Aroostook Outdoor News: 2.19.15 edition

It’s #TourneyTime! Good luck to all the #AroostookCounty teams still playing hoops! See you outside when the season’s over!

In this edition: 1) A ski (and more) day just for women. 2) An outdoor fun day for the whole family. 3) Several seminars to help you learn more about our great outdoors. Plus lots more! offugo...

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Saturday, February 21

Fort Kent Outdoor Center Winter Women’s Day, Fort Kent

9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Skiing and snowshoeing lessons, yoga or other fitness programs, food and snacks, and a guest speaker. Fee: $20/club members; $25/non-members. Contact Laura Audibert la4568@roadrunner.com FMI

Saturday, February 21

Aroostook State Park Winter Family Fun Day, Presque Isle

10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating (bring skates), sliding, snowmobile tote-rides, nature walks, warming hut, bonfire, hot food, and Smokey the Bear. Fee: $1.50/person ages 12-64; all others FREE. Contact Aroostook State Park (207-768-8341) FMI

*Tuesday, February 24

UMPI Science Seminar Series, Presque Isle. 12:15-1:30 p.m.; Folsom Hall Rm. 201, featuring research conducted by UMPI students, faculty, other scientists. Peter Nelson, Asst. UMFK Biology Prof. will present: Lichens from Space! Mapping Small and Colorful Vegetation Using Satellite Imagery. Contact Dr. Jason Johnston (207-768-9652) or jason.johnston@umpi.edu FMI

Thursday, February 26

Aroostook Birders February Meeting/Talk, Presque Isle

6:30 p.m. at UMPI Campus Center Alumni Room. Dr. Jason Johnston, ornithologist and associate professor of wildlife ecology will present “Forest, Food and Phenology: Research on Northern Maine Birds,” highlighting area birds and habitats. Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI

Saturday, February 28–Sunday, March 1

February Frolic Ski Festival – Aroostook Cups #4 & #5, Caribou

Get ready for one big weekend of winter fun! Planned events include Aroostook Youth Ski Festival, Aroostook League Middle School Ski Sprints, Maine State Ski Sprints (A-Cup #4), Henry Anderson Ski Dag (A-Cup #5), and MUCH more! Contact Mark Shea (207-498-9952) or mwscshea@gmail.com FMI

*Saturday, February 28

UMPI Youth Rock Climbing Information Night, Presque Isle

5:00-6:00 p.m. at Gentile Hall Rock Wall. Middle schoolers and parents interested in youth rock climbing skill development are invited to discuss a clinic to be held Mar. 30-Apr. 3. Clinic fee: $100. Contact Victoria Winslow victoria.winslow@maine.edu FMI

Sunday, March 1

Cam-Am Crown Skijoring Races, Fort Kent

Skijoring: a blend of XC skiing and mushing, where skier and animal(s) work together. As part of the annual Cam-Am Crown Sled Dog races, the organization will be hosting 5k, 10k, 15k skijoring races at the beautiful Fort Kent Outdoor Center trails! Contact Laura Audibert (207-834-6773) or la4568@roadrunner.com FMI

Wednesday, March 4

Caribou Rec. Ski4Life Program, Mars Hill

Learn to ski at Bigrock! Open to grades 6-8. Program dates: March 4, 19, 26, April 3. Fee: $80; includes transportation, lift ticket, ski rental, mandatory lesson. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Saturday, March 7

Himie Towle Memorial Ski Frolic – Aroostook Cup #6, Presque Isle

Mass-start 10k event is freestyle cross-country (classic track also set). Race start: 11:00 a.m. at Nordic Heritage Center. Fee: $20/family, $10/adult, $5/youth; includes lunch. Contact Steve Towle (207-227-6908) or towlesteve@gmail.com FMI

Saturday, March 7

2nd 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 Angle Flight NE and Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund. Fee: $15; includes neck-warmer, stew, entertainment. Visit www.facebook.com/angelsnowfest FMI

*Saturday, March 14

Aroostook Birders Duckbox Cleanout Day, Limestone

8:00 a.m. at Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. Give back to the birds on this one-mile snowshoe hike and morning of conservation work. Clean out and prep duck boxes for the upcoming season. Bring snowshoes, water, snacks. Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI

*Saturday, March 14

After The Bell/Araya Wellness Lucky Leprechaun 5k, Mars Hill
Registration: 9:00 a.m. at Fort Street Elementary. Fee: $5/runner; $20/family. Contact Ryan Guerrette (207-425-6711) or ryanguerrette@skibigrock.me FMI

*Saturday, March 14

Bigrock Winterfest Moon Light Snowshoe Hike, Mars Hill

6:00 p.m. Bring a headlamp or flashlight and join in on a guided 1-mile loop. Participants are encouraged to bring their own snowshoes; limited number of snowshoes available on a first come, first served basis. Contact Ryan Guerrette (207-425-6711) or ryanguerrette@skibigrock.me FMI

*Sunday, March 15

Bigrock Invitational Youth Ski Race, Mars Hill

Registration: 8:00 a.m. Giant Slalom Race start: 10:00 a.m. Slalom Race start: 12:45 p.m. Awards: 2:30 p.m. Fee: $25; includes lift ticket; season pass holders, $15. Contact Ryan Guerrette (207-425-6711) or ryanguerrette@skibigrock.me FMI

Tuesday, March 17

Caribou Rec. Take It Outside Series Adult Ice Fishing Trip, Madawaska Lake

Depart Caribou Rec. at 9:00 a.m.; return by 3:00 p.m. Fee: $25/ages 18-69; $20/ages 70 and up; includes transportation, ice traps, bait, ice auger, lakeside lunch, campfire. Bring folding chairs, warm clothes. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

*Thursday, March 19

Aroostook Birders March Annual Meeting/Talk, Location TBA

"Seabirds of Maine" presentation by Bill Sheehan; 6:30 p.m. Maine is famous for diverse and abundant seabird life; learn about birds found along the coastline and on the open ocean. All with an interest invited! Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI

Friday, March 20-Sunday, March 22

Caribou Rec. Take It Outside Series Adult Ski Trip, Baxter State Park

Join us for a two-night trip to Katahdin Lake Wilderness Cabins, featuring a 13-mile round trip ski to Chimney Pond. Fee: $175; includes skis and trekking poles, cabin lodging, all meals (excluding first day lunch). Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

*Saturday, March 21-Sunday, March 22

Presque Isle Fish and Game Club Sportsman’s Show, Presque Isle

Kids’ Trout Fishing Pond sponsored by L.L. Bean, Shooting Range, Bow Range, Video Hunting Game, Moose Calling Contest, hourly kids’ door prizes! 75+ exhibitors from Maine, New Brunswick, Labrador, Quebec, New England. Fee: $5. Visit Presque Isle Fish and Game Club www.PIFG.org FMI

Tuesday, March 24

Caribou Rec. Take It Outside Series Adult Snowshoe Adventure, Caribou

Join us for a snowshoe adventure at Caribou High School Ski Trails. Fee: $20; includes snowshoes, trekking poles, instruction, hot dog roast. Depart Caribou Rec. Center at 10:00 a.m.; return by 3:00 p.m. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Ongoing Programs:

Sunday Saunter Running Group, Presque Isle

Sundays; 10:00 a.m. at UMPI's Gentile Hall. Open to all abilities; be ready for an easy run of 30-45 minutes, and bring friends! Contact Jonathan Kelley competitorme@gmail.com FMI

Van Buren Rec. Youth Hockey, Van Buren

Sundays; 11:00 a.m. and Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays; 3:30 p.m. at the Van Buren Ice Skating Rink (weather permitting). Come play hockey outdoors! Donations of “real” ice hockey sticks, helmets, pads, would be greatly appreciated! Contact Michael "Miles" Garcia (207-868-5059) or vbchamber@gmail.com FMI

Bootlegger Snowshoe Hike, Rivière-Bleue, QC

Sundays; fourth Sunday of the 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

10th Mountain Outdoor Club Jalbert Pee Wee Biathlon Program, Fort Kent

Tuesdays; 4:00 p.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center. Open to youth ages 9 and under. Kids will learn basic skate skiing skills, go on ski adventures, and play LOTS of games! Cost: FREE! Contact Gail Johnson stegacosa@yahoo.com FMI

10th Mountain Outdoor Club Jalbert Youth Biathlon Program, Fort Kent

Tuesdays; 6:00 p.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center. Open to youth ages 10-14; roller skiing, rifle shooting, trail running, and LOTS of games! Cost: FREE! Contact Gail Johnsonstegacosa@yahoo.com FMI

MWSC Active Maine Project Adult Nordic Program, Fort Kent

Tuesdays; 6:00 p.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center. The program runs January 20-February 10 and is a fun, social way to improve your ski skills. Cost: $55. Contact Mike Smith (207-227-0250) or mikes@mainewsc.org FMI

MWSC Active Maine Project Adult Nordic Program, Presque Isle

Thursdays; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic Heritage Center. The program runs January 22-February 12 and is a fun, social way to improve your ski skills. Cost: $55. Contact Mike Smith (207-227-0250) or mikes@mainewsc.org FMI

Lonesome Pines Trails Junior Ski Program, Fort Kent

Saturdays; 9:30-11:30 a.m. For grades K-8; runs for eight weeks, starting Jan. 31. Fee: $45; includes sweatshirt and fee waiver for LPT Annual Invitational Race on March 21. Contact Mike Voisine (207-834-5202) or info@lonesomepines.org FMI

Nordic Heritage Sport Club Youth XC Ski Program, Presque Isle

Saturdays; 10:00-11:30 a.m. Starts January 10. Join us for a fun-filled free ski lesson! Grades K-8 welcome; ages 5 and under invited if with adult. Lessons designed for all levels. Visit www.nordicheritagecenter.org FMI

Four Seasons Trail Association Youth Ski Program, Madawaska

Saturdays; 1:00 p.m. at Four Seasons Lodge. Visit www.fourseasonstrail.org FMI

Bigrock Multi-week Youth Lesson Programs, Mars Hill

Saturdays and Sundays; time and cost varies. 10-week programs start first Saturday in January. Specially designed for junior skiers/snowboarders of all abilities, including first‐timers; focus on developing fundamentals in a safe, fun‐filled environment. Contact Ryan Guerrette (207-425-6711) FMI

* = New or updated item(s).