Aroostook Outdoor News: 10.06.16 edition

In this edition: 1) A #haunted woods walk in #PresqueIsle. 2) Run/walks in #Houlton and Presque Isle. 3) A kickoff event to celebrate #wildlife, #conservation, and #NationalWildlifeRefuges in #Limestone. Plus lots more! #offugo...

#AroostookThing of the week: The Friends of Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge celebrates Wildlife Refuge Week in Limestone.

Nuclear missiles. The Cold War. Loring Air Force Base.

Waterfowl. Long winters. Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge.

These terms aptly describe a large chunk of land in northwestern Limestone, Maine. Once a strategic significance and home to thousands of US Air Force servicemen and women, much of the former base is now home to a plethora of wildlife.

As part of their efforts to conserve this land and to protect many different species, the Friends of Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge are hosting Wildlife Refuge Week and have several special activities planned.

On October 8, there will be guided tours of a former nuclear weapons storage area tours, along with refreshments available to participants. On October 9, the group is sponsoring Adventure Backpack activities for kids, which involves acquiring a special backpack filled with games and activities at the refuge visitors’ center, as well as a self-guided auto route tour and trail hiking. October 10 brings more kids’ Adventure Backpack activities.

From October 11-14, there will be educational backpacks available for self-guided use, as well as a special Red Cross Pillowcase Project for kids. On October 15, there will be pumpkin decorating and other activities, along with snacks available for attendees.

To find out more about this event, contact Friends of ANWR (207-328-4634) or friendsofanwr@gmail.com, or visit www.facebook.com/Friends-of-Aroostook-National-Wildlife-Refuge-292184713369.

#AroostookNote: Loring Air Force Base recently held an open house to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the military’s withdrawal from the area. Next year will mark 60 years since the first construction project on the installation, which was originally known as Limestone Army Air Base, then renamed Limestone Air Force Base.

Friday, October 7 & Saturday, October 8

Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce Haunted Woods Walk, Presque Isle. Music, food and lots of scary fun! Location: Nordic Heritage Center, 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. Rates open at 6:00 p.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. each day. Bring flashlights! Trails not recommended for children under 12. Cost: $5/person. Contact Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce (207-764-6561) or visit www.centralaroostookchamber.com FMI

*Saturday, October 8

Fort Kent Outdoor Center Trail Work Day, Fort Kent. Help with Violette Settlement Trail cleaning! 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Meet at FKOC Maintenance Garage. Bring gloves, loppers, pruning saws or a brush saw if you have one. Wear boots if possible! Contact Norm Martin njmartin@fairpoint.net FMI

Saturday, October 8

Strong Tower Orphanage Love Run/Walk 5k, Houlton. Event designed for the whole family to help orphans in Caracol, Haiti. Registration: 7:30 a.m. at Military Street Baptist Church. Race start: 9:00 a.m. Cost: $20; includes bib, t-shirt guaranteed to those who register by Sept. 11, light refreshments. Contact Military Street Baptist Church (207-532-6614) or (207-532-2783) or visit www.houltonmsbc.org FMI

Saturday, October 8

The Dam Run, Perth-Andover, NB. 10k, 5k, Kids’ 1k races. Registration: 10:00 a.m. at River Valley Civic Centre. Kid’s 1k start: 10:30 a.m. 10k, 5k start: 11:00 a.m. (all times Atlantic). Run along the beautiful St. John River; pre-register for "I ran the DAM RUN" t-shirt. Cost: $30/adult, $20/student, $10/Kids’ 1k. Contact Tasha Wright (506-273-4845) or tasha.wright@perth-andover.com FMI

Saturday, October 8-Saturday, October 15

Friends of ANWR Wildlife Refuge Week, Limestone. Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, 97 Refuge Rd. Oct. 8: guided nuclear weapons storage area tours; refreshments available. Oct. 9: backpack activities, auto route tour, trail hiking. Oct. 10: backpack activities. Oct. 11-14: educational backpacks available, pillowcase project. Oct. 15: pumpkin decorating, GPS, educaching; lunch, snacks available. Contact Friends of ANWR (207-328-4634) or friendsofanwr@gmail.com FMI

Saturday, October 8

Aroostook Birders Goose Lunch, Caribou. 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Collins Pond Picnic Pavilion, Roberts St. Canada Geese migrate through the County each fall, stopping for short stays; a favorite stopover is Collins Pond. We will also look for Greater White-fronted Geese or maybe even Pink-footed Geese in an activity similar to "Where's Waldo." Spotting scopes available. Light refreshments, drinks available. Contact Aroostook Birders thearoostookbirders@gmail.com FMI

Saturday, October 8

United Way of Aroostook Book It for Reading 5k and Kids’ Fun Run, Presque Isle. Support for the United Way of Aroostook, bring awareness to the importance of literacy. Registration 11:30 a.m. at Mantle Lake Park, 110 Pine St. Kids’ 1-mile Fun Run start: 1:00 p.m.  5k Run/Walk start: 1:30 p.m.  Cost: $10/Kids’ Fun Run, $25/5k Run/Walk before Sept. 24, $30 after Sept. 23; first 50 registrants receive free shirt. Visit www.runsignup.com/Race/ME/PresqueIsle/BookItForReading FMI

Monday, October 10

5th Annual ABM Domestic & Sexual Violence Advocacy Center Walk to End Domestic Violence, Presque Isle. 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Micmac Cultural, Community, and Educational Center, 7 Northern Rd. Contact Aroostook Band of Micmacs (207-764-1972) FMI

Friday, October 14

3rd Annual Hope and Justice Project Walk It Up, Presque Isle!, Presque Isle. Light walk to bring awareness to domestic abuse and sexual violence. Registration and Story Time: 11:00 a.m. at Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library, 39 2nd St. Walk start: 12:00 p.m. Free t-shirt and lunch to those who pre-register. Visit www.hopeandjusticeproject.org FMI

Friday, October 14

Friends of Baxter State Park North Traveler Day Hike, Patten. North Traveler offers fascinating geology and sweeping views over the northern portion of Baxter State Park and the East Branch of the Penobscot. We’ll depart from South Branch Pond Campground. Advance sign-up required; space is limited. Contact Sarah Holland admin@friendsofbaxter.org FMI

Saturday, October 15

Caribou Rec. Adult Take It Outside Series Deboullie Day Hike, Caribou. Deboullie Public Reserved Land offers rugged terrain, numerous ponds, spectacular views. Let us be your guide to what Deboullie has to offer. Preregistration required; program restricted to those in excellent shape. Cost: $20; bring bag lunch and additional money for a potential stop at Dean’s Motor Lodge in Portage for dinner. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Saturday, October 15

Hollywood Pet Salon Strut Your Mutt, Houlton. Raising funds to help finish a building for abandoned or injured animals. Route info: Hollywood Pet Salon to Sanctuary grounds. Registration 9:00 a.m. at Hollywood Pet Salon, 70 Main St. Walk start: 10:00 a.m. Contact Lorraine Monfils (207-532-7387) FMI

Saturday, October 15

MSAD 1 Adult & Community Education Kitchen Aid 5k, Presque Isle. Help raise money for MSAD 1 Adult Ed's kitchen project. Registration: 10:00 a.m. at Presque Isle Middle School. Kids’ Fun Run start: 10:30 a.m. on the PIMS track. Run start: 11:00 a.m. Cost: $15/person before October 1: $25/person after October 1. Contact LeRae Kinney (207-764-4776) or lerae.kinney@sad1.org or visit www.msad1.coursestorm.com/course/kitchen-aid-5k FMI

Wednesday, October 19

Caribou Rec. Adult Take It Outside Series Bradford Camps Trip, Caribou. For over a century, sportsmen and tourists have traveled to North Maine Woods to embrace nature. Learn about the history of the camps from the owners while being treated to lunch in a wilderness lodge. Cost: $40. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Friday, October 21 & Saturday, October 22

Presque Isle Historical Society Haunted Lantern History Tours, Presque Isle. This “slightly scary and kinda’ creepy” nighttime tour of downtown Presque Isle takes you through the old jail (only opened each year for this tour) and thirteen sites where interpreters relate the true history of that particular site by lantern light. Tours begin at 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. each night at Historic Fire Station, 11 Church St. Cost: $5. Contact Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com FMI

*Saturday, October 22

Unite Against Bullying Walk, Run, or Roll, Caribou. 2 miles. Join us as we raise awareness to Unite Against Bullying! Registration: 1:00 p.m. at Caribou Rec. Center, 55 Bennett Dr. Walk start: 2:00 p.m. Contact Kim Parent (207-540-3659) or visit www.uniteagainstbullyingme.org FMI

Tuesday, October 25

Caribou Rec. Adult Take It Outside Series North Maine Woods Trip, Caribou. Meet with NMW Director, tour Maine Woods Company hardwood sawmill in Portage and MooseWood Millworks in Ashland, swing through Portage Wood Products. Cost: $30; includes lunch. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Thursday, October 27

Woodstock Rec. Zombie 3k Run, Woodstock, NB. Cross-country run through Connell Park while being chased by Zombies, who will try to take your 3 lives before you return to finish line. Prizes, awards following race. Registration: 5:00-6:00 p.m. at AYR Motor Centre, 105 Connell Park Rd. Zombies come out at 6:30 p.m. (all times Atlantic)! Cost: $10/adult; $5/student with ID. Zombies needed. Contact Jill Dunnett jill.dunnett@town.woodstock.nb.ca FMI

Friday, October 28 & Saturday, October 29

Eagle Lake Haunted Forest, Eagle Lake. Walk through the scariest trail you will ever experience filled with monsters, killers, and sadistic clowns. Come if you dare! 7:00-11:00 p.m. each night. Contact Sandra L. Fournier (207-444-5511) FMI

*Sunday, October 30

1st Annual Fort Kent Outdoor Center Team USA vs. Team Canada Halloween 5k/10k Trail Race, Fort Kent. 1k Kids’ Race (12 and under). Runners in costume receive time bonus in 5k, 10k races. Registration: 10:30 a.m. at FKOC, 33 Paradis Circle. Kids’ race start: 11:45 a.m. 5k/10k race start: 12:00 p.m. Cost: $15/runner; Free/Kids’ Run. Contact Jeff Dubis jdubis@maine.edu 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

Francis Malcolm Science Center Walk-in Tours, Easton. Weekdays; 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Experience our planetarium’s new, full-dome, digital projection system, featuring a 30-minute activity; 15 minutes in the star theater, 15 minutes to visit the facility at large. Cost: $5/visitor; reservations requested. Contact FMSC (207-488-5451) 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

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

Central Aroostook Humane Society Walk-A-Dog Wednesdays, Presque Isle. Wednesdays; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Central Aroostook Humane Society, 26 Cross St. Stop in to CAHS any Wednesday in October, take one of our resident dogs for a walk...and Pat's Pizza will thank you with a $5 gift certificate! Contact CAHS (207-764-3441) 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

* = New or updated item(s).