Annika Thomas, Community Relations Manager for the Richland County Public Library, spoke on October 20 to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. Thomas quickly dispelled any antiquated notions that libraries are merely institutions where books can be accessed. That having been established, Thomas did detail how RCPL strives to addressContinue Reading
On September 29, the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo held its annual Day of Giving during which more than $30,000 was donated to 20 causes. The common thread of the recipients is that each of them works to improve the lives of the youth of the Midlands. Many of theContinue Reading
On October 13 the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo held a banquet celebrating the transfer of power. At the banquet, outgoing President Larry Blosser ended a successful year by symbolically passing the gavel to incoming President Kerry Powers. Powers became the first woman to lead the club in its 52-yearContinue Reading
Local personality Charlie Benton spoke to the St. Andrews Optimist Club on September 15. Benton hosted an AM radio talk show with his father for several years and now coaches sales organizations regarding their sales techniques and their promotional/advertising efforts. Pictured are Club President Larry Blosser, Benton, and speaker sponsorContinue Reading
Councilman Bill Danielson, who has spoken to St. Andrews Optimists in the past, appeared September 8 in his new role as a candidate for Mayor of the Town of Irmo. Having announced formally, Danielson spoke to the club about both his motivations for seeking the office and about some ofContinue Reading
Irmo Town Councilman Eric Sickinger spoke to the St. Andrews Optimist Club on August 11. Sickinger described his primary motivation for seeking the office as a desire to project a positive image of the town to the Midlands. He characterized his approach as being a combination of both delegating andContinue Reading
On July 21, the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo hosted speakers Hugh Caldwell and Barbara Padgett, representing the South Carolina Envirothon. The event they detailed is hosted annually by the SC Department of Natural Resources. Envirothon began nationally in 1979 to raise awareness among high school students who showed anContinue Reading
“If you serve, you deserve” is the motto of Columbia’s Operation Veterans Support, whose founder, Dr. Glen Brown, spoke to St. Andrews Optimists on July 14. Providing clothing, food, job search support, and housing assistance, the organization places volunteers in the lives of military veterans during their times of need. Continue Reading
Town of Irmo Mayor Barry Walker spoke to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo on June 16. Walker also serves as President of the Lexington Municipal Association. Walker’s path to the mayoralty had its beginnings when he transferred from Connecticut to this area while an information technology professional. He soughtContinue Reading
State Representative Nathan Ballentine, from House District 71, spoke to St. Andrews Optimists on June 9. Ballentine gave an overview of current issues and fielded questions from the club members.Continue Reading
St. Andrews Optimists received a presentation by Gabrielle Johansson on May 5. Johansson, a recent graduate of USC, is an Education Specialist at the Anne Frank Center, located on the USC campus. It is the only such center in the United States that partners with the Anne Frank Center headquartersContinue Reading