When asked to be a member of the newly formed Yarmouth Sports and Recreation Committee in 2009, he accepted without hesitation and has been a valued member.   In presenting the award, Marcia Noyes, Director of Yarmouth Community Services, said  “It has been a privilege for us to be able to work with Keith and see his true passion for the community in which he lives and works.  Keith is an all around nice guy, with a big heart and a true sense of what community is really about.  Keith, thank you for your commitment and the many hours you have spent helping others enjoy their recreational pursuits.  We can’t think of a more deserving person than Keith Gray for the MRPA 2010 Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award.” 

The Outstanding Service in Therapeutic Recreation Award is given to a therapeutic recreation professional with a minimum of five years working in the field and has demonstrated enthusiasm, creativity and teamwork in the design and implementation of therapeutic recreation programming in Maine.  The 2010 recipient is Dr. Linda Meyer, a member of the University of Southern Maine faculty since 1980. 

Linda is a highly regarded leader in the therapeutic recreation field not only in Maine but across the country.  In addition to teaching a wide variety of courses and supervising countless student interns, Linda is a regular presenter at conferences and has developed the Recreation Assistive Technology Exchange a web site that provides invaluable information for TR professionals on assistive recreation devices and accessible recreation resources.

 

A longtime MRPA and NRPA member, she has been the editor and regular contributor of therapeutic recreation articles in the MRPA newsletter and other publications.  In nominating Linda for the award, Professor Bill McCullough, Department Chair, USM Dept. of Recreation and Leisure Studies, observed, “What strikes me most about her contribution to the field of Therapeutic Recreation here in Maine are the numerous Recreation Therapists I come in contact with who say how challenging her classes were but also how caring she was about their development as professionals and how consistently passionate she has been about delivering quality services to those with disabilities.  I can think of no one more deserving of this award.” 

 

The Distinguished Young Professional Award is granted to a park and recreation professional with a minimum of three years in the field who has demonstrated outstanding performance through innovative programming, partnerships and civic involvement.  Our 2010 recipient is Tammy Legere, Assistant Director for Kennebunk Recreation. 

In her ten years with Kennebunk Recreation, Tammy has designed many new programs and implemented them in a hands-on manner, earning her the respect and admiration of community citizens of all ages.  As comfortable organizing large-scale events as sitting behind the wheel of a bus, Tammy is a tireless worker who is passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and her dedication extends far beyond the workplace.  As a volunteer, she heads up the Town of Kennebunk Wellness Committee through which she organizes a number of annual events for her co-workers such as Lunch and Learn programs and family bowling nights.  She is a driving force on the high school Athletic Boosters committee, and has put a great deal of effort into developing a youth wrestling program in town to be used as a feeder program for the high school wrestling team.  As a member of the MRPA Spring Conference Planning Committee, she has brought her energy, dedication, and fun ideas.

In presenting the Award, Arundel Recreation Director Jenn Dumas shared these thoughts about Tammy:  “She is an innovative, creative, imaginative thinker who responds to the needs of the community she serves, and inspires those she works with.  She is responsible. She is a wonderful resource to tap into when new ideas are needed.  She has a huge heart and a great sense of humor.  She is genuine and altruistic, and one of the hardest workers I know.  She is also a dedicated mother and wife.  In humble fashion, she proves the passion she has for her life’s work each and every day.”

The William V. Haskell Distinguished Professional of the Year Award is granted to a recreation field professional having a minimum of tens in the field who has demonstrated statewide and/or national leadership as well as outstanding performance through innovative programming, facility development and civic involvement.  The award is made in honor of William V. Haskell served MRPA from its inception and was director of the Presque Isle Parks and Recreation Department from 1946-1981.  In 2010 the award goes to Tracy Willette, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Bangor.

After earning a degree in Physical Education from Plymouth State College in Plymouth, NH, Tracy entered the profession working in the maintenance department for the city of Brewer.  He then traveled to the City of Waterville to become the Recreation Programmer where his work and dedication quickly proved an incredible asset to the City. He expanded the annual youth basketball tournament by several fold and developed numerous new programs including the Father/Daughter Valentines Dance, Mother/Son dance, and a wide variety of summer camp activities, sports programs and special events. 

In 1999, he became the Superintendent of Recreation for the city of Bangor. Nine years later, he filled the position of Parks and Recreation Director.  In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of the Parks and Recreation Center, he is responsible for the management, maintenance and scheduling of all the parks, playgrounds and trails. Tracy oversees the City’s waterfront, as well as many facilities including Sawyer Arena, Mansfield Stadium, Union Street Athletic complex and Bangor Municipal Golf Course.

Tracy has served on the MRPA board of directors for nearly a decade, two of which were President, and has worked tirelessly on multiple boards and committees to benefit parks and recreation throughout Maine. For many years he served as conference co-chair for both the Northern New England Conference and the MRPA Annual conference. He is a member of the Maine Trails Advisory Committee and Healthy Maine Walks. Beyond his many Parks and Recreation activities, Tracy serves as an advisory board member for the City of Brewer, a member of St. Joseph’s Parish Council, and as a member of the Bangor Police Athletic League Board.  He is also the Maine ASA District 4 Umpire in Chief and is an official with the Bangor Chapter Maine Association of Football Officials. 

In his letter of nomination, Bangor City Manager Edward Barrett wrote, “Tracy has begun to place his imprint on our department and taken steps to move what has always been a good parks and recreation program toward becoming a great one.  Over his twenty-year career in the field, Tracy has provided outstanding service to the cities he has served, the profession that he champions and the citizens who enjoy outdoor recreations and the natural beauty of Maine brought home to its urban centers."

Congratulations to our 2010 Award Winners!

Additional Information on MRPA Awards and Criteria...

Facilities of Merit Award

• A significant recreation facility established within the last two years

·         Shows the project overview, design, plan, and priority of need

• Demonstrates an increase in recreational opportunities – including types of uses

• Local commitment to the project

• Accessibility to users

• Demonstrates innovation and creativity 

Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award

• Contributes to the well-being of recreation within the State of Maine

• A community volunteer who supports the development and creation of recreation programs, facilities or services

• Is not a paid employee of a department

• Length of involvement at the local, multi-town, or state level

• Diversity of involvement, contributions, and achievements

• Letters of support from the community

• Civic involvement

• Moral character

Outstanding Service in Therapeutic Recreation Award

·         Employment History and Experience:  The nominee should have a minimum of five years working in the Therapeutic Recreation Field and at least a three-year period should have been within the State of Maine.

·         Professional Affiliations:  Candidates must maintain membership in MRPA. Any additional affiliations will hold merit.

·         Leadership Contributions:  Candidates must demonstrate enthusiasm for Therapeutic Recreation and display a willingness to share their expertise with others in the field.   It is necessary to design and implement creative therapeutic programming while maintaining a positive working relationship with fellow TR professionals.

Distinguished Young Professional Award

• Employment History/Experience: The nominee should have minimum of three years working within the Recreation Field and at least a two-year period should have been within the state of Maine, with no more than ten years experience.

• Education: The candidate should have a degree in the field of Recreation, or a related field.  Additional consideration will be given to those professionals who have become certified in Parks & Recreation or Therapeutic Recreation.

• Professional Affiliation:  Candidates must maintain membership in MRPA.  Any additional affiliations will hold value.

• Program Development:  Candidates should have demonstrated outstanding performance on a community level through innovative programming, partnerships and civic involvement.

• Professional Involvement:  Candidates should exhibit networking skills, and be involved with local and regional recreational issues and committees within MRPA.

 “William V. Haskell” Distinguished Professional of the Year Award

William V. Haskell served the MRPA from its inception and was director of the Presque Isle Parks and Recreation Department from 1946-1981.

• Employment History/Experience:  The nominee should have a minimum of ten years working within the Recreation Field and at least a three-year period should have been within the state of Maine.

• Education and Certification:  The candidate should have a degree in Recreation, or a related field.  Additional consideration will be given to those professionals who have earned higher degrees and/or who have become certified in Parks & Recreation or Therapeutic Recreation. 

• Professional Affiliation:  Candidates must maintain membership in the MRPA.  Any additional affiliations, such as NRPA, will hold value.

• Leadership Contribution:  Candidates should display qualities of leadership in MRPA and/or NRPA by serving on the Executive Board or by making other professional contributions such as a committee chairperson or committee member.

• Administrative & Program Development:  Candidate should have demonstrated outstanding performance on a community level, through innovative programming, facility development and civic involvement.