Sports in brief . . .

Take it outside
    The Maine Department of Conservation and the Maine Recreation and Park Association are hosting a series of outdoor recreation events this winter under the banner of Governor Baldacci’s Take It Outside initiative.     The first program will be held on Saturday, Jan. 19 at Aroostook State Park.
    Activities on offer will include cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, sliding, snowmobiling, sleigh rides and natural history exploration.
    There will be complimentary hot beverages and a warming hut. Registration is $5 per person and closes on Friday, Jan. 11.
UMPI events
    The following sport event will take place at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
    On Friday, Jan. 11 UMPI will host the Special Olympics Basketball Skills Tournament at Gentile Hall at 9 a.m.
    On Friday, Jan. 25 there will be a law enforcement versus students basketball game in Wieden gymnasium at 7 p.m. Criminal justice students will take on local and state police officers. Admission is $3.
Quoggy Jo ski lessons
    Quoggy Jo Ski Center is offering free lift tickets and half price rentals to elementary students from Washburn and Caribou on Saturday, Jan. 26.
    Ski lessons are offered at no charge. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 764-3248 or 764-3016.
Maine Winter Sports Center
    The 10th Mountain Ski Club is sponsoring the Fort Kent Voyageur Loppet on Sunday, Jan. 13 at the Ski Center in Fort Kent. Events will include a 40 kim, 20 km, and 4 by 10 km relay races.         Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. The races commence at noon, and there will be a spaghetti supper at 3 p.m.
    Cost is $20 for adults and $10 for students. For more information, contact Jeff Dubis at 316-8866.
    MWSC’s Eileen Carey will be teaching about how to care for your skis at a wine, women and waxing night at Mojo’s on Tuesday, Jan. 15.
    The cost is $5 per person, and space is limited. To register, call Melanie at 760-9500.
    On Saturday, Jan. 19 discover what Maine’s state parks have to offer, including skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and snowmobiling.
    Cost is $5 per person and food will be provided. For more information, contact the local recreation department.
Maine Handicapped Skiing
    Sunday River will hold their annual ski-a-thon on Saturday, March 29th in conjunction with Maine Handicapped Skiing organization to raise funds for the program.
    To register a team or join an existing team , call 1-800-639-7770 or visit www.skimhs.org.
    A team captains meeting will be held on Saturday, Jan. 12 for those interested in being a team captain at the Grand Summit Hotel at 9 a.m.
    Please register by Thursday, Jan. 10 by calling MHS.