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A Blog About a Blog

by Nancy Turnage

Member Services Coordinator

Virginia Recreation and Park Society

In my position at VRPS Central Office, I love watching the evolution of service areas and resource groups from year-to-year, and in particular, their stellar efforts at growth.  It seems that in July, when we're putting together resource group and service area ballots for the following year (yes, it starts in July), that we were just starting to get a groove going with the current year boards.

However, I am seeing greater transition between the two teams - the current and oncoming ones.  There is less "starting over" and more "picking up where we left off".

For example, Senior Resource Group is holding call-in meetings, formulating a theme-driven effort for the year, and blogging.  Aquatics Resource Group is hosting GoTo meetings, employing creative methods to expand their reach, and qualifying themselves to be a go-to resource in Virginia for aquatics training.  And, several of the event committees are charting new territory as well, into the world of webinars and Google docs and apps and WebEx.

Recently, under the guidance of Chair Heather Grubb (Special Events Coordinator, Henrico County Recreation and Parks), the Central Service Area has initiated its own blog.

So, in a sense, this is a blog about a blog.  Central Service Area is employing some newer "talent" (i.e. what some of us would consider professionals on the more youthful side) to reach a wider audience and highlight their objectives.

2017 is off to a great start!

Dancing for the Heart and Mind

by Adriana Carr, MPA

Senior Center Director

Arlington County Department of Parks & Recreation

“There are short cuts to happiness and dancing is one of them” – Vicki Baum.

It’s time to start talking about dancing.  Why? Well so many of us work with participants who are crazy about dancing. Most of all, because it’s fun and being ambassadors of fun is one of the many hats we wear.  If you’re looking to add extra pizazz to your programming, consider more dance.

According to a Harvard Mahoney Neuroscience Institute Letter, dance is one of those activities that exercises both the brain and body.  Learning new steps or patterns activates the neurons and moving to music moves your body.  There are also the benefits that are gained from listening to music when exercising.

For those of you who love the science of things, dancing improves motor function, memory, spatial recognition and increases endorphin levels.  Dance is also utilized as a way to treat neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.  On the social and big picture side, a whole group of people moving to music, smiling and having a great time is always a wonderful sight to see.

Scheduling any type of partner dance program always brings with it the challenge of one gender outnumbering the other.  That’s why line dancing is a perfect choice.  No partner necessary!  The music that accompanies a line dance can be as varied as the choreography.  Country western, Motown or popular dance music are all good choices.  The complexity of the dance can also vary according to the level of the people doing the dances.  The most important thing is that everyone can dance.

Of course, there are some sticky details to consider.  I have on one occasion or two blindly set up a line dance event only to be flummoxed by the different definitions of dance levels.  To me a beginner dance is for someone who barely knows their right foot from their left.  That’s not quite right apparently.  There are several levels: beginner, beginner-beginner,  just getting started beginner, dance newbie (different from beginner-beginner) and new beginner.  I gave up before I could even get to the next level!  That’s where having a season line dance teacher comes in handy.  They tell you what level, steps and music are involved.

After all that, I still believe that if you want to improve your fun credentials, you can’t go wrong with including several line dance programs.  You might even want to organize a line dance party!  Speaking of parties, we’re still hoping to coordinate a state-wide line dance event.  What line dance levels does your center offer? What’s the most popular types of music?  Let us know.

Karen

Janice

Cheryl
Hope

Travels with the Awards Committee

by Sandy Kellogg

Aquatic Operations Supervisor, Mount Vernon RECenter

Fairfax County Park Authority
VRPS Aquatics Resource Group 2016 Chair

VRPS 2016 Awards Co-Chair

In case you missed the premier event of the season, it’s available online!  No, not the Oscars or even the Razzies, we just finished the VRPS Awards webinar.  It is archived on the VRPS webinar page, available for immediate viewing, and if you combine it with the upcoming Dog Park webinar can actually count forCEU’s (CEU Session Approval for Workshop Attendance), much more useful than a shiny gold statue!

We have already published blogs about the awards process, the ways to submit, even the amount of work that is represented in the number of submissions.  That’s not what I want to talk about.  What I want to talk about is much more fun, and much more important for the Awards committee.

I drive a lot through the state. The Aquatics Resource Group keeps me moving to different trainings, roundtables and meetings.  The best part about serving on the Awards Committee has been recognizing some of the amazing places and events that this state has to offer.  I am very proud to work for the Fairfax County Park Authority, and the renovation at the Watermine Family Swimming Hole is amazing and HUGE, but I will never drive through Staunton without thinking about "Irish Road Bowling", go through Henrico county without thinking to myself “it’s pronounced Hen-Rye-Co”, or see public art without wishing I could get down to Danville to walk the art trail.

The awards are not just about the plaque or the picture; it truly is about the excitement, the spirit and the pride that goes into projects all around the state.  I admit I have a soft spot for the small departments, the rural locations, and the shoestring budgets that bring such amazing programs and facilities to the people of this state.  As we go into another award season, please make sure you are letting your passion show in your applications, but more importantly know that we truly are making a difference.

Click here for a link to past winner archives and the 2017 application - recognizing excellence in 2016.

Many thanks to Boomer and Waldo, both of who inspired the Awards Webinar presenters.  Which are you?  #TEAMDOG or #TEAMCAT ??