Fall 2010
Official Publication of the Virginia Recreation & Park Society
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nag Park a 1 M ce & All 1 0 2 ren s From nia e f n Co New r Virgi Ove
Falls Church Farmers Market Cover photo: Gary Mester
5 0- f o o t C A . s t h g i l g n i l k n h r i st m a s on twi i l l i t re e . m g a n i n A p d p o d h i s n , i s n g that c a how s y a d pt u re i l f o t r Ho h e d e n s o e a w s on. the
*Select evenings and hours. Please verify schedule prior to visiting. Christmas Town is a separate ticketed event and is not included with pass membership or Here's to the Heroes. VRPS savings not available at park's front gate. Offer valid through 12/31/10. Restrictions apply. Š2010 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.
Contents Official Publication of the Virginia Recreation & Park Society
Volume 52 Fall 2010
Virginia Recreation & Park Society 6372 Mechanicsville Turnpike Suite 109 Mechanicsville, VA 23111 Phone: 804-730-9447 Fax: 804-730-9455 vrps@vrps.com www.vrps.com
Executive Director James C. Stutts, CAE, CPRP Administrative Assistant Bernadette Cornelius Part-Time Assistant Karen Florey Office Manager Marlene Bresee Editor Amy-Jo Hendrix, CPRP Send Articles to:ahendrix@viennava.gov or Amy-Jo Hendrix, CPRP, Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation, 120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna, VA 22180
Features
Departments
8 VRPS Member Profile: Christianburg’s Art Price
4 Message from the President
12 Howie’s Honey
5 2010 VRPS Board, Key Leaders and Staff
16 2011 Management Conference Building Partnerships & Maximizing Resources
6 News from Falls Church
22 Diversity Corner
9 News from Christiansbug 10 News from the City of Franklin 13 News from Fairfax 14 News from Gloucester County 18 News from Martinsville 19 News from the City of Norfolk
Virginia Parks and Recreation is published three times per year by the Virginia Recreation & Park Society, Inc. VRPS is a non-profit professional organization supported by membership dues and contributions. VRPS is affiliated with the National Recreation & Park Association. Subscription Information. Members receive the magazine as part of their annual membership dues. The magazine is available by subscription for $25 per year. Requests for subscription should be directed to VRPS, 6372 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Suite 109, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. Editorial Statement: Statements of fact and opinions are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the officers, members or staff of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society or the Foundation of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society.
Mission The mission of the Virginia Recreation and Park Societyis to unite all professionals, students, and interested lay persons engaged in the field of recreation, parks, and other leisure services in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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A message from the president
Farewell P e o p l e , P a r k s a n d P r o g r a m s Lakita Frazier, CPRP
President Virginia Recreation & Park Society
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It’s hard to believe that this year has gone by so fast! I have truly enjoyed this opportunity to serve as your president and appreciate the support and guidance that many of you provided me with. Over this past year, I have had the opportunity to gain a better appreciation of VRPS through the staff and through
sionals in order to continue our growth into the next decade and beyond. At the same time, we must retain our current membership. My participation in VRPS has been a rewarding experience that has offered me the opportunity to network with some of the best recreation professionals in the country.
Over this past year, I have had the opportunity to gain a better appreciation of VRPS through the staff and through you, the members. you, the members. You have dedicated countless hours to the Society ensuring that it continues to be a vital part of our profession. Your time and commitment was noticed and appreciated. As members, you all are the driving force behind the success of VRPS. There is a generation of professionals that are retiring. Therefore, it is vital that we reach out to our students and the new profes-
I look forward to working with our incoming President, Darrell Crittendon, who is truly a champion for VRPS. I will continue to serve VRPS wherever needed. This includes chairing the 2011 Management Conference which will be held in Suffolk, February 28 – March 1, 2011. The theme “Building Resources and Maximizing Partnerships” is representative of how we as recreation pro-
fessionals collaborate with each other as well as like organizations in order to provide services to our citizens during these tough economic times. If you have never been to Suffolk before or have not been in the past five years, you are in for a treat! Suffolk is a beautiful city with a rich history and we look forward to sharing our home with you. We, the people that plan the programs and maintain the facilities are often behind the scenes insuring that our services meet or exceed the expectations of our citizens. Because of VRPS, we are ready and able to accomplish this. The Society has given us the foundation we need to be successful through educational and networking opportunities as well as serving as a support system. I am forever grateful to VRPS and I hope in some small way I have inspired you to give a little time back to an organization that has given so much to so many. Thank you to the 2010 Board of Directors and to the staff of VRPS for your support and encouragement throughout this year. I could not have done it without you!
Visit www.vrps.com or call VRPS Office at 804-730-9447 or email vrps@vrps.com for volunteer opportunities. 4
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VRPS Staff
NRPA Southern Region Rep
Enterprise Group Chairs
Resource Group Chairs
Service Area Chairs
Board of Directors
Executive Board
2010 vrps boards key leaders & staff President Vice President Treasurer Lay Member Executive Director President Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Lay Member Executive Director Central Eastern Northern Southwestern Western Aquatics Cultural Diversity Athletics Professional Education Seniors Outdoors Therapeutic Recreation Annual Conference Foundation Awards & Citations Hershey Track & Field LTI 2010 Virginia Senior Games Legislative Picnic December 10 December 10 December 10 Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Bernadette Cornelius Marlene P. Bresee Karen Florey
Lakita Frazer,CPRP Suffolk Parks & Rec. Darrell Crittendon City of Norfolk Rec., Parks & Open Space Brian Laws, CPRP Fairfax County Park Authority Ed Hamilton Roanoke College Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Virginia Rec. & Park Society Lakita Frazer,CPRP Suffolk Parks & Rec. Michael Morris Portsmouth Pks, Rec & Leisure Serv William (Bill) Sgrinia Danville Parks, Rec & Tourism Pamela Sheets, CPRP Shenandoah Co. Parks & Rec. Brian Laws, CPRP Fairfax County Park Authority Keith Rotzoll, CPRP Prince George Co. Parks & Rec. Michael Clark, CPRP, AFO Roanoke Parks & Rec. Darrell Crittendon City of Norfolk Rec., Parks & Open Space Art Thatcher, CPRP Hampton Parks & Rec. Ed Hamilton Roanoke College Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Virginia Rec. & Park Society Kimberly Turner, CTRS New Kent Co., Parks & Rec. DeRocke Croome City of Norfolk Rec., Parks & Open Space Cheri Danaher, CPRP Reston Community Center Bryan Price Danville Parks, Rec. & Tourism Ken Jacobsen Augusta Co. Parks & Rec. Ralph Baird, AFO Alexandria Rec., Parks & Cultural Affairs TBA Paul Wilmoth Chesterfield Co. Parks & Rec. Shannon Moore, CPRP Virginia Beach Parks & Rec. Lisa Cooke, CPRP Clarke Co. Parks & Rec. Shannon Martin Clarke Co. Parks & Rec. William (Bill) Sgrinia Danville Parks, Rec. & Tourism TBA Jim Wilson Hampton Parks & Rec. Bob Antozzi, CPRP Fredericksburg Pks, Rec. & Public Fac Cindy Roeder Herndon Parks & Recreation Lisa Cooke, CPRP Clarke Co. Parks & Recreation Paul W. Berryman Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Sharon Entsminger, CPRP Chesterfield Co. Parks and Rec Andy Crane Henrico Division of Rec & Parks Art Thatcher, CPRP Hampton Parks & Recreation Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Virginia Recreation & Park Society John Carnifax, CPRP James City County Parks & Rec Phil Mease, CPRP James City County Parks & Rec J. David Hart, CPRP Pulaski Parks & Facilities Executive Director Administrative Assistant Office Manager Part-time Assistant
Board Liaisons Central Service Area Eastern Service Area Northern Service Area Southwestern Service Area Western Service Area Aquatics Athletics Cultural Diversity Outdoors Seniors
Keith Rotzoll Mike Morris Brian Laws Bill Sgrina/Michael Clark Pamela Sheets, CPRP Brian Laws Lakita Frazier/Michael Clark Darrell Crittendon Bill Sgrina/Michael Clark Keith Rotzoll
757-514-7251 757-441-2400 703-324-8564 540-375-2409 804-730-9447 757-514-7251 757-393-8481 434-799-5200 540-984-3030 703-324-8564 804-733-2646 540-853-1198 757-441-2400 757-727-6348 540-375-2409 804-730-9447 804-966-8501 757-441-5834 703-476-4500 434-797-8848 540-245-5727 703-385-0420
lfrazier@city.suffolk.va.us darrell.crittendon@norfolk.gov brian.laws@fairfaxcounty.gov hamilton@roanoke.edu jim@vrps.com lfrazier@city.suffolk.va.us morrism@portsmouthva.gov sgrinia@ci.danville.va.us psheets@shenandoahcounty.va.us brian.laws@fairfaxcounty.gov krotzoll@princegeorgeva.org michael.clark@roanokeva.gov darrell.crittendon@norfolk.gov athatcher@hampton.gov hamilton@roanoke.edu jim@vrps.com kcturner@co.newkent.state.va.us derocke.Croom@norfolk.gov Cheri.danaher@fairfaxcounty.gov pricebe@ci.danville.va.us kjacobsen@co.augusta.va.us ralph.baird@alexandriava.gov
804-748-1130 757-385-0420 540-955-5140 540-955-5143 434-799-5200
wilmothp@chesterfield.gov smoore@vbgov.com lcooke@clarkecounty.gov spepperb@yahoo.com sgrinia@ci.danville.va.us
757-727-6348 540-372-1088 703-435-6800 540-955-5140 757-496-6766 804-748-1126 804-501-5156 757-728-3220 804-730-9447 757-259-5361 757-259-4171 540-994-8624 804-730-9447 804-730-9447 804-730-9447 804-730-9447
jwilson@hampton.gov rkantozzi@fredericksburgva.gov Cindy.Roeder@herndon-va.gov lcooke@clarkecounty.gov pberryma@vbgov.com entsmingers@chesterfield.gov cra18@co.henrico.va.us athatcher@hampton.gov jim@vrps.com jcarnifax@james-city.va.us pmease@james-city.va.us dhart@pulaskitown.org jim@vrps.com berni@vrps.com marlene@vrps.com karen@vrps.com
Therapeutic Recreation LTI Professional Education Virginia Senior Games Hershey Track & Field Legislation Awards & Citations Annual Conference ‘10 Foundation Management Conference ‘11
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Mike Morris Jim Stutts Jim Stutts Keith Rotzoll Lakita Frazier Art Thatcher Darrell Crittendon Art Thatcher Jim Stutts Jim Stutts Revised 6/4/10
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News from falls church
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he Falls Church Farmers Market, managed by the Falls Church Recreation & Parks Department was voted, “America’s Favorite Farmers Market” in a contest sponsored by the American Farmland Trust. In an effort to promote local farmers markets, Farmland Trust sponsors and annual contest to choose America’s favorite farmers markets in four size categories: boutique markets with 15 or fewer vendors; small markets, 16 to 30 vendors; medium markets, 31 to 55 vendors; and large markets with 56 or more vendors. Falls Church City, with its 45 vendors, competed in the medium market category and beat out hundreds of similarly-sized markets throughout the country. Falls Church also finished first in voting among all Virginia farmers markets regardless of market size.
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VRPS Member profile
Christiansburg’s Art Price
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rt Price has been employed with Christiansburg Parks and Recreation since April 11, 1983. He has been the Director of the Christiansburg Parks and Recreation Department since November 1987. In addition, he has been fortunate enough to teach as an adjunct faculty member with the Recreation, Parks and Tourism Department at Radford University and worked as an Associate Scout for the Kansas City Royals. Art was also the first Director of Louisa County Parks Art Price and his wife Donita at the ballpark. and Recreation from July 1981-April 1983. Science in Recreation and Leisure Services He has been a member of Administration from Radford University. Art the Virginia Recreation and presently is an Adjunct Parks Society and National Faculty member at RadRecreation and Park ford University with the department of RecreAssociation since 1980. ation, Parks and Tourism. He also a “Certified Park and Recreational Christiansburg Parks and Recreation host- Professional” with the National Recreation ed the 2010 Dixie Boys World Series and and Park Association and the Virginia Rechas been selected to host the 2012 Junior reation and Park Society. He has been a Dixie Boys World Series. member of the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society and National Recreation and Art has a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Park Association since 1980. 8
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Art and his wife, Donita, have been married since March 1979. They have three daughters - Hope, and twins Maddie and Mary. All three are graduated from Radford University. They have a six month old granddaughter - Olivia and a grandson – Landon - due in January. They have two beagles, Mollie and Mae Mae. They are members Alleghany Church of Christ in Christiansburg. When not at work, Art enjoys spending time with his family, baseball, and teaching at Radford University. He is a student and fan of the great game of baseball. Art is a fan of the New York Yankees and their history.
News from christiansburg Dixie Boy’s Baseball, Inc.
2012 Junior Dixie Boys World Series Harkrader Sports Complex • Christiansburg, Virginia
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The Board of Directors of Dixie Boys Baseball, Inc. awarded the bid for the 2012 Junior Dixie Boys World Series to Christiansburg, Virginia. The bid was accepted with the unanimous approval of the Board.
“...We have all the resources necessary to host this celebrated World Series. We will go all-out to make this the best World Series for all participants.”
J. Sandy Jones, Commissioner/ CEO stated: “We are very pleased to announce that Christiansburg will host our 2012 Junior Dixie Boys World Series. Our recent visit to Christiansburg, Virginia for the 2010 World Series was a wonderful experience. Christiansburg is committed to Dixie Boys Baseball and most important the leadership of the community has a real sense of purpose when working with young people. We came away from the 2010 first class event very excited about the future of Dixie Boys Baseball. We sincerely look forward to working with the Town of Christiansburg in making our second visit an even more enjoyable and rewarding experience for everyone involved.” Christiansburg, Virginia is known for progressive small town living at its best and is located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Christiansburg Parks & Recreation Director, Art Price commented “Christiansburg Parks and Recreation is honored and proud to be selected as the host site for the 2012 Junior Dixie Boys World Series. We have the support of the Town of Christiansburg and our community. We have all
the resources necessary to host this celebrated World Series. We will go all-out to make this the best World Series for all participants.”
Dixie Boys State Tournaments. Three fields with lights are located in the sports complex. A central tower houses a concession stand and restroom on the main level. The upper part of the tower has an umpire room, office and room for scorekeepers, scoreboard operators, media and staff.
Chuck Muncy, Supervisor of Outdoor Sports Facilities and Parks will once again serve as the Host Tournament Director. Muncy was very instrumental in the success of the 2010 event. All tournament games will be held at the Harkrader Sports Complex. Since opening in 2006, the facility has hosted the 2010 Dixie Boys World Series as well as seventy-five other tournaments including three Dixie Boys districts, two Dixie Boys, and two Junior Fall 2010
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News from the city of franklin
Coming Together For the Youth
By Frank A. Davis
of the area’s major employer, International Paper. Although both organizations receive some grant money, the question of fees was a concern. The boys and girls club already had established fees for registration and bi-weekly cost. The summer super jam program only had a onetime registration fee that was far lesser than the boys & girls club fee. In the Situation Room of the West Wing of the White House – Frank Davis, Director of Franklin Department of Parks & Recreation,seating Center, seats in the actual chair that President Barack Obama sits in during meetings there. Others shown are from left to right, Demetre King, Kayla Grant, Quache Taylor, Tevin Boone, Christopher Eley
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or the past 8 years, there has existed in the City of Franklin two separate summer youth recreational programs. One operated by the parks & recreation department and the other by the boys & girls clubs of Southeast Virginia Franklin unit. Both organizations offered similar playground programs that were for youth of the city and surrounding areas. For parks & recreation, the Franklin Summer Super Jam Program has been very successful since its beginning in 1997. At the 1998 Virginia Recreation and Park Society Annual Conference in Hampton, the program won the 1998 Best New Program Award for populations less than 25,000. The Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Virginia, Franklin unit has been in operation for 8 years in Franklin. The unit’s mission is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their
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full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens”.
After all plans were concluded, the two organizations marched into action using the well known name, Franklin Super Super Jam. As registration opened and to everyone’s surprise parents came and paid the required fees. Going further the program averaged over 100 for each of the 4 sessions.
For many years there had been talk about the two organizations merging together but this year as summer approached the directors of both programs met and began To highlight a few things for the summer, to seriously discuss the possible merger. youth were involved in daily swimming Some of the issues that both organizalessons/recreational swim, arts & crafts, tions were facing included budget conbasketball, tennis, golf and weekly field straints and facility problems. Also laying trips. The program operating on a reduced on the table was the question on the number of At the 1998 Virginia Recreation youth that would and Park Society Annual attend the program. Franklin Conference in Hampton, the this year is conprogram won the 1998 Best tinuing to deal with the eliminaNew Program Award for tion of 1,100 jobs populations less than 25,000. from the permanent closing
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News from the city of franklin
field trip schedule for this year that included, roller skating, Ocean Breeze water park, Colonial Williamsburg, the Kiwanis fishing clinic, bowling, King’s Dominion, Cinema Café luncheon theatre, the National Zoological park, Washington D.C. & Arlington National Cemetery. A major activity of each summer is the annual recreation fun day with recreation departments of, the City of Petersburg, Surry & Charles City County. The activity this year was hosted by Petersburg Parks & Leisure Services at the Petersburg Sports Complex. Youth enjoyed a reduced activity schedule this year due to the extreme heat. After softball games for age groups between 6 -15, watermelon an lunch was served under picnic shelters. Afterwards, it was to the Petersburg High School gym and a series of basketball games between the sites. The joint program received a real treat during this summer by being allowed to bring 5 students and one staff to tour the West Wing of the White House. The tour included seeing the Situation room, various cabinet rooms, the Rose Garden, press briefing room and the Oval Office. After eight weeks of fun & heat the program closed with an awards day program on Thursday August 12th. Every one enjoyed a swim in the pool followed by lunch with everyone treated to hot dogs & hamburgers. On Friday August 13th the group departed Franklin at 5:00 A.M. for the annual trip to Washington, D.C.
Parks & Recreation Directors pose for photo before the game – Left to right front row, Craig Skalak, Colonial Heights,Tami Yerby, Petersburg; Peter S. Bird, Team Mascot; Jo Turek,Hopewell; Back row, left to right, Keith Rotzoll, Prince George County;Frank Davis, Franklin;& Alfred Crump, Charles City County.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game By Frank A. Davis
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n April 2010, Tami Yerby, Director of Petersburg Parks & Leisure Services invited fellow directors of parks & recreation in the Petersburg and surrounding vicinity’s to join her in throwing out the opening pitch for the Petersburg General’s Baseball Club season opener. The Petersburg Generals team consist of top notch Division 1, Division ll colle-
giate baseball players The team comes under the directions of Petersburg Parks & Leisure Services and plays in the Coastal Plain League. Their home games are played at the Petersburg Sport Complex After each director threw out a ball, they were treated to hot dogs & cold drinks while watching the Generals drop the opener 8-3 to the Peninsula Pilots.
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News from the city of falls church
Howie’s Honey
sweetens the pot for Fairfax residents Beekeeper keeps at the task for 15 years, despite stings and challenges by Alexandra Greeley | Special to the Times
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tanding in the back of his truck arranging jars of honey, Howard Herman -- the Howard in Howie’s Honey -- chatted with passersby during a bright Saturday morning at the Falls Church Farmers’ Market. Vienna resident Herman, who also happens to be the market manager, admits that beekeeping is a passion, one that has grown exponentially since he started out with a few hives about 15 years ago.
Recreators Recreating Here is how Howard Herman, General Manager of Community Services for the City of Falls Church Recreates
Special Thanks to The Alexandria and Fairfax Times Newspaper and writer Alexandra Greeley for allowing us to reprint this article
Inspired by Les Bowman, a dedicated beekeeper, Herman cast Bowman as his mentor, who had convinced Herman that he would really enjoy tending hives and gathering honey. “I started with just two hives,” said Herman. “The first day, I wondered if I knew what I was doing and if I would really enjoy the hobby.” He watched how Bowman worked around his own hives, wearing a veil to protect the face, but wearing no gloves. Herman recalled thinking to himself that he would wear a veil too, but that he didn’t need gloves. Consequently, on his first day of transferring his new bees from shipping containers to the hives, bees stung his hands countless times. “I just took it. My hands just swelled up,” said Herman. Since then, Herman has learned to take precautions and wear gloves, though in spite of his preparation, he still gets stung hundreds of times a year. Despite the occasional pain, Herman has stuck with the bees. He has greatly expanded his number of hives from the original two to 40 hives, many of which he keeps in Loudoun County. But the remainder he tends carefully in his backyard. 12
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challenging to have your hives at their peak,” he said. “If the hives are strong, the nectar flow is good.” Surveying the bottled golden liquid that Herman has carefully extracted from his hives -- “I love beekeeping, but don’t love honey extraction,” he said -- customers quickly deplete his small stock. Because of the intense heat this summer, he said, his bees have not produced as much as usual. “If I had it to sell,” he said, “I could dispose of 10 to 12 gallons a week.” That means the customers should really stock up before the season wanes, for Howie’s Honey has a rich, luscious, justsweet essence that makes it a superior product. After all, he points out, his honey is raw, unpasteurized. It may granulate over time, but can easily be Ho reverted to its liquid Eas war y Ser Hom d H state. er ves e-S
Herman described himself as a “nosy beekeeper” when it comes to his backyard hives. “I look at my hives more m 4b tyle 4 o Chi an ½ c neles ’s H than I should,” he said. “My country cke s n ½ c up ho , skin one n less yR 2 te up bu ey c bees don’t get so much attention.” h tter i a ec c s k p I e m
oon ipe nb te il rea ¼ t aspoo s gro k bak sts n e 2 ta aspoo seas und g ing m o Pre blesp n pep ned s inger ix o p h alt Coa eat o ons v er e v t g mix chic en to etab ken , gi 350 le o il wi d Rol nger l ho , sea th ho egree s. n ney s -co oned ey an Bro sal d s ate t d w a nd et asi 6 m n ch chic de. pep k i i n e c n k u on p C rac tes. D en in in se er an ombi min k in b rain hot o asoni d mi ne ba xw exc il i ng aki ute na ell king ess m n s or un g pan oil. P skill ixture . til e l t a a for . ce c juic nd 4 b h es r un ake fo icken to cle ar. r 20 t o3 0
On a day-to-day basis, Herman is particularly busy in the spring, when he gets his bees geared up for the warm-weather gathering season. When he opens up his hives in the spring, he makes sure that a queen bee is there, is laying eggs and has no diseases, such as the varoa mites that have demolished so many honey bee hives, or the various viruses that attack healthy bees.
That also means determining that his hives are neither too strong or aggressive, but also not too weak or apathetic. “It’s
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Herman also said he cooks with and eats his own honey, drizzling it over his oatmeal and into his tea, and sparking savory dishes and barbecues with its subtle sweetness.
News from fairfax county park authority & the city of fairfax
A Finalist for the 2010 National Gold Medal Awards
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Fairfax County Wins NRPA Gold Medal
By Michael McCarty
AAPRA and NRPA select agencies to compete for one of park and recreation’s highest honors When The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), announced the City of Fairfax as one of the finalists in Class V of the 2010 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, all of us in the City were honored and thrilled to be recognized. This was the City’s first time competing for the Gold Medal Award and fortunate that the judges recognized the achievements that the City of Fairfax has made in the last five years to deliver quality and amazing experiences to our citizens.
Celebrating FCPA Win (From Left To Right) Barbara Nugent, Park Services Division Director; Carol Steele Gloucester Co. Parks and Recreation; Laura Marquardt, South Run RECenter Manager; Chris Clifford 2010 NRPA National Humanitarian Award/Gloucester Co. Parks and Recreation, John Dargle, Director (holding the medal), Cindy Messinger, Deputy/COO; Judy Pedersen, Public Information Officer; Nick Duray, Manager of Marketing Services
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• City of Cullman Parks and Recreation, Ala.
he Fairfax County Park Authority has won the 2010 National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. The presentation was October 27 at NRPA’s Annual Congress & Exposition in Minneapolis. Fairfax won in the Class I category for communities of 250,000 or more residents. This is the third time Fairfax County has captured the highest honor in the parks and recreation field.
The City of Golden Colorado was awarded the grand prize as the Gold Medal winner in our category. They have applied three times and were a finalist in 2009 and 2010.
The agency’s video entry, part of the award requirements, is online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/press/html/pr10310.htm.
The other finalist that competed with the City of Fairfax were: Class V (population less than 25,000) • City of Green River Parks and Recreation Department, Wyo. • City of Golden Parks and Recreation Department, Colo.
Visit www.vrps.com or call VRPS Office at 804-730-9447 or email vrps@vrps.com for volunteer oppurtunities. Fall 2010
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News from Gloucester County
Chris Clifford G l o u c e s t e r C o u n t y, V i r g i n i a
Awarded the NRPA 2010 National Humanitarian Award
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seeding, fertilizing and mowing school and park fields.
hris Clifford has donated more than one million dollars in labor and equipment for park construction in Gloucester County, Virginia. As a marine contractor he didn’t have experience in building parks. When he saw the need eight years ago, he stepped forward, learned the skills and has been busily changing the landscape of Gloucester County ever since. Chris has spent endless hours on excavators and bulldozers constructing parks for the County. From constructing a field, to seeding it, to irrigating it, to cutting the grass, to recruiting more volunteers to cut grass, Chris has done it all. He is also a community leader, having served as the President of Baystars, FC, a travelling soccer club, and is the current chairperson of Park Partners, Inc., a “friends of the park”, non-profit group. Amazingly he still finds time to coach several youth soccer teams, lead training clinics for players and coaches and volunteer as a soccer referee. We know of no one else anywhere who has made the personal commitments that Chris Clifford has, not only has he given donations in machinery and loaned staff to work on park construction projects, but he has volunteered as the “County’s personal park contractor.” Many people write checks, but Chris writes the check and does the work. The County has not had any capital improvement funds for parks for several years. Sites would have been left 14
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His largest and on-going project is the creation of Woodville Park. A philanthropist gave the County 100 acres of land. Chris built a road into the site and is nearly through with digging a 2 acre pond. He has created one athletic field, is in the process of creating a second field and parking lot and will start this summer to clear land for a “wagon wheel” softball complex.
undeveloped if not for Chris. Hundreds and hundreds of children are playing on the fields that he created. The list of his contributions is almost endless but a few specific examples include: constructing 12 soccer fields on school property, creating a parking lot and athletic field at a new park which allowed it to be open to the public for the first time, creating two athletic fields at two county parks, grading a site for a new playground, repairing parking lots and school athletic fields, installing culverts to help with drainage problems, constructing a pier at a public boat landing, spending days and nights supervising construction fires, hauling equipment for the department and
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Chris led the way in having the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution regarding Woodville Park and the funding needed for park development. He organized a donation of funds from two non-profit organizations to provide matching funds needed for a construction grant. He challenged the Board to support the project. Chris brought to the Board $60,000 in matching funds from Baystars, FC and $32,000 from Park Partners, Inc. The Board voted to proceed with the project. Had Chris not been able to generate the matching funds, and organize the community support for the project which was shown that night as youth and adults spoke in favor of the grant, it is assured that the Board would have voted against the project. This park will be the largest park in Gloucester County offering an array of facilities that will attract residents and tourists.
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Imagine the result
Chris is a doer and with a hands-on approach to solving problems and issues. He prefers not to be involved in politics, but will step forward when needed. He is currently working with the Board of Park Partners to form a new citizens’ advocacy group called Friends of Woodville. He believes that this group will be able to solicit much needed donations for the park and to keep pressure on the Board of Supervisors to support the park’s construction. Chris has high standards as a paid professional and as a volunteer. He is very concerned about the environment and is known for his efforts in establishing living shorelines along the tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay. His company advocates techniques which are environmentally friendly rather than traditional bulkheads which are sometimes easier less expansive fixes but create long-term environmental harm. Chris is determined to not waste tax payer
or donor funds. He is resourceful and does things at minimum cost through volunteerism and thrifty use of equipment and materials. For example, he used excess dirt from one park to construct a soccer field at another site. He saved disposal fees and the cost to purchase materials. He also recently purchased a used dump truck because the County didn’t have the equipment he needed for construction.
his lead and helped with construction. Chris doesn’t wait for someone else to fix the problem. He believes everyone has a part and whether someone is a paid parks
Many people write checks, but Chris writes the check and does the work.
Chris has set a standard of commitment and caring for your community that he hopes other will follow. He has recruited businessmen and women to give of their time by cutting grass, watering fields, planting trees, picking up roots and sticks at construction sites and more. He has instilled high values to both of his children who have followed
and recreation employee or a citizen, that we all are responsible for how our community operates and the facilities made available for public use. His selfless gifts to the community define him as a national humanitarian.
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&
Building Partnerships Maximizing Resources VRPS Management Conference 2011 February 28 – March 1, 2011 Hilton Garden Inn • Suffolk, VA
Join us February 28 – March 1, 2011 for the 2011 VRPS Management Conference in Suffolk, Virginia at the Hilton Garden Inn and Suffolk Conference Center. This upcoming event will feature two full-day sessions on Monday and Tuesday along with a keynote presentation. We are currently looking for speakers to present topics such as: Developing Effective Sponsorship Packages Athletic Tournaments and Clinics as Revenue Sources Special Events on a Shoestring Budget Effectively Managing after Budget Reductions & Downsizing Managing Successful Internships Getting the Most Out of Volunteers Identifying Alternative Funding Sources for Programs Making Facilities More Energy Efficient As always, our goal is for participants to walk away with concrete tools and practical suggestions to easily implement into their new or existing programs, making both attendees and their programs stronger and better able to serve their communities.
LODGING INFORMATION Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk 100 East Constance Rd., Suffolk, VA 23434 $89 per night; Single/Double Occupancy + tax. For reservations, call (757) 925-1300. Rate is good until January 28, 2011 or until block is full.
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News from martinsville
Skate Park & Disc Golf
N e w to t h e J. F r a n k W i l s o n M e m o r i a l Pa r k
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n September 24th Martinsville will be adding a Skate Park to J. Frank Wilson Memorial Park and also adding a 18 Hole Disc Golf Park. In addition the Dick and Willie Passage will be complete in mid October. It will be a paved trail extending 4.5 miles in the Northern par of the City.
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News from the city of norfolk
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n October 2, the Norfolk Department of Recreation, Parks & Open Space opened its newest recreation facility, Northside Skate Plaza. Following the dedication ceremony, the plaza was used for skate team demonstrations and open skating. Since the opening, over 250 Norfolk residents and 150 non-residents have registered for annual passes to the park. City of Norfolk staff introduced the notion of a skate park in 2007 and conducted a feasibility study. The skate park gained public momentum, and in August 2008, at the request of citizens, the City Council approved Northside Park as the skate park site and funded the $850,000 project over three years. The Norfolk Department of Recreation, Parks & Open Space held two public charrettes in November 2008 and January 2009 and circulated a survey in order to garner citizen input on the skate
park’s design. A concept plan was selected, and construction began in January. The skate park design features mostly solid concrete construction; double Lshaped bowls that will appeal to traditional skateboarders; several different ramp, stair, railing, and jump configurations; and some open flat areas which allow for stunts and freestyle skateboarding. The skate park is open on its fall/winter schedule through Dec. 31. Hours are 12 noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. For more information, call the Skate Plaza at (757) 354-7531. Fall 2010
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diversity corner
Survey Indicates New Directions for the VRPS Cultural Diversity Resource Group By Allan S. Mills, Associate Professor VCU’s Wilder School for Government and Public Affairs
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Join us over the next several months as the New Cultural Diversity Resource Group examines words and phrases that reflect diversity. We invite you to provide your perspective, input, and respond with your views to jejones@fredericksburgva.gov so we can share and develop a consensus to the words and phrases we examine. Our first word is:
n May and June of 2009 a survey of the Cultural Diversity Resource Group (CDRG) was prepared and conducted by VRPS staff.. It was consisted of only four questions and was emailed to all CDRG members with email addresses on file. After one follow-up reminder, a total of 57 members answered the questions and sent their answers back to the VRPS office. Results are summarized below.
Diversity Diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizes our individual differences. Diversity runs along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. It is the exploration of these differences that lead to understanding and acceptance, and with understanding and acceptance we can move beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.
How do CDRG Members Define Cultural Diversity?
This question asked survey respondents to tell in their own words what the term cultural diversity meant to them. Their answers are summarized in Table 1 and discussed below.
Differences Among People. A typical response of this kind
given to this question was, “To me ‘cultural diversity’ refers to what we see and experience all around us here in the United States. We are a ‘melting pot’ society, blessed with a rich diversity.”
Professional Challenge or Mandate. These type responses
to this question tended to reflect the perspectives of the workplace and/or the profession. For example, one such answer was, “A workplace that is open and accepting of all cultures.”
Table 1
Meanings of Cultural Diversity Importance Number of Ranking: Meanings: Responses: 1. Differences among people n = 11 2. Professional challenge or mandate n = 11 3. Cross-cultural learning n= 6 4. Inclusion n= 6 5. Equality/human rights n= 3
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Cross-Cultural Learning.
One answer to the question that was typical of these crosscultural learning responses was, “Learning about different cultures and learning about their traditions and how they have adapted to life in the U.S…”
Inclusion.
Responses to this question labeled as inclusion emphasized the need to be “inclusive” in defining cultural diversity by including people who differ due to disabilities as well as people who differ in other ways. One typical inclusion response to this question was, “Cultural diversity is the acceptance of any individual, no matter what their race, nationality, or disability.”
Equality/ Human Rights. One of the most typical equality/human rights answers to this question was, “For me it (cultural diversity) represents a vision of equality and access to basic human rights for everyone, all the time, respectfully and with dignity.”
Why Did CDRG Respondents Join the Cultural Diversity Resource Group? In answer to this question, respondents could choose one or more of three possible reasons for joining. Over two thirds of the survey respondents indicated that they had joined because cultural diversity relates to their job. A slightly smaller proportion of respondents (64.9%) indicated that they had joined because cultural diversity is something important to them personally. Approximately 44% said they joined because it is important to the state of Virginia, and 17.% gave a variety of other reasons for joining.
How can VRPS Celebrate the Benefits of Cultural Diversity? For this question, respondents could again answer by choosing
one or more of four possible ways to celebrate cultural diversity. The answer selected most often (by 73.7% of the respondents) was to include diversity sessions at the annual VRPS conference. Two thirds of the respondents (66.7%) also answered that VRPS should celebrate cultural diversity by hosting educational workshops. More than a third of respondents (38.6%) also answered that VRPS should develop a human resources training program pertaining to cultural diversity for park and recreation employees. Several other miscellaneous answers were given by 14% of the respondents.
What Issues Need to Be Addressed by this Resource Group? The relative importance of issues identified in answers to this question was determined by the number of times that each issue identified was mentioned. The importance ranking of the issues was thus determined as: 1) workplace diversity – identified by 14 respondents, 2) programming for diversity – identified by 10 respondents, 3) education for diversity needs – identified by 8 respondents, 4) comprehensive inclusion – identified by 6 respondents, and 5) diversity of conference events – identified
by 6 respondents. Other issues, mentioned by fewer than six respondents, were: diversity trends, sex and gender issues, benefits for VRPS, CDRG membership, ethnicity and racial issues, community diversity needs, diversity problems, age diversity, religious diversity.
Discussion It is clear from the variety of answers to the first survey question summarized in Table 1 that CDRG members now tend to define cultural diversity much more broadly than it has been defined in the past. This, together with the fact that the largest proportion of CDRG respondents joined the Cultural Diversity Resource Group because it relates to their job, indicates that this resource group may now appeal to a broader spectrum of VRPS members than in past years. VRPS has begun to celebrate this broad interest in cultural diversity by increasing the number of diversity sessions at the annual conference. Top cultural diversity issues which now need to be addressed by VRPS are workplace diversity and programming for diversity. VRPS may be able to address member needs and further celebrate cultural diversity by hosting educational workshops.
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Virginia Recreation & Park Society 6372 Mechanicsville Turnpike Suite 109 Mechanicsville, VA 23111
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Thank you www.vrps.com
VRPS
For all your support in making 2010
another terrific year.
New in
2011
See you ThiS Spring! kingsdominion.com
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