Governor Sanford visit Sep 20

Governor Mark Sanford shared some wisdom about our State Government with us. Introduced by Stan Bugner. Pictured above with the Governor are President Molly Cousins, Dutch Fork Interact Club with Kelly Payne, Joel Collins, Suzie Hamm, Patty Cavanaugh. Full meeting report to follow. (photos by John Adair)


Last Week
September 20, 2006
Reporters: Blount Shepard & Ginny Barr
HONORING THE OCCASION: Following the invocation by Harold Crawford, the Birchwood High School JROTC Honor Guard from DJJ Posted the Colors. Seated at the head table where Governor Sanford, President Molly, and Stan Bugner. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Ms. Laura Adair (daughter-in-law of John Adair) sang the National Anthem accompanied by Matthew Jones on the snare drum. Needless to say the meeting was off to a rousing start!
INTRODUCTIONS: Sgt. at Arms, Harvey Hoots had multiple visiting Rotarians and guests to introduce. The Interact Club members joining Kelly Payne for breakfast this morning were too numerous to count.
IN OTHER ACTION: Ginny Barr announced that the Club had awarded our first DJJ Scholarship. She read the application letter from the scholarship’s first recipient, Tyrone. Tyrone will be attending Denmark Technical College where he plans to study to become a barber. The scholarship monies will be used to purchase the barbering tools he will need. Tyrone is a former JROTC Cadet from Birchwood High School at DJJ.
Michael Seguin made an appeal for Okra Strut volunteers to assist the late shift for ticket sales and Okra Man. The late shift work ends at 10:30 pm. Please sign up! Michael has planned a coordinating meeting for next Monday, 6:30 p.m., at Carolina Wings.
GUEST SPEAKER: The Honorable Mark C. Sanford, Jr., Governor, South Carolina
Stan Bugner introduced Governor Mark Sanford, saying that has a record of reducing government growth. The Governor quickly stepped up deliver an overview of his administration’s approach regarding the interests of our State.
The Governor discussed several issues to include the state’s economy and spending, school choice, government structure, and giving citizens a voice. Regarding the economy, he said that he agrees with Thomas Friedman’s book "The World Is Flat." Technology has forever linked the world in such a way that we, South Carolinians, are in constant global competition. He said that whenever possible his administration is trying to create a "soil" rich for the sustained growth of industry. He remarked that by changing certain business conditions affecting the movie industry, the state is now seeing a return of that industry throughout the state. Regarding our government structure, Governor Sanford stated that the executive branch of state government controls 16% of the state agencies. He believes this is an area in which the structure of state government should be changed. He sited the changes that have taken place at the DMV as example.
Governor Sanford opened the floor to questions. One question was asked regarding the impact of early childhood education and the importance of this component to the educational process. Governor Sanford assured the group of his administration’s commitment to the First Steps Program begun by the previous administration.
Another question was asked regarding how, without disrespect our culture, we can change to be more visioning toward the future, rather than only relishing how things were in the past. The Governor said that our heritage and much of where we came from is what folks like about our state and gives us a unique identity. However, he said that his administration is nudging the culture in our state government to try to create brighter prospects of the future.

September 13th

Our speaker, Dr. Keith Benson, from Riverbanks Zoo talked to us about the Flamingo project at the Zoo. Here he demonstrates his "air guitar"

Interact Club Members join us for breakfast.

Patty Cavanaugh presents our speaker with our unique Rotary Pin

Two Lynns enjoy a joke at breakfast


Last Week
September 13, 2006
Reporter – Blount Shepard
INTRODUCTIONS: Sgt. at Arms, Harvey Hoots had multiple visiting Rotarians and guests to introduce, and started the CART Fund Coins for Alzheimer’s Research. President Molly said that Harry Hafer is a Rotarian relocating to Columbia and has expressed an interest in joining our club. Please seek him out in the following weeks and make him feel at home (i.e. sign him up to help with the OKRA STRUT!). Ten Interact members joined Kelly Payne for breakfast.
IN OTHER ACTION: Lyman Whitehead shared some good humor during Health and Happiness. Ervin Ott is celebrating becoming 6’-4" on Friday, September 15th. Skee’s son is on his way home from Iraq!
Jim Jeffers held the Four Way Test which Bill Danielson passed with flying colors. I wonder if Jim knows that the Four Way Test was introduced to Rotary through industry when the President of Club Aluminum in Chicago brought it to RI from his company when he served as RI President.
Chuck Larson’s speaker for the Irmo Chamber lunch today is Sonny White, Midlands Tech President. Also, the Miss Greater Irmo pageant is this weekend at the Irmo Elementary auditorium.
President Molly gave last call to sign up for the Rotary Foundation luncheon with RI President, Bill Boyd, at the Radisson Columbiana (Bush River Road & I-20) on 9/22. Attendees should be there by 11:30 a.m. Lunch starts at 12:00 p.m. sharp. The next Club Board meeting is at Three Rivers Medical on Thursday, 9/21.
GUEST SPEAKER: Eddie Robinson introduced our guest speaker, Dr. Keith Benson from Riverbanks Zoo. Dr. Benson livened up breakfast with a power point presentation on the Flamingo Colony at Riverbanks.
Flamingos are an interesting bird with a name derived from "flame" to match their salmon pink coloration. With a history dating back 60 million years these creatures are survivors, but six known species are nonetheless extinct. There color is from eating caratenoid pigments that naturally come from shrimp and algae. They range from the Caribbean to Chile, SA. They are just like South Carolina tourists; they love to be in a crowd near shallow estuaries. Similarly, this setting seems to enhance the potential for breeding.
Riverbanks received 20 eggs this year from a flamingo colony in Hialeah, Fla. of which 13 have survived to adolescence. The highly informative and entertaining presentation ended when Chris Joye asked Dr. Benson if the flamingos would turn blue if they were fed blueberries. Dr. Benson was sorry to disappoint Chris saying that they would not, but he wished they could so they would be able to distinguish the boys from the girls!

District Governor Visits Our Club

Pictured here - President Molly with one leg up, District Gov. Bernie Riedel, Kelly Payne and part of her Dutch Fork Rotary Interact club

District Gov. Bernie (glasses) presents this year's district flag to President Molly while John Adair looks on.




Our two newest Paul Harris Fellows Bob and Vicki Berry received thier awards from our District Governor, Bernie Riedel
Harold Crawford, District Governor Bernie Riedel, Novieta Roe.


Last Meeting
August 30, 2006

Reporter – Chris King

President Molly Cousins called the meeting to order. Skey Caskey delivered the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. President Molly welcomed the Interact Club members attending our meeting. Lyman Whitehead provided the membership with Health and Happiness.

The Board met last week and is exploring participating in Rotary’s “Adopt a Club” project being implemented in Mississippi and Louisiana. Judy Johnson is fact finding. One club contacted in that area is requesting financial contributions.

Patty Cavanaugh reported that the Youth Committee will be meeting on Friday, September 1, 2006, at 7:30 a.m. at Lizards Thicket. The Dictionary Project will be finalized and other projects discussed.

Molly reported that the Dutch Fork Interact Club has 30-40 students signed up for membership. Our Board approved a $200 investment for start-up, as well t-shirts for the members. The Interact Club will meet every other Thursday at the school.

Michael Seguin reminded members about the Okra Strut on September 29th & 30th and sent around a sign-up sheet for volunteers. Molly reminded members that the Rotary Foundation Seminar will be held on September 22nd at the Radisson in Columbia. RI President Bill Boyd will be the speaker.

Gary Williams introduced Rotarian Bob Berry and his wife Vicky. Bernie Riedel then presented them the Paul Harris Fellows Award and thanked them for their donations and commitment to Rotary.

President Molly introduced our speaker, District 7770 Governor Bernie Riedel. Mr. Riedel invited the membership to the Foundation Seminar. Rotary’s theme this year is “Lead the Way.” One of Riedel’s goals this year is to establish a strategic plan for the District. He encouraged us to get back to the fundamentals of Rotary: service, fellowship, networking, and support of the Rotary Foundation.

Governor Riedel encouraged members to attend the District Conference to be held in Hilton Head on 03/23-24 of 2007. This will be a joint conference with the upstate (District 7750). He also reminded the group of the good work the Foundation does and asked that members consider contributions.

Governor Riedel presented a new district banner to President Molly.

President Molly thanked Mr. Riedel for coming and adjourned the meeting.

Wednesday August 23rd

Kelly Payne and Deana Engelkens from our Interact club with Harold Crawford. Why is this man smiling?



Rod Funderburk introduces our speaker


Andrew Schwark, our Ambassadorial Scholar

President Molly called the meeting to order. Lyman Whitehead delivered our invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Lyman also provided us his usual health and happiness humor.

Michael Seguin reminded members about the upcoming Okra Strut to be held September 29th and 30th. He will be providing sign up sheets for volunteers at next week’s meeting. President Molly reminded members about the joint Rotary Foundation Meeting scheduled for September 22, 2006, at the Radisson in Columbia and encouraged members to attend. Molly also reminded us that our guest speaker next week will be 7770 District Governor, Bernie Riedel.

Rod Funderburk introduced our guest speaker, Andrew Schwark. Andrew is a 2005 Rotary Ambassadorial Year-Long Scholar, sponsored by District 7770 and Lake Murray-Irmo Club. He will be hosted by District 9100 and the Saint-Louis, Senegal Rotary Clubs. Andrew will be leaving for the nation of Senegal on September 25th and returning in June, 2007. He will be studying at the University of Gaston Berger in Saint Louis, as well as taking language classes at the ACI-Baobab Center in Dakar.

Senegal is a small nation in western Africa that is primarily a Muslim country and where the official languages are French, Wolof, and Pulaar. It is a stable democracy and its primary industries are tourism and agricultural (especially peanuts). The climate there varies from tropical to desert and the major cities include Dakar, the capital, and Saint Lousi, the former French colonial capital. Andrew chose Senegal because he has been utterly fascinated by Africa since high school and he has a passion for the French (Senegal is a part of the
francophone or French speaking world).

Andrew described the long and involved Rotary Scholarship Application process, but expressed that it was a very worthwhile effort. He thanked all involved in shepherding him through the process, particularly Rod Funderburk and George Staples. We all wish Andrew a safe and memorable trip and look forward to his report when he returns.

The meeting concluded with a rousing Happy Dollar session. Molly then thanked Andrew for his presentation and wished him well on his upcoming journey. The meeting was adjourned.

August 16th 2006

Tim Kreuger accepts check from Beetle Bailey for South Carolina Junior Golf Association. Full report to follow.


Last Meeting
August 16, 2006
Reporter – Susie Hamm

In the absence of President Molly Cousins, President Elect Beetle Bailey called the meeting to order. John Adair delivered the invocation. Lyn Campbell provided the club with a few great tips regarding investments in real estate and advice on keeping personal securities safe. Harvey Hoots introduced guests and, along with John Adair, reminded us about the upcoming joint Rotary Foundation Seminar with Districts 7770 and 7750 (the upstate) to be held on September 22nd at the Radisson in Columbia. Blount Shepard reminded everyone about the "Adopt the Highway" work day coming up this Saturday, August 19th.
Ginny Barr introduced our guest speaker, Tim Kreger, Director of Development for the Junior Golf Foundation. As described by Mr. Kreger, the mission of the Junior Golf Foundation is to create the opportunity for youth to learn the game of golf, to provide character education, and to support the Junior Golf projects and activities. Some of the projects being supported include Junior Golf Land facilities, Little Legends Golf, Junior Golf Scholarships, Fairway Outreach, and Golf Week. Through large contributions from Hootie & The Blowfish, the future of Junior Golf in South Carolina has grown tremendously. Little Legends Golf alone has reached10 cities in South Carolina, hosting over 500 participants. These programs create a fun team environment and help children build skills and dreams.
The Lake Murray-Irmo Rotary Club proudly presented Mr. Kreger with a check for $1,500 as a contribution to the Junior Golf Foundation. This donation was made possible by funds raised by our club at the 2006 Charity Golf Classic in July.
Beetle Bailey thanked Tim Kreger for his presentation and adjourned the meeting.

August 9th, 2006

Last Meeting
August 9, 2006
Reporter – Mickey Epting
President Molly Cousins call the meeting to order. Jim Gadsden delivered the invocation. Lyman Whitehead provided us with some Health and Happiness. President Cousins reminded us that the "Adopt a Highway" work day is next week, August 19th. Carey Hite gave a brief announcement about the new hospital planned at the Irmo exit.
Patty Cavanaugh introduced the guest speaker, John Lumpkin, with the Water Front Steering Committee Development in the Vista area. John gave a talk about the exciting plans for the Vista area and especially the water front. The new plans would include a world class water front park in the area between Gervais Street and Blossom Street and beyond to include the area around the new USC baseball park. These plans have been made possible in large part because of a gift of land along the river by the Guinyard family.
The cost of the improvements for the public elements is estimated to be around $109 million. The plans have involved a mutual initiative by local government, the University of South Carolina and The Guinyard family. Much of the planning has been done by Sasaki, the planner for both USC and the Guinyards. Some of the features will include extending Green Street to the park, as well as the extension of Williams Street from Blossom to Gervais Street and the burying of the current high power transmission lines along the river in the new roadway. These are exciting plans for the future of our community.
President Cousins thanked John for his presentation and adjourned the meeting.

Wednesday Aug 2nd 2006

Joel Collins inducts our newest Rotarian, John Wilkins

New member, John Wilkins, with sponsor, Molly Cousins



Youth Exchange student, Beth Oliver, with mom, leaving for Finland this Saturday






August 2, 2006
Reporter-- Jim Wellman

President Molly Cousins called the meeting to order. Following that Chuck Larsen opened our meeting with prayer, after which the Club recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Harvey Hoots introduced our visiting Rotarians, whom hailed from various Rotary Clubs across the midlands. He also introduced our other guest, Mike McClay’s wife who was attending with him this morning.
Joel Collins, standing in for Lyman Whitehead, entertained us with several references to his "family".
Larry Stohs passed around several copies of our Club directory asking each member to check the accuracy of the information it contained. He indicated we should have the directory in the next several weeks.
Jim Jeffers gave a brief presentation on the 4 Way Test. He indicated that at President Molly’s request that will be increased emphasis on the Test this coming year.
Mike McClay introduced our exchange student, Beth Oliver. Beth is on her way to Finland.
Blount Shepard announced that the next adopt-a-highway Saturday would be August 19th. He promised a special breakfast to all of those who participate.
President Molly assisted by Joel Collins inducted our newest member to our Club, John Wilkins.
Ben Heritage reported that the golf tournament raised over $7,000. He thanked everyone for their assistance and participation.
John Adair, prior to introducing our speaker shared a humorous story with us. This prompted many in the Club to wish for a speedy return of Lyman Whitehead. After the groans died down he introduced Dr. Paul Wieber as our speaker. Dr. Wieber is a retired energy expert having worked for several organizations and the Federal Government in his career. He is a fellow Rotarian and lives in Chapin. Dr. Wieber shared with us the following points:
In the United States 80 % of our energy usage is in the form of fossil fuels,
with nuclear, solar, wind, and geo-thermal sources accounting for the majority of the remainder.
He indicated that there is estimated to be a 1000 year supply of coal, while natural gas supplies are only expected to last 20-30 years.
70% of the world oil supplies are believed to be in the Middle East.
He passed around a chart showing that world wide oil production is only expected to rise until 2010. After which he expects a decline in production.
His recommendation is that we as a nation take the following steps. Conservation, smaller cars and increased reliance on renewable energy sources such as nuclear, solar and wind.
The meeting was then adjourned by President Molly.

or
version #2 (different reporter)

Last Meeting
August 2, 2006
Reporter – Judy Johnson
President Molly Cousins called the meeting to order. Chuck Larsen delivered the invocation and Joel Collins provided the group with Health and Happiness. Harvey Hoots introduced three guests and Larry Stohls gave a report on the Rotary yearbook. Members were asked to review lists that were circulating and to note approval of their information or edit changes that were necessary.
Jim Jeffers gave a brief presentation on the 4-Way test and challenged all Rotarians to learn the 4-Way test which included: Is it FAIR, is it the TRUTH, will it afford GOODWILL and is it BENEFICIAL to all concerned? Jim plans on challenging Rotarians on a monthly basis to recite the 4-Way test and he will bring prizes.
President Cousins announced there would not be a Board meeting tomorrow. Blount Shepard reminded the group that the next "Adopt a Highway" clean up was scheduled for Saturday, August 19 and those participating will be fed a wonderful breakfast of Shrimp and grits. Michael McClay introduced Beth Oliver and her mother Susan. Our club is sponsoring Beth on a trip to Finland. Ben Herritage gave a report on the golf tournament which resulted in over $7,000 profit to use for our Rotary projects. Way to go Ben!!! President Cousins asked Joel Collins to assist in welcoming new member John Wilkins, an attorney, into our Rotary Club.
John Adair introduced our speaker, Dr. Paul Wieber, from the Chapin Rotary Club. Dr Wieber is a chemical engineer and has devoted over 40 years to the energy industry. He cautioned the group that our natural gas supply is depleting rapidly and we need to do our part in conserving this form of energy. Over 70% of the oil used today comes from the Middle East. Given the current crises in the Middle East, there is a concern about future availability of oil. He suggested the following steps for us to take: conservation is the easiest, purchase lighter automobiles that use diesel fuel, reduce speed limits and consider purchasing hybrid vehicles. Molly Cousins thanked Dr. Wieber for his presentation and the meeting was adjourned.

Our golf tournament

Words just aren't enough!
















Awards Banquet.
I dunno, chuck. Which one do you think has the most carbs?
Golf Committee

 

Golf fun - more pictures

 

Golf tournament - more pictures

 

Ben Herritage and Ginny Barr.
Bill Danielson
Bill brings the practice tee to its knees.
Lyman Whitehead - looking for a golf cart.