The Friday Letter | December 30, 2016

The

Accounting Tips for the week: ActiveNet entry errors and void procedures are located in the 601 Accounting Policies and Procedures Guide

Natural Resources Natural Resources: Winter Beauty For many, Winter gets old fast. By the calendar we are only about a week in but as the holidays wind down, the short days can seem to drag on and on.

Spring won’t officially get here until March 20, but there are many ways to make the time pass more quickly. When you start feeling cabin fever, make it a point to get out and notice some of the natural beauty on display now! 

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Go for a hike and check out the landscape. With the leaves off of the trees, you’ll have the chance to take in longer views, see the streams and lakes more clearly, and even notice unique features such as rock formations that are hidden during the warmer months.

Look for persistent fruit to brighten things up. American Holly and Dogwood may sport red berries, and shrubs such as Beautyberry and Coralberry may sport purple fruit.

Watch for wildlife. The increased visibility this time of year may help you spot something new and different, and there are a number of birds in the area for the winter that you are not likely to see during other times of the year.

Leave the bug spray at home! The mild winter weather we typically have is thankfully just cool enough to keep the bugs out of your hair while you explore.

Keep an eye out for early bloomers. Some ornamental species are blooming now and with a little looking natives will be obvious as well. Trees such as Red Maple and Elm will start blooming in January, with Redbud following close behind in February. Ephemeral wildflowers really start to show up in late January, including early species such as Trout-Lily and Bloodroot.

Trout-lily in bloom

Beautyberry fruit

Natural Resources Rural Hill Nature Preserve: First Footin' Walk Enjoy the holiday’s pleasures a little too much? Stuffed to the gills from all those parties? Determined that this is the year to make a change for the better? Why not come out to Rural Hill and start 2017 off right with First Footin’ our annual walk and celebration of Hogmanay, or Scottish New Years? According to tradition, following the Protestant Reformation in Scotland in the latter half of the sixteenth century, it was considered irreverent to celebrate dates of religious importance. Thus, merriment and celebrations were reserved for Hogmanay (pronounced Hog-muh-nay,) this important part of the year combined both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with a celebration of good will and good fortune.

Schedule 11:00 – Step off for the First Footin’ Walk around the farm grounds 12:00 – Stone Soup Blessing and Gathering

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan and Grayson Skate Park: Christmas Bowl Bash Grayson Skate Park held its “Christmas Bowl Bash” competition on December 22nd from 3PM-5PM. We had participants of all ages spread from beginner to veteran. The participants shredded all over the park and bowl while music was blasting and our Skate Instructor/Judge Justin Klaus MC’d the event. Winners came from each division and the prizes were spread amongst our top 3 (pictured below). Each victor received skate board hardware, decks, grip tape, and other skating supplies. Competitors in our younger division were glad to participate and looked forward to our “Winter Break Skate Camp” shortly after Christmas. Happy Holidays from GSP! 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: Verizon Partnership This holiday season, Naomi Drenan Recreation Center’s Shamel Akins partnered with Verizon Wireless & Salvation Army of Greater Supportive Housing Innovative Partnership (SHIPP) to shower each family with Christmas presents. Verizon & SHIPP came together to love these two families and to donate brand new toys, clothes, and school supplies to each family. With new gifts in hand, the kids and their chaperones then enjoyed the different types of phones, tablets, and head phones throughout the store.

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: Creative Teen Day Naomi Drenan Recreation Center partnered with the YBM Leadership Alliance to host a Creative Teen Day for the Holiday Season on December 22nd. With all the schools out for winter break, YBM sent over 30 teen youth ambassadors to help host a teen day at our center that helped all the community create decorations, ornaments, led a small basketball tournament and dodgeball games.

Close to 100 teens came in over the day and were treated to snacks, activities, and even a 3-point competition. The two victors walked away with basketballs courtesy of NDRC. We looked forward to partnering with YBM in the future has they help to grow leaders from our community and expose at risk youth to positive influences.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Tom Sykes Recreation Center: Brunch with Santa The North Pole came to Tom Sykes Recreation Center last week. Families enjoyed holiday crafts, fun games and plenty of food to go around. Children also kept Santa’s Reindeer in mind, as they prepared food for them to eat. Santa’s elves were busy as they made sure these families created lasting memories. Of course we can’t forget there was a special visit from the head elf: Santa Claus!

Each child sat on Santa’s lap took pictures and told him what they wanted for Christmas. Everyone left with a smile, excited that Christmas was here again.

Happy Holidays from the staff at Tom Sykes Recreation Center!

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

Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: Brunch with Santa Last week at Berewick Recreation Center, Santa Claus made a stop to hear some last minute requests from the good girls and boys participating in the Brunch with Santa program. After the children ate, made crafts, played a game and told Santa their Christmas gift wishes, he read them a delightful story before heading back to the North Pole. A special “Thank You!” goes to Gabe Hackney (from NDRC) for assisting us as “Santa.” The children and parents seemed to really enjoyed themselves. Happy Holidays from the staff at Berewick Recreation Center!

For more information about Berewick Recreation Center programs, contact 980314-1102 or email BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Elon Recreation Center: CGI Winter Camp Elon is hosting its first ever CGI winter camp and the community is loving it. All this week a familiar face to Elon has been providing kids with a plethora of events, games and activities. Ranging from about 40-50 kids daily, Elon stays fun filled with the kids from all ages. Each day brings a new task for the campers as you can see from the pictures, Elon is getting a makeover.

For more information about Elon Recreation Center programs, contact 980-314-1103 or email ElonRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

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 stop 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 30, 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