Aroostook Outdoor News: 11.3.16 edition

In this edition: 1) A #Birding tour to #LongLakeME. 2) #SkiSwaps in #EdmundstonNB and #PresqueIsleME. 3) #UFOs and #aliens in #EastonME. Plus lots more! #offugo...

#AroostookThing(s) of the week: It’s ski swap season!



Skis and snowboards. Boots and poles and bindings. Hats and helmets. Goggles and gloves. If you need it to get down the ski hill, you can probably find it at a ski swap.

For those of us in Aroostook, November is ski swap season – four of ‘em between now and Thanksgiving!

To me, the ski swaps are the harbinger of all things good. In my world, that means snow, and of course, skiing.

Among all the amazing goods you can find at ski swaps, don’t forget that they also usually provide a chance to pick up your season passes to your local ski hill. In fact, each of the swaps in our area are sponsored by our four winter fun centers.

Quoggy Jo Ski Center in Presque Isle and Mont Farlagne in Edmundston, NB, get the ski swap train rolling this weekend, with future stops scheduled for Bigrock Mountain in Mars Hill and Lonesome Pine in Fort Kent.

Skiers and boarders can sell their old gear and upgrade to new or newer gear, usually at a bargain price.

So if you’re in the market for gear, check out the calendar for all the details. If you’re like me, you may want to just go and browse and revel in the thought of all the snowy goodness soon to come.

If you see me, just smile and wave – I’ll be the guy doing my snow dance!

#AroostookNote: Here’s a #DYK for you: Did you know that the Offugo blog page also features a Google Calendar that lists all the events in a format that you can sync and share? Check it out here: go to www.offugoaroostook.blogspot.com, then click on the “offugo... Google CALENDAR” link!

Saturday, November 5
Aroostook Birders Long Lake Tour, Sinclair. 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Meet at Sinclair boat launch parking lot by the bridge. Join us on a jaunt around Long Lake to see the last migrants leaving the state. Carpool around the lake stopping at promising spots, finishing up at Lakeview Restaurant for lunch. We can always count on seeing spawning salmon even if the bald eagles scare away all the birds! Contact Bill Sheehan thearoostookbirders@gmail.com FMI

Saturday, November 5
Mont Farlagne Ski Team Ski and Snowboard Swap, Edmundston, NB. 9:00 a.m. (Atlantic Time) in the Avalanche Bar in the base lodge. Contact Mont Farlagne (877-837-7669) or visit www.montfarlagne.com FMI

Saturday, November 5
Run The River, Nackawic, NB. 10k/5k/3krunning races and 1k Kids’ Fun Run. Prize money awarded to top 3 male/female in each distance. Race start: 9:30 a.m. (Atlantic Time) at Nackawic Shopping Mall, 135 Otis Dr. Register online only by Nov. 4 at www.raceroster.com/events/2016/9897/run-the-river-2016. Cost: $25/age 14 and over, $12/age 13 and under, FREE/Kids’ 1k. Contact Greg MacFarlane (506- 450-5802) or greg@liv9.ca or visit www.facebook.com/runtheriverNackawic FMI

Saturday, November 5
Francis Malcolm Science Center Presentation: Close Encounters Of The 1975 Kind!, Easton. 7:00 p.m. at FMSC. Our seasonal remembrance of the eerie UFO Encounter at the former Loring Air Force Base in autumn, 1975. Weather permitting, stirring sky watching will follow the program. Bring your telescopes or binoculars, and dress appropriately. Cost: $5/adult, $3/student. Contact FMSC (207-488-5451) FMI

Sunday, November 6
Quoggy Jo Ski Club Ski & Winter Sports Sale, Presque Isle. 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Presque Isle Rec. Center. Consignments accepted from 9:00 a.m.-Noon. Area ski shops will be on hand with new and used gear! Contact Gene Cronin (207-540-1496) or gene@skiquoggyjo.org FMI

Saturday, November 12
Friends of Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge Second Saturday Event, Limestone. 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at ANWR Visitors' Center, 97 Refuge Rd. This event marks our annual membership drive and nature store sale. Come hike the trails and renew your membership or become a new member. 5-25% discount on Nature Store purchases made that day. Visit www.friendsofaroostooknwr.org FMI

Saturday, November 12
Bigrock Ski Swap and Sale, Mars Hill. 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: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Sale: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Contact Bigrock (207-425-6711) FMI

Thursday, November 17
Caribou Rec./Northern Skiers Club Youth XC Ski Rental Night, Caribou. 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Caribou Wellness Center. Seasonal rentals available for Caribou youth; includes skis, boots, poles, and carrier. Cost: $70. Volunteers needed. Contact CPRD (207-493-4224) FMI

Saturday, November 19–Sunday, November 20
Lonesome Pine Trails Ski Swap and Sale, Fort Kent. Ski sale 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

Saturday, November 26
Turkey Trot 5k, Caribou. Walk start: 9:45 a.m. at Caribou High School. Race start: 10:00 a.m. Contact Evan Graves (207-226-0711) or gravespi@gmail.com FMI

Tuesday, November 29
Caribou Rec. Adult Take It Outside Series Show and Tell with Paul Cyr, Caribou. 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Caribou Rec. 55 Bennett Dr. Paul’s name is synonymous with photography in Aroostook County. Find out how he is able to accomplish such amazing photography; sit back, enjoy a show and tell and Q&A opportunity on Paul’s work. Preregistration required. Cost: FREE. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.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

Francis Malcolm Science Center Walk-in Tours, Easton. 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

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

Friends of Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge Meeting, Limestone. Second Monday of each month; 6:00 p.m. at ANWR headquarters and Visitor’s Center, 97 Refuge Rd. Founded in 1998, Friends are involved in a number of volunteer projects on the ANWR in an effort to balance the enhancing of habitat with the public access privilege to enjoy wildlife in an unmolested environment. Contact Friends of ANWR (207-328-4634) or friendsofanwr@gmail.com 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

Presque Isle Fish and Game Club Meeting, Presque Isle. Last Tuesday of each month; 5:30 p.m. at PIFG clubhouse, Parsons Road. Established in 1947 to help protect, conserve, maintain and restore our natural resources as well as to protect and promote our outdoor heritage. Meetings include a delicious supper, cash bar, short business meeting. Visit www.pifg.org FMI

Four Seasons 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

Fort Fairfield Frontier Fish and Game Club, Fort Fairfield. Second and fourth Wednesdays of each month (fourth Wednesdays during summer); 6:00 p.m. at FFFFG clubhouse on Monson Pond, 550 Dorsey Rd. Founded in 1958 to help conserve, protect, maintain, and restore our natural resources and to promote our outdoor heritage. Visit www.heyevent.com/venue/bmyulgbaawlhca FMI


* = New or updated item(s).
Location: Aroostook County, ME, USA

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