Aroostook Outdoor News: 12.1.16 edition
In
this edition: 1) #HolidayCrafts in #EastonME. 2) A #Christmas-themed run in
#WoodstockNB. 3) A celebration of #winter in #FortKentME. Plus lots more!
#offugo…
#AroostookThing
of the week: Francis Malcolm Science Center Holiday Craft Workshops in Easton.
Snowstorms lead to thoughts of Christmas, outer space, and science. Wait. What? |
As I write this from the comfort
of my home office in Caribou, we are in the midst of our second snowstorm in as
many days.
The
kids are enjoying this snow day, and I can see and hear them experiencing the
sense of wonder and joy that fresh snow often brings. There really is nothing
quite like it, especially here in Aroostook County.
You
know what else makes Aroostook County unique? The Francis Malcolm Science
Center in Easton.
Located
literally a stone’s throw from the Fort Fairfield town line on US Route 1A – or
at 776 Houlton Road, to be exact – scores of schoolchildren know this center as
a place of learning and exploring more than just the night sky.
Besides
hosting this week’s Aroostook Thing of the Week, FMSC hosts special seminars,
nature walks, academic programs, and is the northern-most planetarium theatre in the
continental United States. The recent installation of a new digital projection
system has enabled the center to expand their program selection and offer
visitors an engaging, fully immersive, full-dome experience.
This
week, FMSC’s Holiday Craft Workshops will serve as a small fundraiser to help
support its’ programs. You can make your own wreath, centerpiece, or swag with
materials supplied by FMSC. Participants are also welcome to bring their own
decorations and ribbon.
The
cost to participate is $15 per wreath or large centerpiece and $8 per swag or
small centerpiece.
Sessions
will be held on Thursday and Friday evenings, December 1 and 2, from 5:30-7:30
p.m. and again on Saturday, December 3 at 9:00 or 10:30 a.m.
Space
is limited, so reservations are recommended. Contact FMSC (207-488-5451) or tricia@francismalcolmsciencecenter.com
for more info.
#AroostookNote: Francis Malcolm
Science Center also offers Walk-in Tours. Weekdays, between the hours of 9:00
a.m. and 3:00 p.m., visitors can experience the planetarium’s new, full-dome,
digital projection system, including a 30-minute activity, which consists of 15
minutes in the star theater, and15 minutes to visit the facility at large. The
cost is just $5 per visitor. Reservations are requested.
Events:
*Thursday, December 1 &
Friday, December 2
Francis Malcolm Science
Center Holiday Craft Workshop, Easton. 5:30-7:30 p.m. at FMSC, 776 Houlton Rd. Make
your own wreath, centerpiece, or swag. We supply the materials; you are welcome
to bring your own decorations/ribbon. Cost: $15/wreath or large centerpiece,
$8/swag or small centerpiece. Space is limited; reservations recommended.
Contact FMSC (207-488-5451) or tricia@francismalcolmsciencecenter.com
FMI
*Saturday,
December 3
River Valley Runners 3k
Santa Stroll & 5k Reindeer Run, Woodstock, NB. Registration: 8:30 a.m. at
Woodstock Salvation Army, 100 Eastwood Dr. Race start: 9:30 a.m. (all times
Atlantic). Cost: donation. All funds raised go to Christmas Kettle Appeal.
Dress up in your best Santa or Reindeer outfit! Refreshments to follow. Visit www.facebook.com/events/1517030291647389
FMI
*Saturday, December 3
Francis Malcolm Science
Center Holiday Craft Workshop, Easton. 9:00 or 10:30 a.m. at FMSC, 776 Houlton Rd. Make
your own wreath, centerpiece, or swag. We supply the materials; you are welcome
to bring your own decorations/ribbon. Cost: $15/wreath or large centerpiece,
$8/swag or small centerpiece. Space is limited; reservations recommended.
Contact FMSC (207-488-5451) or tricia@francismalcolmsciencecenter.com
FMI
Saturday, December 3
Fort Kent Outdoor Center
Welcome Winter Social, Fort Kent. 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center,
33 Paradis Circle. This will be a social, membership drive, and fundraiser all
in one; snacks, cash bar, live music, door prizes. Let’s kick off the winter
season together! Cost: $3/member; $5/non-member. Visit www.10thmtskiclub.org FMI
*Thursday, December 8
Caribou Rec./Northern
Skiers Club Youth XC Ski Rental Night, Caribou. 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Caribou
Wellness Center. Seasonal rentals available for Caribou youth; includes skis,
boots, poles, and carrier. Cost: $55. Volunteers needed. Contact CPRD
(207-493-4224) FMI
Friday, December 9
Mont Farlagne Opening Day,
Edmundston, NB.
9:00 a.m. (Atlantic Time), weather permitting. Lifts open for our 47th season! Visit
www.montfarlagne.com FMI
Saturday, December 10
Friends of Aroostook
National Wildlife Refuge Second Saturday Event, Limestone. 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at
ANWR Visitor’s Center, 97 Refuge Rd. Come out for a chance to do last-minute
gift shopping, renew your membership. Bundle up to hike the trails then come
inside the Visitor’s Center to make a birdseed ornament for outdoor use. Contact
ANWR (207-328-4634) or friendsofanwr@gmail.com FMI
Saturday, December 10
Millinocket Marathon &
Half, Millinocket. Race
start: 10:00 a.m. at 27 Poplar St. Grass roots run/race. Pre-registration
required. Cost: FREE! In lieu of entry fee ALL runners encouraged to spend race
entry equivalent in town to help local economy. Why? Because this is one of our
Maine towns that has been really hurt by their mill closing and a grass roots
effort like this can and does help. Visit www.crowathletics.com/millinocket-marathon-half FMI
*Saturday, December 10
Bigrock Mountain Opening
Day, Mars Hill.
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., weather permitting. It’s the day you’ve waited eight
months and one week for: Bigrock opens for the season! Kick off the
ski/snowboard season at Bigrock! Visit www.bigrockmaine.com FMI
Sunday, December 18
Four Seasons Trail Association
Christmas at the Lodge, Madawaska. 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Four Seasons Lodge, 425
Spring St. Pasta lunch, sleigh rides, tubing, skiing, snowshoeing, and SANTA!
Bring the kids! Visit www.fourseasonstrail.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
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
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
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= New or updated item(s).