The Rotary Club of Marquette

The Rotary Club of Marquette Rotary is an organization of inspired individuals that together have made the Marquette Community and the World a better place to live.

Lots of busy hands as a total of 44 volunteers including 13 Rotarians and family members prepared to distribute food at ...
06/23/2026

Lots of busy hands as a total of 44 volunteers including 13 Rotarians and family members prepared to distribute food at the monthly Feeding America distribution.

As the 2025-26 year comes to a close, President Chuck Blaksmith passes the gavel to incoming President Steve Powers. Th...
06/23/2026

As the 2025-26 year comes to a close, President Chuck Blaksmith passes the gavel to incoming President Steve Powers. Thanks to Chuck for a year of achievement which included completing the Giant Foot Park project, solidifying the Feeding America project, initiating the Pumpkins Against Polio gala, and completing the Club's incorporation status as well as maintaining the Club's many ongoing projects.

Steve Powers is recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow plus 1 by outgoing president Chuck. Thanks for supporting the Rotar...
06/23/2026

Steve Powers is recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow plus 1 by outgoing president Chuck. Thanks for supporting the Rotary International Foundation.

After our lunch meeting, members and a potential member spruced up the Bog Walk in our annual project. Sorry there is no...
06/17/2026

After our lunch meeting, members and a potential member spruced up the Bog Walk in our annual project. Sorry there is not a group picture.

Today, we had two speakers here to tell us about 3/D Printing. They are Joe Theil and Eric Prue. Joe is a Rotarian and...
06/15/2026

Today, we had two speakers here to tell us about 3/D Printing. They are Joe Theil and Eric Prue. Joe is a Rotarian and Past Club President. He is an entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader dedicated to building stronger communities through technology, entrepreneurship, and economic development. He serves as CEO of Innovate Marquette SmartZone and Executive Director of Invent@NMU, where he leads initiatives that accelerate startup growth, commercialize new technologies, and strengthen Michigan's innovation economy.

Joe believes the future of rural regions lies at the intersection of entrepreneurship, technology, environmental stewardship, and talent development. He is committed to helping entrepreneurs succeed while creating lasting economic opportunities that benefit both people and place.

Born and raised in Northern Michigan, Joe remains dedicated to preserving and enhancing the natural assets, communities, and entrepreneurial spirit that make the Upper Peninsula unique.

Eric Prue is the Design Manager at the SmartZone, where he leads a team of designers and NMU students using technology, design, and prototyping to help businesses bring ideas to life.

Eric graduated from NMU in 2022 with a Bachelor's degree in Human-Centered Design. His passion for problem-solving started early, from taking apart old electronics as a kid to participating in FIRST Robotics throughout high school. Originally from New Hampshire, Eric grew up in Michigan and eventually found his way to Marquette, where he quickly fell in love with the area and NMU.

Eric began working with Invent@NMU as a student in 2020 and was hired full-time after graduation. Today, his work focuses on early-stage product development, corporate-sponsored projects, student mentorship, and managing the Protolab, which gives students and entrepreneurs access to advanced tools like 3D printers, prototyping equipment, and design software.

Eric is grateful to be doing work he loves at a young age and is passionate about helping students gain hands-on experience while supporting entrepreneurs and businesses across the region. Coming from a family with a long history of inventors, he is proud to continue that legacy by helping others turn ideas into real, functional products.

As you may know, our exchange student, Ray (Pin-Rui Huang), will soon be returning home after a wonderful year in Marque...
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

Today's speaker was Antonio Adan who is the Executive Director of the Marquette County Land Bank. Appointed in 2024, A...
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

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

Address

1951 US Highway 41 W
Marquette, MI
49855

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