Aroostook Outdoor News: 4.17.15 edition

#IceIceBaby! Another #spring milestone is upon us: it’s river #iceout time. #GoAwayWinter #HelloSpring!

In this edition: 1) Run/Walks this weekend in Presque Isle and Island Falls. 2) Run/Walks, a waterfowl walk, and a history walk next weekend Grafton, NB, Caribou, Fort Fairfield, and Presque Isle. 3) Start making summer outdoor adventure plans for the kids in Caribou. Plus lots more! offugo...

Saturday, April 18

CompetitorME Autism Challenge, Presque Isle

Registration: 9:00 a.m. 1-mile Kids’ Fun Run start: 9:30 a.m. 5k Run/Walk start: 10:00 a.m.; fully supported race with awards. Fee: $20/adult, $10/18 and under, FREE/Kids’ Fun Run entries. Proceeds benefit Aroostook Autism Support Group. Contact Jonathan Kelley competitorme@gmail.com FMI

Saturday, April 18

Team Berry Sisters 1st Annual 5k Run/Walk for MS, Island Falls

Join us to raise funds and awareness for MS. If 5k is too much, take the 1-mile route! Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Island Falls Municipal Building. Run/Walk start: 10:00 a.m. Snacks and entertainment at finish line. Contact Team Berry Sisters (207-949-6968) or susren1972@aol.com FMI

Saturday, April 25

River Valley Runners Break the Blues Walk/Run, Grafton, NB

Walk 3k or run 5k along our beautiful St. John River to support Woodstock Suicide Prevention Committee. Registration: 8:00 a.m. beside O'Toole's Gallery, Route 105. Walk/Race start: 9:00 a.m. (all times Atlantic). Fee: donation. Contact Aynslie Althea Nina Croney (506-325-4789) FMI

Saturday, April 25

Aroostook Birders Waterfowl Walk, Fort Fairfield

8:00-11:00 a.m. at Riverside Park. Explore favorite birding sites for returning waterfowl and other early spring migrants. Non-strenuous series of short drives; a great way to discover some excellent birding spots. Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI

Saturday, April 25

Cary Donor Dash 5k, Caribou

Annual Walk/Run for Organ and Tissue Awareness. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Griffeth Ford. Walk start: 9:00 a.m. Run start: 9:30 a.m. First 100 registrants get a t-shirt; refreshments at Cary following the event. Contact Ann King (207-498-1282) aking@carymed.org FMI

Saturday, April 25

PI Historical Society Guided Historic Downtown Walking Tour, Presque Isle 10:00 a.m.-Noon. This guided two-mile tour begins and ends at the 1875 Vera Estey House Museum, 16 Third Street, and covers over 30 historic sites and individuals. Fee: FREE; $2 donation suggested. Contact Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or visit www.pihistory.org FMI

*Friday, May 1

Caribou Rec./Healthy You Bird Watching Trip, Caribou

Meet at Caribou Wellness Center at 6:30 a.m. for a tour with Bill Sheehan. Open to all ages. Rain or shine; dress for weather. Cost: FREE! Includes transportation, free bird call. Limited binoculars, bird books available. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

*Friday, May 1

C.R.X. Outdoor Adventure Program Registration Opens, Caribou

Exciting youth outdoor activities. June 19-21: Allagash. June 25-28: Backpack Baxter. July 6-9: Kayaking. July 15-18: W.O.W. July 20-23: Mountain Biking. July 28-30 & August 4-6: Baxter I & II. Cost: Varies by program. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Saturday, May 2

UMPI Outing Club Rock Climbing Trip, Acadia National Park

Climb real granite! No experience required. Fee: $30/UMPI student; $45/non-student; transportation, guide services, gear provided. Contact Amanda Baker (207-768-9401) or amanda.g.baker@umpi.edu FMI

Saturday, May 2

Community Voices 2nd Annual High On Life 420 Run, Fort Kent

5k run/walk for all ages and abilities. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at FKCHS. Supervised children's activities: 8:30-9:30 a.m. Walk start: 8:45 a.m. Race start: 9:00 a.m. Proceeds to support Community Voices substance abuse prevention programs. Contact Mark Shea mshea@carymed.org FMI

Saturday, May 2

Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race, Houlton

Approx. 8 miles; whitewater. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Wellington's on the Station Road in New Limerick. Race start: 10:00 a.m. Fee: $15/adult; $10/youth. Pre-register by 4/28 and get a free T-shirt. Benefits Dollars for Scholars. Contact Jane Torres (207-532-4216) or Peter Blood (207-532-2577) FMI

Saturday, May 2

Baxter State Park Earth Day Clean Up, Millinocket

9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. The general public is invited to join the annual Baxter State Park Roadside Litter Patrol from Millinocket to Togue Pond Gate. Bring a lunch and join other volunteers at Park Headquarters after the cleanup; drinks and snacks provided. Visit www.facebook.com/events/1410624382586454 FMI

Sunday, May 3

Knights of Columbus 4th Annual Polar Dip for Special Olympics, Sinclair

Registration: 11:00 a.m. at Long Lake Sporting Club. Polar Dip: 12:00 p.m. Open to all; must raise at least $1. T-shirt for $50 or more in pledges; highest total wins $100 Sporting Club gift cert. “Chicken Pool” available. Contact Duane Belanger (207-951-2874) or visit www.freezeit.weebly.com FMI

Sunday, May 3

3rd Annual Safe Homes Aroostook 5k Run/Walk, Presque Isle

Registration: 12:00 p.m. at UMPI’s Gentile Hall. Race start: 1:00 p.m. Fee: $15. Participants encouraged to solicit pledges; individuals, teams raising most funds receive prizes. Proceeds go directly to Hope & Justice Project and Homeless Services of Aroostook. Visit www.safehomesaroostook.org FMI

*Wednesday, May 6

Caribou Rec./Healthy You Collins Pond Bird Watching Trip, Caribou

7:00 a.m. at Collins Pond picnic pavilion, Roberts St. Guided warbler exploration with Bill Sheehan; light walking around the pond. Open to all ages. Rain or shine. Cost: FREE! Includes free bird call. Limited binoculars, bird books available. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Saturday, May 9

East Grand Adventure Race, Danforth

20 miles; compass run, mountain bike, paddle, may include river traverse, mud crawl, tomahawk throw, log roll, cross-cut saw. 8 Divisions: High School, Adult, Open. Fee: $20; includes trophies, t-shirts, lunch, and $1,000+ in prizes. Contact Dave Conley (207-551-8729) or visit www.eastgrandschool.org/adventure-race FMI

Saturday, May 9

Baskahegan Stream Canoe/Kayak Race, Danforth

34 miles; flat water. Kossuth to Bancroft. Runs in conjunction with East Grand Adventure Race as a paddle-only option. Pre-registration required. Contact Dave Conley (207-551-8729) or visit www.eastgrandschool.org/adventure-race FMI

Saturday, May 9

Aroostook Birders Outing at Nordic Heritage Center, Presque Isle

7:30-9:30 a.m. Meet in the NHC parking lot for an easy walk on blacktop trails. Contact Judy Roe (207-768-7271) FMI

Saturday, May 9

CompetitorME Run For Heroes, Presque Isle

9:00 a.m. at Riverside Park. Kids’ 1-mile Fun Run and 5k Run/Walk to support current and past U.S. service members. All proceeds to The Summit Project. Veterans encouraged to wear camouflage as a symbol of their service. Fee: $7/Kids’ Fun Run; $12/Youth 5k; $22/Adult 5k. Visit www.competitorme.com FMI

*Saturday, May 9-Sunday, May 10

UMPI Outing Club Deboullie Hiking and Overnight Camping Trip, T15 R9 WELS

Explore Deboullie, the hidden gem of northern Maine. Cost: $50/UMPI student; $70/non-student; includes transportation, food, camping fees. Contact Amanda Baker (207-768-9401) or amanda.g.baker@umpi.edu FMI

*Saturday, May 9

Friends of Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge Vernal Pool Workshop, Limestone

10:00 a.m.-Noon. ANWR staff will lead a short hike to view salamanders, frogs and their egg masses, and discuss the importance of vernal pools in northern Maine. Waterproof boots recommended. Cost: FREE! Contact ANWR (207-328-4634) or visit www.friendsofaroostooknwr.org FMI

*Friday, May 15

Caribou Rec./Healthy You Bird Caribou Bog Watching Trip, Caribou

7:00 a.m. at Aroostook Valley Rail Trail parking lot on Washburn Rd.; short walk to birding area. Open to all ages. Rain or shine. Cost: FREE! Includes free bird call. Limited binoculars, bird books available. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Saturday, May 16

Aroostook Birders Perham Bog/Salmon Brook Lake Birding Hike, Perham

7:00-11:00 a.m. Meet at Perham Town Office for a 3-mile round trip excursion along the railroad trail. Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI

Saturday, May 16
Aroostook River Fun Run Canoe and Kayak Race, Washburn

8 miles; flat water. Family oriented. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Thomas Brewer Park. Race start: 10:00 a.m.; ends at Presque Isle Fish and Game Club. Fee: $10/advance; $15/race day; t-shirts to first 75 registered. Contact Mike Gudreau (207-540-6142) or michaelgudreau@aol.com FMI

*Saturday, May 16

Deboullie Run-Around, Fort Kent

May be rescheduled due to road conditions. 7.5-mile trail run in Deboullie Public Reserved Land up and over Black and Deboullie Mountains, along Deboullie Pond. Meet at Deboullie Pond parking area/trailhead at 8:00 a.m. Carpooling encouraged; roads will be rough! Contact Don Eno donenoweb@me.com FMI

*Saturday, May 16

After The Bell Mud Run, Mars Hill

1-mile; not timed. 10:00 a.m. at Bigrock. Come dressed for a mess! Fee: $10. Contact Jamie Guerrette jamielguerrette@yahoo.com FMI

Sunday, May 17

Meduxnekeag River Association Wildflower Walk, Woodstock, NB

Our popular annual Wildflower Walk will meet at Bell Forest, 200 Bell Settlement Rd, Belleville at 1:30 p.m. (Atlantic time). Allow at least two hours. Contact Meduxnekeag River Association (506-328-8227) or meduxnekeag@nb.aibn.com or visit www.meduxnekeag.org FMI

Monday, May 18

Meduxnekeag River Association Canoe Float, Woodstock, NB

This year's slow canoe float down the Meduxnekeag River is planned for Victoria Day, weather permitting. Contact Meduxnekeag River Association (506-328-8227) or meduxnekeag@nb.aibn.com or visit www.meduxnekeag.org FMI

*Thursday, May 21

Caribou Rec./Healthy You Owl Prowl & Night Sounds Field Trip, Caribou

With audio enhancement tools, explore a local forest. Meet at Caribou Wellness Center at 6:45 p.m. Open to all ages. Rain or shine. Cost: FREE! Includes transportation, free bird call. Bring flashlight; expect moderate walking. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

*Friday, May 22
PI Reg. Career & Tech. Center SkillsUSA Nationals Glow 5k, Presque Isle

Registration: 8:00 p.m. at PI Middle School. Race start: 8:30. There will be refreshments along the way. Come ready to have lots of fun and bring plenty of glow sticks and glow in the dark gear! Cost: $20/adult; $10/youth (17 and under). Contact Amy White whitea@sad1.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

Village of Perth-Andover Walk in the Park, Perth-Andover, NB

Wednesdays; 6:30–7:30 p.m. (Atlantic time). Meet at Perth-Andover Bandstand; weather permitting. Visit www.perth-andover.com FMI

River Valley Runners Saturday Fun Run, Woodstock, NB

Saturdays; 8:30 a.m. (Atlantic) at Carleton Civic Centre, 105 Connell Park Rd. Meet in main/front parking lot of Civic Centre. Hope to see many runners out; spring is coming soon. Visit www.facebook.com/groups/rvrunnersnb FMI

Manes and Tails North Open House/Open Horse Brush Hours, Van Buren.

Saturdays in April; 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Manes and Tails North at Perfect Ponies Leaning Center, 489 Main St. Come visit, pet (and hug) horses. No fees, just fun. Family activity from toddlers to grandparents. Dress for mud season. Contact Nancy Dumond Violette (207-868-5324) FMI

* = New or updated item(s).