Aroostook Outdoor News: 12.8.16 edition
In
this edition: 1) #SkiSeason is here; #OpeningDay at #SkiHills #HolidayCrafts in
#EdmundstonNB, #MarsHillME and #FortKentME. 2) A #wildlife theme #Christmas
event in #LimestoneME. 3) A #Marathon festival in #MillinocketME. Plus lots
more! #offugo…
#AroostookThing
of the week: Ski season starts now!
Who’s going skiing this
weekend?
If you’re like me, you wait all year for
the first snow. The one true harbinger of all things good. The shot across the
bow, so to speak, that signals the imminent arrival of ski season. In my world,
the planets always align on Opening Day at my local mountain
In
recent years, the first snow has often come early, yet has not been followed by
any sizable accumulation until after the New Year, which has subsequently led
to later – or at least lackluster – Opening Days here in the Crown of Maine.
This
year, however, the first significant snowfall came late, and was followed
closely by another sister storm, so much so that most ski areas in these parts
are going to stage an Opening Day with 100% of their terrain open. Merry
Christmas to me!
Mont
Farlagne up in Edmundston, New Brunswick opened today, while Lonesome Pine
Trails in Fort Kent and Bigrock Mountain in Mars Hill open up tomorrow.
For
small ski hills such as these, an early opening with so much open terrain is
sure to bring out a bevy of snowboarders and skiers. A big boost in pre-Christmas
revenue – don’t you think a season pass would be the perfect gift? – will go a
long way toward helping them stay afloat.
Indeed,
it appears that it will be a very Merry Christmas for all!
#AroostookNote: Quoggy Jo Ski Center
in Presque Isle, Aroostook County’s other downhill ski area is set to open on
December 26!
Events:
Friday, December 9
Mont Farlagne Opening Day,
Edmundston, NB.
9:00 a.m. (Atlantic Time), weather permitting. Lifts open for our 47th season! Visit
www.montfarlagne.com FMI
Saturday, December 10
Friends of Aroostook
National Wildlife Refuge Second Saturday Event, Limestone. 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at
ANWR Visitor’s Center, 97 Refuge Rd. Come out for a chance to do last-minute
gift shopping, renew your membership. Bundle up to hike the trails then come
inside the Visitor’s Center to make a birdseed ornament for outdoor use. Contact
ANWR (207-328-4634) or friendsofanwr@gmail.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
*Saturday, December 10
Bigrock Mountain Opening
Day, Mars Hill.
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., weather permitting. It’s the day you’ve waited eight
months and one week for: Bigrock opens for the season! Kick off the
ski/snowboard season at Bigrock! Visit www.bigrockmaine.com FMI
*Saturday, December 10
Lonesome Pine Opening Day,
Fort Kent. 9:00
a.m.-4:00 p.m., weather permitting. Contact Lonesome Pine Trails (207-834-5202)
or visit www.lonesomepines.org FMI
*Saturday, December 17
Audubon Christmas Bird
Count, Caribou. 6:30
a.m. at Tim Horton’s, Bennett Dr. We invite you to join us for all or part of
this day-long count in the Caribou area; all welcomed for this long-standing
holiday tradition! We need all hands on deck! Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301)
or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com 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
*Monday, December
26-Tuesday, December 30
Fort Kent Outdoor Center
Nordic Ski Festival, Fort Kent. Looking for great snow for Nordic skiing?
Look no further than FKOC, host of World Cup Biathlon, national, regional ski
events. Events include Try it Biathlon (equipment, instruction provided), Winter
Wildlands Backcountry Film Festival, Freestyle 5km Time Trial, and lots of fun.
Contact Carl Theriault Theriaultcarl@hotmail.com or visit www.10thmtskiclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016-nordic_ski_festival.pdf FMI
*Saturday, December 31
Audubon Christmas Bird
Count, Presque Isle. 6:30
a.m. at Tim Horton’s, Main St. We invite you to join us for all or part
of this day-long count in the Presque Isle area; all welcomed for this
long-standing holiday tradition! We need all hands on deck! Contact Bill
Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com 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).
