A couple of months back, officials from the Maine Winter Sports Center announced that they were launching a major funding drive, in collaboration with an attempt to more clearly define their mission. That effort is now underway, and earlier this week the group announced that a key donor had pitched in impressively. The MWSC has been sharing outdoor-related programming with folks from across the state for years, and the ongoing effort seeks to ensure that mission continues in the future. Aislinn Sarnacki wrote about the latest donation, and will likely report on future news from the MWSC.
— John Holyoke
Presque Isle native donates $5 million to Maine Winter Sports Center’s new start
To kick off Maine Winter Sports Center’s $20 million endowment campaign, which will enable its world-class outdoor sports programs to continue for years to come, Presque Isle native Mary Barton Akeley Smith recently gave a $2 million gift to the center. She’s also promised an additional $3 million gift in matching funds, according to an announcement made by the center Monday morning.
1-minute hike: Holden Community Nature Trails
The Holden Community Learning Nature Trails is a network of intersecting footpaths in the forest behind Holden Elementary School. Open to the public for free, these trails total about 3 miles in length, according to the Holden town website, and are maintained by the Holden Conservation Commission.
Blog log
George’s Outdoor News: Homeless deer may be doomed in Maine’s north woods
“We’re not going to do very well as long as deer are homeless.”
Rep. Bob Duchesne’s comment sums up the problem nicely. Without habitat — especially wintering yards — deer are doomed. Bob’s radio show with Erin Simons-Legaard, a research professor at the University of Maine’s Forestry School, was — well, there’s no other way to describe it — discouraging and depressing.
Happy Hiking: Future AT hiker makes classroom visit
New BDN blogger Emily M. Leonard is preparing to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, and is sharing news of her impending journey with students from around Maine. She recently made her first classroom visit in Enfield.
Act Out with Aislinn: Take a ride down a toboggan chute
Dressed as ninjas, we carried our toboggan up the daunting staircase leading to the top of the chute on Saturday. It was my third year in a row participating in the U.S. National Toboggan Championships at the Camden Snow Bowl, and I was leading one of the BDN’s two teams — the “News Ninjas.”
On the horizon
Ever want to eat a few insects? No? Well, join the club. Fortunately for us here at the BDN, our intrepid reporter Aislinn Sarnacki is not a member of that club. In fact, when she heard about a Freeport man who was turning crickets and other creepy-crawlies into delectable snacks, she hopped at the chance to sample a few. Next week, she’ll share that adventure with BDN readers. And in the meantime, she’s trying to convince some non-believing co-workers to munch a few insects for themselves. Who knows? You might see a few of us on the video that she’s sure to produce.
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