Aroostook Outdoor News: 2.3.17 edition
In this edition: 1) #Moosestompers
weekend in #HoultonME. 3) The first #RoadRace of 2017 in #Houlton. 3) Great
Maine Outdoor Weekend #GMOW events in #PresqueIsleME and FortKentME. Plus lots
more! #offugo…
#AroostookThing of the
week: Moosestompers
Weekend in Houlton.
 |
| Chillin' like villains! |
Have you ever seen a moose stomp?
I
have. From about 10 yards. And, yes, it was enough to make an indelible mark on
my brain, as the sheer size and power of this king of the northern forest made
it very clear who was the boss of the twitch road we were both walking.
Have
you ever been a Moosestomper?
I
have. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to deliver a trailer load of cross-country
ski gear, outfit fellow Moosestompers with said gear, and then help them slide
around a small track and larger network of trails as part of the town of
Houlton’s annual Moosestompers Weekend.
Moosestompers
is one of the last vestiges of the true winter carnival that was once prevalent
in almost every Aroostook community.
While
you probably will not get the opportunity to actually see a moose stomp, you
can become a Moosestomper by participating in one or more (or all!) of the
awesome activities going on in the shire town this weekend.
Planned
outdoor activities include a moonlight snowshoe hike, a daytime snowshoe hike,
sliding on derby hill (the summer home of the annual Northern Maine Soapbox
Derby), a snow creation contest, the Wild Katahdin Trust Snow Run,
cross-country skiing, a fishing derby, a giant bonfire, and more!
So
get your boots on, get to Houlton, and get ready to become a Moosestomper!
Visit www.moosestompers.com FMI
#AroostookNote: #DYK that Houlton,
Maine was first settled 210 years ago? That makes Houlton one of the oldest
Anglo-American settlements in Aroostook County. Pioneers Aaron Putnam and
Joseph Houlton came to that area in 1807, started a village, and named it for
Houlton. In 1828 the United States government established Hancock Barracks, a
military post, in the area. Houlton officially incorporated as a town in 1831.
Events:
Friday, February 3-Sunday,
February 5
Moosestompers Weekend,
Houlton.
Activities include: Moonlight Snowshoe Hike, Daytime Snowshoe Hike, Sliding on
Derby Hill, Snow Creation Contest, Wild Katahdin Trust Snow Run, Cross-country
Skiing, Moosestompers Fishing Derby, giant bonfire, more! Visit www.moosestompers.com FMI
Saturday, February 4
33rd Annual Wild Katahdin
Trust Snow Run, Houlton. 2017 Aroostook Musterds County Challenge Series
Race #1. Registration: 9:00 a.m. at Millar Arena, 94 Randall Ave. 2-mile walk
start: 10:45 a.m. 5k run start: 11:00 a.m. Course: Pretty flat and fast
(depending on weather). Cost: $12. T-shirts to first 50 registrants. Proceeds
support Houlton Area Backpacks For Kids Program. Refreshments, traditional
chicken stew after event. Contact Larry Tonzi tonzimaine@gmail.com FMI
Saturday, February 4
TAMC Total Health Team Free
Snowshoe Hike #1, Presque Isle. 9:30-11:00 a.m. at Aroostook State Park, 87
State Park Rd. Open to the community. Cost: FREE! Limited number of snowshoes
available to borrow at no charge. Preregistration required. Contact Linda
Menard (207-768-4172) or lmenard@tamc.org FMI
Sunday, February 5
Fort Kent Outdoor Center
Free Family Fun Day, Fort Kent. 12:00-4:00 p.m. at FKOC, 33 Paradis Circle.
Free trail passes, ski and snowshoe rentals, beginner ski lessons, guided ski
and snowshoe tours, sledding, snacks, hot chocolate, and a bonfire with
s’mores! Visit www.fortkentoc.org FMI
Tuesday, February
7-Thursday, February 23
Eastern Aroostook Adult Ed.
Hunter Safety Courses, Caribou. Firearms: Feb. 7, 6:00-9:30 p.m. & Feb.
22, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Archery: Feb. 8, 6:00-9:30 p.m. & Feb. 23, 8:00
a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Caribou Learning Center, 75 Bennett Dr. Must complete12 hours
per discipline to receive certificate. Minimum age: 10 years; students 14
years, younger must be accompanied by adult. Pre-registration required. Cost:
$5. Contact Eastern Aroostook Adult Ed. (207-493-4272) FMI
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
*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
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
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
*Sunday, February 26
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, 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
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
Fort Kent Outdoor Center
Jalbert Youth Biathlon Program, Fort Kent. Saturdays;
1:00-2:30 p.m. at FKOC, 33 Paradis Circle. Jan 7-Feb 11. Open to youth ages
4-14; Nordic skiing, rifle shooting, and LOTS of games! Cost: Free;
participants are asked to purchase FKOC memberships or daily trail passes.
Contact Gail Johnson stegacosa@yahoo.com FMI
*
= New or updated item(s).
