offugo... Aroostook Outdoor Event News

In this edition: 1) Welcome winter at a murder mystery party in Fort Kent. 2) Get out for Bigrock’s earliest opening day in years AND don’t miss your last chance to buy used winter gear in Mars Hill. 3) Learn more about the history of skiing and biathlon in the St. John Valley in Fort Kent. Plus lots more! Events: Friday, November 30 FORT KENT: Fort Kent Outdoor Center Welcome Winter Social . 5:30-9:00 p.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center, 33 Paradis Circle. This year's event has a little twist: Membership Drive and Social AND a Murder Mystery Party! Come as a suspect or feel free to mingle and watch the investigation unfold. Pot luck appetizers, cash bar. Cost: $3/member; $5/non-member. Visit www.facebook.com/events/2236898583211718 FMI Saturday, December 1 **NEW DATE** 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

In this edition:   1) Burn off those Thanksgiving calories at a Turkey Trot in Caribou. 2) Young skiers can get a jump on the ski season at a special youth program in Caribou. 3) Welcome winter at a murder mystery party in Fort Kent. Plus lots more! Events: Saturday, November 24 CARIBOU: Turkey Trot 5k . Registration: 8:30 a.m. at Caribou High School, 308 Sweden St. Walk start: 9:45 a.m. Race start: 10:00 a.m. Cost: $14/person; long-sleeved t-shirt to first 75 registrants. Contact Evan Graves (207-226-0711) or gravespi@gmail.com FMI Tuesday, November 27 CARIBOU: Caribou Rec. PRESKISON Ski Program. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:00-6:00 p.m.; November 27-December 20. For youth in grades 5-8. Adventure to different locations to find activities to keep moving: mountain biking, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, ice skating. Pre-registration required. Cost: $20/person. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI Frida

In this edition: 1) Gear up for downhill and cross country skiing at a ski sale and swap in Fort Kent. 2) A dinner and dance to support a local ski hill in Mars Hill. 3) A special early-release day program for youth in Caribou. Plus lots more! Events: Saturday, November 17 & Sunday, November 18 FORT KENT: Lonesome Pine Trails Ski Swap and Sale . Ski sale consignment registration: Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-Noon. Ski sale: Sunday, Noon-4:00 p.m. Discounted season passes available both days. Contact LPT (207-834-5202) or visit www.lonesomepinetrails.org FMI Saturday, November 17 MARS HILL: Bigrock Mountain Dinner and Dance Fundraiser. 5:00-11:00 p.m. at Bigrock, 37 Graves Rd. Dinner: 5:00-7:00 p.m. Dance: 8:00-11:00 p.m.; 21+ event featuring Cunningham/Haines. Cost: Dinner only: $20/age 13 and up, $10/age 12 and under; Dinner & dance: $30/age 21 and up. 100% of proceeds support programs, events at Bigrock Mountain, a 501c3 nonprofit. Contact Travis Kearney (

In this edition: 1) A tour to view the last birds to leave Aroostook on their southward migration in Sinclair. 2) Rent cross country skis for the season in Caribou. 3) Gear up for downhill and cross country skiing at a ski sale and swap in Fort Kent. Plus lots more! Events: Saturday, November 10 SINCLAIR: Aroostook Birders Long Lake Tour. 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Sinclair boat launch by the bridge. Join us on a carpool jaunt around Long Lake to see the last migrants leaving the state, stopping at promising spots, finishing at Lakeview Restaurant for lunch. We can always count on seeing spawning salmon too! Contact Bill Sheehan thearoostookbirders@gmail.com FMI Thursday, November 15 CARIBOU: Caribou Rec/Northern Skiers Club Youth XC Ski Rental Night. 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Caribou Wellness Center. Seasonal rentals available for Caribou youth; includes skis, boots, poles, equipment bag. Cost: $55. Volunteers needed. Contact CPRD (207-493-4224) FMI Saturday, No

In this edition: 1) a winter sports equipment swap and sale in Presque Isle. 2) A tour to view the last birds to leave Aroostook on their southward migration in Sinclair. 3) Rent cross country skis for the season in Caribou. Plus lots more! Events: Sunday, November 4 PRESQUE ISLE: Quoggy Jo Ski Club Ski & Winter Sports Sale. 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Presque Isle Rec. Center, 24 Chapman Rd. Consignments accepted from 9:00 a.m.-Noon. Area ski shops on hand with new and used gear! Contact Gene Cronin (207-540-1496) or gene@skiquoggyjo.org FMI Saturday, November 10 SINCLAIR: Aroostook Birders Long Lake Tour. 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Sinclair boat launch by the bridge. Join us on a carpool jaunt around Long Lake to see the last migrants leaving the state, stopping at promising spots, finishing at Lakeview Restaurant for lunch. We can always count on seeing spawning salmon too! Contact Bill Sheehan thearoostookbirders@gmail.com FMI Thursday, November 15 CA