PHOTO BY: Christopher A. Mills Photography camillsphoto.com
THE DARK SKIES OF AROOSTOOK COUNTY
OBY KATIE SMITH
ne of the best things about Maine in the winter? It’s the perfect time to view the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights — the meeting of solar wind and the Earth’s magnetic field.
With its low light pollution, Aroostook County has one of the darkest skies in the country and is the best place to view the northern lights. You won’t want to miss Maine’s own stunning light show whether you’re an occasional observer of the stars or an astrology fanatic, it doesn’t get much better than Aroostook County if you want to see a breathtaking night sky.
We’re heading into the perfect time for the best view of the stars, so forget about what’s on television and put down your phone. You might want to grab a coat though. But once you see the colors swirl and dance through the sky, changing from faint to vivid greens and blues to red and pink, you won’t be thinking about the temperature. Or anything else for that matter.
“Aurora or Northern Lights as they are often called, are best visible in dark skies,” said Shawn Laatsch, director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center at the University of Maine. “And the closer one is to the poles, typically the better the view. This is because the particles released in solar flares that cause them are attracted to Earth’s magnetic poles. Maine being as far north as we are often gets good views of these spectacular celestial phenomena.”
Northern Lights can typically be seen in Maine from late September to March, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. For the best views, Laatsch says you want to find the darkest skies you can, and make sure there are no obstructions that will get in the way of the magnificent sky. Of course, be safe, make sure you aren’t trespassing, and that you know the area somewhat to avoid any accidents since you’ll likely be there in pretty dark conditions. And for the best showing, Shawn suggests observing the Northern Lights on nights near the New Moon where the moon’s light won’t interfere.
“Typically we get Aurora 18 to 36 hours after a large solar storm as that is the time it takes for the particles to reach us from the Sun,” Laatsch said. “A great source of information about solar storms and possible visibility is spaceweather.com. The site can aid you in planning to observe the best sky. Just be sure to look for the Current Auroral Oval section. If you see it extending into Maine, then there is a good chance you might be able to see them.”
Viewing the Northern Lights doesn’t pose any kind of risk to your health or eyesight, so viewing them without eye protection is fine, however you may want to pack some binoculars to get a better view. Don’t forget to snap some pictures. Phone cameras are more sensitive to light than the human eye so capturing a few shots on camera will really make the Northern Lights pop.
MUSEUMS AND MORE IN AROOSTOOK COUNTY
BY ANNE GABBIANELLI
Museums are memory vaults which offer great opportunities for exploration. Many repositories are tucked away within the halls of municipal government buildings, historical societies, and even malls.
That is the case with the new Children’s Museum in Aroostook County. Run by a handful of volunteers, the museum is housed in the Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle.
“We’re a bridge between education and industry,” said board member Elise Browning. “It’s been a year and we have a way to go with a path and a plan all in hopes to expose children to various industries, have them pursue their education and return to Aroostook County for their career. We encourage local industries to become part of the museum. For example, there is a dental office with tools, a chair and Xray vest where the younger ages get to role play. The museum boasts self discovery.”
While the Children’s Museum in Presque Isle invites children to look to the future, the Caribou Historical Center & Whittier Museum offers a look at life in the past. Board President Christina Kane Gibson said the museum is courtesy of Mericos Whittier, a native of Caribou who left in 1891 at the age of 25. Through his County work ethic and diligence, Whittier became a multimillionaire.
“The Whittier Center was a gift from the family as a memorial to a great man from humble beginnings in Caribou, Maine who achieved much in his life,” KaneGibson said.
The variety of exhibits and artifacts sourced from local donors feature early medicine in Caribou, a military exhibit, oldtime churches exhibit, vintage home artifacts and more.
“The barn houses early farming implements and tools, lumber display, our covered wagon, sleighs and much more, and we have a replica schoolhouse with relevant artifacts of early school days,” Kane Gibson said.
She added that since the museum’s beginning in the late 1980s, the passion remains strong. “To remember our roots and the hard work of the people who came before us — the ones who built this community. Our ancestors met many challenges and made many sacrifices to make Caribou the community it is today. Caribou truly is a unique place and we like to think we make a contribution to that uniqueness.”
Nothing can be more unique than The Nylander Museum, run by the Caribou Public Library and located in its own building on Main Street. The selftaught naturalist, geologist, and botanist, Olof Nylander, was a field collector with the U.S. Geological Survey and a field researcher for the Canadian Government. His discoveries altered theories about the ancient past of northern Maine and other regions in the U.S. and Canada and caught attention worldwide.
The Swedish born pioneer was drawn to northern Maine in the late 1800s for the area’s natural history and in 1939 he founded the museum. Upon his death in 1943, his collection was donated to the city. Throughout the years, various museums, including the Smithsonian and the National Museum of Canada, have had great interest in acquiring all or part of the original Nylander collection, but the collection still calls Caribou home.
Peter Baldwin, library director, said, “Because the 21st century museum is interactive as well as historical, we are meeting kids at their levels, so we have themed programs that are interactive. Not only do we have almost an entire geological history of Aroostook County, we also boast a wax statue of the collector himself.”
The Nylander Museum has limited and varied hours, so calling (207) 493-5923 is suggested.
As Kane-Gibson said,
“Aroostook County also has many active historical societies and a variety of museums. It’s a wonderful place to visit!”
BIG(GER) ROCK MOUNTAIN
MAJOR UPGRADES COMING TO MARS HILL SKI SLOPES
BY AISLINN SARNACKI
In December, after years of planning and fundraising by northern Maine residents, BigRock Mountain will open with a brand new chairlift and a beefed up snowmaking system.
This $5.6 million project to upgrade the longrunning ski area is a big deal for Aroostook County. It will lengthen and stabilize the ski season on Mars Hill, while also making room for more people to enjoy the mountain.
“The cost of these upgrades would have been insurmountable without the support of the community and the grants [we received],” said Aaron Damon, BigRock assistant general manager. “It’s really testament to the importance of this operation to the community and as an economic engine for our town.”
The new fourseater chairlift will replace the mountain’s aging chairlift that leads to the top of the trails.
FUN FACT: BigRock has named the new lift The Sunrise Quad. This is a nod to the fact that Mars Hill is one of a few locations where you can see the sunrise first in North America. (The location changes depending on the time of year.
Cadillac Mountain in Mount Desert Island and Quoddy Head in eastern Maine are the other two locations.)
“It’s an integral piece of our operation,” Damon said of the lift.
The snow system upgrade will include six new snow guns, plus motors and pumps to feed water to them. It’s predicted to quadruple the mountain’s snowmaking output.
“Before, it’d take almost a month to get the mountain open with snowmaking, and now we can get it done in about a week,” said Mike Chasse, a member of the BigRock board of directors who has been heavily involved in the project.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF AARON DAMON
With this in mind, mountain staff hope to open about two weeks earlier than usual this season.
“I think we’re all a little tired. It’s been a big project,” Chasse said. “But we’re also excited and appreciative and humbled. There’s been a lot of effort from our board members and local community and mountain staff … I think once the community gets to experience it, it’s going to bring them all together and be really special.”
BigRock administration started talking about the need for a new chairlift back in 2018, but it wasn’t until 2021 that they kicked off a major fundraising effort for the project.
Over the next few years, the project received $4.1 million in federal grants and funding, including a $2.5 million Economic Development Administration tourism grant. And the rest — $1.5 million — was raised through private donations by individuals and area businesses.
The nonprofit ski mountain has served as a hub of recreation for surrounding communities for more than 60 years.
”It was created by a small Junior Chamber of Commerce group that felt that skiing needed to be an aspect of this community,” Damon said. “They really believed in it, and their work created a whole new generation of skiers. Their grandkids are out there now.”
To date, the mountain features 29 trails, a terrain park with more than 20 elements, a tubing park, rental equipment, and a cafe offering homestyle meals. In the future, more trails may be added to that winter wonderland, Chasse said.
Youth engagement has always been a big part of the nonprofit's mission. Last season, the mountain worked with 10 districts throughout Maine to offer ski rental equipment
and lessons to students at the mountain for just $20 per student, per day. This program, called Ski4Life, is steadily growing, with 2,200 visits last winter.
“On any given day, you could have 150 to 200 kids,” Damon said. “You’ll see just a mob of buses coming in and kids running up the hill to go skiing for the first time.”
In recent years, as Maine’s winter weather has trended warmer due to climate change, many people are looking to the northern reaches of the state for snow sports.
“We’re colder than the rest of New England,” Chasse said. “As there are becoming more and more of these rain events in Maine, we’re generally staying colder and getting less rain. We get more snow and have more opportunities to make snow. That was a big focal point of this project.”
The improvements will allow the 1,748foot mountain to handle more skiers. Staff aim to see a 30 percent jump in business, from an average of nearly 21,000 skiers per year to around 27,000. And they’re ready.
One of the six snow guns BigRock is installing this December to boost their snowmaking capacity.
AROOSTOOK COUNTY:
A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT ALL YEAR LONG
One of the most fun-filled and family-friendly places in Maine is Aroostook County. With so much to do and see, there’s no bad time for a visit.
BY WANDA CURTIS
A WINTER WONDERLAND
During the winter months, Houlton hosts their annual Moosestompers Weekend (usually held in February). Activities in previous years have included sledding on Derby Hill, monster truck rides, human dog sled races, ice skating, fishing derbies, toboggan rides, and a halfdollar scramble in the snow for children. Steaming hot chocolate is served around a blazing bonfire.
Also in February, the MaineQuebec Winter Carnival Caravan leaves from Portage to attend the worldfamous Quebec Winter Carnival. The caravan is a tradition that commenced 68 years ago to increase interest in crosstheborder trade. A caravan travels through the logging roads of the North Woods to Quebec.
The Fort Kent Outdoor Center is a great place to enjoy crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, skijoring, and biathlon. They’re a nonprofit group dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle by offering a wellmaintained athletic facility where people can participate in outdoor activities. They claim to have some of the bestgroomed trails in New England for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing.
Fort Kent is also the site of the CanAm Crown International Sled Dog Race, usually held the first Saturday in March. Local mushers display their talent and skills alongside internationally renowned competitors. It’s sure to draw another large crowd, from Maine and beyond, in 2025.
SPRING DELIGHTS & DELICACIES
In March, many sugar shacks, where maple syrup is produced, offer free tours and samples. The owners of Northwoods Nectar, located in Eagle Lake, offer educational demonstrations at their sugar shack during Maple Syrup Weekend in March. They report that it takes roughly 40 gallons of maple sap to make one gallon of pure Maine maple syrup!
Another of Maine’s delicacies harvested in Aroostook County, each spring, is the fiddlehead. Fiddleheads are coiled tips of young ostrich ferns that grow near brooks, lakes, and rivers. The Fiddlehead Festival, held in Presque Isle each May, offers an opportunity to sample tastings of fiddlehead recipes prepared by wellknown chefs and features lots of other fun activities, too.
SUMMER FESTIVALS
The summer months are jampacked with festivals and fun activities. Early in the summer, Caribou hosts its annual Caribou Cares About Kids celebration with face painting, bounce houses, basketball, corn hole games, arts and crafts, and the annual Caribou Cares About Kids parade.
In July, thousands gather in Fort Fairfield for the annual 9day, multievent Maine Potato Blossom Festival. And in August, the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest in Presque Isle offers an opportunity to take a ride in a hot air balloon or watch the mass ascension of multiple balloons.
Farther south, Houlton hosts their annual Potato Feast Days featuring a potato bar with baked potatoes and a variety of toppings, lobster dinner, potato games for children, a popular doll parade, an arts and crafts fair, a touchatruck, and more. Houlton is also home to a large agricultural fair every summer and a spectacular Fourth of July fireworks display.
Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle is a great place to hike and view wildlife. Echo Lake is located there with a boat launch, canoe and boat rentals, and great fishing. There’s also a small campground with 30 sites, showers, and kitchen shelter.
FALL FOLIAGE & FUN
Fall is the perfect time to visit and enjoy the beautiful foliage in Aroostook County, where the leaves change color earlier than anywhere else in Maine. Colors usually peak around the end of September or early October. Hiking, driving, biking, or taking a bus tour are popular ways to view the changing foliage. The County is proud to be the home of the St. John Valley/Fish River National Scenic Byway and one end of the Million Dollar View Byway where tourists can find great views. Other favorite places to view the changing leaves are Fort Kent, Eagle Lake Public Land, and Aroostook State Park.
Another popular activity during the fall is hunting. Many hunters dream of taking home a huge Maine black bear which can weigh up to 600 pounds. Maine has the highest black bear population in the eastern U.S., according to maineguides.org. Maine guides and hunting camps are available throughout the County to help lead hunters to the best spots. Maine moose, weighing up to 1,100 pounds, are also highly sought after by hunters. Maine has one of the largest moose populations in the U.S., second only to Alaska. Moose permits are distributed by lottery. Whitetailed deer and many bird species are also hunted in the North Woods. Hunting regulations can be viewed on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.
For those who enjoy apple picking in the fall, there are several pickyourown apple farms and orchards in Aroostook County. Farmer’s markets, teeming with apples, potatoes, pumpkins, and other harvested produce are also fun to visit.
Whatever the season, Aroostook County is a great place to visit, jampacked with fun events and wonders to see.
Hot air balloons glow at dusk during the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds
PHOTO COURTESY OF CENTRAL AROOSTOOK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CARY MEDICAL CENTER
A PLACE TO COME HOME TO
COURTESY OF CARY MEDICAL CENTER
2024 marks the 100th Anniversary of Cary Medical Center.
The hospital has established a culture voiced by one of our early physicians, Dr. W. E. Sincock, addressing the graduating class from the hospital's then nursing program in 1932. He said, “You must keep on studying and advancing with the times not only in what you can learn from books but in your understanding of people and in ways of caring for them.”
That approach to caring for people has been the mainstay of the hospital ever since. From its founding in 1924 thanks to the estate gift of Dr. Jefferson Cary for whom the hospital is named, then Cary Memorial Hospital, now Cary Medical Center, has a spirit of caring that you feel when you enter our facility. Being named among Best Places to Work for four years in a row based primarily on what our employees say about us reflects our family culture. Creating a unique partnership with Pines Health Services, a federally Qualified Health Center, also named among Maine’s Best Places to Work, the hospital has maintained its independence for more than 100 years. Cary is an award winning hospital and has been recognized nationally for its patient safety and customer service and has been named one of America’s Great Community Hospitals.
The hospital has built a strong relationship with Veterans in Aroostook County and together with the Veterans Administration established the nation’s first VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic on the hospital campus.
Beyond our unique family culture the hospital has managed to keep up with advancing technology, including the latest MRI and CT instruments. The hospital has completed major renovations on its Acute Care and Obstetrics units and we deliver more babies than any hospital north of Bangor. From an advanced laboratory to a dynamic rehabilitation service, the hospital offers comprehensive rural hospital care. With our largest medical staff in history and a compassionate, skilled nursing team, backed by dedicated clinical and support services, Cary is positioned well to take on the challenges and opportunities of the next century of healthcare. Our leader, Kris Doody, RN, is in her 26th year as our hospital CEO. She now is also the CEO for Pines Health Services and she embodies our culture with a passion for quality, high expectations and is always raising the bar. When you come to the County, come visit us, you might decide to stay for a lifetime. We have a world of opportunity.
SCARIBOU IS CALLING… WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!
hop in Caribou this holiday season! Looking for gifts, seasonal décor or locally crafted items? You’ll find them in Caribou. New in 2024 — a holiday retail experience in the downtown mall resembling a traditional European Christmas market! It will be open starting November 30, Small Business Saturday, then each Saturday until Christmas. SBS will also mark the highly anticipated opening of Fifty8 and Maine, a unique shopping concept to delight all ages.
Caribou is known for its snowmobile and ATV recreational trails as the epicenter of the northern Maine outdoor recreation economy. You can ride the trails from two recently remodeled hotels, short term rentals, or a bedand
breakfast run by “the muffin queen!” When it’s time to eat, Caribou offers the area’s best restaurant choices. Prefer a nonmotorized adventure? Scenic walking paths and groomed crosscountry ski trails await. Caribou has a 9hole golf course as well as agritourism attractions like a festive corn maze and seasonal upick strawberries, blueberries, apples, and pumpkins. Indoor adventures include two types of bowling, a movie theater, and a restaurant with a golf simulator. Seeking cultural enrichment? Watch events at Caribou High School’s Caribou Performing Arts Center or attend a stainedglass workshop at “Glass with Class.”
COURTESY OF PENNY THOMPSON, CARIBOU CITY MANAGER
PHOTO COURTESY OF: DANIELLE HANSON, DHANSON PHOTOGRAPHY
The Nylander Museum of Natural History is now open Wednesday through Friday from 12 to 3 p.m. Here you can explore the personal artifacts of Olof Nylander, including local and rare specimens of his collection from the fields of geology, archaeology, paleontology, and taxidermy.
Open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Caribou Historical Center & Whittier Museum welcomes visitors to step back to the time of the onsite one room schoolhouse and other bespoke exhibits which highlight early life in Caribou from the Mi’kmaq exhibition to a Military display. This heritage site is supported by the Whittier Trust Company, a legacy of Mericos “Max” Whittier who was born in Caribou and later followed his dreams to the California oil fields.
A place for all season fun, May features the CityWide Yard Sale and the Aroostook River Spring Runoff kayak and canoe race. Summer fun is happening at Thursdays on Sweden Street (TOSS) with live music, food vendors, and a beverage garden every other week June through August. In late July, TOSS expands into the 3 day “Caribou Cares about Kids” with familyfriendly shows, activities, food trucks, parade, and fireworks. In Autumn, come leaf peeping, watch the annual potato harvest, attend the County’s Oktoberfest sponsored by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce or enjoy shopping at the Caribou Arts & Crafts Fair — the longest running craft fair in northern Maine that’s held the third weekend of October.
Christmas in Caribou is a magical time and kicks off on Small Business Saturday with a visit from Santa, a local author pop up shop at the Caribou Public Library, and our eclectic array of local businesses offering merchandise to make your holidays extra special.
EXPERIENCE TIMELESS CHARM AND MODERN COMFORT AT THE NORTHEASTLAND HOTEL IN PRESQUE ISLE, MAINE
COURTESY OF IGNITE PRESQUE ISLE
Nestled in the heart of downtown Presque Isle, Maine, The Northeastland Hotel offers an experience that marries classic charm with modern convenience. Built in 1932, this historic landmark has long been a community icon, and today it stands ready for a new chapter, fueled by the commitment of Ignite Presque Isle, a nonprofit organization focused on revitalizing the downtown. With recent upgrades, prestigious recognitions, and a fresh culinary destination, The Northeastland is quickly becoming a vibrant hub for visitors and locals alike.
The Northeastland recently completed a remodel of its lobby, welcoming guests into a beautifully reimagined space that combines historic elegance with contemporary design. The lobby creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that reflects the legacy and community spirit of Aroostook County, setting the tone for an exceptional guest experience.
A major highlight of the revitalization is Rodney’s at 436 Main, the hotel’s newly opened onsite restaurant. Rodney’s has quickly gained a reputation as a premier dining spot and was recently featured on America’s Best Restaurants, a testament to its commitment to quality and innovation. Offering a locallyinspired menu that highlights regional flavors, Rodney’s has something for everyone, whether it’s lunch with friends or an intimate dinner. It has become a mustvisit for travelers and locals, and its success underscores The Northeastland’s role in downtown Presque Isle’s resurgence.
And the accolades don’t stop there. The Northeastland Hotel was recently recognized as one of the 2024 Best Places to Work in Maine. This achievement speaks to the dedication and positive culture fostered by Ignite Presque Isle, which manages the property and
ensures that guests and employees alike feel a sense of pride and belonging. Additionally, Ignite Presque Isle was honored with the title of Economic Development Business of the Year, a recognition of their outstanding work in revitalizing the downtown and supporting the local economy.
The next phase of The Northeastland’s transformation is already underway, with a remodel of the guest rooms and hallways. Each room will be updated to seamlessly blend the hotel’s historic charm with modern comforts, offering a stylish and restful environment. The hallways, too, will reflect the attention to detail that characterizes every corner of the property, creating a cohesive, welcoming experience that invites guests to relax and unwind.
The Northeastland’s revitalization is supported by funding from the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) Thrive grant, a significant construction loan from Katahdin Trust, and contributions from dedicated community donors. This funding reflects a collective investment in the community, making The Northeastland a symbol of local pride and a key player in Presque Isle’s economic growth.
Whether you’re visiting for business, exploring the beauty of Aroostook County, or attending a community event, The Northeastland Hotel offers a memorable stay. With an eye toward the future and a heart rooted in history, The Northeastland is ready to welcome you—experience Presque Isle’s legacy, reimagined for today. Book your stay and discover why this property is one of Maine’s best destinations, driven by community spirit and modern comfort.
