Meanwhile, Shirley Gofrank proved she knows how to throw down, celebrating not one, not two, but FOUR birthdays in one weekend (hers, her son’s, her daughter-in-law’s, and a grandkid’s). Somebody call the party police! 🎉
⛳ Annual Golf Outing – Monday, September 22 at Twin Lakes
- Tee time: 10:00 a.m. | Awards & meal ~3:00 p.m.
- Not a golfer? No problem—grab the meal-only option. Expect music, a cash bar, and plenty of fun.
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Cost: $170 per golfer
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Goal: 100 golfers + event sponsors (we’re looking at you 👀)
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Note: No Tuesday meeting that week.
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Register here: Rochester Rotary Golf Outing.
Just a reminder that there will NOT be a meeting on Tuesday, September 23.
Pizza night at Buddy’s was a hit! Linda Eastman gave a big shoutout to her husband, Dr. Jay Eastman, who picked up a massive order and treated his staff to lunch today. Jay, you’re the real MVP. 🍕👏
Save the date: The District Foundation Gala struts into the Royal Park Hotel on November 13. Fancy attire optional, fun mandatory. For the deets—go to https://rotary6380.org/events/district-6380-foundation-celebration/
Steve Oehler handed Phil Lowman his 9th Paul Harris Award. Phil, you’re basically Rotary royalty now. 👑
And let’s not forget our future fearless leader—President-Elect Tami Salisbury. She shared results from her social activity survey (29 Rotarians weighed in), and the verdict is in: we’re all about quarterly fun. Cultural outings, volunteering, happy hours, and holiday shindigs are on the menu. Cheers to that! 🥂
Blake McLellan started us off by saying he just moved to Rochester Hills with his wife and three kids.
Eric Whipple, who works alongside his father-in-law, Steve Cooper, as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, shared that his mission for clients is to balance making money and taking care of their families.
John Gabor has been a Rotarian for 27 years. He has served on the Rochester Hills City Council, lived in RH since the 1990s, and practices law at Williams, Williams, Rattner and Plunket in Birmingham, focusing on zoning and corporate work. His kids are grown and live outside the area, but he hopes they’ll return to Rochester Hills someday. John joined Rotary through Jerry Carvey, who told him Rochester Rotary was the best service club.
Tim Crawford has been a member for 30 years, brought in by Bill Morgan. Tim owned an insurance agency for 25 years, which he recently sold to Alkeme. He has seven grandchildren.
Ron DiLiddo, who moved from Ohio and retired in 2011, was introduced to Rotary at a Christmas party at the Royal Park. At that party, Cary Riggs, who brought Ron into Rotary, led a playful elimination game. The last three Rotarians standing—Ted Roumell, the late Pete Duhamel, and Bob Lytle—sang a Latin Catholic hymn, which convinced Ron to join!
George Krozier was also brought into Rotary by Cary Riggs and enjoys organizing fundraisers on Rotary committees.
Jerry Carvey was originally a Rotarian in Alma before joining Rochester Rotary in 1970. He and his wife, Clara, have hosted four exchange students through Rotary. Jerry retired in 1988, served on the Rochester Hills City Council, and is proud to have helped preserve land in Rochester Hills.
Russ Shelton joined 31 years ago, brought in by Bill Hanson and Bill Potere. Russ is an “honorary” Rotary member since he also belonged to the Rochester Hills Lions Club when dual membership wasn’t allowed. He owned a Buick dealership for 66 years, selling it three years ago, and has lived in Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township.
Bob Lytle, now back at Rotary after a third hip repair, loved being a pharmacist and is also an author of young adult books.
President Rachel Aviles is a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch. She practiced law for three years before joining Merrill Lynch, where she now helps clients achieve their financial goals.
Christine Hage loves being a grandmother and is the mother of 44-year-old twins. She does NOT recommend the movie Twinless to anyone who is a parent of twins or has twin family members.
Dave Archbold once worked at Eastern Michigan University and served as President of the Ypsilanti Rotary Club. He was scheduled to start at Oakland University on September 11, 2001, but was delayed until October due to EMU’s flight school connection with the terrorists. He thinks Rochester Hills is America’s finest city.
Tami Salisbury was invited to join Rochester Rotary by Vince Mattina in 2009. She knew instantly that Rotarians were “her people.” Outside of Rotary, she is a professional fundraiser.
Jeff Duperon, introduced to Rotary in 2019 by Bryan Barnett, owns three companies: TNE International, LLC (he does not suggest investing in international trade at this time), TNE Investment Group (real estate & securities), and Novel Energy Distribution Systems (high-voltage components). His 17-year-old daughter attends Avondale High School, and his son is in his second year of an early college program at Rochester Christian University.
Kay Ellen Wilkins is relatively new to Rotary. On a book club trip to Atlanta, she sat next to Stu Siegner, who had recently injured his hand with a chainsaw. When she returned to Rochester, she joined Rotary. She and her husband own the Rochester Conservatory of Music, celebrating its 40th anniversary. She is a pianist, and the Conservatory has 28 teachers and 450 students, ranging in age from 1 to 78 years old.
John Modetz, reconsidering how he’d spend $1.8 million, said he’d put $500,000 toward dredging a lake and the rest into his funeral business. An Eagle Scout project led him to shadow funeral director Robert Rice, who inspired his career. Fifty-four years later, John purchased that original funeral home. He and his wife, Mary, have hosted two Rotary exchange students, inspired by Jerry Carvey’s positive experiences.
Linda Eastman shared a secret: she was once kicked out of the Green Lantern Bar. Twenty-five years ago, while managing a men’s softball team, they were told they were too noisy and asked to leave. 🍺
Paul Licker was born in NYC, but at birth, his baby bracelet was accidentally swapped with that of an Italian baby. Years later in Italy, his son jokingly told him, “You may not be Italian, but I am!”
Juliane Morian, the 10th library director at RHPL, worked in web design before moving into libraries. She values community connection and lifelong learning.
Bill Ebinger joined Rotary in 1974. As a veterinarian, he went on a medical mission to the Philippines, where he worked with an ophthalmologist. They later founded World Blindness Outreach, through which Bill has made 50 eye mission trips globally. He eventually specialized in veterinary ophthalmology. In 1972, he hired 15-year-old Tim Duncan for roof repairs—and the rest is history.
Paul Haig, invited by former Rotarian Neil Hartwig, ran the Club’s first auction, raising $20,000. Paul is a jeweler and author.
Carol Franciosi has been a Rotarian for 30 years, serving in multiple clubs, and has hosted two group study visitors. She once had to pay a $3,000 bar bill at Rochester Mills after a group study night out, then made arrangements to drive everyone home!
Steve Oehler has been a member for 10 years, living in the area for 35 years. Retired for 13 years, he loves Rochester Hills.
Tom DelPup, an attorney and financial planner, joined Rotary nine years ago thanks to Renee Cortright. He enjoys the Club’s songs and camaraderie. Tom is also an accomplished needleworker, especially in cross-stitch.
Vince Mattina, a recently retired CPA, joined Rotary years ago after working with Shirley Gofrank, who invited him. He considers Phil Lowman his travel mentor.
Phil Lowman was convinced to join Rotary 30 years ago after Christine Hage told him, “Anyone who is anyone in town is in Rotary.” He now loves Rotary, too.
Marty McClure, invited by Paul Haig in 1985, has worked as a draftsman and machine designer. He also volunteered at Common Ground. He and his wife, Anne Porter, love traveling and sailing the Great Lakes.
Shirley Gofrank says her best decision was opening a CPA firm with Vince Mattina. Encouraged by Pat Botkin, she joined Rotary 25 years ago. She co-chaired the golf outing for years and now organizes Rotary's support of Neighborhood House’s Blast Off 2 School event. Since retiring in 2017, she splits her time between Rochester Hills and Naples, FL.
Annette Werner is Director of Education for Comfort Keepers, an in-home care service. For 20 years, she has worked with Alzheimer’s support groups. A native New Yorker from a very Italian family, she experienced culture shock when she moved to the Midwest, but has since settled in well.
After hogging the trophy for three weeks, Annette Werner passed it on to Kay Ellen Wilkins, who has been a member for slightly more than a year and has helped thousands of people learn to play an instrument. 
Linda Eastman rocked a fabulous pizza mask while hyping Buddy’s Pizza Night—and boom, we had a great turnout. Sheriff Bryan praised Linda for bragging on her husband Dr. Jay Eastman… then immediately fined Melinda Deel for not gushing about her husband, Ryan. Spousal equality, Rotary style.