The Friday Letter | December 23, 2016

The

Accounting Tips for the week: The New Change Fund Sign Out and In Form is located on SharePoint in the Accounting Documents Folder

Natural Resources MeckTeen Greenforce at McDowell Nature Center On Saturday the 17th McDowell Nature Center hosted a MeckTeen Greenforce day. Eight teens showed up to help the McDowell staff locate the new orienteering posts that the Carolina Orienteering Club installed recently. The teens learned how to use a topographic map and a compass to locate the posts, they were able to find five out of the thirteen posts before lunch time.

After lunch the teens helped staff members with animal care. The teens were each responsible for feeding an animal at the nature center, they had to follow a list for each animal that states what food they need and any other maintenance that needs to be done for the animal. The teens were very good at making sure the animals had what they needed and were excited to be able to see animals that they may not see every day such as the turtles and the snakes.

It was a very successful day and thank you to the team at Methodist Home Recreation Center for getting your teens signed up!

Natural Resources Snakes at McDowell Nature Center Come visit the animals at McDowell Nature Center! We have eleven different kinds of animals such as, turtles, snakes, a toad, an anole (type of lizard), cockroaches and millipedes. All of the animals at McDowell are native to the area except for the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and the Gulf Cost Box Turtle. The animals we have are used for education purposes and none of them are venomous or poisonous. Staff at McDowell do daily animal care and monthly health checks to make sure the animals are healthy and happy. Visitors enjoy looking and learning about the animals, sometimes they get lucky and come in during feeding time.

They get to watch the staff feed the animals and do any other required maintenance to the tanks. The most exciting animals to watch eat are the snakes. They are fed frozen feeder mice that can be bought at a local pet store. We have two Corn Snakes (the orange ones) and one King Snake (the black one), the King Snake is very large and is over five feet long. The snakes come from a variety of sources and have been at the nature center for a while. To learn more or see the animals in person stop by McDowell Nature Preserve.

Natural Resources

Natural Resources Critters Caught on Camera These candid critter cameras are back in action at McDowell Nature Preserve.

Ariel Lyles from McDowell recently put up 3 new cameras by the Creekside trail for project E-mammal. These motion censored cameras are being used to document deer activity within the preserve. They help our Natural Resources division get a better idea of our deer population numbers. The past couple weeks have been alive with wildlife in this area. Our cameras captured much more than our deer population. We also spotted raccoons, squirrels, wild turkeys, a coyote, and even a bobcat. From the looks of it, we think the deer, turkeys, and raccoons have been stealing acorns from the squirrel’s winter stash.

Catherine Goodnight Robertson

Cooperative Extension Park & Recreation: Program Planning Training On Monday, December 12th, twenty-three recreation specialists received Program Planning training from Cooperative Extension's 4-H staff at the Armory.

This was a kick-off training to a series that will be offered to Park & Recreation staff as a result of 4-H Work Team meetings to address training needs within the department. Recreation Centers will begin utilizing 4-H curriculum in their centers to meet Park & Recreation core goals.

During the training, participants worked in groups to discuss shared programs and ideas for implementation. Training participants also utilized best practices for program planning to complete an "8 W's of Planning Activity" to help them prepare for a new or continued program for their center. "Perceptions" was a well-liked activity that helped recreation center staff see differences in perceptions. This will help them to consider both their thoughts AND their clients thoughts when beginning to plan a program based on perceived needs.

Community & Recreation Centers Shamrock Senior Center: Trip to See Gingerbread Houses Shamrock Senior Center stroll down Gingerbread Lane at the Ballantyne Hotel.

The Seniors were excited to see that the gingerbread houses are a holiday art that can be either really simple and pretty, or extravagant, time-consuming and spectacular. The participants understood that making & decorating a gingerbread house takes patience and ingenuity. The Gingerbread Houses were made by children of different ages. Seniors had the opportunity to donate a $1.00 to vote for their favorite house which was a funding raiser for the Levine Children’s Hospital. They ended their evening at the Peppermint Forest Christmas Shoppe where they were allowed to purchase Christmas ornaments of their choice.

For more information about upcoming senior programs, please contact staff at the Shamrock Senior Center/Methodist Home at (704) 531-9101.

Community & Recreation Centers Tom Sykes Recreation Center: Mannequin Challenge The afterschool kids at Tom Sykes created its’ own Mannequin Challenge video during our weird science day! It turned out the real challenge was staying still as everyone decided on their final pose. Our kids were excited to stay up to date on the latest trends, and enjoyed the experience. For those who would like to see the video, we will have it posted on our social media pages shortly.

For more information about Tom Sykes Recreation Center Programs, contact 980-314-1113 or email TomSykesRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Community & Recreation Centers Methodist Home Recreation Center: Old School Play Date This past Friday, MHRC hosted The Old School Play Date program in partnership with Shamrock Gardens Elementary. The program was a social activity providing family fun as parents enjoyed "old school" games with their children and received educational information on various topics in the form of literature and workshops. Almost 100 participants enjoyed pizza & drinks, music and games such as Uno, Giant Jenga & Connect Four and Ping Pong. There was also a dance performance from the Reliable Brothers and tons of free giveaways!

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact MethodistHomeRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1123.

Community & Recreation Centers Tyvola Senior Center: Commemorate During the Holiday Season Tyvola Senior Center hosted a Holiday Celebration for all its participants. This free event was made possible by community sponsorships from Visiting Angels: Living Assistance Service, LGFCU, and Eula, and donations from Harris Teeter and Skyland Family Restaurant. While being served a delicious holiday meal, the participants were able to listen to caroling by Oak Grove Choir, Minister Mary, the Three Triplets, and dance the night away. What a wonderful way to start off the holiday season.

For more information about our programs, contact 980.314.1320 or TyvolaSeniorCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers A Time to Give at Tyvola Senior Center During the holiday season, Tyvola Senior Center stood behind the saying “it’s better to give then receive.” Tyvola Senior Center partnered with Charlotte Housing Authority on an Angel Tree Project. Participants from Tyvola Senior Center and the community came together in support and were able to adopt 78 seniors from the Woodlawn House Community and granted them items from their wish list. The Senior Center also extended the invitation to the Woodlawn House Community to join us in our Holiday Celebration. Tyvola, team members, and participants got the opportunity to meet them and mingle. It was nice to see their faces light up when receiving their gifts. Priceless!

For more information about our programs, contact 980.314.1320 or TyvolaSeniorCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Methodist Home Recreation Center: Start Smart Basketball Methodist Home Recreation Center is proud to give you the class of 2016 Start Smart Basketball. Basketball at its finest. Methodist Home Recreation Center completed its Start Smart Basketball program which consisted of ten participants 3-4 year olds. Along with their parents, our team worked together on their basic basketball skills of dribbling, shooting, passing and more. The Start Smart program is facilitated by center staff Anthony Rozier and Kevin George.

Methodist Home Recreation Center will offer a second Start Smart Basketball program for January/February as well as Start Smart Baseball this spring.

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact MethodistHomeRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1123.

Community & Recreation Centers Methodist Home Recreation Center: Word Search Architects Methodist Home Recreation Center staff joined in on all the fun the Shamrock Seniors have, creating a program for them. The Word Search Architects program was a social activity where the seniors created their own puzzle from scratch with themes of their own. Puzzle themes included “Soap Opera,” “Musical Instrument” and “Scrapbooking.” This was a great program for them to show off their creative minds and wealth of knowledge. Be on the lookout for the MCPRD Senior Word Search Book Vol. 1.

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact MethodistHomeRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1123.

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: League Bash Art Naomi Drenan Recreation Center is preparing to host our annual League Bash for our basketball teams. Our talented staff member, Justin Klaus, is working to prepare the banners for each team to decorate, design, and sign. Each team will parade out with their hand crafted banner and participate in a scrimmage against other teams in their age group on January 6th. Three-point shoot outs, bicycle giveaways and coach vs kids game will also entail at the event. NDRC is excited to have all our teams in the gym! Stay tuned for an update in early January.

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: Senior New Year’s Eve Party Seniors at Naomi Drenan had a blast this Wednesday counting down to 12(PM) at the rec. center to bring in the New Year! Shamel Akins partnered with the Seniors On the Move program hosted monthly at our center, along with other senior groups in the community to have the holiday party. Over 20 seniors came out and enjoyed a festive atmosphere of holiday music, bingo, games, and a great spread of food. The event was capped off by a countdown by the seniors and loud cheers to celebrate the event and community partners in attendance.

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: Winter Disc Golf Anyone?

It may be cold outside but it’s not stopping things at Elon. Outdoor disc golf is a hot commodity here at our rec. center, rain or shine we can count on the community showing up. With all types of terrain, the disc course allows for all levels to get a challenging experience when playing. People come out during all times of the year for this exciting sport. The best part about disc golf, everything is Free!

For more information, contact ElonRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980-314-1103.

Community & Recreation Centers Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center: The Gingerbread Lane!

On December 14th, twelve Bette Rae Seniors took a trip down Gingerbread Lane! Ballantyne Hotel featured over 50 displays of Gingerbread creations; all made out of edible treats! Gingerbread artists created masterpieces and competed for top honors. Participants were able to vote on their favorite entries with $1 minimum donation per vote. All proceeds went to the Levine Children’s Hospital. Everyone had a wonderful time!

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

Community & Recreation Centers Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center: Annual Holiday Social The Bette Rae Thomas seniors enjoyed great live music during their Annual Holiday Social, at the Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center. The music was provided by musician, Greg Jarrell and his band. Mr. Jarrell is a resident in the community surrounding the Recreation Center. Bette Rae Thomas’ Senior Nutrition staff work very hard to keep their participants involved and entertained!

For more information on Senior programming, contact us at BetteRaeThomasRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or at 980-314-1111.

Community & Recreation Centers Wallace Pruitt: Art and Appetizers This creative program is led by our own Recreation Assistant, Trey Miles. It provides a modern approach to the visual arts in a stress-free environment. While catering to adults from beginner to intermediate levels, this program promotes awareness with selective themes, and vulnerability to an ongoing, new experience. Traced canvases are available, while free handing art is also an option.

This class has a maximum of ten participants per session that we offer to the public for $10 per session, with all supplies provided. The reoccurring program runs two to four classes a month and provides light, healthy snacks. It is starting to get cold outside, come inside and coat some canvases with us!

For more information about our programs, contact Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center at 980-314-1114 or email at WallacePruittRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Ivory Baker: Bridge Club It was that time of year again for Ivory Baker’s Bridge Club members to come together for their Holiday Celebration. The notorious pork chop dinner filled the building with a satisfying aroma. The seniors were thoroughly pleased with the flavorful meal. The only thing to top the meal and the delightful holiday cheer music playing in the background was none other than a game of Bridge! From party mode, to solemn mode, everyone had an appreciable time.

For more information about our programs, events, and outreach opportunities, please contact 980-314-1112 or www.IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Albemarle Road Recreation Center: Holiday Crafts This week during our Youth ‘N’ Motion program, the kids made Holiday crafts at Albemarle Road! For about an hour, the kids used their imagination to create a special craft for this holiday season such as ornaments, pictures, signs, and necklaces all while listening to the classic holiday tunes!

For more information regarding our programs here at Albemarle Road, please contact us at AlbemarleRoadRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call us at 980-314-1101.

Community & Recreation Centers Revolution Sports Academy Home School Fitness participants at Revolution Park Sports Academy meet every Monday from noon to one o'clock pm. Activities include a variety of fitness, strength and flexibility components, as well as fun and challenging games. The rewards of children being physically active are exponential! Classes are $1.00 per class. For more information email Brett.Krizanik@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov or 980-314-1116.

Community & Recreation Centers Ivory Baker: NCASCC District VIII Holiday Dinner District VIII of the North Carolina Association of Senior Citizens Clubs, Inc. had their annual Holiday Dinner at Ivory Baker Recreation Center. Delicious food, friendship, music, and the Holiday Spirit allowed for a great time! Over ten large bags of toys were collected for local youth in need of some holiday cheer. The seniors as well as IBRC staff had an awesome time! We're looking forward to hosting the event again next year.

For more information about our programs, events, and outreach opportunities, please contact 980-314-1112 or www.IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Mallard Creek Recreation Center : Holiday Festivities Mallard was buzzing with Holiday activities this week. Preschoolers participated in cookies and crafts with Santa, which included a tour of Santa’s secret workshop where they got to try out toys and spend time with Santa. The Preschoolers also took part in a candy cane hunt where they went through the facility to find all the candy canes that the candy cane elf had left. The seniors had their annual Christmas party which was complete with a visit from Old Saint Nick.

The week ended with a wonderful concert given by the chorus from Parkside Elementary. Both preschoolers, their families, and the seniors enjoyed the concert that was followed by a cookie and punch reception.

For more information call 980-314-1121 or email MallardCreekRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Holiday Cheer Spread Through Annual Sugaw Creek Christmas Project The Sugaw Creek Recreation Center hosted their Annual Nadine Smith Memorial Adopt A Family Christmas Project. During the event, adopted families from Hidden Valley and surrounding neighborhoods enjoyed an evening of inspirational music, Christmas sing-a-longs, tasteful dinner, crafts, ginger bread houses, snack bags pictures Santa, fellowship with sponsors and words of encouragement from the guest speaker. This year’s theme was “Recipe for Success”. Mr. Alvin Woods (President of the Charlotte Flights Track & Field Program) wonderfully delivered a message of hope, determination and success. Over 15 families were sponsored gifts, toiletries, clothes by caring and loving individuals, local organizations and businesses.

5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (980) 314-1000

Recreate All Year!

Subscribe to the Park and Recreation E-Newsletter to learn of new and exciting way sto continue recreating during the spring and summer months. Subscribe to the Park and Recreation E-Newsletter to stay up to date on activities that may be available to you.

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

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

The Friday Letter Volume 6 • Issue 45• December 23, 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