clarkston event.
 
The Clarkston Rotary Club.
Welcome, Karrie.
On July 10 we welcomed our newest member Karrie Marsh! Welcome, Karrie!!  We're glad to have you aboard.
 
If you are interested in joining our club along with all the wonderful things we do for our community, please contact one of our board members listed at our website: www.clarkstonrotary.com
Read more...
Clarkston Rotarians give back to The Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan
Posted by David Boersma on Jan 30, 2017

Clarkston Rotarians spent their January 30th meeting gathered at the offices of The Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan.  16 in all, we filled gift bags for the Foundation’s Valentine’s Day Dance. More than 140 patients and family members are expected to attend the event so there was plenty of work for Rotarians as well as some of our friends and family members. Although it wasn’t planned, we had enough helping hands to collate and fill dozens of loose leaf binders with information for patients.

Organized by Rotarian Brad Evans, a member of The Leukemia Foundation’s Board, this event gave us an opportunity for wider community service, lively conversation and laughter. We capped the evening off with dinner at the Uptown Grill.

Our club will continue to take on small services projects every month... and all are welcome to join in.  

For information on how to volunteer, please contact one of the Clarkston Rotarians by clicking on any name on our home page.

 

 

 

A big thank you to Eileen Heasley for visiting and speaking to our club about her passion for clean water.....
Posted on Jan 23, 2017

Eileen has worked for 30 years with teachers and children, the Michigan Virtual High School, and Central Michigan University. She is certified in the construction and maintenance of the Biosand water filter. Eileen is a past president of the Rotary in Troy, Michigan. She has been promoting water filtration for developing countries around the world since 2001 and travels to Nepal each year to check on water and health issues in adopted villages and to begin new projects there. She has facilitated the CAWST (the Center for Affordable Water) Biosand Filter Workshop since 2004.

 

Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan
Posted by David Boersma on Jan 11, 2017
On January 30th, our club will be visiting the Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan in Farmington Hills to help with the preparations for their Valentine's Day dance. Anyone interested in joining us for the evening, please contact a Rotarian personally or through our website 
 
Clarkston Cultural Arts
Posted by David Boersma on Jan 08, 2017
Tonight Denyse Loveless Couture spoke to our club about Clarkston Cultural Arts. Clarkston Cultural Arts is bringing the Detroit Institute of Arts' Inside Out program back to Clarkston. This year's program will combine replication of some of the world's greatest artists, along with art from local artists. Come and hear about this program and other creative art events that will be taking place in the Clarkston area this year.
 
  
"Shoes for Kids" - Another Successful Year 
Posted by Joel DeLong on Jan 03, 2017
The Clarkston Rotary would like to again thank the Clarkston Community for helping to make the 38th annual "Shoes for Kids" program an absolute success.
 
Those who truly benefited were the Clarkston children who left Oakland Woods Baptist Church on December 10th with large smiles and warm boots and gloves.
 
The donations received during our club's Goodfellow newspaper sales the first weekend in December provide the financial means to hold the annual event. The efforts of the volunteers hitting the Clarkston streets is greatly appreciated and they make it all possible.
 
Forty volunteers gave up a Friday night to help set up and prepare for the distribution on Saturday. Their efforts allowed for the fastest setup ever.
 
On Saturday, December 10th one hundred and forty volunteers participated throughout the day in various activities assisting the three hundred and sixty five children attending the event.
 
Thank you as collectively we have helped make a difference in a child's life.
 
 
A Special Thank You to following groups for helping to make it all possible:
- The Clarkston News and Don Rush
- The City of the Village of Clarkston
- Oakland Woods Baptist Church
- Clarkston Area Lions Club
- Clarkston Optimist Club
- Boy Scout Troop #199
- Cub Scout Pack #499
- Friends of the Clarkston Independence Township Library  
- Clarkston Community School & their Social Workers
- Lighthouse of Oakland County - Clarkston Office
- MPK Photography
- Jim Jacques (Santa)
- Neiman's Family Market
- Broner Hat & Glove
- Union Joints, Woodshop & Clarkston Union
- Hamlin Pub
- Hungry Howie's - Sashabaw Road
- Tim Hortons - Maybee Road
Merry Christmas
Posted by David Boersma
Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself...
 
Norman Wesley Brooks
From our club to you... Happy Thanksgiving
Posted by David Boersma
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
 
Thank you!
Posted by Joel Delong on Dec 04, 2016

Thank you to all the Goodfellow volunteers for braving the streets of Clarkston. Without your help "Shoes for Kids" wouldn't be possible. Collectively we raised over $13,000 through the generosity of others.

The collections will be put to use this coming Saturday when we distribute Shoes, Boots, Hats and Gloves to 300+ children in need. If you or someone you know would like to get a heart filled with joy helping fit children... there is still time to volunteer. Please visit: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4da8af2aa5fe3-shoes2

Thank you and have a Very Merry Christmas!

Clarkston Rotary Club

Grace Centers of Hope on Monday November 14th
Posted by David Boersma on Nov 11, 2016

Our club will not be having our regular Monday evening meeting on November 14th. Instead our club will be volunteering at the kitchen of Grace Centers of Hope (http://www.gracecentersofhope.org/welcome) in Pontiac. In addition to all the great things we do such as:

• Shoes for Kids
• Renaissance High School Scholarships
• Youth Exchange Students
• Team RUSH Robotics Team Sponsorship
• Cub Scout Pack 499 Chartering
• Clarkston Labor Day Parade
• Independence Township Summer Youth Day Camp
• Clarkston Community Schools HELP Program
• Polio Plus
• Shelter Box
• SCAMP Picnic
• Rotary Foundation
• Monthly Service Projects - Operation Gratitude, Children's Hospital Pillows, Grace Centers of Hope
• Yearly Presidential Project - This year's project is support to "The Friends of the North Oakland County Veterans Treatment Court"

We work together on a smaller scale service project once a month. If you would like to join us for any of our future projects, please visit our club on a Monday evening to see all the great things we are doing to help in our community.... and hear some of our fantastic speakers!

Please view our calendar.

Hope to see you soon!

A Taste of the Holiday Thank You
Posted by David Boersma

Our fall wine tasting was a great success last night. Thank you to all the restaurants and vendors for sure!

Via Bologna
MacPhee's Restaurant
Parties & Shindigs, LLC
Pita Way
Kruse --Deer Lake Inn
Hamlin Pub
O'Malley's Galley Restaurant
LA Café
OverTime
Joe's Crab Shack
Buffalo Wild Wings--Tom
Hill Top

Great food, great wine, micro brews.... and people!

Thanks to all that attend. Hope everyone can make it to the Spring Tasting!!!

 

We miss you Bart Clark
Posted on Sep 04, 2016
It is with a heavy heart that the Clarkston Rotary says, “Good-Bye” to past president Bart Clark who died suddenly over the Labor Day weekend.  
 
       
 
Bart lived a full and exciting life.  He served in the U.S. Navy for 26 years in the nuclear submarine force.  After serving as commander of the nuclear submarine USS Omaha, he went on to serve as the commander of two naval shores activities.  His final tour was as Professor of Naval Science at the University of Michigan, during which time he belonged to the Ann Arbor Rotary club.  Following his navy career, Bart worked for the Ford Motor company for 11 years.  Bart was the great, great, great grandson of Jeremiah Clark, one of the two Clark brothers from whom Clarkston takes its name.  In addition to his long-time membership in the Clarkston Rotary Club, he was involved in numerous community committees and projects.  The members of the Clarkston Rotary knew they could always call on Bart to chair or serve on any committee, from chairing the  Clarkston Rotary 75th birthday celebration to helping organizing the staging for this year’s Labor Day parade.
 
Rest in peace, Bart.  
 
We miss you.
Read more...
Operation Gratitude!
Posted by David Boersma on Aug 07, 2016
During our club meeting August 8th, we all wrote personal letters of appreciation to New Recruits, Veterans, First Responders, U.S. Service Members deployed overseas, Wounded Heroes and their caregivers.....
 
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Annual SCAMP Picnic
Posted by David Boersma on Jul 18, 2016
Last evening our Rotarian's treated the Clarkston SCAMP parents, families, children and counselors to a picnic at Bay Court Park. Clarkston Rotary does this every year to provide the SCAMP families a chance to spend time together. 
 
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Clarkston Rotary welcomes new board!
Posted by David Boersma
President Joel Delong did a great job with the club and had a great 2015-16.  Joel welcomed the clubs  new president, David Boersma, at a festive affair at beautiful Fountains Golf Course. Outgoing president, Joel Delong, and the past presidents lined up for the traditional passing of the gavel...
 
 
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Calling All Parade entries......
Posted by David Boersma
The Labor Day parade in Clarkston, has been going 74 years and counting.....
Labor Day celebrates the creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country......
Read more...
A Fond Farwell.......
Posted by David Boersma

Our club welcomed this past years host families and outbound youth exchange students Sara Banks and Claire Schleusner to bid a fond farewell to Garfare as she returns back to Thailand. 

Read more...
Club Information
Mailing Address: PO Box 43, Clarkston, MI 48347
Clarkston

We Do Things People Think Just Happen

We meet In Person
Mondays at 5:45 PM
Buck Shots Bar and Grill
7048 Gateway Park Drive
Clarkston, MI 48346
United States of America
We meet the first and third Mondays of the month unless otherwise noted. Please refer to the speaker column for additional information.
District Site
Venue Map
Club Executives & Directors
President
Mary Sloan
President Elect
Stephanie Banks
Secretary
Mary Sloan
Treasurer
Jeff Lichty
Past President
Matt Senter
Membership
Matt Senter
Director
Christopher Hennessy
Youth Services
Jeff Lichty
Sergeant-at-Arms
Joel DeLong
Links
 
Speakers
Business meeting
Aug 15, 2022
First business meeting of the new Rotary year.
Youth Exchange Students
Aug 29, 2022
Waterford Township Supervisor Gary Wall
Oct 03, 2022
Waterford Township update
A Taste for the Holidays
Oct 27, 2022 6:30 PM
Plan to attend our wine party Bordine's Nursery to welcome the holiday season.
View entire list...
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