The Chicora Rotary Club celebrated its 40th year in 2019. With approximately 60 members, the club holds meetings every Friday at 12:30 at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Weekly meetings feature speakers on a variety of relevant topics for our community and the world. Together, members participate in a number of community service projects and fundraisers, including Waves of the Future that supports Horry County Schools Fine Arts Department.
History of Chicora Rotary Club of Myrtle Beach
Chicora Rotary Club was chartered on June 14, 1979 with 32 members. The new club was an off-spring of the Myrtle Beach Club which had reached the containing size of 150 members.
Adequate dining facilities, parking problems and classification availability were all factors leading to formation of the new organization. In addition, camaraderie and fellowship had become reduced because of the large membership. The idea of the new club had been discussed by several administrations, but it was in David Michaux’s term as president of Myrtle Beach Rotary that action was taken.
Jim Hackler served as the district governor’s representative for sponsoring the new club and Gene Anderson represented the Myrtle Beach Rotary Club. Lambo Schwartz, who would become 79-80 district governor, was also instrumental in forming Chicora Rotary. Charlie Hughes was the first Chicora President, followed by Dan Gray; both had been Myrtle Beach Rotarian’s. The name “Chicora” was chosen for its historical significance as the Indian name for this area in the 1500s. Local artist John Dietz designed the Indian symbol often used on club materials.
At first, the new club met at the Santa Maria Restaurant in the Caravelle Resort Hotel. It then switched to the Western Steer before moving to the Dunes Golf & Beach Club in 1983, which provides and impressive oceanfront setting and quality dining. In 1982, Chicora’s principal fundraiser the “Pancake Supper” was started at the suggestion of businessman James Arakas, Bill Hussey & Keith Compton. The initial recruitment effort of 1979 resulted in a youthful membership which is still characteristic of Chicora Rotary.
Chicora Rotary Club Presidents
1979-1980 Charlie Hughes
1980-1981 Dan Gray
1981-1982 Neil McCoy
1982-1983 Keith Compton
1983-1984 Ed Cooke
1984-1985 Bill Roberts
1985-1986 Tom Camp
1986-1987 Rhett Sansbury
1987-1988 Joe Hackler
1988-1989 Mike Hussey
1989-1990 Bill Hussey
1990-1991 Bill Fox
1991-1992 Harry McKnight
1992-1993 Frank Smith
1993-1994 Bill Gasque
1994-1995 Tom Moore
1995-1996 Marc Smith
1996-1997 Jill Griffith
1997-1998 Tom Harden
1998-1999 Judy Rodman
1999-2000 Cliff Tall
2000-2001 Betty Anne Mills
2001-2002 Bob Durant
2002-2003 Danny Macdonald
2003-2004 Richard Singleton
2004-2005 Jim McCrakin
2005-2006 Jeff Mense
2006-2007 Sandra Page
2007-2008 Peggy Van Veen
2008-2009 Paul Peeples
2009-2010 Lottie Menor
2010-2011 Bob Bellamy
2011-2012 Jeff Annas
2012-2013 Bill Greene
2013-2014 Rich Scott
2014-2015 Van Watts
2015-2016 Nicolle Gainey
2016-2017 Jory Taylor
2017-2018 Blakely Roof
2018-2019 Angelika Senn
2019-2020 Jeremy Withers
2020 – 2021 Donald Hovis
2021 – 2022 Anjana Duff
2022 – 2023 Neal Bowers
