The
Accounting Tip for the week:
Make sure you sign and date legibly.
Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Latta Nature Center Teaming with the Aquatic Center Teaming up with the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center was an easy choice this week for Latta Nature Center team. Latta Nature Center recreation and education staff were looking for a warm (and snow free) place to practice paddling and rescue techniques to keep their skills sharp, despite dropping temperatures outside. Thanks to the Aquatic Center team, the main tank was a perfect alternative to Mountain Island Lake this time of year.
Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Shortleaf Pine Restoration and Prescribed Fire The Natural Resources team in 2011 began a natural community restoration project focused on timber management. The project plan was to identify areas that were composed of Loblolly Pine in high density stands and convert them to Shortleaf pine. Loblolly pine is commonly planted for its use as lumber as well as pulpwood, also used for building material and paper. Charlotte is on the edge of loblolly’s range, so it does not occur naturally in high density stands.
The plan was to harvest the areas of loblolly pine, perform prescribed fire and replant with Shortleaf pine, a declining species. The areas that were reestablished with shortleaf pine are now due for prescribed fire which is a naturally occurring disturbance in the piedmont of the Carolinas and will be conducted sometime between the months of January and April.
Community & Recreation Centers Autumn Bookmark Creation The multicultural ESL students at Shamrock love creating and showing off their artwork. Last week, our students had fun creating dazzling bookmarks that they can use during their study time or when they read for fun! Projects like these are a great way for our participants to get a break from the stresses of their classwork, and use their creativity and imagination and a put smile on their face.
For more information about upcoming programs and events contact us at 980-314-1175 or ShamrockSeniorCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Community & Recreation Centers Methodist Home Recreation Center: Senior Pen Pals Some seniors have sharpened up their pencils and began writing to their “Pen Pal�. The partnership between MHRC and Shamrock Gardens Elementary School has allowed for this great intergenerational opportunity that strengthens the bond in our community. Whatever the content of the letter is, it sure does bring a smile to everyone involved. For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact MethodistHomeRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980-314-1123.
Community & Recreation Centers Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center: Computer Wiz 101 Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center has started Beginner Computer classes. Classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursday from 10:30am-11:30am. Participants are engaged in hands on demonstrations over 6 weeks to gain a better working knowledge of computers. The classes focus on the internet and safe practices to use while surfing the web. Participants will also learn how to navigate Microsoft Office applications Word, PowerPoint, and Publisher. Classes are currently full, however more classes may be added if there is interest. For more information about Computer Wiz classes and other programs at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center give us a call at 980-314-1111 or send an email at BetteRaeThomasRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCounty.gov.
Community & Recreation Centers Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center: Cheerleaders Give Back! The Bette Rae Thomas Cheerleaders took time on Saturday, December 1 to give back by partnering with I Am My Brother’s Keeper, a non-profit organization whose mission is to reach out to the less fortunate who are in need of food or clothing. The girls created an assembly line and worked as a team to pack over 100 bags! Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center could not be prouder of this outstanding group of women.
For more information about programs and events, email: BetteRaeThomasRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call: 980-314-1111
Community & Recreation Centers Ivory/Baker Recreation Center: Drop-In Program: Tree Decorating Sometimes the girls who regularly visit the center are anxious to participate in new activities. This past week was no different when they dropped in to decorate our mini tree outside in the garden for the Holidays. They used ornaments made by preschoolers in our Miles of Smiles Program. For more information about our programs, please call 980-314-1112 or email: IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MeckNC.Gov.
Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: A Week’s Worth of FUN! Naomi Drenan Recreation Center had a fun and meaningful week of 4H projects, literacy lessons, skill sessions, and youth basketball practices. Kids and families in the community are looking forward to an impactful holiday season of programs, sports, and service projects. For more information about our programs, events and volunteer opportunities, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980-314-1100.
Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: Fall Garden Club Wraps Up As the Garden Club at Berewick Recreation Center wrapped up its 8 weeks, the participants worked hard cleaning out the garden beds to prepare them for planting the winter vegetables. The winter vegetables that were planted were: arugula, turnip greens, lettuce, kale, and chard. The children also made bird feeders to take home on their last class. The children are looking forward coming back for the Spring Garden club in April.
For more information regarding youth programming and other upcoming events, contact staff at BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1102.
Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: CMS Early Release Day When CMS has an Early Release Day, Berewick Recreation Center offers a program for parents to place their children at where it is safe, but more importantly where it is FUN! The fourteen children were able to do their homework, play a variety of board games, video games, Legos, make a craft to take home and more. Staff even popped some good old-fashioned popcorn to enjoy for snack. The next CMS Early Release Day will be January 9, 2019. We are taking registration now. For more information regarding youth programming and other upcoming events, contact staff at BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1102.
Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: Start Smart Basketball Basketball at its finest. Berewick Recreation Center completed week 2 of 6 of our Start Smart Basketball program consisting of twenty (20) 3-4 year olds, along with their parents, as they work together on their basic basketball skills of dribbling, shooting, passing and more. The Start Smart program is facilitated by Recreation Center staff, that meets once a week on Thursdays from 6pm to 7pm.
For more information regarding preschool programming and other upcoming events, contact staff at BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1102.
Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: Afterschool Basketball Concludes Berewick Afterschool Basketball was a program for youth aged 5-12. Our afterschool basketball program had staff run the program every Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours from 3:30pm to 5:30pm for the month of November. We focused on teaching the children the importance of fundamentals of basketball. We had 40 participants enrolled and they seemed to enjoy what they were learning while having fun playing at the same time. Below are a few pictures of our young ballers having fun, learning the game, and at the end of the month, they received a medal and were able to keep their jerseys. For more information about our afterschool programs, contact staff at BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1102.
Community & Recreation Centers Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services: Rockin’ Rollers Rockin’ Rollers is a fun, new program designed for ages 15 and older with a disability. This program is provided twice a month, and we travel to Kate’s Skating Rink and spend an hour and a half getting funky on skates, while having a fun time with friends! This program provides the participants an opportunity to maintain/improve socialization skills and their physical ability skills. Carina.Castro@MeckNC.Gov
Community & Recreation Centers Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services: Winterfest Snowflakes, festive carolers and warm hot chocolate? Check, check, check! We enjoyed ALL of this and more during our outing to Winterfest at Carowinds. Not only were the participants bathed in thousands of lights, but they also enjoyed spectacular performances of all the holiday favorites around the park. Even with the chance of “frightful” weather couldn’t keep our participants from riding lots of rides. Their favorite rides were the Do-Si-Do and the Rockin’ Roller. We hope to continue this wintery tradition for many years to come! Danielle.Dobbs@MeckNC.Gov
Recreate All Year! 5841 Brookshire Blvd.
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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 Richard . McNeill @MecklenburgCountyNC.gov for publication assistance.
The Friday Letter Volume 8 • Issue 48 • December 14, 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, Sr. Fiscal Administrator Vacant, Capital Planning Terri Stowers, Community and Recreation Center Services Vacant, Park Operations Chris Matthews, Nature Preserves and Natural Resources