Wreathmaking and Christmas Greens Upcoming Events

Wreath Making Workshop, Saturday, Nov. 28, 1 pm      

ORLAND, Maine -- Learn how to make your own balsam fir wreath and take it home! Connie Tuller will lead this free 2-hour workshop indoors at Craig Brook Nat'l Fish Hatchery in East Orland for ages 8 to 88. Wreath rings and wire and fir branches will be supplied; bring your own snips. Space is limited; you must pre-register at 469-6929 or info@greatpondtrust.org. Sponsored by Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust.

Christmas Greens Gathering, Sunday, Nov. 29, 12-3 pm

Come to the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands for a wild Christmas tree and some old-fashioned fun—a hayride, hot cocoa, goodies and a bonfire will be waiting! Trees will be available for cut-your-own, and visitors may cut balsam greens for wreaths and decorations; fresh cut trees will also be available to choose. Cost is $25 per tree and includes the hayride and treats. Cutting help and handsaws available; no chainsaws please. Access the Wildlands from South Gate on Rte. 1 (near the Rte. 176 junction in East Orland). Check www.greatpondtrust.org or Facebook for weather updates, changes or cancellations; rain/snow date is Dec. 6. Call 469-6929 or info@greatpondtrust.org for more info, or 974-7097 that weekend. Sponsored by Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust.

Downeast Double Trouble Trail Race Challenge returns Oct. 26 and Nov. 2

ORLAND/SULLIVAN, Maine — Looking for a fun running challenge and a way to support local trails? Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust (GPMCT) and Frenchman Bay Conservancy (FBC) are combining trail races in 2014 for the 2nd annual Downeast Double Trouble Trail Race Challenge. The land trusts will host two races, one weekend apart, with the GPMCT Wildlands Trail Race on Sunday, October 26 and the FBC Autumn Trail Race on Sunday, November 2. Participants who run both races are eligible for special prizes.

The GPMCT Wildlands Trail Race in Orland’s scenic Great Pond Mountain Wildlands is a 6.3-mile course on dirt roads and single track, over roots, rocks and mud, up and down hills, over small streams, past lovely views and munching moose. Total climb is approximately 1,200 gut-or-calf-busting feet. Registration starts at 10 am, race at 11 am sharp! Enter through the South Gate on Rte. 1, near the Rte. 176 intersection.

The FBC Autumn Trail Race starts and finishes at Sumner Memorial High School in Sullivan, with

Methot wins Wildlands winter run

Orland, Maine - Ice and slush didn’t stop 19 diehard runners from competing in the 12th annual Wildlands Snowshoe Race on Sunday, Feb. 2 in the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands. Matt Methot, 23, a Maine Maritime Academy student from Portland, took home the prize for first place. He ran the challenging 4.9-mile course (sans snowshoes) from the fish hatchery up and over the flank of Great Pond Mountain and back in 33:52. Second place went to Jennifer Van Dongen, 36, of Bar Harbor, with a time of 35:19. Chase Reidelbach, 20, also an MMA student, placed third. Full race results are available at www.greatpondtrust.org or visit GPMCT’s Facebook page.

The Wildlands race, a benefit for Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust, was the state championship for

St. Patrick’s Day Snowshoe, Sunday, March 17

Orland, Maine - Join Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust Sunday, March 17, for a moderately easy 2-mile loop hike on the Esker Path in the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands, on foot or snowshoe as conditions allow. We’ll see some winter beaver activity, track wildlife and hunt for signs of spring! Meet at 10 am at the Wildlands South Gate on Rte. 1, just south of Rte. 176 intersection. Call 469-6929 or e-mail info@greatpondtrust.org for more info.