Pictured are speaker sponsor David Deal, Bonnoitt, and Optimist Club President David Kafitz Jim Thorpe In 1913, Jim Thorpe, who many argue was the greatest athlete in U.S. history, was forced to return the gold medals he had won in the 1912 Olympics. Researchers had discovered that Thorpe had playedContinue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie Since 1999, Pawmetto Lifeline has worked tirelessly to “address the companion pet overpopulation issue in South Carolina.” Jack Sloan, the Pawmetto Director of Development, recently visited the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo to describe the mission and daily workings of the organization. The long view of itsContinue Reading
Pictured from left are St. Andrews Woman’s Club members Phyllis Plyler, Jane Jeffcoat, and Libby Overcash presenting a donation check to Chris Derajtys of the Carolina Wildlife Center. The St. Andrews Woman’s Club recently showed its support for local wildlife conservation efforts by donating funds and needed supplies to theContinue Reading
Pictured are Donna Williams from LawyerLisa, speaker sponsor Kerry Powers, Lisa Hostetler Brown, and Optimist Club President David Kafitz. By Rick Abercrombie Lisa Hostetler Brown, known in South Carolina as “LawyerLisa,” spoke recently to St. Andrews Optimists at their Friday breakfast meeting. Donna Williams, LawyerLisa’s Markeing Director, was also inContinue Reading
Lisa Livingston Fusco,Senior Director of Development and Communications at Epworth Children’s Home receives a scholarship check from members of GFWC St. Andrews Woman’sClub, Gail Elfert, Missy Klopfer, Linda Davis and Kaye Hunke. The scholarship funds can be used to help one or more of the residents in Epworth’s Independent LivingContinue Reading
West Columbia, S.C., June 2, 2026 – During the 1st half of 2026, Midlands area animal rescue organizations were awarded Promoting Animal Welfare (PAW) grants by local non-profit, Southern Paw Partners, Inc. dba Thrifty Paws Boutique in West Columbia, S.C. They include: Animal Protection League, Arcadia Animal Rescue, Basset RescueContinue Reading
St. Andrews Woman’s Club continues its support of Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS) with a contribution dedicated to the training of service dogs. The Club champions an organization whose mission is to enrich and empower children and adults with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities through trained service animals andContinue Reading
Pictured on the back row are SAWC members: Mary North, Becky Travis, Gail Elfert and Maureen Taylor. In the middle are residents of Stephen’s House: Matthew Harrison, Cameron Martin and Bryant Shelley. On April 30 the bench earned in the Trex Recycling Challenge was delivered by members of the St.Continue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie On April 17, St. Andrews Optimist Club welcomed as its speaker Clint Shealy, Assistant City Manager, Columbia Water. Shealy was on duty non-stop during the events following the “Thousand Year Flood” of 2015 and as such, was exactly the right person to detail the damages and rebuildingContinue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie Russell Ott, State Senator from District 26, spoke recently to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. Ott’s District encompasses Calhoun County and also includes parts of Lexington and Richland County. The district is characterized by booming industry while agriculture is prominent in the southern half. So theContinue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — CrossRoads Intermediate sixth grader Wesley Monroe has been named the March Student of the Month by the Lake Murray-Irmo Rotary Club. Principal Erin Doty praised Monroe for his contributions to the school community. “Wesley was chosen because of his leadership, creativity, and innovation at CrossRoads,” Doty said.Continue Reading