Riding an ATV can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether it's in your own back yard, or exploring on the thousands of miles of trails available in Maine. ATVs (including UTVs and off-road motorcycles) can also be useful around the woodlot or farm and let's face it, they're simply fun to ride! It's important to ride safely, responsibly, and to be prepared before you go. Many ATV trails reside on private land. Respecting these generous private landowners by riding responsibly is critical to maintaining trail access. Educating yourself before you go is an important component of being a safe and responsible offroad operator. Youth ages 10 to under 16, must successfully complete an approved ATV Safety Certification course to legally operate on land other than their own. Anyone 16 years of age or older is encouraged t o take the course to be educated and prepared for safe riding. The ATVSafety Course is available in two different formats: online and in-person. Students 12 and older can complete the Official Maine ATV/Snowmobile Safety course online at offroad-ed.com/maine. The cost to register for the online course is $34.95. Upon successful completion of the online course, students will receive their Maine ATV/Snowmobile Safety Certification card. FMI or for a listing of live courses, go to https://www.maine.gov/ifw/programs-resources/educational-programs/safety-courses/atv-safety.html 

Curling is sometimes referred to as chess on ice, where players use skill and strategy to slide polished granite stones to a target 150 feet away, and using curling brooms to influence the path of the stones. Learn to curl in one two hour session at the Belfast Curling Club and have fun playing this Winter Olympic sport. Wear loose comfortable clothing, dress in layers (you're on ice) and bring a separate pair of clean soled sneakers. Register with Belfast Curling Club only. Click on learntocurl@belfastcurlingclub.org or call Steve McLaughlin at 207-685-9540. Provide your name, email address, phone number and desired session date and time. Registration fee of $40 must be prepaid to reserve a slot. A check, made out to “Belfast Curling Club” must be sent to Steve McLaughlin, 32 Lovejoy Pond Road, Wayne ME, 04284. All Learn to Curl participants who join the club right after the Learn to Curl session will have $40 deducted from their membership dues! The following sessions are available: Saturday, 10/21/23, Sunday, 10/22/23 Saturday, 1/6/24, Sunday, 1/7/24. Each date has two session choices: 10:30 am-12:30 pm or 1:00-3:00 pm.

Ray Reitze, master Maine Guide, has led thousands of people through the peace of the Maine woods and into the peace of their own hearts.  Molly Gawler is a fiddle teacher, mother, dancer, singer, breather, swimmer, walker, and lover of life who has been studying with Ray for many years.  During Ray and Molly's 5-day spiritual retreat, there will be time for stillness, learning, and questions as well as great home-cooked meals and laughter around the fire.  Throughout the week, Ray will share stories and wisdom while guiding us, through breath, silence, and deep listening toward becoming what we all are: love.

The program will include: seeing, feeling and studying energy systems; root systems; above ground and the green family; the creature people; weather and wind directions; studying and learning to read the landscape (it has so much to tell us about life); observing the actions of water as it interacts with nature.

Dates:

April 21 - 25 (at Earthways in Canaan)

June 23 - 27

October 20 - 24

All programs have Sunday 10:00 am arrival and Thursday 3:00 pm departure; details in registration 

Cost: $350-500 sliding scale

For online registration: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf60tzVikWmIc-zb50-YSzqDTYcBYB4gEsAqN2v7QoTZFD9Sg/viewform

High Altitude Vacationing

If you are planning a mountain vacation in 4 to 6 weeks – TAKE THIS CLASS NOW

You’ll progress through 10 exercises that will gradually help your body adapt to the higher altitude while still at home at sea level.  Changes include an increase in Red Blood Cells, giving your blood more oxygen carrying capacity prior to your vacation. You will learn a more functional breathing pattern that gives greater tissue oxygenation and less shortness of breath. Using the new, more optimal breathing pattern, will allow you to maintain a higher oxygen level and ease of breathing while on vacation.

$29

Come try your hand at one of the fastest growing sports in the country - Pickleball. Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. This weekly clinic will be held on the tennis courts at MRC and will consist of general instruction and open play. Please call MRC at 236-9400 to check availability and to sign up. Classes begin monthly.

This course is designed to help women understand how stress affects them differently than men. It explains how women's brains are wired to react to physical danger and life-threatening situations, and how this can impact their perception of reality and stress responses.

Sacopee Valley Grateful Undead is again hosting a walking program for us older folks. It is a time for local people to get together to make our lives more fun. You are invited to enjoy an hour or so of easy but interesting walks. FMI, call 207-408-3829. Please pre-register, allowing individuals to be contacted if there is a cancellation.