Aroostook Outdoor News: 4.26.19 edition


In this edition: 1) Prowl for owls in Caribou. 2) Run the rapids in Houlton. 3) Wobble around the water’s edge looking for warblers in Caribou. Plus lots more!



Events:

Tuesday, April 30

CARIBOU: Cary Medical Center/Caribou Rec./Aroostook Birders Owl Prowl & Night Sounds Field Trip. Listen for owls using audio enhancement tools while exploring a local forest. Meet at Caribou Wellness Center at 6:45 p.m. Open to all ages. Rain or shine. Cost: FREE! Includes transportation. Headlamps/flashlights strongly recommended. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Saturday, May 4

HOULTON: Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race. 8 miles; whitewater. Finish in downtown Houlton. 2018 Maine Downriver Championship Series Point Race. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Wellington's on Station Rd., New Limerick. Race start: 10:00 a.m. Fee: $15/adult; $10/youth. T-shirt to first 60 registrants. Awards, door prizes, lunch provided! Contact Jane Torres (207-532-4216) or director@greaterhoulton.com FMI

Wednesday, May 8

CARIBOU: Cary Medical Center/Caribou Rec./Aroostook Birders Collins Pond Bird Watching Outing. 7:00-8:00 a.m. at Collins Pond picnic area, lower Roberts St. Rain or shine. Light walking. Warbler exploration around perimeter of pond. Cost: FREE! Includes free bird call. Binoculars, bird books available on first-come first-serve basis. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Saturday, May 11

DANFORTH: Baskahegan Stream Canoe/Kayak Race. 34 miles; flat water. Kossuth to Bancroft. Runs in conjunction with East Grand Adventure Race as a paddle-only option. Check-in: 7:00 a.m. at East Grand School. Pre-registration required. Cost: $20/pre-registration, $30/day-of-race. Contact Dave Conley (207-551-8729) or visit www.canoethewild.com/east-grand-adventure-race FMI

DANFORTH: 14th Annual East Grand Adventure Race. 20 miles; off-trail compass run, mountain bike, paddle. Challenges include river traverse, mud crawl, tomahawk throw, log roll, cross-cut saw. Cost: $20/pre-registration, $30/day-of-race; includes trophies, t-shirts, lunch, $1,000+ in prizes. Contact Dave Conley (207-551-8729) or visit www.canoethewild.com/east-grand-adventure-race FMI

Wednesday, May 15

CARIBOU: Cary Medical Center/Caribou Rec./Aroostook Birders Caribou Bog Birding Hike. 7:00-8:00 a.m. at Aroostook Valley Trail Crossing on Washburn Rd. Short walk along the railroad trail. Cost: FREE! Includes free bird call. Binoculars, bird books available on first-come first-serve basis. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Saturday, May 18

PRESQUE ISLE: 12th Annual Aroostook River Fun Run. 8 miles; flat water. Registration: 8:30 a.m. at Washburn boat landing. Race start: 10:00 a.m. Also choose to Paddle It, Bike It, Run/Walk It; all activities end at PI Fish & Game Club with free BBQ lunch, awards, prizes. Cost: $10/adult, $5/child 13 and under; Visit www.presqueislerotary.com FMI

MADAWASKA: Northern Maine Medical Center Superhero 5k Fun Run/Walk. 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Four Seasons Trail Association, 425 Spring Street. Prizes for best Super Hero costume as well as 1st, 2nd, 3rd place event prizes. Free t-shirt to first 100 participants. Cost: $10/person; FREE/kids 12 & under. Contact NMMC (207-834-1353) FMI

CARIBOU: Caribou Rec/Healthy You Kayaking Outing, Caribou. Paddle from the Snow Farm on Grimes Road to Fort Fairfield. Pre-registration required. Cost: $10/person. Includes transportation, incredibly stable Old Town Loon 138 kayaks, PFD’s, paddles. Depart from Caribou Wellness & Recreation Center at 9:00 a.m.; return by 3:00 p.m. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

PRESQUE ISLE: Life By Design 4th annual Recovery Walk. 10:00 a.m. at Mantle Lake Park. Come join us! Features a continuation of the Recovery Rocks art project, photo booth, face painting, short walk, and BBQ! We're so excited for our biggest event ever! Contact Life By Design (207-492-1653) FMI

PATTEN: Fiddlers and Fiddlehead Fest. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Patten Lumbermen’s Museum, 61 Shin Pond Rd. Fiddlers will fiddle while fierce fiddlehead cooks compete in the Cast-iron Chef cook-off. Artisans, craftsmen, demonstrations, food vendors, tours, much more! Giant slingshot, scavenger hunt, and games will keep the kids happy! Rain or shine; bring your own chair. Cost: donation. Visit www.lumbermensmuseum.org FMI

Sunday, May 19

STOCKHOLM: 39th Annual Madawaska River Run. Registration: 9:00 a.m. at the bridge on Little Madawaska Lake Road in Westmanland. Race start: 11:00 a.m. Race ends at Stockholm American Legion. Cost: $15/watercraft; includes one t-shirt. $12/extra t-shirt. Visit www.facebook.com/StockholmLegion136 FMI

HOULTON: 6th Annual Strong Tower 5k Love Run/Walk. Registration: 11:30 a.m. at Military Street Baptist Church, 307 Military St. Race start: 1:00 p.m. Proceeds benefit Strong Tower Orphanage in Caracol, Haiti. Awards to top male/female finishers in 5 age divisions. Cost: $20/individual, $60/family. Includes t-shirt, light refreshments. Visit www.strongtowerhaiti.com/strong-tower-haiti-5k-love-run-walk-houlton-maine FMI

Wednesday, May 22

CARIBOU: Caribou Rec/Healthy You Grimes Road Birding Trip. Meet at Caribou Wellness Center at 6:30 a.m. Bird watching at the Caribou Waste Water treatment ponds with Bill Sheehan. Open to all ages. Rain or shine. Cost: FREE! Includes free bird call. Limited binoculars, bird books available. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Ongoing Programs:

EASTON: Francis Malcolm Science Center Walk-in Tours. Weekdays; 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Experience our planetarium’s 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

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: Star City Splash & Dash Club. Fridays from 3:00–5:00 p.m. at UMPI’s Gentile Hall. April 5-May 3. For youth aged 8-12. Fun sport that combines running, swimming; focus is on participation, not competition. Cost: $35/youth; includes snacks, afterschool transportation, biathlon registration fee, t-shirts. Drop in fee: $5/day. Visit www.msad1.coursestorm.com/course/star-city-splash-dash-club?search=splash FMI

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

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

FORT KENT: Fort Kent Outdoor Center Meeting. First Monday 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

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 

MADAWASKA: Four Seasons Trail Association Meeting. 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

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