Meeting Notes for January 7, 2026: John U. Bacon – The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald

| January 11, 2026 | Meeting Notes

President Dawn Johnson called the first meeting of the new year to order at 12:25.

Woman speaking at podium.
Michelle Deatrick delivered the inspiration for the meeting.

Michelle Deatrick then spoke about the significance of the month of January in her inspiration. She referenced a poem by W.S. Merwin, highlighting themes of stillness and new beginnings. She encouraged us to look back on past events and ahead to future commitments, with a focus on service.

This was followed by a story from Dave Keosaian about Harry Ruggles, know as the “Fifth Rotarian,” who established the tradition of group singing to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere. We then sang Let Me Call You Sweetheart, the song that is purported to be the first song ever sung at a Rotary club meeting.

Announcements

  • District Conference. There is still room. Don’t miss this outstanding event.
  • Youth Services Benefit. This benefit will take place on January 29 from 6 – 9pm. $150 per ticket See Marlena for more information and tickets.
  • Chinese Dumpling-Making Party. There are a few spots available for this event, which was part of the GPO auction. It takes place on February 7. See Rosemarie Rowney for more information.
  • Social Events
    • There are still seats left for Rotary Night at Wine Women and Song.
    • Chelsea Rotary is sponsoring an outing to see the new Jeff  Daniel’s play on January 31.
  • Rotary Youth Exchange Host Needed. Our exchange student from Japan, Kotaro Hiroe, needs a host family from January – April. Please contact Marlena Studer.
  • Reading and Math Tutors Needed. Click here to see how you can make a difference, or contact Jim Egerdal or Leo Shedden.
  • $500,000 Global Grant Goal. PDG Collier Smith announced that our Rotary District is collaborating with UM’s Depression Center  to focus on mental health.
  • Membership. Barbara Eichmuller and Joanne Peirson reviewed the value of Rotary membership and encouraged members to speak to their guests about joining.
Rotary Club meeting.
90 members (66 in person, 24 on Zoom) and 25 guests (20 in person and 5 on Zoom) attended our first meeting of the year to hear John U. Bacon talk about his latest book, The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

John U. Bacon – The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Man speaking at podium.
John U. Bacon regaled us with stories about the hardships of working on the freighters plying the Great Lakes and the story of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Introduced by his lifelong friend, David Leach, John U. Bacon, a lifelong Ann Arbor resident and author, gave a fascinating talk about his latest book, The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald. He shared insights into the dangers and scale of Great Lakes shipping, highlighting the region’s economic importance and the little-known history of the shipping industry. He emphasized the significance of the Great Lakes in transporting goods and the critical role of the Soo Locks in the region’s economy. He also discussed the challenges of writing the book, including the extensive research required to understand the scale and dangers of Great Lakes shipping.

Bacon’s stories focussed on the lives of the Edmund Fitzgerald’s crew and their families. He detailed the ship’s final voyage, the decision to take a northern route, and the tragic circumstances of the sinking. The close-knit community that formed among the families after the disaster and the lasting impact of the event was highlighted; as was the role of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City and the background of Gordon Lightfoot’s song about the sinking.

The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m.

Note: Rob Shiff informs us that Channel 4 recently did a documentary on the Edmund Fitzgerald featuring John U. Bacon. He tells many of the stories from the book and also has interviews with some of the people he writes about.  You can view it on YouTube.