Aroostook Outdoor News: 5.7.15 edition

Are you ready to get #outdoors? So much to do, so little time. #GetAfterIt

In this edition: 1) Canoe/kayak races in Danforth and Smyrna. 2) Learn about vernal pools at a workshop in Limestone. 3) Honor veterans at a 5k run/walk in Presque Isle. Plus lots more! offugo…

Friday, May 8
Frost Memorial Library Astronomy Day, Limestone
3:00-4:30 p.m. at the Library, 42 Main St. Join children’s author Fran Hodgkins for a presentation based on her book The Secret Galaxy, astronomy themed activities, snacks, telescope demonstration. Cost: FREE! Contact Robert A. Frost Memorial Library (207-325-4706) or rfrostml@yahoo.com FMI

Friday, May 8
PI Historical Society Guided Historic Fairmount Cemetery Tour, Presque Isle
1.5-hour guided walking tour; discuss origins, Victorian influences, 30 local historic figures. Many hills on tour. Meet at 5:30 p.m. at Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce. Cost: $5; reservations required. Contact Kimberly Smith (207-762-1151) or visit www.pihistory.org FMI

Saturday, May 9
East Grand Adventure Race, Danforth
20 miles; compass run, mountain bike, paddle, may include river traverse, mud crawl, tomahawk throw, log roll, cross-cut saw. 8 Divisions: High School, Adult, Open. Fee: $20; includes trophies, t-shirts, lunch, and $1,000+ in prizes. Contact Dave Conley (207-551-8729) or visit www.eastgrandschool.org/adventure-race FMI

Saturday, May 9
Baskahegan Stream Canoe/Kayak Race, Danforth
34 miles; flat water. Kossuth to Bancroft. Runs in conjunction with East Grand Adventure Race as a paddle-only option. Pre-registration required. Contact Dave Conley (207-551-8729) or visit www.eastgrandschool.org/adventure-race FMI

Saturday, May 9
Aroostook Birders Outing at Nordic Heritage Center, Presque Isle
7:30-9:30 a.m. Meet in the NHC parking lot for an easy walk on blacktop trails. Contact Judy Roe (207-768-7271) FMI

Saturday, May 9
10th Anniversary Tribute to Courage Walk or Rock, Madawaska
Walk 3, 5, or 10 miles to benefit Edgar Paradis Cancer Fund. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Acadia Health Center, Main St. 10-mile walk start: 8:00 a.m.; 3- and 5-mile walk start: 9:00 a.m. Cost: $15; music, lunch provided. Contact Bern Pelletier (207-543-5063) or bernp54@yahoo.com FMI

Saturday, May 9
CompetitorME Run For Heroes, Presque Isle
9:00 a.m. at Riverside Park. Kids’ 1-mile Fun Run and 5k Run/Walk to support current and past U.S. service members. All proceeds to The Summit Project. Veterans encouraged to wear camouflage as a symbol of their service. Fee: $7/Kids’ Fun Run; $12/Youth 5k; $22/Adult 5k. Visit www.competitorme.com FMI

Saturday, May 9-Sunday, May 10
UMPI Outing Club Deboullie Hiking and Overnight Camping Trip, T15 R9 WELS
Explore Deboullie, the hidden gem of northern Maine. Cost: $50/UMPI student; $70/non-student; includes transportation, food, camping fees. Contact Amanda Baker (207-768-9401) or amanda.g.baker@umpi.edu FMI

Saturday, May 9
Friends of Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge Vernal Pool Workshop, Limestone
10:00 a.m.-Noon. ANWR staff will lead a short hike to view salamanders, frogs and their egg masses, and discuss the importance of vernal pools in northern Maine. Waterproof boots recommended. Cost: FREE! Contact ANWR (207-328-4634) or visit www.friendsofaroostooknwr.org FMI

*Saturday, May 9
4th Annual Merrill/Smyrna Canoe/Kayak Race, Merrill
Registration: 9:00 a.m. at Merrill Millstream Park. Race start: 10:00 a.m. Cost: $10 per paddler; includes free lunch and participation gift. Lunch: 11:30 a.m.; burgers, hot dogs, baked beans for $5. Awards: 1:00 p.m. Contact Ken Bustard (207-659-2018) or Merrill/Smyrna town office (207-757-8286) FMI

*Monday, May 11
TAMC Community Couch to 5k Program Kickoff, Presque Isle
5:00 p.m. outside Academy House, TAMC campus. Get off the couch; train your body to run or walk in one of many 5k events this summer. Running program: 9 wks; walking program: 7 wks. Participants invited to take part in Freedom 5k, July 11. Cost: FREE! Contact Sarah Caron (207-768-4169) or scaron@emhs.org or Linda Menard (207-768-4172) or lmenard@emhs.org FMI

Friday, May 15
Caribou Rec./Healthy You Bird Caribou Bog Watching Trip, Caribou
7:00 a.m. at Aroostook Valley Rail Trail parking lot on Washburn Rd.; short walk to birding area. 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, May 16
Aroostook Birders Perham Bog/Salmon Brook Lake Birding Hike, Perham
7:00-11:00 a.m. Meet at Perham Town Office for a 3-mile round trip excursion along the railroad trail. Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI

Saturday, May 16
Aroostook River Fun Run Canoe and Kayak Race, Washburn
8 miles; flat water. Family oriented. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Thomas Brewer Park. Race start: 10:00 a.m.; ends at Presque Isle Fish and Game Club. Fee: $10/advance; $15/race day; t-shirts to first 75 registered. Contact Mike Gudreau (207-540-6142) or michaelgudreau@aol.com FMI

Saturday, May 16
Deboullie Run-Around, Fort Kent
May be rescheduled due to road conditions. 7.5-mile trail run in Deboullie Public Reserved Land up and over Black and Deboullie Mountains, along Deboullie Pond. Meet at Deboullie Pond parking area/trailhead at 8:00 a.m. Carpooling encouraged; roads will be rough! Contact Don Eno donenoweb@me.com FMI

*Saturday, May 16 **CANCELLED**
After The Bell Mud Run, Mars Hill
1-mile; not timed. 10:00 a.m. at Bigrock. Come dressed for a mess! Fee: $10. Contact Jamie Guerrette jamielguerrette@yahoo.com FMI

Saturday, May 16
Katahdin Woods & Waters Rec. Area Fiddlers and Fiddlehead Fest, Patten
Noon-5:00 p.m. at Patten Lumbermen’s Museum. Join us for music, food, crafts, old-time activities and games, Maine Forest Service presentation and firetruck. Rain or shine; bring your own chair. Cost: donation. Visit www.lumbermensmuseum.org FMI

Sunday, May 17
Madawaska River Run, Stockholm
Registration: 9:00 a.m. at the bridge on the Little Madawaska Lake Road in Westmanland. Race start: 11:00 a.m. $12 entry fee includes t-shirt. Visit “Madawaska River Run” on Facebook FMI

Sunday, May 17
Meduxnekeag River Association Wildflower Walk, Woodstock, NB
Our popular annual Wildflower Walk will meet at Bell Forest, 200 Bell Settlement Rd, Belleville at 1:30 p.m. (Atlantic time). Allow at least two hours. Contact Meduxnekeag River Association (506-328-8227) or meduxnekeag@nb.aibn.com or visit www.meduxnekeag.org FMI

Monday, May 18
Meduxnekeag River Association Canoe Float, Woodstock, NB
This year’s slow canoe float down the Meduxnekeag River is planned for Victoria Day, weather permitting. Contact Meduxnekeag River Association (506-328-8227) or meduxnekeag@nb.aibn.com or visit www.meduxnekeag.org FMI

*Tuesday, May 19
3rd Annual Color Run/Soirée des Couleurs, Grand Falls, NB
7:00 p.m. (Atlantic) at Polyvalente Thomas-Albert School. An evening of colors, in powder form, launched at you on a race around the school track, perfect for the whole family! Cost: $10/person; proceeds benefit Relay for Life. Contact lavoie1266@gmail.com FMI

*Wednesday, May 20
4th Annual VA2K Walk and Roll, Caribou
10:45 a.m. at Cary Medical Center Trails. Walk or roll 2k to benefit homeless veterans and promote health and wellness; all fitness levels welcome. Contact Tami Kilcollins (207-498-1158) FMI

Thursday, May 21
Caribou Rec./Healthy You Owl Prowl & Night Sounds Field Trip, Caribou
With audio enhancement tools, explore a local forest. Meet at Caribou Wellness Center at 6:45 p.m. Open to all ages. Rain or shine. Cost: FREE! Includes transportation, free bird call. Bring flashlight; expect moderate walking. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

Friday, May 22
PI Reg. Career & Tech. Center SkillsUSA Nationals Glow 5k, Presque Isle
Registration: 8:00 p.m. at PI Middle School. Race start: 8:30. There will be refreshments along the way. Come ready to have lots of fun and bring plenty of glow sticks and glow in the dark gear! Cost: $20/adult; $10/youth (17 and under). Contact Amy White whitea@sad1.org FMI

Saturday, May 23
PI Historical Society Guided Historic Downtown Walking Tour, Presque Isle 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; $2 donation suggested. Contact Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or visit www.pihistory.org FMI

*Friday, May 29
Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Seminar: Wild Brook Trout, Forest City
Retired Maine fisheries biologist discusses genetic sampling of wild brook trout, stream surveys, habitat restoration, standardization of fishing regulations, renewal of hatchery stock. 7:30-9:00 p.m. at WWLT Center. Contact Patty Michaud (207-448‐3250) or pattywwlt@gmail.com FMI

*Saturday, May 30
Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Booming Out Ground Bird Watching, Forest City
Join naturalist Marion Bates as we look for migrating and nesting warblers, rare Black-Backed woodpeckers, and Scarlet Tanagers. 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at WWLT Center. Bring lunch. Contact Patty Michaud (207-448‐3250) or pattywwlt@gmail.com FMI

*Saturday, May 30
CompetitorME Rachael’s Run 5k Run/Walk, Presque Isle
This is not a race; proceeds support Rachael Frinder Gagnon’s medical bills and Little Pink Houses of Hope. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at UMPI’s Gentile Hall. Run start: 9:00 a.m. First 50 registrants get a t-shirt. Visit www.runsignup.com/Race/CT/Marlborough/RachaelsRun FMI

*Saturday, May 30
Malcolm Science Center Spring Open House, Easton
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Join us for hands-on science activities, planetarium shows, model rocket launches, and University of Maine ocean touch tank demonstration. Contact Malcolm Science Center (207-488-5451) or info@francismalcolmsciencecenter.com FMI

Sunday, May 31
12th Annual Alzheimer Society of NB Walk for Memories, Woodstock, NB
Join families and friends across New Brunswick and walk with a purpose! Registration: Noon at Riverside Court. Walk start: 1:00 p.m. (all times Atlantic). Contact Alzheimer Society of NB (800-664-8411) or info@alzheimernb.ca FMI

Saturday, June 6
Northern Maine Bird Festival, Limestone
6:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge. Features: guided bird walks, netting and banding demonstrations, hands-on activities for kids, plus a special Birds Acre presentation, “Owls of Maine” at 11:00 a.m. Cost: FREE! Contact Bill Sheehan thearoostookbirders@gmail.com FMI

*Saturday, June 6
Spring Summit Run: 2015-NT, Baxter State Park
Run to the top of North Traveler (NT) Mountain; 2.5 miles, 2000 foot elevation gain. Run to the top, scramble back down to South Branch Pond Campground; cold beer and grub will most likely be waiting! Camping an option the night before. Hosted by Donald Eno. Visit www.facebook.com/events/1500535286861000 FMI

*Saturday, June 6
Plaster Rock Bicycle Rodeo, Plaster Rock, NB
10:00 a.m.-Noon (Atlantic) at Plaster Rock Tobique-Plex. For youth ages 5-12. Bring bike and helmet for inspection, take part in our obstacle course, learn safety tips, get snacks, refreshments, certificates, and prizes! Contact Village of Plaster Rock Recreation and Parks Department (506-356-6075) FMI

*Sunday, June 7
Community in Motion 1k/5k Walk to Fight Arthritis, Hartland, NB
The Walk to Fight Arthritis stretches across Canada to help the over 4.6 million Canadians who live with arthritis every day. Registration: 1:00 p.m. at Hartland Covered Bridge. Walk start: 2:00 p.m. (all times Atlantic). Contact: Donna Clark (506-452-7191 ex. 103) or frederictonwalktofightarthritis@arthritis.ca 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

*TAMC Community Couch to 5k Program, Presque Isle
Mondays & Wednesdays; 5:00 p.m. Get off the couch; train your body to run or walk in one of many 5k events this summer. Running program: 9 wks; walking program: 7 wks. Participants invited to take part in Freedom 5k, July 11. Cost: FREE! Contact Sarah Caron (207-768-4169) or scaron@emhs.org or Linda Menard (207-768-4172) or lmenard@emhs.org FMI

Tuesday Track Workouts, Caribou
Tuesdays; 5:15 p.m. at CHS. Join runners of all abilities to do predetermined intervals, your own workout, or just run with others and forget the workout. Average distance: 5-9 miles; can be adapted per individual. Contact PJ Gorneault pgorneault@rsu39.org FMI

Village of Perth-Andover Walk in the Park, Perth-Andover, NB
Wednesdays; 6:30–7:30 p.m. (Atlantic time). Meet at Perth-Andover Bandstand; weather permitting. Visit www.perth-andover.com 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
* = New or updated item(s).