By Betty Jo Hardy

Special to the Post

Come out to the Spencer Library Park on Saturday and connect with your neighbors.

The Covenant Community Connection, a sub-group of the Human Relations Council, announces the 13th annual Let’s Get Connected Day will be Saturday, May 21, 11 a.m. -1 p.m. at the Spencer Library Park.

We will be dedicating the 10th Peace Pole. The town of East Spencer is passing the Peace Pole forward to the town of Spencer. Mayor Barbara Mallett will present the pole to Mayor Jim Gobbel.

The North Rowan Jr ROTC will post the colors. The Koontz Panther Ensemble will sing the National Anthem. The After School Strings will perform along with other local artists and church groups.

A poem has been written for the occasion by Mrs. Clara Cory, entitled “Understanding the Connection.”

Proclamations will be given by Rowan County Commission Chair Greg Edds and Spencer Mayor Jim Gobbel.

The Peace Pole dedication will begin at 12 noon with the Native American blessing. Prayers will be given in German, French, Spanish, Fanti as well as English. Prayers of Islamic and Jewish faith, prayers from the Buddhist tradition as well as Christian faith will be offered.

The fellowship ends with free hotdogs, compliments of sponsors Food Lion, Cheerwine, PepsiCo and F&M Bank.

Come out to the Spencer Library Park and connect with your neighbors. Expand your circle of friends, meet someone from another culture or faith. Talk with someone who lives in another town.

You may find a new friend around the Peace Pole. It is possible to find good will in others. It is possible even in the climate of divisiveness to find a common ground seeking community, striving for a culture of peace.

Peace Poles are handcrafted monuments erected the world over as symbols of peace. Their purpose is to spread the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in different languages.

“They can be found in town squares, city halls, schools, places of worship, parks and gardens, any place where the spirit of peace is embraced by people of good will,” according to Peace Pole Makers USA.

“Peace begins in the heart and mind of each individual. As war begins with thoughts of war, peace begins with thoughts of peace. The Peace Pole reminds us to keep peace ever present in our thoughts.

“As we learn to honor one another, our environment, plants, animals and all creation on Earth, the vision of global peace will gradually become a natural way of life, a true culture of Peace.”

Betty Jo Hardy leads the Covenant Community Connection, a subgroup of the Human Relations Council in Salisbury-Rowan. Contact her at bettyjo.hardy@aol.com.