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Southern Midlands Association of REALTORS® held its annual Board of Directors installation ceremony during their monthly membership meeting earlier this month at the Country Club of Orangeburg, with more than 70 REALTORS® and Affiliate members present for the event.

SMAR President Cal Bruner officiated at the meeting and special guest Andy Walker, South Carolina REALTORS® 2008 president, installed the new officers and directors.

"I am honored to serve as your new State Association president and look forward to working with Southern Midlands," Walker said. "Key components of the SCR strategic plan include the Quality of Life Web site, protecting private property owners, ensuring economic vitality and the Young REALTORS® division."

Walker has been a REALTORS® since 1989 and resides in the Greater Columbia area.

The newly installed 2007 officers are: Regina Dukes, ERA Wilder Realty, president; Nancy Foster, Foster & Co., president-elect; Gidget Vickers, Palmetto Mortgage & Realty, secretary and Kenneth Middleton, Coldwell Banker Middleton & Associates, treasurer.

Directors are Michael Baldwin, ERA Wilder Realty; Shannon Jolles, Robinson Real Estate Services; Mildred Rice, REMAX Real Estate Services; Mark Stewart, Dorman Realty and Cal Bruner, Century 21 The Moore Group.

This new leadership is made up of REALTORS® who have committed themselves for the welfare of the fellow members in their local, state and national associations as well as their communities. REALTORS® are professionals who have the opportunity, experience and privilege of helping people achieve the American dream of homeownership.

Also inducted during the meeting were 11 new REALTORS® who pledged "to protect the individual right of real estate ownership, build their knowledge and competence and to serve their community, through observing the REALTORS® Code of Ethics."

SMAR is one of 15 Associations in the state and is celebrating its 45th year as a chartered local REALTORS® Association. The Association gives back to the community by sponsoring numerous community service projects throughout the year. The group has worked with the Salvation Army and the Red Cross and participated earlier in the year with school supply and winter apparel drives. During the month of November, canned goods were collected, and earlier in the year the members collected more than 150 pounds of keys for the "Keys to a Cure" campaign. In December, the SMAR members will collect toys for local children.

Southern Midlands Association of REALTORS® is comprised of REALTORS® and Affiliate members from Orangeburg, Bamberg, Clarendon counties and a portion of Calhoun County.

To learn more or join the organization, go to the Web site at www.southernmls.com or call their office at 803-536-5565.

T&D Correspondent Ginger Thompson can be reached by e-mail at vthompson. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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