Historic Rotary Club of Charleston Recognizes Erika Lerro and Bryce Jones as January Teacher and Student of the Month
The January 2013 Teacher of the Month is first grade teacher, Ms. Erika Lerro. Here is what staff members had to say about her: “Ms. Lerro is always willing to help and does an awesome job with her students. She contributes so much of her personal time to the James Simons family and always maintains professionalism and courtesy … and what a fabulous smile!”
Bryce Jones is a fourth grader at James Simons Elementary School and is the January Student of the Month. His teacher, Ms. Lentz, says, “Bryce is a very bright young man who is always trying his hardest in class. He earns his PBIS points every day and I enjoy having him in my class.” PBIS points are positive behavior points that students receive each day for following procedures and expectations correctly. A student can earn a maximum of 20 points per day and Bryce always earns the total!
Each month, the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston is proud to choose from their partner school, James Simons, a teacher and a student who are exemplary and to honor them for their contributions to their educational environment.

Past President Dan Ravenel Erika Lerro, Barbara Kelley-Duncan
Final Two Days of Thai Friendship Exchange
Our group is now able to help make eye glasses for the elderly. Another of the many Chiang Mai South service projects is preparing reader glasses of various strengths for many of the rural poor in their district. We learned how to smooth and sand precut plastic lenses and watched the skilled Rotarians start with a straight metal very tiny long rod and end up with a mental glass frame. In two days the club donated 150 pairs of glasses. Recipients come to a community center ( more or less like a covered open air shed. They are tested for correct strength and then wait as long as 6 or more hours while glasses are made for each person. EVERY SATURDAY members of this club are feeding hungry children, helping older needy adults, or working in other projects. We need your interest, prayers, and district support to obtain an RI grant in partnership with this club that will further health and community development initiatives.
7770 Rotarians hosted a final dinner for the Thai club. Our setting was an outdoor terrace 17 floors up in a local hotel. That day was also the birthday of the American YEO student studying in Chianf Mai. Imagine celebrating your 16th birthday in Thailand when you live in Alaska.
For all of us this trip has reinforced the wonder and work of Rotary on a club by club and international basis. No blog can ever fully express what we have seen and shared. All of us are honored to have been part of this exchange.
Harriett Hilton for the 7770 exchange group.
Thailand Exchange Update
Saturday – Tuesday were varied and wonderful days. All of Saturday was spent traveling to the Hilltribe area to one of the poor villages and then providing food, school supplies, and treats to about 40 young children. Chiang Mai South Rotarians took large amounts of noodle soup ingredients, ice for making shaved ice with milk dessert, book bags with books, paper, and toothbrushes to this remote site. The one room education center is also where the village teacher sleeps. Residents of this village are Burmase refugees that are not given documentation and cannot therefore qualify for public schools per SE, health care given to Thai citizens, and other services citizen residents might have. Every Saturday this Rotary group goes to one of the remote villages giving similar help. Impressive to me was the fact that Rotary fathers had brought their own children to see and help these less fortunate children.
Upon leaving the village, we went to mountain vacation cabin of one of the Rotarians. The owners and other hosts of the dinner slept in tents so we could have space in cabin.
Sunday after returning to Chiang Mai, we went to the downtown night market, visited several watts or Buddhists temples and chosen between a Thai massage or spending time in the regional museum. My museum visit gave me a detailed and beautifull visual look at the Northern Thailand Lanna culture.
Harriett Hilton for Friendship Exchange
Rotary Club of Charleston Holds Fall Social at Roof Top Pavilion
Rotary Club of Charleston to Hold Gala Oct 11, 2012
2012 Rotary Wheels Gala to benefit the Endowment for the Rotary Club of Charleston-Breakfast & the MUSC Children’s Hospital
Gourmet Cuisine & Cocktails
Exciting Silent & Live Auction Experiences
Mesmerizing Entertainment
Thursday, October 11, 2012
6:00pm -10:30pm
The Crystal Ballroom, Charleston Marriott, 170 Lockwood Boulevard
Black-tie Optional
More information: http://www.rotarywheels.org/
Historic Rotary Club of Charleston Recognizes Paul Harris Fellows Smith and Freer
Historic Rotary Club of Charleston Recognizes Paul Harris Fellows Smith and Freer
July 10, 2012: Assistant AG/Past President Kyra Morris recognized Rotarians, Past President Patterson Smith and Robin Freer for their ongoing support of the Rotary Foundation. Smith was saluted as PHF+8 and Freer was honored as PHF+4.
Historic Rotary Club of Charleston Transfers Leadership
The Historic Rotary Club of Charleston Transfers Leadership to the 2012-13 President and Board
JUNE 26, 2012 — Past President Patterson Smith of the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston passed the gavel to incoming 2012-2013 President, Tom Clymer. The District Governor was on hand to induct the incoming President and the new Board officers. President Clymer announced the theme for the upcoming year as “Service Above Self!”
The event marked an end to a year that was filled with immense dedication and service throughout the community and abroad. The Club provided several grants to local organizations, provided free tennis lessons to 22 deserving students, participated in Adopt a Highway, provided college scholarships to local high school graduates, and participated in the District’s Water Mission Project.
President Smith ended an extraordinary year by announcing he has made a personal contribution to District’s Water Mission Project in honor of all the Rotarians who assisted him during his year as President. Pictures by Fred Sales.

L to R: Tom Clymer, Patterson Smith