Lancaster, SC -- The "Red Rose City"

Kathy and I traveled about 45 minutes up the road to Lancaster, SC where we located Franklin Sparkman, President of the Rotary Club of Lancaster Breakfast in his office in downtown Lancaster. For some reason the Garmin GPS device does not take you to the correct address in Lancaster. Fortunately people know each other well and can direct you to the correct building.  History is alive and well in Lancaster, South Carolina, the Red Rose City.  Established in the mid 1700's by Scotch-Irish and English settlers from the region of the famous House of Lancaster, this area was viewed as a "Garden of Eden."  Over the years, the area has hosted two wars on its soil and has nutured several famous native sons, Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States, and William R. Davie, ambassador to France and founder of the University of North Carolina. Lancaster, South Carolina, the county seat of Lancaster County, is a charming historic southern City that, while proudly recognizing its history, is a service-oriented community focused on the future.

After spending the afternoon cleaning up e-mail and working on future club visits, I met with the Lancaster Breakfast Rotary Club board. The board is excited about enlisting new club members and plans many local projects this year. The loss of several key industries in the area during this economic downturn has been difficult for this area. President Franklin has some great ideas about helping club members to know each other better and encourage members to eat at different tables. The club favors spending most of their funds on local projects due to the current economic conditions. We departed the board meeting en route to Franklin and Aliene Sparkman's home located about 30 minutes outside Lancaster. We enjoyed a wonderful meal and their beautiful home for the evening before waking up at 5:30 AM to prepare to head back to Lancaster for a 7 AM meeting. 

The Lancaster Breakfast club is a lively group of about 80 members that have fun in the meeting. I was introduced to a table of Rotarians who have been around for many years and arrive about 6:15 AM each Wednesday morning. I had the honor of presenting Assistant Governor Sharon Novinger with her Paul Harris Fellow certificate and pin. My presentation seemed to go well and elicited several positive responses after the meeting and a few questions. I was pleased to hear that the club was making a contribution to The Rotary Foundation in my name.

The Lancaster Breakfast Notable Rotarian is Michael Clancy. Michael has been a member since October 1, 1998 and is the past club president (2006-2008), club Foundation chair, and now serves as the orientation officer. He supports The Rotary Foundation as a Paul Harris Fellow and Benefactor. Michael is married to Patricia and has two sons Drew and Blake. Other outside interest include singing in the 1st United Methodist church Chancel choir, Worship Committee chair, and Chair of the Church Council. He also Sings with Chamber choir, serves on the board for the Lancaster Community Playhouse, visits Morningside Convalescent home where he sings and entertains the residents, and has participated with the Junior Achievement program for many years.

We needed to return to Greenwood today for a few meetings at the hospital, but I will be back in Lancaster tomorrow for the lunch time meeting of the Lancaster Rotary Club at the same location.