A Timeless Connection

Every few years, as Gateway staff, I have seen a person from the local black community walk into the Center’s front office. Some come in intentionally to say hello, others bring their families to revisit a part of their childhood, or some just come in unintentionally in other capacities by virtue of working in the area. They are always happy and polite. But there is more, there is an unmissable twinkle in their eyes. Over the years I have recognized that twinkle to be called Happy Club. Yes, they are usually adults who were once part of Happy Club – a group of children from the local Racepath community who spent many a weekend afternoon on Center soaking in Baba’s presence and love.

It all started with Bessie Graham. “Bessie was Elizabeth’s housekeeper who cooked for Baba on all three visits. On the day of the Birthday Party, Bessie brought her five-month-old grandchild, Pat, to meet Baba. Baba leaned forward and with twinkling eyes and beaming smile pinched the baby’s cheeks-and tears began rolling down Bessie’s cheeks,” says Wendy Haynes Connor.

In the 1960s, Bessie’s three grandchildren were invited by Wendy Haynes and Elizabeth Patterson to play on Center. The week after, seven children came; after three months, there were 45. Soon, the number was well over 100. The children spent time playing in nature, learning games and songs, doing arts and crafts, and eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. After a few months, Wendy asked the group what they wanted to be called. “Happy Club!” was the echoing answer.

Wendy, who was a key part of this initial association with the Racepath community and the inception of Happy Club, with her mother Jane Barry Haynes, still finds herself at the receiving end of an unexpected flooding of memories from those times. “Two remarkable events happened in the first and second years of Happy Club. In 1966, mother and I sent pictures of the first 12 Happy Clubbers to Mani (Baba’s sister). Imagine our joy and wonder when Mani wrote back to say that Baba, (in strict seclusion at the time), held the photos in His hands looking at them with great interest. Baba then gestured that He was very pleased with the work and sent His Blessing to the children.

“The following year a large envelope arrived from Mani dated December 1967. Inside was the children’s book Meher Baba is Love written by Adah Shifrin in 1961. On the first page is Baba’s signature. In a separate note to Elizabeth, Mani explained this was a gift from Baba for Happy Club. Being only 15, I didn’t realize at the time just how extraordinary this was as Baba rarely signed anything in these last years of Baba’s life,” adds Wendy.

Baba lovers from all over know of the Happy Club, but some are amazed to learn that Happy Club was only one part of the association of the Center with Racepath. Phoenix Renaissance Inc. was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization on Baba’s birthday on February 25, 1994, by visionary founders Walter Witkowski and Jane Barry Haynes. In 2011 the Racepath Community Center merged with Phoenix Renaissance in their shared mission in providing essential recreational, educational, cultural, and economic opportunities that uplift the community.

Mary Leiter, who was keenly involved from the start of this connection, now sits on the board of directors of Phoenix Renaissance. Mary and her husband John were part of CVS (Community Volunteer Services, Inc) which helped these communities with health services, family services and child development. “In 1971, while we were staying here, Jane asked us if we would volunteer to run a summer camp at the Airbase. We were allowed to live on Center for eight weeks in exchange for our promise. Under Jane and Elizabeth’s direction, we picked the kids up at Racepath, Harlem, Pig pen, and on the Hill and took them to the base. That was our first involvement with Racepath and we were filled with love,” she says. I can see Mary’s love. Its palpable. It fills the room. She goes on to show me a newspaper cutting of “The House filled with love” which was called the Neighborhood House. A house donated by Baba lovers Andy and Dot Lesnik to the Racepath community. “It was Elizabeth’s brilliant idea to move this house in Cherry Grove to Racepath much like the cabins she moved to the Center. This was the original Community Center at Racepath,” she says.

Over the years the connection with Racepath has continued and grown. From 2011 to 2023, Reverend Gause, one of the Happy Club kids, was the President/ CEO of Phoenix Renaissance until his passing in 2023. A new team has now taken on his legacy of dedication and community upliftment.

A new Community and Learning Center was recently inaugurated. This Learning Center offers after school programs and summer camps through the summer. “During the summer, Meher Center helps sponsor field trips for the children and one of those trips is also for the kids to come to the Center. This is in addition to annual financial support for community members and the Community Center. We also help the community on Thanksgiving and Christmas,” says Geri Craddock, the Center’s Finance Officer.

Peter Goodman, one of Center’s staff, helped organize a trash pickup earlier this month. “Racepath is in unincorporated Horry County which means they are not part of the city’s trash pick-up. We got the word out and many Baba lovers came out to pick up trash. We collected eight tons of trash! I hope to continue to help in any way I can so that more of their needs can be met,” says Peter.

At the new Community and Learning Center, a beautiful picture of Jane Barry Haynes adorns the wall. Her love, service and community engagement has not been forgotten. And the Center is now an indelible part of their history. Her daughter Wendy shares, “I kept their drawings and notes with scrawled, misspelled messages. “I luf Miss Jane, “Wendy be kind”, and sometimes, sweetest of all, “I luvs Baba and Baba luvs me.”