Erin Levesque, Manager of the Waddell Mariculture Center, spoke about the work being done to maintain and improve the Port Royal Sound area. It is one of the country's largest and most sophisticated facilities for mariculture research.
Research performed at the center is directed toward the culture and practical production of aquatic species, which are of economic importance to the state. For 30 years, the center has worked with a variety of species including striped bass, white bass and their hybrids, two sturgeon species, cobia, whiting, red drum, black drum, black sea bass, flounder, spotted sea trout, tilapia, and seven species of marine shrimp, freshwater prawns, hard clams, bay scallops and oysters. The scope of work varies widely among species, in response to the needs of stakeholders including local anglers.
The Center has several ponds where cobia and red drum are produced for release along the coast of SC. There is also a hatchery where cobia, tripletail and southern flounder as well as other species are developed and prepared for release.
Rotary members were able to join the staffs of MC Riley and Red Cedar Elementary Schools to celebrate the students of the month for the last year, as well as the student of the year for MC Riley - Mia Zambrano Rodriguez, and William Jones for Red Cedar.
This year's Charter Night is approaching, and we are looking forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our club and recognizing everyone for their leadership and service.
Charter Night Friday, June 26 6:00 – 8:00 PM Fair Winds Bar & Grill at Rose Hill
If you have not already done so, please take a moment to register for the event. Your presence will help make the celebration complete. Please click below to register.
The Bluffton Rotary Satellite Evening Club announces its Inaugural Rotary Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Island West Golf Club in Bluffton, South Carolina.
Thee theme for the event is Patriotism - celebrating our country’s 250th Anniversary. The tournament will raise funds for the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) Nursing Scholarship Fund, directly supporting aspiring nurses who wish to pursue their education and careers in the Lowcountry.
The tournament will feature a full field of 26 teams of four golfers each. competing on Island West Golf Club's acclaimed 18-hole, par-72 championship course — designed by Fuzzy Zoeller and Clyde Johnston — nestled among rolling fairways, elevated tees, natural marsh areas, and majestic live oaks. The event will include a shotgun start format, on-course contests, raffle prizes, awards, and a post-tournament reception.
As a tribute to the freedoms we are blessed to enjoy in this country and in our Lowcountry community, four 10-foot American flag poles will line the back of each tee box throughout the course. The flags will be provided by the Hilton Head Rotary Sunset Club, creating a striking, patriotic display that honors our nation as it celebrates its 250th anniversary. Flag Sponsorships are available for businesses and individuals who wish to align their support with this signature visual tribute or recognize a Hero in your life with a custom placard describing your Hero. Each Flag Sponsorship includes recognition on a dedicated plaque displayed at the sponsored tee box, ensuring lasting visibility throughout the tournament.
Proceeds from the tournament will be directed to the TCL Nursing Scholarship Fund, administered through Rotary District 7770 Foundation. The fund provides critical financial support to nursing students at the Technical College of the Lowcountry, helping to address the region's growing demand for qualified healthcare professionals.
"This tournament and our volunteers represents the best of what Rotary stands for - Service Above Self," said Shawn Marlowe, Chair of Bluffton Rotary Satellite Evening Club. "By supporting nursing education at TCL, we're making a direct investment in the health and well-being of our Lowcountry community. Every golfer, sponsor, and donor who joins us on July 2 is helping put a future nurse through school, and we need to support as many as we can especially now with all the growth in our area”.
Sponsorship packages are available at multiple levels, offering businesses and individuals the opportunity to support the cause while gaining visibility before, during, and after the event. Sponsorship tiers include Title Sponsor – Full Scholarship Donor $3500.00 , Liberty Sponsor-$1,500, Eagle Sponsor- $750.00, Patriot Sponsor - $250, Beverage Cart Sponsor, American Flag and other add-ons. Each tier includes benefits such as signage, recognition in promotional materials, and golfer registration spots depending on level. Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities are encouraged to reach out early, as packages are expected to fill quickly.
Individual golfer and team registration is now open. Registration includes greens fees, cart, lunch, non-alcoholic, beverages, on-course contests, and the post-tournament awards reception. Space is limited to ensure a premier experience for all participants, and early registration is strongly encouraged. To register, secure a sponsorship, or learn more about donation opportunities, contact Shawn Marlowe at blufftonrotarysatelliteclub@gmail.com or check us out on our social media pages: Rotary Club of Bluffton Evening Satellite
Regardless of issue, please let us know if something is going on to prevent you from attending our meetings. We have many members who can help, pray, or just call to lift your spirits.
Club Dues Invoices - please submit payment at your earliest convenience. Several Rotarians have outstanding balances from prior invoices - if you are unsure of who you are, please reach out to Don Kensey, Rotary Club of Bluffton Treasurer.
Do you worry about Alzheimer’s? We do not have a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but we must find one. Finding a cure starts with you. Every year the CART (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust) Fund gives research grants focused on finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
Have you given to the CART Fund this year? The CART Fund is dedicated to raising funds to provide “seed” money for cutting edge, high impact research in hopes of finding a cure/prevention for Alzheimer’s disease. The goal of the CART Fund is to encourage exploratory and developmental Alzheimer’s disease research projects within the United States. This is accomplished by providing financial support for the early and conceptual plans of those projects that may not yet be supported by extensive preliminary data but have the potential to substantially advance biomedical research. These projects should be distinct from those designed to increase knowledge in a well-established area unless they intend to extend previous discoveries toward new directions or applications.
If you would you like to donate to the C.A.R.T. fund, please scan the code below:
The Bluffton Rotary Club has a YouTube Channel! You will find previous guest speakers and other fun videos, so be on the lookout for more content in the future. All you have to do is create a YouTube account and subscribe...with 80+ current members, we can do better than eight subscriber's!! Link:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TYzr9_xUE8Jfy-lniTt1A
Did you know ClubRunner is now available on your mobile device app store for FREE?!? Once downloaded, use your ClubRunner log-in. This will give you instant access to our member directory, events, news and other important information. Here is a video that highlights some of the features: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFLu08meAHI&t=12s
