Get to know this Rotarian: Dan Rickard
Current occupation: Owner of The Copy Shop on 8th and Woodmere
How long have you been a Rotarian? Since 1995, 26 years this summer!
What made you interested in joining Rotary? My father "suggested" I get involved in a service club. A friend invited me to a Rotary lunch and I found I knew quite a few Rotarians. I knew of the impact Rotary had on the local community and decided that I wanted to be a part of making the community a better place.
What do you love the most about rotary? Rotarians say YES to requests in the club and in their personal businesses and lives.
What has been your favorite program or volunteer opportunity with rotary to participate in? There are 3 of us who have Co-Chaired the Christmas Baskets program for over 10 years. Since 1995, my first year when I was given a family and some money and told to make a family's Christmas better, I have been hooked. There is nothing better than giving someone joy person to person.
What keeps you with Rotary? Being part of a group that is focused on doing good and positive energy.
What are you currently reading? Between books so I am catching up on National Geographic’s.
What are you currently watching? The Stanley Cup playoffs.
What is a fun fact about you? I played competitive Rugby for about 13 years and another 5 years as an "Old Boy" and played in Golden Oldies tournaments in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and France!
Get to know this Rotarian: Beth Karczewski
Current occupation: Fundraising Consultant
How long have you been a Rotarian? 28 years
What made you interested in joining Rotary? Rotary runs in my family! Grandfather, father, uncle, brother…
What do you love the most about rotary? I love being part of an organization that makes our community a better place to live. And it keeps me informed.
What has been your favorite program or volunteer opportunity with rotary to participate in? I’ve pretty much done it all, served on all the boards, and was even Club President, but some of my fondest memories have been participating with the Rotary Show production crew and performing on stage with my dad.
What keeps you with Rotary? Friendships. After all these years, the Rotary Club members are my peeps!
What are you currently reading? I’m on break….actually waiting for a book on hold for almost a month!
What are you currently watching? We have been watching several Korean (subtitled) series’ on Netflix.
They are quirky, culturally different, and extremely well done. Check ‘em on Netflix: Mystic Pop-up Bar, Vincenzo and Stranger.
What is a fun fact about you? Two fun facts: I’ve been a vegetarian for almost 50 years and I am an accomplished knitter!
Get to know this Rotarian: Marilyn Fitzgerald
Current Occupation: Clinical Psychologist
How long have you been in Rotary? 28 years! Hooray!
What made you interested in joining Rotary? After learning about the community and international service opportunities, I was so excited to join!
What do you love most about Rotary? I love the friendships that are born from a mutual interest to serve the world! In reality when you join Rotary you become a global citizen, we become acutely aware of community and world needs, so working together becomes necessary to help make the world a better place.
What has been your favorite program or volunteer opportunity with Rotary to participate in? It was life-changing for me to serve as a Team Leader in Indonesia during the previous Group Study Exchange program. The team spent six weeks in fellow Rotarian homes in Indonesia. So many more international opportunities grew from that experience.
What keeps you with Rotary? The continuous opportunity for personal growth through service, has always inspired me. It is wonderful to experience the never-ending open hearts of fellow Rotarians willing to dedicate time, talent and treasure to build and create a better world. I find that positive energy contagious!
What are you currently reading? I am hooked on audiobooks! I am a big fan of Brene Brown and just finished Dare to Lead, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo and The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy.
What are you currently watching? Just finished Genius, a true story about Thomas Wolfe and am always inspired by Shark Tank.
What is a fun fact about you? In my 20’s I raced motorcycles, in my 40’s I owned two Harley’s, in my 50’s I saved my own life by giving up motorcycles and taking up boating. I predict I will live longer!!!
Get to know this Rotarian: Ken Osborne
Current occupation? I have been retired since January 31, 2019. Prior to retiring, I was an owner of a manufacturing company, BORIDE Engineered Abrasives, with 2 other partners for 25 years. Altogether I worked for over 45 years in manufacturing.
How long have you been a Rotarian? I joined Rotary in December of 1998.
What made you interested in joining Rotary? While attending U of D Jesuit High School in Detroit all students after their freshman year were required to participate in service projects as part of their curriculum. I participated on several volunteer boards throughout my career and Rotary was the next perfect step for me.
What do you love the most about rotary? All the great friendships I have made while participating in service programs in our club.
What has been your favorite program or volunteer opportunity with rotary to participate in? Without a doubt is the work and participation in our annual Rotary Show. What a great way to raise money for our community and make friendships within our club.
What keeps you with Rotary? All the new people who continue to join our club. I especially enjoy the energy our new young members bring to our club.
What are you currently reading? “Reminiscences” by Douglas MacArthur. It is his personal memoirs of his life and family.
What are you currently watching? I am a sports junkie and enjoy watching live events.
What is a fun fact about you? I enjoy making different types of martini’s (and drinking them) and have a large collection of different types I make.
Current occupation? I have been retired since January 31, 2019. Prior to retiring, I was an owner of a manufacturing company, BORIDE Engineered Abrasives, with 2 other partners for 25 years. Altogether I worked for over 45 years in manufacturing.
How long have you been a Rotarian? I joined Rotary in December of 1998.
What made you interested in joining Rotary? While attending U of D Jesuit High School in Detroit all students after their freshman year were required to participate in service projects as part of their curriculum. I participated on several volunteer boards throughout my career and Rotary was the next perfect step for me.
What do you love the most about rotary? All the great friendships I have made while participating in service programs in our club.
What has been your favorite program or volunteer opportunity with rotary to participate in? Without a doubt is the work and participation in our annual Rotary Show. What a great way to raise money for our community and make friendships within our club.
What keeps you with Rotary? All the new people who continue to join our club. I especially enjoy the energy our new young members bring to our club.
What are you currently reading? “Reminiscences” by Douglas MacArthur. It is his personal memoirs of his life and family.
What are you currently watching? I am a sports junkie and enjoy watching live events.
What is a fun fact about you? I enjoy making different types of martini’s (and drinking them) and have a large collection of different types I make.
My son gave me a Martini Recipe book for Father’s Day this year so my list is growing.
A second fun fact is I had the nickname “Oz” growing up in Detroit. When my wife and I moved to Traverse City in 1981 and new to the area everyone called me Ken. When I joined Rotary my application asked if I had a nickname. I put “Oz on the form. Little did I know it would be on my ID Badge. It was fun having this resurrected by Rotary.
A second fun fact is I had the nickname “Oz” growing up in Detroit. When my wife and I moved to Traverse City in 1981 and new to the area everyone called me Ken. When I joined Rotary my application asked if I had a nickname. I put “Oz on the form. Little did I know it would be on my ID Badge. It was fun having this resurrected by Rotary.