Aroostook Outdoor News: 12.4.15 edition

One more chance to run in 2015! #SantaStroll #ReindeerRun. #AroostookThing

In this edition: 1) #3k and #5k runs in Woodstock, #NewBrunswick. 2) A year-end celebration for an annual #RoadRace series in #Caribou. 3) Welcome #winter at a social event in #Fort Kent. Plus lots more! #offugo…

 

*Saturday, December 5

River Valley Runners 3k Santa Stroll & 5k Reindeer Run, Woodstock, NB. 8:30 a.m. (Atlantic time) at Woodstock Salvation Army, 110 Eastwood Dr. Registration by donation! All funds raised go to Christmas Kettle Appeal. Dress up in your best Santa/Reindeer outfits! Refreshments to follow! Visit www.facebook.com/events/1194304513919591 FMI

 

*Saturday, December 5

Aroostook Mûsterds Banquet, Caribou. Celebrate Summer Series division winners, overall winners, runner of the year. Always an enjoyable event; connect with other runners and talk all things running. Meet & Greet: 5:00 p.m. at Par and Grill Restaurant, followed by dinner and presentation of awards. Contact The Bull christopher.smith@maine.edu FMI

 

Saturday, December 5

Fort Kent Outdoor Club Welcome Winter Social, Fort Kent. 5:30-9:00 p.m. at 10th Mountain Lodge. This will be a social, membership drive, and fundraiser all in one; snacks, cash bar, live music, door prizes. Let’s kick off the winter season together! Cost: $3/member; $5/non-member. Visit www.10thmtskiclub.org FMI

 

Friday, December 11

Mont Farlagne Opening Day, Edmundston, NB. 9:00 a.m. (Atlantic time). Lifts open for our 47th season! Visit www.montfarlagne.com FMI

 

*Friday, December 11

Aroostook County Conservation Association Meeting: Save Our Whitetail, Presque Isle. 6:30 p.m. at Northeastland Hotel. Guest Speaker: Dick Fortier, northern area IF&W advisory council representative. Agenda: Getting your questions answered. Everyone Welcome! Contact ACCA (207-592-2516) or jmguideservice@yahoo.com FMI

 

*Saturday, December 12

Bigrock Mountain Opening Day, Mars Hill. 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. It’s the day you’ve waited eight months for: Bigrock opens for the season! Kick off the ski/snowboard season at Bigrock! Weather permitting. Visit www.bigrockmaine.com FMI

 

Saturday, December 12

Millinocket Marathon & Half, Millinocket. 10:00 a.m. at 27 Poplar St. Grass roots run/race. Route: 13.1 miles; run two loops for full marathon. Cost: FREE! In lieu of entry fee ALL runners encouraged to spend race entry equivalent in town to help local economy. Visit www.facebook.com/events/1014632231916145/1014978268548208 FMI

 

*Saturday, December 12

Friends of Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge Second Saturday Event, Limestone. We will be open from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. for a chance to do last-minute gift shopping, renew your membership. Bundle up to hike the trails then come inside the Visitor’s Center to make a birdseed ornament for outdoor use. Visit www.friendsofaroostooknwr.org FMI

 

*Wednesday, December 16

Snowshoe Making Book Signing, Presque Isle. 2:00 p.m. at Turner Memorial Library. Author Brian Theriault shares his how-to book “Leaving Tracks: A Maine Tradition.” Photos, diagrams, handcrafted snowshoe display to assist the reader in developing an appreciation for winter sports, creating your own snowshoes. Contact Turner Memorial Library 207-764-2571 FMI

 

Saturday, December 19

Audubon Christmas Bird Count, Caribou. We invite you to join us for all or part of this day-long count in the Caribou area; all welcomed for this long-standing holiday tradition! We need all hands on deck! Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI

 

Sunday, December 27-Tuesday, December 29

Fort Kent Outing Club Nordic Ski Festival, Fort Kent. Looking for great Christmas snow for Nordic skiing? Look no further than FKOC, host of World Cup Biathlon, national, regional ski events. This year’s festival will feature a variety of events and lots of fun.  Visit www.10thmtskiclub.org FMI

 

Friday, January 1, 2016

Audubon Christmas Bird Count, Presque Isle. We invite you to join us for all or part of this day-long count in the Presque Isle area; all welcomed for this long-standing holiday tradition! We need all hands on deck! Contact Bill Sheehan (207-227-7301) or bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com FMI

 

*Saturday, January 9-Sunday, January 10

Fort Kent Outdoor Center Regional Biathlon Competition, Fort Kent. Regional citizens’ series to give novices/youth a chance to enter low-pressure biathlon competitions to gain experience, as well as for more experienced athletes. Very low key races, similar to a time trial; just an opportunity to race for anybody. Visit www.10thmtskiclub.org FMI

 

Ongoing Programs:

 

County Strides Running Group, Presque Isle. 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

 

Bootlegger Snowshoe Hike, Rivière-Bleue, QC. Fourth Sunday of each 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

 

*UMPI Meteorology Course, Presque Isle. Mondays and Wednesdays from Jan. 19-May 12; 12:30-1:45 p.m. Learn about basic weather systems, how to identify cloud formations and interpret what they mean in terms of upcoming weather. Emphasis placed on northern Maine weather. Contact Ted Shapiro (207-764-4461) or tshapiro@wagmtv.com FMI

 

Sportsmen’s Inc. Meeting, Stockholm. First Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Axle Siding Clubhouse (intersection of Lake Street/Rt. 161). Outdoors men and women promoting the traditions of the outdoors. If you’re interested in joining, you’re welcome to attend as a guest. Kids are welcome too! Visit www.facebook.com/Sportsmens-Inc-568794129811741 FMI

 

Nordic Heritage Sport Club Meeting, Presque Isle. 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

 

Four Season Trail Association Meeting, Madawaska. 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

 

* = New or updated item(s).