Aroostook Outdoor News: 5.12.16 edition

Better late than never ;-)

In this edition: 1) #Birding trips in #Caribou and #Portage Lake. 2) #5k runs in Woodstock #NewBrunswick, #Houlton, and #PresqueIsle. 3) Celebrate the #forest way of life at festivals in Patten and Ashland. Plus lots more! #AroostookThing #offugo...

Wednesday, May 18

Caribou Rec/Healthy You Bird Caribou Bog Watching Trip, Caribou. 7:00-8:00 a.m. at Aroostook Valley Rail Trail parking lot on Washburn Rd.; short walk to birding area. Open to all ages. Rain or shine. Cost: FREE! Includes free bird call. Limited binoculars, bird books available. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Saturday, May 21

Woodstock Rec Spring Run-Off 5k, Woodstock, NB. Registration 8:00 a.m. at Woodstock Farm Market, 220 King St. Race start: 9:00 a.m. (all times Atlantic). Small Strides, Healthy Lives 500m/1k Kids’ Race; for youths 14 and under. We encourage everyone to come out to run or walk. Cost: $10, Kids’ races: FREE!  Prizes and refreshments at the finish line. Contact Woodstock Rec (506-325-4307) or jill.dunnett@town.woodstock.nb.ca FMI

Saturday, May 21

Hodgdon High School My School Color Run FUNdraiser, Houlton. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Houlton Rec. Center. Run start: 9:00 a.m. This is an untimed fun run. Runners pass through several color stations throughout the course and end with a color toss. Cost: $35/before May 13, $45/after May 12. Contact Anita Levesque (207-694-0314) or anitalevesque@msad70.org or visit www.HodgdonColorRun.eventbrite.com FMI

Saturday, May 21

CompetitorME Run For Heroes, Presque Isle. 8:00 a.m. at County Physical Therapy, 5 North Street. Kids’ 1-mile Fun Run and 5k Run/Walk to support current and past U.S. service members. All proceeds to Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery. Veterans encouraged to wear camouflage as a symbol of their service. Fee: $5/Kids’ Fun Run, $25/5k. Visit www.competitorme.com FMI

Saturday, May 21

Caribou Rec/Healthy You Birding Trip, Portage. The lake’s Floating Islands are home to a variety of water and shore birds, best viewed from kayaks. Departure: 9:00 a.m. Cost: free; includes transportation, kayak and gear, binoculars. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Saturday, May 21

Ashland Logging Museum Spring Games, Ashland. 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Ashland Trotting Park. Come see what logging equipment is all about! Competitions include: Skidder Obstacle Course, Log Loader Checkerboard, Forwarder Event, Log Load Tie Down; logging equipment displays; kids’ activities. Fee: $7/13 years and up, FREE/12 and under. Hot dogs, French lunch available. Contact Amanda Barker (207-435-4870) or search "Ashland Logging Museum" on Facebook FMI

Saturday, May 21

Katahdin Woods & Waters Rec. Area Fiddlers and Fiddlehead Fest, Patten. 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Patten Lumbermen’s Museum. Fiddlers will fiddle while fierce fiddlehead cooks compete in the Cast-iron Chef cook-off. Artisans, craftsmen, demonstrations, food vendors, tours, and much more! Giant slingshot, scavenger hunt, and games will keep the kids happy! Rain or shine; bring your own chair. Cost: donation. Visit www.lumbermensmuseum.org FMI

Saturday, May 21

Life By Design Pathway to Recovery Walk, Presque Isle. 1:00 p.m. at Riverside Park. There are many paths individuals in recovery, people seeking recovery, families take to address substance use disorders. Taking the first step can lead to healthier individuals, families, communities. Please join us to celebrate those on the road to recovery and remember those who we have lost. Contact Kelley Johnston (207-764-6825) or visit www.facebook.com/events/826092787497203 FMI

Sunday, May 22

36th Annual Madawaska River Run, Stockholm. Registration: 9:00 a.m. at Little Madawaska Lake Road bridge in Westmanland. Race start: 11:00 a.m. Race ends at Stockholm American Legion. Cost: $15/craft; includes 1 t-shirt. Additional t-shirts available for $12. Contact Perkins-Plourde American Legion Post 136 (207-896-3161) FMI

Sunday, May 22

Meduxnekeag River Association Wildflower Walk, Woodstock, NB. Our popular annual Wildflower Walk will meet at Bell Forest, 200 Bell Settlement Rd, Belleville at 1:30 p.m. (Atlantic Time). Allow at least two hours. Contact Meduxnekeag River Association (506-328-8227) or meduxnekeag@nb.aibn.com or visit www.meduxnekeag.org FMI

Monday, May 23

Meduxnekeag River Association Canoe Float, Woodstock, NB. This year's slow canoe float down the Meduxnekeag River is planned for Victoria Day, weather permitting. Contact Meduxnekeag River Association (506-328-8227) or meduxnekeag@nb.aibn.com or visit www.meduxnekeag.org FMI

Tuesday, May 24

Caribou Rec/Healthy You Grimes Road Birding Trip, Caribou. Meet at Caribou Wellness Center at 6:30 a.m. Bird watching at the Caribou Waste Water treatment ponds with Bill Sheehan. Open to all ages. Rain or shine. Cost: FREE! Includes free bird call. Limited binoculars, bird books available. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

*Thursday, May 26

Pregnancy Care Center of Aroostook Walk 4 Life, Fort Kent, Presque Isle, Houlton. 2-mile walk to benefit PCC of Aroostook; rain or shine. Pledge sheets available at PCC offices. Registration: 6:30 p.m. at Fort Kent PCC, 272 W. Main St.; Northeastland Hotel, 436 Main St., Presque Isle; Houlton PCC, 56 Military St. Walk start: 7:00 p.m. Visit www.pcc-hope.org FMI

Sunday, May 29

13th Annual Alzheimer Society of NB Walk for Memories, Edmundston, NB. Join families and friends across New Brunswick and walk with a purpose! Registration: Noon at La Place de L'Artisan. Walk start: 1:00 p.m. (all times Atlantic). Contact Alzheimer Society of NB (800-664-8411) or info@alzheimernb.ca FMI

Sunday, May 29

13th Annual Alzheimer Society of NB Walk for Memories, Woodstock, NB. Join families and friends across New Brunswick and walk with a purpose! Registration: Noon at Riverside Court, 870 Main St. Walk start: 1:00 p.m. (all times Atlantic). Contact Alzheimer Society of NB (800-664-8411) or info@alzheimernb.ca FMI

Monday, May 30

Wilderness Walk for Warriors Memorial Day 5k Run/Walk, Houlton. Proceeds to assist veterans, service members, and their families, as well as honor our fallen Maine heroes. Registration: 10:00 a.m. on Kelleran St. Kids’ 1-mile Fun Run start: 11:30 a.m. 5k Run/Walk start: 12:00 p.m. Cost: $5/Kids’ Fun Run; $30/5k Run/Walk before May 23, $40 after May 22; includes tech t-shirt, BBQ for participants, veterans, service members. Visit www.competitorme.com FMI

Sunday June 5

Gathering of the Scots Festival Kilted Warrior 5k Fun Run, Perth-Andover, NB. Participants highly encouraged to run in a kilt or highland costume! Registration: 10:00-10:45 a.m. at Veteran’s Field, Perth. Kids’ Fun Run start: 10:00 a.m. 5k Run/Walk start: 11:00 a.m. Cost: $25/pre-reg., includes t-shirt; $30/race day, no t-shirt; $20/students (ages 12-20). Contact Carol McLaughlin (506-273-2053) or carollet@nb.sympatico.ca FMI

Sunday, June 5

Crohn’s and Colitis Canada Gutsy Walk, Grand Falls, NB. Registration: 12:00 p.m. at The Marina. Walk start: 1:00 p.m. (all times Atlantic). Distance: 2k or 5k. Fun-filled event to raise awareness, proceeds to stop Crohn's and colitis for life! Music, warm-up, kids’ face painting, Kids’ Zone play area. Visit www.crohnsandcolitiscanada.akaraisin.com/Pledge/Event/GroupHome.aspx?seid=11470&mid=82&sgid=1553 FMI

Sunday, June 5

Community in Motion Walk to Fight Arthritis, Hartland, NB. Registration Open: 1:00 p.m. at Hartland Covered Bridge, 365 Main Street. Walk start: 2:00 p.m. (all times Atlantic). Route Options: 1k or 5k. The Walk to Fight Arthritis stretches across Canada to unite families, friends, organizations to achieve one common goal: to help the over 4.6 million Canadians who live with arthritis every day. Contact Renee Crouse (506.375.4017) or reneecrouse@hotmail.com FMI

Wednesday, June 8

MSAD 1 Adult Ed. GPS & Geocaching Course, Presque Isle. An introductory class that will provide you with the basics to using a GPS navigational system. Join in on the fun as we test our skills with coordinates by finding hidden clues at our destination! 6:00-8:00 p.m. at PIHS Room 411. Cost: $15. Contact LeRae Kinney (207-764-4776) or lerae.kinney@sad1.org FMI

Ongoing Programs:

C.R.X. Outdoor Adventure Program Open Registration, Caribou. Weekdays. Exciting outdoor activities for youth entering grades 5-11. June 17-19: Allagash. June 20-24: Kayaking I. June 29-July 2: Backpack Baxter. July 11-14: Kayaking II. July 18-21: Mountain Biking. July 26-28; Baxter State Park I. August 2-4: Baxter II. Cost/age: varies by program. Open to all area youth. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

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

River Valley Runners Saturday Fun Run, Woodstock, NB. Mondays; 7:00 p.m. (Atlantic) at LP Fisher Library. Group fun run on “The Loop.” Pace: easy; approximately 4.9k. Visit www.facebook.com/groups/rvrunnersnb 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

LP Fisher Library Walking Club, Woodstock, NB. Tuesdays; 12:00 p.m. (Atlantic Time). A nice 30 minute (2.8k) jaunt, followed by 20 minutes of stretching led by our resident yoga teacher. All abilities, ages welcome (parents, bring your kids in strollers!). Stretches can be done on the floor with our mats or on chairs. Cost: Free! No sign up necessary. Rain or shine (unless it's really, really bad!). Get out this spring and get moving! Contact LP Fisher Library (506-325-4777) or lpfisher.library@gnb.ca 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 Seasons 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

River Valley Runners Saturday Fun Run, Woodstock, NB. Thursdays; 7:00 p.m. (Atlantic) at LP Fisher Library. Group fun run on “The Loop.” Pace: easy; approximately 4.9k. Visit www.facebook.com/groups/rvrunnersnb FMI

River Valley Runners Saturday Fun Run, Woodstock, NB. Saturdays; 8:30 a.m. (Atlantic) at LP Fisher Library. Group fun run on “The Loop.” Pace: easy; approximately 4.9k. Visit www.facebook.com/groups/rvrunnersnb FMI

* = New or updated item(s).