Aroostook Outdoor News: 11.17.17 edition

In this edition: 1) Bring holiday cheer and gear to the Jingle Bell Run in Mars Hill. 2) Hunt for deals at a ski swap in Fort Kent. 3) Early release day for kids = mountain bike trip in Caribou. Plus lots more!

In between seasons…

 

Events:

 

Saturday, November 18

 

MARS HILL: Central Aroostook High School Senior Class Jingle Bell Run. 8:00-11:00 a.m. at Central Aroostook Jr.-Sr. High School, 26 Pleasant St. Registration: 8:00 a.m. Race start: 9:15 a.m. Don’t forget your holiday cheer and gear! Cost: $25/person; first 50 registrants receive free t-shirt! Contact Isabelle Wright iwright@sad42.us FMI

 

Sunday, November 19

 

FORT KENT: Lonesome Pine Trails Ski Swap and Sale. Ski sale consignment registration: Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-Noon. Ski sale: Sunday, Noon-4:00 p.m. Discounted season passes available both days. Contact LPT (207-834-5202) or visit www.lonesomepinetrails.org FMI

 

Monday, November 20

 

CARIBOU: Caribou Rec. Youth Mountain Biking Trip to Nordic Heritage Center. 12:00-4:00 p.m. For youths in grades 5-10. Limited number of bikes available on a first-come, first-served basis. Helmet required. Cost: $5/person. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

 

Saturday, November 25

 

CARIBOU: Turkey Trot 5k. Registration: 8:30 a.m. at Caribou High School, 308 Sweden St. Walk start: 9:45 a.m. Race start: 10:00 a.m. Contact Evan Graves (207-226-0711) or gravespi@gmail.com FMI

 

Thursday, November 30

 

FORT FAIRFIELD: Fort Fairfield Public Library Family Story Time: Winter Wear! 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Fort Fairfield Public Library, 339 Main St. Brr! Time to bundle up! This week’s story time will take a look at winter layers! Cost: FREE for all families with children ages newborn to 5 years old; no registration required. Contact Dianna Leighton (207-472-3880) or dleighton@fortfairfield.org FMI

 

CARIBOU: Caribou Rec. PRESKISON Ski Program. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:00-6:00 p.m.; November 30-December 21. For youths in 5th-8th grade. Adventure to different locations to find activities to keep moving: mountain biking, snowshoeing, XC skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, ice skating. Pre-registration required. Cost: $35/person. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

 

Saturday, December 2

 

MARS HILL: Bigrock Mountain Ski Swap and Sale. Old ski gear taking up space in your home? Looking for rock-bottom prices on ski stuff for the upcoming season? Then you better get to Bigrock! Last day to buy early bird season passes! Consignment intake: 9:00-11:00 a.m. Sale: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Contact Bigrock (207-425-6711) FMI

 

FORT KENT: Fort Kent Outdoor Center Welcome Winter Social. 5:30-9:00 p.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center, 33 Paradis Circle. This will be a social, membership drive, and fundraiser all in one; pot luck hors d’ouevres, cash bar, door prizes, indoor Christmas cornhole tournament. Let’s kick off the winter season together! Cost: $3/member; $5/non-member. Visit www.10thmtskiclub.org FMI

 

Wednesday, December 6

 

PRESQUE ISLE: UMPI Student Activities Office Out of the Darkness Walk. 6:00-7:30 at UMPI, 181 Main St. Walk in memory or support of those who have lost someone to suicide. Suicide can be prevented. Proceeds go to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to help raise awareness, provide education and support to survivors of suicide loss, etc. Visit www.afsp.org FMI

 

Saturday, December 16 & Sunday, December 17

 

FORT KENT: NENSA Eastern Cup Weekend. At Fort Kent Outdoor Center, 33 Paradis Cir. New England Nordic Ski Association and Fort Kent Outdoor Center host the 1st event of the season. Freestyle Sprint races Saturday, Classic Distance races Sunday. Come out and watch some fast skiers and exciting races! Visit www.10thmtskiclub.org FMI

 

Saturday, December 16

 

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

 

CARIBOU: Audubon Christmas Bird Count. 7:00 a.m. at Tim Horton’s, Bennett Dr. 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 17

 

MADAWASKA: Four Seasons Trail Association Christmas at the Lodge. 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Four Seasons Lodge, 425 Spring St. Pasta lunch, sleigh rides, tubing, skiing, snowshoeing, and SANTA! Bring the kids! Visit www.fourseasonstrail.org FMI

 

Ongoing Programs:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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