Aroostook Outdoor News: 2.26.15 edition

#VernalEquinox in 3 weeks but #freezing temps persist. Need a #WinterWarmUp? #Ski #Snowshoe #Skijor #Birding #Running

In this edition: 1) Four awesome ski event in one wild ski weekend in Caribou. 2) Indoor rock climbing in Presque Isle. 3) CanAm Crown Sled Dog Race 2015 has skijoring races, too. Plus lots more! offugo…

Thursday, February 26
Aroostook Birders February Meeting/Talk, Presque Isle
6:30 p.m. at UMPI Campus Center Alumni Room. Dr. Jason Johnston, ornithologist and associate professor of wildlife ecology will present “Forest, Food and Phenology: Research on Northern Maine Birds,” highlighting area birds and habitats. Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI

Saturday, February 28–Sunday, March 1
February Frolic Ski Festival – Aroostook Cups #4 & #5, Caribou
Get ready for one big weekend of winter fun! Planned events include Aroostook Youth Ski Festival, Aroostook League Middle School Ski Sprints, Maine State Ski Sprints (A-Cup #4), Henry Anderson Ski Dag (A-Cup #5), and MUCH more! Contact Mark Shea (207-498-9952) or mwscshea@gmail.com FMI

Saturday, February 28
UMPI Youth Rock Climbing Information Night, Presque Isle
5:00-6:00 p.m. at Gentile Hall Rock Wall. Middle schoolers and parents interested in youth rock climbing skill development are invited to discuss a clinic to be held Mar. 30-Apr. 3. Clinic fee: $100. Contact Victoria Winslow victoria.winslow@maine.edu FMI

*Sunday, March 1
NRCM Rising Skis the Park, Patten
Join Natural Resources Council of Maine for a fun day of XC skiing approx. 8 miles along E. Branch Penobscot River to Haskell Rock Pitch in Katahdin Woods & Waters Recreation Area. Meet at 10:30 a.m. at Grand Lake Rd. parking area, just past Matagamon Wilderness Camps & Store. Contact Eliza (207-430-0118) or eliza@nrcm.org FMI

*Sunday, March 1
Nackawic Bend Ski Club Annual Fun Ski Day, Nackawic, NB
1:00-4:00 p.m. (Atlantic) at Nackawic Golf & Country Club, 101 Trenholme St. Kids, friends, families come enjoy groomed trails, hot cocoa, goodies. XC ski gear available to borrow. Fee: FREE; everyone is welcome! Contact Anna MacFarlane at (506-471-2218) FMI or visit www.facebook.com/NackawicBendSkiClub FMI

Sunday, March 1
Cam-Am Crown Skijoring Races, Fort Kent
Skijoring: a blend of XC skiing and mushing, where skier and animal(s) work together. As part of the annual Cam-Am Crown Sled Dog races, the organization will be hosting 5k, 10k, 15k skijoring races at the beautiful Fort Kent Outdoor Center trails! Contact Laura Audibert (207-834-6773) or la4568@roadrunner.com FMI

Wednesday, March 4
Caribou Rec. Ski4Life Program, Mars Hill
Learn to ski at Bigrock! Open to grades 6-8. Program dates: March 4, 19, 26, April 3. Fee: $80; includes transportation, lift ticket, ski rental, mandatory lesson. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

*Thursday, March 5
UMPI Outing Club Full Moon Snowshoe, Presque Isle
Meet at 6:00 p.m. at UMPI’s Gentile Hall. Equipment available to borrow. Fee: FREE! Contact Amanda Baker (207-768-9401) or amanda.g.baker@umpi.edu FMI

Saturday, March 7
Himie Towle Memorial Ski Frolic – Aroostook Cup #6, Presque Isle
Mass-start 10k event is freestyle cross-country (classic track also set). Race start: 11:00 a.m. at Nordic Heritage Center. Fee: $20/family, $10/adult, $5/youth; includes lunch. Contact Steve Towle (207-227-6908) or towlesteve@gmail.com FMI

Saturday, March 7
2nd Annual Angel Snowfest, St. Agatha
All-day event at Lakeview Restaurant; live music, outdoor Ice Bar, Snowshoe/Walk, Luminary Walk on the breathtaking Lakeview trails. Proceeds benefit Angle Flight NE and Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund. Fee: $15; includes neck-warmer, stew, entertainment. Visit www.facebook.com/angelsnowfest FMI

*Saturday, March 7 & Sunday, March 8
UMPI Outing Club Ski Bum Weekend, Presque Isle
Nordic skiing Saturday afternoon at Nordic Heritage Center; slumber party at Gentile Hall Saturday night; downhill skiing or boarding Sunday at Bigrock. Fee: $20/UMPI Students, $30/non-students; does not include lift ticket/rental. Contact Amanda Baker (207-768-9401) or amanda.g.baker@umpi.edu FMI

Saturday, March 14
Aroostook Birders Duckbox Cleanout Day, Limestone
8:00 a.m. at Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. Give back to the birds on this one-mile snowshoe hike and morning of conservation work. Clean out and prep duck boxes for the upcoming season. Bring snowshoes, water, snacks. Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI

Saturday, March 14
After The Bell/Araya Wellness Lucky Leprechaun 5k, Mars Hill
Registration: 9:00 a.m. at Fort Street Elementary. Fee: $5/runner; $20/family. Contact Ryan Guerrette (207-425-6711) or ryanguerrette@skibigrock.me FMI

Saturday, March 14
Bigrock Winterfest Moon Light Snowshoe Hike, Mars Hill
6:00 p.m. Bring a headlamp or flashlight and join in on a guided 1-mile loop. Participants are encouraged to bring their own snowshoes; limited number of snowshoes available on a first come, first served basis. Contact Ryan Guerrette (207-425-6711) or ryanguerrette@skibigrock.me FMI

Sunday, March 15
Bigrock Invitational Youth Ski Race, Mars Hill
Registration: 8:00 a.m. Giant Slalom Race start: 10:00 a.m. Slalom Race start: 12:45 p.m. Awards: 2:30 p.m. Fee: $25; includes lift ticket; season pass holders, $15. Contact Ryan Guerrette (207-425-6711) or ryanguerrette@skibigrock.me FMI

Tuesday, March 17
Caribou Rec. Take It Outside Series Adult Ice Fishing Trip, Madawaska Lake
Depart Caribou Rec. at 9:00 a.m.; return by 3:00 p.m. Fee: $25/ages 18-69; $20/ages 70 and up; includes transportation, ice traps, bait, ice auger, lakeside lunch, campfire. Bring folding chairs, warm clothes. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Thursday, March 19
Aroostook Birders March Annual Meeting/Talk, Location TBA
“Seabirds of Maine” presentation by Bill Sheehan; 6:30 p.m. Maine is famous for diverse and abundant seabird life; learn about birds found along the coastline and on the open ocean. All with an interest invited! Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI

Friday, March 20-Sunday, March 22
Caribou Rec. Take It Outside Series Adult Ski Trip, Baxter State Park
Join us for a two-night trip to Katahdin Lake Wilderness Cabins, featuring a 13-mile round trip ski to Chimney Pond. Fee: $175; includes skis and trekking poles, cabin lodging, all meals (excluding first day lunch). Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Saturday, March 21-Sunday, March 22
Presque Isle Fish and Game Club Sportsman’s Show, Presque Isle
Kids’ Trout Fishing Pond sponsored by L.L. Bean, Shooting Range, Bow Range, Video Hunting Game, Moose Calling Contest, hourly kids’ door prizes! 75+ exhibitors from Maine, New Brunswick, Labrador, Quebec, New England. Fee: $5. Visit Presque Isle Fish and Game Club www.PIFG.org FMI

Tuesday, March 24
Caribou Rec. Take It Outside Series Adult Snowshoe Adventure, Caribou
Join us for a snowshoe adventure at Caribou High School Ski Trails. Fee: $20; includes snowshoes, trekking poles, instruction, hot dog roast. Depart Caribou Rec. Center at 10:00 a.m.; return by 3:00 p.m. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

*Thursday, March 26
UMPI Science Seminar Series, Presque Isle
12:15-1:30 p.m.; 201 Folsom Hall, featuring research conducted by UMPI students, faculty, other scientists. Wildlife Biologist Derek Woods presents Conservation of Wood Turtles from Maine to Virginia: A Coordinated Regional Approach. Contact Dr. Jason Johnston (207-768-9652) or jason.johnston@umpi.edu FMI

*Friday, March 27-Sunday, March 29
Caribou Rec. Take It Outside Series Adult Winter Adventure, Spider Lake
Activities: ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or simply relaxing and enjoying a nice warm cabin in the woods. Fee: $150; includes transportation, fishing license, food, lodging, necessary equipment. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

*Tuesday, March 31
Caribou Rec. Take It Outside Series Adult XC Ski Adventure, Caribou
The Caribou Ski Trails at Caribou County Club boast a wilderness experience right in our backyard. Trip includes a hot bowl of chowder and finger sandwiches on the trail. Fee: $20; includes equipment, transportation. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Ongoing Programs:

Sunday Saunter Running Group, Presque Isle
Sundays; 10:00 a.m. at UMPI’s Gentile Hall. Open to all abilities; be ready for an easy run of 30-45 minutes, and bring friends! Contact Jonathan Kelley competitorme@gmail.com FMI

Van Buren Rec. Youth Hockey, Van Buren
Sundays; 11:00 a.m. and Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays; 3:30 p.m. at the Van Buren Ice Skating Rink (weather permitting). Come play hockey outdoors! Donations of “real” ice hockey sticks, helmets, pads, would be greatly appreciated! Contact Michael “Miles” Garcia (207-868-5059) or vbchamber@gmail.com FMI

Bootlegger Snowshoe Hike, Rivière-Bleue, QC
Sundays; fourth Sunday of the month at 1:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the end of Path Brissette. Get to know the magical setting of the Bootlegger trails on this guided hike. Contact Jean Lebrun (418-893-1033) or info1@routedesfrontieres.com FMI

10th Mountain Outdoor Club Jalbert Pee Wee Biathlon Program, Fort Kent
Tuesdays; 4:00 p.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center. Open to youth ages 9 and under. Kids will learn basic skate skiing skills, go on ski adventures, and play LOTS of games! Cost: FREE! Contact Gail Johnson stegacosa@yahoo.com FMI

10th Mountain Outdoor Club Jalbert Youth Biathlon Program, Fort Kent
Tuesdays; 6:00 p.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center. Open to youth ages 10-14; roller skiing, rifle shooting, trail running, and LOTS of games! Cost: FREE! Contact Gail Johnsonstegacosa@yahoo.com FMI

MWSC Active Maine Project Adult Nordic Program, Fort Kent
Tuesdays; 6:00 p.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center. The program runs January 20-February 10 and is a fun, social way to improve your ski skills. Cost: $55. Contact Mike Smith (207-227-0250) or mikes@mainewsc.org FMI

*Valley Outdoor Centre Wednesday Night Skiing, Centreville, NB
Wednesdays; 7:00-7:45 p.m. (Atlantic) at Valley Outdoor Centre on Upton Rd. Ski from the lodge, as far or as little as you like, at your own pace; return to warm beverages, snacks, and a fire. Bring headlamp. Fee: $5; for snacks, beverages, fire pit, door prizes. Visit www.valleyoutdoor.ca FMI

MWSC Active Maine Project Adult Nordic Program, Presque Isle
Thursdays; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic Heritage Center. The program runs January 22-February 12 and is a fun, social way to improve your ski skills. Cost: $55. Contact Mike Smith (207-227-0250) or mikes@mainewsc.org FMI

*River Valley Runners Saturday Fun Run, Woodstock, NB
Saturdays; 8:30 a.m. (Atlantic) at Carleton Civic Centre, 105 Connell Park Rd. Meet in main/front parking lot of Civic Centre. Hope to see many runners out; spring is coming soon. Visit www.facebook.com/groups/rvrunnersnb FMI

Nordic Heritage Sport Club Youth XC Ski Program, Presque Isle
Saturdays; 10:00-11:30 a.m. Join us for a fun-filled free ski lesson! Grades K-8 welcome; ages 5 and under invited if with adult. Lessons designed for all levels. Visit www.nordicheritagecenter.org FMI

Four Seasons Trail Association Youth Ski Program, Madawaska
Saturdays; 1:00 p.m. at Four Seasons Lodge. Visit www.fourseasonstrail.org FMI

* = New or updated item(s).