The Friday Letter | Novermber 8, 2013

Volume 2 ISSUE

40

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF THE PARK AND RECREATION

November 8 2013

DEPARTMENT

FridayLetter THE

this issue In The News:

Park News P.1 Enterprise Services P.2

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation wins 2013 NACPRO Award

Community & Recreation Center Services P.4

Park and Recreation— Park News GoWILD! at Thomas Street Tavern – A Fundraiser for the Carolina Raptor Center:

The Recreation Employment Corp received a NACPRO (National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials) Award in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, October 9. The Award recognizes a NACPRO member agency that has provided a unique or exceptional program, activity, or event which provides an outstanding example that other agencies could adopt or emulate.

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This Saturday, November 9, Take a walk on the WILD side at Thomas Street Tavern in Plaza Midwood. Carolina Raptor Center is throwing a party for this year's annual fundraising event. GoWILD! will feature live bluegrass music, free beer and snacks, all the corn-hole you can pitch and ping pong you can play. You'll also have a chance to meet some of the Raptor Center's resident birds.

This family friendly event will also host a live and silent auction featuring a wide variety of unique items ranging from Panthers Tickets to a $500 US Airways gift card good for travel anywhere US Airways flies.

Tickets are $25/each for adults and kids 10 and older. Kids 9 and under are free! Ticket sales are available on Carolina Raptor Center's website at : http://www.carolinaraptorcenter.org/ special-events/gowild Click here to watch the video

Grady Cole & Memorial Stadium Tye Tribbett Live in Concert at the Grady Cole Center

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation wins 2013 NACPRO Award (Cont’d) The Recreation Employment Corp (REC) is a workbased learning program employing youth between the ages of 14-17 as Emp l o ye e / M en t e es at neighborhood recreation centers, nature centers and aquatic facilities.

Each employee is paired with a professional recreation staff member who is the Supervisor/Mentor that provides close supervision and guidance during the 40 week program.

Through this structured job experience and training opportunities, youth learn positive work skills and habits which serve them throughout life.

iWorship Productions presented Grammy nominated gospel music singer/songwriter Tye Tribbett live in concert at the Grady Cole Center on Saturday, October 26. Sponsored by Weeping Willow AME Zion Church, K2 Entertainment, and Total Communication, a local Cricket Dealer, the concert had over 1,200 Gospel music lovers in attendance. The Fall Concert series has traveled around the country hosting performances. The concert featured special guest performances from Kierra Sheard, as well as Charlotte Gospel Recording Artist KJ Scriven. Afterwards, attendees were given an opportunity for a "Meet and Greet" with the artists.

For more information about special events at the Grady Cole Center, please contact 704.336.2884

Aquatics Highlights from Around the County— 172 College Swimmers participated in a Dual Swim Meet at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center this past weekend. Wingate University hosted the meet which included Catawba College, Gardner-Webb University, Lenoir Rhyne University, and Washington and Lee University. Swim Meet took place from 6:30 – 10pm on Friday, November 1st, and from 12 – 4pm on Saturday, November 2nd.

Adult Athletics & Tournaments On November 2-3, there was a Youth Softball Tournament at Hornet’s Nest Park, Nevin Community Park and Mallard Creek Park named Top Gun Winter World Series.

There were a total of 45 teams participating in the tournament from North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation wins 2013 Excellence in Youth Sports Award National Youth Athletics Congress 11/20/2014 San Diego, CA

We are proud that Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department has been confirmed as a 2013 Excellence in Youth Sports Award winner! This National Award is presented to only 5 organizations in the Country each year. The Excellence in Youth Sports Award recognizes programs that are doing superior jobs of conducting diverse activities with a focus on providing safe and positive experiences for all youth sports participants - including children, parents and Women’s Basketball All Star game was on Sunday November 3. There were a total of 18 coaches. players from 8 different teams. The MVP of the game was Shayla Fields from Lady

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Fall Programs Roar at Sugaw Creek

College Tour with Albemarle Road Recreation Center: On November 1st, Albemarle Road Recreation Center took a group of teenagers on tours of Queens College and Johnson C. Smith University. In addition to information sessions on both private campuses, participants were given an opportunity to have lunch with college students and tour a new state of the art student recreation center! Twelve teenagers from across Mecklenburg County took advantage of this priceless opportunity. For more information on teen programming at Albemarle Road Recreation Center, contact Ivan Jones or Tiffany Peterson at 704-567 -1941.

The Ray Fit Play Program will host the 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Celebration for preschoolers. The event is scheduled for 10:00am-12:00pm on Tuesday, November 19. The Jaguars Cross Country For Youth Team has completed their regular season. The Jaguars are working hard as they set their sight on winning the Cross Country For Youth Championship.

The championship races begin at 11:00am on Saturday, November 16, at McAlpine Park.

All are invited to come out and support this awesome event.

Sugaw Creek Recreation Center For more information on programs, contact Cynthia.SmithPerkins@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-336-7655.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities New Mecklenburg Cooperative Extension Director Named A long-time North Carolina Cooperative Extension 4-H agent in Iredell County has been named to lead the Cooperative Extension program in Mecklenburg County.

Nelson McCaskill is the new Mecklenburg Cooperative Extension director. McCaskill’s appointment as Mecklenburg extension director was announced by Sheri Schwab, associate director and director of county operations for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Young Champions of Service at North Carolina State University, and Michael Kirschman, Deputy Director, America CheerleadMecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department. He succeeds Robbie Furr, who was ing at Berewick: named to direct the Cooperative Extension program in Cabarrus County.

Cheerleaders are gearing McCaskill has been a 4-H Youth Development agent with N.C. Cooperative Extension in up for another exciting Iredell County for 25 years. He has managed a 4-H program that reaches more than 1,900 season!!

Registration young people annually while working with 125 adult volunteers. has ended and now the real fun is about to beThe new Mecklenburg director holds a master of business administration degree from gin! The cheerleaders Gardener-Webb University and a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from North Carolina are busy learning new State University. positions, chants, jumps, and tricks with their new “I am extremely excited about Nelson McCaskill’s appointment as county Extension direc- coach to pack into their tor in Mecklenburg County. It is exciting to know that Nelson will be able to utilize his cheers and routines for proven leadership skills to serve the wonderful citizens of Mecklenburg County.” said Clin- competitions.

Young ton McRae, director of Cooperative Extension’s South Central District, which includes Champions accepts chilMecklenburg County. “Through working with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation dren ages 4-18 on varidepartment, Nelson and the Cooperative Extension staff will be able to make significant ous teams and levels, so impacts in the county. Nelson will be a great asset to the Extension team.” everyone can join in the fun! For more informaNorth Carolina Cooperative Extension is an educational agency supported by county gov- tion regarding Cheerernments, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, N.C. State University and North Carolina leading or other cultural A&T State University. A staff of agents serves each county and the Eastern Band of the arts programs, please Cherokee Indians. Backed by specialists at the two land-grant universities, agents conduct contact BerewickRecreaeducational programs related to agriculture and forestry, family and consumer sciences, 4 tionCenter@Mecklenbur -H, community and rural development, and other issues of concern to North Carolina citi- gCountyNC.gov or call zens. The extension service is headquartered in the College of Agriculture and Life Sci- 704.432.4934. ences at N.C. State University. written by: Dave Caldwell dave_caldwell@ncsu.edu 919-513-3127

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Chills and Thrills Halloween Festival On Thursday, October 31, 6:00pm-8:00pm,West Charlotte Recreation Center hosted their annual Chills and Thrills Halloween Festival. Approximately 150 children and adults enjoyed a fun filled evening of games, contests, face painting, a hay ride and fall activities. A special guest appearance by Spiderman, (Anthony Shaheen, from the McDowell Nature Preserve), thrilled the kids with real live spiders and other interesting creatures.

The night concluded with a costume judging contest hosted by Run DMC, (Calandra Barnes, Facility Manager).

West Charlotte Recreation Center

“She's Got Next”, Part 2 at Albemarle Road Recreation Center: On October 26th, young ladies between the ages of 9 and 12 participated in a basketball clinic for girls at the Albemarle Road Recreation Center. Staff and volunteers, who served as instructors, stressed the importance of ball control throughout the program. “She’s Got Next”, Part 3 is scheduled for Saturday, November 30th. For more information on this or other youth programming at Albemarle Road Recreation Center, contact Ivan Jones or Tiffany Peterson at 704-5671941.

For more information on programming, contact Isaac.Moore or Tamika.Pollard @ MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704432-6474

Ghouls & Goodies Many characters arrived for the Ghouls & Goodies class Friday, November 1, at Mallard Creek Recreation Center. The children showed up in their Halloween costumes to enjoy making crafts, reading a Halloween story and going on a Trick-or-Treat adventure around the building. For more information about programs, contact Katy Keller @ Kathryn.Keller@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or (704)548–8234.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities

Senior Nutrition Site at Mallard Creek Recreation Center

Fall Fest Members of the surrounding Shamrock community came to Methodist Home Recreation Center to participate in the annual Fall Fest. Parents and children made crafts, played games, and wore their best costumes for the event. The turnout was tremendous and the entire staff of Methodist Home pitched in to decorate and help out with the festival. Some of the activities included making spooky hands out of popcorn, miniature golf, the pumpkin patch, prize pong, and the ghost toss. Participants won prizes and had fun competing with their peers in a fun environment. This social activity brought the community closer together and gave Methodist Home a chance to promote their upcoming programs. For more information, contact MethodistHomeRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-432-6455.

Methodist Home Recreation Center For more information about our programs or events, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704.432.5231.

The seniors had a frightfully fun costume party. The seniors enjoyed Healthy Halloween Goodies and Halloween music videos. Pictured are Stephanie Frisbee, the Facility Manager I at Mallard Creek Recreation Center, Stephanie Belton, the Site Supervisor for the Senior Nutrition Site and Sandra Faison, the winner of the Best Homemade Costume Award. Her costume was made almost entirely out of an orange tablecloth.

For more information about this program, contact Eiesha Williamson at ewilliamson@madetoday.net or 704.333.4062.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Marion Diehl’s Scare-O-Ween Sports Event: On October 31st over 20 players from the Marion Diehl Mustangs flag football and soccer teams, along with youth from the surrounding area, came out to a spook-tacular event where they participated in Halloween themed arts and crafts, played in Fright-and-Nite Basketball and Say-Boo Soccer among other activities where they were rewarded with healthy treats! Players from the flag football and soccer teams also received trophies for participating in those sports and awards were given for the best costumes. Everyone had fun!

Staff also dressed in costumes and lead many of the activities.

Marion Diehl Recreation Center For more information on programs at Marion Diehl contact Ivan.Cohen@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704-432-4335.

Revolution Park Sports Academy Youth Flag Football, 7-8 Countywide Tournament Concludes: “Hail to the Champions”, the 7-8 year old division began & ended their Countywide tournament on Saturday, November 2nd at Sugaw Creek Park. There were six teams in the league, with the top four teams being eligible for tournament play. When the dirt and grass clippings settled, the HBCU Rams were victorious over the Hickory Grove Panthers, to wear the mantle of Champions! Both teams completed their seasons with a 9-1 record. Congratulations to all the players, coaches, parents and staff that put in the time to make our youth sports programs, a memorable, win-win experience for all!

Stay tuned for more exciting information about Fall opportunities to recreate in and enjoy Romare Bearden Park.

Volunteer Services also sends a special thanks to all of volunteers from this week and every week.

With youth sports alone, hundreds of new and returning volunteers are enrolling to coach teams of all ages. All of our volunteers are greatly appreciated for all of their support and willingness to help the community!

Park and Recreation News: 5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 336-8840

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Please submit all news for the Friday Letter to your Division Director for review and routing.

Park Partners may contact Kesha Meads at Kesha.Meads@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

for publication assistance.

The Friday Letter Volume 2 • Issue 40• November 8, 2013

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Senior Leadership Team Jim Garges, Director

Romare Bearden Park, Charlotte NC

Michael Kirschman, Deputy Director James Alsop, Enterprise Services Renea Barber, Human Resources Mario Chang, Budget Administration Lee Jones, Capital Planning Lola Massad, Community and Recreation Center Services Jeff Robinson, Park Operations