The FriendShip Newsletter - February 2024

Office Information

Contact Info: 803-602-6434 or contact@thefriendship.org

Regular Hours: Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Member Spotlight: Christina and Emory Clark

Emory Clark with volunteer Gordon Schell looking at a book together

Christina Clark with volunteer T Kingston working on a cell phone together

Have you seen the 2023 movie “The Boys in the Boat”? Directed by George Clooney, the movie was based on Daniel J. Brown’s 2013 book of the same title about the 1936 U.S. Men’s Gold Medal Rowing Team in Berlin. The FriendShip has its own boy in the boat. Check out this month’s member spotlight to get to know Emory Clark, and his wife, Christina.

The Clarks found The FriendShip through the local sandwich shop, The Other Place. The owner knew Dana Turner, founding member of The FriendShip and current volunteer, who encouraged them to apply.

The Clarks chose to retire in Columbia from Michigan to be near a family enterprise and the culture provided by USC. Emory’s career included U.S. Marine Corps, journalism, and law. He holds a Gold Medal in rowing from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He enjoys writing. He published a book about his experiences at the Olympics (contact The FriendShip office for a copy), and for forty years, he has distributed a collection of personal essays annually. Christina was born in Vienna, Austria, moved to London, then to the United States at age 7. She plays violin and is affiliated with USC’s School of Music. She paints in pastels and is represented by Over The Mantel (OTM) Gallery on Carlisle Street. In May, they will celebrate 56 years of marriage.

Reflecting on their membership in The FriendShip, Christina says “At no time in the three years since we joined has The FriendShip ever missed Emory’s twice weekly physical/occupational therapy appointments. Eleanor Stein, The FriendShip’s services coordinator, is sensitive and kind in scheduling our services. The volunteers who drive us are cheerful, friendly, and interesting.” The Clarks and The FriendShip enrich each other. Everyone wins; everyone grows.

January Activities Recap: Starting the New Year Off Right!

The first month of 2024 was filled with great activities! On January 5, members and volunteers got together for the first Dutch Treat lunch of the year--and everyone enjoyed the gourmet salads and sandwiches at Crave Artisan Market.

Then, in the middle of month, we had a grand time with Dr. Tim Shaw, a chemical oceanographer and a very entertaining presenter! We were amazed to hear about his travels to the bottom of the sea. He shared great photos and footage of icebergs and underwater sea creatures (penguins too). We have received many requests to have him back again soon!

At the end of the month, we hosted a social hour with a special focus. Members and volunteers made Valentine's Day cards to donate to the local VA so they could be distributed to veterans to show our appreciation for their service. One of our members followed up to say how much she enjoyed the activity, remarking that "making the cards and being together" lifted her spirits.

Guest speaker Tim Shaw with his wife Tracy, who is a volunteer with The FriendShip

Guest speaker Tim Shaw standing in front of his presentation screen talking to the group

Handmade Valentine's Day card from the social hour with pink and red hearts

Office Reminder

The FriendShip's office will be closed on Monday, February 19 for Presidents' Day. Members, please keep this in mind when making service requests around the holiday.

Upcoming Events-at-a-Glance

Friday, February 16 - Visit the Botanical Gardens at Riverbanks (carpool from St. John's at 1:30 or meet at the garden ticket booth at 2:00/rain date is February 23)
Wednesday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m. - Afternoon Social Hour
Tuesday, March 5 at 11:30 a.m. - Dutch Treat Lunch at California Dreaming

More March activities will be announced soon! You can find an events calendar on our website as well.

Botanical Garden Tour (Feb. 16)

Riverbanks might be best known for its adorable otters and giant giraffes, but did you know there is a lovely botanical garden on the Riverbanks campus too? The garden has been "hailed by Horticulture magazine as one of 10 gardens that inspire and by HGTV as one of 20 great public gardens across America."

Join FriendShip members and volunteers on Friday, February 16 to check out the flora and fauna--from the Bog Garden to the Asian Garden and so much more. We can stroll through at a leisurely pace to admire the thousands of native and exotic plants on display. (In case of bad weather that day, we'll go on Friday, February 23 instead.)

Riverbanks offers "Free Fridays" this month so bring an ID to show that you are a resident of Richland/Lexington, and you'll get in free. Carpools will leave St. John's at 1:30 p.m., and the group will meet at the garden ticket booth at 2:00 p.m.

To RSVP, please call The FriendShip office at 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org by noon on Wednesday, February 14. As always, we are happy to provide rides for members who need them. Guests are welcome!

Social Hour (Feb. 28)

The FriendShip's social hours are always a fun way to spend an afternoon! Join other members and volunteers on Wednesday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m. in the Parlor at St. John’s for this month’s gathering. We'll have refreshments and a fun activity on hand to help us get to know one another better. To RSVP, email contact@thefriendship.org or call 803-602-6434.

Wow! What a Raffle!

Graphic announcing The FriendShip's 50/50 raffle in blue, red, and yellow

A photo of the raffle winner, Cathy, holding her check

Thanks to everyone who bought tickets for our 50/50 Raffle in January. We are very excited to announce the results! The FriendShip sold almost $4,000 worth of raffle tickets. Isn't that fantastic? And, the person who won the drawing is one of our wonderful volunteers, Cathy Caldwell!

While we didn't get to present a GRAND PRIZE check to everyone who bought tickets, we think all supporters of The FriendShip are winners. We are grateful to everyone who bought tickets and spread the word. Special thanks to our Treasurer, Vera Tucker, who spearheaded this fundraiser alongside everything else she does for The FriendShip and our members!

Exciting News: Grant Awarded to The FriendShip

Volunteer Sam with member Ann when he delivered her Christmas gift

The FriendShip is delighted to announce that we were chosen to receive a Homes for the Holidays grant. The grant money comes from the proceeds of the most recent Homes for the Holidays Tour of Homes, which takes place annually in the Shandon and Hollywood-Rose Hill neighborhoods. The FriendShip's award will be used for a fall prevention project to benefit our members. Watch for more announcements about this project soon.

Kudos to our Board members, Teresa Arnold and Sam Waldrep, for putting together a strong application on our behalf!

Thank You to Our Donors

The generosity of our donors is critical to our ability to fulfill our mission. We are grateful for January donations from:

Cathy Bourne
Leila Dudley
Barbara Mullen
Ruth B. Smith
Tuesday Morning Men's Bible Study of St. John's Episcopal Church
Pat Womack

If you would like to make a donation, you can mail a check to our office or donate online. Thank you for your support!