Pictured are Optimist Club President David Kafitz and Major Tapler, who received a copy of the Optimist Creed. By Rick Abercrombie Major Steven Tapler, representing Richland County Sheriff’s Department, spoke October 9 to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. Until his September promotion to the rank of Major, then-Captain TaplerContinue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie On September 24, St. Andrews Optimists gathered representatives of 22 local causes that the Club supports financially. The Club calls the event “Day of Giving.” in its 55 years, the Club has donated more than half a million dollars to the same or similar causes. The commonContinue Reading
Pictured are Optimist Club President David Kafitz and Dr. Campbell, who received a copy of the Optimist Creed. By Rick Abercrombie Dr. Joel Campbell, representing USC’s Joseph F. Rice School of Law, spoke September 18 to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. Dr. Campbell manages USC’s Family and Small BusinessContinue Reading
Irmo Mayor Bill Danielson spoke Aug. 21 to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo, discussing several ongoing issues and projects involving the Town of Irmo. Danielson provided an update on topics currently before the Town Council before opening the floor for a question-and-answer session with club members.Continue Reading
Pictured are Optimist Club President David Kafitz and Miranda Creech, who received a copy of the Optimist Creed. By Rick Abercrombie The August 14 speaker at the St. Andrews Optimist Club breakfast meeting was Miranda Creech.The speaker is the Director of Family Engagement and Support for Growing Hope, an organizationContinue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie At the August 7 meeting of St. Andrews Optimists, the Club heard a presentation by Chris Manley, Director of the McGregor Presbyterian Preschool and by Beth Reilly, representing District 5 as a Certified Teacher Mentor. Reilly’s field of expertise is in Special Education. The number “three” holdsContinue Reading
Pictured are Optimist Club President David Kafitz, speaker sponsor Kerry Driggers, and Adina Maynard, who received a copy of the Optimist Creed. By Rick Abercrombie Adina Maynard, a highly experienced career nurse, spoke July 24 to St. Andrews Optimists. Maynard worked in the field of oncology and witnessed firsthand aContinue Reading
South Carolina’s rapid growth is creating new challenges for protecting the state’s natural resources, but the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is expanding conservation, planning and education efforts. That was the message delivered recently to the Rotary Club of Lake Murray-Irmo by Anna Huckabee Smith, Certified Wildlife BiologistContinue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie Representing Indian Waters Council of Scouting America – formerly Boy Scouts of America – Scott Haigler spoke recently to St. Andrews Optimists. Among other duties, Haigler is a National Camping School Course Director with the organization. The Council includes 19 counties in South Carolina. Haigler outlined aContinue Reading
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