The Friday Letter | January 20, 2017

The

Accounting Tips for the week: Children under the age 18 must have a parent or guardian on an ActiveNet account.

Natural Resources Catch that Wave The process of documenting the diversity of life in our nature preserves, parks and greenways is one that could go on forever. The winter months provide an opportunity for Natural Resources staff to sort through a backlog of photos and observations that has been collected throughout the year. From this information, staff can sometimes document a species within a county property that it was never recorded at before. Even more significant, this information may sometimes provide the first ever documentation of a species within Mecklenburg County. On rare occasions, this information can lead to an even greater discovery.

Last week, while sorting through photos taken during a National Moth Week event at West Branch Nature Preserve, Natural Resources staff identified an unknown moth in a photo as a Light-ribboned Wave. If this identification is correct, it is not only significant for being the first ever documentation of a Lightribboned Wave in Mecklenburg County, but also for what appears to be the first ever documentation of this species in the State of North Carolina. Knowledge of these insects is still growing and the efforts of Natural Resources staff are providing important information to scientists and regional experts that are working hard to develop a greater understanding of the identification and distribution of these insects. While staff waits on the confirmation of this wave moth, they continue to sort through the backlog of photos and observations, hoping for yet another great discovery.

A probable Light-ribboned Wave, West Branch Nature Preserve, July 30, 2016

Natural Resources Woodland Sprites at McDowell Nature Center Modeled after forest kindergartens of Europe, this multi-week child-led class is held ENTIRELY outdoors! Children are allowed to learn and grow at their own pace as they explore, experience, and come to appreciate the natural world and all it has to offer. On any given day, children may choose to investigate a stream, make a mud pie buffet, follow deer tracks through the woods, and much more all under the guidance of experienced environmental educators. Research has shown that time spent in nature, especially engaged in play, is critical to a child's development. Not only does outdoor play lead to increased physical activity but, it can alleviate symptoms of ADHD and asthma as well as promote creativity, self-discipline, problem-solving skills, cooperation, and confidence.

Winter cold and snow didn’t stop our Sprites from having a great time ‘adventuring’ through the woods this week.

Cooperative Extension Win the Money Game Mecklenburg County 4-H staff, part of Cooperative Extension, has begun a sixweek series of "Win the Money Game" with twelve students at Idlewild Elementary School. This series is a new elective program 4-H has partnered with the school to offer as an outlet for youth to learn more about financial literacy.

Students have learned about working to earn money, "paying themselves" first, using their paychecks to pay expenses, and/or to choose to save.

As the series continues, the students will learn about stocks and investments as well as real estate and other basic business concepts. While managing their registers, the students monitor their bank accounts. As a reward for answering questions' they have opportunities to earn "moo-la" which they can save to spend on prize items in the 4-H Money Games store.

Community & Recreation Centers Tyvola Senior Center: McCrorey’s YMCA African Drummers The McCrorey YMCA African Drummers came to Tyvola Senior Center this past week to perform African tribal music before the start of the Senior Citizen’s Lunch Program. Our participants enjoyed lively tribal beats and learned the history of how certain drums were created using the natural resources available in Africa. The McCrorey YMCA African Drummers are a renowned musical group throughout Mecklenburg County and has placed as gold medalists for North Carolina’s Silver Arts competition.

For more information about upcoming senior programs, contact: Tyvola Senior Center at (980) 314-1320 or TyvolaSeniorCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Tom Sykes Recreation Center: Tom Sykes Wolfpack The Tom Sykes Wolfpack had the pleasure of being invited to the Youth Basketball League bash held at Methodist Home Recreation Center. The League bash is held before every youth basketball season and showcases some of the teams that will be participating in the basketball league for the season. They participated in a scrimmage game versus the Methodist Home Bulls. Besides playing in the scrimmage game, our team also enjoyed giveaways and pictures with some of our favorite mascots, including Ray and Hugo the Hornet! We want to thank Donald Johnson and the rest of the staff at Methodist Home Recreation Center for inviting us and we are looking forward to the next one.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: MLK Basketball Celebration In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Naomi Drenan Recreation Center, we hosted some of the most talented basketball teams in the surrounding area on January 16th for our first MLK Basketball Celebration. This event was designed to unite men, women, and youth of all ethnic backgrounds for one fun community event. The tournament was set up as single elimination with 8 teams battling out for the championship. Attendees cheered throughout the day and were treated to top level talent and close games.

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: 2nd Annual Pep Rally League Bash Naomi Drenan held their 2nd Annual Pep Rally League Bash for our basketball teams on Friday night. All 12 teams and their families were in attendance and were treated to quite a show from 6-9PM. The night kicked off with the teams and their hand made team banners, and lead right into a display of skill for our 6U teams and a scrimmage. We had our 10U teams scrimmage in front of a loud crowd cheering as they scored points on the board. The music was bumping and the games were MC’d keeping the atmosphere in the gym fun for the community. NDRC also held a 3-point shootout for 25 players, with the winner hitting 8 3-pointers! The loudest the gym got was when we did our Half-Court Shot attempt, with a 6U player’s father swishing the shot to win a BMX bike for his son. To cap the night, the Players Vs Coach/Staff/Community game was held… and although it was taken into overtime, the players prevailed with a 2-point victory. NDRC is proud of our teams and enjoyed starting off the season with this event.

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

Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: Thank You AT&T Fiber At last weekend’s basketball games at Berewick Recreation Center, players from 4 basketball teams were given basketballs donated by AT&T Fiber. Before starting off the presentation by Recreation Superintendent Al Bangoura, the Berewick Cheerleaders entertained the crowd with a couple of cheers, Park and Recreation mascot, RAY, made an appearance, representatives from AT&T Fiber, along with staff from Berewick and Youth Sports handed out the basketballs.

The children were super excited to receive their own basketball to take home with them after the games.

For more information on youth sports and other programs offered at the recreation center please contact staff at 980-314-1102 or email BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Elon Recreation Center: Dr. MLK Jr. Olympic Day Elon Recreation Center hosted a school day out program to acknowledge Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday. Kids got the chance to take part in a multitude of games that included children working together to achieve a common goal.

This is what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for. Participants indulged in games such as sharks and minnows, a friendly game of basketball and then enjoyed a day outdoors while participating in a scavenger hunt! The fun didn’t stop there; video games were also included in Monday’s school day out program. Although the day was filled with so much for our participants to do, Elon staff took some time away from play to talk to the children about the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and help give them a better understanding as to why they get to have that day out of school.

For more information regarding programs and activities at Elon Recreation Center please call 980-314-1103 or email ElonRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Ivory/Baker Recreation Center: Bug Day, Fun Day Recently, our after-school students experienced hands-on activities involving bugs. They learned the difference between an insect and an arachnid. Observing a variety of bugs in a container proved to be too hands-on for some students! One container dropped and accidentally opened. Good thing it only contained the exoskeleton of a cricket! Once the real bugs were put away, our artists created their own versions of arachnids and insects using modeling clay and pipe cleaners. The masterpieces turned out to be quite creative!

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

Community & Recreation Centers Mallard Creek: Winter 2017 Just in time for the recent snow storm, MCRC officially welcomed winter to the center. With all the Holiday decorations carefully put away for next year, Mr. Snowman made his appearance with a little help from Stephanie.

On January 6th MCRC harvested our first broccoli. After having no success planting broccoli earlier in the growing season, we tried planting it in the fall and were rewarded with a superb, 1 lb 13.2 oz of freshly cut broccoli.

For more information: Call 980-314-1121 or e-mail MallardCreekRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Community & Recreation Centers Sugaw Creek: Youth Basketball Hugo made an appearance at Sugaw Creek Recreation Center on Saturday, January 14th during one of the eight and under youth basketball games The players had a difficult time concentrating with a celebrity in the building. He even took the time to take pictures with everyone before going back to the hive. Hugo is by far the best mascot in the National Basketball Association. Sugaw Creek/MLK has nineteen youth basketball teams this year. Go Hornets!

For more information on youth programming, contact a staff member at 980-314-1124 or email SugawCreekRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Sugaw Creek: Mother's Day Out: Wind Day On Wednesday, January 18th at 11am, we hosted another successful fun bonding activity for stay at home mothers and their children. Today we learned about wind and how we as humans produce our own wind (air) ourselves. The Three Little Pigs gave all of us a great visual of what that looks like. But instead of blowing stuff over with a "huff and puff," we decided to make wind dancers to blow in the wind! Each child created their unique wind dancers with mommy and raced around until they found the playroom for some more fun! Needless to say, when they saw the toys, the wind dancers were put to a rest until it was time to go!

Please stop Hickory Grove Recreation Center anytime!

Email us at HickoryGroveRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

We are located at 6709 Pence Rd. Charlotte, NC or just give us a call at 980-336-0939. We hope to see you soon!

Community & Recreation Centers

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 7 • Issue 03• January 20, 2017

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