Rise and shine in the Electric City!

 After waking up early on Friday morning to travel to the Electric City Rotary Club in Anderson, South Carolina, I arrived well before the club members at the Golden Corral Restaurant. The club meets in a private room at the back of the restaurant. The restaurant server told me about how the last speaker with slides arranged the room, and I managed to get everything set up before the members and guests began arriving. I was pleased to have PDG Carol Burdette, Tom Faulkner, and AG Bill Harley come for the meeting. After a very long week with several hundred miles of travel throughout the district (Walhalla, Fair Play, Winnsboro, and Lancaster on the far extreme ends of District 7750), I was hopeful that my presentation would have an impact on the club and be pleasing to these distinguished district leaders. 

I try to read something about each city visited and learned these facts about Anderson. Anderson is the smallest of the three primary cities that makes up the Upstate region and is nicknamed "The Electric City" and "The Friendliest City in South Carolina." Anderson's spirit and quality of life has earned national recognition as Anderson County was named an "All-American City" in 2000. I have always wondered why Anderson was called the "Electric City" and found this explanation in Wikipedia: " Due to the innovation of Anderson engineer William Whitner, electricity could be conducted by wire to mills throughout the county. Anderson was the first city in the United States to have a continuous supply of electric power, which was supplied by a water mill located in the high shoals area of the Rocky River in Anderson County. The first cotton gin in the world to be operated by electricity was built in Anderson County in 1897. Several areas of Anderson are named in Whitner's honor, including a downtown street. Anderson became known as "The Electric City," a nickname that it still holds today."

The club members were very warn, welcoming, and genuinely enjoyed seeing each other. I saw lots of hugs, warm greetings, and energy in the room as club members began arriving. We had a great breakfast off the Golden Corral buffet, and President Michael Cunningham did a great job in moving through the agenda. I was pleased that they provided a children's book in my honor for the club's school reading project. The club has also been very supportive of the Anderson Free Medical Clinic. The three Anderson clubs (Anderson, Greater Anderson, and Electric City) are purchasing a stone with the Four Way Test inscribed for a new memorial for 9/11. Although the Electric City Rotary Club is relatively small, they accomplish a great deal in their community and world. They are a very hands-on club and also generously contribute to The Rotary Foundation. I have no doubt that they will see membership grow this year and their good work continue in the community. 

The Notable Rotarian for the Electric City RC is Faith Line. Faith has been a member since January 11, 2008. She has served as club president (2010-11) and is a Paul Harris Fellow and Benefactor. Faith served as the Director of Sumter County Library (SC) for 21 years prior to becoming the director of the Anderson County Library System in September of 2007. She is a Past President of the Southeastern Library Association, the South Carolina Library Association, and the South Carolina Association of Public Library Administrators. I could not help but notice how she humbly accepted the Notable Rotarian recognition. Faith, your club is very proud of you, and I am pleased to recognize you as a great Rotarian in our district! 

I returned to Greenwood after the club visit to attend several meetings, see my private patients all afternoon, assist in hosting a party at our home for the Greenwood Christian School faculty and family members that evening.