May 5,2021 (May 10, 2021)

Welcome

Service Above Self

We meet Thursdays at 6:10 PM

Rotary Scout and Community Center

1715 Riverside Drive
P. O. Box 735 (ZIP 21803)
Salisbury, MD 21801
United States

District Site

Venue Map

June 10, 2021

Posted on Jun 15, 2021

Club Update of June 10, 2021

Call to order - Meeting was called to order by President John Aukward..

Pledge - Gus Lebois
Blessing/invocation - Rocky Burnett
Four Way Test - Craig Booth
Song - Gordon Gladden

Guests: Cynthia Williams, guest of Ginnie Malone; Jane Messenger, our speaker this evening

June 10, 2021

Posted on Jun 15, 2021

Announcements and committee updates:

President John began with a welcome to all 39 members in attendance.

Treasurer Marie Calafiura thanked all those who already submitted their dues, reminded everyone that they are due by July 1, and mentioned that if anyone wished to utilize a payment plan to simply reach her.

Marie then asked for a moment of silence in memory of a long-tenured Rotarian in Pocomoke, Willie Jackson, who passed away Tuesday. A.B. Brown and Terry Greenwood both said kind words about him.

Audrey Orr gave an update on the Flags for Heroes project. Sponsorships for the flags are still available. In the July 1 issue of The Salisbury Independent, sponsors will be acknowledged, again funded by a private party. The flags will be displayed until after July 4th, at which time they will be removed and stored.

President John reminded everyone about the combination Four-Way Test Award/Changing of the Guard event on Thursday, June 24, at Dove Pointe. Ginnie Malone is not able to handle the "Auction", so a volunteer is being sought. Many, many volunteered….. Terry Greenwood. RSVPs are needed for the event, and be sure to state your choice of dinner (beef or salmon). Of course, liquid refreshments will be available, as well as entertainment, guitarist/singer Rachel Jayne.

A special event for next year -- mark your calendar now. No not Thursday, but Saturday, August 28 -- a crab feast in Chance, a suburb of Deal Island. It starts at 5 p.m. and will continue through sunset.

Last week's program with Julia Glanz had some unanswered queries. Julia sent President John an email addressing them. One was the use of American Express credit cards at the pay stations -- no, the stations are not able to accept them, mainly due to the higher fees. Another query was about Fitzwater Street, i.e. paving. This is scheduled soon, within the month. Then it was onto Mill Street, from Salisbury Parkway north to Isabella -- when will it be paved? The street needs reconstruction, beginning with a design to full completion, all costing about $1 million.

Additional:

President John liked the tropical shirt worn by Bill Wyatt this evening, so he announced "Wear your Hawaiian shirt at next week's meeting!" It's tropical night!

Remember to watch for emails re: June 24's program and the end of year activities. Be sure to RSVP (see below for instructions if needed).

Also the District's changing of the guard is on June 27 -- our own Steve Capelli ends his term as current DG. RSVP quickly -- see DACdb calendar.

Another sign of returning to normal

June 10, 2021

Posted by Hunter Johnston

Program

Rotarian Bill Wyatt introduced our speaker this evening, Jane Messenger, a native of Salisbury who has served in foreign service, from Europe to the Middle East and also in Washington, D.C.

During her talk she told of the history of Afghanistan, inclusive of the British influence, mentioning also Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan, plus the Silk Road. As you know, the U.S. is planning to withdraw the troops from there, originally planned by September 11, but now by this July. It is a non-conditional withdrawal of an unpopular conflict. This country has more recently faced a Soviet invasion (1979), followed by a brutal guerrilla civil war (1989). Its neighbor Pakistan keeps a watchful eye on the situation there. The Taliban were "welcomed" in 1996. As we had an attack on 9 11, Afghanistan had theirs, same year 9 08. In October '01 the goal of NATO was to remove the Taliban from the area. Yes, the U.S. was highly involved -- the reason: to protect our own security.

Speaking about Afghanistan, our speaker this evening, Jane Messenger, a Salisbury native and veteran of the U.S. State Department

In February 2020, the U.S. signed an agreement with the Taliban to withdraw our troops, but that date has been brought in earlier. What is happening after that? The U.S. hopes to assist in economic aid and development, military advice, and perhaps drone surveillance (if possible).

Some of the citizens accept the Taliban as "best friends", some left, including contactors; and some things never change, e.g. girls don't go the school.

What will happen in the future? Thoughts are an internal civil war -- long lasting and chaotic. It is an "unstable country" where too many of our adversaries are present in the surrounding region.

President John extended thanks to Jane and mentioned that a $25 donation to Polio Plus will be made in her name.

50-50 Drawing

Two new winners this week: Dave Hanlin and Bob Anderson were the winners in tonight's 50/50 drawing, each won $20 -- good pot!