50th Anniversary Spotlight April 2017

Aswecelebrate50yearsofParksandRecreationinBurlingtonwewanttohighlightsomeofthestaffandvolunteersthatmaketheBurlingtonParks&RecreationDepartmentoneofthebestdepartmentsinthestate.Overthenext12monthsweencourageyoutostopbackandmeetsomeofthepeoplethatmake your experienceswithus fun, educational andmemorable. Make sure to visit our50thAnniversarypageorjoinusonFacebook&Twittertostayuptodateonthelatest50thAnniversarynewsandspecialevents.ThankyouforcontinuingtosupportParks&RecreationinBurlington.

Rachel Fennell Rachel Fennell is a member of The Community Theatre Group of Burlington (Burlington Players) and is a longtime Burlington Parks and Recreation program participant and volunteer. Rachel started as a student in a Children’s Theater workshop in 1977. She went through both youth programs and joined the Board of Directors of the Burlington Players as an adult, even serving as president for 14 years. Currently she is the Director of Education for the Burlington Players. When asked what she does in her spare time (other than theater) she said she ”likes to read and spend time with her family.” Rachel “loves the creative process and teamwork required to bring a show to the stage and the supportive and wonderful community at the Park Playhouse.” She also enjoys volunteering at Parks and Recreation Department events such as Breakfast with Santa, the Tree lighting and Celebrate Burlington. We are happy to have Rachel as a volunteer with the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department and look forward to working together for years to come.

Larry Nobrega April is National Volunteer Month, making it the perfect month to spotlight one of BPRD’s longtime volunteers – Larry Nobrega. Larry has been teaching boating courses with the department for 12+ years, and has about 30 years of experience teaching boating safety and skills courses. The two current courses he instructs are Sailing Fundamentals and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Boating Skills and Seamanship course. These classes cover everything from types of boats and sail selection to compasses and finding your way on the water. Larry noted being able to teach courses through, and work with, the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department is a noteworthy accomplishment for him; he has worked with many different towns and departments and has yet to find another that offers the fullness of programs that our department offers. If he could give any advice to Burlington residents it would be to take advantage of all the programs we offer - because there is something for everyone.

When asked what his favorite part is about volunteering for BPRD he stated “There’s nothing that is not my favorite, I enjoy the students and the staff!” When he isn’t volunteering Larry takes part in activities including woodworking, furniture making, model building, and photography.