Aroostook Outdoor News: 10.19.18 edition

In this edition: 1) Cut and run on multiple trail systems in Fort Kent. 2) Pay homage to furry and feathered friends in Houlton. 3) Learn more about all things lunar in Fort Fairfield. Plus lots more!

Events:

 

Friday, October 19

 

PRESQUE ISLE: Presque Isle Historical Society Haunted Lantern History Tour. A “slightly scary, kinda creepy” nighttime downtown tour through the old jail (only opened for this tour), 13 sites for the true history of that particular site by lantern light. Tours begin at 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. at Historic Fire Station, 11 Church St. Cost: $5. Contact Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com FMI

 

Saturday, October 20

 

FORT KENT: Fort Kent Outdoor Center Trail Work Day. 8:00-11:00 a.m. at FKOC, 33 Paradis Cir. Meet at the Maintenance Building. Focusing our work on Green Bean trails. Bring pruning saws, loppers, pole pruners, brush saws. Don’t forget gloves and sturdy footwear. Contact FKOC info@fortkentoc.org FMI

 

HOULTON: Hollywood Pet Salon Strut Your Mutt Walk-a-thon. 2.5-mile people/pet walk to help Ark Animal Sanctuary provide food, shelter, medicine, love to furry friends in need. Leashed pets welcome. Registration: 9:30 a.m. at Hollywood Pet Salon, 70 Main St. Walk start: 10:00 a.m. Pledges of $20 or more get free t-shirt. Live music, cookout, silent auction, bake sale, more! Contact Ark Animal Sanctuary (207-532-7387) FMI

 

MARS HILL: Aroostook Birders’ Goose Lunch. 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Mars Hill Pond, Bridge Street. Canada Geese migrate through the County each fall, stopping for short stays; a favorite stopover is Mars Hill Pond. We will also look for the occasional rare visitor traveling with them. Spotting scopes, light refreshments, drinks available. Contact Aroostook Birders thearoostookbirders@gmail.com FMI

 

FORT KENT: Fish River Greenway 5-mile Footrace & Poker Run. Registration: 12:00 p.m. at Riverside Park Pavilion. Race start: 1:00 p.m. Cost: $10/person (either event), $20/family. Awards for top five male, female runners; $25 for top male, female overall. $50 for best poker hand. Hot dog roast to follow. Contact Jeff Dubis jdubis@maine.edu FMI

 

FORT FAIRFIELD: International Observe the Moon Night. 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Fort Fairfield Public Library, 339 Main St. Free all-ages event includes fun hands-on activities, yummy Looney Lunar Phases, virtual tour of the moon, trip out to the library lawn to observe the moon up close and discuss its’ remarkable features! Contact Dianna Leighton (207-472-3880) or dleighton@fortfairfield.org FMI

 

Thursday, October 25

 

CARIBOU: Aroostook County Fall Tourism Conference. 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Caribou Inn & Convention Center, 19 Main St. Learn about: current state of hospitality, tourism in The County; why, how tourism impacts bottom line, importance of Destination Marketing, little to no-cost ways to market business. Fee: $25/person; includes lunch. Visit www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-aroostook-county-fall-tourism-conference-tickets-49349273004 FMI

 

Friday, October 26-Sunday, October 28

 

PATTEN: Mt. Chase Lodge Endless Trails Runner’s Weekend. Want to get away and devote a little time to your trail-running training? Whether you are just looking for some exercise or training for an Ultra Marathon, runners of all experience levels are welcome! You can expect lively discussion, great training info, and camaraderie in the Maine woods. Visit www.mtchaselodge.com FMI

 

Saturday, October 27

 

MARS HILL: Haunted Walk and Trunk or Treat. 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Central Aroostook Junior Senior High School, 26 Pleasant St. Hosted by Central Aroostook High School Class of 2019. Trunk or Treat for younger children from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Annual Mars Hill Rec. egg hunt at 6:00 p.m. Food available for purchase. Contact CAHS (207-425-2811) FMI

 

EASTON: Francis Malcolm Planetarium Video Presentation: Fragile Planet. 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Francis Malcolm Science Center, 775 Houlton Rd. All-new full dome/video program explores use of technology in better understanding our unique life-giving home and other solar system worlds. Reservation required. Cost: $6/adult, $4/student. Contact Tricia Langner (207-488-5451) or tricia@francismalcolmsciencecenter.com FMI

 

Sunday, November 4

 

PRESQUE ISLE: Quoggy Jo Ski Club Ski & Winter Sports Sale. 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Presque Isle Rec. Center, 24 Chapman Rd. Consignments accepted from 9:00 a.m.-Noon. Area ski shops on hand with new and used gear! Contact Gene Cronin (207-540-1496) or gene@skiquoggyjo.org FMI

 

Saturday, November 10

 

SINCLAIR: Aroostook Birders Long Lake Tour. 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Sinclair boat launch by the bridge. Join us on a carpool jaunt around Long Lake to see the last migrants leaving the state, stopping at promising spots, finishing at Lakeview Restaurant for lunch. We can always count on seeing spawning salmon too! Contact Bill Sheehan thearoostookbirders@gmail.com FMI

 

Saturday, November 17-Sunday, November 18

 

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

 

Ongoing Programs:

 

PRESQUE ISLE: UMPI-SAGE Outing Club. SAGE (Seniors Achieving Greater Education) organizes and carries out several outdoor activities every season. Events planned for this fall are: geocaching at Nordic Heritage Sport Center, biking and walking local trails across Aroostook County and Perth Andover, NB, Canada. Join the fun in planning, organizing and attending these activities. Contact the SAGE office (207-768-9501) 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

 

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

 

PRESQUE ISLE: Nordic Heritage Sport Club Group Mountain Bike Ride. Mondays; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic Heritage Center Welcome Center, 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. Year-round, conditions permitting. All abilities, no-drop ride. 7-10 miles; 6-8 mph avg. Focus on technical riding skills, group riding, having fun. Contact Tom Chasse (207-694-5222) or info@bikeboardandski.com FMI

 

CARIBOU: Bike, Board and Ski Group Road Bike Ride. Tuesdays; 5:30 p.m. at SW Collins, 6 Washburn St. All abilities welcome; multiple groups/routes depending on abilities. Casual ride of 20-30 miles; 12-18 mph avg. Focus on improving group riding skills, safety, etiquette, having fun. Contact Andrew Bouchard (207-551-7027) or info@bikeboardandski.com 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: Nordic Heritage Sport Club Group Mountain Bike Ride. Wednesdays; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic Heritage Center Welcome Center, 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. Year-round, conditions permitting. Faster group ride for intermediate to advanced riders. 10-13 miles; 8-10 mph avg. Focus on shredding the trails, group riding, having fun. Contact Tom Chasse (207-694-5222) or info@bikeboardandski.com FMI

 

PRESQUE ISLE: Bike Board & Ski Training Group Road Bike Ride. Thursdays; 5:30 p.m. at BB&S rear entrance behind Northeastland Hotel. Experienced riders; road bike only. 25-40 miles; 18+ mph avg. Be ready to work hard and hang on! May regroup if someone gets worked, falls off the back; can’t keep up be prepared to find your way home. Contact Andrew Bouchard (207-551-7027) or info@bikeboardandski.com FMI

 

PRESQUE ISLE: Bike Board and Ski Road Bike Ride. Saturdays; 7:30 a.m. at BB&S rear entrance behind Northeastland Hotel. 20-30 miles; 1.5-2 hours. Pace: moderate to fast; 16-18 mph. All abilities ride; no mountain bikes. Focus on improving group riding skills, safety and etiquette. Spirited at times, but we regroup several times along the way. Contact Andrew Bouchard (207-551-7027) or andrew@bikeboardandski.com 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

 

FORT KENT: Fort Kent Outdoor Center Meeting. First Wednesday 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

 

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