For years, an organization dedicated to healthy lifestyles, outdoor activities and the development of elite biathlon athletes — the Maine Winter Sports Center — has been doing some impressive work in the state. That work, though, was sometimes misunderstood. “It’s all about Aroostook County,” some said. (Not true). “It’s all about winter activities,” others thought. (Also, not true). “It’s just for kids.” (You get the point). “If you’re not trying to make the Olympics in the biathlon, you’re out of luck.” (Again, not true). The MWSC is attacking some of those misconceptions and is sharing its true priorities with Mainers as it embarks upon a fundraising effort. Our Aislinn Sarnacki explored the organization with an eye to the future, and learned some interesting answers to the key question: What’s next?
— John Holyoke
Maine Winter Sports Center launches revised mission, $20 million endowment campaign
The Maine Winter Sports Center, in response to losing its chief source of funding last winter, has announced it is redefining its mission and launching a $20 million endowment campaign to support its programs well into the future.
“Our commitment to Maine communities will continue, and the quality of our programs will continue,” said Andy Shepard, Maine Winter Sports Center president and CEO.
Maine Winter Sports Center was created in 1999 with the mission to make a difference in Maine’s rural communities by promoting healthy, active, outdoor lifestyles through recreation and competition programs.
Blog log
Act Out with Aislinn: 1-minute ski: Dorion Loop Trail in Orono
The Dorion Loop Trail is one of the many recreational trails accessible from the University of Maine campus in Orono. The entire trail lies on university-owned land and is open to a variety of recreational activities, including cross-country skiing, dog walking, running and biking.
In the winter, the Dorion Loop is used by cross-country skiers and is about 2.9 miles in length, traveling along the university athletic fields and through the University Forest. In the summer, the loop shortens slightly, following a length of paved recreational trail instead of tracing the fields.
Robin’s Outdoors: Stocking trout in the Stillwater Branch of the Penobscot River
Steve Morin has an idea to expand recreational trout fishing opportunities and he’d like you help. He said, “Last year I contacted our regional fisheries biologist to ask if it would be possible to stock the area below the new ‘Bottom Release’ Hydro Power station recently completed on the Stillwater Branch of the Penobscot River in Old Town-Orono. My reasoning was that the new ‘colder’ water could provide a great opportunity to have annual trout stockings for all to enjoy.”
On the horizon
Every once in awhile, we hear about a story that’s so off-beat, so cool, that we can’t wait to tell our readers all about it. That’s the case this week, as we’ll learn more about a sport we never knew existed: Bunny-hopping … with actual bunnies jumping over actual barriers. Apparently, there’s a growing niche activity for rabbit owners that involves all kinds of athletic events, and we’ll sit in on a demonstration and tell you all about it. Cute rabbit photos and a cool story for the weekend outdoor pages? You bet. Stay tuned.
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