WinterKids celebrates at Shawnee Peak
WinterKids, the Portland-based nonprofit charity organization designed to get Maine children active in wintertime, will kick off the 2013-2014 winter season with Cooper Campbell Day, a fun, fast-paced, on-mountain event for kids and their families at Shawnee Peak in Bridgton from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22.
For the fifth year in a row, Shawnee Peak has offered 75 pre-registered children the chance to try skiing and snowboarding for the first time, with free lessons, rentals, and lift tickets.
The festival celebrates the life of Cooper Campbell, of Scarborough, who was killed by a drunk driver on the Maine Turnpike in April 2008. According to Steve Campbell, Cooper’s father, 15-year-old Cooper was an avid skier and snowboarder who “enjoyed winter with his whole heart and lived by the words ‘live, love, listen, laugh, learn and leave a mark,’” he said.
“More kids need to experience the awesomeness of the winter,” Steve Campbell went on to say. “More kids deserve the same chance that my son had to snowplow and carve turns and hit moguls and challenge terrain parks. To commemorate Coop’s life, I chose WinterKids and together we created Cooper Campbell Day as a way to truly lift people up onto mountain slopes for the first time, and onto a track where self-confidence and pure exhilaration can be fueled. “
According to Julie Mulkern, executive director of WinterKids, Steve Campbell’s creation of Cooper Campbell Day marks the largest individual donation the organization has received to date.
WinterKids, its devoted volunteers, and Shawnee Peak will help “leave a mark” for Cooper by bringing kids and families out on the slopes to learn and have fun together. Whole Foods Market and Royal River Natural Foods have provided in-kind donations to the event.
“Cooper Campbell was a true winter kid,” said Mulkern. “His zest for life and adventure is truly inspiring, and we’re excited to give families the opportunity to try some of the winter sports Cooper loved.”
WinterKids invites all families to join the fun at Cooper Campbell Day. In addition to enjoying healthy outdoor activity, kids and their families will enjoy music, fun games, and raffle prizes.
WinterKids is the nonprofit organization that helps children develop healthy lifelong habits through fun, outdoor winter activity. WinterKids’ major community sponsor is Hannaford. WinterKids’ supporting sponsors are L.L. Bean and TD Bank. For more information about WinterKids, visit www.winterkids.org.
Caution urged for early-season ice fishing
Small lakes and ponds are beginning to ice over, and some eager ice anglers are already catching fish through the ice.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife urges all ice anglers to check the ice before venturing out to fish during the early season, and to check the 2013 Open Water and Ice Fishing law book (www.eregulations.com/maine/fishing/) to comply with the regulations. Visit www.maine.gov/ifw/warden_service/safety.html#ice for general ice thickness guidelines.
“Remember, there are many opportunities to ice fish throughout the season,” said Gov. Paul LePage. “While we encourage anglers to enjoy ice fishing, we urge everyone to be safe. Please check the ice before venturing out to fish.”
Maine has many year-round fishing opportunities, and on some lakes and ponds in the state, it was legal to ice-fish starting Dec. 1. The department stocks many lakes and ponds with trout and landlocked salmon, and you can find a list of stocked waters on the department’s website at http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/reports/stocking/stocking.htm.
For those interested in catching early-season trout and salmon, check the law book and look for waters marked with the season date code “D.” Waters with the season date code “D” are open to both open water and ice fishing from Dec. 1 through April 30 for all fish. Unless otherwise noted, general law fishing tackle rules apply, which allow for the harvest of trout and salmon, and the use of all legal forms of bait, artificial lures and artificial flies.
Anglers should check the 2013 Open Water and Ice Fishing law book before fishing. The 2014 Open Water and Ice Fishing law book will be available shortly before Christmas.
Before venturing on the ice, check the ice to ensure that is safe. The department offers these tips for ice safety:
• Never guess the thickness of the ice – check it! Check the ice in several different places using an auger or some other means to make a test hole and determine the thickness. Make several, beginning at the shore, and continuing as you go out.
• Check the ice with a partner, so if something does happen, someone is there to help you. If you are doing it alone, wear a lifejacket.
• If ice at the shoreline is cracked or squishy, stay off! Watch out for thin, clear or honeycombed ice. Dark snow and dark ice are other signs of weak spots.
• Avoid areas with currents, around bridges and pressure ridges. Wind and currents can break ice.
For more information on ice safety and thickness, visit www.maine.gov/ifw/warden_service/safety.html#ice.
Portland Water District sets Story Time schedule
The Portland Water District invites preschoolers to join them for inspiring and environmentally themed stories, games and crafts.
All events are free and take place on Fridays from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the Sebago Lake Ecology Center at 1 White Rock Road in Standish. Snacks provided. Donations are accepted and will support local loon preservation.
Following is a list of story times and themes:
• Dec. 20: Survival in the Winter World.
• Jan. 24: The Wonders of Water.
• Feb. 21: Wacky Water Critters.
• March 21: Plants and their Buds.
• April 25: Wetland Wonderland.
Reservations required. For more information, call 774-5961, ext. 3319, or email sebagolake@pwd.org.
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