Comfort Dogs for the Schools

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.  

Dementia Friendly Dexter

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. 

 

Dexter Dreadbots

The Dreadbots (Dexter Robotics Team 3656) along with teachers and parents presented their accomplishments and goals to our group. And they gave a demonstration of how their robot moves about and collects and throws balls.  

Boys and Girls Club of Rosebud

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 

STRIVE  
 
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.  
Dexter's 14 Annual Plein Air Art Festival
 
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.  
 
 
STRIVE Scholarship
 
Dexter Rotary President, Tom Morris, presents graduate student Gianna Malavevi with a $1000 scholarship to assist her in purchasing a much needed laptop.  
Dexter Senior Center
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 Schools Backpack Project
 
 
 
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.  
 
     
 
 
2026 Paul Cousins Scholarship Fund
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.  
Dexter Rotary Sees the Light with Homeland Solar
Larry Kerber of Homeland Solar discussed solar installations, residential and commercial incentives, and how to keep your ice cream cold with the sun!
 
  Aerial View of Zingermans Rooftop Solar Mount
Larry Kerber speaking on February 5 (Chris Gordon photo)                 Solar panels on Zingerman's Mail Order (Homeland Solar photo)
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