The Washington (evening) Rotary Club held its weekly meeting Thursday at the Washington Yacht & Country Club.

Following the traditional pre-meeting gathering in the Upper Deck, club members assembled in the Pamlico Room, where President Todd Williamson convened the meeting.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, “God Bless America” was sung, followed by a blessing.

Prior to the program, the president noted the many Rotary District 7720 awards won for 2017, as well as an award for outstanding financial support of Rotary International’s Foundation goal of eradicating polio throughout the world. Williamson cited immediate past president Dr. David McLawhorn’s leadership of the club over the past two years in the efforts in support of numerous charities.

Program chairman Charlie Brown presented Terry Rollins, children’s activities director at Brown Library, in addition to his other responsibilities there.

Rollins, a gifted raconteur of renown, used his well-honed storytelling talents in the telling of two tales.

With oratorical excellence, he held club members spellbound in telling of the famous murder trial of the Rev. George Washington Carawan of Hyde County, held in the old courthouse in Washington.

And then Rollins recounted the history of Edward Teach, whom most knew and know as Blackbeard. By 1718 this pirate was feared as the most infamous plunderer in the Atlantic.

Space constraints preclude the full telling of both stories here, but anyone would be genuinely interested in hearing Rollins relate these events and most impressed with his skills in so doing.

President Williamson, in thanking the speaker, presented him with a “highly coveted” Rotary pen.

Members then recited the Rotary Four-Way Test, after which the president adjourned the meeting.