Dr. John Winkin, vice president of sports leadership and head baseball coach at Husson College in Bangor, has been selected to receive the 2006 Distinguished Service Award from the Katahdin Area Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Winkin will be honored Nov. 15 during an award dinner at the Bangor Civic Center. The event will include a reception at 6 p.m., followed by the meal at 7.

Winkin has been chosen for the award because of his support of the community, the state and higher education. He is a strong supporter of youth movements and believes in the values and principles of scouting.

The event serves as the largest fundraiser for the Katahdin Area Council, which serves more than 6,000 young people in six northern and eastern counties.

Those wishing to attend the dinner or make a donation to the Katahdin Area Council should call 800-353-5888 or 866-2241.

Dinner tickets are $75 each and are tax-deductible.

Thomas dedicates Alfond Center

Thomas College in Waterville has planned a ceremony for Thursday during which it will launch the official opening of the Harold Alfond Athletic Center.

The invitation-only event is scheduled for 5 p.m.

A variety of activities are planned to thank Alfond for his $1.25 million gift and to recognize other donors for the project.

“Mr. Alfond, his family, Thomas alumni, parents and friends have played a critical role in transforming the Thomas campus,” said Conrad Ayotte, chairman of the board of trustees. “The athletic center will triple the number of varsity, club and intramural teams that can simultaneously practice or hold games.”

The facility opened Monday.

The 38,000-square-foot field house features a three-court surface with synthetic flooring, a jogging track, a comprehensive fitness center, a multipurpose aerobic exercise room, locker rooms, a training room and equipment storage space.

Mahaney lauded by governor

Gov. John E. Baldacci recently celebrated the memory of Bangor businessman and philanthropist Larry Mahaney, who died in March after suffering a stroke at his home in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Baldacci last Thursday participated in the dedication of the Larry K. Mahaney Athletic Park at Catherine McAuley High School in Portland. The $100,000 donation for the six-acre field was the last gift Mahaney made before he died.

“Larry was a successful and forward-thinking businessman who believed in service to his community,” Baldacci said. “Larry’s life-long passion for giving prompted him to support many projects around the state that enhance the quality of life for Mainers, especially our children.”

The governor proclaimed Sept. 28 as “Mahaney Family Day.”

Mainers dot Springfield roster

When the Springfield College comes to Bangor to face Husson College in its first road game of the football season Saturday, the Pride’s numerical roster will include two names familiar to Eastern Maine football fans.

Senior center Mike Mestieri of Fairfield, the son of Colby College coach Ed Mestieri, anchors an offensive line that has helped Springfield amass an average of 415.0 rushing yards per game, second-best in NCAA Division III.

The 6-foot, 240-pound Mestieri, who played at Lawrence High before matriculating to Springfield, is a first-year starter for coach Mike DeLong’s undefeated Pride. Springfield (4-0) is ranked 20th nationally in NCAA Division III and has been No. 1 in the New England Division III coaches poll since opening its season with a 38-30 upset of then-No. 11 Union.

The second Mainer on Springfield’s numerical roster is former Fitzpatrick Trophy winner Nick Tymoczko of Bucksport. The 5-10, 185-pound sophomore has played in two games so far this fall, gaining 12 yards on two carries.