University of South Carolina professor Dr. David Shields brought a tasty message as Capital Rotary’s June 5 guest speaker. Shields (flanked in photo by Rotarians Chris Myers at left and Ann Elliott) tries to revive the best-tasting produce and grains from Southern history and bring them back to the dinner table. He said these essential ingredients of delicious and distinctive foods have become nearly extinct, giving way to crops that are more economical to grow, ship and prepare but not as mouth-watering. A revival of Lowcountry farming and interest from chefs has created a demand for heirloom grains and vegetables. Shields has published more than 80 articles and a dozen books based on research into the antebellum South’s crops, meals and the cooks who prepared them. He also chairs the Carolina Gold Rice Foundation board and the Slow Food: Ark of Taste for the South project, called “a living catalog of delicious and distinctive foods facing extinction.” A native of Maryland, Dr. Shields received his undergraduate degree from William and Mary and his PhD from the University of Chicago. He was appointed a Carolina Distinguished Professor in 2014.
Two Foundation Donors Recognized
Capital Rotary president Philip Flynn (center in photo) congratulates Jimmy Gibbs (left) and Bud Foy for earning Paul Harris Fellow Plus-Four honors recognizing their continued contributions to The Rotary Foundation, the international service club’s charitable arm that supports programs for world understanding and peace. Gibbs and Foy have each made an initial $1,000 donation to the fund, followed by four additional gifts of $1,000. Gibbs, an insurance broker, is a past president and past assistant district governor who joined Capital Rotary in September 1995. Foy, a retired dentist, joined the club in March 2015 and was a member of the Rotary Club of Monterey, CA for 24 years before relocating to South Carolina.
Nephron CEO details newest endeavor
Lou Kennedy, President and CEO of Nephron Pharmaceuticals, spoke to the Columbia Capital Rotary Club on Wednesday, September 5th. An avid Gamecock fan, Ms. Kennedy detailed Nephron’s move from Florida to South Carolina and its growth over the last five years. Currently employing over 800, Nephron has become an anchor for the Midlands’ economy while being actively involved in the community. She described Nephron’s newest endeavor in providing hospitals with ‘short-supply meds’ and filling a nationwide need. Ms. Kennedy gave a personal story on perseverance that resonated with club members.
District Governor visits Capital Rotary
In July, District Governor David Tirard visited the Capital Rotary club to lead way into an exciting new Rotary year. During his comments, DG Tirard relayed Rotary International’s 2018-19 motto, “Be the Inspiration”, but emphasized that you don’t have to be a leader to be an inspiration and that everyone can leave their footprints in the sands of time to make a lasting change.
Tirard is originally from Plymouth, England where he had a 34 year banking career. He moved to the United States in 2002. Past District Governor Sandee Brooks invited Tirard to a Rotary meeting in 2003 and he has been a Rotarian since. He now lives in Hilton Head, SC where he enjoys chasing a little white ball around golf courses and has accomplished a single handicap.
Capital Rotary’s David Boucher Vies for District Honor
Rotary District 7770 Gov. Gary Bradham (right) congratulates Capital Rotary past president David Boucher as the club’s nominee for a Four-Way Test Award to be presented at the March 2018 district conference. The award is predicated on the “Rotary Four-Way Test” set of guidelines adopted in 1942 as a standard for ethics in business management. The 4-Way Test considers the following questions in respect to thinking, saying or doing: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Capital Highlights for 2016-2017 Rotary Year
At the annual club assembly to review Capital Rotary’s accomplishments for 2016-2017, president Tommy Gibbons thanked members for achieving highlights that included:
- Earning a Leadership Citation badge for participation in local/district community service projects plus contributions for international humanitarian outreach.
- Donating dictionaries to third-grade students in 12 Richland County District One schools. Over the past 12 years, the club has distributed personal dictionaries to12,150 youngsters.
- Collecting 61 pints at the annual Red Cross Blood Drive, each donation helping to save the lives of up to three people.
- Raising $2,100 at a Lake Murray charity fishing tournament and over $18,000 in holiday wreath sales to benefit college scholarships; club stipends currently go to four students.
- Contributing almost $40,000 in charitable funds to The Rotary Foundation, to Polio Plus efforts to eliminate the crippling disease worldwide, and for the CART (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust) Fund to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s disease.
- Supporting The Rotary Foundation with 54 Paul Harris Fellows ($1,000 donation), 46 Benefactors ($1,000 donation via will), four Bequest Society members ($10,000 donation upon death), four Major Donors (donation greater than $10,000) and eight Paul Harris Society members ($1,000 donation yearly) in our ranks.
- Providing $1,000 for flood assistance in Louisiana as well as $585 from individual members.
- Helping a local family with Christmas gifts and working with the Saint Bernard Project to repair the family’s house after flooding.
- Adding six new members and getting them involved and engaged early in club activities.
- Continuing community service projects with Meals on Wheels and Harvest Hope Food Bank
- Publicizing club activities with 60 website and social media posts; reaching 8,609 people through social media; 3,002 website visitors; 30 press releases to local media; and mention of our club in 14 district e-newsletters.
2016-2017 President Cited for Service
Blake DuBose, Capital Rotary’s incoming president, presents a distinguished service plaque to Dr. Tommy Gibbons (right), who led the club for 2016-2017. Gibbons, a native of Clarendon County, is president and chief medical officer of UCI Medical Affiliates, Inc. and Doctors Care, PA in Columbia. He’s also served as chair of the SAFEKIDS South Carolina Board of Directors and as a member of The Children’s Trust SAFEKIDS South Carolina Advisory Committee. DuBose, a graduate of Newbery College, is president of DuBose Web Group, a website design and development firm based in Columbia.
Capital Rotary Installs New 2017-2018 Board
Capital Rotary Club of Columbia has installed new board members for 2017-2018. Pictured are (from left) David Boucher, membership director; Blake DuBose, president; Neda Beal, at-large director and service chair; Ben Carlton and Gloria Saeed, at-large directors; Craig Lemrow, treasurer; Abby Naas, secretary; Ione Cockrell, at-large director; Bill Beers, at-large director and sergeant at arms; Tommy Gibbons, past president and Rotary Foundation chair. The club’s new president-elect is Philip Flynn (not pictured).
2017 Columbia Capital Rotarian of the Year Recognized
Capital Rotary president Tommy Gibbons awards the 2017 Rotarian of the Year plaque to treasurer Craig Lemrow (left) in recognition of his dedication and loyal devotion to the ideals of “Service Above Self.” A former Rotarian in Lexington, Lemrow joined the Capital club in 2014. He’s previously been recognized for multiple contributions to The Rotary Foundation, an international charitable fund that supports programs for world understanding and peace.
PGA Professional speaks to Capital Rotary
George Bryan III is a PGA Professional and the Founder and Director of Instructions of the George Bryan Golf Academy.
George is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. He was named 1998 Carolinas’ PGA Junior Golf Leader of the Year and selected by Golf Digest as one of the Best Teachers in South Carolina for 2000 and 2001. He earned SC PGA Chapter Player of the Year honors in 2003 and played in the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah and the 2004 MCI Heritage.