I have always enjoyed and benefited greatly from being involved in civic organizations in my hometown of Columbia and occasionally in alternate firm locations in Fairfield and Horry Counties. All of it has been extremely rewarding and although I am not s spring chicken anymore, I still enjoy my civic engagements. I feel everyone has a duty to give back and be involved with civic organizations of their chose and today I want to focus on my longstanding association with the state and county bar associations.

I served as the Richland County Bar President from 1990-1991 and 1991-1992 and the South Carolina Bar President from 1999-2000 and continue to enjoy serving on committees and trying to raise the performance level of we lawyers as servants of the people.

I was very blessed this past week to receive the John W. Williams, Jr. Distinguished Service Award from the Richland County Bar. It is based upon distinguished and meritorious service to the legal profession or to the public in professional related activities. The John W. Williams, Jr. Distinguished Service Award is the highest recognition given by our Association and it is determined by the Executive Committee based upon written nominations from members of our association. I was quite humbled and more than honored to receive this award and be nominated and recognized by my fellow peers.

It remains my honor to continue to serve as long as I am able to my county, state and fellow man!

I wrote a KellyGram on this earlier this year, but I am here to tell you that I am genuinely concerned about careless driving all over our state but particularly in Columbia. The number of car crash fatalities as of Dec. 3, 2021, in South Carolina is at 1,005 and puts 2021 on track to be the deadliest on South Carolina’s roadways mostly because of speeding, drunk driving and distracted driving!!!

As I sit in my chair at the corner of Huger and Taylor Streets in the headquarters of the Mike Kelly Law Group, I see red lights being run routinely, barreling down city streets at high rates of speed far beyond the posted speed limits and it is really scary to watch! I have handled motor vehicle accidents for forty-four (44) years, and I have seen the damage that can be done by the actions of a careless driver.

Please slow down and feel free to lobby our City Councilmen and our new Mayor Daniel Rickenmann to step up traffic enforcement in Columbia because we all need it!

I have been going to too many funerals lately of great friends and I hope this will be the last KellyGram tribute for anybody in my friends’ and loved ones’ circle in the foreseeable future!

On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending the funeral of Inge Martin “OMA.” She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her fine family. She was born in Augsburg, Germany in 1939 and immigrated to the United States shortly thereafter. She married an American military man and they proceeded to have a family. She was one of the hardest working and at the same time most loving and caring people of I have ever had the pleasure to meet.

Our friendship began in my beloved Kroger on Forest Drive, and it only got better from there. She worked for Kroger for 30 years and we had many memorable moments together talking and chatting in the Kroger when I would go three to four times a week or on the telephone. Usually, she was manning her front-end desk position, so I always got to see her.

One memorable moment for me was when she retired at age 70. She called and asked me if I would help her fill her retirement paperwork and even though they did not require the services of a lawyer, I was more than happy to fill them out with her in my law office conference room. Interestingly her birth certificate which was required with the retirement package from Kroger was adorned with a swastika and that will probably be the only German birth certificate that I will ever see! When we had finished the paperwork and was ready to put it in the mail, she pulled out her handbag to pay me and I said, “Ms. Martin, there is no charge!” She just cried and hugged me in appreciation.

A loving and caring woman has gone to be with her maker. I only hope that I can be as kind and gentle as you were, Inge! I love you and will miss you dear friend!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

This is one of my favorite holidays especially since I have grown older! It is not about the food, although I am sure I will be chowing down, it is about its significance in my personal life. I have lived a blessed life and even though I have had my challenges, like everyone else, I can honestly say that God has richly blessed me! I am thankful for my loved ones, my many friends, my church and faith, my career, this Law Firm and its family of employees, and the fact that I get to live in two beautiful places – Columbia and Myrtle Beach! I am very thankful that I get to work and split my time between my three offices, Columbia, Myrtle Beach and Winnsboro, and love the variety of practice areas we undertake, and for the people who become our clients and ultimately friends.

I invite you to sit down this holiday and reflect on your own blessings!

Voting has always been especially important to me whether it be National, State, or City/County. We had a record turnout in the Presidential Election last November and Tuesday we concluded our Mayoral/City Council runoff for my beloved City of Columbia. Some people today are sad, and some are happy, but it is my belief that either of the candidates for the Mayoral race would have done an excellent job! I am glad I passed onto my two sons the importance of voting and am proud of them for taking their civic responsibility seriously!

Contrary to what many naysayers contend, I believe Columbia is a wonderful City to work, live and play. Frankly, I would not live anywhere else! Columbia is often compared to Greenville or Charleston, but we are not Greenville or Charleston, we are uniquely Columbia! While they are both fine cities (I spent last weekend in Charleston and had a wonderful time), we have assets in Columbia that neither Greenville nor Charleston have. Columbia’s food scene is improving, and the quality of life is fabulous. Here’s to the beauty and vitality of the Midlands going forward!

Clayton is one of our Myrtle Beach friends and business neighbors. He moved to the Grand Strand from Charleston in 2020 after a career in the beverage distribution industry. Clayton visited the City of Myrtle Beach to discuss with the Downtown Redevelopment Corporation its vision for restoring Downtown Myrtle Beach to its past grandeur. The City of Myrtle Beach is committed to turning a deteriorating Downtown into a centerpiece of the City, and Clayton has agreed to be the foundational start of the new birth of Downtown Myrtle Beach!

The Grand Strand Brewing Company has been up and running for months now, and is quickly gaining a following for its local brewed beer, its food, and its place as an indoor/outdoor entertainment venue. Clayton’s business model is based on serving a quality product in a fun and pleasant atmosphere, and his motto is “Adjust, Adapt and Change.”

We at the Mike Kelly Law Group are delighted to be a piece of the Downtown Myrtle Beach Redevelopment. In the not-so-distant future, we will have a new entrance, a new parking lot and a new attitude!

We applaud Clayton and his team, and pledge that the Mike Kelly Law Group will continue to contribute to the betterment of the Myrtle Beach community.

I have been an Atlanta Braves fan since I moved to South Carolina in the 1970’s, and I wish my father was alive to see them win the World Series title on Tuesday evening! I watched part or all of each Braves game this year. After the All-Star break, the team played great baseball, and I was so excited for them! One of my lawyers went to the game last Saturday night, where we came from behind to win 3-2, and he said it was pandemonium both outside and inside Truist Park in Atlanta. Alex Anthopoulos, our General Manager, is to be commended for making trades at the deadline that strengthened our team and propelled us to where we are today! His pickups of Jorge Soler, MVP of the World Series, Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario were quite simply the best General Manager work ever! I am especially heartened by what this meant to Freddie Freeman, the star first baseman, who has been with us through thick and thin (mainly thin), and Atlanta Braves lifer Brian Snitker, our Manager, who has been with the organization for over 44 years. Go Braves!

I received some information from the City of Columbia Trees and Appearance Commission about their project, Treasured Trees. Like any other American city, we at the City of Columbia have our challenges, and many of these have been discussed during the Municipal Elections that will take place next Tuesday, November 7, 2021. One of the many areas that we can be proud of our city is the way Columbia Trees and Appearance Commission goes about its business.

Looking up from my patio deck, my thoughts begin to coalesce on just how beautiful the trees are within the City of Columbia, and indeed, the Greater Metropolitan Columbia area. Please take a minute to look around you, and see all the beautiful trees, lawns, and shrubbery we have in the Columbia area, including the City owned property. You may be interested in nominating a Treasured Tree, and if so, please see the brochure for the information to do so.

I, for one, am so happy that I live in a beautiful City, with lots to offer its Citizens.

As most of my KellyGram readers know I have an office in Myrtle Beach in addition to Columbia and Winnsboro and I try to spend as much time as possible down there working and playing! Near my second home at the beach are five of my favorite restaurants that I love to go to as well as send my friends. There are an untold number of options on the Grand Stand, but my favorites on my end of the beach are the following:

Midtown Bistro – It is run superbly by the Martini Family and features a unique menu with fresh seafood options usually caught by its owner Jeff Martini. They also have one of the best Prime Ribs around and when you call to make reservations (reservations are highly recommended) they will ask you whether you want to reserve a Prime Rib and my answer is almost always, “YES”!

Bar 19 Twelve – Midtown Bistro’s sister property located right across the parking lot is Bar 19 Twelve. When you walk inside you will be amazed by the décor and ambience. It is not like you are in South Carolina, but in New York or Chicago. Seriously! They have the largest array of Bourbon options you have ever seen and the vibes of it is so COOL!

Sea Merchants – It is an oldy but a goody! Whether you want seafood or steak this is the place for you! It has dark paneling, and its unique atmosphere is great, and your tastebuds will agree. They sometimes have live music and its usually pretty good and entertaining!

Chestnut Hill – This is very near to my second home and is one of my all-time favorites for seafood! It sits on Kings Highway, on Restaurant Row, and has a lakeside view with a very cool vibe. The food and service are excellent, and you cannot go wrong with my go-to restaurant, Chestnut Hill!

Hook and Barrell – The owner Heidi spared no details in making this restaurant a wonderful place. It is primarily known for its seafood, great wine, and great bar! The owner spent untold dollars to make it the coolest interior in all the Myrtle Beach food land.

I could go on and on, but when you are down at the beach on the North end, I suggest you try any of these absolute favorites of mine. I will be sure to feature other favorites at another time later in the year!

I was very saddened to learn of my dear longtime friend Calvin Reese’s passing on October 6, 2021. His funeral services are today, and I am very honored to have been asked to be one of his speakers!

Calvin was a lifetime Columbia native. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School Class of 1969. He continued his education by earning a Business Management Degree from the University of South Carolina. Calvin’s career involved 50 years in media, starting out as a film editor with WIS-TV in Columbia. He was the first African American to work in television advertising in the history of South Carolina by becoming sales account executive. He continued his career by becoming a General and Sales Manager of several radio stations. His last entrepreneurial endeavor and passion was the Millennium Magazine. It began in 1999 and has moved from print to digital media. His two daughters plan to carry on the Millennium Magazine in the future, which I think is a great tribute to their dad!

I personally knew Calvin very well. He and several of my other friends met weekly for a small Bible study at my previous law office location. Calvin and I loved to talk and play golf together. He played in many of the tournaments the Mike Kelly Law Group sponsored. Through Calvin, I was introduced to the Reverend Charles B Jackson, Sr., the legendary Pastor of Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia and the Northeast location. Calvin was very active in the community and most importantly loved serving the Lord at his church. He will be sorely missed. Rest easy my friend!