4/5: Andy Brack, Charleston City Paper

April 5, 2022

Past president and long-time Rotarian Andy Brack was a featured speaker this week. Andy, an award-winning journalist and owner of the Charleston City Paper,  shared his thoughts on the state of the newspaper business.  Don’t forget our next club social for April at Saltwater Cowboys in Shem Creek on 4/21. More info below

Past Club President Andy Brack talked to us on Tuesday about the news and newspapers. He talked about all of the letters he gets from people about abortion, covid, socialism and even Nancy Mace sent him (a liberal) a letter to help her stop liberalism in Washington.

Andy has been fortunate to write a column about the State House goings on for the last 20 years, but his paper has also published a special section on the Bridge Run, a guide to how Charleston streets are named as well as other fascinating things an alternate paper allows him to do. 

He bought the paper with Ed Bell back in 2019 5 months before the pandemic. Revenue is still 40% down and still recovering. He prints 27000 issues a week for 800 locations around town. The Post and Courier has gone from 120000/day in 1988 to 36000 a day now. 

Early decisions they made with the paper included an editorial page by the newspaper as opposed to editorial columns by others. “If you are going to be a leader, lead”. They won 7 ad awards from the State Newspaper Association last year.

A newspaper is actually 4 businesses in one. A News department (News and Opinion), Production (design), Advertising (pays for everything) and Distribution. He pays salary, commission and by the bundle depending on the job.

While they encourage comments on opinions, they don’t allow commenting online to avoid the liability of defamation. 

A third decision was to include more cartoons. They are the only paper in the state to include 2 cartoons.

The paper is published every Wednesday, but they publish something online every day.

Charleston has P&C, City Paper, Daniel Island News, The Mercury, Moultrie News, Journal Scene so Charleston is a healthy town for news and information.

The newspaper’s responsibility is to get the information out there so people can make educated decisions but also gives people a first crack at history, it may not always be right but give history a start. Unfortunately, many towns are losing their newspapers and losing connections to what is going around them and the people around them. Newspapers are vital to democracy. 

A recording of the Zoom meeting can be found here.

Passcode: bW@1vI6+

 

IN OTHER MEETING NEWS  

• • • • • Alex Bourland gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.  
        • Travis Ronk introduced our visiting Rotarians & guests.    
        • President Rob presented Health and Happiness.
        • Allen Tate introduced our speaker and Past President of our club, Andy Brack.        

 

MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY

4/12/2022  |  Issue 5045 President:  Rob Dewey

COMING EVENTS 

• • • April 12 – T Ravenel, Palmetto Railroads (ZOOM ONLY)
    • April 19 – Greg Parker, Parker’s Stores (11am Board Mtg.)
    • April 21 – Monthly Social – Saltwater Cowboy’s, 5-7:30pm
    • April 26 – Winslow Hastie, Historic Chas. Foundation

 

NEWS BRIEFS

ZOOM ONLY Meeting this Tuesday, 4/12 (IMPORTANT)

Our meeting this Tuesday will be held on ZOOM ONLY.  Do NOT go to 5 Faber as we will NOT be there.

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.

 

Adopt a highway

 

 

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.

 

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:

1. Love as a family member. The student will be a part of the family not a guest.
2. Transportation– The student will not be allowed to drive while in the US.
3. A Bed-The student does not have to have his/her own room, but we do ask that they have their own bed. 
4. 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

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! 

A BIG congrats to Jan Luth, Travis Ronk, Andrew Rosenfeld, Robie Scott and Robbie Wachman on receiving their BLUE membership badges this past Tuesday.  These new members have been active in our club and successfully completed the RED badge check list. 

Congratulations to Erica Taylor for recently graduating from CSU with a Doctor in Education.  Dr. Taylor, we are honored you are a member of our Club!

 

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

• • • JOINED: 3/7/2022
    • SPONSOR: Patterson Smith
    • MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT: New Member
    • CLASSIFICATION:  Wealth Adviser
    • PROFESSION: Financial / Solutions 4 Wealth
    •  SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF:  Grew up in Eagle River, Alaska
      

 

Birthdays

• 4/13 – Mackie Moore
• 4/14 – Michael Smith
• 4/17 – Stephanie Dasher

 

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