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Team Building and Orienteering East Meck Teen Group came out to McDowell Nature Center to participate in a team building and orienteering program. The group consisted of sophomore boys and their teacher, they were given challenges to work together as a team to complete tasks. One such challenge had the group transferring a tennis ball from one water bottle to another using string and a ring. They completed this task in 7 mins and 15 seconds. Once the ball was being transferred they had navigate through the nature center to the other bottle. Only one person could talk and if the ball dropped or another person who wasn’t the leader spoke, they had to start over. After the team building they hit the trails to learn how to orienteer. Orienteering is a sport that uses map and compass to navigate to different points on the map/course. The group split up and had a competition to complete the course. This is the second time this group has come out to participate in a program at McDowell.
Annual Deer Hunts This year marks the 25th deer hunting season in Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves. When the first hunt began in 1994, the deer population at Cowan’s Ford Wildlife Refuge was so high that there was severe damage to the vegetation. The hunts are conducted annually to keep the deer population at a healthy level. Natural resources management including burning, forest thinning, and invasive species control also contribute to a healthy ecosystem and deer herd. Hunts are held at Cowan’s Ford Wildlife Refuge, Latta Nature Preserve, and McDowell Nature Preserve. We don’t allow bow hunting, but offer 2 days of blackpowder hunting and 2 days of shotgun hunting at each preserve. Hunters are selected by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and must attend an orientation/safety meeting before each hunt. Hunters are allowed to keep the deer they shoot, although some choose to donate to Charlotte Refugee Services.
This photo was taken after the hunts this year.
Community & Recreation Centers Methodist Home Recreation Center: Start Smart Basketball Methodist Home Recreation Center has tipped off the Winter season with our annual Start Smart Basketball Program. Participants were eager to get on the court for the first time and start working on drills with their parents. To wrap up the first session, the kids lined up toe-to-toe with their parents and competed in the agility relay race where the kids ran away with it! We are looking forward to the remainder of the program and hope to some of our Bulls on the court come Youth Basketball season! 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: Youth Fall Sports The fall sports season has come to an end and we couldn’t have asked for a better season for all our teams. Each of our 7 teams were competitive in their respected division with our 10U soccer team losing in the semi-final game. We had the privilege to add a cheerleading team this fall, and they supported our flag football teams. As always, the players did not want the season to end, but having the team party at Defy Gravity made it a lot easier to accept!
For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact MethodistHomeRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980-314-1123.
Community & Recreation Centers Shamrock’s Walking Seniors! What an inspiring few months our seniors have had participating in our Shamrock Walking Club! Our seniors have shown true dedication and amazing improvements over the last few months. Many of the participants have improved their balance and coordination, walking speed, increased stamina and energy levels as well as weight loss and lowered blood pressure by joining our walking club. There has been an increase in confidence and mood as well as in increase in socialization amongst the seniors. Our multicultural students have also been inspired and have started walking as a form as exercise between their ESL classes. As some of our participants confidence builds, they are able to give up their walking aids and walk on their own again. In September our participants walked 1,742 laps total, by October our participants increased 131% by walking 4,026 laps! We are so proud of our seniors and want them to keep up the great work! For more information about upcoming programs and events contact us at 980-314-1175 or ShamrockSeniorCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Community & Recreation Centers Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services: Adapted Tennis We’re learning the skills to play short court and full court Tennis! Over the course of 6 weeks, players learned to move in ready position, forehand, backhand, and an overhand serve. By the end of the program, participants were beginning to learn how to volley back and forth to each other. For more information about the program, please contact Danielle Dobbs-Jackson. Danielle.Dobbs@MeckNC.Gov
Community & Recreation Centers Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services: Monthly Dances On November 16, 2018, Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services held our monthly dance. With the theme of “Game On,� decorations included Pac-man, Tetris, Sonic, and Marion brothers. For dinner participants enjoyed a nacho bar with all the fixings! Participants became competitive during video game trivia. And of course, there was plenty of dancing throughout the night. Our monthly dances occur every third Friday of the month from 6 to 9 pm and have a different theme. Mistie.Williams@mecknc.gov or Stephanie.Myers@mecknc.gov
Community & Recreation Centers Tyvola Senior Center Celebrates Veterans Day Tyvola Senior Center hosted its annual Veterans Day Breakfast earlier in November as a way to say thank you for the veterans who fought and served for our country. Veterans and their spouses enjoyed a hot breakfast and reminisced about their military duties and what they did at home. Patriotic music was played to commemorate America’s day to honor our veterans. Catch us next Veterans Day to see what Tyvola Senior Center has in stored to honor our veteran participants! For more information, contact Tyvola Senior Center at TyvolaSeniorCenter@MeckNC.gov or 980.314.1320.
Community & Recreation Centers Albemarle Road Recreation Center: School Day Out Program ARRC school day out program took their fieldtrip to a local farm. The children had the opportunity to see roosters, goats and horses. They also got a chance to get creative with a fall themed craft. ARRC holds school day out programs on a regular basis. For more information on our school day out programs please contact Albemarle Road Recreation Center at 980-314-1101 or email us at AlbemarleRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov.
Community & Recreation Centers Ivory/Baker Recreation Center: Anita Stroud Afterschool S.T.E.M. Program Recreation Specialists from IBRC found a unique S.T.E.M. activity called Pumpkin Geoboard to reuse a deteriorating, decorative pumpkin. First, participants strategically thought of where to insert the push pins into the pumpkin. Next, the students used rubber bands and string to create different geometric shapes around the pins on the pumpkin. After everyone participated, we viewed and briefly discussed the shapes that were created. Finally, we went outside to explore the inside of the pumpkin. Participants were anxiously involved in feeling the squishy internal contents of the pumpkin. A few students took some pumpkin seeds home to store them for replanting next season. For more information about our programs, please call 980-314-1112 or email: IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MeckNC.Gov.
Community & Recreation Centers Ivory Baker Recreation Center: Slackline in the Park Show and Tell turned into an afternoon of adventure for some of the neighborhood regulars at Ivory/Baker Recreation Center. Staff set up a slackline (a strip of webbing that is fixed above the ground but not stretched tight, used to balance on in the sport of slacklining) in front of the center, when some of the regular youth walked by and were invited to test their balance while walking across the slackline. Fun in the park was had by all.
For more information about our programs, please call 980-314-1112 or email: IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MeckNC.Gov.
Community & Recreation Centers West Charlotte Recreation Center: Discover CLT West Charlotte Recreation Center had another out of school day activity! We went to Hall Family Farm for a hay ride, corn maze, petting zoo and many other fun fall festivities! The kids also got to pick out their very own pumpkin to take home from Simpson’s Produce. Everyone enjoyed spending time with one another and they even got the chance to put their creative minds and style to use by painting their pumpkins!
For more information about our programs here at West Charlotte Recreation Center, call us at 980-314-1120 or email us at WestCharlotteRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Community & Recreation Centers Tom Sykes Recreation Center: Family Bike Rides For a few weekends, families took advantage of the wonderful early fall weather. The blue skies, cool air and warm sunshine were a delight as we rolled down the Four Mile Creek and McAlpine greenways. During these family-oriented bike rides, nobody gets left behind. This is because the group’s pace is dictated by the slowest rider. It’s perfect, because everyone gets the perfect balance of exercise, fun and relaxation. These rides are typically 4 miles in length, takes about an hour and a half to finish (especially with younger children), and is open to all age groups. Join us next time! Bring the whole family! Watch out for our upcoming rides! For more information about our programs, events and volunteer opportunities, contact TomSykesRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980-314-1113.
Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center /Grayson Skate Park: Programs and More Naomi Drenan Recreation Center is full of excitement as the holidays are here. 4 -H and community kids have teamed up to decorate the center with awesome holiday and winter decorations. PE is learning and developing general athletic skills and the skate park is packed with skaters and BMX riders due to the beautiful 50 and 60 degree days Charlotte has had.
For more information about our programs, events and volunteer opportunities, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980-314-1100.
Community & Recreation Centers Methodist Home Recreation Center: Youth Basketball Season Begins! Tip-off for the 2018-2019 Youth Basketball season is right around the corner and our participants could not be more excited! The Bulls will represent Methodist Home Recreation Center in three divisions including 6U, 8U and 10U. Players began practicing earlier in November and are itching to get the first games underway within the next two weeks. Be ready for a show when the Bulls come to a gym near you! For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact MethodistHomeRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980-314-1123.
Community & Recreation Centers Elon Recreation Center: Nintendo Labo Workshop This past Thursday, Elon Recreation Center hosted its first Nintendo Labo workshop. This free event was open to students in grades 3-6 who also attend the homeschool program at the center. The Nintendo Labo is a fully interactive instructor guided workshop that introduces the basic principles of science and engineering. The program encourages teamwork, creativity and learning. Students had the opportunity to indulge in a 60-minute interactive workshop that featured building a Toy-Con RC car from the Nintendo Labo: Variety Kit and they also participated in gameplay to test out their RC cars. They were also introduced to Toy-Con Garage mode, an intuitive and interactive programming tool that let them customize their RC Car’s behavior. At the end of the workshop, students were able to leave with their cardboard creations to enjoy at home over the holiday. For more information regarding youth programming and upcoming events, contact Elon Recreation Center at 980-314-1103 or email ElonRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.
Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: Start Smart Soccer Berewick Recreation Center finished the fall season of Start Smart Soccer. This program was facilitated by recreation center staff every Thursday from 6:00pm6:50pm for six weeks. In the past six weeks, children, ages 3-5 years, learned from staff and their parent’s the proper techniques of kicking, a 2-hand throw in, a corner kick and many other soccer techniques. While kicking and screaming all around the gym to the soccer field, our little soccer stars had a blast learning a new sport. Each participant received a cool soccer ball and a medal for completing the 6-week session. Next up is our winter season of Start Smart Basketball starting this Thursday. For more information, contact staff at BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1102.
Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: Berewick’s 10U Soccer Champions Berewick Recreation Center’s Soccer Team United brought home the gold in this year’s county-wide 10U soccer tournament! Team United came together to pull off a 2-0 win over Elon Recreation Center’s team, whom fought hard to get the championship game this past weekend. Team United was coached by 6-year volunteer coach Solomon Gardner. We would like to give some special thanks and congratulations to our 10U players and coach for a job well done! And “Thank you” to all of our youth soccer participants and volunteer coaches on a great soccer season! For more information about our upcoming youth programs, contact staff at BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1102.
Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: REC Mentee of the Year Award goes to Ashley Mayfield from Berewick This year, Berewick staff were proud to have 2 great REC Mentees, Ashley & Caleb, working for us these past eight months and we hate losing them as they graduated earlier this month. Our very own Ashley Mayfield achieved the highest honor by winning the REC Mentee of the Year Award. This award symbolizes not just coming to work on time and doing the tasks assigned to do, but to step it up and go beyond the call of duty. Ashley attends Olympic High School, played 3 sports (volleyball, basketball & track), maintained a 3.9 GPA, as well as coming to work 10 hours per week assisting staff with a wide variety of programs we offered such as art, Legos, summer camp, garden club, afterschool & preschool sports, holiday programs and more. Also a REC Mentee, she and Caleb had to attend specialized trainings and work youth track meets and special events outside of the recreation center. Congratulations to both Ashley Mayfield and Caleb Muhammed and all the other graduates for a job well done and to have success throughout school and life!
Sports & Fitness and GCC/ALMS Adult Softball The Sassy Softball Sisters, comprised on women ages 50 and over, were featured on the PBS Charlotte show Carolina Impact on WTVI last week. These dynamic ladies play 10 league games on Thursdays at Revolution Park this season. The Plum Crazies were the Fall Champions, finishing with an 8-2 record. Follow the YouTube link to learn more about the senior women’s softball league. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu-ctZLCnJs For more information on our Adult tournaments and leagues, visit www.parkandrec.com or connect with us by email at AdultSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or by phone at (980) 314-1117.
Sports & Fitness and GCC/ALMS
5841 Brookshire Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28216 (980) 314-1000
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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 FridayLetterTeam@MecklenburgCountyN C.gov for publication assistance.
The Friday Letter Volume 8 • Issue 46• November 30, 2018
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 Lee Jones, Director Peter Cook, Deputy Director Renea Barber, Human Resources Liz Morrell, Strategic Planning and Evaluation Lorraine Bias, Budget Administration Vacant, Capital Planning Terri Stowers, Community and Recreation Center Services Vacant, Park Operations Chris Matthews, Nature Preserves and Natural Resources