“People tell you the world looks a certain way. Parents tell you how to think. Schools tell you how to think. TV. Religion. And then at a certain point, if you’re lucky, you realize you can make up your own mind. Nobody sets the rules but you. You can design your own life.”— Carrie Ann Moss

Rotary Wheels in Motion Progress Report

“WHEELS IN MOTION” – Quarter Progress Report:

Hi everyone!

As promised, this is my quarterly progress report — I'm calling this series "Wheels in Motion." Our 2026/27 board word of the year is "prepared," and I'm continually amazed by the energy, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas coming down the pipeline. I'm excited to break into committees for our first official business meeting (also known as Rotary in Action) on Sept 29^th. These rebranded business meetings will be packed with activities, thoughtful networking opportunities, and brainstorming with your committee as you work toward your goals throughout the year.

I also want to thank the Rotarians who stepped in during Family Fun Night — I was unexpectedly out because of my dad’s medical emergency. It was supposed to be a fun splash-and-luau themed night with bubbles, crafts, island music, yard games, a tropical photo booth, specialty tiki drinks, and so much more. While it didn't go exactly as planned, I'm so grateful to everyone who stepped in to make it happen anyway. That's what I love about Rotary — it doesn't matter what's needed, we're there for each other, ready to roll up our sleeves. Honestly, that spirit is something I saw in my dad growing up, and it's a big part of why I wanted to join Rotary— to find more people like him, who show up for others without being asked twice. Seeing that same teamwork and camaraderie in our club is something truly special.

One thing I've come to appreciate more and more is how different everyone's "why" is. For some of you, it's expanding your professional network. For others, it's finding a mentor or becoming one. Some of you joined to build deeper roots in this community, and others simply because Rotary gave you a place to put your energy toward something bigger than yourself. Whatever brought you here, it matters — and it's part of what makes this club so FANTASTIC. I'd encourage you to hold onto your "why" this year, because it'll be the thing that keeps you showing up when life gets busy.

This year, we're focusing heavily on membership. I've put together a "grocery list" of prospective members that I plan to work down throughout the year, and my goal is for each member to reach out to three friends in Ozaukee County to tell them about Rotary and invite them to a meeting. We'll really hyper-focus on this at our Membership Olympics on February 23rd. Stay tuned — you won't want to miss it!

Goals Achieved
✓ Created business cards & TM Rotary swag store
✓ Rebranded business meetings as "Rotary in Action"
✓ Activated Instagram + other socials (thanks Bruce!)
✓ Created President's Playbook (hoping to expand to all board positions)

In Progress

Update website — add member testimonials (thanks Vertz Marketing!)
Membership Olympics
Rotary on the Road (Joint Meeting + 2 others) (thanks Heather!)
Board accountability — goal setting and benchmarks (we'll discuss at our next meeting on Sept 29th)

Lastly, as we prepare for the changing of the seasons, I want to close with some exciting news: December 15th is our Holiday Party at the River Club. We are bringing in a lovely violin duet — it's going to be elegant and truly festive!

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." — Helen Keller

Thanks again for all that you do,
Angelica Niemann
TM Rotary President

Thiensville Appreciation Reception

It was a "Who's Who" of Rotarians who attended the Village of Thiensville Appreciation reception on Thursday, September 24, 2026! It always amazes me the level of involvement and talent our fellow Rotarians display, their impacts on the world, and how much esteem and respect they generate in the community. Way to go everyone!

Our Weekly Speaker--September 29 .2026

Our Weekly Speaker:

No Speaker, Business Meeting This Week.

Rotary Swag Store

Rotary Swag Store

In need of more gear to show that you are a true Thiensville--Mequon Rotarian? Look no further than our newly updated Swag Store! Click on the link below to get your quality hats, shirts and pullovers, for both men and women, in a variety of sizes and colors!

https://mequonrotary.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Did You Know--September 29, 2026

Washington’s men drank more than 150 bottles of alcohol days before the Constitution was signed.

City Tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Constitution may be one of the most weighty documents in United States history, but the festivities held just days before it was signed were hardly solemn.

On September 14, 1787, George Washington and 54 other guests gathered at Philadelphia’s City Tavern for a farewell dinner. The Constitutional Convention, during which the Founding Fathers had spent nearly four months hammering out the new nation’s governing document, was nearing its end. By the end of the night, the bar tab showed that Washington and his companions had enjoyed more than a few drinks.

The surviving bill lists 54 bottles of Madeira wine, 60 bottles of claret wine, eight bottles of whiskey, eight bottles of cider, 22 bottles of porter, and 12 bottles of beer. That’s 164 bottles of alcohol for 55 guests — and that doesn’t even take into account the seven large bowls of punch, which also could have contained alcohol.

The tab included a line item for broken tumblers and wine glasses, too. While all of this certainly paints a picture of a memorable night out — or, more likely, a night that not many remembered at all — the gathering wasn’t necessarily debaucherous for everyone. Historians have said that Washington, who by then was already one of the most revered figures in the fledgling nation, was probably more likely to have watched the scene unfold around him.

A few days later, another dinner was held for the framers of the Constitution, at the same City Tavern, and it’s likely they would have had a similar bar bill. Shortly thereafter, on September 17, the delegates gathered at Independence Hall and signed the Constitution.