In this edition: 1) Welcome spring and help with spring cleaning in Fort Kent. 2) Run to help bring awareness to organ and tissue donation in Caribou. 3) Give paintball biathlon a try in Fort Kent. Plus lots more!
C’mon Spring!
Events:
Saturday, April 20
FORT KENT: FKOC Spring Fling! 8:00-10:00 a.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center, 33 Paradis Circle. Seasonal ski rental returns will be accepted and we’ll be Spring Cleaning the 10th Mountain Lodge (cleaning supplies provided). Contact Mark Shea mshea@pinelandfarms.org FMI
CARIBOU: Cary Medical Center 6th Annual Ann King Donor Dash 5k. Walk/Run for Organ and Tissue Awareness. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Griffeth Ford, 16 Access Highway. Walk start: 9:00 a.m. Run start: 9:30 a.m. First 50 registrants get a t-shirt; refreshments at Cary following the event. Cost: $15/person, $25/family. All proceeds benefit New England Organ Bank. Contact Dean Cote (207-498-1282) FMI
Thursday, April 25
FORT FAIRFIELD: Family Story Time: Earth Day! 10:30 a.m.-Noon at Fort Fairfield Public Library, 339 Main St. Even the smallest hands can lend a hand on Earth Day! Explore ways to help our planet, followed by some loose parts play with a recycling theme! Cost: FREE for families with children ages .newborn to 5 years old. Contact Dianna Leighton at (207) 472-3880 or dleighton@fortfairfield.org FMI
Saturday, April 27
FORT KENT: FKOC Spring Fling! 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Fort Kent Outdoor Center, 33 Paradis Circle. Seasonal ski rental returns will be accepted and we’ll be offering Paintball Biathlon for ages 8 and over (weather permitting). Contact Mark Shea mshea@pinelandfarms.org FMI
Tuesday, April 30
CARIBOU: Cary Medical Center/Caribou Rec./Aroostook Birders Owl Prowl & Night Sounds Field Trip. Listen for owls using audio enhancement tools while exploring a local forest. Meet at Caribou Wellness Center at 6:45 p.m. Open to all ages. Rain or shine. Cost: FREE! Includes transportation. Headlamps/flashlights strongly recommended. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI
Saturday, May 4
HOULTON: Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race. 8 miles; whitewater. Finish in downtown Houlton. 2018 Maine Downriver Championship Series Point Race. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Wellington’s on Station Rd., New Limerick. Race start: 10:00 a.m. Fee: $15/adult; $10/youth. T-shirt to first 60 registrants. Awards, door prizes, lunch provided! Contact Jane Torres (207-532-4216) or director@greaterhoulton.com FMI
Wednesday, May 8
CARIBOU: Cary Medical Center/Caribou Rec./Aroostook Birders Collins Pond Bird Watching Outing. 7:00-8:00 a.m. at Collins Pond picnic area, lower Roberts St. Rain or shine. Light walking. Warbler exploration around perimeter of pond. Cost: FREE! Includes free bird call. Binoculars, bird books available on first-come first-serve basis. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI
Saturday, May 11
DANFORTH: Baskahegan Stream Canoe/Kayak Race. 34 miles; flat water. Kossuth to Bancroft. Runs in conjunction with East Grand Adventure Race as a paddle-only option. Check-in: 7:00 a.m. at East Grand School. Pre-registration required. Cost: $20/pre-registration, $30/day-of-race. Contact Dave Conley (207-551-8729) or visit www.canoethewild.com/east-grand-adventure-race FMI
DANFORTH: 14th Annual East Grand Adventure Race. 20 miles; off-trail compass run, mountain bike, paddle. Challenges include river traverse, mud crawl, tomahawk throw, log roll, cross-cut saw. Cost: $20/pre-registration, $30/day-of-race; includes trophies, t-shirts, lunch, $1,000+ in prizes. Contact Dave Conley (207-551-8729) or visit www.canoethewild.com/east-grand-adventure-race FMI
Wednesday, May 15
CARIBOU: Cary Medical Center/Caribou Rec./Aroostook Birders Caribou Bog Birding Hike. 7:00-8:00 a.m. at Aroostook Valley Trail Crossing on Washburn Rd. Short walk along the railroad trail. Cost: FREE! Includes free bird call. Binoculars, bird books available on first-come first-serve basis. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI
Saturday, May 18
PRESQUE ISLE: 12th Annual Aroostook River Fun Run. 8 miles; flat water. Registration: 8:30 a.m. at Washburn boat landing. Race start: 10:00 a.m. Also choose to Paddle It, Bike It, Run/Walk It; all activities end at PI Fish & Game Club with free BBQ lunch, awards, prizes. Cost: $10/adult, $5/child 13 and under; Visit www.presqueislerotary.com FMI
MADAWASKA: Northern Maine Medical Center Superhero 5k Fun Run/Walk. 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Four Seasons Trail Association, 425 Spring Street. Prizes for best Super Hero costume as well as 1st, 2nd, 3rd place event prizes. Free t-shirt to first 100 participants. Cost: $10/person; FREE/kids 12 & under. Contact NMMC (207-834-1353) FMI
CARIBOU: Caribou Rec/Healthy You Kayaking Outing, Caribou. Paddle from the Snow Farm on Grimes Road to Fort Fairfield. Pre-registration required. Cost: $10/person. Includes transportation, incredibly stable Old Town Loon 138 kayaks, PFD’s, paddles. Depart from Caribou Wellness & Recreation Center at 9:00 a.m.; return by 3:00 p.m. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI
Sunday, May 19
STOCKHOLM: 39th Annual Madawaska River Run. Registration: 9:00 a.m. at the bridge on Little Madawaska Lake Road in Westmanland. Race start: 11:00 a.m. Race ends at Stockholm American Legion. Cost: $15/watercraft; includes one t-shirt. $12/extra t-shirt. Visit www.facebook.com/StockholmLegion136 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
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: Star City Splash & Dash Club. Fridays from 3:00–5:00 p.m. at UMPI’s Gentile Hall. April 5-May 3. For youth aged 8-12. Fun sport that combines running, swimming; focus is on participation, not competition. Cost: $35/youth; includes snacks, afterschool transportation, biathlon registration fee, t-shirts. Drop in fee: $5/day. Visit www.msad1.coursestorm.com/course/star-city-splash-dash-club?search=splash 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
