Aroostook Outdoor News: 2.25.16 edition
#IsItSpringYet? Looks & feels that
way. #Rx: #SnowDances #SnowLoversUnite
In this edition: 1) #Winter fun for the
family in #PortageLake. 2) A #classic #Nordic #XCSki race in #Limestone. 3) #Outdoor
activities for #LadiesOnly in #PresqueIsle. Plus lots more! #offugo...
Thursday, February 25
MSAD #1 Adult Ed. Archery
Course, Presque Isle. Meets Thursdays from Feb. 25-Apr. 14; 6:00-8:00
p.m. in PIHS Gym. Do you want to learn how to use a bow and arrow? This class
is for you! This class will cover the basics of archery, including archery
safety. Ages 14+. Cost: $45. Contact MSAD #1 Adult Ed. (207-764-4776) or lerae.kinney@sad1.org FMI
Thursday, February 25
TAMC Ladies’ Rock Wall
Climbing Night, Presque Isle. 6:00-8:00 p.m. at UMPI’s Gentile Hall Rock
Wall. Ladies, come and enjoy indoor rock climbing with just other women!
Participants are asked to bring sneakers, comfortable clothing, a water bottle,
and enthusiasm! Cost: FREE! Sponsored by TAMC. Contact Amanda Baker
(207-768-9401) or amanda.g.baker@umpi.edu FMI
Saturday, February
27-Sunday, February 28
Maine Winter Sports Center
Intro to Backcountry Ski Touring Weekend, Patten. Learn basics of ski
touring, backcountry travel while exploring Maine wilderness in winter, skiing
along East Branch of the Penobscot River, learning tips and tricks to help you make
the most of your backcountry adventures. Cost: $95; includes instruction, food,
group camping equipment. Participants must provide personal gear including skiing
equipment. Contact Mike Smith mikes@mainewsc.org FMI
*Saturday, February
27-Sunday, February 28
Portage Lake Snow Days,
Portage Lake. A
chance for all ages to get out and enjoy what Portage Lake has to offer in the
winter! Saturday: sliding at Noon at Portage Hills Country Club. Snowmobiles
haul you back up if you need it; hot cocoa, snacks available. Sunday: ice
fishing and snowshoeing at Noon at Portage Lake Campground, end of West Road;
complimentary hot dogs, refreshments available. Contact Portage Lake Town
Office (207-435-4361) FMI
Saturday, February 27
Mont Farlagne Outdoor
Centre Slam Jam, Edmundston, NB. Event takes place at our brand new snowpark;
composed of Friendly and Competitive Rail & Jump. Everybody is invited to
come join and cheer up all the riders! Lots of fun and adrenaline for all!
Registration: 9:00 a.m. in the Cafeteria. Friendly Jam: 11:30 a.m. (Free).
Competitive Jam: 1:30 p.m. (all times Atlantic). Cost: FREE/Friendly Jam,
$20/Competitive Jam; helmets mandatory. Contact Eric Morin ericmorin29@yahoo.ca FMI
Saturday, February 27
Limestone Ski Club C-Me-Ski
– Aroostook Cup #3, Limestone. A great classic tour and race. Come out and
enjoy the beauty of the wooded trails, the wildlife, and some good food!
Distances: .5k-2k/ages 13 and under; 7k/ages 13-18; 9k/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
Sunday, February 28
Nordic Heritage Sport Club
Ladies' Snowy Sunday, Presque Isle. 10:00 a.m.-1 p.m. at Nordic Heritage Center. Just
because we are taking a year off from Aroostook Women's Ski Day doesn't mean we
can't get together and have some fun! Ski on your own or join a group. Bring
food to share for a potluck lunch. Bring your own skis or snowshoes -- we do
not have access to loaner equipment. Contact Heidi heidikbartley@gmail.com or Amanda baker.amandag@gmail.com FMI
Tuesday, March 1
Quoggy Jo Ski
Center/Presque Isle Rec Learn To Ski Program, Presque Isle. Meets Tuesdays, March
1-March 29 from 3:30-6:00 p.m. For students in Grade 3 and up. Pre-registration
required. Cost: $25/student; includes lift ticket, ski rental, lesson, transportation
from school to QJ. Contact PI Rec. (207-764-2545) FMI
Thursday, March 3-Saturday,
March 5
Caribou Rec. Chimney Pond
Nordic Ski Trip, Caribou and Baxter State Park. Girls and boys in grades
5-10 will get to experience Baxter State Park and Chimney Pond unlike they’ve
ever seen it before. Some Nordic ski experience required. Cost: $100; includes lodging,
transportation, meals. Some equipment available for use. Pre-registration
required. Contact Caribou Parks & Recreation Department (207-493-4224) FMI
Friday, March 4-Sunday,
March 6
UMPI Outing Club Cabin in
the Woods Weekend, Presque Isle and Kingfield. Snuggle up near the
woodstove as we go winter camping in an off-the-grid cabin. We will be
exploring the trails by snowshoe. This is a great introduction to winter
camping and snowshoeing! No experience required. Cost: $30/UMPI student,
$100/non-student; includes transportation, equipment rental (snowshoes), food,
lodging. Contact Amanda Baker (207-768-9401) or amanda.g.baker@umpi.edu FMI
*Friday, March 4-Saturday,
March 5
80th Annual New Sweden
Community Sno Carnival, New Sweden. Friday: Sledding under the lights; 5:00 p.m. Saturday:
events and activities for children and adults; snowshoeing, XC skiing, sledding,
and more at New Sweden Trails, 113 Westmanland Road. Breakfast and lunch items
available for purchase. Contact New Sweden School (207-896-5541) FMI
Saturday, March 5
TAMC Snowshoeing Series,
Presque Isle. 9:30-10:30
a.m. at Nordic Heritage Center. Guided group hike. Cost: FREE! Contact Linda
Menard (207-768-4172) FMI
Saturday, March 5
Himie Towle Memorial Ski
Frolic – Aroostook Cup #5, Presque Isle. Youth races (ages 15 and under) at varying
distances; 10k Freestyle (classic track also set) Race, 5k Tour for adults. Registration:
10:00 a.m. at Nordic Heritage Center. 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
Saturday, March 5
Beardsley Hill Nature
Preserve Snowshoe Venture, Woodstock, NB. Join Meduxnekeag River Association and Nature
Trust of NB for a guided snowshoe trip and botany interpretation; experience
the Appalachian Hardwood Forest ecosystem in wintertime. Beginners welcome. 1:30-4:00
p.m. (Atlantic). Meet at corner of Stillman Rd. and Martin Rd. Fee: FREE!
Contact Richelle ntnbpreserves@ntnb.org FMI
Saturday, March 5-Sunday,
March 6
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; 5k, 15k races Sunday, at Fort Kent Outdoor
Center. Cash prizes to be announced after sponsorship is finalized! Cost:
$20/2k, $30/4k, $35/5k, $45/15k; $5 discount if entered in two races. Contact
Laura Audibert (207-834-6773) or la4568@roadrunner.com FMI
Saturday, March 5-Sunday,
March 6
Woodstock Sanctuary House Winter
Baseball, Woodstock, NB. We are looking for teams for Woodstock’s first
Winter Baseball event held at Ayr Motor Centre’s Shiretown and Jeff Clark
Baseball fields. All are welcome! Registration deadline: February 27. Cost:
$10/person. All moneys go to Woodstock Sanctuary House. Canteen available
inside Ayr Motor Centre. Contact Woodstock Sanctuary House sanctuary@nb.aibn.com FMI
*Sunday, March 6
41st Annual Henry Anderson
Memorial Ski Dag – Aroostook Cup #4, Caribou. 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. Race start:
10:00 a.m. Contact Caribou Parks & Recreation Department (207-493-4224) FMI
Wednesday, March 9
Aroostook Birders Annual
Slide Show and Pot Luck, Presque Isle. 7:00 p.m. at Maine Dept. of Environmental
Protection, 1235 Central Drive. Birds of a feather flock together; join us for
an evening of show and tell! Bring one of your very best bird photos of the
year and a dish to add to our pot luck supper. Contact Bill Sheehan
(207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI
Thursday, March 10
Caribou Rec. Ski 4 Life
Downhill Program, Caribou. Meets Thursdays at 2:45 p.m. on 3/10, 3/24, 3/31,
4/7. Learn to ski. Open to students in grades 6-8. Cost: $80; includes lift
ticket, ski rentals, lesson, transportation. Participants will need to bring a
bag lunch or money to eat at the mountain. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224)
or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI
*Thursday, March 10 and
Saturday, March 12
Youth Turkey Hunting
Seminar, Caribou.
March 10: 6:00-9:00 p.m. March 12: 9:00 a.m.-Noon at Caribou High School.
Instructor Steve Stubbs will teach turkey hunting strategies including
scouting, decoy use and set up, calls and calling, turkey biology and
characteristics, firearms and firearms safety. Youth will meet a Maine Game
Warden, learn about turkey hunting laws and hunting ethics. Turkey calling
contest, door prizes. Contact Steve Stubbs turkeyhuntingaroostook@gmail.com FMI
*Friday, March 11-Sunday,
March 13
North American and US Ski
Orienteering Championship, Presque Isle. Elite races will be at the highest
competitive level, though all age groups and classes will enjoy appropriately
challenging courses. Nordic Heritage Center trails are fun to ski; special
narrow trails have been cut and groomed for advanced courses. Even those with
minimal ski orienteering experience can enjoy the mini-sprints around the arena
complex all weekend. Great for kids! Visit www.neskio.com/2016champs FMI
*Saturday, March 12
Limestone Community Winter
Fun Day, Limestone. 11:00
a.m.-3:00 p.m. at Limestone Community School. Come enjoy a day of winter fun
outside. Sliding, bonfire, skiing (equipment available to borrow), snowmobile
tote rides, outdoor games and activities and much more. Chili Cook-off
sponsored by Limestone Chamber. Chicken Stew and concessions available. Contact
Bill Tucker (207-551-1204) FMI
Saturday, March 12
Acadia FCU Marathon –
Aroostook Cup #6, Madawaska. 40k classic/skate race with cash prizes; 20k
classic/skate race. Pasta meal with lots of raffle prizes for all skiers. Race
start: 11:00 a.m. at Four Seasons Trails. Fee: $25/40k racers, $15/20k
racers. Visit www.fourseasonstrail.org FMI
Saturday, March 12
3rd 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 Angel
Flight NE and Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund. Fee: $15; includes neck-warmer,
stew, entertainment. Visit www.facebook.com/angelsnowfest FMI
Sunday, March 13
Sportsmen’s Inc. Kids’ Ice
Fishing Day, Madawaska Lake. 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. All fishing equipment and
bait provided. First 100 kids registered will receive a free ice fishing trap.
Food available. Visit “Sportsmen’s Inc.” on facebook FMI
Sunday, March 13
UMPI Outing Club Snowshoe
Hike, Presque Isle.
1:00-4:00 p.m. at Aroostook State Park. Cost: FREE! Includes guide,
transportation, equipment. No experience required. Participants should sign up
no later than Friday, March 11 by 3:00 p.m. Contact Amanda Baker (207-768-9401)
or amanda.g.baker@umpi.edu FMI
Monday, March 14
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. Cost: $25/ages 18-69, includes on day fishing license;
$20/ages 70 and up, includes lifetime fishing license; fees include
transportation, ice traps, bait, ice auger, lakeside lunch, campfire. Bring
folding chairs, warm clothes, blanket. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI
Friday, March 18-Sunday,
March 20
Lonesome Pine Trails Winter
Carnival/Kids’ Day Weekend, Fort Kent. Snow sculptures, games, and fun all weekend
long! It's something new, it’s something exciting! Ski Patrol Midnight Ski on
Saturday night! At Lonesome Pine Trails, Forest Avenue. Contact Lonesome Pine
Trails (207-834-5202) or info@lonesomepines.org FMI
Sunday, March 20
Fort Kent Outdoor Center
Snowshoe Hike, Fort Kent. 1:00-3:00 p.m. at FKOC, 33 Paradis Circle. Contact
FKOC (207-834-6203) or visit www.fortkentoc.org FMI
Monday, March 21
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
*Wednesday, March 23 and
Saturday, April 2
Houlton/Hodgdon Adult Ed.
Hunter Safety, Houlton. Meets at Houlton High School Cafeteria. Required
for those 16 and up seeking first time hunting license. Course consists of
classroom instruction taught by a trained, certified volunteer instructor according
to statewide standards. Course topics: Proper Handling, Rifle and Shotgun, Survival/First
Aid, Hunter Responsibility, Map and Compass, Landowner Relations. Cost: $5.
Contact Houlton/Hodgdon Adult Ed. (207-521-3100) 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
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
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
Madawaska Valley
Adventure Club Meeting, Madawaska. Second Tuesday of each month; 6:30
p.m. at Four Seasons Lodge, 425 Spring St. Contact Real Deschaine
(207-728-4992) FMI
Four Seasons Trail
Association Snowshoe Hike, Madawaska. Wednesdays and Saturdays; 1:00 p.m. at Four
Seasons Lodge. Group snowshoeing/walking on trails. Bring lunch. Contact FSTA
(207-728-7047) FMI
Valley Outdoor Centre
Wednesday Night Skiing, Centreville, NB. Wednesdays; 7:00 p.m. (Atlantic Time)
at VOC, 133 Upton Rd. Come on out for a night ski with a group to keep you
company. Bring headlamp, stay for snacks, drinks afterwards. Cost: $2/member,
$5/non-member, $3/rentals. Visit Valley Outdoor Centre at www.facebook.com/valleyoutdoor FMI
Four Season 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
Nordic Heritage Sport
Club/TAMC Youth Ski Program, Presque Isle. Saturdays; 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
at Nordic Heritage Center. February 27-March 26. UMPI Ski Team coaches will
combine instruction and technique training with obstacle courses and games on
skis. For children 6- 14 years of age. Contact Joey Bard joey.bard@maine.edu FMI
Mont Farlagne Outdoor
Centre Ice Wall, Edmundston, NB. Saturdays; 1:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Sundays; 1:00-5:00 p.m. (All times
Atlantic). Our ice wall is open for the season! First come, first served basis.
Cost: $25/hour; $15/equipment rental; $65/2 hours (includes equipment). It will
also be possible to buy ice wall climbing equipment at our pro shop in the
upcoming weeks. See you on the wall! Visit www.montfarlagne.com FMI
*
= New or updated item(s).
