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The real and tangible results of a vision live on in our community today

Moving forward with each "crack of the bat" as hard work, fun and fellowship pave the way!

When two students from UNC-Chapel Hill appeared in Pleasant Garden in May of 1962, a whirlwind of activity began.

The result was a recreational center with activities for both young and old in our community. Jack Sartain and Bob Smith, working on their masters degrees in public health, chose Pleasant Garden as the recipient for their service project.

After interviewing 30 people, the students culminated their efforts into a meeting of which Dr. F.B. Nowlan was elected honorary chairman.

A questionnaire sent out to 300 residents revealed the need for a recreational building and lighted ball field.

In an open meeting on June 14, 1962, Nowlan was elected president of the board of directors, Robert Ayers was elected vice president, Mrs. Richard Fields was elected secretary, and Robert Kistler, treasurer.

The first board included: John Triplett, Marcus Dunham, Donald Jones, Mrs. Charles Ellis, the Rev. Paul Bruton, the Rev. Vernan Williams and Wayne Davis.

Committees were put into place to plan the center, visit and appraise other centers and to find a suitable location. These original members served about three years; then other interested residents became involved in the swiftly moving progress.

Ten acres of land was purchased from Marvin Holt. During the winter, men in our community cleared the land. One of the first donations was $2,500 from the Pleasant Garden Lions Club to begin construction.

The spring brought a flurry of activity, grading of the land, building a parking lot, ball field and concession stand, digging a well and laying foundation for the main building. Picnic tables were made and donated by local builders.

It seemed as if things were happening almost overnight with credit going to the many workers who solicited memberships, sold stock, participated in the numerous Horse and Pony shows and musicals, and contributed time, labor and materials to building of the center. The stockholders provided $20,000 in less than a year so work could begin.

In 1963, John Hall and Wayne Davis started the annual Horse and Pony Shows, of which they were co-chairmen. These provided the major funds for construction. Martha Boren, a Pleasant Garden horsewoman and president of our historical society, won the Open Pleasure Championship two consecutive years.

Family musicals such as "The Grand Old Operetta," "Grand Old Showboat" and "Roaring Through the '20s" were held at Southeast High School auditorium featuring local actors and singers, with proceeds going to the community center.

The Pleasant Garden Community Center was dedicated July 3, 1965, with Horace Kornegay (then congressman) presiding over the festivities. The 5,880-square-foot main building featured a large room (75 feet) for big activities such as dinners and dances, two smaller rooms for parties and meetings, two bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen.

The center was built without any tax money.

However, after the center was completed and paid for, we received $10,000 from the state thanks to the efforts of then Sen. Elton Edwards.

Membership cards were sold for $2 per family, with monthly square dances and outdoor activities such as tennis and basketball with a playground provided for the young children. The membership helped to pay the way to hire Homer Cole as the first center director. This center with 560 members was incorporated and became the focal point for all kinds of activities serving Pleasant Garden and surrounding areas.

The ball games at July 4 celebrations brought out families for recreational fun with young and old playing in ball tournaments. The concession stand was always open and ready to serve patrons.

April 18, 1998, the main building at the Pleasant Garden Community Center was named the Dr. F.B. Nowlan Building -- in honor the main catalyst behind the planning and construction of our community center -- at a special ceremony.

"I've lived around here all my life and nothing has pleased me more than to see hundreds come together for fun and fellowship," Nowlan has said.

A program featuring the beginning years of the Pleasant Garden Community Center, sponsored by the Pleasant Garden Historical Society, will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the center on Alliance Church Road.

"This is a chapter in Pleasant Garden history that should be remembered," said Dr. Richard Fields, one of the founders, who will be the master of ceremonies.

Thanks to the vision, perseverance and tenacity of our Pleasant Garden Community Center forefathers, residents and the two students from Chapel Hill, we can ride by the center and see the parking lots filled, all six ball fields actively engaged and parents and friends cheering on their favorite teams.

This is community spirit at its best!

Jane Kimel is a retired teacher and a lifelong resident of Pleasant Garden.