Three Rivers MI Rotary Club

05/30/2026

Without effective ownership transition strategies, Michigan risks losing thousands of established businesses, Dwayne Powell Jr. and Marcel Fable Price of Kalamazoo Forward Ventures shared with us.

In a demographic shift often referred to as the Silver Tsunami, 83,000 businesses are owned by baby boomers, 30-35 percent of small business owners have a formal succession plan, and 70-80 percent of small businesses listed for sale never actually sell.

If these businesses close their doors, the community loses its soul, its tax base, and its history. Kalamazoo Forward Ventures is there to ensure that doesn’t happen.

They have built an accelerator to “catch the wave.” Their strategy is matching hungry, underrepresented leaders with cash-flowing businesses, bridging the gap between the builders of today and the scalers of tomorrow.

For their inaugural cohort, they attracted over 100 applicants—indicating that there is a significant and underserved population of everyday extraordinary people who are ready to own, but haven’t had a structured, credible pathway to acquisition. Through their proprietary process identifying the intangible qualities of potential founders, they narrowed the group down to 15 members, who are taking a 14-week class. At the end of the class, Kalamazoo Forward Ventures will fund 3-5 of the individuals, but every participant will leave the program with the knowledge to acquire a business.

The expected graduation and first acquisitions should be in progress by late 2026. Planning is already underway for Cohort 2 in additional markets and expanded capacity. They are also growing their network of deal advisors, lenders, and regional economic development partners.

For more information, visit www.KzFV.com/tsunami-lab.

05/22/2026

Mary Yost, executive director of TRAM Three Rivers Area Mentoring, shared about their program that makes a difference in students’ lives.

TRAM offers a free after-school program at the First United Methodist Church, one-on-one mentoring, and a summer day camp at the Huss Project, all for second– through eighth-grade students.

They believe that everyone in Three Rivers should be working together toward the singular goal of ensuring the long-term success of our young people. In partnership with the teachers and staff of Three Rivers Community Schools, TRAM is part of a team that includes its staff and volunteers, mentors, the students’ parents and guardians, and the students themselves.

Their after-school program meets five days a week from 3-6 p.m. They offer one on one homework help, healthy snacks, service-learning programming, field trips, special visitors, and lots and lots of exercise. They are currently capped at 50 students, but would like to grow in capacity with a larger volunteer base.

TRAM has partnered with the Huss Project to allow them to bring students to their grounds during the months of September, October, April, and May. While at Huss, students learn about agriculture and ecology while doing service in the community.

They also partner with the Three Rivers Public Library for crafts, cooking, reading, science, and the ability to check out books.

Mentors work one-on-one with students at their school during the school day or at the after-school program. Mentors are intentionally matched with mentees with similar backgrounds and interests. Mentors can help with schoolwork, play games, or teach special skills or hobbies.

TRAM will be starting a Mendon Academic Program this Fall.

For more information about TRAM, visit www.threeriversareamentoring.org.

05/15/2026

People affected by the March 6 tornadoes may be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Brian Beard, public affairs specialist from the SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience, shared with us today.

Home disaster loans, business physical disaster loans, and economic injury disaster loans are available.

Credit requirements are that applicants must have a credit history acceptable to SBA, and must show the ability to repay all loans.

For those who have no credit elsewhere, physical damage loan rates are as low as 2.875 percent for homeowners. For businesses it is 4 percent, and non-profit organizations 3.625 percent.

Key benefits for homeowners and renters are:
-Homeowners may receive up to $500,000 to cover damages to primary home
-Homeowners and renters may receive up to $100,000 to replace personal property, including vehicles
-Zero interest accrued and zero payments for the first year
-Fixed interest rate and up to a 30-year repayment plan
-Apply now! No need to wait for insurance to settle to start your SBA application

Businesses and nonprofits can receive up to $2 million to cover physical damage and financial hardship.

To apply, visit https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. The deadline for physical damage applications is June 29; the deadline for economic injury applications is January 28, 2027.

For anyone who has questions, the Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be set up at HG Real Estate, 52 N. Main, through Thursday, May 28. Open hours are Monday—Friday, 9 a.m.—5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.—2 p.m.

05/08/2026

Congratulations to Three Rivers High School seniors in the Class of 2026 who received awards at the 68th annual Rotary Honors Night on Thursday, May 7! Pictured are Most Representative Seniors Alexandria Lewis and Aidan Martin. Thanks so much to the staff of the Three Rivers Community Schools for their work to make this evening happen, as well as the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, Three Rivers Woman's Club, Three Rivers Lions Club, and Park Elementary School PTO for presenting awards!

Class Officers: President, Mia Cezar; Vice President, Payal Rani; Secretary, Kathryn Carlisi; Treasurer, Aidan Martin; Historian, Ka’liyah Morton

Most Representative Seniors: Aidan Martin and Alexandria Lewis

Principal’s Award: Aaron Fletcher and Ethan Bennett

Department Awards: Marketing, Hunter Koenig and Makenzie Rennie; Foreign Language, Allie Yost and Jaxon Smith; Band, Natalie Moore and Seth Meudt; Online Department, Jersey Roehrs and Karen Watson; Art, Luis Rodriguez Delgado and Serenity Fairbanks; Vocal Music, Alexandria Lewis and Aaron Fletcher; Mathematics, Aidan Martin and Payal Rani; English Language Arts, Charlie Brauer and Eleanor Ruesink; Science, Aidan Martin and Eleanor Ruesink; Social Studies, Gabriel Spoores and Troyer Serna; Physical Education, Hunter Koenig and Eleanor Ruesink; Family and Consumer Sciences, Daisey Jors and Sofia Passos Robelo Goes; Yearbook, Briana Foghino and Taylor Knauss; Work Based Learning, Jak Monroe and Jaxon Smith

Exchange Students: Ana Boim Rodrigues, Brazil; Andrea Canardo Galver, Spain; Kanyalak Cherdchoo, Thailand; Frederico De Godoy Barreto, Brazil; Martina Gomez Gonzalez, Spain; Alice Marabini, Italy; Sofia Passos Rebelo Goes, Brazil; Tanawee Tangtanakan, Thailand

Honor Graduates: Randy Androsky, Jenna Balog, Zander Barth, Elyssa Dishinger, Lundyn Driskel, Serenity Fairbanks, Harper James, Emma Kane, Carter Langston, Nathaniel Loach, Wyatt Losee, Abigail Luegge, Addilyn Moore, Natalie Moore, Lexie Page, Brisen Penny, Abigail Pettit, Carter Rice, Blake Stewart, Johnny Thompson, Ionna Thurman

Highest Honor Graduates: Mason Awe, Isaac Bell, Charlie Brauer, Kathryn Carlisi, Mia Cezar, Paige Conatser, Amaria Currier, Takoda Farris, Aaron Fletcher, Briana Foghino, Dani Glass, Brooklynn Graham, London Hoffmaster, Reece Howes, Shaia Hunter, Alyssa Jimenez, Gabrielle Kilbourn, Taylor Knauss, Caroline Lash, Alexandria Lewis, Aidan Martin, Brady Penny, Payal Rani, Makenzie Rennie, Neiraja Reyes, Eleanor Ruesink, Lilly Saunders, Shaley Schnepp, Abbygail Schrock, Troyer Serna, Breanna Shirk, Jaxon Smith, Miley Southland, Gabriel Spoores, Rylea Summey, Karen Watson, Mackenna Webster, Allie Yost, Niya Zamora

Silver Presidential Award: Randy Androsky, Jenna Balog, Isaac Bell, Charlie Brauer, Kathryn Carlisi, Mia Cezar, Paige Conatser, Elyssa Dishinger, Lundyn Driskel, Takoda Farris, Aaron Fletcher, Briana Foghino, Dani Glass, Brooklynn Graham, London Hoffmaster, Shaia Hunter, Alyssa Jimenez, Emma Kane, Gabrielle Kilbourn, Taylor Knauss, Caroline Lash, Alexandria Lewis, Nathaniel Loach, Natalie Moore, Lexie Page, Brady Penny, Abigail Pettit, Payal Rani, Makenzie Rennie, Neiraja Reyes, Lilly Saunders, Shaley Schnepp, Troyer Serna, Breanna Shirk, Miley Southland, Gabriel Spoores, Blake Stewart, Rylea Summey, Johnny Thompson, Ionna Thurman, Karen Watson, Mackenna Webster, Allie Yost, Niya Zamora

Gold Presidential Award: Mason Awe, Amaria Currier, Reece Howes, Wyatt Losee, Aidan Martin, Eleanor Ruesink, Abbygail Schrock, Jaxon Smith

Senior Leadership Distinction: Kathryn Carlisi, Mia Cezar, Aaron Fletcher, Gabrielle Kilbourn, Alexandria Lewis, Aidan Martin, Jak Monroe, Natalie Moore, Ka’liyah Morton, Payal Rani, Makenzie Rennie, Mackenna Webster

National Honor Society: Mason Awe, Charlie Brauer, Kathryn Carlisi, Mia Cezar, Amaria Currier, Takoda Farris, Briana Foghino, Brooklynn Graham, London Hoffmaster, Reece Howes, Shaia Hunter, Alyssa Jimenez, Gabrielle Kilbourn, Taylor Knauss, Caroline Lash, Alexandria Lewis, Aidan Martin, Natalie Moore, Brady Penny, Abigail Pettit, Payal Rani, Neiraja Reyes, Eleanor Ruesink, Shaley Schnepp, Troyer Serna, Breanna Shirk, Jaxon Smith, Miley Southland, Rylea Summey, Mackenna Webster

National Technical Honor Society: Randy Androsky, Mason Awe, Isaac Bell, Charlie Brauer, Mya Cage, Kathryn Carlisi, Mia Cezar, Elyssa Dishinger, Mickenzie Drake, Serenity Fairbanks, Brooklynn Graham, London Hoffmaster, Shaia Hunter, Gabrielle Kilbourn, Carter Langston, Wyatt Losee, Blake Luegge, Addyson Maurer, Jak Monroe, Addilyn Moore, Abigail Pettit, Payal Rani, Makenzie Rennie, Neiraja Reyes, Troyer Serna, Blake Stewart, Rylea Sumey, Caden Talsma, Dontrel Taylor, Niya Zamora

MHSAA Scholar Athlete Award Nominees: Mason Awe, Amaria Currier, Briana Foghino, Reece Howes, Aidan Martin, Brady Penny, Eleanor Ruesink, Miley Southland, Mackenna Webster

Wolverine Conference Scholar Athlete Award: Mason Awe and Rylea Summey

Athlete Participation Awards: 10 seasons, Drake Dibble and Aidan Martin; 11 seasons, Carter Langston, Natalie Moore, Dontrel Taylor; Triple Threat Award (12 seasons), Mason Awe, Zander Barth, Dani Glass, Troyer Serna, Blake Stewart

Athletes of the Year Award: Mason Awe and Dani Glass

Mary Snow Memorial Scholarship: Rylea Summey

Three Rivers Woman’s Club Scholarship: Briana Foghino

Three Rivers Lions Club Scholarship: Reece Howes and Aidan Martin

Elena Meadows Special Edition Award: Aidan Martin

James Michael Meadows Computer Science Award: Nathaniel Loach

Park PTO Scholarship: Reece Howes

George Haines Scholarship: London Hoffmaster, Aidan Martin, Natalie Moore, Payal Rani, Shaley Schnepp, Rylea Summey

Lucile Shafer Haring & Sheila J. Haring Scholarship: Alexandria Lewis

Class of ’69 Spirit Legacy Scholarship: Amaria Currier

Dennis W. Lockwood & Gary Warner Scholarship: Natalie Moore and Brady Penny

Ralph & Phyllis Bence Scholarship: Breanna Shirk

Betty Lambertson Scholarship: Briana Foghino and Alexandria Lewis

James E. Clark Marketing Scholarship: Caroline Lash

John T. Nykun Scholarship: Dani Glass

Pauline E. Abshire & Florence E. Warner Art Scholarship: Luis Rodriguez Delgado

Charles E. Clark Management Scholarship: Reece Howes

Eric “Boomer” Clemence Scholarship: Shaley Schnepp

Glenn Rifenberg Scholarship: Alexandria Lewis

Burnell Booko Nursing Scholarship: Briana Foghino and Natalie Moore

Ken McEnroe Scholarship: Dani Glass

Edna L. Wheeler Nursing Scholarship: London Hoffmaster

Dr. Donald Schimnoski Scholarship: Payal Rani

Adam Learn #27 Memorial Scholarship: London Hoffmaster and Reece Howes

Jennifer W**d Scholarship: Briana Foghino

Gary L. Cottingham Scholarship: Dani Glass

Sturgis Area Community Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund in Memory of Carla Rae Humphries: Payal Rani

David Stuck Founders Scholarship: Reece Howes

Edward (Coach) T. and Patricia Johnson Scholarship: Dani Glass

Carleton and Ruth Poe Scholarship: London Hoffmaster

Rotary Scholarship: Shaley Schnepp

William R. Monroe Scholarship: Natalie Moore

05/08/2026

Brian Armstrong, a member of the fifth generation of the Armstrong family now in leadership at Armstrong International, shared with us about the global company that got its start locally.

Armstrong has 3,000 employees worldwide, with 350 of them at the Three Rivers location.

Armstrong’s mission is to provide intelligent system solutions that improve thermal utility performance, lower energy consumption, and reduce environmental emissions while providing an enjoyable experience.

They offer system solutions for steam and condensate, air humidification, heating and cooling, and hot water.

Their culture sets them apart: they are steadfast in their core values of honesty, dignity, fairness, hard working, respect, kindness, trust, fearless, loyalty, and safety. They believe in “faith in God, family, and job—in that order.” They make the complex simple and move swiftly to solve problems. Ninety percent of their customers say they will re-purchase Armstrong products and recommend them to friends.

Recently, Armstrong International acquired WARE Rental Boilers. They are doing data center chiller testing with rental hot water boilers. They also invested in high-temperature heat pump technology (which helps recover heat back into systems, making them more energy-efficient), building 30,000 square feet of additional manufacturing capacity for this purpose.

05/08/2026

04/30/2026

Today we presented Martha and Julie Stroud with honorary memberships in the Three Rivers Rotary Club.

Known as “the California twins,” Martha and Julie first heard of St. Joseph County through Judge Jeff Middleton’s YouTube channel, and have been avid watchers of the channel ever since they discovered it.

They fell in love with St. Joseph County and have visited 14 times, endearing themselves to everyone they met, from restaurant personnel to court staff.

“They’re engaging, interested, and remind us how lucky we are to live in a place like this,” Middleton said as he presented them their certificates.

Julie said the honor was “a birthday wish come true,” as they were also celebrating that occasion today.

04/24/2026

Kris Dewey, a health educator from the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, talked to us about a project that started in October 2024 to reduce traffic crashes and injuries in the Amish community.

Michigan has the fifth largest Amish population in the United States, and the BHSJ’s three counties are home to approximately 30 percent of the state’s Amish population.

According to Michigan State Police traffic crash reporting system data, the have been 295 crashes from 2020-2024 involving “Amish,” “Buggy,” “Horse,” or “Sulky.” 38 occurred in the BHSJ counties, with the majority during broad daylight.

Horse and buggy crashes result in psychological trauma, physical injuries, and even death to the involved humans and their horses.

Working with the bishops, BHSJ surveyed the local Amish community about road segments and intersections of concern, and found that Nottawa Road (especially its intersection with M-86), M-86, and M-66 to be the biggest problems, along with the safety concerns of aggressive drivers, hills and curves, sharing the road, and truck traffic.

A media campaign was begun with slogans such as “You have more horsepower. So have more patience.”

Project activities included:
-Developing a Buggy Driver’s Manual with the bishops
-Identifying a Buggy Driver’s Education Program for youth
-Developing a slide deck with area Driver’s Education programs to be used in the Vulnerable Populations lecture
-Working with 40 Bishops to determine acceptable safety equipment
-Working with County Road Commissions and MDOT on project planning and signage
-Working with Sheriff’s Departments for enforcement of speed and distracted driving

Tips for motorists include:
-Pay attention—don’t drive distracted
-Slow down—Horses travel about 8-10 mph; at 55 mph you have about six seconds to react
-Pass only when it is safe and legal
-Don’t follow too close—even the best-trained horse can spook
-Stay back at stop signs or traffic lights—buggies may roll or pull back to keep the horse safe
-Watch for turn signals—hand signals or blinking light
For more information, visit https://bhsj.org/programs/118.

04/23/2026

Today we welcomed three Student Rotarians from Three Rivers High School: Jaxon Smith, Brady Penny, and Troyer Serna.

04/17/2026

Tom Lowry and Mike Eldridge updated us on the Three Rivers Promise, the campaign for which has reached $1 million and is now starting a new phase of fundraising en route to the board’s goal of $3 million.

The Three Rivers Promise (TRP) is building a community funded scholarship endowment to make postsecondary education more affordable for graduates of Three Rivers High School (TRHS). This support covers college, vocational training, and skilled trades to reduce financial barriers and bolster our local workforce.

Promise programs work: studies show that they increase college and training enrollment, increase degree and certificate attainment, significantly reduce student debt, improve outcomes for marginalized groups, increase community and regional retention, result in higher high school academic achievement, increase FAFSA completion, boost housing value and demand for new housing, and improve career and workforce development.

In 2016 there were 53 Promise programs nationwide; now there are 450 and Michigan leads the way with 80 programs. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Detroit Regional Chamber have pledged “full, unequivocal” support for programs that provide tuition assistance, aiming to build a stronger talent pipeline.

The TRP is building an endowment fund to assist TRHS graduates with education and training costs. Each year, a portion of the fund’s earnings (not the principal) will be used to assist with tuition and fees for eligible TRHS graduates. The endowment is being managed locally by Southern Michigan Bank & Trust’s investment department.

Upcoming fundraisers include a pickleball tournament on Saturday, June 27 from 8 a.m.—5 p.m., and a fish fry on Friday, August 14 from 4-7 p.m.

For more information, visit www.threeriverspromise.com.