October 5, 2021
What a treat to have Grammy Award-winning artist and music legend Gloria Gaynor join our meeting this week. Gloria will be appearing at the Gaillard Center on November 5 and our own Mackie Moore has arranged a special meet-and-greet with her for Rotarians. Stay tuned for more details. Also, don’t forget the upcoming Adopt-A-Highway community service project on October 23.
Our club had a wonderful opportunity to hear from Gloria Gaynor at Tuesday’s virtual meeting! Ms. Gaynor will be at the Gaillard on November 5. A 2 time Grammy-winning artist and musical legend who has had chart-topping hits in each of the last 5 decades. She is also an author and philanthropist, lending not only her financial support but also her talent and energy to family-based charities. She travels the world with her 10 piece band and is arriving in Charleston on November 5.
She is excited to get back to performing after an 18-month hiatus. The Chart-topping hit “I Will Survive” has become a theme song for all kinds of people who are dealing with insurmountable odds and it gives purpose and meaning to her life.
Her new album Testimony received a Grammy in 2020 and she received a
standing ovation which was very humbling, rewarding and encouraging. She co-wrote all the songs on the album with the exception of standards such as “Amazing Grace”. She really enjoyed working in Nashville on the new album and enjoyed the break from the North but also to be in such a musically infused city.
She also has 4 guest artists on her album, Yolanda Adams, Jason Crabb, Mike Farris and Bart Millard, who all had a mutual admiration for each other and was a great time. She also recorded a new song, “Brand New” with the band Mercy Me and will be performing this in Charleston as well.
She recently partnered with Amazon for a Gloria Gaynor shop that sells T shirts, sweatshirts including a line for little girls that encourages them to achieve their dreams with an emoji Little GG (Gloria Gaynor) that appears as a doctor, veterinarian and many other professions with the phrase “Yes I Can”.
She has performed in about 90 countries on 7 continents which she is thankful, as a child of a single mother with seven children, to have such experiences and see why the United States is the best country in the world. Again, her travels bring her to Charleston November 5 and Rotary is having a social at the show as well.
Click here for a recording of last week’s meeting.
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Michael Smith gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- President Rob asked our guests to introduce themselves.
- President Rob Dewey presented Health and Happiness.
- Mackie Moore introduced our speaker, Gloria Gaynor, award-winning artist and singer of “I Will Survive”.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
October 12, 2021 | Issue 5023 President: Rob Dewey
COMING EVENTS
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- Oct. 12 – District Governor Paul Walters (Board meeting @11AM)
- Oct. 13 – Boat Cruise Social
- Oct. 19 – Ernest Andrade, Chalreston Digital Corridor
- Oct. 23 – Adopt-A-Highway Service Project
- Oct. 26 – Mary Howell, Water Mission
NEWS BRIEFS
Important – Masks Required at Meetings
In alignment with the new CDC recommendations, the Rotary Board has determined that the club needs to make adjustments to our Rotary meeting procedures. Effective immediately, we will be requiring all guests (vaccinated or unvaccinated) to wear a mask except when eating or drinking. We will not be taking temperatures upon arrival or requiring attendees to sign a waiver at the door.
The staff and servers at Hall’s will continue to wear masks and seating will appropriately social distanced.
For the safety of our members and guests, we ask all members to please comply with the CDC guidelines and our protocols.
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION SESSIONS
Join Past-President and current District Membership Chair Digit Matheny and Past-President Brian Johnson for an upcoming Rotary Club of Charleston New Member Orientation/Information session. Attending one of these sessions will provide you with the information and tools to help you make the most of your Rotary membership.
Our next session is Nov. 16, at 11:15am, prior to our regularly scheduled Rotary meeting at Hall’s 5 Faber St.
Please use the following link to the Doodle Poll to register for the session.
https://doodle.com/poll/rrw2gcuharmphdfp?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Membership Chair, Cleave Ham.
October Social/Rotary Boat Cruise on Wednesday
The October Social/Rotary Boat Cruise is coming up this Wednesday, October 13th from 5:00pm-7:00pm. The boat will be leaving at 5:30pm from the Maritime Center, 10 Wharfside Street, Charleston, so please try to arrive by 5:15pm. We will be dropped off at the same place at 7:00pm. The event will include the boat cruise around the Harbor with live music by The Louie D Project (best saxophone player in Charleston). Food and beverages will be provided by the Daniel Island Ferry. We have reached our reservation capacity on the boat, so if you want to get on the waiting list please email Leah Donaldson at leah.a.donaldson@gmail.com. Those who have registered to attend, please confirm the list that was sent out last week to make sure all those signed up to attend are attending. The cost is $30 per person and due BEFORE next Wednesday. Payment can be made either by check or Venmo-@rotaryclubofcharleston.
Adopt-A-Highway ” October 23
Our next Adopt-A-Highway pick up is Saturday, Oct. 23rd. Any questions, please contact David Cohen @ cohen8282@gmail.com.
Social & Fundraiser for Hurricane Ida Relief (ends Monday 10/11)
Make your bid!! The silent auction for the 4 Night stay at a beautiful mountain house in Cashiers, North Carolina and the 4 hour Harbor Boat Cruise will end on Monday, October 11th at 12:00noon. The current highest bid for the mountain house is $1,000 and the highest bid for the boat cruise is $200.00. If you are interested in making a bid, please contact Jeanne Jamme at jjamme@carolinaoneplus.com. In support of Hurricane Ira Relief, our club has raised $660 in the raffle, plus $49 in September Happy Bucks with a total of $709.00. We will be presenting a check for the total silent auction funds plus $709 dollars to the District Governor at this coming Tuesday’s luncheon.
The Dictionary Project
Once again, the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston in conjunction with the Charleston Breakfast Rotary Club participated in the “Dictionary Project”. This project lead by club member, Karl Riner and David Neff of the Charleston Breakfast Rotary Club is conducted annually during September, which is Rotary Literacy Month. Over 250 dictionaries were delivered to every third grader in six public schools on the peninsular. Educators see third grade as the dividing line between learning to read and reading to learn. The goal of this program is to assist all students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary. Thank you, fellow Rotarians, for your support of this annual project.
ROTARY SOCIAL – Gloria Gaynor Concert
Currently, our club has a block of 100 seats for sale – 50 tickets at $63.48 and 50 tickets at $50.60 each. The more expensive tickets will be on the floor in the front to middle of the Orchestra and the lower priced seats will also be on the floor but in the middle to rear of the main Orchestra seating area. Tickets may be purchased by check to the Rotary Club of Charleston or (Rotary) Venmo.
**Also, tickets will be available to purchase for a “Meet and Greet” with Gloria after the show. Details forthcoming.
DETAILS OF EVENT:
The Charleston Gaillard Center Presents
2020 Grammy winner GLORIA GAYNOR (I Will Survive)
Nov 5, 2021 at 7:30 pm
A Portion of Proceeds to Thrive SC
SC Domestic Violence/Human Trafficking non-profit www.thrivesaveslives.org
Everyone is familiar with Gloria Gaynor’s award-winning anthem “I Will Survive,” but did you know about her recent work in Nashville with the GRAMMY® winning team who delivered her new album, “TESTIMONY?” It debuted in the Top 5 of the BILLBOARD Top Gospel Albums Chart, the Top 3 on the iTunes Gospel Chart and the Top 20 on the Amazon Overall Album Chart. “TESTIMONY,” received rave reviews from Rolling Stone, Billboard, The Herald-Standard, CBS Sunday Morning, The TODAY Show and more! The album received two GRAMMY® nominations for Best Roots Gospel Album and Best Gospel Performance / Song for Gloria’s duet with Yolanda Adams on the song, “Talkin’ ‘Bout Jesus.” Gloria took home the Best Roots Gospel GRAMMY® at the 2020 Award Ceremony. Gloria also headlined the 2020 GRAMMY® Celebration. Gloria Gaynor’s legendary career spans five hit-filled decades as a global music icon. With the world facing unimaginable challenges in 2020 due to Covid19, Gloria helped usher in 2021 by singing her global anthem, “I Will Survive,” in New York City’s Times Square, honoring first responders and essential workers. Her performance was streamed around the world to a global audience of billions. Gloria continues to write and record new music.
No cash? No problem. We now take Venmo!
Thanks to overwhelming demand by our younger, cash-fee members, the club will now accept Venmo payments. Venmo can be used to pay dues, meals for guests, contribute happy dollars and conduct other transactions which previously required cash, check or credit cards. Simply add @rotaryclubofcharleston as a payee on your Venmo account. Thanks Joseph Tecklenburg for helping us reach this incredible technology milestone!
Rob Dewey is now looking into how we can use Bitcoin to pay our dues.
Charleston 50: Year Two
Charleston50, a fundraising campaign launched by the Rotary Club of Charleston to fund community grants, has already reached 58% of its 2021-22 goal during the first 24 days of our fiscal year!
Begun last year when traditional events were canceled due to COVID, the project is continuing thanks to the overwhelming response by members who donate $500 annually to support deserving non-profits in our club’s service area.
The Rev. Rob Dewey, club president, said, “Charleston50 was a surprise success for us. After decades of supporting projects by selling tickets and sponsorships, we quickly learned that our members value the impact our club has in the community and the easy way they can give through Charleston50.”
Charleston50 members receive several visibility benefits including being listed on the club’s website and on a slide deck visible for 20 minutes before each meeting; a pin; a sticker; and an opportunity to briefly greet club members. Donations to Charleston50 are made through the non-profit arm of our club and are 100% tax-deductible.
Please download and complete the Pledge Form here, and return it via email to Phoenicia Miracle at PMiracle@MiracleStrategies.com.
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.
Become a PHF & Support the Rotary Foundation
Do not forget your opportunity to be recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Eighty-five dollars a month gets you there. Please reach out to Karl Riner, Club Foundation Chair, to sign up or ask questions.
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 pictures 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 sent to Mike Sottak, mikesottak@gmail.com, or Rob Byko, rob@bykorealty.com.
MEMBER NEWS
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidates have submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
- Tracy Christopher – sponsor: Cleave Ham; classification: Mortgage/Executive
- Mike Seekings – sponsor: Cleave Ham; classification: Law/Construction
- Robbie Wachman – sponsor: Digit Matheny; classification: Construction/Roofing
- Susie Underwood – sponsor: David Burt; classification: Engineering/Trans/Bus. Development
- Dan Moses – sponsor: David Burt; classification: Engineer/Transportation
In the event you know any of these prospective members, please tell a member of the Board how he will serve the ideas of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Rotarian: Marion Platt
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- JOINED: 8/23/2021
- SPONSOR: Sandy Morckel
- MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT: New Member
- CLASSIFICATION: Religion and Community Services
- PROFESSION: Executive Director and Pastor of Star Gospel Mission
- SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF
Marion was born in Charleston and raised in the West Ashley area by two sets of grandparents – one white and one black. Marion served in the United States Army. He is a former Rotarian of the following Rotary clubs: Atlanta, GA – West end, Savannah, GA – downtown and Memphis, TN – downtown.
Birthdays
- 10/13 – Dwayne Green
WELLNESS TIP
Do smart swaps on comfort foods
There’s nothing like a savory, rich soup on a crisp fall day. Instead of making a calorie rich clam chowder with cream, consider opting for a veggie soup filled with fiber-rich vegetables like spinach. Love sweet potatoes? Slather it with coconut oil and cinnamon instead of butter.
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, Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Blvd, 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
St. John’s Parish (John’s Island): 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, 2817 Maybank Highway, Unit 1, John’s Island
Mount Pleasant: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Harbor Breeze Restaurant, 176 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant
Summerville: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sticky Fingers, Summerville
Thursdays
North Charleston Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Embassy Suites, 5055 International Blvd., 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 don@sgaarchitecture.com
Executive secretary: Carroll Schweers, carrollschweers@gmail.com
Mailing address: Rotary Club of Charleston, P.O. Box 21029, Charleston, SC 29413-1029
Copyright 2018, Rotary Club of Charleston. All rights reserved