Aroostook Outdoor News: 5.17.19 edition

In this edition: 1) Birding, paddling, walking, running, learning, playing – there is so much to do in Aroostook County this weekend!. 2) Paddle to Presque Isle in a fun – but serious – race in Washburn. 3) Test your mettle on the Madawaska River in Stockholm. Plus lots more!

Events:

Saturday, May 18

ORIENT: Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Guided Bird Watching Walk. Meet at 6:50 a.m. at Orient Rest Area on east side of U.S. Route 1. Exploration near the headwaters of the St. Croix Waterway in Amity, an area supporting multiple bird species. Contact WWLT (207-448-3250) or wwltoffice@gmail.com FMI

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

LIMESTONE: Friends of Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge Vernal Pool Walk. 10:00 a.m.-Noon at ANWR Visitors Center, 97 Refuge Road. Learn about wildlife that lives in vernal pools in Aroostook County. See firsthand wood frog, yellow spotted, and blue spotted salamanders egg masses. Waterproof boots recommended. Cost: FREE! Contact ANWR (207-328-4634) 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

Saturday, June 1

HOULTON: Aroostook County Walk Like MADD 2019. Do something about drunk driving in our community. Thousands of people in cities around the nation will participate in 5k events to eliminate drunk driving from our roadways. Registration: 7:00 a.m. at Houlton Rec., 128 Main St. Walk start: 8:30 a.m. Visit www.walklikemadd.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=949 FMI

HOULTON: 22nd Annual Greater Houlton Christian Academy Bike-a-thon, Houlton. Start times: 20-mile Tour de Limerick: 8:00 a.m., 10-mile Tour de Hodgdon/2-mile Tour de Scenic Way/5-mile run or walk: 9:00 a.m. Awards/Public Spaghetti Supper: 4:30 p.m. Admission by donation; registered participants eat free! Contact GHCA (207-532-0736) or visit www.facebook.com/events/650267148750330 FMI

PRESQUE ISLE: 19th Annual Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs Youth Fishing Derby. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Mantle Lake Park. Open to all youth 4-15 years; must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: FREE! First prize: lifetime fishing license. Special prizes for special catches. Lunch, prizes for all registered contestants; fishing gear available. Contact Curtis Lewin at (207-768-8008) FMI

FOREST CITY: Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Community Tree Planting. 8:00 a.m. at WWLT Center, 2 Grove Rd. The Forest City Shade Tree Project aims to restore the historical significance of the century old shade trees in town by nurturing the existing sugar maple trees, as well as removing rotted sugar maples, and planting new saplings in their place. Contact WWLT (207-448-3250) or wwltoffice@gmail.com FMI

PRESQUE ISLE: Central Aroostook Humane Society Paws For the Cause Walk. 2-mile walk to benefit the animals. All dogs, big or small, are welcome! Registration: 9:30 a.m. at Central Aroostook Humane Society, 26 Cross St. Walk start: 10:00 a.m. Rain or shine. Cost: Collect sponsor pledges or enter with a donation; includes light refreshments. Contact CAHS (207-764-3441) FMI

FORT KENT, PRESQUE ISLE, HOULTON: Pregnancy Care Center of Aroostook Walk 4 Life. 2-mile walk to benefit PCC of Aroostook; rain or shine. Pledge sheets available at PCC offices and online. Registration: 1:00 p.m. at Fort Kent PCC, 272 W. Main St.; Sargent Community Center, 24 Chapman Road, Presque Isle; Greater Houlton Christian Academy, 27 School St. Walk start: 1:30 p.m. Visit www.pcc-hope.org FMI

Saturday, June 1 & Sunday, June 2

AROOSTOOK COUNTY: Maine Free Family Fishing Days. On these days, any person (except those whose license has been suspended or revoked) may fish without a license. All other laws and regulations apply. Visit www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/fishing-resources/index FMI

Saturday, June 8 & Sunday, June 9

PRESQUE ISLE: SAD 1 Adult & Community Education Skydiving. Grab a breath taking view from over 10,000 feet while safely skydiving attached to your tandem instructor! Video services available. Must be 18 years old, in relatively good physical condition, weigh under 230 lbs. Cost: $249/person. Contact SAD 1 Adult & Community Education (207-764-4776) or visit www.msad1.coursestorm.com/course/skydiving2 FMI

Saturday, June 15

GRAND ISLE: 5th Annual Greater Grand Isle Canoe/Kayak Race. Flat water. 10 mi.; Madawaska to Grand Isle. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Madawaska boat landing next to Central Building Supply. Race start: 10:00 a.m. Beautiful scenic race along US/Canada border. Finish at Grand Isle boat landing. Over $650 in cash prizes! Cost: $15/adult, $7/youth 12 & under; free t-shirt. Contact Grand Isle General Store (207-895-3311) FMI

                                         

Ongoing Programs:

CARIBOU: C.R.X. Outdoor Adventure Program Open Registration. Weekdays. Exciting outdoor activities for youth entering grades 5-11. Cost/age: varies by program. Open to all area youth. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

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: Presque Isle Historical Society Guided Historic Fairmount Cemetery Tour. Second Friday of the month May 10-September 13. at 5:30 p.m. at Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, 3 Houlton Road. 1.5-hour guided walking tour; discuss origins, Victorian influences, 30 local historic figures. Many hills on tour. Cost: $5. Contact Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or visit www.pihistory.org FMI

PRESQUE ISLE: Presque Isle Historical Society Guided Historic Downtown Walking Tour. Fourth Saturday of the month April 27-September 28 from 10:00 a.m.-Noon. 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. Reservations suggested. Fee: FREE. Contact Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or visit www.pihistory.org 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