Two Green Blades Garden Club members, Rita Nichols and Margie Pankey, were inducted into the Second Wind Hall of Fame during the garden club’s first fall meeting at Nichols’ home on Sept. 13.

Their award read in part, “In recognition of a useful and productive life, continuing beyond retirement, while others paused to rest.  These dedicated persons caught a ‘second wind’ and began a new career of service to the community and to mankind.”

Nichols grew up in Inman, where she went to school. In the workplace, she became the office manager at Rexan Manufacturing in Inman, and worked at the Polk County Tax Office for five years.

She moved to the thermal belt 15 years ago, and has served as president of the Green Blades Garden Club, chairman of the parks committee, and co-chair of its annual fundraiser, “The Garden Symposium.” 

She is an active volunteer of the Tryon Presbyterian Glory Girls and The Steps to HOPE chair for the annual golf tournament for three  years. Nichols and her husband, Cleve are parents of three daughters, which keep her quite busy in between her hobbies of crafting, gardening and travel.

Pankey grew up in Ohio and went to the University of Texas, and received her master’s degree in education. 

At the many school districts she worked with, she developed and delivered support programs, guided instructors on curriculum modifications and academic attainment for students. She also participated in NOW and Dallas Women in Business as a volunteer.

She and her husband, Ron, who recently received his “second wind,” moved from Texas to the Carolinas,

Pankey is president of the Green Blades Garden Club, volunteers for the Fine Arts Center’s special events and for St. John the Baptist Church in guiding children in that faith. 

Her many hobbies include gardening and spectator sports, and she would like to be remembered for her compassion, and spiritual help for her family and many friends.

Second Wind Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to identify those outstanding volunteers over the age of 60 who contribute to the quality of life in the community.

– Submitted by Liz Norstrom