Community Calendar

Registration is OPEN for the 8th Annual Robert Burns 10K in Westbrook, ME!
Support local educational initiatives by embracing the spirit of Scotland’s most revered poet in this old school, winter road race.

The Robert Burns 10K will kick off at 9:30AM on Sunday, January 29th come rain, shine, snow, or whatever the weather may be! The looping figure-8 course begins and ends at the Congin School, winding its way through the streets of Westbrook. For some runners, this event may serve as a winter tune-up race; for others, a dose of good-spirited exercise, or a chance to see running friends. All registered participants and onlookers are encouraged to celebrate the heroic bard of Scotland through costumes, conviviality, and good cheer.

Proceeds for this event will be gifted to Westbrook High School’s COMPASS Academy. COMPASS (Creating Opportunities through Multiple Pathways for Academic and Social Success) is a multidisciplinary, community-based academic program that supports students who encounter a variety of barriers to engagement in traditional classrooms.

Registration is $35 in advance, or $40 on event day. A $300 cash prize will be awarded to the 1st overall male and 1st overall female. Cash prizes will also be awarded the 2nd and 3rd place overall for each category.

Runners may register via www.crowathletics.com/robertburns10k, or in person on race day morning at the Congin School starting at 8 am.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED
If 6.2 miles of winter running sounds like a bit much but you would still like to participate we would love to have your help as a volunteer! Please email Ned Swain at nedswain1st@gmail.com for more information on volunteering

The Contemplative Winter Walk is part of a year-long series of contemplative nature walks that honor the seasons and nurture connection with the natural world.

A celebration of seasons, this series of contemplative walks features reflection, gratitude, and nature ID.

This walk will be led by Nicole Diroff, who serves as Program Director at The BTS (Bangor Theological Seminary) Center, focused on spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world, and is training to be a Maine Master Naturalist. 

We highly suggest you wear boots with sturdy traction and bring ice traction for you boots: micro-spikes, yak trax, nanospikes, etc. If there is enough snow, bring your own snowshoes! Please dress for winter.

Families with children ages 8 and older are welcome to participate in this program.

More information and registration online: https://scarboroughlandtrust.org/event/contemplative-winter-walk/

The Contemplative Winter Walk is part of a year-long series of contemplative nature walks that honor the seasons and nurture connection with the natural world.

A celebration of seasons, this series of contemplative walks features reflection, gratitude, and nature ID.

This walk will be led by Nicole Diroff, who serves as Program Director at The BTS (Bangor Theological Seminary) Center, focused on spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world, and is training to be a Maine Master Naturalist. 

We highly suggest you wear boots with sturdy traction and bring ice traction for you boots: micro-spikes, yak trax, nanospikes, etc. If there is enough snow, bring your own snowshoes! Please dress for winter.

Families with children ages 8 and older are welcome to participate in this program.

More information and registration online: https://scarboroughlandtrust.org/event/contemplative-winter-walk/

Mondays and Thursdays in January, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Outdoor Tai Chi & Qigong (In Person). These beginning tai chi and qigong classes are beneficial for people of all levels of fitness. Classes are by donation with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Camden Public Library. Contact Anna Dembska at camdentaiji@gmail.com to register ahead of time and be alerted on a location change in case of inclement weather. Every Monday and Thursday.

We know finding the motivation to get outside in the dark days of Maine winter can be tricky, and we know there is strength in numbers, so we invite you to join us on a casual weekly walk, between 2-4 miles. Most routes will feature a combination of trails and urban walking. No registration required.

We will be posting meeting locations monthly, so check back here, on our events calendar, and social media for updates.

January Schedule: All walks leave promptly at 5:30 pm from the BCM office, 38 Diamond St. Portland.

1/4 Eastern Prom Trail

1/11 Back Cove Trail

1/18 Eastern Prom Trail

1/25 Back Cove Trail

Freeport Community Services & Freeport Conservation Trust have teamed up to offer guided, gentle walks on local trails! Walks are led by Jonathan Dawson, FCT Stewardship Coordinator.
Walks are on select Thursdays throughout the fall. Meet at the trailhead at 10 am.

Sept 15 Antoinette Jackman (Jackman Woods)
Click here for a trail description & directions
https://freeportconservationtrust.org/antoinette-jackman-trail

Sept 22 Simpson’s Woods
Click here for a trail description & directions
https://freeportconservationtrust.org/simpsons-woods

Oct 13 Brewer Woods
Click here for a trail description & directions
https://freeportconservationtrust.org/brewer-woods

Oct 27 Harvey Brook
Click here for a trail description & directions
https://freeportconservationtrust.org/harvey-brook

Nov 10 Bliss Woods
Click here for a trail description & directions
https://freeportconservationtrust.org/bliss-woods

Nov 17 Sayles Field
Click here for a trail description & directions
https://freeportconservationtrust.org/sayles-field

Dec 8 Hidden Pond
Click here for a trail description & directions
https://freeportconservationtrust.org/hidden-pond

Dec 15 Florida Lake
Click here for a trail description & directions
https://freeportconservationtrust.org/florida-lake

Jan 12 Quarry Woods
Click here for a trail description & directions
https://freeportconservationtrust.org/quarry-woods

Guided Walks are an FCS Age-Friendly Freeport & Pownal Activity.
Questions?
Contact Cathy Cryvoff, AFFP Coordinator
865-3985 x 222, ccryvoff@fcsmaine.org
Or
Jonathan Dawson, FCT Stewardship Coordinator
844-0419, jonathan@freeportconservationtrust.org

Mondays and Thursdays in January, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Outdoor Tai Chi & Qigong (In Person). These beginning tai chi and qigong classes are beneficial for people of all levels of fitness. Classes are by donation with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Camden Public Library. Contact Anna Dembska at camdentaiji@gmail.com to register ahead of time and be alerted on a location change in case of inclement weather. Every Monday and Thursday.

Bundle up and enjoy an all-levels yoga class in the park! Stay healthy and strong with outdoor yoga all year long.

Join Sami Wolf, SLT’s Stewardship Director, for a program on identifying wildlife tracks in the snow!

This program will feature an introduction to wildlife tracking followed by practicing these new skills in the field. Learn how to identify tracks based on the parts of the track, overall shape, gait pattern, and size. Look for common species such as fox, bobcat, river otter, turkey, coyote, and more!

Please, wear boots with sturdy traction and dress for winter. We highly suggest you bring ice traction for you boots: micro-spikes, yak trax, nanospikes, etc. Bring your tracking field guide if you have one.

Storm date: Saturday, February, 11

Register online: https://scarboroughlandtrust.org/event/winter-wildlife-tracks/

Skyline Farm, 95 The Lane, North Yarmouth, will hold its 23rd annual Sleigh Day from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, in conjunction with the debut of their Carriage Museum’s new exhibit. Admission is free. Dress warmly. Storm date is Sunday, Feb. 5.

Starting at 11:00 a.m., Maine Driving Club’s Sleigh Rally will feature a competition among drivers with their horse-drawn sleighs in a Reinsmanship Class and a Currier & Ives Class in which sleigh drivers, dressed in period costumes, will show off their antique sleighs.

From 12:00-2:30 p.m. Alice and Aaron Boyce and their spotted drafts from North Anson will offer sleigh rides through Skyline’s fields for $5 per person or $15 for a family of four. If there is no snow, there will be wagon rides instead.

If conditions permit, there will be guided walks/snowshoeing on the woods trails and sledding on the hills in the field. Bring your sleds and snowshoes, if you’d like to join in the fun!

From 12-2 p.m. sandwich wraps, chips, desserts, and hot beverages will be sold in the Visitor Center.

From 11:00-2:30 p.m. Skyline’s carriage and sleigh exhibit “Evolution of Comfort-From George Washington to Teddy Roosevelt” will show the evolution of comfort and utility from the early vehicles used on the King’s Highway through to the end of the horse-drawn carriage era when they were replaced by automobiles.

The museum exhibit, featuring a variety of rare sleighs and wheeled vehicles, is also open Sundays, Feb. 5 through April 2, from 1-4 p.m. or by appointment.

For more information, contact Pam at info@skylinefarm.org. Skyline Farm is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization.

For more information about Maine Driving Club’s Sleigh Rally, please contact Paula Leavitt at (207) 478-0184 or dleavitt@uninets.net. Deadline for driver registration is Feb. 3rd. Free entry with completed entry form and required immunization information.