The Walpolean

Great Decisions” 

(2 weeks from today)

“Sino-American Rivalry: A New Cold War?”

“Great Decisions” returns to the Walpole Town Library on Monday, September 16, at 6:00 p.m., with a discussion of U.S.- China rivalry and China’s rise as a trading partner, global power and threat to regional stability. 

Ambassador J. Stapleton (“Stape”) Roy will lead our public forum via Zoom. Ambassador Roy has immersed himself in the study of China throughout his career. A fluent Mandarin-speaker, he rose to become a three-time United States Ambassador, serving in Singapore, the People’s Republic of China, and Indonesia. In 1996, he was promoted to the rank of Career Ambassador, the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service. He is now Founding Director Emeritus and a Distinguished Scholar at the Kissinger Institute for Chinese-U.S. Studies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

China’s economic rise during the past two decades and the increasingly predatory role of the government in the economy has resulted in a rethinking of our economic engagement with China as perhaps a strategic blunder. Should China be viewed as a business opportunity or a national security threat? Or both? Will China invade Taiwan in 2027, as Xi Jinping openly threatens? Is Xi Jinping challenging the USA for global hegemony? There is always the danger that labeling this a “new Cold War” becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The relevant reading from the Foreign Policy Association is “Technology denial and Sino-American rivalry” by Jonathan Chanis, which is available by contacting Library Director Jane Malmberg at jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org 

For the Zoom link to the meeting, please send a request to Jane Malmberg: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org and join via Zoom at 6:20 p.m. following the Master Class (which cannot be transmitted via Zoom.)

Sue Kibbe

Look what I found on the bulletin board at the library. If my calculations are correct, the next Potluck Luncheon is this next Monday, August 19th! – Lil

Please join me on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 467 Watkins Hill Road, Walpole from 12-4 PM.

Bring only your laughter, the memories we have made, and the love we share.

Marcia Galloway

The First Congregational Church of Walpole will be having their Rummage Sale on Saturday, May 4th from 9:00-1:00.  The sale will include all seasons clothing and select housewares.

There will also be a Bag Sale beginning at noon— $5 for a large and $2 for a small bag.

There will be a food table and also grilled hot dogs on sale starting at 10:00.

The Womans Club is providing a scholarship for a Fall MT senior as well as a BF Senior, specifically for a nursing program or health field in general.  Proceeds from this event will be used only for the scholarship.  

THERE’S A NEW GROUP IN TOWN

“WORKING FOR DEMOCRACY”  is a non-partisan mix of people who are interested in finding ways to listen to and chat with others about their concerns and hopes for our future as a nation. All are welcome to join in these thoughtful and respectful conversations, enhanced by coffee and tea.  Our next meeting date will be Thursday, May 2, at 7:00 pm. Location is Number 8 Prospect Hill Road, in Walpole, NH. 

Joanna Andros and Karen Blanchette

Our Topic of Discussion: “The Middle East”

“Great Decisions” public forum will meet on Monday, April 15, 6:00 p.m., in the Walpole Town Library. All are welcome to join the discussion, which will focus on the Middle East and U.S. Foreign Policy in the region, a topic dominating the news today.

We begin with a 20-minute “Master Class” video prepared by the Foreign Policy Association. (The Master Class is available at the library on DVD.) The relevant reading is the first article in the “Great Decisions” 2024 Edition: “The U.S. and the Middle East” by Marc Lynch, which provides a succinct history of U.S. entanglement in the region. This article is available at the library or via email by contacting Jane Malmberg, Library Director: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org

For those wishing to join via Zoom, you must request the Zoom link from Jane Malmberg. Please note that we are unable to show the “Master Class” on Zoom, so we suggest you join the meeting at 6:20 p.m.

The war in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis and killing of relief workers, the intractable cycle of violence and unresolved statehood of Palestine, the realignment of regional powers, Israel’s options and the role, if any, of the United States in this volatile region will be topics of discussion. Join us at the library on April 15, 6:00 p.m., for a stimulating exchange of ideas.

Sue Kibbe

Janet Wilson asked me to let you know that the First Congregational Church will be holding our annual Easter pie sale in front of the post office on Saturday morning, March 30, from 9:00 AM til noon (unless we run out before that!) All our pies are homemade and delicious!