THE PLAYGROUND

In 1948, the men's group from the Monthalia Methodist Church decided that they needed to get together for an evening of recreation every so often. This was the beginning of playnights at the church, evenings of Christian fellowship and fun. At first, only games of croquet and dominoes were played, but later a playground was built just south of the parsonage for all to enjoy. Women, young people and children joined in games of baseball, badminton, and other games on Monday and Friday evenings. Invitations were given to others in surrounding communities to share in the fun and fellowship. Sometimes shoes were doffed by young and old alike, because bare feet were much better for running. Then came broken bones, aching backs, sprained ankles, and other injuries, so baseball was left up to the younger folks. It was decided that an amount of $4.00 a month be paid to the trustees for the use of electricity. Having to meet this and other expenses, such as repair of equipment, replacing broken bats, and worn out baseballs, soft drinks were sold each evening. Individuals took turns at selling the soft drinks.

By 1950, floodlights had been installed, bleachers and a backstop were added, paid for by donations from various organizations and individuals. Also, playground equipment for the small children such as swings, seesaws, a sand box, a merry-go-round and a slide had been added.

In 1965, the official board gave permission to place a refrigerator near the playground for keeping the soft drinks cold. Soon thereafter, a storage place was built under the bleachers to house the refrigerator.

Each summer, there was always an opening night event. Most of the time, freezers of homemade ice cream, cakes, cookies and sandwiches were sold, this helping with expenses incurred.

The playnight was kept open during the summer months until time for school to begin and evenings became too cool for outdoor sports. Then baseballs, bats, and other equipment were put away for the next year's summer fun.

Playnights were continued until 1972, at which time they were discontinued, since there were not enough young people to keep the interest alive.

In 1979, a group of young people decided that it was time for a renewal of that fellowship and fun, so playnights again became a time of sharing. It was decided at this time to have the playnights on each Friday night throughout the summer months.

On opening night in 1980, the young people sponsored a barbecue supper of sausage and other goodies in the fellowship hall, netting quite a profit.

Sometime between 1972 and 1979, the bleachers were removed since they were in a bad state of repair, that removal also taking away the storeroom which was housed beneath the bleachers. After play-night activities were renewed, a small storeroom was built to house a refrigerator, soft drinks, baseballs, bats, volleyballs, and nets. Volleyball was a sport that had also been added to the night time fun.

In 1982, more playground equipment was added for the small children. During the meantime more ice cream and sausage suppers were held on opening nights. In 1984, the supper netted $600.00, and in 1985, the net profit was $565.00.

It should be noted that non-church members in the community have always been invited to participate in the playnights. There have always been a group of these individuals that have attended in the past, which serves as a great means of uniting the community spirit within the church.

With many donations of love gifts of labor, food and equipment by a number of individuals, the playnights have been very successful in the past, and should be a pleasure and a means of continued success in the future, both for church members and others in the community.