December 7th, 2005

December 7, 2005
Reporter – Noveita Roe
President Carey Hite called the meeting to order and Barry Johns gave the invocation. Patty Cavanaugh gave us an update on the Christmas Party to be held at the Ascot Club House on December 14th. President Carey spoke about the Paul Harris Society Foundation and asked everyone to consider becoming a member.
Larry Stohs spoke about our International Project in Jamaica, which has been revived. Ritchie Tidwell has managed to get a grant that will match our contributions. We are currently working on putting a fence around the soccer field so the children will not have to chase the ball down the side of the mountain.
Joel Collins spoke about the DJJ All Star Banquet he attended Tuesday night. There were over 200 people in attendance and our Rotary Banner was displayed. Awards were presented to 50 young people for their achievements in Academic Enrichment, Spiritual Development, Sports and Fitness, and Youth Leadership. The Lake Murray-Irmo Rotary Club, Honorable Joseph F. Anderson Leadership Award was also presented. Nearly every award presented was sponsored by our Rotary Club. In addition to receiving their special recognition awards, the kids were very proud and thankful to be wearing the new clothing we recently donated for this, as well as future special events. The Director of DJJ, Judge Bill Byars, told Joel how much he and everyone at DJJ appreciated our ongoing contributions and participation.
Molly Cousins and Ginny Barr provided classification updates. Molly will be celebrating her 17th wedding anniversary Friday, and has been with Kelly Services for 16 years. She is currently working on another degree. As soon as she finishes, Molly is planning to go to law school. Congratulations Molly!! Ginny has been in the justice system for over 30 years and is currently with DJJ.
Skey Caskey led us in a spirited round of Christmas carols and the meeting ended with Happy Dollar time. We will next gather at the Ascot Club House for our Christmas Social on December 14th at 7:00 p.m. Our next regular Wednesday morning meeting will be next year, January 4, 2006.

Wednesday November 30th

We welcomed Judge Dan Eckstrom. Dan enlightened us about the workings of the probate court.




Joel Collins helps us celebrate an unexpectedly large club donation of over $1000 for our DJJ Blue Blazer Project. Congrats, Joel!!!





November 30, 2005
Reporter – Joel Price
President Carey called the meeting to order and Skey Caskey gave the invocation. Health and Happiness was provided by our very own Lyman Whitehead. Ray Hunt gave an update on our Christmas party which will be on December 14 beginning at 7pm at Ascot Club House - Skey Caskey and his band will be providing the entertainment. Harvey Hoots introduced our guests and visiting Rotarians.
Joel Collins gave us an update on our DJJ project. Through a contact with Belk Department Stores we will be able to purchase 25 blue blazers for $32.00 each. These normally retail for $80.00 each. Joel passed the pot around hoping that we would collect enough money to offset the total cost of $800.00. We collected $1009.00. Joel and Stacey Atkinson from DJJ invited us to attend DJJ’s All Star Banquet on December 6 beginning at 5:30pm. Stacey gave us an update on the $350.00 we gave to DJJ last year. These funds will be used to purchase black pants, black jackets, and white shirts for the girls to wear.
Terry Klosterman of the Spring Valley Rotary Club talked to us about supporting the sale of a variety of nuts. Proceeds will go to the Gift of Life Fund.
John Adair introduced Judge Dan Eckstrom, Lexington County Probate Judge, as our guest speaker. This is an elected position. Judge Eckstrom has a staff of 8 with a budget of about $500,000.00. Most of these funds come from fees collected through the court. The Probate Court administers or oversees about 1200 estates a year. The court also issues about 1200 marriage licenses per year. Dan did tell us that about 5% of the people who submit a marriage license application do not come back after 24 hours to pick them up. Cases concerning individuals with mental illness and substance abuse issues also go though this court. The decision here is to determine if an individual needs to be admitted to a treatment facility.

Fall Social November 2005

Hope you were there for the Fall Social.

Great Oysters and Fellowship

Who said the gulf had the best seafood?

Don't worry, the Christmas social is only a month away. We'll save you some.

Meeting of November 2nd

Beetle Bailey hosted our program with our speaker Angie Sisk. Ms. Sisk enlightened us about the disease "Maccular Degeneration", and asked Beetle the question that has no answer "how about those Gamecocks?" Please contact Beetle personally for his answer. Also joining Beetle for the presentation was his wife Debra (shown here closest to the flag). Full meeting report will follow on this site.


Last Meeting
November 2, 2005
Reporter – Patty Cavanaugh
President Hite brought the meeting to order with Kevin Adams giving the invocation. Molly Cousins gave a report on the dictionary project, sharing endearing thanks received from River Springs Elementary students. Ray Hunt updated us on the Fall Social Oyster Roast to be held Wednesday, November 9 at Inglewood Manor. He requested a volunteer (because of a resignation) to find sponsors and to oversee the Annual Golf Tournament. December 14 is our Christmas party, to be held at Ascot Club House. Chris Joye reported that the Harbison project is in progress. Chuck Larsen announced the Irmo Chamber’s Annual Auction to take place on November 17 to benefit five charities and Irmo High School.
Beetle and Debbie Bailey introduced Angie Sisk, an Occupational Therapist from Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital (296-5486), who presented a program on macular degeneration. MD is related to aging; the macular (part of retina in back of eye) degenerates, central vision is lost, and peripheral vision remains -- more than 10,000,000 Americans are affected. By age 75, more than 15% have MD. It is the leading cause of blindness over the age of 55. There are two types of MD, with dry MD being less severe than the wet form. Causes of MD are genetics, age related, nutrition, smoking, sunlight exposure and being Caucasian. MD limits safety – contributes to falls and injuries, limits independence and socializing. There is no cure, but treatments include laser and occupational therapy and teaching patients to use vision most effectively. Prevention of MD: 1. Wear UV eye protection; 2. diet high in fruits and vegetables, especially leafy green; 3. stop smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke, and 3. exercise regularly. Prescription antioxidants can be obtained. Avoid partially hydrogenated oils; use olive, canola, flaxseed or safflower oil. A number of community resources are: reduced bus fare, Pitts Eye Fund, MD Support Group at 779-4449, State Library talking books 734-4611, Commission for the Blind (898) 398-8787, and Shepherd’s Center on Trenholm Road. Occupational therapy is covered by Medicare and medical insurance.
After thanking Ms. Sisk and presenting her with a Rotary pen, President Hite adjourned the meeting, with a reminder that the Fall Social Oyster Roast will take the place of a regularly scheduled Wednesday meeting next week.

Wednesday Oct 26th - Inez Tenenbaum

John Adair hosted the program, inviting Inez Tenenbaum who spoke to us about the accomplishments and challenges of education in South Carolina. Full meeting report will follow on this site.
Meeting report from Bob Berry
Dr. Carey Hite opened the meeting with a congratulations to Dr. Judy Johnson and her committee for our auction. He went on to say that the money will be used to fund our projects this year. Chris Joye asked us to be involved in the Harbison Forest Trail clean-up. We need 6-8 folks who will assist in the trail cleanup. It will be February or March of 2006. Pease put it on your calendar. Our fall oyster roast social is November 9 at Inglewood Manor. Let Ray Hunt know if you’re coming.
John Adair introduced Inez Tenenbaum, State Superintendent of Schools. Inez began her talk by covering the history of education reforms while she has been in office. She talked about the Education Accountability Act in 1999 which created standard testing for math, science and history. She also discussed the "No-Child Left Behind Act."
She also said that our state is unfairly ranked in the SAT because over 62% of our students take the SAT wherein some other states, less than 20% of the students take the SAT. She suggested that all of us could help prepare our children to take the SAT by encouraging them to take the PSAT and by reading to our children. She said that by 2014, every child must be proficient in reading. Some states, she said, will have to raise their standard in order to meet this criterion. Our state already has a very high standard so we are going to have to work to reach our goal. We can find out more about this at www.schoolmatters.com.
Even though we have raised our SAT scores 42 points we face five big challenges in South Carolina:
1. The current equity funding suit between the poorer counties and the wealthier counties.
2. Early childhood education.
3. Gangs, truancy, culture and criminal activity.
4. SAT improvement plan.
5. Rediscovering career-oriented education in our high schools.
In conclusion, she asked us to encourage our educators.
Thank you Jenny for the tireless job you do with our newsletter.

Fund Raiser Auction October 14th

Auction and Taste of Irmo was a Big Hit. Thanks to all members for making our Fall Charity Fund Raiser a huge success. Attendance was terrific. Comments were uniformly positive.



Special thanks to Judy Johnson for her extraordinary efforts. Judy worked tirelessly and without complaint for weeks to insure the success of this project. Once again Kelly Payne (sponsor) and the Dutch Fork Interact Club were there with their strong young backs to help with the facility set up.

Kudos to Teresa Miley for help with planning and coordination of our food vendors. Special thanks also to all of you who assisted with special jobs during the event including Patty Cavanaugh (tickets), Jeff Baldwin (refreshments), Ashley Rider and Jason Brown (auction assist). Chuch Larson and the Irmo Chamber were very generous with auction items and facility preparation. Thanks to the Babcock Center (Judy again) and DJJ (Ginny Barr).
(This from Judy J)A few further acknowledgements to Rotarians who graciously assisted behind the scenes include Jeanette Coulter for getting local merchants to donate the majority of the food at the auction, Beatle Bailey for serving as bartender along with Jeff Baldwin, Paul Lundy for assisting with the Art work, Eddie Robinson and Ashley Rider who worked SO hard tearing down the tables and chairs, Mike Seguin who also helped with clean-up and of course, thanks to all the Rotarians who helped get donations for the live and silent auctions ( Carey Hite, Joel Price, Harold Crawford, Theresa Miley, Beatle Bailey, Nathan Ballentine, Ginny Barr, George Staples, Marty Bocock, Lynn Campbell, Joel Collins, Chuck Larsen and Larry Stohs). And let me not forget Bill Danielson who, along with his wife, wrote the biggest check of the evening (Peggy also assisted at the cashier's desk). Thanks also to our food sponsors (be sure to thank them by visiting their businesses). Special thanks to Palmetto Health for allowing us to use their facility. I am told that our financial goals were greatly exceeded. These funds will assist us in maintaining our high level of support for our community projects. CH

Wednesday Meeting October 12th

Minutes - recorded by Jason Brown

The meeting was opened by prayer from John Adair. Judy Johnson spoke about the art auction to be held Friday night at Palmetto Park Ridge Center. President Carey Hite spoke about incorporating the district.
Patty Cavanaugh returned from Her trip to Hollywood where she attended the Hollywood Rotary Club and exchanged banners. She was also presented with a "Walk of Fame Star Pin."
We had the Irmo Chapin Recreational Commission talk to our group about what they do, and what projects they are working on for the future. The bond referendum was turned down last year by a very slight margin, so they have changed the 2005 referendum as outlined below. At the end of the session a question was raised about buying the golf course and making it open to the public. The commission is looking into it, and would like to buy the course.

Below is an outline of the projects the Irmo Recreation Commission is working on, and an outline of the 2005 Referendum.


What is the future of recreation in your community?
Should you invest in recreation and wellness for senior citizens, children and families? Based on community feedback, the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission will present a new proposal for district voters to consider on November 8, 2005.


2005 Referendum Projects

CHAPIN
 4 Soccer Fields
 4 Baseball Fields
 Family Recreation Pool & Playground
 Trails
 Additional Exit Road
 Chapin Theater ($500K match for private funding)

IRMO
 Community Center
- Indoor Walking Track
- Multi-court Gymnasium
- Multipurpose/Activity Rooms
- Fitness Facilities
 4 Soccer Fields
 SOP Baseball Improvements
 Family Recreation Pool & Playground
 10 Tennis Courts

SALUDA SHOALS PARK
 SSP Expansion
- Access Road to new riverfront property
- 4 Shelters in new park area
- 2 Restrooms in new park area
 Amphitheater ($500K match for private funding)
 Skate Park Upgrade

Referendum TOTAL $23,075,000

For additional information about this proposal,
please call 772-1228

Adopt-A-Highway

It's amazing how a little sausage, eggs, grits, coffee, and shrimp will get people out of bed to help with Adopt-A-Highway. The younger members of this picture are part of our Interact Club with their sponsor Kelly Payne. Everyone had a good time and a great meal.

Our Meeting Wednesday October 5th

Lake Murray-Irmo Rotary Club Meeting
October 5, 2005
Reporter- Ashley Rider

The meeting was opened with prayer led by Joel Collins. Harvey Hoots introduced guests and visitors, which again included several members of the Dutch Fork High Interact Club, accompanied by Kelley Payne. Beetle Bailey introduced guest Barry Johns, the new owner of Sign-A-Rama in Irmo. Blount Shepard commented on the turnout and support for last Saturday’s Adopt-A-Highway cleanup, indicating that the event was well attended by the Interact Club. Kelley Payne made the club’s work easy this year. The shrimp and grits were outstanding and in 45 minutes participants picked up 20 bags (300 lbs.) of trash.
President Hite commented on the positive feedback that he has received regarding the club’s new meeting location at Salem United Methodist Church and thanked Joel Collins for his efforts in helping the club locate this venue. He also announced that there will be no club meeting on October 19th due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict at the church. In lieu of the regular meeting, he encouraged all members to attend the Art Auction/Taste of Irmo on October 14. Judy Johnson provided an update on the Auction, indicating that we must have at least 100 attendees in order to obtain an additional $1,500 towards our fundraising efforts. Judy updated the club on some of the auction items that have been donated and recognized Beetle Bailey who brought several golf related items. Judy stressed that volunteers are needed to assist with the event and its set up. The final prep meeting for the Auction will be held on Monday, October 10 at 6:00 p.m. at Carolina Wings in Irmo. Harold Crawford updated the club on the dictionary project.
President Hite announced that the next Board of Directors meeting will be held at 7:30 on October 20th at Three Rivers Medical.
Rod Funderburk introduced our guest speaker, Ambassadorial Scholar Anne Harvey. Anne is a senior at the University of South Carolina who spent a number of months studying in St. Petersburg, Russia. Anne gave a detailed account of her studies in Russia, which ranged from language to literature. She also brought along a number of traditional Russian souvenirs, pictures, and books. During her stay Anne was able to develop a greater understanding of the nation’s culture and its people. She noted the obvious lack of a true middle class in Russia, as well as the obvious juxtaposition between the wealthy and poor areas of the region. Anne made a point to experience as much of the Russian culture as possible during stay, as evidenced by her 12 visits to St. Petersburg’s largest museum. She also volunteered at two orphanages. Anne plans to return to Russia in the near future to work on her thesis, which will deal with the status of women in Russian culture. She closed by thanking the club for its support.

Interact Club

Our interact club is very active with us here in our community. Shown here with their sponsor, Kelly Payne, they deliver dictionaries with us to local Elementary schools. They also have been out in force for Adopt-A-Highway and to assist us with our Fall Charity Auction. Thanks to their sponsor, Kelly Payne.

Meeting Wednesday Sep 28th with Kevin Cohen

Rotary Club of Lake Murray
Minutes to meeting on 9/28/05
Lyn Richards, reporter
The meeting was opened with prayer led by John Adair. Harvey Hoots introduced visitors, which included four members of the Dutch Fork High School Interact Club, brought by Kelley Payne. Michael Sequin provided us with an update on the Irmo Okra Strut, which he said went really well, with ample volunteers. Blount Shepard will host the Adopt-A-Highway cleanup date this Saturday with breakfast at his office from 8 to 9, and then clean-up to follow. Harold Crawford gave us an update on the dictionary project. Dr. Lynn Campbell gave us our Rotary magazine quiz, which I’d say we only got about a C+ on. Judy Johnson gave us our tickets to sell for the Art Auction.
Nathan Ballentine introduced our guest speaker, Kevin Cohen of WVOC here in Columbia.
Kevin spoke with us regarding his trip to Guantanamo Bay. Kevin is open of his support of President Bush and the current policy regarding the war in Iraq. Kevin’s belief is that history will vindicate the Iraq war. One of Kevin’s concerns was what he had been hearing in the media about the treatment of detainees in Guantanamo Bay, and through the help of Senator Lindsay Graham’s office and Joe Wilson’s office, he was secreted away on a trip to ascertain the facts for himself.
Kevin was impressed with the beauty of Cuba and is excited about economic opportunities that will present themselves at the end of Castro’s regime.
First Kevin visited camp X Ray, where detainees used to be kept. He stated that the conditions there were abysmal, but the place is now deserted. He says this is the camp that the media shows pictures of when featuring Guantanamo Bay in news items.
At the actual detention center, he saw the prisoners and was actually able to interview guards and administrative personnel. There are three levels of detainees, designated by color; orange being the color of the most uncooperative detainees. He admitted that some abuse had occurred, but reminded us of the unimaginable provocation that our soldiers receive from the detainees. While Kevin was aware that his visit was anticipated and prepared for, he felt that he could get a fair picture of conditions, which were tolerable. Each Muslim has their own copy of a Q’uran, a prayer mat, and arrows pointing in the direction of Mecca in order to help them pray. He stated that the reason cooperative detainees are not released is due to the stigma that attaches to both being a detainee and having cooperated. It is also due to the possibility that these prisoners will revert to subversive activities.
Kevin was very grateful to Senator Graham and House Representative Joe Wilson for the opportunity to witness news events first hand.

Rotary at Okra Strut 2005

We were there at the 2005 Okra Strut selling tickets; checking ID's; eating Okra; celebrating with a cigar; caring for, displaying, and reinflating the Okra man; and just hanging out. Good fun and fellowship.