Laura Hardee – Board Member
For those of us who have been blessed to live on or near North Myrtle Beach, the Shag dance and beach music have been ingrained in our hearts and souls. I grew up near Loris, only a few short miles form the Ocean Drive section of NMB. At an early age, my brother Tommy would sneak me into concerts to see groups, like The Drifters: The Tams and The Swinging Medallions, I was immediately hooked and my love affair with the Shag and its music was born.
After graduating form Green Sea High, I went to Horry Georgetown Tech with an associated degree in Secretarial Science. I am a member of the Loris Garden Club. I was soon married to Lewis Hardee and we reared three successful children. Although I have worked 29 years at the Clerk of Court Office at the Conway Court House, I have never forgotten my love of the Shag and its importance to our beloved beach. In 2012, I joined the O D Shag Club and have recently decided to campaign for a position on Board of Directors of the amazing group. The Shag Club is as important to me as breathing and I will be a positive example for our club members and future members. It is my goal to preserve this institution carry on its integrity and provide future generations with the opportunity to experience this special dance though our unique music. I am fully committed to this group and will hold myself to a higher standard while sitting on your Board of Directors.
Bill Bacon – Vice President
Hello fellow Shag Club members, my name is Bill Bacon and I am running for the office of Vice President of the O.D. Shag Club for 2016. To give you a little information about myself, I was born in Wilmington but grew up in Whitevillle, N.C., only about 42 miles from Ocean Drive. I knew when I came to O.D. for the first time, when I was about 5 years old, that one day I would live here and now I do!
In high school we would come to the beach nearly every Saturday night in the summer and usually go to Sonny’s in Cherry Grove (where HOTOS is or maybe by the time you read this, Was). Sometimes we would go to the Pad, the Barrel and the Spanish Galleon, where we usually went when I was in college.
After college and law school I practiced law in Clinton, N.C. for over 40 years. I have two married sons and my wife, Joan, has two married daughters. Between us, we have seven grandchildren ranging from first graders to first year in college!
As I said, I live in the Ocean Drive section of NMB now. We bought a condo in Cherry Grove in 1999, then started building our home in Ocean Drive in 2005 but didn’t get in until 2006. My wife and I joined the O.D. Shag Club shortly after that and have been members ever since.
Needless to say, this is the BEST club with the nicest and friendliest people I have ever seen.
Since being a member, I have helped with numerous oyster roasts, Clean Sweeps and other events. I was fortunate enough to be elected to serve on the Board of the O.D.Shag club for the past two years and have really enjoyed it.
I hope my years of experience as a practicing lawyer in N.C. have been a benefit to our Shag Club and hope to continue to serve the club next year as your Vice President.
Jerry Harrell – Board Member
I am a native of South Carolina, born in Clover, where I attended school and graduated from Clover High. Shortly after graduating I joined the army. After serving in Vietnam for two years, I returned home, met Linda, and married her in 1972. At night I attended college courses on the GI Bill and received a BA in Business Administration. In 1978, Linda and I had our daughter and raised her in Clover. I worked for 34 years in the textile machine repair business until most of the mills closed. After that, I worked in Charlotte for several years until we decided we wanted to move to the beach. Linda and I are both retired and feel that we have made our home in paradise.
We have been members of the OD Shag club for about 11 years. During that time, I have enjoyed the fun and fellowship and have met many wonderful people. I try to participate in all the meetings and I have worked selling golf cart tickets, OD Shag clothing, and 50/50 tickets. I have decorated my golf cart for the parades and helped with many other club activities. I look forward to serving you on the board.
Vic Gillispie – Board Member
My name is Vic Gillispie. I am originally from Danville, VA where I started dancing since 1956. I grew up in Swepsonville, NC and have danced throughout North and South Carolina for the better part of my life.
I have served 2 years on the Board of Directors for the Society of Brunswick Shaggers and 2 years as President of the Society of Brunswick Shaggers. I worked for Fat Harold Beach Club for several years. As an artist, I have donate my artwork and prints to every club in the ACSC, Camp Kemo and many other Shag Related Projects.
My reasons for wanting to serve on the OD Shag Club Board of Directors:
- To grow membership both locally and nationally.
- Help the OD Shag Club become involved in projects to help local and county organizations and non-profits.
- Get all members of the ODSC involved in the best club in the ACSC.
- Work to grow the junior Shaggers Association
I am very familiar with the Shag world and have always promoted the shag dance at every level.
I would appreciate your vote for a seat on the OD Shag Club Board of Directors.
Linda Campbell – Board Member
My name is Linda Benfield Campbell and I am currently a resident of the Longs community after relocating here from Columbia SC 2008. I am originally from Statesville, NC and am currently employed with Aflac, whom I have been with for over 16 years. While working with Aflac, I have been blessed to have held several positions including: Sales Associate, State Training Coordinator (NC,SC,FL), District Sales Coordinator and Trainer at our Aflac’s World Wide Headquarters in Columbia Ga. I am currently a member of our local, state and National Association of Health Underwriters.
I attend St Andrews Catholic Church. When I lived in Statesville I attended Western Avenue Baptist Church (my childhood church) where I am still a member.
I held several positions there which included: President of the Women’s Missionary Union, Toddler, Children and Young Adult Sunday School teacher, and was active in the Adult Choir and the Drama Team. I was voted Woman of the Year for the Baptist Women’s Union 1989.
I also hold the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.
I began shag dancing with my Twin Sister, Brenda, in Statesville, NC in 1996. While in Statesville I held numerous positions in the Statesville Shag Club including President. In September of 2001, I won the mixed Doubles Contest with Larry Davis, at the OD Arcade.
I have been a member of the OD Shag Club for over 7 years and have served as Entertainment and Decorating Co-Chair for 2 years. I chaired the Golf Cart Fundraiser in 2014 and assisted in the Golf Cart Fundraiser in 2013. I am currently serving as Advertising Co-Chair this year and help organized and Co-Chair the OD Shag Club Dance Demo Team for the past 3 years. I enjoy volunteering when I can to help
Serve at brunches, clean sweeps, sell 50/50 tickets, give the blessing, etc.
I would try to bring my talents to the OD shag club as one of your board members from preserving the dance itself to promoting our Club to the highest level.
201508 Summit Place
Summit Place Assisted Living Facility
by
Lou Martino
See pictures of this event – click here
It was Monday August 17, 2015 at 5:45 PM when the OD Shag Club Demo Team showed up at Summit Place Assisted Living. Gen Prince the activity director greeted us with warmth and kindness.
Summit Place has a very small activity room, but is massive with the presence of its residents. The residents were waiting for us to dance sitting in their wheelchairs and walking in with their walkers. They all had big smiles on their faces knowing that we were going to dance for them.
There were 30 resident sitting around the horseshoe-arranged room so they all had a good view as to what was about to take place.
The OD Shag Club Demo Team numbered 14 members strong. Linda Campbell the spokes person for the Team once again introduced the Team Members. Each Team member was to dance two songs, since we were to dance for at least 45 minutes. This was for the resident’s activity session.
The program went very well and the residents commented that they enjoyed the dancing very much. Matter of fact the residents loved the dance that the majority of them got up out of their wheelchairs and participated on the dance floor.
I would like to thank: Linda Campbell, Bobbie Buffkin, Sonny and Tina Tomberlin, Cherie Patalik, James Thorndyke, Randy Overby, Laura Hardee, Wade Kirdahi, Joyce Girling, Barbara Hopper, Susan Male and Jay Kellerman.
We also had other club members present: Jammn’ Jimmy Buffkin and Geoff Girling (who was our photographer for the evening) as you can see he did a great job.
We have already been invited back for a repeat performance. I would also like to thank Summit Place for their hospitality that they extend to us.
201508 Kingston Nursing Home
Kingston Nursing Home
by
Lou Martino
To see the pictures of this event … click here
The OD Shag Club Demo Dancers were invited back to dance for the residents at the Kingston Nursing Home on Thursday August 6, 2015, at 630pm.
There were approximately 60 residents plus the staff in attendance to watch us dance. Linda Campbell spokesperson for the OD Shag Club Demo Team introduced the Team individually and explained what we were going to do.
We danced while the wheelchair bound residents watched with hopeful eyes. There were dancers from the good ole days present. One resident was a ballerina back in her time. She was so grateful to see the dancers. As you can see in our pictures, there were several residents that were able to get up and dance with the team. This is one of the reasons we enjoy dancing for the Nursing Home, to see the smiles on those of yester years.
I would like to thank Linda Campbell, Lenny Gardner, Randy Overby, Laura Hardee, and Jay Kellerman. I would also like to thank Brenda Keisler Linda Campbell’s twin sister for filling in for those Team members who were unable to participate in this event.
See you on the dance floor!!!