Parks and Recreation

BANGOR – City Manager Edward Barrett announced the appointment of Tracy Willette as director of the parks and recreation department, subject to confirmation by the City Council at its regular meeting on Feb. 25. Willette was chosen from a field of 30 applicants, six of whom were interviewed for the position.

Willette has served as Bangor’s superintendent of recreation since 1999. He has been instrumental in operating and supervising the city’s recreation program and implementing several new or expanded programs including a new summer day camp, the Beth Pancoe Aquatic Center and expanded youth programming.

Before coming to Bangor, Willette was recreation coordinator for the city of Waterville and a parks and cemetery foreman with the city of Brewer. He is president of the Maine Recreation and Park Association and has a bachelor’s degree in physical education.

“Tracy knows our community and our department, has worked closely with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board,” Barrett said. “He is highly regarded by those who support our parks and use our recreational programs. He is well-suited to build on the department’s current strengths and move the department forward into the future.”

“I am pleased to be taking on the challenge of leading the parks and recreation department,” Willette said. “These are exciting times in Bangor as we move forward in the development of our Waterfront Park, work on expanding and integrating our trail system, and are challenged to find new and exciting ways to assist all ages in our community to remain active, fit and well. I am looking forward to working with the community, the council and other city staff to address these and other open space and recreation issues in the coming years.”

Willette will fill the position vacated by the retirement of Frank Comeau in December.

OT seniors-faculty game

OLD TOWN – Once again, an athletic contest pits youth and elders as the Old Town High School faculty face a new crop of seniors in the annual Faculty vs. Seniors basketball game at 7 p.m. Friday, March 7, in McKenzie Gymnasium at Old Town High School.

A tradition at Old Town High, this intergenerational drama takes place as the community’s adults-to-be measure themselves against those who have proven themselves along life’s course.

Faculty coach Marty Clark recalls that “from all past experience, this game is a good time for both the players and the crowd.” However, this year’s game may be “one of the toughest yet” for the faculty, given the “solid core of senior boys and the excellent talent among the senior girls.” When pressed, Clark further acknowledged that the faculty may be “one year older.”

Matt Thebarge, coach for the senior team, feels reason for optimism. “We’ve been together a long time, we’re hard workers, and have good character.” And it can only help, Thebarge predicts, to be “full of the optimism and exuberance of youth.”

Officiating will be provided, in part, by the duo Sarah Wilcox and Hannah Barry.

The acclaimed chanteuse Lindsey Geroux will open the game with her performance of the national anthem. A bake sale will take place in the lobby.

The event raises money for student activities and is sponsored by Old Town High School’s environmental science student organization, the Envirothon team. Members of the audience will have an opportunity to donate at the door as they wish.

Ice fishing derby

STETSON – Terry White, chairman of the 10th annual K-9’s For Kids ice fishing derby at Pleasant Lake, has posted results of the Feb. 16 competition:

Bass: First place, Jan Ellis, with a fish weighing 5.5 pounds; second, Mike Hendricks, Levant, 5.1 pounds; third, David Barker, Stetson, 4.10 pounds.

Pickerel: First place, Ryan Annett, Stetson, with fish measuring 22? inches; second, Derrick Clukey, Garland, 221/4 inches; third, Donnie Steeves, Kenduskeag, 211/4 inches.

Grand prize winner of $500 worth of home heating oil was Mike Lancaster of Corinth.