Week 1
By Rod Shealy, Publisher The New Irmo News Week One
I was in shopping in K-mart Sunday afternoon when my phone rang. (You are probably assuming I was shopping to update my wardrobe, but actually, I was simply buying paint.) It was my close friend Jerry Fowler calling.
We hadn’t talked in several weeks, but over the last few years, we’ve stayed in touch quite regularly, working together on matters of business, marketing, politics, networking, you name it.
Jerry is well-known here in the Midlands for his real estate brokerage, as well as his weekly radio talk-show. He has boundless energy, and one of the most-positive attitudes of anyone I have ever met. He’s an achiever.
Years ago, I knew his name, like many others, from his aggressive marketing. His name seemed ubiquitous. (“Ubiquitous”, incidentally, is our Big Word of the Week.) My first personal contact, although indirect, came in the late-1990’s when Mom and Dad had a much-too-large home on the market for the better part of a decade. Finally, after almost giving up on ever selling it, they called on Jerry Fowler, who did what no one else had been able to do: He sold their house!!!
Fast forward to 2003: I, along with others, helped talk Jerry Fowler into running for a seat on the Richland/Lexington District 5 School Board. As it turned out, Jerry was a natural vote-getter, and turned out to be one of the positive forces on that board. His campaign for school board is when I really got to know him.
Since that time, we’ve worked together on a number of projects. Turns out, we have a lot in common. He’s a successful businessman, and I’m a businessman; he usually starts working each day early in the morning, and I usually finish working early in the morning; he has lots of friends, and I have lots of relatives. Actually, I’m constantly amazed at the sheer numbers of friends and acquaintances he knows personally.
In addition to his thousands of loyal radio listeners, Jerry touches hundreds of local businesses each week through the local networking organizations he has fostered. In short, Jerry Fowler is just a first-class, top-notch, full-of-life, super-positive person.
Which is why it stunned me to hear him tell me on the phone that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer, advanced lung cancer which appears to have spread from elsewhere. It seemed like bad news, but Jerry didn’t sound like he was delivering bad news. Instead, he sounded full of positive energy, as usual.
“I know it’s going to be a big challenge,” he said, characteristically. “I want to face it with a positive attitude.” Then he took it a step further. “More importantly, I want to use this opportunity to do something positive for other people,” he explained. “I want to tell my story, step-by-step, as I face these upcoming challenges, and maybe it will somehow help others overcome obstacles they face.” He asked if I would help him put it into words.
I told him of course I would, because, frankly, his positive attitude is contagious. It does seem like a good idea. So this is a beginning.
Starting today, we’ll be helping Jerry tell this new chapter in his story, along with, I’m confident, many other newspapers, magazines, publishers, etc. who will join in spreading this valuable lesson: facing a challenge with a positive attitude. And I’m certain we’ll be updating you regularly on Jerry’s progress for many, many years to come.
- MLS#
270225- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 3 Full / 2 Half
- School:
- Richland Two
GREAT OPPORTUNITY! WildeWood executive/professional estate-8.5 acres. Total of over 1,200' water frontage on lake + additional 174' on pond. Possib...
- MLS#
303138- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 7
- Baths:
- 6 Full / 4 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
Elegant contemporary executive estate in Wexford on the Lake. This custom built home is located on 1.2 acres w/237 feet of lake frontage! Over 8700...
- MLS#
309783- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 5 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
A 'must see' luxurious custom home in one of Columbia's most desirable locations. Executive lake home close in and just minutes to the shopping at ...
- MLS#
255956- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 3 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland Two
Beautiful 3 yr old traditional with sunset views across Forest Lake. 10 ft ceilings down & 9 ft upstairs*378 ft roughed-in with wiring & plumbing ...
- MLS#
311141- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 4 Half
- School:
- Richland Two
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! EXECUTIVE HOME FLOORPLAN CAN HAVE 6 BEDROOMS. FEATURED ON TV AND SC MAGAZINE! LOCATED IN HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER WILDEWOOD, A COU...
- MLS#
304524- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
ONE OF THE MOST ELEGANT & STATELY HOMES IN COLA! LARGE GRACIOUS ROOMS W/10 FT CEILINGS. BEAUTIFUL YARD W/POOL & ROSE GARDEN. FULL BASEMENT W/ WINE ...
- MLS#
293236- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
$1million+ in today's market requires perfection. Location, condition, amenities, history and the type of living experience that makes staying home...
- MLS#
307887- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 5 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland Two
Located in The Enclave, Wildewood's finest gated community, this is a spectacular and elegant customer built home by Kendrick Builders*10' or highe...
- MLS#
287859- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 5 Full / 3 Half
- School:
- Richland One
It's not just the size, this home has the highest quality interior finishes available. The relatively understated front elevation belies one of the...
- MLS#
288630- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 2 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
MODERN ITALIAN RENAISSANCE INSPIRED BY ARCHITECT RICHARD MOCK IS SPECTACULAR BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. HANGING STAIRCASE, GRAND FOYER, STATE OF THE...
- MLS#
309464- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
Stately property on one of Columbia best streets! Built in 1993, the house has great living space and large bedrooms. The first floor has 10' ceili...
- MLS#
296194- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 3 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
LAKE CHATEAU! This discriminating Lake Murray Estate with classic European flair is located in a setting of breathtaking grounds on 2.28 acres of t...
- MLS#
278516- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 3 Full / N/A
- School:
- Richland Two
Executive home on .9 acre lot on Forest Lake. .77 foot lake frontage with dock, lake fed sprinkler system. Beautiful sun room overlooks lake, 2 F...
- MLS#
306384- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 2 Half
- School:
- Richland One
All of the finest finishes: heavy moldings, high ceils, custom faux paint, v aulted fam rm & mstr BA. Huge mstr BR, open fam rm/kitch; both open to...
- MLS#
307536- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 3 Half
- School:
- Richland One
Quiet cul-d-sac, beautiful finshes, granited, hardwoods, limestone tile flooring. Viking thermadore sub-zero appliances, indoor gas grills. Roof 2 ...
- MLS#
275665- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 2 Half
- School:
- Richland Two
MAGNIFICENT EURO STYLE BRICK/STONE COMBO! Boating, skiing, auto enthusiasts must see. 137' water frontage, private dock, boat lift. 3 car + 2 car g...
- MLS#
308500- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM BUILT HOME ON PRIVATE CUL-DE-SAC. 9,10,& 12 FOOT CEILINGS. LARGE MASTER BEDROOM. LAUNDRY ROOM UP AND DOWN. LARGE FRONT & REAR PORC...
- MLS#
308966- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 3 Full / 2 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
- MLS#
297829- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 5 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
Awesome view of Big Water, Dam, & City of Columbia! as close in as can get. Builders custom home & loaded w all the extras. Granite, travertine har...
- MLS#
309224- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 5 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
Stunning custom home on large private lot. Elegant formals feature fireplace, hardwoods and heavy moldings. Large high end kitchen with breakfast r...
- MLS#
295500- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 7
- Baths:
- 5 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
Stunningly beautiful Lake Murray home with sunset views on big water. Just minutes to downtown Columbia. 7 bedrooms 5 full baths and 1 half bath. O...
- MLS#
310621- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
Completely renovated, magnificent home on .71 acre lot. All thermopane windows except for large front window. Gorgeous pool, outdoor fireplace, la...
- MLS#
307490- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 3 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland Two
Unbelievable quality in this Warren Probst designed and constructed custom built home*MBR suite on main level*elevator to second floor rooms*Additi...
- MLS#
311853- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 7
- Baths:
- 5 Full / N/A
- School:
- Richland One
BEAUTIFUL COLONIAL STYLE HOME LOCATED NEXT DOOR TO THE HISTORIC HAMPTON HOME BUILT IN 1896 AND GARDENS. LOTS OF PRIVACY WITH PROPERTY BACKING INTO ...
- MLS#
306644- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 3 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
Grand old home in USC area*Per previous owner completely renovated in 2001(wiring, plumbing, kitchen, baths)*Loads of charm & detail*11' ceilings d...
- MLS#
310809- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
One of KG's finest homes custom built by Bobby Haas. MBR down, Great Kitchen, Awesome Yard that backs to protected woods. Lots of storage under h...
- MLS#
298460- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 2 Half
- School:
- Richland Two
Fine, custom-built home with 10' ceilings on the first floor and 9' ceilings on the second floor; beautiful heart-of-pine floors on the first and s...
- MLS#
309656- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 3 Full / N/A
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
Incredible opportunity to own one of the most sought-after addresses on Lake Murray. One of only 5 properties on big water side of Windward Point, ...
- MLS#
293244- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 6
- Baths:
- 6 Full / 2 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
Custom built executive home (builder's personal home for 11 years). Located in a cul-de-sac with 2.59 total acres. The private backyard with the na...
- MLS#
308508- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 2 Full / 2 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
Beautiful updated kitchen and sunroom. Lots of granite counter tops, wet bar with glass doors. Hardwoods in kitchen, sunroom, dining and family roo...
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