May 2, 2023
Fellow Rotarian Dave Echols, who is head man at the Charleston Riverdogs operations, gave us an update on the state of play both on and off the field for our favorite hometown team. The Riverdogs are coming off back to back championship seasons and always put on a great show for fans at the Joe.
Still time to get tickets for our big Spring Fling Fundraiser that will happen this Wednesday, May 10. See below for more info.

To see a recording of this week’s meeting, go here.
Passcode: rC*3f1Tl
In Other Meeting News
- Tim Hefferon gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Elizabeth Hills introduced our visiting Rotarians & guests.
- Health and Happiness was presented by President Paul.
- Elizabeth Lynn introduced our guest speaker and fellow Rotarian, Dave Echols, who updated us on our favorite hometown team, Charleston Riverdogs.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
5/9/2022 | Issue 5086 President: Paul Stoney
UPCOMING EVENTS
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- 5/9 – Honoring CCSD Teacher of Year/Rotary Scholars
- 5/10 – Spring Fling Fundraiser at The Wonderer: tickets/sponsor info
- 5/16 – Tyler Clark, SC DOT on I-526 Extension
- 5/23 – Chief Luther Reynolds
- 5/30 – NO MEETING!!
- 6/6 – Frank Abignale, “Catch Me If You Can”
- 6/13 – Brian Itzkowitz, Palmetto Goodwill
- 6/20 – Jacobo Mintzer, Alzheimer’s
- 6/27 – End of the Year/Transition Happy Hour
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NEWS BRIEFS
Meeting this Tuesday for “Rotarians Only”
As a reminder, this Tuesday, 5/9, we will be honoring our CCSD Teacher of the Year and Finalists, as well as our Rotary Service Above Self Scholars. Due to the number of guests associated with these program and space constraints, this meeting will be for “Rotarians Only” and those “Members In Process”. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate any extra guests. This is a very special program and we hope that you will come and show your support of these outstanding educators and students.
Special Dietary Requests
If you have a special dietary request or need, be sure to let Carroll know in advance of a meeting. She will work with the staff at Hall’s to ensure that you are prepared a special plate that meets your restrictions. Please do not enter the kitchen area to make a last minute special request.
Spring Fling RCCF Fundraiser: This Wednesday
We strongly encourage all Rotarians to purchase tickets and sponsors our Spring Fling Social at the Wonderer on Wednesday May 10th from 6:00pm-8:00pm. We will host a Discover Rotary beforehand at the Wonderer from 5:00pm-5:45pm. The Spring Fling event will have a complimentary full bar and hors d’oeuvres.
We will have live music by The ZD Experience – Zandrina Dunning and Stephen Washington. They are exceptionally talented, and just returned last week from playing with Darius Rucker at the “Monday after the Masters” event at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach. I know if we want people to have a great time, they will do a great job at creating that atmosphere. Here is a little better background for both: https://thezdexperience.com/bio-%26-gallery
We strongly need sponsors, and the sponsorship committee will be contacting every Rotarian for sponsorships for this event. All the proceeds raised will go towards the Rotary Club of Charleston Fund.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Michael Smith at 843-830-9856 or [email protected] or Karla Combs at 336-428-8908 [email protected]
Website Link to register for tickets and sponsorship:
Rotary Spring Fling May 10th (constantcontact.com)
Rotary Readers Needed
After a hiatus due to COVID, we are happy to report that our popular Rotary Readers program is starting up again at Mitchell Elementary. There are several weekly spots available for readers in classrooms from now until the end of the school year. This is a very rewarding activity and, if anyone is interested, please reach out to Ashley Shaver [email protected] for more information.
January – June 2023 Dues are Past Due
January – June 2023 dues payments are now considered past due. If you have not paid, please be sure to take care of making payment as soon as possible. Club Leadership will begin calling those who still owe as we are nearing the end of this billing period. We have made it even easier to pay! We have upgraded our software and added a new component to our invoicing. We are now able to accept credit card and bank transfer payments on-line. Members just simply have to click on the “pay now” button on their invoice and make payment. We hope this new feature will make those of you paying by credit card or bank transfer easier. We will continue to also accept payments by check. If you have any questions about your dues, please contact Carroll.
Youth Exchange Candidates Needed for 2023-2024 School Year
Do you know a high school student that would be interested in a year abroad as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student? Our District needs your help in finding candidates for the 2023-2024 school year. Preliminary Applications are being accepted now. Please pass this along to interested students, families, churches and neighbors so these students don’t miss this opportunity. All Rotarians’ children and grandchildren are eligible for Rotary Youth Exchange. If you have any questions, please contact Lou Mello, District Youth Exchange Chair, at [email protected] or 843-437-9084.
Support The CART Fund
It is easy for club members to make individual contributions and support The CART Fund electronically. The CART Fund has 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.
Our Club is on Social Media
Members are encouraged to follow all of our social media channels and share posts with their followers too! We also need members to send us picture of anything they do that relates to Rotary – service projects, meetings, events, etc. We would love to keep our accounts full of smiling Rotarians! Photos can be send to Mike Sottak, [email protected], or Rob Byko, [email protected].
MEMBER NEWS

Proposed New Members
The following membership candidate has submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Dallas Wilson – sponsor: Rob Dewey; classification: Non-ProfitIn the event you know Dallas, please tell a member of the Board how he will serve the ideals of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Rotarian: Robert Leaventhal
- JOINED: March 2023
- SPONSOR: Jan Luth
- CLASSIFICATION: Consulting/Synagogue
- PROFESSION: Consultant: Robert Leaventhal Consulting
- Community Service Organizations, Current Activities or Activities/Volunteer Work in the Past: Led reading group at Dayton Career Academy, was volunteer 7th grade religious school teacher – 8 hours per week commitment, Was United Jewish Appeal – Midwest Chair of Young Leadership Cabinet – Israel Advocacy and fundraising, Was President of Hillel Academy Day School Board – KKBE tour guide now.
- Something Unique About Yourself: I just finished a memoir called Swept Away – My journey from family broom business (O-Cedar) to synagogue consulting. I built a painting studio in half of my garage in Mt. Pleasant.
Birthdays
- May 11 – David Cohen
- May 14 – Trey Lucy
WELLNESS TIP
Take a walk every day.
Once the weather warms up, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be walking outside more. If you’re not yet used to too much physical activity, start by walking five minutes away from your house, turning around, and walking back. Build up until you’re walking a total of 30 minutes per day. Adding just 30 minutes of outdoor walking a day into your routine will burn some serious calories and expose you to all the health benefits nature has to offer.
OTHER AREA ROTARY CLUBS
Mondays
https://www.cainhoyrotary.com/
Summerville – Oakbrook: 7:30 a.m., Monday, Westcott County Club, 5000 Wescott Club Drive, North Charleston
North Charleston: 12:30 p.m., Monday, Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Blvd, North Charleston, SC
Summerville Evening: 5:30 p.m., Monday, Montreux Bar and Grill, 127 W. Richardson Ave., Summerville
Tuesdays
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
Cainhoy: 6PM, on the first and third Tuesday of the month, King’s Cross Church, of Clement Ferry Road
Wednesdays
Daniel Island: 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Daniel Island Club, 600 Island Park Dr., Daniel Island
Mount Pleasant: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Hibben Methodist Church, 690 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant
Summerville: 1pm-2pm on 1st & 3rd Wednesday. Hilton Garden Inn-Homewood Suite/Lowcountry Conference Center, 406 Sigma Drive
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: Paul Stoney
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