By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Aroostook State Park will join its sister parks throughout Maine in welcoming the fall foliage season, with nine events planned to highlight the annual explosion of colors over the next few weeks.
Festivities will highlight the beauty of Maine’s fall foliage, with activities including eight hikes and a river paddle.
This year’s foliage events offer more hikes and programs at more state parks and public lands as part of the 75th anniversary of the Maine State Park System, according to Gary Best, assistant regional manager.
“It’s a great time of year to encourage people to get out and experience the beauty of the changing seasons in Maine,” he said.
Four hikes were held last year, with 180 people attending, including 60 people who took part in the hike at Aroostook State Park, Maine’s first state park, located near Presque Isle, overlooking Echo Lake.
“Good things are going on at the park,” said Aroostook State Park Manager Scott Thompson. “It’s a great event for the entire family to enjoy.”
Two of the nine events will take place in Aroostook County this month: Sunday, Sept. 19, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Aroostook State Park, Presque Isle; and Saturday, Sept. 25, Deboullie Public Reserve Land, Aroostook County.
For information contact Thompson at 768-8341 or e-mail scott.p.thompson@maine.gov.
Absentee ballots now available online
State Reps. Bernard Ayotte (R-Caswell) and Peter Edgecomb (R-Caribou) are reminding registered voters they may now request an absentee ballot for the Nov. 2, general election.
The Maine Secretary of State operates a website allowing registered Maine voters in participating municipalities to request their absentee ballot online. This service is available at http://maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl.
A list of local elections officials may be found online at http://maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/votreg.htm. Contact the office of the Secretary of State at 624-7650 for more information.
Fire department luncheon planned
PRESQUE ISLE — A luncheon Friday at the Presque Isle Fire Department will serve as a fundraser for Aroostook County’s American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and Healthy You programs.
“Come one, come all and enjoy a lunch at the PIFD, 43 North Street, on Sept. 17,” said Theresa Fowler, executive director, Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce.
The event is co-sponsored by a local health care organization.
“Cary Medical Center’s Healthy You and Claudette Draper, Pampered Chef consultant, will sponsor a light lunch, with door prizes drawn from noon to 2 p.m.,” she said.
Draper will demonstrate how easy it is to create budget-friendly meals that cost around $2 per serving to impressive appetizers or dessert recipes.
