offugo... Aroostook Outdoor Event News

Happy New Year! In this edition: 1) Join an annual birding tradition in Presque Isle. 2) Ring in the Nordic New Year at ski race in Caribou. 3) Check out youth ski programs in Presque Isle and Caribou. Plus lots more! Events: Saturday, December 30 PRESQUE ISLE: Audubon Christmas Bird Count. 7:00 a.m. at Tim Horton’s, Main St. We invite you to join us for all or part of this day-long count in the Presque Isle area; all welcomed for this long-standing holiday tradition! We need all hands on deck! Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI Monday, January 1 CARIBOU: Caribou Nordic New Year’s Day Race. Distance: 5k Freestyle. Registration 10:00 a.m. at Caribou High School Ski Center, 308 Sweden St. Race start: 11:00 a.m. Chicken stew, rolls, water available for racers; with donation for non-racers. Prizes available for racers. Fundraiser for Caribou Nordic Team. Contact Evan Graves egraves@rsu39.org FMI Friday, January 5 C

In this edition: 1) Join a hike to honor veterans in Castle Hill. 2) Jump for joy for Quoggy Jo’s opening Day in Presque Isle. 3) Ring in the Nordic New Year at a fun festival in Fort Kent. Plus lots more! #AroostookThing #Aroostook #AroostookCounty #TheCounty #NorthernMaine #offugo… Events: Friday, December 22 CASTLE HILL: Honor for the Holidays Haystack Mountain Snowshoe Hike. 6:00 p.m. at Haystack Mountain Trailhead, Route 163. Honor our military and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and can't be with loved ones this holiday season. Christmas tree w/lights dedicated at sunset (3:48 p.m.). Bring snowshoes, headlamp, holiday spirit! Visit www.facebook.com/events/1454781617954398 FMI Tuesday, December 26 PRESQUE ISLE: Quoggy Jo Ski Center Opening Day. 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Keep doing your snow dances! Contact Gene Cronin (207-540-1496) or gene@skiquoggyjo.org or visit www.skiquoggyjo.org FMI Wednesday, December 27-Friday, December 29

In this edition: 1) Cheer for some of the best skiers in New England and eastern Canada in Fort Kent. 2) Join in on a time-honored birding tradition in Caribou. 3) Celebrate the season with outdoor fun in Madawaska. Plus lots more! #AroostookThing #Aroostook #AroostookCounty #TheCounty #NorthernMaine #offugo… Events: Saturday, December 16 & Sunday, December 17 FORT KENT: NENSA Eastern Cup Weekend. At Fort Kent Outdoor Center, 33 Paradis Cir. New England Nordic Ski Association and Fort Kent Outdoor Center host the 1st event of the season. Freestyle Sprint races Saturday, Classic Distance races Sunday. Come out and watch some fast skiers and exciting races! Visit www.10thmtskiclub.org FMI Saturday, December 16 MARS HILL: Bigrock Mountain Opening Day. 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., weather permitting. It’s the day you’ve waited eight months for: Bigrock opens for the season! Kick off the ski/snowboard season at Bigrock! Visit www.bigrockmaine.com FMI CARIBOU: Au

In this edition: 1) Learn about the “Christmas Star” in Easton. 2) Cheer for some of the best skiers in New England and eastern Canada in Fort Kent. 3) Join in on a time-honored birding tradition in Caribou. Plus lots more! #AroostookThing #Aroostook #AroostookCounty #TheCounty #NorthernMaine #offugo… Events: Saturday, December 9 EASTON: Francis Malcolm Science Center “The Christmas Star” Planetarium Show. 11:00 a.m.-Noon at Francis Malcolm Science Center, 776 Houlton Rd. Full dome planetarium show offers festive, astronomical investigation of holiday traditions in general and the mystery of the "star" of Bethlehem in particular. Reservation requested. Cost: $5/adult, $3/child. Contact Tricia Langner (207) 488-5451 FMI Saturday, December 16 & Sunday, December 17 FORT KENT: NENSA Eastern Cup Weekend. At Fort Kent Outdoor Center, 33 Paradis Cir. New England Nordic Ski Association and Fort Kent Outdoor Center host the 1st event of the season.

In this edition: 1) The final ski swap of the season is on tap in Mars Hill. 2) Welcome winter in Fort Kent. 3) Walk for a cause in Presque Isle. Plus lots more! #AroostookThing #Aroostook #AroostookCounty #TheCounty #NorthernMaine #offugo… Events: Saturday, December 2 MARS HILL: Bigrock Mountain Ski Swap and Sale. Old ski gear taking up space in your home? Looking for rock-bottom prices on ski stuff for the upcoming season? Then you better get to Bigrock! Last day to buy early bird season passes! Consignment intake: 9:00-11:00 a.m. Sale: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Contact Bigrock (207-425-6711) FMI FORT KENT: Fort Kent Outdoor Center Welcome Winter Social . 5:30-9:00 p.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center, 33 Paradis Circle. This will be a social, membership drive, and fundraiser all in one; pot luck hors d’ouevres, cash bar, door prizes, indoor Christmas cornhole tournament. Let’s kick off the winter season together! Cost: $3/member; $5/non-member. Visit www.10thmtski