February 15, 2022
Steve Palmer, head of the Indigo Road restaurant group, best-selling author, and founder of the help group Ben’s Friends, gave a moving and inspiring talk. Steve talked about his battle with addiction and some of the steps he has taken personally to help himself and to impact a far wider community of people, particularly in the F&B business, who face the challenges he overcame. Tickets are on sale for the March 3 Oyster Roast we’ll be hosting as a major fundraising event. Our Rise Against Hunger food packing event is back on for March 5 at The Citadel.
Steve Palmer, founder of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, and author of Say Grace: How the Restaurant Business Saved My Life” spoke to us this week about his story of addiction, recovery and redemption that was told in the book and in his TEDx Charleston Talk in 2017.
Steve founded The Indigo Road in 2009 when he was working at Oak Steakhouse on Broad Street. The group now includes twenty-four restaurants and hotels across the southeast with 1,300 employees. Steve explained that he viewed service and hospitality as two different things. Service is technical – getting the order right, “hospitality is how we make you feel.” This is the guiding principle of the company and drives decision-making and the company culture.
Steve grew up in Atlanta. His father was terminally ill, and Steve’s grandfather helped raise him. His dad died when Steve was ten and he lost his grandfather 9 months later. Steve started drinking at age 11. His teenage years were a mess. By nineteen he was working as, and living the life of, a rock band roadie. In 1989 Steve moved to Charleston, just before Hugo, with the intention that he would finally cut hair and grow up. What he found in the restaurant business, was a place where he was accepted. The restaurant business does not care where you grew up, if you have money, where you went to college. All it cares about is that you are willing to work hard and be a part of a team. That is what he loved about the industry. But part of that acceptance included the wide approval and use of drugs and alcohol.
Steve was part of the team that opened Magnolias in 1990. It was the very beginning of the restaurant scene and revival of downtown Charleston: fine dining options were only Magnolias, Carolinas, or The Colony House; Charleston Place had just opened, and the bars stayed open until 6 am. Steve continued drinking and drug use even as he kept succeeding and being promoted in the restaurant industry. He left Charleston for a time to work at Ritz Carlton and restaurants in Atlanta but returned in 1997 to open Peninsula Grill and The Planters inn. The Peninsula Grill was the first Charleston restaurant to be nominated to James Beard and on Esquire Magazine’s list of best new restaurants. One day in 2001 the owner, Hank Holiday, took Steve aside and said “You have a choice today. You can clean out your office or you can go to rehab. You are killing yourself and we’re not going to watch you do this.” Steve was at a point of desperation and was willing to do anything to change. He has managed one day at a time since then to remain sober while many of his friends in the industry have died from addiction. In 2016 one of his friends, Ben Murray, committed suicide after battling addiction for much of his life. Steve and Mickey Bakst started “Ben’s Friends” a weekly support group for food and beverage people struggling with addiction. The group has grown and is now in fifteen cities. It will launch in San Francisco next week. It has helped thousands of people get sober in the restaurant industry. The group meets each Sunday at the Cedar Room at the Cigar Factory and at other times on Zoom. Please find out more at www.bensfriendshope.com
Steve’s talk can be found here
Passcode: A*K.88vg
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Baxter Hahn gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- President Rob asked visiting Rotarians or guests to unmute and introduce themselves.
- President Rob presented Health and Happiness.
- President-Elect Virginia Lee introduced our guest speaker, Steve Palmer with Indigo Road.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
2/22/22 | Issue 5038 President: Rob Dewey
COMING EVENTS
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- Feb. 22 – Colonel Art Athens
- March 1 – NO MEETING
- March 3 – Oyster Roast Fundraiser
- March 5 – Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing Event
- March 8 – Marion Platt, Affordable House / 11am Board Meeting
- March 15 – Club Assembly
NEWS BRIEFS
International Grant Applications being accepted through March 1
The International Grant application process is officially open for organizations to apply to receive an International grant from our Club. Our Club focuses on projects for people in need in developing countries throughout the world. We have funded projects in the past few years that concentrate on creating infrastructure for basic needs such as potable water, nutrition, sanitation, children’s health, and many others. Our impact has expanded to places such as Liberia, Dominican Republic, Kenya, Paraguay, and Peru.
If you have any contacts with organizations that are doing this kind of important work in the world and could benefit from a grant from our Club, please send them our application form. The application was emailed out last week, but if you don’t have it, please contact Joseph Tecklenburg at jteck25@gmail.com.
The deadline for the applications is March 1, 2022. If you should have any specific questions, please contact Joseph.
Spring Oyster Roast Fundraiser
Join us for an Oyster Roast Fundraiser on Thursday, March 3 from 6-9 pm at the Swain Boating Center at The Citadel. Individual tickets are $35 and can be purchased on-line. Tickets include oysters, hot dogs, chili, beer, wine and soft drinks. There will be entertainment by the Bluestone Ramblers. Sponsorship opportunities are also available and can be purchased on-line. Proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club of Charleston Fund. All members should have email notification of this event.
Tickets on sale here.
Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing Event
Due to the inclement weather on 1/22, our Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing event was re-scheduled. Please consider signing up for the new day/time/location:
MEAL PACKING ON 3/5/22 at 10 am-12 noon.
Help us pack over 10,000 meals in partnership with Rise Against Hunger (https://www.riseagainsthunger.org), the Rotary Club of Charleston-Breakfast, Rotaract and Interact. The event starts at 10am at the College of Charleston’s Science and Math building, 202 Calhoun Street. The meals we pack will be shipped all over the world to help feed those in need. To sign up [CLICK HERE]
Nice job Operation Warm!
Paul Harris Society
Did you know that you can register for a recurring donation to Rotary Foundation through Rotary Direct, which is the recurring donation program available through Rotary.org. You can donate $75/month and then include your $100 donation through your dues to become a Paul Harris Society Member – meaning that you have committed to donating $1000/year. What an easy way to support the Rotary Foundation and become a Paul Harris Fellow!
Ambassadorial Global Grant Scholars
Please help us identify potential candidates for the Ambassadorial Global Grant Scholarship through the International Rotary Foundation!
This is an ideal opportunity to build global leadership opportunities for our impressive students pursuing graduate work abroad from our local colleges and universities. Our undergraduate, graduate and honors programs of our four-year colleges and universities often provide excellent outreach/access to students who may be eligible.
Eligible candidates previous work or volunteer experience, academic program, and career plans should be strongly aligned with one of the six areas of focus:
- Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution
- Disease Prevention and Treatment
- Water and Sanitation
- Maternal and Child Health
- Basic Education and Literacy
- Economic and Community Development
For more information, please contact Chloe Tonney at ctonney@tuw.org.
RCCF Grant Applications Being Accepted
The Rotary Club of Charleston Fund (RCCF) is accepting requests for grants. Interested organizations are required to submit a Letter of Inquiry and complete a grant application prior to March 1 to be considered. The application and other details regarding the grant process can be found on our club’s website — www.charleston-rotary.org. For more information, please contact RCCF Chair, Alex Dallis at adallis@dblawsc.com.
Meeting Update – RSVP 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.
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.
Blue Bucket Collections
Blue Buckets will be on the tables the month of February in support of our Membership Committee. Be sure to bring your Happy Bucks and consider making a cash donation at an upcoming meeting.
District 7770 All Club Conference
Registration for The District 7770 All Club Conference is now open. All Rotarians are invited to attend. Our club will cover registration fees on a first come, first serve basis for those wanting to attend. Individuals are responsible for their own accommodations. The link for The All Club Conference may be found in DACdb under the calendar tab.
Our Family Reunion promises a weekend full of fun, service opportunities and fellowship for everyone. This will be a time to renew old acquaintances and make new friends. Celebrate all that District 7770 has achieved in 2021/22!
Join us at the beachfront Sonesta Hotel on Hilton Head Island March 11-13, 2022. Rooms may be secured at $179 per night by calling 1-843-842-2400 or 1-800-766-3782. Alternatively go on line at www.sonesta.com/hiltonheadisland using group booking code 0324Rotary. If you would like to explore Hilton Head further, the same room rate is available for March 9, 10 and March 14. This rate is only available until February 16, 2022. After that date, no rooms will be guaranteed to be available or at that rate. As this is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade weekend on Hilton Head Island, rooms will be at a premium!
The Opening Luncheon will kick off The Family Reunion Weekend on Friday, March 11, 2022.
District Governor Paul Walter, the Conference speakers and the entire All Club Conference Committee look forward to a great weekend.
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.
MEMBER NEWS
We continue to keep Luther Reynolds in our thoughts and prayers. Well wishes to Brian Johnson, who was hospitalized this past week.
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidates have submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Dudley Katz – sponsor: Mackie Moore; classification: Retired/Dentist
Alex Bourland – sponsor: Robbie Wachman; classification: Auctioneer/Personal Prop/Real Estate
In the event you know Dudley or Alex, please tell a member of the Board how he will serve the ideals of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Rotarian: Micahel Seekings
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- JOINED: 11/15/2022
- SPONSOR: Cleave Ham
- MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT: New Member
- CLASSIFICATION: Engineering
- PROFESSION: Co-owner, Barrier Island Engineering & Consulting
- SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF
In the past or currently, Michael has participated in the following service organizations and events: 4th Term City Council Member, City Council Chairman CARTA, Member of the Board – American Lung Association, and Member of the Board – American Cancer Society. Mike is a competitive runner and private pilot.
- JOINED: 11/15/2022
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Birthdays
- 2/22 – President-Elect Virginia Lee
- 2/23 – Don Baus
WELLNESS TIP
Eat real food
Aim to eat real food that’s made of whole food ingredients you would have in your own kitchen pantry, or that your grandmother would recognize. (Yup, this rules out most packaged food, sorry!) This is a little different than suggesting you eat only “health foods” (many of which are increasingly processed!). “Real food” includes unprocessed foods like an apple, a cucumber, soybeans or a steak, as well as foods loosely processed from one (or few) real-food ingredients, like butter, olive oil, yogurt, tofu, etc. In other words, aim for foods that could be reasonably made in your own kitchen and avoid foods that can only be made in a lab.
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, 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, 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