Aroostook Outdoor News: 2.19.15 edition
It’s
#TourneyTime! Good luck to all the #AroostookCounty teams still playing hoops!
See you outside when the season’s over!
In
this edition: 1) A ski (and more) day just for women. 2) An outdoor fun day for
the whole family. 3) Several seminars to help you learn more about our great
outdoors. Plus lots more! offugo...
Saturday, February 21
Fort Kent Outdoor Center
Winter Women’s Day, Fort Kent
9:00
a.m.-4:00 p.m. Skiing and snowshoeing lessons, yoga or other fitness programs,
food and snacks, and a guest speaker. Fee: $20/club members; $25/non-members.
Contact Laura Audibert la4568@roadrunner.com FMI
Saturday, February 21
Aroostook State Park Winter
Family Fun Day, Presque Isle
10:00
a.m.–3:00 p.m. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating (bring skates),
sliding, snowmobile tote-rides, nature walks, warming hut, bonfire, hot food,
and Smokey the Bear. Fee: $1.50/person ages 12-64; all others FREE. Contact
Aroostook State Park (207-768-8341) FMI
*Tuesday,
February 24
UMPI
Science Seminar Series, Presque Isle. 12:15-1:30
p.m.; Folsom Hall Rm. 201, featuring research conducted by UMPI students,
faculty, other scientists. Peter Nelson, Asst. UMFK Biology Prof. will present:
Lichens from Space! Mapping Small and Colorful Vegetation Using Satellite
Imagery. Contact Dr. Jason Johnston (207-768-9652) or jason.johnston@umpi.edu FMI
Thursday, February 26
Aroostook Birders February
Meeting/Talk, Presque Isle
6:30
p.m. at UMPI Campus Center Alumni Room. Dr. Jason Johnston, ornithologist and
associate professor of wildlife ecology will present “Forest, Food and
Phenology: Research on Northern Maine Birds,” highlighting area birds and habitats.
Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI
Saturday, February
28–Sunday, March 1
February Frolic Ski Festival
– Aroostook Cups #4 & #5, Caribou
Get
ready for one big weekend of winter fun! Planned events include Aroostook Youth
Ski Festival, Aroostook League Middle School Ski Sprints, Maine State Ski
Sprints (A-Cup #4), Henry Anderson Ski Dag (A-Cup #5), and MUCH more! Contact
Mark Shea (207-498-9952) or mwscshea@gmail.com FMI
*Saturday, February 28
UMPI Youth Rock Climbing
Information Night, Presque Isle
5:00-6:00
p.m. at Gentile Hall Rock Wall. Middle schoolers and parents interested in youth
rock climbing skill development are invited to discuss a clinic to be held Mar.
30-Apr. 3. Clinic fee: $100. Contact Victoria Winslow victoria.winslow@maine.edu FMI
Sunday, March 1
Cam-Am Crown Skijoring
Races, Fort Kent
Skijoring:
a blend of XC skiing and mushing, where skier and animal(s) work together. As
part of the annual Cam-Am Crown Sled Dog races, the organization will be
hosting 5k, 10k, 15k skijoring races at the beautiful Fort Kent Outdoor Center
trails! Contact Laura Audibert (207-834-6773) or la4568@roadrunner.com FMI
Wednesday, March 4
Caribou Rec. Ski4Life
Program, Mars Hill
Learn
to ski at Bigrock! Open to grades 6-8. Program dates: March 4, 19, 26, April 3.
Fee: $80; includes transportation, lift ticket, ski rental, mandatory lesson. Contact
Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI
Saturday,
March 7
Himie
Towle Memorial Ski Frolic – Aroostook Cup #6, Presque Isle
Mass-start 10k event is freestyle cross-country
(classic track also set). Race start: 11:00 a.m. at Nordic Heritage
Center. Fee: $20/family, $10/adult, $5/youth; includes lunch. Contact Steve
Towle (207-227-6908) or towlesteve@gmail.com FMI
Saturday, March 7
2nd Annual Angel Snowfest, St.
Agatha
All-day
event at Lakeview Restaurant; live music, outdoor Ice Bar, Snowshoe/Walk, Luminary
Walk on the breathtaking Lakeview trails. Proceeds benefit Angle Flight NE and
Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund. Fee: $15; includes neck-warmer, stew,
entertainment. Visit www.facebook.com/angelsnowfest FMI
*Saturday,
March 14
Aroostook
Birders Duckbox Cleanout Day, Limestone
8:00 a.m. at Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge
Headquarters. Give
back to the birds on this one-mile snowshoe hike and morning of conservation
work. Clean out and prep duck boxes for the upcoming season. Bring
snowshoes, water, snacks. Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI
*Saturday, March 14
After The Bell/Araya Wellness
Lucky Leprechaun 5k, Mars Hill
Registration: 9:00 a.m. at Fort Street Elementary. Fee: $5/runner; $20/family. Contact Ryan Guerrette (207-425-6711) or ryanguerrette@skibigrock.me FMI
Registration: 9:00 a.m. at Fort Street Elementary. Fee: $5/runner; $20/family. Contact Ryan Guerrette (207-425-6711) or ryanguerrette@skibigrock.me FMI
*Saturday, March 14
Bigrock Winterfest Moon Light Snowshoe Hike, Mars Hill
6:00 p.m. Bring a headlamp
or flashlight and join in on a guided 1-mile loop. Participants are encouraged
to bring their own snowshoes; limited number of snowshoes available on a first
come, first served basis. Contact Ryan Guerrette (207-425-6711) or ryanguerrette@skibigrock.me FMI
*Sunday, March 15
Bigrock Invitational Youth Ski Race, Mars Hill
Registration: 8:00
a.m. Giant Slalom Race start: 10:00 a.m. Slalom Race start: 12:45 p.m.
Awards: 2:30 p.m. Fee: $25; includes lift ticket; season pass holders,
$15. Contact Ryan Guerrette (207-425-6711) or ryanguerrette@skibigrock.me FMI
Tuesday, March 17
Caribou Rec. Take It Outside
Series Adult Ice Fishing Trip, Madawaska Lake
Depart
Caribou Rec. at 9:00 a.m.; return by 3:00 p.m. Fee: $25/ages 18-69; $20/ages 70
and up; includes transportation, ice traps, bait, ice auger, lakeside lunch,
campfire. Bring folding chairs, warm clothes. Contact Neal Sleeper
(207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI
*Thursday, March 19
Aroostook Birders March
Annual Meeting/Talk, Location TBA
"Seabirds
of Maine" presentation by Bill Sheehan; 6:30 p.m. Maine is famous for
diverse and abundant seabird life; learn about birds found along the coastline
and on the open ocean. All with an interest invited! Contact Bill Sheehan
(207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com
FMI
Friday, March 20-Sunday,
March 22
Caribou Rec. Take It Outside
Series Adult Ski Trip, Baxter State Park
Join
us for a two-night trip to Katahdin Lake Wilderness Cabins, featuring a 13-mile
round trip ski to Chimney Pond. Fee: $175; includes skis and trekking poles,
cabin lodging, all meals (excluding first day lunch). Contact
Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI
*Saturday, March 21-Sunday, March 22
Presque Isle Fish and Game Club Sportsman’s Show,
Presque Isle
Kids’ Trout Fishing Pond sponsored
by L.L. Bean, Shooting Range, Bow Range, Video Hunting Game, Moose Calling
Contest, hourly kids’ door prizes! 75+ exhibitors from Maine, New Brunswick,
Labrador, Quebec, New England. Fee: $5. Visit Presque Isle Fish and Game Club www.PIFG.org FMI
Tuesday, March 24
Caribou Rec. Take It Outside
Series Adult Snowshoe Adventure, Caribou
Join
us for a snowshoe adventure at Caribou High School Ski Trails. Fee: $20;
includes snowshoes, trekking poles, instruction, hot dog roast. Depart Caribou Rec.
Center at 10:00 a.m.; return by 3:00 p.m. Contact Neal Sleeper
(207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI
Ongoing Programs:
Sunday Saunter Running
Group, Presque Isle
Sundays; 10:00 a.m. at UMPI's
Gentile Hall. Open to all abilities; be ready for an easy run of 30-45 minutes,
and bring friends! Contact Jonathan Kelley competitorme@gmail.com FMI
Van Buren Rec. Youth Hockey,
Van Buren
Sundays; 11:00 a.m. and Mondays,
Wednesdays, Fridays; 3:30 p.m. at the Van Buren Ice Skating Rink (weather permitting).
Come play hockey outdoors! Donations of “real” ice hockey sticks, helmets,
pads, would be greatly appreciated! Contact Michael "Miles" Garcia
(207-868-5059) or vbchamber@gmail.com FMI
Bootlegger Snowshoe Hike,
Rivière-Bleue, QC
Sundays; fourth Sunday of the month
at 1:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the end of Path Brissette. Get to know the
magical setting of the Bootlegger trails on this guided hike. Contact Jean
Lebrun (418-893-1033) or info1@routedesfrontieres.com FMI
10th Mountain Outdoor Club
Jalbert Pee Wee Biathlon Program, Fort Kent
Tuesdays; 4:00 p.m. at Fort Kent
Outdoor Center. Open to youth ages 9 and under. Kids will learn basic skate
skiing skills, go on ski adventures, and play LOTS of games! Cost: FREE!
Contact Gail Johnson stegacosa@yahoo.com FMI
10th Mountain Outdoor Club
Jalbert Youth Biathlon Program, Fort Kent
Tuesdays; 6:00 p.m. at Fort Kent
Outdoor Center. Open to youth ages 10-14; roller skiing, rifle shooting, trail
running, and LOTS of games! Cost: FREE! Contact Gail Johnsonstegacosa@yahoo.com FMI
MWSC Active Maine Project
Adult Nordic Program, Fort Kent
Tuesdays; 6:00 p.m. at Fort Kent
Outdoor Center. The program runs January 20-February 10 and is a fun, social
way to improve your ski skills. Cost: $55. Contact Mike Smith (207-227-0250)
or mikes@mainewsc.org FMI
MWSC Active Maine Project
Adult Nordic Program, Presque Isle
Thursdays; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic
Heritage Center. The program runs January 22-February 12 and is a fun, social
way to improve your ski skills. Cost: $55. Contact Mike Smith (207-227-0250)
or mikes@mainewsc.org FMI
Lonesome Pines Trails Junior
Ski Program, Fort Kent
Saturdays; 9:30-11:30 a.m. For grades
K-8; runs for eight weeks, starting Jan. 31. Fee: $45; includes sweatshirt and
fee waiver for LPT Annual Invitational Race on March 21. Contact Mike Voisine
(207-834-5202) or info@lonesomepines.org FMI
Nordic Heritage Sport Club
Youth XC Ski Program, Presque Isle
Saturdays; 10:00-11:30 a.m. Starts
January 10. Join us for a fun-filled free ski lesson! Grades K-8 welcome; ages
5 and under invited if with adult. Lessons designed for all levels. Visit www.nordicheritagecenter.org FMI
Four Seasons Trail Association
Youth Ski Program, Madawaska
Bigrock Multi-week Youth
Lesson Programs, Mars Hill
Saturdays and Sundays; time and cost varies.
10-week programs start first Saturday in January. Specially designed for junior
skiers/snowboarders of all abilities, including first‐timers;
focus on developing fundamentals in a safe, fun‐filled environment. Contact
Ryan Guerrette (207-425-6711) FMI
