Columbia Capital Rotary Club

Columbia Capital Rotary Club Columbia Capital Rotary Club is one of 77 Rotary Clubs in District 7770. We believe in service, fellowship, vocation and membership. www.capitalrotary.com

District 7770 covers the eastern half of South Carolina from Columbia to the coast and has approximately 5,000 members. Weekly Club Meetings are Wednesday 7:30 A.M. at the Palmetto Club. The primary activities of the Capital Rotary Club are:
Scholarship Program
Each year the Capital Rotary Club awards 8 scholarships of $2,000 each to carefully selected college students from the Columbia area. Our

club has awarded over $100,000 over the past years to Students in the Richland One area. These students may attend any school of their choice anywhere. The students’ academic performance is closely monitored, and the students’ overall GPA must meet certain requirements to maintain the scholarship. The scholarship program is primarily funded by our annual holiday wreath sales. Meals on Wheels
The Capital Club has a weekly delivery route for Senior Resources’ Meals on Wheels program. Each member is expected to participate on a rotating basis throughout the year. The Club provides additional support to the Meals on Wheels recipients during the holiday season in December. Dictionary Project
Each year the Club distributes approximately 750 dictionaries to third grade students in Richland School District One. Teams of members visit each school in the program, deliver the dictionaries, and introduce the students to the ideals and objectives of Rotary. Other Activities
In recent years the Capital Club has participated, either directly or financially, in numerous community and international projects, including: Habitat for Humanity, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Rotary International water projects, Rotary’s Ambassadorial Scholar Program, Rotary’s Youth Exchange Program, Salvation Army, Rotary Disaster Relief, and numerous others.

📷 When did you get your last professional HEAD SHOT?!? 📸Our speaker this morning is an Army Retiree that has both talen...
06/03/2026

📷 When did you get your last professional HEAD SHOT?!? 📸

Our speaker this morning is an Army Retiree that has both talent and an amazing patriotic history

Michael Woodland
Owner / Lead Photographer
ESNTL Headshots

Michael Woodland is the owner and lead photographer of ESNTL Headshots, a premier professional headshot and personal branding photography studio located in downtown Columbia.

A retired U.S. Army veteran with 22 years of service as an Infantryman, Michael brings the discipline, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence developed during his military career into every aspect of his business.

After retiring from the Army, Michael discovered a passion for photography while learning to better use a camera for business and marketing purposes.

What began as a desire to improve his technical skills evolved into a commitment to helping professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders present themselves with confidence and authenticity. He founded ESNTL Headshots in 2023 with the mission of elevating professional branding through high-quality imagery.

Today, ESNTL Headshots serves individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout the Midlands, specializing in professional headshots, personal branding photography, and corporate team photography. Michael is known for his client-centered approach and his belief that a professional image is often the first introduction a person makes in today's digital world.

05/27/2026

Did you start your morning with a Professional Piano Performance? - because WE DID!

Our guest, a 30year piano performing professional, gave us a taste of what’s to come at the Southeastern Piano Festival in June!

Phillip Bush (Pictured)
Artistic Director
Southeastern Piano Festival

Phillip Bush is an acclaimed pianist and Artistic Director of the Southeastern Piano Festival. Praised for his “poetry, elegance and power,” Phillip has enjoyed an international performing career spanning more than three decades, appearing as a recitalist and soloist throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

He has performed with renowned ensembles and orchestras including the London Sinfonietta, and has collaborated with many of the world’s leading chamber musicians and composers. A passionate advocate for contemporary music, he performed for 20 years with both the Philip Glass Ensemble and Steve Reich and Musicians.

Phillip is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory, where he studied under legendary pianist Leon Fleisher, and since 2012 has served on the piano and chamber music faculty at the University of South Carolina School of Music.

05/27/2026

🎶Did you start your morning with a Professional Piano Performance? - because WE DID!🎹

Special thanks to our performer, a 30year professional pianist

Phillip Bush (Pictured)
Artistic Director
Southeastern Piano Festival

June 7-13th - Southeastern piano Festival

Phillip Bush is an acclaimed pianist and Artistic Director of the Southeastern Piano Festival. Praised for his “poetry, elegance and power,” Phillip has enjoyed an international performing career spanning more than three decades, appearing as a recitalist and soloist throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

He has performed with renowned ensembles and orchestras including the London Sinfonietta, and has collaborated with many of the world’s leading chamber musicians and composers. A passionate advocate for contemporary music, he performed for 20 years with both the Philip Glass Ensemble and Steve Reich and Musicians.

Phillip is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory, where he studied under legendary pianist Leon Fleisher, and since 2012 has served on the piano and chamber music faculty at the University of South Carolina School of Music.

Amazing Piano Performances - right here in Columbia! With over $10,000 in contests prizes, this festival also has concer...
05/27/2026

Amazing Piano Performances - right here in Columbia! With over $10,000 in contests prizes, this festival also has concerts that bring out the BEST!!

Check out the all day competitions and enjoy the FREE Master Classes!

Our speaker this morning is
Caroline Earp
Executive Director
Southeastern Piano Festival

Caroline Earp is the Executive Director of the Southeastern Piano Festival and Director of Alumni & Donor Engagement at the University of South Carolina School of Music. A Charleston native and trained musician, Caroline earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Columbia College before spending 13 years in New York City working in nonprofit leadership and arts administration. Her career included leadership roles at the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust and The Juilliard School, where she worked with internationally renowned artists and major cultural programs.

Since returning to Columbia in 2018, Caroline has helped support the growth of the Southeastern Piano Festival while strengthening alumni and donor engagement at the USC School of Music. She is also certified in Adult Mental Health First Aid and as a QPR Gatekeeper, equipping her to support individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges.

Joining her was our performer, 30year professional pianist (see the video in a separate post)

Phillip Bush (Pictured)
Artistic Director
Southeastern Piano Festival

Phillip Bush is an acclaimed pianist and Artistic Director of the Southeastern Piano Festival. Praised for his “poetry, elegance and power,” Phillip has enjoyed an international performing career spanning more than three decades, appearing as a recitalist and soloist throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. He has performed with renowned ensembles and orchestras including the London Sinfonietta, and has collaborated with many of the world’s leading chamber musicians and composers. A passionate advocate for contemporary music, he performed for 20 years with both the Philip Glass Ensemble and Steve Reich and Musicians. Phillip is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory, where he studied under legendary pianist Leon Fleisher, and since 2012 has served on the piano and chamber music faculty at the University of South Carolina School of Music.

5th Generation at our favorite, Villa Tronco, Italian Festival at Finley Park, lighting up our city with LEDs and a prim...
05/20/2026

5th Generation at our favorite, Villa Tronco, Italian Festival at Finley Park, lighting up our city with LEDs and a primary resource for Table Tennis in South Carolina! He’s a mover and shaker in Columbia!

Tripp Roche
Entrepreneur & Cola Enthusiast
Founder | Carolina Pong
Fifth Generation | Villa Tronco
Lead Organizer | Italian Festival

Tripp Roche is a Columbia-based entrepreneur, community advocate, and civic leader dedicated to preserving local history while helping shape the future of the city. He is a fifth-generation member of the family behind Villa Tronco, recognized as South Carolina’s oldest continuously operating restaurant.

In addition to helping manage Villa Tronco, Tripp is the co-founder of Carolina Pong, an organization focused on growing the sport of table tennis and building community connections across South Carolina through leagues, tournaments, and public events. He has also led several civic initiatives in Columbia, including Spotlight Columbia, a coordinated downtown lighting project designed to celebrate holidays, major events, and community pride through architectural lighting.

Tripp currently serves on the Shandon Neighborhood Council, the Richland County Hospitality Tax Committee, and the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance Small Business Council. In 2026, he helped revive the South Carolina State Table Tennis Championships after more than three decades and represented the United States in China during the 55th Anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy.

Through his work in hospitality, sports, and civic engagement, Tripp is passionate about bringing people together, supporting local businesses, and promoting Columbia as a vibrant and forward-thinking city.

73 Million Gallons of water a Day!! Water served all the way out to Chapin and McEntire Airforce Base - serving around 4...
05/13/2026

73 Million Gallons of water a Day!!

Water served all the way out to Chapin and McEntire Airforce Base - serving around 400,000 people daily.

Water going out, waste being processed and everything in between to keep Columbia and the Midlands rolling 24/7-365!

Our speaker this morning was Clint Shealy
Assistant City Manager - City of Columbia updating us on the Columbia Canal supplying 50% of our water (200,000 people) and vital electricity infrastructure - the canal is now underway on approximately $140Million worth of construction in the next 24-30 months with $20Million already completed!

Clint is a licensed Professional Engineer with a BS in Civil Engineering from Clemson University. He has worked in the water and wastewater field, in regulatory, consulting and municipal roles, for over 35 years and currently serves as the Assistant City Manager over Columbia Water for the City of Columbia.

Clint has previously served as Chair of the Capital District of the Water Environment Association of South Carolina and Chair of the South Carolina Section of the American Water Works Association. He is a past recipient of the George Warren Fuller and Herman F. Wiedeman Awards and is a member of the Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers.

Clint currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Midlands Branch of the YMCA and is a lay servant / speaker and Chair of his local United Methodist Church’s Administrative Council. He is married to Dr. Jerri Lynn Shealy and they have three adult children.

Do you love GOLF?!?This is the pathway to the PGA Tour!Our speaker today was Chris BakerTournament DirectorColonial Life...
05/06/2026

Do you love GOLF?!?
This is the pathway to the PGA Tour!

Our speaker today was
Chris Baker
Tournament Director
Colonial Life Charity Classic

With over 14 years of professional experience, including 5 months as Tournament Director at Eventive Sports, Chris focuses on leading impactful golf events to support charitable initiatives.

He collaborates with the team to deliver the inaugural Colonial Life Charity Classic, benefiting the United Way of the Midlands. Chris’s role emphasizes event coordination, fundraising, and fostering community engagement.

During his tenure as a Professional Golfer on the PGA TOUR, Chris cultivated skills in strategic planning, discipline, and stakeholder collaboration. These experiences now enable him to oversee large-scale events with precision and purpose, aligning with his mission to create meaningful community impact through sports and philanthropy.

Need Amazing Office Space at an even Better Cost?Our 5th Wednesday allowed us to tour Venture XCoworking & workspace sol...
04/29/2026

Need Amazing Office Space at an even Better Cost?

Our 5th Wednesday allowed us to tour Venture X

Coworking & workspace solutions available in Columbia Downtown, SC

1901 Main St Floor 18, Columbia, South Carolina, 29201

NEW MEMBERS!Welcome to Kalin Tchonev and Antonio (Tone) Holmes!!
04/22/2026

NEW MEMBERS!
Welcome to Kalin Tchonev and Antonio (Tone) Holmes!!

What does it take to be an Elite Athletics Professional in today’s collegiate environment? This morning, we heard from ...
04/22/2026

What does it take to be an Elite Athletics Professional in today’s collegiate environment?

This morning, we heard from the one and only coach Ray Tanner!

Ray Tanner is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished leaders in collegiate athletics. He served as Athletics Director from 2012 to 2024, overseeing a period of significant growth, national competitiveness, and facility development across South Carolina’s athletic programs.

Before his tenure as Athletics Director, Tanner built a legendary career as head baseball coach for the Gamecocks from 1997 to 2012. Under his leadership, South Carolina captured back-to-back national championships in 2010 and 2011 and made six College World Series appearances. He was named National Coach of the Year multiple times and developed numerous players who advanced to Major League Baseball.

A respected leader both on and off the field, Tanner continues to serve as Athletics Director Emeritus, offering guidance and insight shaped by decades of excellence in collegiate sports.

University of South Carolina

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PO Box 11946
Columbia, SC
29211

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