Visiting friends in the Rotary Club of Abbeville

The drive to Abbeville was refreshing and did not require a GPS to find the wonderful Dutch Oven Restaurant in downtown Abbeville near the Square where the club meets each week. I was very impressed to see the Rotary Club of Abbeville board hard at work when we arrived about 20 minutes before the meeting was supposed to start with me. President Tom Howie had the board engaged in a lively discussion of their major fundraising and service projects. The club has been in existence for 50 years and has sponsored the Rotary Bowl for 45 of those years! They are now supporting the new Abbeville County Free Medical Clinic and involved with First Steps. A check was presented to the new Abbeville County Free Medical Clinic today in my honor. I was also very pleased to learn that the club plans to grow its membership from 44 to 55 members this year, a remarkable goal! 

My presentation went very well today and several members commented that they were inspired even more to increase their membership and donations to The Rotary Foundation. The club had a first class AV setup that only required my flash drive and ran perfectly. Former Erskine College President Randy Ruble and a dear friend was present today, and we enjoyed sharing stories from the past.

I was pleased to recognize Dr. Charles Carlisle as the club's Notable Rotarian. Charles has been a member since 1963 and was a Charter member of the Abbeville Rotary Club. He has 46 years of perfect attendance! We often see Charles in my Emerald City Rotary Club meetings since he wants to maintain his great perfect attendance status. He is a graduate of Newberry High School and received his B. S. degree from Newberry College and Master’s Degree in History at the University of South Carolina. Honorary Doctor of Laws from Newberry College and Doctor of Humanities from Erskine College. 

In 1947 he came to Erskine College as Assistant Professor of History and taught for seven years. Erskine moved him into the business office where he served as Vice President for Business and Finance for the next 35 years. Charles is active in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and is now an elder in the Due West Church. He served as Moderator of the denomination in 1972 and again in 2000. He was also a founder of Covenant Way and served as chairman of the Board of Directors for 18 years. He has been awarded the Order of the Silver Crescent by the SC Governor.

After returning home tonight and recounting my club visits to date, I was thrilled to learn that this was actually my 37th club visit -- only 18 more official club visits to go! 

Meeting old friends at the McCormick County Rotary Club

After working a couple of hours at my regular job at Self Regional Healthcare, AG Lorraine Angelino, Kathy, and I headed to Hickory Knob State Park where the Rotary Club of McCormick County meets. Co-Presidents David Drake and Crystal Suggs along with four other board members outlined a plan to increase membership from the current 9 to 16 members. The club has struggled with finding a stable meeting location and feels that meeting in downtown McCormick will enhance their ability to attract more business owners. They have located a new meeting place in downtown McCormick and will begin meeting there next week. 

Although the club is small, they do a great deal for the community and have a lot of fun during their meetings. Immediate Past President Jim Morrow does a great job quizzing (and fining) club members around Rotary trivia and pulling those Happy Bucks from members. I thought my knowledge of Rotary was pretty good, but Jim stumped me on all three questions this morning (when and where RI flag adoped). The club's service projects include a funding a children's playground construction project at the library, providing dictionaries for all 3^rd graders, providing a Fairburn Scholarship for a high school senior, awarding Steenson Academic Achievement and Citizenship Awards for elementary , middle and high school students, working with the "Therapy dog" project with Humane Society and John de la Howe School, and supporting the Mims Center Youth Summer Enrichment Program. The McCormick County Rotary Club has a rich history of supporting The Rotary Foundation, and they will continue to contribute generously this year. They also do an excellent job of publicizing the club's activities in the McCormick area. 

The club recognized Karen Hoyt as their Notable Rotarian. Karen has been a member since October 27, 1999. She has served as the Club Treasurer for many years and now serves as Literacy chairperson. She is a Paul Harris Fellow and Sustaining Member and works diligently on club projects such as the Casino night and Pets with a purpose. 

Home Sweet Home -- Visiting the Emerald City Rotary Club!

I must admit that this process of visiting all 55 of our Rotary District 7750 clubs is tiring. The timing of my official club visit to the Emerald City Rotary Club, the District Governor's Home Club, could not have come at a better time to recharge our engines! Kathy had mentioned that my Chester Rotary Club presentation didn't quite have the energy of earlier presentations, but meeting with so many well-known Rotarians in my club really charged me up for my last 22 official club visits! 

 Kathy and I thoroughly enjoyed our time with the board at the Cambridge House of Lander University, a beautiful plantation style home that has been restored and now hosts exquisite banquets and social events.. Kevin Coursey, the club's master event planner, did another terrific job preparing for my official visit. Kevin has considered every detail for this very special event. I am most appreciate of Kevin's planning of my District Governor Installation in June. 

 The Emerald City Rotary Club was the #1 club in District 7750 last year, and I suspect they will again be a top club in our district. This mighty club with 57 members raises over $20,000 for local causes emphasizing youth and gave over $13,000 to The Rotary Foundation last year. Club members participated in 11 service projects to include Salvation Army Bell Ringing, supporting the HospiceCare of the Piedmont Easter Sunrise Service, the Adopt a Highway program, a fall food drive, and educational scholarships for local high school students. The board is excited about growing the club by a net 10% (57 to 63 members)! President Lori Kent is highly organized and has her team running well. 

 My presentation to the club went well and several members commented that they appreciated the detailed statistics about the club. Assistant Governor and District Governor Nominee Lorraine Angelino was the club's clear choice for their Notable Rotarian. Lorraine has been a member since 2002 and has perfect Attendance since 2003. She has been the Club President (2009-10) and District Secretary and is a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Major Donor, Paul Harris Society Member, Benefactor, Double Sustaining Member, and Bequest Society Member for The Rotary Foundation. Lorraine is also a Rotary Leadership Institute Graduate and Discussion Leader. She has been an incredible mentor for club leaders -- “She is always there to answer questions, provide feedback, direct and help out in the most patient and respectful manner; No matter what her other commitments are, she is always there.”

Meeting at the Summit Food and Spirits in downtown Chester

After an enjoyable time with our son, Michael, and his family in Gatlinburg, Tennessee over the weekend, we departed early en route to the Rotary Club of Chester meeting at the Summit Food and Spirits in downtown Chester. Kathy and I enjoyed the warm reception by the club's board and members as well as the excellent food prepared by this historic and well respected restaurant. The Summit Food & Spirits Restaurant opened in 1990 in the historic Wylie-Augurs building which was constructed in 1905. 

 President James Mayhugh and his board plan to grow the membership of the Rotary Club of Chester from 54 to 62 members this year. The club is involved in a number of local service projects and has a reputation as the service club of choice in the Chester area. Like many rural areas in South Carolina, they struggle with recruiting new members in a depressed economy with a high unemployment rate. The textile industry was the major industry in many Upstate South Carolina cities not too many years ago, but now employs very few people. 

The Notable Rotarian for the Chester Rotary Club is Bill Bundy. Bill has been a member since 1996 and is now a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow and Sustaining Member. He serves as the president of the Chester Health Care Foundation and frequently volunteers his time at the Good Samaritan Medical Clinic after the Rotary Club meeting each Tuesday. Bill served on a Rotary team to Honduras last year with me in which we conducted a medical missions clinic, enjoyed fellowship with local Rotarians, and assisted with a water project. Bill is active in many local organizations including the  United way and the American Red Cross. I was thrilled to see Bill again and know that he understands the value of The Rotary Foundation in making our world a better place to live!

Finishing the week at the Poinsett Club with the North Greenville Club

I finished out the week with a wonderful visit at the lovely Poinsett Club in downtown Greenville where the Rotary Club of North Greenville meets each week. The Poinsett Club has been a Five Star Platinum Club of America© since 2003, signifying its status as one of the premier Clubs in the country. I do not recall ever visiting a Five Star Platinum Club of America, but clearly recognize the exclusiveness and quality of this venue. They were even kind enough to decorate with many beautiful flowers for the upcoming Rose Ball! The buffet meal was incredible with a dessert section that made it difficult to only pick one item.

President Tikie Christophillis and his board have prepared well for the 2011-12 year. The club has planned work projects at the Bobby Pearse Community Center (Rotary Park), Frazee Cenler for Children, Stone Elementary School, Overbrook Child Development Center and a 5K Run & Fatt Festival in the North Main area. The club plans to increase their net membership by 10% and increase donations to The Rotary Foundation this year.

I was pleased to recognize Rotarian Jack Lemons as the club's Notable Rotarian. We found an old photo of Jack and his lovely spouse, Shirley, on DaCdb for the presentation. Jack has been a member since 1978 and is the longest serving active member of club. He is a Paul Harris Fellow, Past Club President (86-87), board member, and Sargent-At-Arms. He is a dedicated husband, loving father and grandfather, respected businessman and civic leader, and above all, a true patriot and devout church leader with strong beliefs and principles.  Jack faithfully attends club meetings and can always be counted on to volunteer his service, even on very short notice. Jack’s jovial personality and warm smile are known throughout our district as he entertains during his “Happy Bucks” escapade and shares funny jokes and insightful comments. He exemplifies  “Service Above Self” and always practices the Four-Way Test.  To Jack these are true and universal guidelines that pack powerful meanings and help make our community and the world a better place in which to live. Jack, you are a remarkable Rotarian, and your club is very proud to call you a member! 

Kathy and I were blessed to have our son, Michael, home from Afghanistan for two weeks of rest and recuperation! Michael came home at this time to celebrate the 1 year birthday of his daughter and our granddaughter, Christina, who was born on September 15, 2010. Kathy spent a little more time at home this week visiting with Michael and preparing for a large birthday party for many of our family and friends on Saturday followed by a short vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Opening Soby's Restaurant with the Greenville Breakfast Rotary Club

I arrived about 6:45 AM for the Rotary Club of Greenville Breakfast meeting and found all the doors locked up. Club members began arriving shortly after my arrival and managed to get the restaurant opened a few minutes after 7 AM. The club has grown dramatically this year, so we soon had the room filled with Rotarians and guests. I was pleased to see iPDG Becky and Tom Faulkner, Past AG Betsy Schroeder, and AG Jamie Yarbrough. President Richard Barrett did a great job leading the meeting. I met with the board after the regular meeting and was very impressed with the club's plans to increase membership by 6-8 members and donate generously to The Rotary Foundation. The club is very involved in using large cookers for their own club's and other organization fundraising events. The club supports the Generations Home, the Ronald McDonald House, and Adopt a Highway. They plan to establish a First Knight program in a local school and support a new service project to the Shriner's Hospital. Internationally the club supports water projects and polio eradication efforts. 

Dr. Steve Shrum was recognized as the club's Notable Rotarian. He has been a member since 1997, is a Paul Harris Fellow, and served as the club's president. He exemplifies Service Above Self as he serves as the club's primary contact for the Generations Home and assumes responsibility for the “smokers” for multiple 24 hour days while cooking for the Duck Derby, the annual Turkey Smoke, and the upcoming First Knight event. He is always available and  a great sounding board for club officers. He ties his profession as a veterinarian into a passion that the club feels. Many of our members have pets that Steve helped them to find when the pet needed a home.Steve's passion for life, career and service make him a building block for any club. Steve, thanks for being such a great member of the Greenville Breakfast Rotary Club! 

We had a great breakfast and fellowship at Soby's this morning, and we hope to visit again. Many thanks to President Richard Barrett for making me feel so welcome and for embracing my goals for our district in 2011-12!

A very pleasant visit to the Pleasantburg Rotary Club!

Kathy and I had a very enjoyable visit with the Rotary Club of Pleasantburg. President Susan Hughes, a retired principal and high school math teacher, prepared a superb Planning Guide for Effective Clubs, and the board was excited about growing the club membership and being involved in the community and world. The club is very involved in promoting literacy training, eradicating polio, Adopt a Highway, and assisting needy families during the holiday season. I was pleased to see PDG Bruce Baker and Luanne at the meeting. Bruce looked great and is getting himself as ready as possible for surgery later this month. 

Cathy Ronald was recognized as the club's Notable Rotarian. She has been a member of the club since 2004 but an active Rotarian for 20 years. Cathy has been very active with the club's signature event, Spring Sing, and the youth exchange.She was named the Rotarian of the Year in 1997 and 2008. She supports The Rotary Foundation as is a Paul Harris Fellow, Benefactor, and Bequest Society member. She served as the club's president in 2008-9 and has served as the District PolioPlus Chair and on the District Youth Exchange Committee. Cathy's classification is Parks and Recreation Management, and retired from the Largo Parks, Recreation, and Arts Department. Cathy is a graduate of the University of Florida. She is married to Tom Ronald, has three children – Errin, Marc, and Matt, and has two grandchildren – Gavin and Andrew. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, walking, gardening, knitting, traveling, and spending time with her two beloved therapy dogs, Britster and Riley. 

For those of you who choose to visit the Rotary Club of Pleasantburg at the Phoenix Inn in Greenville, please be aware that the Krispy Kreme donut factory is next door and had the "Hot Donut" sign on when the meeting ended! We have a family rule to never pass a Krispy Kreme donut store with  "Hot Donuts" sign on!