Aroostook Outdoor News: 3.31.16 edition

Extended #SkiSeason for us in #NorthernMaine. #AroostookProblems #EmbraceIt #LoveSnow #5ksOnTheWay

In this edition: 1) Nurturing the #nature #art and #parent #child bond in nearby #NewBrunswick #ExploreNB. 2) An #art #walk with a #5k focus in #PresqueIsle. 3) A #fundraiser for a young person in need and education about #NorthernMaine #whitetail #deer in Stockholm. Plus lots more! #AroostookThing #offugo...

*Friday, April 1

Knowlesville Art & Nature School Parent/Child Art & Nature Morning, Knowlesville, NB. 9:30 a.m.-Noon (Atlantic time) at KAN Centre, 111 Simms Rd. Join us for a morning of fun! Program is aimed at children 3 and under and their parent(s). We will be baking bread, painting, singing, dancing, sharing in snack time and letting the kids be free to have their own inspired fun. We will also go for a nature walk. Come add to the fun! Cost: $10 to cover food and supplies. Visit www.knowlesvillenature.ca FMI

Friday, April 1

First Friday Art Walk, Presque Isle. 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Wintergreen Arts Center, 149 State St. Images by local photographers of the first three Color PI 5K races will be displayed. Public is invited to bring race photos to be judged for a chance to win free registration for the 2016 race, to be held Aug. 27. Early race registration will also open that night. Cost of race registration: $30; free t-shirt to first 250 registrants. Contact Wintergreen Arts Center (207-762-3576) FMI

Monday, April 4

Sportsmen’s Inc. Fundraiser Dinner & April Monthly Meeting, Stockholm. 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Sportsmen’s Inc. Clubhouse. Proceeds benefit the Christie family to help with medical expenses for son Andrew, recently diagnosed with a tumor. Following dinner, ME DIF&W Wildlife Biologist will speak about Northern Maine deer herd. Cost: $10, $5/age 12 and under. Public is welcome, encouraged to attend. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-492-1180) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Saturday, April 9

36th Annual UMPI Spring Runoff 5k Road Race, Presque Isle. Race #2 in the County Challenge Series. Fundraiser for UMPI Cross Country running programs. Run as an individual or 3-person relay team. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at UMPI’s Wieden Gym. Walk start: 9:30 a.m. Race start: 10:00 a.m. Pizza and Pepsi will be served after the race! Cost: $15/individual, $25/relay team. Contact Chris Smith (207-768-9472) or christopher.smith@umpi.edu FMI

Saturday, April 9-Sunday, April 10

Presque Isle Fish and Game Club Sportsman’s Show, Presque Isle. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. each day at UMPI’s Gentile Hall. Kids’ Trout Fishing Pond sponsored by L.L. Bean, Air Gun Shooting Range, Laser Shot Rifle/Pistol Range, Video Hunting Game, Moose Calling Contest, hourly kids’ door prizes! 75+ exhibitors from Maine, New Brunswick, Labrador, Quebec, New England. Fee: $5/person, FREE/kids 10 and under. Visit Presque Isle Fish and Game Club www.PIFG.org FMI

Tuesday, April 12

Caribou Rec. Take It Outside Series Adult Deer Yard/Greenhouse Tour, Caribou. Travel with Wildlife Biologist Rich Hoppe to learn what it takes to manage deer. Visit a greenhouse to learn about gardening; design and plant your own outdoor flower pot. Depart Caribou Rec: 8:30 a.m. Return: 4:00 p.m. Fee: $30; includes lunch, flower pot, transportation. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

*Friday, April 15

Knowlesville Art & Nature School Parent/Child Art & Nature Morning, Knowlesville, NB. 9:30 a.m.-Noon (Atlantic time) at KAN Centre, 111 Simms Rd. Join us for a morning of fun! Program is aimed at children 3 and under and their parent(s). We will be baking bread, painting, singing, dancing, sharing in snack time and letting the kids be free to have their own inspired fun. We will also go for a nature walk. Come add to the fun! Cost: $10 to cover food and supplies. Visit www.knowlesvillenature.ca FMI

Monday, April 18-Friday, April 22

Lugdon Lodge Spring Fever Adventure Camp, Eagle Lake. A week filled with archery, acting and outdoor activity at Lugdon Lodge, 1695 Sly Brook Rd., Eagle Lake. Children's Stage Adventures and Archery Addictions will be here to help us welcome spring! Campers will audition, rehearse, perform The Sword Called Excalibur and have access to a trailer full of bows, arrows, targets and coaching in the fine art of archery. Contact Lugdon Lodge (207-444-4557) FMI

Thursday, April 21

Fort Fairfield Public Library Kids' Introduction to Mammal Tracking, Fort Fairfield. 1:00 p.m. at Fort Fairfield Public Library, 339 Main St. Spring is here and animals are on the move! Make the most of mud season with a fun look at tracking mammals. Explore different clues to help identify animal signs, learn how to draw tracks, and more! This program is suited for ages 6-14. Contact Fort Fairfield Public Library (207-472-3880) FMI

Saturday, April 23

Aroostook Birders Waterfowl Walk, Fort Fairfield. 8:00-11:00 a.m. at Riverside Park. Rain or shine. Join us for a leisurely morning spent birding along the Aroostook River and other popular area sites for waterfowl and early spring arrivals. Non-strenuous series of short drives; a great way to discover some excellent birding spots. Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI

Saturday, April 23

Presque Isle Historical Society Guided Historic Downtown Walking Tour, Presque Isle. 10:00 a.m.-Noon. Guided two-mile tour begins and ends at the 1875 Vera Estey House Museum, 16 Third Street, and covers over 30 historic sites and individuals. Reservations suggested. Fee: FREE; $2 donation suggested. Contact Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or visit www.pihistory.org FMI

Saturday, April 30

Aroostook Autism Support Group Autism Challenge, Presque Isle. Registration: 8:15 a.m. at Presque Isle Middle School. 1-mile Kids’ Fun Run start: 9:30 a.m. 5k Run/Walk start: 10:00 a.m. Fully supported race with awards. Fee: $5/Kids’ Fun Run entries, $25/person; t-shirt to first 100 5k athletes and first 25 Kids’ Fun Runners. Proceeds benefit Aroostook Autism Support Group. Contact Jonathan Kelley competitorme@gmail.com FMI

*Saturday, April 30

Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race, Houlton. Approx. 8 miles; whitewater. Finish at third Bridge in Downtown Houlton. 2016 Maine Downriver Championship Series Point Race. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Wellington's on the Station Road in New Limerick. Race start: 10:00 a.m. Fee: $15/adult; $10/youth. First 60 registrants get a free t-shirt. Awards, door prizes, lunch provided! Contact Jane Torres (207-532-4216) or director@greaterhoulton.com  FMI

Saturday, April 30

Ann King Cary Donor Dash 5k, Caribou. Annual Walk/Run for Organ and Tissue Awareness. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Griffeth Ford. Walk start: 9:00 a.m. Run start: 9:30 a.m. First 100 registrants get a t-shirt; refreshments at Cary following the event. Contact Dean Cote (207-498-1282) FMI

*Saturday, April 30

Friends of Baxter State Park Earth Day Clean Up, Millinocket. Volunteer sign-in at Baxter State Park Authority headquarters, 64 Balsam Drive, at 9:00 a.m. The general public is invited to join the annual Baxter State Park Roadside Litter Patrol from Millinocket to Togue Pond Gate. Bring a lunch and join other volunteers at Park Headquarters after the cleanup; drinks and snacks provided. Contact Friends of Baxter State Park fbspdirector@gmail.com FMI

Sunday, May 1

5th Annual Knights of Columbus Polar Dip for Special Olympics, Sinclair. Registration: 11:00 a.m. at Long Lake Sporting Club. Polar Dip: 12:00 p.m. Open to all; must raise at least $1. T-shirt for $50 or more in pledges; highest total wins $100 Sporting Club gift cert. “Chicken Pool” available for those who do not wish to jump into the lake. Contact Duane Belanger (207-951-2874) or dssmaine@roadrunner.com or visit www.FreezeItforSpecialOlympics.com FMI

*Sunday, May 1

4th Annual Safe Homes Aroostook 5k Run/Walk, Presque Isle. Registration: 12:00 p.m. at UMPI’s Gentile Hall. Race start: 1:00 p.m. Fee: $15. Participants encouraged to solicit pledges; individuals, teams raising most funds receive prizes. Only participants who register online are guaranteed to receive an event t-shirt. Proceeds go directly to Hope & Justice Project and Homeless Services of Aroostook. Visit www.safehomesaroostook.org FMI

Ongoing Programs:

County Strides Running Group, Presque Isle. Sundays; 10:00 a.m. at various locations. Open to all abilities; be ready for an easy run of 30-45 minutes, and bring friends! Visit County Strides at www.facebook.com/groups/447181508818122 FMI

Sportsmen’s, Inc. Meeting, Stockholm. First Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Axle Siding Clubhouse (intersection of Lake Street/Rt. 161). Outdoors men and women promoting the traditions of the outdoors. If you're interested in joining, you're welcome to attend as a guest. Kids are welcome too! Visit www.facebook.com/Sportsmens-Inc-568794129811741 FMI

Friends of Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge Meeting, Limestone. Second Monday of each month; 6:00 p.m. at ANWR headquarters and Visitor’s Center, 97 Refuge Rd. Founded in 1998, Friends are involved in a number of volunteer projects on the ANWR in an effort to balance the enhancing of habitat with the public access privilege to enjoy wildlife in an unmolested environment. Contact Friends of ANWR (207-328-4634) or friendsofanwr@gmail.com FMI

Nordic Heritage Sport Club Meeting, Presque Isle. First Tuesday of each month; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic Heritage Center, 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. The club promotes healthy outdoor recreation, economic vitality in Central Aroostook County by providing first-class facilities and programs to area residents, athletes, visitors. Visit www.nordicheritagecenter.org FMI

Madawaska Valley Adventure Club Meeting, Madawaska. Second Tuesday of each month; 6:30 p.m. at Four Seasons Lodge, 425 Spring St. Contact Real Deschaine (207-728-4992) FMI

*Presque Isle Fish and Game Club Meeting, Presque Isle. Last Tuesday of each month; 5:30 p.m. at PIFG clubhouse, Parsons Road. Established in 1947 to help protect, conserve, maintain and restore our natural resources as well as to protect and promote our outdoor heritage. Meetings include a delicious supper, cash bar, short business meeting. Visit www.pifg.org FMI

Four Season Trail Association Meeting, Madawaska. First Wednesday of each month; 6:30 p.m. at Four Seasons Lodge, 425 Spring St. Non-profit organization dedicated to promotion of healthier lifestyles for this community; participation open to anyone interested. Visit www.fourseasonstrail.org FMI

*Fort Fairfield Frontier Fish and Game Club, Fort Fairfield. Second and fourth Wednesdays of each month (fourth Wednesdays during summer); 6:00 p.m. at FFFFG clubhouse on Monson Pond, 550 Dorsey Rd. Founded in 1958 to help conserve, protect, maintain, and restore our natural resources and to promote our outdoor heritage. Visit www.heyevent.com/venue/bmyulgbaawlhca FMI

* = New or updated item(s).