Help build the new playground at Bladensburg Community Center.
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This edition of The Volunteers' Corner, we are highlighting one of our long-time volunteers, Kenny Battle. Kenny volunteers on the green at the Enterprise Golf Course. “I was a ranger when I first started. I’ve been with the Department volunteering for about 8 years now,” he said. Kenny has always been a golfer. “I always played golf, so I am always out there,” said Kenny. Volunteering at the golf course became a way for Kenny to give back to the community and keep his skills sharp. A win/ win. Even though he enjoys the game himself, Kenny also finds pleasure in teaching others about golf, especially young children. “Great opportunity for the kids who come out there, and we provide the practice balls for them and make sure they have the equipment to learn and be taught,” he said. He likes to share golf tips with patrons then watch them come back each week. Kenny says he’s seeing the fruit of his labor.
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He is at the Enterprise Golf Course on the weekends for about four to five hours. Some of his duties include driving the range to retrieve golf balls and putting them back into the dispenser. He also cleans carts and recharges them so they are up and running for the next day. In the eight years he has been with us, Kenny says he’s ran into childhood and college friends. He says he even volunteers alongside a few people who go to his church. “We (the volunteers at the golf course) support one another, if one of us has to travel or have other commitments in our life scheduled, we help each other,” he said.
It’s a team effort, to make sure each guest has everything they need to have a pleasant experience. “We cover each other so it’s no gap in the support we provide,” he said. Kenny says the green turf is his happy place. “It’s an area where I find peace and tranquilly, just being around the golf course,” said Kenny. It’s been eight years down, and hopefully for Kenny, forever to go. “If you all keep me, I will always volunteer with you guys,” said Kenny.
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President Joe Biden’s COVID -19 Action Plan |
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As the world is working to recover from COVID-19 and the viral infection that has taken lives of billions across the world, President Joe Biden has formed an action plan to make America a safer place. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says the COVID-19 vaccine is proven to reduce the symptoms and complications one may experience after contacting the infection. This month the Biden administration is making mandatory changes in the United States to ensure that the COVID-19 numbers decrease.
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Here’s President Biden’s action plan for the United States:
- Require all employers with 100+ employees to ensure their workers are vaccinated or tested weekly
- Require vaccinations for all federal workers and for millions of contractors that do business with the federal government
- Require COVID-19 vaccinations for over 17 million health care workers at Medicare and Medicaid participating hospitals and other health care settings
- Calling on large entertainment venues to require proof of vaccination or testing for entry
- Requiring employers to provide paid time off to get vaccinated
- Providing easy access to booster shots for all eligible Americans
- Ensuring Americans know where to get a booster
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An ice rink once damaged by fire has been newly renovated, and the Prince George’s County community and Tucker Road Ice Rink staff are thrilled the doors have reopened. Nearly four years ago, a fire started in the ceiling of the Tucker Road Ice Rink. It caused severe damages to the Fort Washington skating rink that has been around since the 70’s. The rink shutdown in order to reconstruct what was destroyed. After more than two years of renovations, Tucker Road Ice Rink is reopened with a fresh new look.
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The ice rink is now more spacious and accommodating for the public. The ice rink is more than 48,000 square feet and the bleachers can seat up to 300 guests. There’s a café, a skate rental area, warm up area and dance room, along with six locker rooms and a spacious lobby. The ice rink officially reopened in August. All guests who plan to utilize the facility are required to wear a mask. |
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College Park Aviation Museum |
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The College Park Aviation Museum has been chosen by kidsoutandabout.com as one of the top 20 places to take children in the DC Metropolitan area. The world’s oldest continuously operating airport was selected as #12. The 27,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility features an open exhibit that displays unique aircrafts and artifacts. Visit the College Park Aviation Museum and learn about the history of some of the very first flights to take-off, or get creative with some hands on activities. You can also check out the numerous volunteer opportunities M-NCPPC has to offer at the museum. The College Park Aviation Museum has reopened to the public and is now accepting reservations and walk ins. Click here for more information on how to secure your next visit.
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Walking can be an essential part of staying healthy and active. Did you know you carry your own body weight when you walk? Walking, like dancing and hiking, falls under the category of weight bearing exercises. Just walking at least 30 minutes a day can be extremely beneficial to your overall health.
The weight bearing exercise is known to:
- Increase your cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness.
- Help manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness and diabetes.
- Reduce risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Increase muscle strength and endurance.
- Make stronger bones and improve your balance
- Reduce body fat.
That’s just a few results you will gain from taking a daily walk. The good news is M-NCPPC is here to help you meet these goals with our Walk with Ease program. The program is September 13- October 22, 9 am to 10 am Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for ages 18 and up. The plan is to help keep our community in shape. Walk with Ease is Arthritis Foundation certified and doctor recommended. You have the option of participating either virtually or in person. In person walking will be held at Bladensburg Waterfront Park Mondays and Wednesdays. Fridays will be virtual. If you choose to participate in person all COVID-19 protocols will be strictly enforced in order to keep everyone safe. Register here
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Summer is coming to an end and fall is underway. Typically the end of summer means all the fun outdoor activities come to a halt and children are back in school. If you’re still looking for a way to shed some pounds and stay fit during the less active time of the year, we’d like to invite you to our FREE Fall Fitness classes. Every week this fall you will be able to find us at one of our local M-NCPPC parks getting things moving! Register here and find out which class is the best fit for you.
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Managing The Winter Blues |
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Did you know your emotions can shift based on the time of the year and/or the weather? It’s a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, Seasonal Depression or Winter Blues. On average, SAD typically last from fall until spring for those who suffer from it. With less Vitamin D and shorter days, these changes can have an impact on your emotions. Symptoms of SAD include feelings of loneliness, anxiety, hopelessness, depression, fatigue and social withdraw. This disorder is usually self-diagnosable. With the world also experiencing a pandemic, those who suffer from seasonal sadness may have an even tougher time fighting against it this season. All hope is not lost! We have put a list together to help you manage the winter blues this fall/winter.
- Stay active- physical activity is known to improve your overall mental health.
- Maintain a close knit social circle- planning outings when possible and just having a group of people to talk to regularly can play a major role in keeping your mental state balanced.
- Stick to a routine- do more than just work and go home. Go for a walk, have dinner with a friend, attend a sports game or concert. Although many activities stop during the fall/winter months, there are still countless opportunities to have fun and be social.
- Stay positive- your thought, and how you speak to yourself are very important. Keep a journal, write down your thoughts and goals. Jotting down your summer plans will give you something to look forward to.
- Lastly- know that this is a phase. It will not last forever, and before no time, the sun will be shinning, and everything will be all good.
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In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.
M-NCPPC’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County is a Certifying Organization that has been granted authority to give out the PVSA to volunteers. Certifying Organizations verify and certify that a volunteer has met the requirements (minimum 50 volunteer hours per year) to receive a PVSA within a 12- month period. Only Certifying Organizations can certify volunteers’ eligibility for the PVSA and order awards.
For more information about the PVSA, contact Teresa.gardner-w@pgparks.com
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If you have questions about volunteering or student-service learning hours, contact jo-ann.martinez@pgparks.com.
If you have any ideas for upcoming newsletter features, contact andrea.braswell@pgparks.com.
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