Aroostook Outdoor News: 11.17.16 edition

In this edition: 1) A #SkiSwap in #FortKentME. 2) #Winter #Weather spotter training in #CaribouME. 3) A group #TrailRun in #FortKent. Plus lots more! #offugo...

#AroostookThing(s) of the week: Turkey Trots!

Update: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot in Fort Kent is cancelled!

Thanksgiving is a time for food, family, friends, gratitude and traditions. But, let’s face it, Thanksgiving is mostly about food.

And there is absolutely nothing wrong about that.

For those that like to get out and hit the pavement to burn off some of those extra holiday calories, we have two road race options here in Aroostook.

First, the Valley Rivers Middle School/Community High School Booster Club Turkey Trot 5k in Fort Kent will help you burn calories in a sort of pre-emptive strike before the festivities begin.

The event takes place Thursday, November 24 – Thanksgiving morning – at Fort Kent Community High School on Pleasant St. The race starts at 8:00 a.m. and the cost is $10 for students, $15 per adult, or $45 for a family of 3 or more people).

Organizers will provide an event t-shirt to the first 50 registrants. Awards include a fresh baked pie and a handmade original plaque to the first male or female finishers per age group and category.

Contact Davis Cyr (207-231-0821) or daviscyr@sad27.org for more info about this event.

If you want to burn extra calories, you can also sign up for Caribou’s Turkey Trot 5k on Saturday, November 26 at Caribou High School. For this one, walkers start at 9:45 a.m. and the race starts at 10:00 a.m.

Contact Evan Graves (207-226-0711) or gravespi@gmail.com for the skinny on this race.

In all seriousness, Thanksgiving is truly a time to be grateful; I am thankful for the abundance of outdoor resources we have here in The County, for a healthy (though aging) body that allows me to get outside, and for my wife and kids that like to get outside almost as much as I do.

And, of course, thank you to all of you for reading! Happy Thanksgiving!

#AroostookNote: Here’s a #DYK for you: Did you know that the Offugo blog page also features a Google Calendar that lists all the events in a format that you can sync and share? Check it out here: go to www.offugoaroostook.blogspot.com, then click on the “offugo... Google CALENDAR” link!

Saturday, November 19–Sunday, November 20

Lonesome Pine Trails Ski Swap and Sale, Fort Kent. Ski sale 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 19

Winter Weather Spotter Training, Caribou. 9:00 a.m. at National Weather Service, 810 Main Street. If you're interested in becoming one of our volunteer weather spotters, please attend this training session. Cost: free. Contact Donald Dumont donald.dumont@noaa.gov FMI

Saturday, November 19

Valley Running Group Fun Run, Fort Kent. 9:00 a.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center, 33 Paradis Cir. Hosted by Donald Eno. A fun trot around the trails, followed by coffee and chat. Mileage depends on what folks want to do; could be anywhere from 3 to 10 miles. All runners welcome; spread the word. Visit www.facebook.com/events/1229827370413961 FMI

Thursday, November 24
**CANCELLED**

Valley Rivers Middle School/Community High School Booster Club Turkey Trot 5k, Fort Kent. Race start: 8:00 a.m. Cost: $10/student, $15/person, $45/family (3 or more people). T-shirt to first 50 registrants. Awards: fresh baked pie, handmade original plaque to first Male, Female finishers per age group/category. Contact Davis Cyr (207-231-0821) or daviscyr@sad27.org FMI

Saturday, November 26

Turkey Trot 5k, Caribou. Walk start: 9:45 a.m. at Caribou High School. Race start: 10:00 a.m. Contact Evan Graves (207-226-0711) or gravespi@gmail.com FMI

Tuesday, November 29

Caribou Rec. Adult Take It Outside Series Show and Tell with Paul Cyr, Caribou. 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Caribou Rec. 55 Bennett Dr. Paul’s name is synonymous with photography in Aroostook County. Find out how he is able to accomplish such amazing photography; sit back, enjoy a show and tell and Q&A opportunity on Paul’s work. Preregistration required. Cost: FREE. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

*Thursday, December 1

Caribou Rec./Northern Skiers Club Youth XC Ski Rental Night, Caribou. 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Caribou Wellness Center. Seasonal rentals available for Caribou youth; includes skis, boots, poles, and carrier. Cost: $70. Volunteers needed. Contact CPRD (207-493-4224) FMI

*Saturday, December 3

Fort Kent Outdoor Center Welcome Winter Social, Fort Kent. 5:30-9:00 p.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center, 33 Paradis Circle. This will be a social, membership drive, and fundraiser all in one; snacks, cash bar, live music, door prizes. Let’s kick off the winter season together! Cost: $3/member; $5/non-member. Visit www.10thmtskiclub.org FMI

Friday, December 9

Mont Farlagne Opening Day, Edmundston, NB. 9:00 a.m. (Atlantic Time). Lifts open for our 47th season! Visit www.montfarlagne.com FMI

Saturday, December 10

Millinocket Marathon & Half, Millinocket. Race start: 10:00 a.m. at 27 Poplar St. Grass roots run/race. Pre-registration required. Cost: FREE! In lieu of entry fee ALL runners encouraged to spend race entry equivalent in town to help local economy. Why? Because this is one of our Maine towns that has been really hurt by their mill closing and a grass roots effort like this can and does help. Visit www.crowathletics.com/millinocket-marathon-half FMI

*Sunday, December 18

Four Seasons Trail Association Christmas at the Lodge, Madawaska. 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Four Seasons Lodge, 425 Spring St. Pasta lunch, sleigh rides, tubing, skiing, snowshoeing, and SANTA! Bring the kids! Visit www.fourseasonstrail.org 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

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

* = New or updated item(s).