Roswell Rotarian John Drusedum, with wife Sharon (right), has completed final training for governor of District 5520. He is shown bring congratulated by Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta and his wife.

Salvation Army seeks holiday help

Salvation Army Capt. Niki Woollin is asking for help from fellow Roswell Rotarians during the coming holiday season.

“If anyone would like to help drive Thanksgiving meals to shut-in seniors, we would love the help,” Niki said. “Volunteers would need to show up at The Salvation Army, 612 W. College Blvd., between 10 and 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 25 to pick up meals and choose their delivery addresses.”

She said Rotarians and others “are welcome to come once and leave after their delivery or return to The Salvation Army and take another load until they are done. People interested can call, text, or email me at my contact information below.

Bellringing

“On Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Rotary will be bellringing at Farmer’s Market on Main Street. I will be coming with a clipboard to sign up at the next Rotary meeting. Shifts will be in 1-hour increments and 2 people can ring together or bring their family,” Niki said.

She said Rotarians can contact her on her cell phone at (406) 551-0866 or contact The Salvation Army at (575) 208-2371. Her email address is: niki.Woollin@usw.salvationarmy.org

Rotarians elected to UFO Museum Board

Roswell Rotary Club members Howard Perry and Marc Reischman have been elected to the Board of Directors of the International UFO Museum and Research Center. 

Howard Perry (left) and Marc Reischman

The museum/research center was born from international interest in the purported crash of a flying saucer in July 1947 near Roswell. The incident is popularly known as “The Roswell Incident.” 

The UFO Museum draws more visitors annually than any other museum in New Mexico
and is the major tourism draw for Roswell. 

Though the museum was forced to close and then limit attendance during part of 2019 and 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has made a major rebound in attendance and revenue this year.

The research center’s library has the largest collection of books, research papers, and articles about UFO sightings outside of the Vatican Library.

Rotarians celebrate Veterans Day

Military veterans in the Roswell Rotary Club attended the Annual Veterans Day Breakfast sponsored by New Mexico Military Institute on Nov.11.

Grizzle

The event began at 8 a.m. with an invocation and a presentation by the NMMI cadet choir, followed by opening remarks from Maj. Gen. Jerry Grizzle, president and superintendent of the Institute. Grizzle is a member of the Roswell Rotary Club. 

After breakfast, Grizzle introduced the guest speaker, Brig. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, deputy adjutant general of the New Mexico Army National Guard, who described how he began his military career when he accepted a scholarship at NMMI.

Jane Harvard sits with her father, retired Army Brig. Gen. Gerald Childress, former president and superintendent of New Mexico Military Institute. Childress is a longtime member of the Roswell Rotary Club.

Rotarians Dennis Kintigh (left) and Shawn Powell enjoy coffee and a visit at the Veterans Day Breakfast. Kintigh and Powell are both military veterans.

Rotarians in the news

Swickard keynote speaker

Roswell Rotarian Jack Swickard was the keynote speaker at the community’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday (Nov. 6) in front of the Chaves County Courthouse.

The ceremony was followed by a parade north on Main Street to College Boulevard. This year’s ceremony and parade, organized by the city’s two American Legion posts, was dedicated to Vietnam War veterans.

Swickard was a helicopter pilot stationed at Bien Hoa, South  Vietnam, during the war. He accumulated 1,000 hours of combat flight time between February 1967 and February 1968. His awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Air Medal with 22 Oak Leaf Clusters.

Bianca, J.P. Cheney

John Cheney (left), son of Rotarians Bianca and J.P. Cheney, was elected to the Roswell School Board on Nov. 2. Bianca is president-elect of the Roswell Rotary Club.