Popular guest speaker for the Lexington Chamber May breakfast was Todd Carnes. His topic: “Who Cares.”

The partner of Todd Realty Partners and Lexington Town Council member brought out a crowd.

He explained that with so many issues that concern us today, we must choose what we care about. He shared his 4 areas of choice: commerce, education, religion and politics. On Town Council, he has learned sacrificing truth for power is not how to win. The cost of hiding the truth hurts the community and will tear down what we have worked hard to build.

On a mission in Russia, Todd discovered what it means to lose faith in commerce. Violence is brought on by lack of integrity and faith in society. Short term decision making may be easy, but we must make the hard long-term decisions to build a nation that will stand strong. He ended his talk with a quote by Harriet Beecher Stowe: “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”

The meeting was sponsored by Splash Omnimedia and Mike White. Pastor Rob Cely, Jr. of Cherokee Presbyterian Church delivered the invocation. Presiding were Angela Klosterman, Chamber Chair and Angelle LaBorde, President/CEO.

Shelley Logan Gunter was introduced as the Doris Burkett $5,000 Scholarship recipient. Logan She was graduated from Gilbert High at age 16. She pushed herself to finish a year and a half early. Logan plans to attend the College of Charleston and pursue a major in Biochemistry. With her were her parents Jana and Gregg and brother Trent.

District 1 Supt. Dr. Gregg Little introduced new human resource director Devona Price and communications director Kathryn McPhail. Ambassador of the Month is Melissa Hallback of the Babcock Center.

The next breakfast meeting is June 8 at 7:30 am. Guest speaker Billy Chastain will discuss the history and operations of the Dreher Shoals dam at Lake Murray.

The chamber’s free lunch and educational seminar Mind Your Business will be May 26, 11:30 am at the chamber. The topic is how to build your personal brand. Guest speaker Gavin James, will share how you can connect with customers using your image and expertise. Gavin is an entrepreneur and marketing professional.

Anne Bull reports the Mighty Kicks performed at the Icehouse Amphitheater last week before an enthusiastic audience. The band was started in 1986 by friends in Orangeburg. Some of those who enjoyed the show were: Braden and Hunter Watkins, Bruce and Karen Campbell, Jimmy Burton, Linda Deweese, Ashley Zimmerman, Harmon Grace and Henry Zimmerman, Carol and Ed Farr, Debbie and Vernon Hester, Sandra and Randy Taylor, and Carol and Calvin Rewis.

Thursday the Icehouse Amphitheater will have a free Tokyo Joe concert at 6:30 pm.

If you haven’t seen the Village Square’s Back to Broadway, it continues through May 30. It was written and directed by TJ Daley, produced by Vicky Jackson with musical direction of Camille Jones. Seating capacity will be limited to accommodate social distancing. For tickets call 803-359-1436.

Mission Lexington’s Church of the Month is Lake Murray Baptist for their support through financial contributions, food pantry donations and 30 volunteers. Volunteer of the Month is Nicolette Cook

Volunteer of the Month is Nicolette Cook who served since 2014 as a volunteer. She retired from Lexington Medical Center after working as a unit secretary for over 30 years. She has served as a foster parent for the county more than 20 years.

Ambassadors of the Month are the Woodring family who stuffed book bags when their twins were going into 1st grade. They believe children must be taught empathy and want to help the less fortunate.

Signs of the times: “Face coverings optional” and “No gas.”

North Lake Drive businesses are losing part of their front yards to street widening to ease traffic flow. It will be be better soon!

Happy Birthday to Ronald Buff, Pat Caughman, Todd Catalanotto, Keith Rawl, Megan Griffin, Stacey Summerall, Alexis Wack, Manning Burgess, Erin Taylor, Carolyn Arant, Sarah Cooper, Thomas Cox, Adam Mintz, Jaime Wessinger, JoDee Douder, Ron Kruithoff, Chick Roof, Betty Smith, Rose Wilkins and Kori Lorick.

AROUND LEXINGTON COUNTY

Riverbanks Press, publisher of Jerry Bellune’s new “Your Life’s Great Purpose” available at Amazon.com, sponsors Daisy Harman’s column.