The Friday Letter | July 29, 2016

The

Did You Know?

Walking 18 holes is equal to a 5-mile walk or 3.5 to 4 -mile run.

Playing golf and walking

18 holes can burn up to 2,000 calories.

Golfers exceed 10,000 steps in a typical round of golf – which meets the recommended guidelines for daily exercise.

Low Impact,

High Benefits When walking and playing golf, the game can improve your quality of life by oxygenating the body and improving posture.

Nature Preserves and Natural Resources

Community & Recreation Centers Albemarle Road Recreation Center: Camp Cheer Elite This week camp Elite focused on recycling. Teams of three were directed to make one outfit and one structure using nothing but recycled material. At the end of the week, we held a recycled fashion show as well as a contest for the structures. Dresses, hats, necklaces and sunglasses were just some of the accessories that were featured in the show. As our models walked down the runway, judges sat front and center admiring their work. The winning dress that took first place was made up of magazines and newspapers as well as shoes made of cereal boxes and toilet paper. It sure looked stylish! The winner of the structures was team three who made a replica of the game Cornhole which was made from card board boxes.

To learn more about our summer camp programs or any other programs at Albemarle Road please contact us at 980-314-1101 or email us at AlbemarleRoadRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Community & Recreation Centers Ivory Baker Recreation Center: Garden The garden is in full bloom with flowers, fruits, and vegetables all doing well despite the heat. Through our 4-H Gardening program we have tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, squash, peppers, and watermelons.

For more information: Call 980-314-1112 or e-mail IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Community & Recreation Centers Mallard Creek Recreation Center: Exploring Farms Elvis was in the building! On Friday July 22nd, Steven Capobianco of Mecklenburg County Extension’s horticulture program, brought his pet hen Elvis to meet our campers. They were all able to pet Elvis and feed her grapes, while leaning about the life of a chicken. (Elvis was named before anyone knew she was a hen).

To learn more about our summer camp programs or any other programs at Mallard Creek Recreation Center please contact us at 980-314-1121 or email us at MallardCreekRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Community & Recreation Centers Sugaw Creek Recreation Center: Point Guard Basketball Camp Sugaw Creek Recreation Center hosted a 4-day basketball camp aimed to improve skills, drills, and point guard play to over 25 kids from the Hidden Valley Community and North Charlotte. The camp featured strength and conditioning skills, team play, and character building. One half of the camp represented NCAA basketball play while the other half of camp represented NBA basketball play. Breakfast and lunch was provided for all participants. Special thanks to Cynthia Smith-Perkins, Recreation Specialist extraordinaire and Coach Jonathan Cooks for being so giving of his time and dedication to the camp.

For more information on athletics at Sugaw Creek contact 980.314.1124 or email us at SugawCreekRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Community & Recreation Centers North Meck Senior Wii Bowlers 2016: Strike Out! On Thursday July 21st, The North Mecklenburg Senior Center hosted another thrilling chapter of Wii Bowling. The competitors battled with cunning wit and valor until a winner was crowned! All of the participants roared with cheer and enthusiasm as Dian Freitas bowled a perfect 300 game score. The North Meck Wii Bowlers play competitively during community outreach games, and play sociably for fun. Beginners are welcomed. Games are held weekly on Thursdays from 9:00am – 11:30am.

For more information about our programs and events, contact the North Mecklenburg Senior Center at 980-314-1127 or NorthMecklenburgSeniorCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center: Let’s Play!

A little word goes a long way! Saturdays at Bette Rae, are full of Pickleball fun!

On Saturday July 23rd, we had 18 Seniors that came out, ready to display their skills and engage in friendly competition! Pickleball takes place every Saturday from 10am to 12pm. All levels of play are welcomed. This is a FREE program.

Come out and enjoy healthy competition while getting fit!

For more information on programs contact the Bette Rae Thomas Recreation center at call 980-314-1111 or BetteRaeThomasRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Tom Sykes Recreation Center: 4-H Into the Wild Summer Camp Snakes, turtles and lizards, oh my! It was a week full of exploring nature and its beauty here at Tom Sykes “Into the Wild” summer camp. Campers jump started the week at an underwater paradise as they were captivated by sharks, sting ray and fish at the Sea Life Aquarium. The adventure continued at the Latta Nature Center when they spent time with Hawthorne the snake and his friends.

Afterwards, it was time to hang out with Thumper the horse as he mesmerized with his many talents. There was no time to relax as the next journey took campers to the Schiele Museum where they learned about different habitats that animals thrive in. It was then time for a trip to Lazy 5 Ranch, where campers came face to face with ostriches, giraffes and many other amazing animals that the ranch has to offer. Finally, our campers received a visit from some unexpected guests from McDowell Nature Center as they brought some friends along to join in on the fun. Although the journey is over, the memories of an unbelievable adventure “into the wild” will stay with these young explorers for a long time.

For more information on Tom Sykes Recreation center programs, please contact us at (980)-314-1113 or email us at TomSykesRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Tom Sykes Recreation Center: Lil Ray Flag Football Are you ready for some football? We are almost halfway through the season and the Tom Sykes Avengers are hitting their stride. These young athletes are getting better each week by learning the fundamentals of the game. Each practice goes over flag pulling drills, hiking the football, and passing among others.

Every game shows how much they learn from our outstanding coaches. We look forward to seeing how much they have grown at the end of the season and are looking forward to the next game!

For more information on Tom Sykes Recreation Center programs, please contact us at (980)-314-1113 or email us at TomSykesRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Tyvola Senior Center: “Bubbly Brushes” Let your inner artist show… Tyvola Seniors are now able to have fun as they “show up, sip up, and paint up” as they express themselves creatively by painting their own canvas picture. Not to worry as the artists’ sip on sparkling grape juice as they paint a themed painting. The goal of the program is to offer working seniors a chance to be creative through painting on their canvases while being social. The next program is October 20th from 6pm-8pm.

For more information about Tyvola Senior Center, call 980-314-1320 or email TyvolaSeniorCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: Grayson Skate Camp Week 3 Grayson Skate Park has made it to the half way point in our camps for the summer and the kids are improving quickly. This week the kids have traveled to Waxhaw Skate Park and Soul Ride Skate Park for their field trips, and have also worked on creating a personal highlight film to show off their stuff. Pictured below is our campers taking advantage of the gym to have a chance to cool off and also have a competition. The skaters worked on “walking� their skate boards across the gym as fast as they could without falling off. The counselors got a kick out of the kids doing a skate board sack race and are excited to see the kids shred the rest of the summer.

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1100.

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: Safe Play Day Arts and Crafts Our staff members have been alternating doing outside nature activities, indoor sports, and arts and crafts during Safe Play Days at Naomi Drenan Recreation Center this summer. This week our campers got to work with our wood kits to make a variety of creations. Customized picture frames, balsa wood airplanes, wiggly fish, and even a ginger bread man made the cut for our camper’s art competition. The Safe Play Day camp has become an inspiration for each of our RA’s working that day to put their own spin on and the kids have enjoyed all the different activities so far! Drop them by for some free fun activities at our site from 2PM-5PM Monday thru Friday.

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1100.

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: Meck Teens Xtreme Summer Day Camp Naomi Drenan Recreation Center Meck Teens Xtreme Summer Day Camp created experiments using common household products for #STEM week! The Meck Teens worked together in groups to create their own hypothesis for the chemical reactions of each product. Afterwards, they created their own experiments to test their own hypothesis and documented the results! The teens learned about how different substances interact, combining different mixtures of vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and cornstarch. They all took turns documenting the outcome and mixing the substances together, and really enjoyed this project.

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1100.

Freedom Summer Series On Saturday July 23rd we had our second Jazz Series event in Freedom Park.

The weather appeared cloudy but it didn’t stop the Urban Jazz Coalition from performing from 6pm to 9pm. Urban Jazz Coalition involves six band members and is known for their blend of R&B and Jazz music. They are very talented and just celebrated their twentieth anniversary performing together last year. Some would say there known for their “rhythmic grooves and smooth melodies”. The Freedom Summer Series our rain or shine events. This event is free and includes plenty of seating on the lawn or bleachers. The event also included five tasting food trucks for guests to enjoy. Guests continued to roll in even up to 8:30 pm in the evening. So feel free to show up anytime between the performing hours.

We have one more Freedom Park Summer series this year. On Saturday August 27th from 6pm to 9pm Chris Standring with opener 5th & York will be performing. So bring your lawn chair or blanket and come on out!

5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (980) 314-1000

Recreate All Year!

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Park Partners may contact The Friday Letter Team at Richard . McNeill @MecklenburgCountyNC.gov for publication assistance.

The Friday Letter Volume 6 • Issue 28• July 29, 2016

CHARMECK ALERTS The CharMeck Alerts Notification System relays accurate and timely emergency notifications. You control how you’re contacted— whether it’s on your cell, work or home phone, via text, email or voice message. You can receive up-to-the-minute notifications about events and emergencies that may affect your home, workplace or other points of interest—anywhere in Mecklenburg County. Sign up here or call CharMeck 311. To receive CDOT-specific alerts, you must sign up for that item in the list.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Senior Leadership Team Jim Garges, Director Michael Kirschman, Deputy Director Renea Barber, Human Resources Mario Chang, Budget Administration Lee Jones, Capital Planning Terri Stowers, Community and Recreation Center Services Jeff Robinson, Park Operations Chris Matthews, Nature Preserves and Natural Resources