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The Latest Bluffton Rotary News
Upcoming Meeting: May 20
Michael Reynolds is an accomplished marathoner and dedicated historian, who embodies the spirit of Bluffton with his deep-rooted connections to the community and insatiable curiosity about its past.
 
For our meeting on May 20 he will discuss early Bluffton businesses and how they have affected modern day Bluffton.
 
Commerce in Bluffton dates back to its very origin with indigo and rice plantations and later cotton plantations populating the region. But with new population came the need for goods and services. This presentation will tell the tales of some of the early businesses in Bluffton, many of which defined the town and contributed to its existence today.
 
 
Meeting Recap: May 13
Our speaker at our May 13 meeting was Andrea Sisino, Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute as well as Vice Chancellor of community Outreach for USCB.
 
The Institute is devoted to creating and sustaining a robust and thriving lifelong learning community for adults through intellectual and social programs. One of only 125 OLLI sites across the U.S., they offer courses, trips and discussions exploring topics from the humanities, the social and physical sciences and the arts in addition to issues of local, state, national and international interest.
 
The salient point of the presentation was that we do our best learning after the age of 50, and the course offerings are designed to satisfy our growing intellectual curiosity. The local chapter has over 1800 members and 160 programs through the summer session
 
 
Satellite Evening Club Announces Inaugural Golf Tournament!
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
 
 
Keep Us in the Know!
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.
 
 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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.
 
CART FUND DONATIONS
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:
 
 
BRC YOUTUBE CHANNEL
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
 
CLUBBRUNNER MOBILE APP
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
Please Help Us Stock the LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES
If you have any unused books on your bookshelves or in toy chests please contact dot.jeger@gmail.com so we can get them placed in our LFL!!
 
PLEASE READ:
Let’s keep up the good work in the community and the world. The Rotary Club of Bluffton supports this statement from Rotary International.
 
 
 
Rotary's Four Way Test
 
 
Rotary Vision Statement:
“Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.”
Speakers
May 20, 2026
EARLY BLUFFTON BUINESSES AND HOW THOSE IMPACTED MODERN DAY BLUFFTON
May 27, 2026
Business Meeting
Jun 03, 2026
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Bruce Trimbur
May 8
 
Brooklyn West
May 11
 
Bob Pinelli
May 12
 
Megan Mack
May 17
 
Gary Jeger
May 25
 
Michael Mamuszka
May 27
 
Gina Kubik
May 29
 
Join Date
Timothy Peirce
May 2, 2004
22 years
 
Mary O'Neill
May 14, 2008
18 years
 
Chris Forster
May 19, 2021
5 years
 
Rod Brooks
May 19, 2021
5 years
 
Lauren Leonard
May 22, 2024
2 years
 
David Hussey
May 28, 2014
12 years
 
Ethan Cox
May 28, 2021
5 years
 
Club Information
Welcome to Our Club!
Bluffton
Fellowship and Service the Bluffton Way
Wednesdays at 7:30 AM
Rotary Community Center/Oscar Frazier Park
11 Recreation Court
Bluffton, SC 29910
United States of America
Phone:
(843) 540-7957
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SERVICE ABOVE SELF