Enjoying Peach Country in Batesburg-Leesville!

Sam Coker and Cheryl Burgess, Presidents of the Batesburg-Leesville and Twin City of Batesburg-Leesville Rotary Clubs, did a superb job making Kathy and I feel at home today in their community known as the Gateway to the South Carolina Midlands. I had the opportunity to meet with the boards of both clubs at lunch and before dinner, and they are committed to increasing membership and continuing to support the Rotary Foundation, literacy efforts in their community and Haiti, the CART (Coins/Cash/Checks for Alzheimer's Research Trust) fund, and many other initiatives.

I was very impressed with a program shared by Lancer Shull, the Vice President and Literacy Chair for the Rotary Club of Batesburg-Leesville. Lancer and his wife returned close to their home after working in L.A. (Los Angeles and Hollywood, not Lower Alabama) as actors. Lancer has a home studio and is now working with Rotarians willing to read children's books with passion. When schools have those days when the weather doesn't allow recess, the children can enjoy hearing and seeing on video their favorite books read by local Rotarians that they know.

During a joint meeting of both clubs tonight at an outstanding restaurant in Ridge Springs called Juniper's, I had the opportunity to participate in honoring five new Paul Harris Fellows and in honoring two Notable Rotarians. Furman Cantrell Ph.D. and Dr. Laura Walls were selected as the Notable Rotarians from the Batesburg-Leesville and Twin City Rotary Clubs. Furman Cantrell has served as club president and club foundation chair, and he is serving this year as the District Public Relations Chair. Dr. Laura Walls has served her community through some incredible literacy initiatives as well as by being an exemplary dentist and community leader. We tried to call Furman Cantrell about his recognition tonight, but found his relaxing on the golf course. President Sam Coker accepted his award, and will make this presentation at the next club meeting. 

Kathy and I experienced a high level of enthusiasm, optimism, and desire to truly make an impact on their community and world. Building membership and increasing donations for humanitarian work is very difficult in these tough economic times especially in small towns like Batesburg-Leesville, but I am confident that these clubs will do everything in their power to make a huge impact this year.