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.