Pictured are speaker sponsor Buck Wilson, Mitch Ray, and Optimist Club President David Kafitz. Ray received a copy of the Optimist Creed. By Rick Abercrombie In a world protected by the military and by first responders, there is an ongoing need for “post-traumatic growth.” Speaking to St. Andrews Optimists JulyContinue Reading
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 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
By Rick Abercrombie Lieutenant Lee Barrett, a member of Lexington Sheriff’s Department Community Action Team, was a recent speaker at St. Andrews Optimists’ breakfast meeting. Lt. Barrett first rendered a broad “macro” picture of the Department’s coverage and then listed a variety of services offered. The County does not houseContinue Reading
Pictured are Optimist Club President David Kafitz, Paul Cumbers, and speaker host Roger Johansson. By Rick Abercrombie In a third visit to St. Andrews Optimists over the past three years, Paul Cumbers, Executive Director of Lighthouse for Life, provided the Club with a review of Lighthouse’s mission and services andContinue 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 Aberrombie Representing the South Carolina Policy Council (SCPC), Sam Aaron provided the St. Andrews Optimists with an overview of the Council’s role in state government. Aaron serves as the Council’s Research Director. He is a 2017 graduate of Dutch Fork High School and earned his B.A. Degree inContinue 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
By Rick Abercrombie From 1960 to 1980 there really was no Sports Utility Vehicle category in the automotive business. International Harvester marketed the Scout, which was a quasi-station wagon built on a truck chassis and along with Jeep, the two amounted to less than five percent of the market. ScoutsContinue Reading
Pictured are Messenger Dave Brown, Optimist Club President David Kafitz, Messenger Gordan Brown, and Andy Broughton. Each of the speakers received a copy of the Optimist Creed. By Rick Abercrombie On February 13 St. Andrews Optimists enjoyed the message of Andy Brughton and a pair of his protégés. Broughton isContinue Reading