Aroostook Outdoor News: 10.13.16 edition
In this edition: 1) Awareness walks in
#PresqueIsle and #Houlton. 2) #5k Run/walks in Presque Isle. 3) #Hiking trips
in #Caribou and #BaxterStatePark. Plus lots more! #offugo...
#AroostookThing of the week: The Caribou
Rec. Adult Take It Outside Series Deboullie Day Hike trip from Caribou to
Deboullie Public Reserved Land, just south of St. Francis.
Getting outdoors is just part of who I
am. But that was not always the case.
A
couple of watershed moments in my life include reading Donn Fendler’s story “Lost
on A Mountain in Maine” when I was a boy and taking my first trip to Deboullie
as a young man.
One
was important for what it sparked. The other, for what it reinforced.
As
boyhood heroes go, Donn Fendler was right up there with leftfielder Carl
Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox, firefighter John Gage of the Los Angeles
County Fire Department ("Emergency!" TV show), and lineman Roy Shea
of the New England Telephone Company (my dad).
Donn
fed my imagination as a child and fueled my love of the outdoors as a young
adult.
When
I had the opportunity to meet him a few years ago, Donn did not disappoint. His
presentation was as crisp and real as if he had just been found at Lunksoos
Camp. His demeanor was affable and open, and you could sense his genuine
curiosity for the things around him: it wasn't that hard to see the traits that
helped him survive nine days in the Katahdin Wilderness.
Though
not a full-time Mainer, Donn is a Maine legend. My stepson Brady and I tried to
catch up with him at an event in Baxter State Park this summer, but Donn was
not feeling up to the rigors of the trip. We signed a birthday card for him and
wished him well, and hoped that there would be a 'next time.'
Donn
Fendler passed away recently at the age of 90. Donn will be missed, but his memory
will live on through his story. Thank you, Donn, for being my hero, and for
helping me seek out adventure and places like Deboullie Mountain.
Deboullie
Public Reserved Land, for the uninitiated, offers rugged terrain, numerous
ponds, and spectacular views. From Deboullie’s high ground and open acreage, it’s
easy to forget the signature rolling hills and potato fields of Aroostook
County.
Deboullie
is not that easy to get to – although thanks to recent efforts by the Maine
Bureau of Parks and Lands, it is much easier to access then it was 25 years ago
– and that remoteness plays a big part on why the area is so special to me.
Deboullie
is one of those places for which stories do it no justice – you have to
experience it for yourself.
The
Caribou Recreation Department, through its well-rounded Take It Outside Series
for adults, is offering a trip this coming weekend; let them be your guide to
what Deboullie has to offer.
Preregistration
for the trip is required and the program is restricted to those in excellent
shape the cost is $20 per person, and participants should bring a bag lunch and
additional money for a potential stop at Dean’s Motor Lodge in Portage for
dinner.
If
there were such a thing, this trip would qualify as a #HighlyRecommended trip
by #offugo. Contact Neal Sleeper at 207-493-4224 or sleeper@cariboumaine.org to sign up
today!
#AroostookNote: Maine’s official fall
foliage website, www.mainefoliage.com,
indicates that the colors in Aroostook are “past peak” at this time. While that
may certainly be true, I am seeing plenty of greens and partially turned leaves,
which tells me that the color explosion is not over yet. Get out there and see
for yourself!
*Thursday, October 13-Saturday,
October 15
Friends of ANWR Wildlife
Refuge Week, Limestone. Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, 97 Refuge Rd. Oct.
13-14: educational backpacks available, pillowcase project. Oct. 15: pumpkin
decorating, GPS, educaching; lunch, snacks available. Contact Friends of ANWR
(207-328-4634) or friendsofanwr@gmail.com FMI
Friday, October 14
3rd Annual Hope and Justice
Project Walk It Up, Presque Isle!, Presque Isle. Light walk to bring
awareness to domestic abuse and sexual violence. Registration and Story Time:
11:00 a.m. at Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library, 39 2nd St. Walk start:
12:00 p.m. Free t-shirt and lunch to those who pre-register. Visit www.hopeandjusticeproject.org FMI
Friday, October 14
Friends of Baxter State Park
North Traveler Day Hike, Patten. North Traveler offers fascinating geology and
sweeping views over the northern portion of Baxter State Park and the East
Branch of the Penobscot. We’ll depart from South Branch Pond Campground. Advance
sign-up required; space is limited. Contact Sarah Holland admin@friendsofbaxter.org FMI
Saturday, October 15
Caribou Rec. Adult Take It
Outside Series Deboullie Day Hike, Caribou. Deboullie Public Reserved Land offers rugged
terrain, numerous ponds, spectacular views. Let us be your guide to what
Deboullie has to offer. Preregistration required; program restricted to those
in excellent shape. Cost: $20; bring bag lunch and additional money for a
potential stop at Dean’s Motor Lodge in Portage for dinner. Contact Neal
Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI
*Saturday, October 15
Bridge to Hope 11th Annual
Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, Houlton. 8:00-11:00 a.m. Walk starts, ends at Gentle
Memorial Building, 128 Main St. Contact Houlton Recreation Department (207-532-1310)
FMI
Saturday, October 15
Hollywood Pet Salon Strut
Your Mutt, Houlton.
Raising funds to
help finish a building for abandoned or injured animals. Route info: Hollywood Pet Salon to
Sanctuary grounds. Registration 9:00 a.m. at Hollywood Pet Salon, 70 Main St.
Walk start: 10:00 a.m. Contact Lorraine Monfils (207-532-7387) FMI
Saturday, October 15
MSAD 1 Adult &
Community Education Kitchen Aid 5k, Presque Isle. Help raise money for MSAD
1 Adult Ed's kitchen project. Registration: 10:00 a.m. at Presque Isle Middle
School. Kids’ Fun Run start: 10:30 a.m. on the PIMS track. Run start: 11:00
a.m. Cost: $15/person before October 1: $25/person after October 1. Contact
LeRae Kinney (207-764-4776) or lerae.kinney@sad1.org or visit www.msad1.coursestorm.com/course/kitchen-aid-5k FMI
*Saturday, October 15
American Council of the
Blind-Maine White Cane Walk, Presque Isle. Celebrate White Cane Awareness Day and raise
awareness of people who are blind or have low vision and may use a white cane
for travel. Walk several loops from corner of Academy St. to corner of State St.,
using white canes (provided, if needed), guide dogs, or a sighted guide. Walk
start: 10:00 a.m. in parking lot near Wilder’s Jewelry, Main St. Contact Bruce
Archer (207-764-3360) FMI
*Saturday, October 15
Nordic Heritage Sport Club Aroostook
County Brew and Wine Fest 5k trALE run, Presque Isle. Race start: 10:30 a.m.
at Nordic Heritage Center, 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. For all ages: come join us on
the single track! Cost: FREE! T-shirt to first 25 participants; timing, showers
available. Contact NHSC info@nordicheritagecenter.org
FMI
Wednesday, October 19
Caribou Rec. Adult Take It
Outside Series Bradford Camps Trip, Caribou. For over a century, sportsmen and tourists
have traveled to North Maine Woods to embrace nature. Learn about the history
of the camps from the owners while being treated to lunch in a wilderness
lodge. Cost: $40. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI
Friday, October 21 &
Saturday, October 22
Presque Isle Historical
Society Haunted Lantern History Tours, Presque Isle. This “slightly scary and
kinda’ creepy” nighttime tour of downtown Presque Isle takes you through the
old jail (only opened each year for this tour) and thirteen sites where
interpreters relate the true history of that particular site by lantern light.
Tours begin at 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. each night at Historic Fire Station, 11
Church St. Cost: $5. Contact Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com FMI
*Saturday, October 22
Chewonki Live Owl
Presentation, Presque Isle. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Mark & Emily
Turner Memorial Library, 39 Second St. See live owls up close and hear a
presentation about the Chewonki Foundation. This program is open to everyone.
Bring your cameras and prepare for a really fun hour-long learning experience.
Contact Sonja Plummer Eyler (207-764-2571) FMI
Saturday, October 22
Unite Against Bullying
Walk, Run, or Roll, Caribou. 2 miles. Join us as we raise awareness to
Unite Against Bullying! Registration: 1:00 p.m. at Caribou Rec. Center, 55
Bennett Dr. Walk start: 2:00 p.m. Contact Kim Parent (207-540-3659) or visit www.uniteagainstbullyingme.org FMI
Tuesday, October 25
Caribou Rec. Adult Take It
Outside Series North Maine Woods Trip, Caribou. Meet with NMW Director,
tour Maine Woods Company hardwood sawmill in Portage and MooseWood Millworks in
Ashland, swing through Portage Wood Products. Cost: $30; includes lunch.
Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI
*Tuesday, October 25
SJV Senior College County
Sky and Space Seminar, Fort Kent. 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Francis Malcolm Science
Planetarium in Easton. Why study the sky? This trip will answer this question
and many more using both digital and optical technologies. Fort Kent carpool
departs UMFK Sport Center at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $15 plus $5 lab fee; includes tuition
for all SJV Senior College classes that term. Contact MSAD 27 Adult &
Community Education Office (207-834-3536) FMI
Thursday, October 27
Woodstock Rec. Zombie 3k
Run, Woodstock, NB. Cross-country
run through Connell Park while being chased by Zombies, who will try to take
your 3 lives before you return to finish line. Prizes, awards following race. Registration:
5:00-6:00 p.m. at AYR Motor Centre, 105 Connell Park Rd. Zombies come out at
6:30 p.m. (all times Atlantic)! Cost: $10/adult; $5/student with ID. Zombies
needed. Contact Jill Dunnett jill.dunnett@town.woodstock.nb.ca FMI
*Friday, October 28
Caribou Class of 2017 Haunted
Walk, Caribou.
7:00-9:00 p.m. at Caribou High School track/ski trails, 308 Sweden St. Cost:
$4/person. Music, concessions provided! Proceeds support Project Graduation.
Contact Heidi Lamothe (207-498-3775) FMI
Friday, October 28 &
Saturday, October 29
Eagle Lake Haunted Forest,
Eagle Lake. Walk
through the scariest trail you will ever experience filled with monsters,
killers, and sadistic clowns. Come if you dare! 7:00-11:00 p.m. each night.
Contact Sandra L. Fournier (207-444-5511) FMI
*Saturday, October 29
Woodland School Haunted
Walk, Woodland.
6:00-8:30 p.m. at Woodland Consolidated School, 844 Woodland Center Road. Join
us for a spooktacular time and an
experience you'll never forget! Tractor rides, delicious snacks, drinks
available. Cost: $3/person. Contact Woodland Consolidated School (207-496-2981)
FMI
Sunday, October 30
1st Annual Fort Kent
Outdoor Center Team USA vs. Team Canada Halloween 5k/10k Trail Race, Fort Kent. 1k Kids’ Race (12 and
under). Runners in costume receive time bonus in 5k, 10k races. Registration:
10:30 a.m. at FKOC, 33 Paradis Circle. Kids’ race start: 11:45 a.m. 5k/10k race
start: 12:00 p.m. Cost: $15/runner; Free/Kids’ Run. Contact Jeff Dubis jdubis@maine.edu FMI
*Saturday, November 5
Aroostook Birders Long Lake
Tour, Sinclair. 8:00
a.m.-12:00 p.m. Meet at Sinclair boat launch parking lot by the bridge. Join us
on a jaunt around Long Lake to see the last migrants leaving the state. Carpool
around the lake stopping at promising spots, finishing up at Lakeview
Restaurant for lunch. We can always count on seeing spawning salmon even if the
bald eagles scare away all the birds! Contact Bill Sheehan thearoostookbirders@gmail.com FMI
*Saturday, November 5
Run The River, Nackawic,
NB. 10k/5k/3krunning
races and 1k Kids’ Fun Run. Prize money awarded to top 3 male/female in each
distance. Race start: 9:30 a.m. (Atlantic Time) at Nackawic Shopping Mall, 135
Otis Dr. Register online only by Nov. 4 at www.raceroster.com/events/2016/9897/run-the-river-2016.
Cost: $25/age 14 and over, $12/age 13 and under, FREE/Kids’ 1k. Contact Greg
MacFarlane (506- 450-5802)
or greg@liv9.ca or visit www.facebook.com/runtheriverNackawic
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
Francis
Malcolm Science Center Walk-in Tours, Easton. Weekdays; 9:00
a.m.-3:00 p.m. Experience our planetarium’s new, full-dome, digital projection
system, featuring a 30-minute activity; 15 minutes in the star theater, 15
minutes to visit the facility at large. Cost: $5/visitor;
reservations requested. Contact FMSC (207-488-5451) 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
Presque Isle Fish and
Game Club Meeting, Presque Isle. Last Tuesday of each month; 5:30 p.m. at PIFG
clubhouse, Parsons Road. Established in 1947 to help protect, conserve, maintain
and restore our natural resources as well as to protect and promote our outdoor
heritage. Meetings
include a delicious supper, cash bar, short business meeting. Visit www.pifg.org FMI
Central Aroostook
Humane Society Walk-A-Dog Wednesdays, Presque Isle. Wednesdays; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at
Central Aroostook Humane Society, 26 Cross St. Stop in to CAHS any Wednesday in
October, take one of our resident dogs for a walk...and Pat's Pizza will thank
you with a $5 gift certificate! Contact CAHS (207-764-3441) FMI
Four Seasons 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
Fort Fairfield Frontier
Fish and Game Club, Fort Fairfield. Second and fourth Wednesdays of each month (fourth Wednesdays during summer);
6:00 p.m. at FFFFG clubhouse on Monson Pond, 550 Dorsey Rd. Founded in 1958 to
help conserve, protect, maintain, and restore our natural resources and to
promote our outdoor heritage. Visit www.heyevent.com/venue/bmyulgbaawlhca FMI
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