Aroostook Outdoor News: 2.10.17 edition
n this edition: 1) #Moonlight
#snowshoe hikes in #EastonME and #FortKentME and a daylight snowshoe #hike in
Easton. 2) A celebration of #winter in #FlorencevilleBristol #NewBrunswick. 3) A
#MovieNight for #birders in #PresqueIsleME. Plus lots more! #offugo…
#AroostookThing of the
week: Snowshoe
hikes: two in Easton and one in Fort Kent
 |
| Get your 'shoes on this weekend -- not on, not twice, but thrice! |
My work has led me to Washington,
D. C. this week, and though the steady waters of the Potomac River flow by not
far from my hotel room, it is not hard to see that this urban jungle and our
Aroostook home are worlds apart.
I
have been lucky enough to sneak away a couple of times to get outside and enjoy
the natural features around this convention center at the extreme southern tip
of our nation’s capital. Jogging along the nearby bike/run path on the eastern
bank of the Potomac provided the perfect therapy to counteract endless seminars
and workshops.
Enigmatically,
the last couple of days have drawn a stark reminder that we Aroostookians have
at least one thing in common with the denizens of the DMV (District – Maryland –
Virginia): crazy weather.
Wednesday
was about 70 degrees and sunny -- a near-record high for this area. A fellow
convention-goer said to me, “It feels like spring outside today.” I replied, “Where
I’m from, this is like a nice summer night.” After a brief geography lesson,
she agreed.
Thursday,
however, was more my speed – 40 degrees and overcast with a persistent Potomac gust.
Throw in a couple of quick but robust snow squalls, and my homesickness began
to ebb just a smidge.
Alas,
Friday is a travel day for me, and I will soon be back in our snowy utopia
(snowtopia, anyone?). I am actually looking forward to clearing the still clogged
driveway, getting in a ski day, and trying to get to at least one of the three
planned snowshoe outings this weekend.
That
is, as long as the giant bird that I have to take from here to BOS and the
smaller bird to PQI are snow birds.
Check
out the calendar below for all the info you need to get outside and active this
weekend.
#AroostookNote: #DYK that Maine Avenue
in Washington, D. C. is 1.2 miles long and affords a fantastic view of the
Jefferson Memorial? Beginning at Independence Avenue, travelers on Maine Avenue
will glimpse the iconic statue of Jefferson from across the Tidal Basin, then
cross U.S. Route 1 (of course it does), past several marinas (of course it
does), and under Interstate 395 (not that 395), before ending at 6th Street.
Events:
Friday, February 10
Francis Malcolm Science
Center Moonlight Snowshoe Hike, Easton. 6:30 p.m. at FMSC, 776 Houlton Road. Join us for
a 1-hour hike through our beautiful woods. Hot chocolate served following the
hike. Reservations requested. Cost: $5/adult, $3/child, $20/family. Snow shoes
available at no charge with paid admission. Please bring flashlight or head
lamp. Contact FMSC (207-488-5451) or tricia@francismalcolmsciencecenter.com FMI
Saturday, February 11
TAMC Total Health Team Free
Snowshoe Hike #2, Easton. 9:30-11:00 a.m. at the Fuller Residence. Open to
the community. Cost: FREE! Limited number of snowshoes available to borrow at
no charge. Preregistration required; directions to the Fuller's provided upon
registration. Contact Linda Menard (207-768-4172) or lmenard@tamc.org FMI
Saturday, February 11
Florenceville-Bristol
Tourism SnowBlast, Florenceville, NB. Activities at Riverside Park, Valley Outdoor
Centre, Camp Shiktehawk, Community Hall, including Youth/Adult Crazy Cardboard
Classic Sled Race, XC Skiing, Woodsman Water Boiling Competition, Sliding,
Human Dog Sled Race, Snowshoe Hike, Taffy on the Snow, Hay Rides, Skating,
Science East, Food Court, and more! Contact Florenceville-Bristol Tourism
(506-392-6763) or visit www.florencevillebristol.ca FMI
*Saturday, February 11
Fort Kent Outdoor Center
Full Snow Moon Snowshoe & XC Skiing, Fort Kent. 6:00-9:00 p.m. at FKOC
Lodge, 33 Paradis Cir. Ski or snowshoe, enjoy a bonfire and snacks at Lonesome
Pine Trails Ski Patrol Hut, then return to lodge. Bring a headlamp or flashlight!
Cost: Free/FKOC members, $5/non-members. Visit www.10thmtskiclub.org/event/full-moon-ski-tour-600-9-pm FMI
Wednesday, February 15
Aroostook Birders Movie
Night, Presque Isle. 6:30-8:00
p.m. at UMPI’s Campus Canter Alumni Room. Join us for a spectacular
presentation of Birds of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, shared by Judith
Roe. Ecuador has over 1600 species of birds including 132 species of
hummingbirds and 69 species of tanagers. Birds of every color are found in
Ecuador! Visit www.aroostookbirders.com FMI
Thursday, February 16
UMPI/TAMC Free Ladies’
Climbing Night and More, Presque Isle. 6:00-8:00 p.m. at UMPI’s Gentile Hall, 181
Main St. Ladies of all ages are invited to participate in a free evening of
activities, including rock wall climbing, fitness classes, walking track. Cost:
FREE! Equipment provided. Contact Gentile Hall (207-768-9772) FMI
Saturday, February 18
TAMC Total Health Team Free
Snowshoe Hike #3, Mars Hill. 9:30-11:00 a.m. at the Aroostook Health
Center, 15 Highland Ave. Open to the community. Cost: FREE! Limited number of
snowshoes available to borrow at no charge. Preregistration required;
directions to the Fuller's provided upon registration. Contact Linda Menard (207-768-4172)
or lmenard@tamc.org FMI
Saturday, February 18
Limestone Ski Club C-Me-Ski
Event, Limestone.
Aroostook Cup Series Race #3; a great classic tour and race. Come out and enjoy
the beauty of the wooded trails, the wildlife, and some good food! Distances:
.5k/ages 12 and under; 7k/ages 13-18; 21k/adults. Registration: 12:00 p.m. at
Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, 97 Refuge Rd. Youth race start: 1:00 p.m.
Adult race start: 1:30 p.m. Cost: $10 (suggested donation). Contact Limestone
Ski Club (207-328-7491) FMI
Saturday, February 18
St. John Vianney Parish
Winter Wellness Day, Fort Kent. 1:00 p.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center, 33 Paradis
Cir. Catholic athlete/professional Tracy Guerette presentation: “Virtue &
Sport: In Service & Praise of Our Creator.” All-ages outdoor activities
include: meditative guided snowshoe hike, low-impact exercises, kids’ storybook
snowshoe hike, sledding (bring your own), healthy snacks, campfire s’mores!
Cost: $25/family, $10/person (donation). Contact the Parish Office
(207-834-5656) FMI
*Saturday, February 25
42nd Annual Henry Anderson
Memorial Ski Dag, Caribou. Aroostook Cup Series Race #4. 5-mile, Classical XC
ski race open to all ages. This is the granddaddy of ‘em all! The longest
continuously-run Nordic race in Aroostook! Registration: 9:00 a.m. at Caribou
Country Club, 728 Sweden St. Race start: 10:00 a.m. Contact Caribou Parks &
Recreation Department (207-493-4224) FMI
Saturday, February 25
Aroostook State Park Winter
Family Fun Day, Presque Isle. 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. We have everything you
need to have fun with the family, outside in Aroostook County’s winter
wonderland: XC skiing, snowshoeing, sliding, snowmobile tote-rides, nature
walks, warming hut, bonfire, hot food, Smokey the Bear, Maine Game Wardens.
Equipment available. Fee: $1.50/person ages 12-64; all others FREE. Contact
Aroostook State Park (207-768-8341) FMI
Saturday, February 25
5th Annual NMMC/FSTA Rally
in the Valley Winter Festival, Madawaska. Kids of all ages are invited to attend a fun
outdoor snow day; skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, games, and more! Registration:
11:00 a.m. at Four Seasons Lodge. Event: 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Cost: $5;
includes t-shirt and water bottle. Contact Gail Lamarr (207-834-1459) or gail.lamarr@nmmc.org FMI
*Saturday, February 25
Town of Portage Lake Snow
Day, Portage Lake. 12:00
p.m. at Portage Hills Country Club, 98 Country Club Ave. Join us for an
afternoon of sliding. Snowsledders will bring people back up the hill; refreshments
for sale. Pizza and a movie at the Town Hall, School Street at 4:00 p.m.
Pie/Dessert Auction fundraiser at Dean’s Motor Lodge at 7:00 p.m.; live music
and dancing from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. (adults only!). Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1272828352803358/ FMI
Saturday, March 4-Sunday,
March 5
Fort Kent Outdoor
Center/Can-Am Crown Skijoring Races, Fort Kent. Skijoring: a blend of XC
skiing and mushing, where skier and animal(s) work together. 2k, 4k Sprint races
under the lights Saturday; 6k, 18k races Sunday, at Fort Kent Outdoor Center,
33 Paradis Cir. Cost: $20/2k, $25/4k, $35/5k, $45/15k; 10% discount if
registered before February 24. Contact FKOC fkocevents@gmail.com or visit www.fortkentoc.org/skijoring-in-fort-kent FMI
Saturday, March 4
Himie Towle Memorial Ski
Frolic, Presque Isle. Aroostook Cup Series Race #5. Youth races
(ages 15 and under) at varying distances; 10k Freestyle Race (classic track
also set), 5k Tour for adults. Registration: 10:00 a.m. at Nordic Heritage
Center, 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. Youth race start: 12:00 p.m. Adult race start:
12:30 p.m. Cost: $20/family, $10/adult, $5/youth; includes lunch. Contact Tom
Towle (207-227-6306) or ttowle@fortfairfield.org FMI
*Wednesday, March 8-
Wednesday, April 12
SAD 1 Adult & Community
Education Fly Tying Course, Presque Isle. Wednesdays, Mar. 8-Apr. 12; 6:00-9:00 p.m. at SAD
1 Adult & Comm. Ed., 79 Blake St. Learn to tie your own flies. Many anglers find
it enjoyable to spend winter months tying flies for next year's fishing season.
This very basic workshop is geared toward beginners and those who want to brush
up on techniques. Cost: $30. Contact SAD 1 Adult & Comm. Ed. (207-764-4776)
or visit www.msad1.coursestorm.com FMI
*Saturday, March 11
4th 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 Angel Flight NE and Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund. Fee: $15; includes
neck-warmer, stew, entertainment. Visit www.facebook.com/angelsnowfest 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
Bigrock McCain Ski4Life
Program, Mars Hill. Sundays; 10:00 a.m. at Bigrock, 37 Graves Rd. Learn to ski program
for students in grades K-12. Begins January 8 and runs for 10 weeks. Cost:
$15/student; includes lift ticket, lesson, equipment rental for students K-12
only. Parents
of students enrolled in the program may purchase lift tickets for $20,
equipment rental for $15. This program is open to everyone. Contact Bigrock
(207-425-6711) FMI
Bootlegger Snowshoe
Hike, Rivière-Bleue, QC. Fourth Sunday of each 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
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
Mont Farlagne Outdoor
Centre Snowshoe Hike, Edmundston, NB. Thursdays; 7:00 p.m. (Atlantic
Time). January 12-March 30. Bring your friends for a fun night! After going up
the top of the hill, everyone is invited to the Avalanche Bar. Every time you
participate, you get a ticket which gives you the chance to win a pair of
snowshoes. Cost: $6/person. Visit www.montfarlagne.com FMI
Nordic Heritage Sport
Club/TAMC Youth Ski Program, Presque Isle. Saturdays;
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Nordic Heritage Center. February 4-25. Coaches will
combine instruction and technique training with obstacle courses and games on
skis. For children up to age 14, this is the perfect way to get outside and
enjoy the winter. Cost: FREE! Contact Paul Lamoreau (207-764-6517) FMI
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