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Outdoors

  • Published
    January 23, 2011

    Skiing in Maine: At Meathead Films, it’s all about the East

    For many skiers out West, eastern skiing is at best an oxymoron and at worst a pair of dirty words. For the crew at Meathead Films, “Ski The East” is a way of life. Based in Burlington, Vt., Meathead Films was founded by Geoff McDonald. In 2001, he put out and distributed the first Meathead […]

  • Published
    January 23, 2011

    BLAZING A TRAIL

    Creators of a system of cross-country ski trails in Woolwich hope to introduce families to the sport.

  • Published
    January 23, 2011

    Allen Afield: When it comes to nature, appearances can be deceiving

    In my lifetime, an explosion of enlightened, meticulous nature research has shown up in magazines and books, written for laymen. Indeed, the accumulated wisdom of the world’s naturalists lies at our fingertips, making the 21st century an exciting time to live. In contrast, during my early youth, the average outdoor wanderer’s knowledge of nature included […]

  • Published
    January 23, 2011

    Trail & Error: Snow detractors, you’ve met your match

    Snow divides people. When the fallen fluff gathers on streets, fields and front steps, people typically have one of two disparate reactions. They either rage against it, wielding shovels and cursing nature from the driveway, or they revel in it, on skis and sleds and snowshoes. It’s a winter-specific “fight or frolic” response. Psychologically speaking, […]

  • Published
    January 16, 2011

    Skiing in Maine: Absence from trails, slopes makes skiers fonder

    In 1977, after years in the ski business, I sold my last ski area and left alpine skiing behind, both physically and psychologically. That coincided with the burgeoning national interest in recreational cross-country skiing. Bizarre, I thought, because I grew up and competed in the era of four-event intercollegiate competitors, and we were measured by […]

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  • Published
    January 16, 2011

    Deirdre Fleming: Derby goes extra mile for young anglers

    The Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby is only two years old. And it’s already got the biggest kids’ derby in Maine, where more than 50 youth derbies are held each winter. While many youth derbies offer free use of traps, free bait, instruction and prizes, the Crystal Lake derby may have the others beat. It […]

  • Published
    January 16, 2011

    Outdoors Dispatches

    BRIDGTON Land trust leads hike during Mushers Bowl Don’t let the dogs have all the winter fun next weekend during the Mushers Bowl. Join Loon Echo Land Trust for a moderate snowshoe hike to the summit of Bald Pate Mountain. The two-hour hikes will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and Jan. 23. Hikers will see […]

  • Published
    January 16, 2011

    Ski Museum of Maine will bring history presentation to Cumberland

    The Ski Museum of Maine will host a slideshow presentation in Cumberland on the subject of Maine’s rich skiing history. The Fireside Chat presentation, “Made in Maine,” will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Mabel I. Wilson School multi-purpose room at 343 Tuttle Road in Cumberland Center. There is no cost to attend. The […]

  • Published
    January 16, 2011

    Allen Afield: Storms emphasize wildlife’s resiliency

    Recently, a snowstorm raged beyond the living room window inches from my nose. As icy flakes sailing parallel to the ground ticked the glass, the pellet-stove fan 20 feet away made a comforting, susurrant sound, sending a steady stream of warmth into the house. As nature flexed her muscles, I marveled — once again — […]

  • Published
    January 16, 2011

    Hunting: Turkey vs. deer turns out to be a rural myth

    The developed areas of our state may vary from the hinterlands in some ways, but urban and rural areas also share some similarities. A case in point is the perpetuation of myths and legends. People seek simple solutions to phenomena that are not easily explainable. Speculation turns to rumors, and once they’ve taken hold, they […]