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
On May 19, St. Andrews Optimists received an update on the work of Palmetto Place with a presentation from Laird Weaver, recently appointed Development Manager. Weaver, who has become fluent in the operation of Palmetto Place in a very short time, addressed the mission and volunteer opportunities there. Palmetto PlaceContinue Reading
St. Andrews Optimists recently enjoyed a presentation from Jason Fulmer, District Construction Engineer for South Carolina Department of Transportation. Fulmer’s geographical area of responsibility consists of Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Lee, and Sumter Counties. He described the contracting and implementation methods in play, focusing mainly on those projects that involve interstates.Continue Reading
The Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo held their 37th annual golf tournament at Golden Hills Country Club in Lexington on Monday, May 1. The 9:30am shotgun captain’s choice tournament saw nearly 80 golfers tee-off in this fundraiser to support youth in the community. The platinum sponsor for the event wasContinue Reading
The March 31 speaker for the Optimist Club of Irmo-St. Andrews was Courtney Dennis, Irmo Town Manager. Dennis has a long association with the Club, beginning early-on with his representation of the police Explorer Post, a cause the Club has supported for several years. He rose through the ranks ofContinue Reading
The motto of the Optimist International organization and that of St. Andrews Optimists locally is “Friend of Youth.” Much—if not all— of the local Club’s focus is on interacting with people who work with youth and on raising funds to support those organizations. In that vein, the Club welcomed Dr.Continue Reading
St. Andrews Optimists’ February 3 speaker was Floyd Lyles, Superintendent of Education at The Department of Juvenile Justice. Lyles attended Benedict College where he credits a professor who saw much potential in him and who became a source of encouragement. Finishing Benedict with his Bachelor’s Degree, he completed his postgraduateContinue Reading