April 12, 2022
T Ravenel of Palmetto Railways gave us an overview of this important piece of infrastructure and economic development in the Lowcountry and the future of rail transport in our region. Don’t forget our next club social for April at Saltwater Cowboys in Shem Creek on 4/21. More info below
T Ravenel with Palmetto Railways joined us for our virtual meeting this week.
T presented a powerpoint overview of Palmetto Railways and Capital projects.
Formerly known as South Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Public Railways, Palmetto Railways acts similar to a private entity generating its own revenue although it was established in 1969 as a state-owned agency. Downtown tracks date back to the 1880’s. They are comprised of about 70 people total. Operations is comprised of Transportation, Engineering and Mechanical which is Train and Engine Service, Track maintenance and new track and Locomotive maintenance and repair. The Charleston subdivisions at Columbus Street and Union Pier Terminal major shipper is BMW handling about 24000 cars YTD. North Charleston Subdivision at Cosgrove Yard and North Charleston Terminal and Old Navy Base and handles just about anything you can ship, chemicals, coals, wood pellets etc.
The Charity Church Subdivision in Berkely County handles Ineos and Nucor Steel handling a little over 12000 cars last year. The Salkehatchie Subdivision in Hampton county was a single serve station for Dominion that has been maintained for economic development but currently has no customers. There are other non-operating properties planned for economic development and those include Eastport Industrial in Summerville, Camp Hall in Berkeley County, Michelin in Anderson County, Pineview Industrial Park in Richland County and BMW ROW in Spartanburg County.
Future projects include expansion at Camp Hall for Volvo, sound walls in North Charleston, as well as the Navy Base Intermodal project.
A recording of the Zoom meeting can be found here.
Access Passcode: aN7b3y^x
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
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- President Rob invoked a moment of silence in honor of former Rotarian Colonel Robert S Adden
- Cody Callaraman gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- There were no visiting Rotarians & guests.
- President Rob presented Health and Happiness.
- Past President Lisa Van Bergen introduced our speaker, T Ravenel
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MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
4/19/2022 | Issue 5046 President: Rob Dewey
COMING EVENTS
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- April 19 – Greg Parker, Parker’s Stores (11 am Board Mtg.)
- April 21 – Monthly Social – Saltwater Cowboy’s, 5-7:30pm
- April 26 – Winslow Hastie, Historic Chas. Foundation
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NEWS BRIEFS
Meeting Update – RSVP is Required for all Guests by Monday at 5 p.m.
As those of you who have attended recently are aware, we have returned to a buffet-style luncheon. Our attendance numbers have consistently returned to pre-COVID numbers, so as we move forward into 2022 there will be NO EVITE or need to RSVP to weekly luncheons. We have been printing nametags for guests, so we do ask that if you are bringing a guest (especially a prospective member), please let Carroll know by 5:00 pm on Monday. Also, if you have a dietary restriction, please inform Carroll weekly, so a special meal is prepared for you.
April Social – Saltwater Cowboys
We will be on Shem Creek for our next social event! We are partnering with the Rotary Club of Charleston-Breakfast and hosting our next happy hour social together on Thursday, April 21 from 5pm-7:30pm at Saltwater Cowboys, 130 Mill Street. Guests are welcome! Please bring a friend or co-worker and introduce them to Rotary! There will be live music by Rob Corbett (aka Just Groove-the funky one man guitarist/keyboardist band). Check out him out at https://www.robcorbett.com/. Be sure to RSVP to the email, so we can get a head count.
Local connection to help support Ukraine
At our meeting this week we heard from Chris Watson, Daniel Island resident, and Rotary member, who was joining us from Poland to talk about the mission of CHS4Ukraine. He was joined by Anna Spann, a refugee from Kharkiv, who just got to Charleston. They gave an overview of Charleston’s connection to this cause from both sides of the pond. Please consider supporting this important initiative. Visit their web site here.
Blue Bucket Collections – Support Ukraine
Blue Buckets will continue to be on the tables during the month of April. Be sure to bring your Happy Bucks and consider making a cash donation at an upcoming meeting. The money collected in the buckets during April will continue to be donated to the Disaster Relief Fund at the Rotary Foundation in support of Ukraine. T. To date, we have collected $1,272.00.
Youth Exchange Host Families Needed
The Rotary Club of Charleston needs local families to host an exchange student (that our club will sponsor), age 15-18 1/2, for a period of 3-5 months in 2022/2023. The families are grouped together and organized through the Rotary Club. This great opportunity to volunteer and change the life of a young person and expose your family to a different culture!
The exchange student will attend the same high school locally for the entire year so it is important that the host families are in the same school area (and it is convenient to travel to and from). Our inbound student will attend the Charleston Charter School for Math & Science which is located at: 1002 King Street, Charleston SC 29403.
A host family needs to have the desire to provide the following:
- Love as a family member. The student will be a part of the family not a guest.
- Transportation– The student will not be allowed to drive while in the US.
- A Bed-The student does not have to have his/her own room, but we do ask that they have their own bed.
- Food– We ask that you provide food for the student, including lunch while at school. Again, treating the student as you would your own.
If you are able to volunteer for this opportunity, please go to http://yehub.net/SC1-hfapp and complete the online Host Family Application. This can be done on your smartphone, tablet or PC. You will also need to consent to a background check as part of this process. Please note the following:
- You will need two references (emails, street addresses & phone numbers for each)
- Also, to include photos of your home including: student bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, family room, exterior of home & a casual family photo (smaller sizes work best) in the application.
- Please review the attached checklist for an overview of the process and timeline.
- Once you complete the application, we can schedule a time for me to visit you and your family at your home to go over some additional information and also address any questions or concerns you may have.
Rotary Youth Exchange Dates to Remember:
2022
- June: Training- Host Families & YEO/YEC in Charleston
- August : Inbound Student Orientation Training Weekend- Charleston, SC
- December: Disney World Trip! Mandatory for all Inbounds
2023
- March: District 7770 Rotary Conference, Columbia, SC (All Inbound and Outbound Students MUST attend)
- June: Rotary Western Tour (optional
If you have questions or need further information, please reach out to one of our club’s Youth Exchange Officers/Counselors – Karen Clark or Richard Sidebottom.
Support The CART Fund
It is easy for club members to make individual contributions and support The CART Fund electronically. The CART Fund has a new portal www.mycartfund.org, which you can easily access. As a Rotarian and a DACdb user, you automatically have an account already set-up in your name. Your user name and password are the same as it is for the DACdb.
MEMBER NEWS
Last week we welcomed 5 new members into our club this past Tuesday! To date this year, our club has added 40 new members! A BIG thanks to Cleave Ham, our outstanding membership committee and our membership for your efforts in bringing in new members! We have the most new members of any club in our District!
Our newest Rotarians are: Cody Callarman, who was introduced and sponsored by Heidi Finniff. He will hold the classification of Agriculture/Retail. Lewis Edge is a long-time Rotarian (46 years!!) joining us from the St. John’s Parish Rotary Club. He was introduced and sponsored by President Rob. Lewis is retired. Rejoining our club is former Board Member Chappy McKay, who was introduced and sponsored by Past President Dan Ravenel. Will Ralston was introduced and sponsored by Past President David Burt and will hold the classification of Construction/Commercial. Karla Combs introduced and sponsored Ashley Shaver. Ashley joins us under the classification of Education/Univ/Careers. We are excited to have all of these folks joining our Rotary family!
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidate has submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Catherine Marra-Grant – sponsor: Cleave Ham; classification: Law/Family
In the event you know Catherine, please tell a member of the Board how she will serve the ideas of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Rotarian: Eric Farr
Birthdays
- 4/19 – Bill Raver
- 4/20 – Sam Skardon, Eric Farr
- 4/21 – Don Oswalt
- 4/23 – Robie Scott
WELLNESS TIP
Do a digital detox
Don’t let phones, laptops and tablets distract you from living your life. Rather than trawling social media, check out new activities or hobbies that might interest you, whether that is a new sport, volunteering or a craft. Time away from technology can help you feel more productive and boost your mood.
Harnessing the power of spring to renew and revitalize your life can help pave the way for months of enjoyment with friends, family and yourself.
AREA CLUB MEETINGS
Mondays
Summerville – Oakbrook: 7:30 a.m., Monday, Westcott County Club, 5000 Wescott Club Drive, North Charleston
North Charleston: 12:30 a.m., Monday, Marriott Hotel, 4770 Goer Drive, North Charleston.
Summerville Evening: 5:30 p.m., Monday, Montreux Bar and Grill, 127 W. Richardson Ave., Summerville
Tuesdays
East Cooper Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Cooper River Room at Waterfront Park, Mount Pleasant
Charleston: 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Hall’s Signature Events, 5 Faber, Charleston
Goose Creek: 12:45 m. Tuesday, Gilligan’s, 219 St. James Ave., Goose Creek
Wednesdays
Daniel Island: 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Daniel Island Club, 600 Island Park Dr., Daniel Island
Mount Pleasant: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Mt Pleasant Presbyterian Church. 302 Hibben St. 29464.
Summerville: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sticky Fingers, Summerville
Thursdays
North Charleston Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Marriott Hotel, 4770 Goer Drive, North Charleston.
Moncks Corner: 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Gilligan’s Restaurant, Moncks Corner
St. Andrews (West Ashley): 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Bessinger’s BBQ, 1602 Savannah Highway, Charleston.
Fridays
Charleston Breakfast: 7:30AM Hall’s Signature Events, 5 Faber, Charleston
SOCIAL MEDIA
Our Rotary club actively uses social media — and we encourage you to interact with us through social media.
We’re on Facebook. Take a look at our page and be sure to “like us”.
We’re on Twitter. You can follow us @chasrotaryclub.
We’re on Instagram. You can follow us @ChasRotaryClub.
ABOUT THE KEYWAY
The Keyway has been published weekly as a newsletter for the Rotary Club of Charleston for more than 90 years.
President: Rob Dewey
Keyway editor: Don Baus [email protected]
Executive secretary: Carroll Schweers, [email protected]
Mailing address: Rotary Club of Charleston, P.O. Box 21029, Charleston, SC 29413-1029
Copyright 2018, Rotary Club of Charleston. All rights reserved