Aroostook Outdoor News: 1.18.19 edition

In this edition: 1) Celebrate a birthday and some brand new winter trails in Patten. 2) Sign the kids up for youth biathlon in Fort Kent. 3) Stay indoors to talk and learn more about the outdoors in Fort Fairfield. Plus lots more!

Events:

 

NOW-Thursday, January 31

 

HOULTON AREA: Moosestompers Snow Creation Contest. Build a snowman, snow sculpture, or any other snow “creation,” snap a picture and submit via facebook page private message. We will post submissions to our page, and the way to win is simple: the photo with the most “likes” wins! Open to Maine residents within 45 miles of Houlton. Visit www.facebook.com/Moosestompers-283452883829 FMI

 

Saturday, January 19

 

PATTEN: Mt. Chase Lodge Walter’s Birthday & Trail Opening! 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Mt. Chase Lodge, 1517 Shin Pond Rd. Join us for sweets on the new trails created at our recent Friendsgiving weekend, warm beverages in the lodge, and birthday celebrations for Walter; the youngest Downing has been on staff here at Mt. Chase Lodge for exactly a year! Visit www.facebook.com/events/1288487301293022 FMI

 

Saturday, January 26

 

FORT KENT: Fort Kent Outdoor Center Jalbert Youth Program. Saturdays; Jan 26-Feb 23; 12:00-2:30 p.m. at FKOC, 33 Paradis Circle. Open to youth ages 4-14. Nordic skiing, instruction, and LOTS of games! Cost: Free for kids! Special $20 trail pass and rental for adults! Contact Julie Sanclemente (207-834-2599) or sanclemente@fairpoint.net or visit www.facebook.com/events/999221653595364 FMI

 

FORT FAIRFIELD: Let’s Talk About It: The Maine Woods. 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Fort Fairfield Public Library, 339 Main St. FFPL and Maine Humanities Council offer ‘Defining Wilderness: Defining Maine’, a 5-part Let’s Talk About It Book Discussion Series. Visit www.mainehumanities.org/programs/lets-talk/defining-wilderness-defining-maine or contact FFPL (207-472-3880) FMI

 

Saturday, February 2

 

HOULTON: 35th Annual Wild Katahdin Trust Snow Run. 2019 Aroostook Musterds County Challenge Series Race #1. Registration: 9:00 a.m. at Millar Arena, 94 Randall Ave. 2-mile walk start: 10:45 a.m. 5k run start: 11:00 a.m. Course: Pretty flat and fast. Cost: $12. T-shirts to first 50 registrants. Proceeds support Houlton Rec. Contact Houlton Rec (207-532-1310) or visit www.ow.ly/Odun30ngcmm FMI

 

Sunday, February 3

 

PRESQUE ISLE: Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital Free Ski Day at Quoggy Jo. 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Quoggy Jo Ski Center, 420 Fort Rd. Free lift tickets! Free lessons! $12 rentals available while supplies last. Contact Gene Cronin gene@skiquoggyjo.org FMI

 

FORT KENT: Fort Kent Outdoor Center Frostbite 10k and Super Hero Relay. Registration: 1:00 p.m. at FKOC, 33 Paradis Cir. Race start: 2:00 p.m. 10k freestyle and Nordic skier-cross super hero relay; don’t forget your cape! All ages and abilities welcome! Cost $10/adult, $5/youth under 18. Prizes and refreshments in the lodge after the event. Contact FKOC info@fortkentoc.org FMI

 

Monday, February 4

 

CARIBOU: Caribou Rec. Ski-Daddle Program. Sign up now! Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:00-4:30 p.m.; February 4-March 6.  For all ability levels in grades 3-5; lessons include introduction to equipment, techniques and lots of outdoor fun. Equipment available; students welcome to bring own equipment. Pre-registration required. Cost: $10/resident, $25/non-resident. Contact Caribou Rec. (207-493-4224) FMI

 

Saturday, February 9

 

PRESQUE ISLE: Nordic Heritage Sport Club Free Youth XC Ski Day. 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at NHSC. 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. Does your child want to try XC Skiing? Now is their chance! Instructors will be provided. Rental equipment available while supplies last! Free trail pass, free rentals and free lessons. Brought to you by Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital. Visit www.facebook.com/events/196679134581006 FMI

 

Saturday, February 9-Sunday, February 10

 

MONTICELLO: Wilderness Pines Open House Weekend. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. each day at Wilderness Pines Campground & Outfitters, 83 W Conroy Lake Rd. Family fun-filled weekend includes Houlton Rec. Winter Sports Trailer; XC skis, snowshoes, miles of groomed trails, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, hotdogs, chips, homemade donuts in the Lodge. Visit www.facebook.com/events/733583763675675 FMI

 

Sunday, February 17

 

PRESQUE ISLE: Nordic Heritage Sport Club/Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital Family Snowshoe Hike. 9:00–11:00 a.m. at Nordic Heritage Center, 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. Guided tours provided. Cost: FREE! Snowshoe rentals: $2/each, FREE/NHSC member, or bring your own. Visit www.facebook.com/events/262600237936634 FMI

 

 

Ongoing Programs:

 

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

 

CARIBOU: Men’s Ski Night. Tuesdays; 5:30 p.m. at Caribou High School Ski Building, 308 Sweden St. Alternating between classical and freestyle skiing each week, starting with freestyle on January 8. Contact Evan Graves egraves@rsu39.org 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

 

MADAWASKA: Four Seasons Trail Association Youth Skiing Program. Saturdays; December 29-March 9 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Four Seasons Lodge, 425 Spring St. Visit www.fourseasonstrail.org 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

 

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

 

FORT KENT: Fort Kent Outdoor Center Meeting. First Monday 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

 

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