Tom Morris, current President, shared with us his golf classic wining gift certificate for a tour of Ugly Dog Distillery in Chelsea, MI. Rotarians enjoy an evening in a social setting from time to time.
Cathy Jaskiewicz with Scio Sustainability Task Force shared with us what Scio Township the many things it has been doing to make this community more sustainable. As part of the annual Michigan Green Communities (MGC) Challenge, Scio Township achieved gold status in 2025 for exemplary action in multiple categories, including energy efficiency, climate resilience, recycling, mobility, environmental stewardship, and more. MGC guides and supports communities in adapting to a changing climate, protecting infrastructure, improving the quality of life for residents, and creating a more environmentally sustainable and economically competitive future for the state of Michigan. "Scio Township commits itself to a just transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions due to township operations no later than 2030 and to the same goal through all sectors of the township by 2035." To learn more visit: https://www.sciotownshipmi.gov/democracy/township-board-commissions-and-committees/sustainability-task-force
For our morning meeting on October 15, our guest speaker was James W. Morris of Health Focus, a software company headquartered in Dexter, Michigan. Mr. Morris spoke to us about the basics of artificial intelligence, and ended with several pointers for avoiding being duped by scams fueled by artificial intelligence.
Dexter Rotary Club has been providing comfort dogs to Dexter Community Schools since 2011. Currently, Kota is working at Mill Creek Middle School and Maisie is working at Creekside Intermediate School. They are housed and cared for by Marianne Mutschler and Cali McKenney, respectively. The dogs were purchased from the Leader Dogs for the Blind based in Rochester, MI. Kota and Maisie came very close to completing their training but in the end, were unable to graduate as leader dogs. Now they serve the children, staff and family in our schools. We are especially grateful for the generosity of Dexter Mill for providing Maisie and Kota with their nutritional needs and to Village Animal Clinic for Kota’s veterinary needs.
We are asking our community if a veterinarian is available to provide for Maisie’s health care. These special creatures could also use some loving care if anyone knows of a groomer who would be willing to donate their services to keep Kota and Maisie styling.
Here you see both dogs on the job with their new harnesses provided by Dexter Rotary; Kota with Marianne Mutschler and Maisie with Kate Whitcher and Kenna Oesterle.
The Dexter Rotary Club, the Dexter Wellness Coalition, and the Dexter Senior Center, supported by 5 Healthy Towns and Dementia Friendly Services are joining forces to help establish Dexter as a Dementia Friendly Community. This past Sunday Rotarian, Carrie McElroy, along with staff members of the Dexter Senior Center and others shared information about dementia at the Walk to End Alzheimer's. The different color flowers represented how dementia has touched individual lives.
An Ann Arbor resident, Justin Aiken, is the Volunteer-Director of Outreach & Advocacy for the Boys and Girls Club of Rosebud. At one of our morning meetings in September Justin shared with us about his club’s programs on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The Rosebud Indian Reservation is home to the Sicangu Lakota Oyate, a vibrant and resilient nation. Yet like many tribal communities, youth face unique challenges —educational barriers, food insecurity, limited economic opportunity. For more information: https://www.rosebudbgc.org/get-involved#SupportOurMission and www.facebook.com/rosebudbgc
The Dexter Forum, sponsored by the Dexter Rotary Club, meets on first and third Saturdays at the Dexter Senior Center from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. A recent meeting moderated by Rotarians Karl Fink and Caryl Burke and attended by our Congress member, Debbie Dingell, as well as state representatives, local officials and other people worth meeting.
Come to meet and discuss local issues with your neighbors and elected officials, hear stump speeches by candidates for public office and voice your opinions and concerns. DexterForum.com has more information
Evening meeting on 9/24/26 was attended by District Governor Lee Alsted and Assistant District Governor Scott Nelson. Members join because they want to know how to be of service to others and for fellowship. Keep participating in your community as much as possible. 
Sorian Rapson is excited to attend the Culinary Arts program at Schoolcraft College. Dexter Rotarian Rick Vanden Heuvel presented Sorian with a much needed $1,000 check to purchase his culinary tools. Sorian presented the morning meeting attendees with his delicious chocolate chip cookies.
Rotarian and Director of the Dexter Senior Center, Anna Pekrul, shares an update and goals for the center. Membership has grown to over 1,200. There are currently five full-time staff and more are needed. Dexter Senior Center is dementia-friendly, with a dedicated monthly Dementia Friendly Day that provides structured, supportive activities for people with dementia and their caregivers. If you or someone you know is interested, attending the last Wednesday of each month is the best way to experience the program. The Center wants to find more community members to join this event so spread the word. Currently the Center has what is considered a "warming" kitchen; the goal is to have a commercial kitchen A commercial kitchen will allow cooking classes and the abiltiy to serve fresh meals. The plan is to also extend the Center's hours. Currently the Center is open Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm.
Membership is $35 a year! https://dexterseniors.org/membership/
Dexter Rotarians Francie Kivel, Lori Sprague, Jamie Guise and Trish Reonas served wine to art enthusiasts at Dexter's 14th Annual Plein Air Art Festival.
Dexter Rotary President, Tom Morris, presents graduate student Gianna Malavevi with a $1000 scholarship to assist her in purchasing a much needed laptop.
Rotarians gathered at Faith in Action for our evening meeting to stuff backpacks with school supplies and bags with breakfast items to distribute to children attending Dexter Schools.
Members of the Rotary Club of Dexter, the Huron River Watershed Council, and family and friends of Paul Cousins came together to celebrate his legacy. 
The Rotary Club of Dexter formally welcomed new members Carrie McElroy (shown with sponsor Caryl Burke) and Trish Reonas (shown with sponsor Fred Fahrner) on March 26.
Dexter Community Schools Superintendent and Dexter Rotarian Ryan Bruder discussed teaching and learning and the competencies that guide their approach to education.
Ashley Damm, Director of Business Development for The Sun Times News, talks with Dexter Rotary about keeping local news alive in Washtenaw County.
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Jim Mangi of Dementia Friendly Services talked about the pathway to becoming a dementia friendly community.
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Larry Kerber of Homeland Solar discussed solar installations, residential and commercial incentives, and how to keep your ice cream cold with the sun!
Larry Kerber speaking on February 5 (Chris Gordon photo) Solar panels on Zingerman's Mail Order (Homeland Solar photo)