Maine outdoor organizations set to celebrate Great Maine Outdoor Weekend

Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine Sept. 17-23
September 16, 2015
Out and About for the Bangor Lakes Region of Maine September 24-30
Out and About for the Bangor Lakes Region of Maine September 24-30
September 24, 2015

Maine outdoor organizations set to celebrate Great Maine Outdoor Weekend

Maine outdoor organizations set to celebrate Great Maine Outdoor Weekend

Monmouth a la Mode begins at Maranacook Boat Launch in Winthrop, Maine

 

Maine outdoor organizations set to celebrate Great Maine Outdoor Weekend

by Leigh Macmillen Hayes

 

Twice a year the Maine Outdoor Coalition sponsors The Great Maine Outdoor Weekend. The fall event will occur over a three-day period from September 25-27. Over one hundred events are planned by outdoor-oriented organizations and companies. 

 

The hope is that you will join your family, friends and neighbors as you explore the natural world, have fun, get some exercise and celebrate being outside. 

 

Take a look at the Web site: Great Maine Outdoor Weekend for more information about all of the events that will take place across the state. 

 

I hope you’ll consider participating in one of these activities. As a Maine Master Naturalist, I’ll be joining the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust on Sunday to co-lead a canoe paddle from Lovewell Pond to the Saco River. We’ll pass through the silver maple floodplain of the Brownfield Bog and pull out at the Brownfield Bridge. 

 

From walking and hiking to paddling and star-gazing, there is an activity happening near you. Get outside and enjoy all that Maine has to offer. 

 

Here’s a sample of events planned for the weekend. 

 

Friday, September 25

 

Mt. Agamenticus StoryWalk, York

September 25, free

 

Enjoy this self-guided activity that combines the benefits of physical activity, time outdoors in nature, literacy and family time by taking children’s books and posting them, in pieces, along a recreational path or hiking trail.

Discover this fall’s NEW feature:  When the Wind Stops by Charlotte Zolotow and illustrated by Stefano Vitale. To find the StoryWalkTM, start at the Mountain Road base parking area. Follow the pages along the western side of the Ring Trail to Witch Hazel Trail and finish near the summit.

 

The Incredible Trail Guys Challenge, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson

September 25, free 

 

The Trail Guys is a game developed by world-renowned game-maker Aaron Weissblum. The Trail Guys Incredible Trail Challenge is a trail game for all ages. Here’s how it works:

1. There are more than twenty-five Trail Guys posted at key intersections of trails across the entire nature center – that’s 1,000 acres! Each trail guy is a colorful, but unique wooden figure. Next to each trail guy is a letter.

2. Players will pick up a map and play-sheet at the Gatehouse at HVNC. The map shows the location of each trail guy, but it doesn’t show you the letter.

3. Players have to visit each trail guy to find the letter and to then put the letter into their puzzle. Once all the letters have been filled into the puzzle they will spell out the answer.

 

There are three levels of puzzle. One is very close to the parking lot and covers less than one mile of trail. The second puzzle covers about 5 miles of trails, and the Incredible Challenege covers the entire nature center.

When you complete the puzzle you will submit your name, contact information, and and answer to be included in a drawing for the grand prize which might include: HVNC’s custom outdoor furniture, free overnights in one of HVNC’s cabins, gift certificates to HVNC events and workshops, or shirts, hats and badges.

Anyone who plays the game during Great Maine Outdoor Weekend will be eligible for a special prize!

 

Scavenger Hunt and Trail Celebration, Bryant Pond

September 25, 3-5pm, free

 

This past summer the Oxford County Conservation Corps (OC3), a collaboration between the UMaine Bryant Pond 4H Camp & Learning Center and Mahoosuc Pathways, helped out at the Woodstock Elementary School to rehabilitate a walking trail located on the campus of the school. The OC3 now want to share their hard work with you. From 3-5 on 9/25 please stop by the school for a fun-filled afternoon of scavenger hunts, games, prizes and enjoy a short, pleasant walk along this fun trail with parents, students and faculty.

 

Full Moon Dinner—Harvest Moon, Bethel

September 25, 6 – 9:00 pm, $39

 

Each month, Sunday River throws a party at its mid-mountain Peak Lodge nearest to that month’s full moon to celebrate the many splendors of summer. This one-night party kicks off with a scenic lift ride up the mountain on the Chondola before being greeted by an outdoor party on the lodge’s terrace, followed by a themed dinner inside. Drawing inspiration from the Farmer’s Almanac, Sunday River’s own master chefs will be tasked with preparing a Harvest Moon menu inspired by its history.

 

Attendees will begin their night at the South Ridge Lodge, located at 15 S. Ridge Road, Newry, Maine, 04216. They will then take the scenic Chondola lift to the Peak Lodge for the Harvest Moon Dinner.

 

Reservations are required. Prices are $39 per adult, $14 per child (ages 6-12), and kids 5 and under eat for free.

 

Saturday, September 26

 

The Maine Adventure Relay, Brunswick

September 26

 

The Maine Adventure Relay is Maine’s premier running event. Participants will experience the breathtaking beauty of Maine’s foothills, mountains, rivers, lakes, farmland and legendary coast while building memories that will last forever and friendships that last a lifetime. The camaraderie and scenery are just two elements that make the M.A.R. the most fun you’ll ever have.

As the name implies, this event is a relay. Teams will run in relay fashion during 24 hours- around the clock, over a 200 + mile course through the state of Maine. Standard teams are 12 members strong and run the complete 200+ mile course. Walking teams are 6 members strong and cover 100 miles. We also offer ultra-teams of 4 or 6 that cover the full 200+ mile course. 

 

The Maine Adventure Relay is working to raise awareness to fight obesity by promoting outside activity and life long fitness & health; and funds and awareness for individuals with terminal illness in need of transplants, extensive and costly medical procedures, travel costs to and from medical treatment centers, medicine and specialty costs. The financial and emotional burdens can be overwhelming. We offer support and relief in the way of networking, fund allotment and emotional availability to these folks who may not otherwise have access to these resources.

 

The 2015 Maine Adventure Relay will be held on September 26 and 27, 2015. The event will start and finish at the Brunswick Executive Airport.

 

Fight Back Festival, Pineland

September 26, 7:00 am – 3:00 pm, free

 

Fight Back Festival is an annual family fundraiser supporting the Cancer Community Center, a nonprofit organization devoted to supporting adults affected by cancer with free services. Fight Back Festival 2015 will take place Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine. You can choose between a 1-mile stroll, 5K trail walk, 5K trail run, 10-mile bike ride, 25-mile bike ride, 60-mile bike ride, and Kids Fun Run. You pay a small registration fee, and then raise money through friends, family and businesses leading up the event.

 

This year’s Fight Back Festival includes live music with the Jason Spooner Band and Fight At The Family Picnic, a Kid Zone area, a Wellness Expo, and a delicious lunch created by culinary students at SMCC.

Registration is required. You can register online here: https://www.classy.org/new-gloucester/events/2015-fight-back-festival/e44213

For more information about the event, contact the Cancer Community Center: (207) 774-2200; development@cancercommunitycenter.org

 

Monmouth a la Mode Bike Ride, Winthrop

September 26, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, free

 

“Monmouth a la Mode” – a tour through Winthrop to the Monmouth Apple Festival.

START: 9:00 AM at the Winthrop Town Boat Landing on Maranacook Lake, near the gazebo on Coady Street, off of Memorial Drive. If the boat landing parking lot is full, there are additional spaces around the corner on Summer Street, lakeside.

DISTANCE: 18 or 24 Miles.

TERRAIN: Rolling, with a few stiff hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: Back roads beside rolling orchards, lakeside summer camps, small hidden hamlets … and the Monmouth Apple Festival: a great little small town festival devoted to celebrating all things pomological in one of Maine’s classic apple towns. The festival features lots of hot, baked apple pies and other apple treats, yard sales and open houses, fun and games, and self-guided tours of the Monmouth Historical Society’s many unique museum buildings and shops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yoga, Hike & Sauna, Denmark

September 26, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, $40

 

1) Join seasoned yoga teacher Jen Deraspe for a holistic Hatha Yoga experience intended to bring balance, mindfulness and fluidity into your life. Open blocks, release stress, heal yourself. All levels welcome. Saturday 10am.

2) Hike on our 33 acres of trails, following along a sweet brook finding your way to the top of Pleasant Mountain offering stunning views. Hike from 11:30am to 1:30pm.

3) Experience our healing temple in the woods; hand~crafted circular, cedar-lined, wood-fired sauna near our spring~fed mountain brook.

Relax, release and detoxify. Redefine your past sauna experiences and enter our spacious, inviting sauna, complete with three windows overlooking the surrounding forest, soft candle light and an inventive air circulation system allowing deep breathing in of the sweet Eucalyptus-infused steam. Saturday 2pm to 3pm.

Total cost for the day $40 per person.

 

Sebago to Sea Trail: Hike the Newly Opened Section, South Windham

September 26, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, free

 

Join us for a guided hike along the Sebago to Sea trail from South Windham to Westbrook, which is now open for hiking. This section of the trail is for pedestrian use while the railbed remains inactive. The first 1.5 miles from South Windham is a flat easy walking path on an undeveloped railbed. We will be making a 3 mile round-trip hike, stopping for beautiful views along the Presumpscot River. We hope you will join us on this peaceful and remote section of the Sebago to Sea trail.

 

Round Top Geocache, Rome

September 26, 1-3:30 pm, free

 

Try your hand at geocaching at the summit of Round Top Mountain. Hike through picturesque hardwood and conifer forests along the Kennebec Highlands Trail. Bring your smartphone or GPS unit, muggles welcome! The Round Top mountain trail is a 3.9 mile loop through varied terrain and rated for intermediate hikers.

Registration is required – contact the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance: (207) 495-6039; brcaeducator@belgradelakes.org

 

L.L.Bean & Celestron Star Party, Freeport

September 26, 7-11:00 pm, free

 

Join Celestron telescope manufacturer representatives and our expert staff for two amazing nights of star gazing in the Flagship stores’ Discovery Park. You’ll learn about planets and constellations and how to identify them while we teach you how to use a telescope and binoculars.

Sunday, September 27

 

Saco River Paddle with Upper Saco Valley Land Trust, Fryeburg

September 27, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, free

 

Join the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust and Maine Master Naturalist Leigh Macmillen Hayes for an exploration of Maine’s scenic Saco River  on Sunday September, 27th. As the fall foliage begins, we’ll float through the spectacular Silver Maple Floodplain Forest from Lovewell Pond in Fryeburg to Woodland Acres in Brownfield, and check out the miles of conservation land at the river’s edge along the way. Bald eagles, herons, turning leaves … perfect. Our trip will start at 9:00 am and end around 12 noon. This trip is free for members—boats included. 

 

Not a member? Don’t despair! We will have membership packets with us to ensure you can enjoy this and all of our Easement Exploration Series events. If you don’t want to wait until the day of to become a member, e-mail info@usvlt.org or visit our website: www.usvlt.org/support-our-work/.

This fieldtrip is part of the Land Trust’s ongoing Easement Exploration Series. To sign up for future announcements of Easement Exploration fieldtrips, email info@usvlt.org. Funding is provided by the Robert and Dorothy Goldberg Charitable Foundation and the Pequawket Foundation.

 

Ash Sunday, Willowbrook Museum, Newfield

September 27, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, $15

 

Craftspeople, woodworkers and scientists are gathering at Willowbrook Museum in Newfield Sept. 27 to show off ash wood creations. They will also talk about the impending infestation of a ash-killing beetle that has decimated forests west of Maine.

Mark Young will demonstrate basketmaking and other rustic creations.

Bob Schmick will make a simple shaving horse.

Frank Vivier will be making bows.

Daniel Eaton will show a work-in-progress canoe or small boat restoration.

Ron Prevoir of Shapleigh plans to bring traditional regalia and museum artifacts and talk about the ash tree and its place in the Penobscot creation story.

Adrian Knox of Shapleigh and his team of oxen will twitch out ash logs from the museum’s woodlot for use in firewood cutting.

The Maine Forest Service will present talks on the emerald ash borer and the impending infestation. Coleen Teerling will demonstrate the proper technique for girdling a trap tree in the spring to help track and manage an infestation.

Children can participate in cutting firewood with a buck saw and two-person crosscut; shoot arrows from handmade bows; and use a brace bit to drill holes for pegs.

Willowbrook’s old fashioned wooden press will be in action to make fresh apple cider, there will be food from the Victorian kitchen, and firewood splitting with a 19th century splitter.

Something for everyone — come for the day!

$15/adult; $12/senior; children free with parent

 

Horseshoe Island Preserve Hike and Paddle, Manchester

September 27, 2-4:00 pm, free

 

Bring your canoe or kayak and join Kennebec Land Trust stewards, board members, and staff for a paddle to Horseshoe Island Preserve on Cobbossee Lake. KLT owns twenty-four acres on Horseshoe Island. Trails on the eastern arm feature beautiful undeveloped shoreline and a mature white pine and hemlock forest. This hike and paddle is the perfect completion of KLT’s year of “Hike the Hiking Guide” hikes. Meet on the Collins Road, a short distance east of the outlet bridge and park along the Collins Road.

All ages are welcome. PRE-REGISTER.

 

To learn more about lakefront properties for sale on Maranacook Lake, click on the green box above. 

 

To learn more about the Winthrop Lakes Region of Maine, check out the blog links below. 

 

Maranacook Lake in Readfield and Winthrop, Maine: Be Mesmerized by the Setting Sun

 

Anglers Enjoy Trophy Fishing on Maranacook and Annabessacook in the Belgrade Lakes Region

 

Maranacook Lake, Winthrop, Maine: Home to Model Boat Wash Station 

 

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