Aroostook Outdoor News: 7.13.18 edition
In
this edition: 1) Learn a little history and get some exercise in
Presque Isle. 2) Get geared up for all the outdoor activities at the annual
Maine Potato Blossom Festival in Fort Fairfield. 3) Feeling loony? The annual
Audubon Loon Count is coming up – and you can help! Plus lots more!
Events:
Friday, July 13
PRESQUE
ISLE: Presque Isle Historical Society Guided Historic Fairmount Cemetery Tour. Meet
at 5:30 p.m. at Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, 3 Houlton Rd. 1.5-hour
guided walking tour; discuss origins, Victorian influences, and 30 local
historic figures. Many hills on tour. Cost: $5; reservations required. Contact
Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or visit www.pihistory.org FMI
FORT
KENT: Fort Kent Outdoor Center Jalbert Summer Nordic Training Program. For
skiers entering grades 6-12 to get ready for next competitive ski season, enter
local summer and winter biathlon events. Meets Mondays (9-12 grade), Wednesdays
(all grades) at FKOC, 33 Paradis Cir. from 6:00-7:45 p.m.; July 16-August 15. Contact
Carl Theriault (207-631-9589) or theriaultcarl@hotmail.com
FMI
Saturday, July 14
CARIBOU:
Smash The Stigma: Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk. Registration:
10:00 a.m. at Collins Pond Park. Walk start: noon. Our goal is to smash the
stigma about suicide and mental health and let people know it is okay to ask
for help. Info booths, vendors, games, music, guest speakers, raffles BBQ! So
come hungry! Cost: donation. Visit www.www.facebook.com/smashthestigmawalk
FMI
Tuesday, July 17
FORT
FAIRFIELD: Maine Potato Blossom Festival Canoe & Kayak Fun Day.
3:00-5:00 p.m. at Frontier Fish and Game Club, Monson Pond, 550 Dorsey Rd. Some
canoes and kayaks available with life vests, or bring your own. Paddlers must
wear life vest; children must be accompanied by adult. Cost: FREE! Hotdog
B.B.Q. to follow. Contact Garrett Martin (207-356-7781) FMI
Friday, July 20
FORT
FAIRFIELD: Maine Potato Blossom Festival Bike Rodeo.
9:00 a.m. at CP Station Park. For kids ages 12 and under. Bring your bike and
helmet and join in the fun! Visit www.fortfairfield.org
FMI
FORT
FAIRFIELD: Maine Potato Blossom Festival Splash and Dash. 2:00
p.m. at Fort Fairfield Municipal Pool. Splash and Dash is a fun, fast growing
sport that combines running, swimming. Focus is on participation rather than
competition. 100-meter swim, 1-mile run for children age 8-12, Cost:
$15/person; includes t-shirt, finisher medal. Visit www.msad1.coursestorm.com/course/mapleton-daze-splash-dash-event FMI
Saturday,
July 21
AROOSTOOK
COUNTY: Maine Audubon Loon Count Project. Be a citizen
scientist; go to your favorite lake or pond to count loons and help protect
them and their lake habitat. The count occurs between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m.; the
early morning provides an excellent snapshot of our loon population.
Registration required. Contact Susan Gallo (207-781-6180 x216) or sgallo@maineaudubon.org
FMI
FORT
FAIRFIELD: Maine Potato Blossom Festival 5-Miler. Registration:
7:30 a.m. across from Hillside IGA, Main St. Walk start: 8:30 a.m. Run start:
9:00 a.m. Cost: $15/person; t-shirt to first 70 registrants. Contact Rob
Langner (207-227-6075) FMI
Sunday,
July 22
FORT
FAIRFIELD: Maine Potato Blossom Festival Spud Cycle Classic.
25-mile and 12-mile (for ages 13-15) events. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at FF
Community Center, 18 Community Center Dr. Race start: 10:00 a.m. at FF Public
Library. Race ends at Hillcrest Estates. Cost: $15/rider; includes t-shirt to
first 50 registrants. Contact Tom Towle (207-472-3882) or ttowle@fortfairfield.org FMI
FORT
FAIRFIELD: Maine Potato Blossom Festival Flotilla of Fun.
2:00 p.m. at Forbes Landing, 6 mi. north of Fort Fairfield on Rt. 161. Ends at
Giggey’s Landing just after FF Bridge. Bring your kayaks and canoes and
lifejackets; join us on the Aroostook River for an afternoon of fun. Canoe and
kayak rentals available by calling Kayak Country (540-6573). Cost: FREE!
Contact Tom Towle (207-472-3882) or ttowle@fortfairfield.org
FMI
Wednesday, July 25
CARIBOU:
Bat Echolocation Children's Program. 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Caribou
Public Library, 30 High St. For children ages 4 and above. What is
echolocation? How loud is it? Why can't we hear bats when they are
echolocating? Introduction to local, tropical bats, Vampire Bat, many more of
our only flying mammals. Concludes with t-shirt craft; available for $4 or
bring your own. Contact Caribou Public Library (207-493-4214) FMI
Friday,
July 27 to Saturday, July 28
PRESQUE
ISLE: Nordic Trail Festival. At Nordic Heritage
Center, 450 Fort Rd. A celebration of community, trails and lifestyle. Tackle
the trails for a day of running or biking; relax and take part in various
events. Enjoy live music, games, contests, food, racing, and awesome trails of
the Nordic Heritage Sport Club. Visit www.nordictrailfestival.com
FMI
Saturday,
July 28
PRESQUE
ISLE: PI Historical Society Guided Historic Downtown Walking Tour. 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! Contact Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or visit www.pihistory.org FMI
Sunday,
July 29
ISLAND
FALLS: Island Falls Lakes Association SummerFest Around the Pond Canoe/Kayak
Race. Paddle around Pleasant Pond while helping a local
high school student fund their college dreams. Registration: 12:00 p.m. at
Birch Point Campground, 33 Birch Point Lane. Race start: 1:00 p.m. Visit www.islandfallslakesassociation.com
FMI
Friday, August 10
PRESQUE
ISLE: Presque Isle Historical Society Guided Historic Fairmount Cemetery Tour. Meet
at 5:30 p.m. at Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, 3 Houlton Rd. 1.5-hour
guided walking tour; discuss origins, Victorian influences, and 30 local
historic figures. Many hills on tour. Cost: $5; reservations required. Contact
Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or visit www.pihistory.org FMI
Saturday, August 11
HOULTON:
S1C Aaron Henderson Memorial 5k Run/Walk. Cross country style
race; may be muddy, contain rough terrain, tree roots, small river bed
crossing. Registration: 7:30 a.m. at Houlton Community Park, 94 Randall Ave.
Run/Walk start: 9:00 a.m. Cost: $20/person; t-shirt to first 50 registrants.
All proceeds to Green Beret Foundation. Visit www.runsignup.com/Race/ME/Houlton/AaronHendersonMemorial5K
FMI
PRESQUE
ISLE: UMPI/Wintergreen Arts Center Color Presque Isle 5k. This
is not a timed race. Registration: online until Aug. 1; 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Aug.
10 at Wintergreen Arts; or 8:00 a.m. at Riverside Park. Race start: 9:00 a.m. Cost:
$25/person before Aug. 1; $35 after July 31. Pre-registration encouraged.
Refreshments provided immediately after the run. Visit www.umpi.edu/colorpi5k FMI
PRESQUE
ISLE: 2018 Walk For Wishes. 6:00 p.m. at UMPI, 181 Main St. Registration:
5:00 p.m. Event: 6:00 p.m. Join
Make-A-Wish supporters to raise money to grant wishes for children with
critical illnesses. These life-changing wishes are only possible because of
supporters like you. Visit www.secure2.wish.org/site/TR/Events/General?fr_id=2866&pg=entry#.W0izjNJKhPY
FMI
Sunday, August 12
MARS
HILL: The Big Run Around the Mountain Half Marathon. 7:30
a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Bigrock Mountain, 37 Graves Rd. Run around the mountain as
part of the ACI & Central Aroostook Homecoming Weekend. The course takes
you near the windmills, around the mountain on both paved road and dirt roads.
Cost: $25; includes race t-shirt, finisher medal. Visit www.my.racewire.com/event/5752
FMI
Ongoing Programs:
PRESQUE ISLE: County
Strides Running Group. 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
EASTON: Francis Malcolm
Science Center Walk-in Tours. 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
PRESQUE ISLE: Nordic Heritage Sport Club Group
Mountain Bike Ride. Mondays; 6:00 p.m.
at Nordic Heritage Center Welcome Center, 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. Year-round,
conditions permitting. All abilities, no-drop ride. 7-10 miles; 6-8 mph avg. Focus
on technical riding skills, group riding, having fun. Contact Tom Chasse
(207-694-5222) or info@bikeboardandski.com FMI
CARIBOU: Bike, Board and Ski Group Road Bike Ride. Tuesdays; 5:30 p.m. at SW Collins, 6 Washburn St. All
abilities welcome; multiple groups/routes depending on abilities. Casual ride
of 20-30 miles; 12-18 mph avg. Focus on improving group riding skills, safety,
etiquette, having fun. Contact Andrew Bouchard (207-551-7027) or info@bikeboardandski.com FMI
MADAWASKA: Four Seasons
Trail Association Walking Group. Wednesdays and Saturdays; 1:00 p.m. at Four Seasons Lodge, 425 Spring St.
Bring lunch. Contact Jacqueline Soucy (207-728-7047) FMI
PRESQUE ISLE: Nordic Heritage Sport Club Women's
Trail Night. Wednesdays; 6:00 p.m. at
Nordic Heritage Center Lodge parking lot. May-June. Beginner and advanced groups
depart from the parking lot at 6:00 p.m. sharp. Cost: FREE! Visit www.facebook.com/groups/823219364374296 FMI
PRESQUE ISLE: Nordic Heritage Sport Club Group
Mountain Bike Ride. Wednesdays; 6:00
p.m. at Nordic Heritage Center Welcome Center, 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. Year-round,
conditions permitting. Faster group ride for intermediate to advanced riders.
10-13 miles; 8-10 mph avg. Focus on shredding the trails, group riding, having
fun. Contact Tom Chasse (207-694-5222) or info@bikeboardandski.com FMI
PRESQUE ISLE: Bike Board & Ski Training Group
Road Bike Ride. Thursdays; 5:30
p.m. at BB&S rear entrance behind Northeastland Hotel. Experienced riders;
road bike only. 25-40 miles; 18+ mph avg. Be ready to work hard and hang on!
May regroup if someone gets worked, falls off the back; can’t keep up be
prepared to find your way home. Contact Andrew Bouchard (207-551-7027) or info@bikeboardandski.com FMI
PRESQUE ISLE: Bike Board and Ski Road Bike Ride. Saturdays; 7:30 a.m. at BB&S rear entrance
behind Northeastland Hotel. 20-30 miles; 1.5-2 hours. Pace: moderate to fast;
16-18 mph. All abilities ride; no mountain bikes. Focus on improving group
riding skills, safety and etiquette. Spirited at times, but we regroup several
times along the way. Contact Andrew Bouchard (207-551-7027) or andrew@bikeboardandski.com FMI
Meetings:
LIMESTONE: Friends of
Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge Meeting. Second Monday of each month; 6:00 p.m. at ANWR headquarters and Visitor’s
Center, 97 Refuge Rd. Get involved in volunteer projects at ANWR in effort to
balance enhancing of habitat with public access privilege to enjoy wildlife in
an unmolested environment. Contact Friends of ANWR (207-328-4634) or friendsofanwr@gmail.com FMI
PRESQUE ISLE: Nordic Heritage
Sport Club Meeting. 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
FORT KENT: Fort Kent
Outdoor Center Meeting. First Wednesday of each
month; 6:00 p.m. at FKOC, 33 Paradis Circle. The Fort Kent Outdoor Center
promotes healthy outdoor lifestyles by providing a first-rate facility, trail
system, and recreational activities for members, athletes, and visitors.
Visit www.fortkentoc.org FMI
