Charleston

Monday: On our first morning in Charleston we had an excellent tour of the historic City guided by honorary Paul Harris Fellow Michael Maher who is Director of the Civic Design Center. Followed by an excellent lunch at the Fleet Landing restaurant - an outside table in the warm sun gave us time for some Dolphin watching. Photo from the left: Holly, Michelle, Jane, Host Coordinator Rtn Pat Campbell, Steve, Michael Mather and his wife Rtn Andra Watkins, and Rodney.

Hunting Island Beach

Sunday
Today we had the chance o go to the beach with the Baker family. The weather was fantastic and the the beach even better. After the picnic we checked out the water and the girls, Caroline and Anna, really enjoyed themselves.

Now in Beaufort

Friday: We attended the graduation of 450 US Marines on Parris Island - an impressive event watched by their family and friends who were able to greet them for the first time after their12-week initial training. In the afternoon we visited the Air Station Beaufort were Captain Chris Armes explained the role of the US Marine Air Support and the controls of the F18 fighter. This weas followed by a very interesting visit to the radar section of Air Traffic Control and via 132 steps to the Control Tower. Photo: Capt Armes, the Team and Host Coordinator Tom Harden.

Our day in Bluffton

Thursday: A sad farewell to our Hilton Head hosts and then two vocational visits: Belfair Retirement Community and then to the Palm Court Memory Clinic. We were entertained to lunch by Joanie Hayward in her home - The Pine House built in 1905-6 superbly furnished in keeping with the design, and overlooking Bluffton Creek (Photo). After lunch we then had a walking tour of Old Bluffton guided by Rtn Emmett McCracken. Then to be warmly greeted by our new hosts at Beaufort.

Meeting Rotary International president Dong Kurn Lee

On Wednesday we were invited to the Gala dinner and an opportunity to meet the president of Rotary International D.K Lee. After a great meal and the opportunity to catch up with many Rotarian's we had met in the previous weeks, we were able to have photos taken with D.K and his wife. We all enjoyed this rare opportunity to meet the president.

Hilton Head Island Hospital

Today the group spent the day at Hilton Head Island Hospital, we were met by Kelly Presnell Director of Public Relations, Dean Turner Chief Operating Officer and Brad Talbert Vice President Development. They had many questions to ask us about our Health Service as we did them. After the tour of the hospital we all went our separate ways and spent the afternoon with our vocational counterpart, which everyone found to be very interesting. The photo was taken outside the emergency department with Elizabeth Lampkin the CEO of the hospital.

In the evening we attended a performance by the Hilton head symphony orchestra. The music, company and food was excellent and a real highlight of the trip. We also has the chance to meet Jack B McConnell, founder of the Volunteers in Medicine clinic we visited earlier. This is the team with Jack.

Holly on the other hand, well ....was just Holly!

After the visit to the clinic, Rotarian Ed Dowaschinski showed us around the Heritage Golf Club. This was a fantastic club and interesting to hear the work that Ed is involved in organising the annual fundraising match. Jane was in her element and couldn't help stealing a quick go from one of the coaches.... think they were impressed with her swing!

Yesterday we visited the Volunteers in medicine clinic to see the great work they do. Margie and Sandee took time to talk to us and show us how the clinics run. The staff we met were great and its amazing to see what is achieved in the clinic which is run by volunteers. This is a photo of us outside the clinic with Margie and Sandee

In the afternoon we were shown around Hilton Head Fire department by Jeff Hartberger. We had the opportunity to share different ideas about the way in which emergency care is provided. The team also had the chance to see the amount of equipment each firefighter has to carry, the girls found this particular aspect very interesting!

Today we visited the Hilton Head Town hall and we were made very welcome by the mayor Tom Peeples who presented us with a certificate declaring March 22nd to March 28th official 'Group Study Exchange week' in Hilton Head. We had several interesting talks by his staff before moving onto the Fire department. This is photo of the Mayor Peeples with the team.

Hilton Head

First day in Hilton Head, we were entertained for lunch at Mary Noonan's house where the group met their host families. After lunch and our up dated schedule for the next few days, a walk along the beach was in order the beach was a few minutes from Mary's house she kindly drove us in her car the beach was beatuiful with warm clear sea. The locals think the sea is cold right now but that didn't stop me taking my shoes off and paddling in the sea which i thought was warm. Back to our host families for the evening before the busy schedule to start tomorrow.

Hilton Head Island (Rotarians paradise).

We have now travelled up to Hilton Head Island which is just beautiful,we feel very lucky to be staying in such a beautiful place so close to the beach too. We were welcomed by a great lunch reception at Mary noonan's home. I have been bike riding on the beach this afternoon and have seen 4 alligators one being paticularly large and scary looking I was pleased to be on the other side of the lagoon using my zoom to get a closer shot!

Hilton Head Island (Rotarians paradise).

Farewell Columbia, Hello Hilton Head

Sunday: Half way through our visit to South Carolina and a sad farewell to our hosts at Columbia after a great stay. But looking forward to saying hello to our new hosts in location 4 at Hilton Head.

Rotary International Awards

Saturday: It is unusual enough for two awards which are only presented to a maximum of 150 and 200 members of Rotary respectively out of a worldwide membership of over 1.2 million to be presented at the same dinner. For these two people to also be heavily involved in our Group Study Exchange visit is extraordinary. At the Conference Dinner Bill Greene who was Team Leader for the 2008 visit to District 1070 and GSE Coordinator for Myrtle Beach, received a Service Above Self Award. Paula Matthews who is our Columbia GSE Coordinator received a Rotary Foundation award for Meritorious Service having helped raise nearly one million dollars for Foundation in 2008. Congratulations to both our friends.

District 7770 Conference

Friday: To the District Conference for lunch at which Jeanne Robertson, past president of the National Speakers Association gave an outstanding talk. As they say "follow that", and after lunch!! The Team was next up to give our presentation - limited to 20 minutes we finished (just about) on time but the Chairman then allowed extra time for the many questions. We were followed by the 7770 Team which visited the UK last Autumn. The photo shows both teams together with District Governor Anne Walker.

Fort Jackson

Friday: Fort Jackson is the largest training base in the USA and undertakes basic training for 50% of all new US soldiers. The Fort has a 3 billion dollar per year impact on the local economy. Rotarian John Reener (Spring Valley) who was previously the General responsible for the base, and Rotarian Jim McHone who was previosly the Colonel responsible for the medical facilities were in our party which was shown round by Colonel Anita Dixon. Photo shows the Team watching the new soldiers practicing field first aid on each other - none of the Team volunteered.

Time to relax

. Thursday: Jane, Steve and Holly relaxing after a busy day at the home of our Columbia Host Coordinator, Paula and Ronnie Mathews.

Spring Valley High School

Thursday: Visiting the Spring Valley High School which has more than 1,900 students and has recently been voted top High School in the state.

Visit to the State Capital

Thursday: On the steps of the State House before a tour of the House of Representatives and Senate Chambers. We heard about Columbia being chosen as a "green field" site for the Capital and the city's history through the Civil War. We then attended a meeting of the Rotary Club of Spring Valley.

Palmetto Health, Columbia

Our first vocational visit in Columbia, Holly, Steve and Jane were in the hospital, Michelle was in the community. Holly and Jane spent the day in ER beginning in the Trauma unit were they saw three trauma's in 90minutes,which were perfect for them to watch how smoothly and efficently trauma's are run in USA. After lunch they observed in triage which was an eye opener they had eight triage rooms and two triage nurses seeing all the patients that come through the doors. Then on to the paediatric services the hospital has a seven storey Children's Hospital seeing more than 83,000 children each year. Steve spent the day with Quality which he found very informative. After all going the separate ways we met up at the end of the day with Regina Brown and Julian Gibbons who took care of us all day.
Picture Julian Gibbons (PR) Jane Maddison, Regina Brown (PR), Michelle Anderson and Steve Collins in front Holly Shaw.

First Night in Columbia

First night in Columbia, and our first day off. We all booked in the the hotel, rooms were very nice and spacious. Went for dinner at the Blue Marlin definately recommend. On to a bar or two for a few cocktails and a solo of YMCA!!! I feel a very memborable night!!

Rotary Club of St Mathews

Monday: The Team with the President of the Rotary Club of St Mathews, Fred Elmer after their presentation which was followed by a 15-minute question and answer session.

Vocational Visits in Orangeburg

Monday: Michael Dennis, Director of the William J McCord Adolescent Treatment Centre, explains how the State service is reducing drink and drug abuse amongst 15-18 year olds.
This was followed by an interesting visit to the Regional Medical Centre hospital were we heard the importance they placed on customer service and greeting patients because we "don't want them to go to another hospital".

Farewell to Orangeburg

Sunday: Saying farewell to hosts and new friends at a party held at the 18th century home of Penny Summers, District 7770 Group Study Exchange Chair. A big thank you to her for organising our visit. Photo from left: Penny with Team members Steve and Holly.

Although a good time was had by all, as you can see we are very RESERVED!!!!!!!

Country Music at the Lone Star

Saturday: After a busy week of vocational visits, this was a time to relax with a variety of separate activities organised with our hosts – a visit to a stud farm, a cotton farm, sightseeing and a manicure for two of the girls. In the evening we all got together with our hosts to visit the Lone Star Barbecue and listen to Country Music from the Sugar Loaf Mountain Boys

Rotary GSE on local radio

Friday: Todd Franklin DJ of the Orangeburg Classic Rhythm and Blues Radio station with Jane Maddison after her radio interview – the listeners heard about The Rotary Foundation and Group Study Exchange

Toumey Medical Centre Visit

Friday: Our host for the day was Leslie Carpenter, President of the Rotary Club of Sumter and Dean of the University. Pictured is the President/CEO of the Hospital, Jay Cox, undertaking a question and answer session with our Team during a visit to the Toumey Medical Centre.

Orangeburg

Was welcomed very warmly by our host families in Orangeburg, was taken to Sumter today to see the hospital, the hospital has many great features. One would be a very welcome idea in England, they have valet parking because it is a little walk to the carpark, you pull outside the main doors, the attendant parks for car for you and retrieves it when you are ready to leave. The hostpial was very spacious with all private rooms which were very well equiped like hotel rooms. On the way home after dropping Holly off, we had some spare time before we were all being collected so we called into the local radio station and was interviewed on air about why we are here and what we have been doing. We are now celebrities. Looking forward to the host meal tonight, and a day off tomorrow.

Southern hospitality

We have now moved on from Myrtle Beach and have a new home for a few weeks in Orangeburg. The sunny weather has also stayed in M.beach but the warm and friendly welcome has sure made up for that. We have had an interesting morning with a whistle stop tour of Toumey Hospital and the opportunity over lunch to discuss differences in NHS healthcare and American health care. We have many similarities but also many differences. Our lunch was walked off during a stroll round the swan lake iris gardens where we nearly got pecked by a nasty swan. We are looking forward to getting together later for a meal at a host families house.

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College

Thursday: After saying a sad farewell to our host in Myrtle Beach, we were welcomed to Orangeburg. Straight to work with a vocational visit to the nurse training facility at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College where we were welcomed by Dean of Nursing Delura Knight and Dean of Health Science Fran Andrews (pictured right above). Our Team described the facilities as "amazing!".

Welcomed to Conway by the Mayor

Wednesday: Mayor of Conway, Alys Lawson presenting the City key to the Team - Rodney Spokes (Team Leader), Steve Collins, Jane Maddison, Holly Shaw and Michelle Anderson. This was followed by an interesting tour of the historic town, an electric boat trip up the Waccamaw River and a most enjoyable evening with members of the Rotary Club of Conway.

Our team welcomed at Conway Medical Centre by Tammy Jarvis, Clinical Director of Emergency Room (3rd from left) and Jason Gerner, Director of Quality and Medical Staff Office (4th from left).

Holly, Jane and Steve spent the day at Conway Hospital. Michelle spent the day at Mercy Hospice. Holly, Jane and Steve had a great day they started with breakfast, which looked like a scone with bacon and egg inside this apparently is called a egg and bacon biscuit. The hospital directors had many questions for us, we also had many for them but found we also had a lot of mutual problems with health care. We toured the new tower of the hospital the rooms designed for inidividual patients with an en-suite, plasma screen TV on the wall, fitted bedroom furniture it looked typical for a four star hotel in England. Holly and I spent the rest of the day assigned to a nurse in the ER which was very informative there computerised programmes were second to none.
Once we finished at 16.00 it was time for an hours shopping, before meeting with our host families and going to aquarium and then onto dinner at Liberty Steak house, where we were presented with T-Shirts for a golfing competition which is held in Myrtle Beach each year called "the Liar's Tournment" long story!!!!!!! Well another early day tomorrow being collected at 06.00. In need of beauty sleep!!!

Team Leader on live television

Tuesday: Whilst the Team were undertaking Vocational visits at various hospital departments, Rodney Spokes attended the Myrtle Beach City Council workshop and meeting. He was invited to address the televised meeting obtaining publicity for The Rotary Foundation and Group Study Exchange programme.

Myrtle Beach Police Training Department

Monday - Jane Maddison points out the latest addition to the Myrtle Beach Police Department vehicle fleet seized from a drugs dealer. A great visit was organised by Police Sergeant Eric DiLorenzo who was a member of the GSE Team from South Carolina which toured District 1070 in September 2008. One of the highlights of the visit was a "Shoot - Don't Shoot" training simulation. One of our Team Members tried to shoot a "suspect" with his hands up.....but luckily she missed.
After our first formal presentation at the Rotary Club of Myrtle Beach, we attended the Horry County Court and during the recess met the Rotarian judge for a questions and answers session in his Chambers.

Sunday at the National Historic Landmark of Brookgreen Gardens - outdoor museum, majestic oaks with spanish moss and the collection of world-renowned sculptures started by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. From left: Steve Collins, Rodney Spokes (Team Leader), Holly Shaw and Michelle Anderson. Jane Maddison was taking advantage of one of the many Myrtle Beach golf courses scoring 34 Stapleford points.

First day in South Carolina!

Slightly jet lagged but full of enthusiasm, we all spent some time this morning getting to know our host families. Some of us walked on Myrtle Beach, which was fantastic and so was the weather! Having lunch watching dolphins playing in the bay was the highlight.
This afternoon myself, Michelle and Holly visited the Brook Gardens seeing some sculptures in the gardens accompanied by members of local rotary clubs, whilst Jane had the chance for a game of golf. This evening we used our presentation for the first time, with some positive feedback. Tomorrow we are off to Myrtle Beach police department, which no doubt promises a few surprises.......

The Team photo taken last Sunday after our presentation at the District 1070 Foundation Lunch. A most enjoyable event with many Rotarians asking us to take greetings to District 7770 - particularly to members of the Team who visited 1070 last September.


We are now all sitting in the departure lounge at London Gatwick Airport waiting for our (nine and a half hour transatlantic) flight to Charlotte and then on to Charleston. We are looking forward to meeting our hosts this evening.