History of the Palmetto Shag Club
1992-2004 |
The Palmetto Shag Club was formed in 1992 by “the elite eleven” with founders ruling that none of them could serve as an officer in the first year. The eleven founders included David Adams, Butch and Teresa Alsing, Tommy and Virginia Baird, Linda Burns, Marshall Fields, Mel Grove, Dan Humphries, Elton Johnson and Frank Thiele. News of the formation of a new shag club in the Midlands spread quickly with enthusiastic members holding their first party in November 1992 and no officers elected until 1993. The club was named by Teresa Alsing |
1993
In 1993 David Johns was elected the first president of the club and under his leadership the club was unanimously approved for membership in the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs. The club was sponsored by the Camden Lugoff Area Shag Society with Palmetto recognized as the club with the largest membership of any newly accepted shag club in the association. In fact the membership had grown so much that it ranked in the top 20% of all shag clubs in the association. It was during David’s term that many of the parties we enjoy today were created and that Palmetto sponsored the Hall of Fame Summer Blast in which over 200 Palmetto Shag club members were able to meet and dance with many of the members of the Shaggers Hall of Fame.
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1994
In 1994 Elton Johnson who was a founding father of the club was elected Palmetto’s second President and the first to serve a two year term. Under Elton’s leadership the club sponsored a paver on the Shaggers Walk of Fame in Ocean Drive insuring that the Palmetto Shag Club would forever be immortalized as part of O.D. It was also during this time that the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Shag as the official state dance was celebrated. The club continued to grow and was recognized as one of the top five largest clubs in the ACSC, eventually reaching #2 in membership of all clubs in the association. It was during Elton’s term that the official Palmetto shirts were designed. PSC first co-sponsored an officially sanctioned SPA contest, and the idea for creation of an annual 3 day party was conceived. Elton served as the first elected Sergeant-at-Arms for PSC when the office was sanctioned as part of the By-Laws in 1998. All of us in Palmetto thank Elton for his vision in creating the club, for his being a founder and charter member, for his tenacity in guiding a growing club, and for his incredible generosity as many of the free pours, donations of raffle items to bring money into the treasury, and monies for parties in the early years came out of his own pocket.
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1996
In 1996 Carroll Yongue was elected PSC’s third President and the first woman to hold this office. She co-chaired Palmetto’s first annual Southern Comfort and gave the weekend party its name. Under her leadership PSC became a sponsor of the Hall of Fame fundraiser, and she began the tradition of PSC hosting a Tea Party at the O.D. Arcade the last Saturday of Spring and Fall SOS. |
1998
In 1998 Mike Robinson was elected Palmetto’s fourth President. He co-chaired the first annual Southern Comfort. A supporter of the Junior Shag Association Mike developed the idea of Palmetto sponsoring an Inland Junior Shag Weekend in the capital city to introduce the state dance to children of the Midlands and to offer instruction from veteran shaggers to junior shaggers at the intermediate level. During Mike’s tenure the tradition of recognizing a hardworking behind the scenes member of the Palmetto Shag Club as the “Palmetto Pal” of the year was initiated.
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2000
In 2000 Jimmy Munn who had served as immediate past Vice President of Palmetto, a position he held for two years, was elected Palmetto’s fifth president and first in the new millennium. He co-chaired the second annual Southern Comfort and was Event Chair of Southern Comfort 2000. The club welcomed Jimmy, with his experience and energy, he was extremely qualified to continue the good times, fun parties, and charitable works that Palmetto Shag Club had become known for. Jimmy transformed the newsletter into the booklet form that we have today with the current front and back covers. It was during Jimmy’s term that he initiated the “Presidential Award” for a dedicated, loyal and supportive person who is also an ambassador of the club. This award is given at the annual Thankmus Party. Governor Jim Hodges declared the first weekend in June as Southern Comfort Weekend during Jimmy’s term in office. The Gentlemen’s Corner was also initiated during this time. |
2001
In 2001, Helen Still was elected to serve as Palmetto Shag Club’s sixth President. Helen served two terms prior to this as Vice President. During the time she served as Vice President and Southern Comfort Tri-Chair, she was responsible for having a mural painted with a beach scene to be used during Southern Comfort. During her first term as President we had our first ever float in the SOS parade, which was a wonderful accomplishment for our club. Due to safety concerns of our members, alcohol cut off time was implemented at midnight , and coffee and donuts or other desserts have been served in an effort to provide continued safety when our members leave the party. Helen also created the club’s very own web site. It is www.palmettoshagclub.com We appreciate all of her diligent work and dedication in the completion of this project.
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2004
In 2004, Marie Kiesel was elected to serve as Palmetto Shag Club's seventh president. Marie served as Vice President for two years previous to being President. Marie was the co-chair of Southern Comfort III and Southern Comfort VI and as president she was the Event Chair of Southern Comfort VII and VIII. She also served as social chairperson for the club. It was during this time that Marie started the tradition of having our members decorate a Christmas tree for the Thankmus party. During her first term as president we had our first ever PSC Cruise and first ever Fun Monday Tent which was a great money-making event for PSC. She initiated the Finance Advisory Committee and the Disciplinary Policies Committee in 2004. She also started inviting other shag clubs to various PSC parties. She has kept everyone informed of all shag events, regardless of club affiliation through e-mail. Marie has been giving shag lessons and line dance lessons since 1993. We appreciate all of her tireless dedication and efforts on behalf of the Palmetto Shag Club.
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