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.

$133,000 - Columbia, SC @ Abington

MLS#

307674

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Richland Two

Provided courtesy of Asset Realty, Inc.
Great home for a 1st time home buyer.Smooth top range. Double-Door Refrigerator,Kitchen has a Island.Plenty of Storage Space.Great Yard with a Priv...

 View Listing

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$122,000 - Columbia, SC @ Abington

MLS#

304207

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Richland Two

Provided courtesy of ERA Wilder Realty
4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath home w/fireplace in family room, a roomy eat-in area, overlooking large fenced in backyard. This home awaits your enjoyment of ...

 View Listing

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$160,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

311057

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

1

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
Beautiful one bedroom home facing Main Street. Our lst floor is like the 2nd floor in most buidings, so the view is good. Hardwood floors, good cl...

 View Listing

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$260,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

311015

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
Beautiful views of the western skyline as well as the Adesso pool and amenity deck from this 3rd floor home. One of Adesso's ADA units, this home ...

 View Listing

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$229,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

309473

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of The Wolfe Company Inc
Wonderful corner unit with wrap around balcony*Sought after Torino floor plan and the only one available*High ceilings, hardwood floors, granite, S...

 Virtual Tour  View Listing

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$160,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

306171

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

1

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
Last finished one bedroom home facing our beautiful pool! 10' ceilings, hardwood floors, granite - all the finishes you would expect in a luxury b...

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$225,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

305699

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
One of two remaining Sorrento floorplans - Adesso's most popular floorplan! FABULOUS Master Bedroom Closet/Bathroom!!!!!Wonderful building with gr...

 View Listing

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$265,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

305379

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
The Final Firenze Floorplan at Adesso! Time is running out to be a Charter Owner at Adesso. This rounded-window view of our signature corner of M...

 View Listing

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$225,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

297753

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / 2 Half

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
It's the Adesso Final Countdown! This is one of 2 super-popular Sorrento floorplans remaining! Have you seen the closet in the master in this one?...

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$340,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

224185

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

3 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
Arresting views from the rounded windows & balcony overlooking beautiful western skyline. 10' ceilings, crown mouldings, hardwood floors, granite,...

 Virtual Tour  View Listing

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