Bowman, South Carolina - UFO Welcome Center

A friend of mine just stopped by and spoke to Jody. He is well and was busy working on the ship's upper saucer. She also reported that Jody's fence has been repaired, and he built a small saucer cat feeder. [Rachel Stern, 01/11/2008]

I just got an email from a friend saying he stopped by and spoke with Jody today. He had some damage to the vessel from Sunday's NorEaster...but all is well. [Rachel Stern, 04/20/2007]

I was there in Feb. and the place was JUST like the previous travelers described. I have met Jody in the past, and when he didn't come to the trailer door after I knocked, I feared the worst. But then I took a stab in the dark and called him. His answering machine picked up and I started talking about being there to visit him and the UFO. Jody picked up the phone from inside the trailer and came out. He told me he is screening his calls for legitimate visitors/travelers and that he does have a job that keeps him away at times. [Rachel Stern, 03/15/2007]

Well, it looks like Mr. Pendarvis was either taken away by the saucer people or by the guys with the extra long sleeved jackets. Having searched RoadsideAmerica before we headed to South Carolina, my girlfriend and I made darn sure that we planned on visiting the UFO Welcome Center.

Well, I am sad to say that it looks like this once auspicious endeavor has been left to the elements. The metal fence that once surrounded the center is now mostly fallen. And it looks as if the only visitors of either the Welcome Center or the single wide trailer that sits behind it, are a few local cats. We will be sure to check out the condition of the UFO Welcome Center on future trips to South Carolina, perhaps the Galactic Empire will nominate it for the TLC show while you were out! [Marc, 03/08/2007]

Jody Pendarvis has spent the last few years building a huge wooden flying saucer in the yard beside his trailer. It is covered with wood and plastic and fiberglass and painted a uniform silver. Christmas tree lights circle its surface.

Jody was on its roof when I arrived, positioning a camera, which feeds images to a monitor inside.

He took out a screw with an electric screwdriver and rolled back part of the fence to let me in. He inserted a key into the underside of the saucer and showed me the proper order to throw three switches to lower the entry ramp, so that he could take my picture with my camera as I threw them.

The inside of the UFO is far from finished, although the essentials (bed, TV and satellite dish, video monitor, air conditioner, and toilet) are all in place. The shower is awaiting installation. ("It's not a shower, though, it's ... I can't remember the word ... it's where you get the germs off," Jody prompted. "Decontamination chamber?" I asked. "That's it!" he confirmed.)

I walked around the two main floors of the Welcome Center, but I didn't climb the ladder onto the roof. I didn't want to push my luck. The entire building is mounted on four 6 x 6 columns and is designed to raise and lower with electric motors.

The UFO Welcome Center charges a three dollar admission fee, but that's just to keep the neighborhood kids out. [Craig S. Thom, 06/24/2001]