The Friday Letter | October 21, 2016

The

Accounting Tips for the week: Sign-In Sheets For Drop– In Revenue should be Reconciled Daily and with each shift.

Natural Resources

Community & Recreation Centers Storytime at Ray’s Splash Planet Monday morning Ray’s Splash Planet hosted our monthly Story time Program for ages 3-5. Toddlers stayed engaged creating a Peek A Boo Ghost craft and read along to the Hello Kitty and Me: Trick or Treat story book. The toddlers really enjoyed making the craft and playing peek a boo with Hello Kitty as the storyteller read through the story. After craft and story time, the toddlers and their parents got to enjoy swimming and splashing in the Splash Park.

To join us for our next Storytime adventure, contact us at RaysSplashPlanet@mecklenburgcountync.gov or give us a call at (980) 314-4729. See you soon!

Community & Recreation Centers Revolution Park Sports Academy: Touch Down!

On Friday, October 14th, Revolution Park Sports Academy hosted a Local NFL Punt Pass & Kick Competition. Boys and Girls from the ages of 6 to 15, had the opportunity to showcase their talent on the football field. The local winners will advance to the Sectional Competition on Sunday, October 30th, at The American Legion Memorial Stadium, for an opportunity to qualify for the team championships later this fall. Team championships will be held at the Bank of America Stadium.

For more information about other local competitions, you can visit PP&K.com, contact Revolution Park Sports Academy at 980-314-1116, or email Brett.Krizanik@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center: Basketball & Beyond This month, youth from the ages of 7 - 14 years old, are enjoying the weekly Basketball & Beyond Skills & Drills Clinics, held at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center. Staff, along with volunteer coaches, put the participants through challenging drills to help improve their individual skill sets. Not only are there drills, but players participate in skill competitions, along with competitive game play.

The competitions provide more on court experience for the participants. Majority of our participants will register to participate in the upcoming Youth Basketball season, which starts in December.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center: Let’s Cook and Create!

This past week, we created edible art, in our Kidz in the Kitchen class! Our mini chef’s get to experience new flavors and tasty recipes, to share with their families! During our first class, we created Apple Ladybugs, and they were delicious!

A few of the ingredients used were apples, peanut butter, raisins, and pretzel sticks. This snack was created to encourage our mini chefs to make healthier choices in the kitchen! During this program we discuss, why it’s important to eat fruits and vegetables, what makes a balanced plate, and how to make simple and easy mini meals. This class is held on 1st and 3rd Thursdays, from 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm. The cost for this class is $4.00 per chef, ages 5-10.

For more information on programs for youth, call 980-314-1111, or email BetteRaeThomasRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Arbor Glen Outreach Center: On Thursday, October 13th – Sunday, October 16th, The Arbor Glen Outreach Center hosted the original play, “The Children of the Children Keep Coming” presented by OnQedu. The play, based on the epic poem by Russell L. Goings, features images from the world renowned visual artist and Charlotte Native, Romare Bearden. The Children of Children Keep Coming, adapted & directed for the stage by Artistic Director, Quentin Talley, presents a riveting chronicle of the African American experience in the United States.

This Epic Griot Song, takes us on a dramatic odyssey with two anonymous slaves, running to catch the Freedom Train, where at journey's end they hope to find liberation. Generation after generation, these determined travelers roam through fields of land, sea and time, encountering numerous dangers of giants, imaginary and mythological characters, all for the opportunity to one day march on the green lawns of democracy. The main characters encounter icons such as Frederick Douglass, Billie Holiday, Hank Aaron, Sojourner Truth, and Rosa Parks.

The Children of Children Keep Coming is strung seamlessly together -- by poetry and prose, blues and gospel, hymns and jazz, work songs and prayers -- forcing the universal harmony of the cry for freedom and justice to reach an unforgettable pitch, that cannot be ignored.

For additional information about this and other programs, call 980-314-1110, or email ArborGlenOutreachCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Shamrock Senior Center: Breast Cancer Awareness Month- PINK WEDNESDAY Each Wednesday the Seniors are challenged with different projects to celebrate Cancer Awareness Month. The topic for this past week was Breast Talk and making a Breast Cancer Survival Kit as an Outreach Project. Each Senior made a bag that contain items that represented encouraging words for citizens that are battling breast cancer. The forty (40) bags were delivered to The Carolina Breast Friends Organization House located here in Charlotte. Shamrock Seniors are very excited about the project and making a difference in others’ lives.

For more information about upcoming senior programs, contact: Mirian Gonzalez at (704) 531-9101 or Mirian.Gonzalez@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: HUB Field Trip Naomi Drenan’s homeschool group took a trip back in time on Tuesday as we visited the Renaissance Festival dressed in the time periods clothes. The kids had an absolute blast and were able to meet and hold “Mother Goose,” witness a jousting tournament won by our cheering section’s Sir Edgeron, and interacted with the actors in the festival. Immersing themselves in the time period acted as insight into how people from their recent history lessons behaved and dressed. The trips favorite part was the jousting competition, but the entire trip was enjoyed by all.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Elon Recreation Center: Homeschool Enrichment Elon’s Homeschool Enrichment group has continued to benefit from the Play 225 curriculum that we engage them with. The students look forward to this physical education component of their day. From learning to play as a team to showing good sportsmanship as individuals, the children learn valuable lessons that extend beyond each session. While having fun during play, they are also building their abilities in balance, agility, hand-eye coordination, and strength.

For more information about our programs, events, or outreach opportunities, please contact ElonRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 980.314.1103.

Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: Achieve 225 Youth need to spend a lot of time (hours every day!) on activities that target gross motor skills. For preschoolers, this kind of active play is important for good health and physical development. Learning to use the large muscles in their legs and arms to run, jump, throw, catch, and kick is key to the healthy growth of their bodies and brains. But it's also fun!

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

Community & Recreation Centers Lil’ Saturday Morning Club @ MHRC Methodist Home Recreation Center completed the first two sessions of the Lil’ Saturday Morning Club program. This enrichment program for preschoolers offers music, nature activities, arts and crafts exploration, fun fitness and more. Below is a Name Mosaic which was an arts and craft activity done by one of the program participants. This 6week program is conducted every Saturday morning from 9:30am-11:00am all the way until November 19th. The cost is $20 for all 6 Saturday sessions. Don’t miss out on some Saturday morning fun.

For more information on our programs, events, or outreach opportunities, contact MethodistHomeRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 980-314-1123.

Community & Recreation Centers Hickory Grove Recreation Center: Achieve 225!

Friday Fun Day was another success! We were at the field and had multiple stations for the students to active during recess. We did Man Over Board, Jump The Creek, Hula Hoop Tag and other fun activities. Team Kickball was a hit! The kids absolutely loved it and can't wait until the next time we see them again!

Also, we started Greenway Park Elementary on Wednesdays as well. Things are heating over there too!

Community & Recreation Centers Mallard Creek Recreation Center: Charlotte Ballet On Friday October 12th the Charlotte Ballet performed “With a Jazz Twist” at Mallard Creek. Everyone was enthralled by the dancers, who also did a question and answer session after the dancing. There were two performances, one at 10:45am and one at 6:00pm. The event was the kick-off for a series being sponsored by the Charlotte Arts and Science Council. These “Seniors’ Cultural Hours” will take place the 1st Thursday of each month at 10:45am, November 2016 - July 2017. Give us a call and have your Seniors join us for the FREE FUN! For more information: Call 980-314-1121 or e-mail mallardcreekrecreation@mecklenburgcountync.gov

Community & Recreation Centers Albemarle Road Recreation Center: Walking Club Albemarle Road Recreation Center has introduced a new health and wellness program for adults and seniors! Every Tuesday, ARRC holds a walking club inside of the gymnasium for participants to come enjoy some laps around the gym while listening to some groovy tunes. The program meets once a week from 10:00am to 11:00am on Tuesday mornings.

For more information about our Walking Program contact us at Albemarleroadrecreationcenter@mecklenburgcountync.gov or call us at 980-314-1101.

Sports & Fitness and GC/ALMS 11th Annual Military Golf Outing The 11th Annual Military Golf Outing was held at the Sunset Hills Golf Course on October 14, 2016 where the event began. The outing was delayed a week due to Hurricane Matthew however that didn’t prevent more than 125 active duty and retirees from all branches of service from taking advantage beautiful weather, a complimentary breakfast sponsored by Chick - Fil – A, a round of golf, lunch and camaraderie. The team of P. Roseboro, G. Suber, S. Mceachin & S. Watkins took 1st place in the morning flight with a score of 54 and team of F. Harroever, B. Mills, L. Ridge & M. Cerbaugh took 1st place in the afternoon flight with a score of 57. Special thanks to Jim Garges, Ashton Counts, Chris Hunter and their staff, Chick-Fil-A for co-sponsoring breakfast, Golf Smith, Mecklenburg County Veterans Affairs Office, West Charlotte High School Color Guard, Jeff Peck & the Sunset Hills Golf Course staff and Norman Mitchell Sr. for providing the guest speaker, Colonel Larry Walker.

The success and appreciation of the outing was summed up by Ron Whitener in his email to Amelia Cooper (Recreation Assistant) on October 14: To all the Staff, Members and Directors of The Charlotte Park& Recreation Dept.

Amelia On behalf of a bunch of delightful and fully appreciated Veterans, we want to “Thank You” for the most wonderful 2016 Veterans Golf Tournament.

Never have we felt so Honored, Appreciated and Rewarded with so much attention and care that to say “Thank You “seems so small!

Yet each of “You” deserves the fullest meaning of the words “Thank You”! The tournament was a pure joy, the accommodations were complete and the fellowship was priceless! Even the extra efforts that you went to insure the tournament was held in spite of the presence of the storm “Matthew! Everyone went the extra mile to assure that the Veterans of our community never go unrecognized, that they always receive a Royal welcome, a treasure of memories to cherish and a hear felt appreciation from the Leaders of our Community!

Again “Thank You” for this wonderful event that your department provides each year and we look forward to future events to help make our community the best place to serve and live! With humble thanks and kindest regards I am a grateful Veteran.

Sincerely Ron Whitener

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 39• October 21, 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 Peter Cook, Park Operations Chris Matthews, Nature Preserves and Natural Resources