Orienteering can be ‘family sport’ Sedgwick event gives public a chance to try former military exercise

People interested in getting involved in the sport of orienteering will get that chance today, as Orienteering Maine holds its second Halloween meet at Byard’s Point in Sedgwick.

The general public is invited to the event, and can arrive at Byard’s Point any time between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The fee is $4 for adults and $3 for juniors, with a $12 family maximum.

Newcomers will receive basic map and compass instruction they’ll need to get started in the sport, and will put their new skills to the test on one of several courses that include Halloween surprises.

Orienteering, which involves navigating to checkpoints on an unknown course with the aid of just a map and compass, originated in Sweden as a military exercise and has caught on with the public as a sport.

Orienteering Maine president Anne Dentino said the sport appeals to a broad range of people.

“Orienteering is a great family sport, and the Halloween meet will have plenty of extras to make it fun and memorable -for kids young and old,” she said.

The meet will include a follow-the-string course for very young children, and a longer course for experienced orienteers.

Byard’s Point is located on Route 175 in Sedgwick, just west of the junction with Route 172. For more information call 359-8900.

For more information about orienteering in Maine, try http://orienteering.outsidemaine.com.

Machias forum scheduled

Down East sportsmen and women will get the chance to bend the ears of decision-makers Tuesday during a Sportsman’s Forum in Machias.

The forum will feature an evening with Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Lee Perry, along with Advisory Council member Lance Wheaton and plenty of DIFW staffers.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Room 102 of the Science Building at the University of Maine at Machias.

Among the topics to be covered: the warden service, local fisheries, lake access, and a hunting update.

Fly fishing symposium set

The Penobscot Fly Fishers will hold their fifth annual fly fishing symposium on Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Bangor Parks and Recreation building on Main Street.

The symposium will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Tiers and exhibitors include Dave Klausmeyer, David Footer, Joe Bertolaccini, Charlie Mann, Ed Muzeroll, Ron Newcomb, Ron McKusick, Ty Coates, Alvin Theriault, Joe Brickham, Duane Vigue, Doug Bulley, Julie Johnston, Don Corey, Bill Levesque and Bob Blatz.

For more information visit the group’s website (www.penobscotflyfishers.com) or call John Lent at 945-3809.

ASC adds 4,700 acres

The Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission has obtained 4,700 acres of land within the Dennys River and Cathance Stream corridors, and is seeking public input on its future use.

The land, which was obtained from International Paper and the Nature Conservancy, will be managed based on historical and current low-impact uses, with an eye toward protecting Atlantic salmon habitat.

There will be two public meetings about the issue at the Meddybemps Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 14.

Meetings are being held to solicit input and gather information from local citizens regarding traditional uses and regional expectations of those areas. Two sessions are scheduled: From 3-5 p.m., and from 7-9 p.m.

For more information, contact Torrey Sheafe, project coordinator, at 487-3328 or e-mail Torrey.Sheafe@KleinschmidtUSA.com.

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