When you’re stuck recreating on the weekend, you’re at the mercy of Mother Nature. Your hope is that she’ll be dishing you up a feast when it comes to weather. Last weekend we got a big serving of leftovers.

Let’s see, there were the remains of a sunny Friday afternoon, darkness and a couple of inches of rain for all three meals Saturday, and Arctic blasts for Sunday. Soaring temperatures greeted the weekend while near-zero readings escorted Sunday off the calendar.

And if you want to talk about wind, I’ve not been outside in winds like those of Sunday (OK, Wednesday was almost as bad). I swear the gusts topped 60 mph on our snowshoe-clad jaunt up Borestone Mountain. We shuffled up to Sunrise Pond, took pictures of ourselves on the ice-bound dock with the mountain-top in the background, then headed back down with one eye skyward watching trees in a frenzied dance over our heads.

Each year now for some five or six years, a group of friends have gathered at some remote spot big enough to accommodate a gaggle, and we’ve celebrated winter birthdays. Actually, the birthday thing is really an excuse to congregate. We’ve tried to incorporate winter activities into our routine. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, or hot-tubbing have been the themes to date. We’re open to suggestions.

Until this year, the worst we’ve had to contend with has been snowstorms. This year, unfortunately, we had a drenching rain that tried its best to dampen our enthusiasm and push Big Wilson Stream out of its banks. While that effort failed, the resultant volume of water cleaned ice out of the stream and raised the noise level from a babble to a roar.

The steady rains of Saturday limited our activities to a few sorties on soggy, snow- drenched woods roads, and to the riverbank in front of our rented house where several intrepid sculptors managed to construct a 6-foot arch and a snow girl.

Meanwhile those of us drying out inside passed around one of those ice cream makers that looks like a soccer ball. I got one for Christmas last year, and this was the first time I had a chance to play with it. Since it weighs around 10 pounds loaded with ice and you must shake it around for about 20 minutes, it provides a bit of a workout thereby taking away some of the guilt you have eating real ice cream later. Several of us managed to stick with the process long enough to make three different batches that we packed into a casserole dish to fashion a tort-like masterpiece.

Later I baked up a batch of brownies (yes, I remembered the mix this time) which we topped with the “gourmet” ice cream. Maybe the fact that we were a few miles in the woods made it taste better than it really was, but I had to use lots of willpower not to overdo it.

Down East antics on tap

Tess Ftorek dropped me an electronic line the other day to remind me to tell you about a couple of outdoor adventures in Washington County in the very near future.

First is the sixth annual Polar Bear Dip sponsored by the students at Washington County Community College to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Bangor.

While Tess no longer is directly involved in what used to be “her baby,” she said she’s having a hard time letting go and promised to be there for her sixth icy dip.

This year’s plunge is Feb.3 at the Pleasant Point pier, same as the last few years. The time is 1:30 p.m., presumably to allow you time to digest your lunch. Remember that your mother always advised not to go swimming right after lunch?

My hope is that the weather this year will be a tad warmer than it has been for the past three dips I’ve done. I think last year the temperature was about what it was at the North Pole. With the wind howling out of the north, the warmest part was the 34-degree water of Passamaquoddy Bay. My legs were as red as the coals of the raging bonfires on the beach. The green Army blankets we were loaned helped tons, but I swear that last year’s event was the coldest yet.

Therefore, this year’s dip will be much easier – it couldn’t possibly be any colder!

Seriously, if you haven’t had the gumption or sense of adventure to try a winter dip, consider this one. You can pester all your friends for monetary support and all of the money will be handed over to the “House that Love Built” right here in River City where families can stay while a child is hospitalized.

The past five dips have netted a total of more than $90,000 for this worthy cause. Lots of Washington County businesses, Passamaquoddy tribal departments, and ambulance, police, and public works crews give freely of their time to make this event safe and successful. The National Guard even helps out by providing tents and heaters. Food and beverages are available.

And for all you frustrated John Belushi fans, this year the theme is “Toga Party,” so grab your head garland and favorite sheet and let’s party.

You can get yourself a pledge sheet by logging onto WCCC’s Web site at www.wccc.me.edu or by contacting the college by phone at 454-1000. The contact person at WCCC is Darin McGaw. Jordan McAdams, president of the Student Senate, strongly suggests you get off the couch and join him and the rest of us intrepid dippers and help the cause. If you bring in more than $75 in pledges, you’ll receive a WCCC Polar Bear Dip sweatshirt.

Stronghearts

The second Down East event I need to tell you about is the fourth annual “Winter Sport and Fun” at the Pottle Tree Farm in recognition of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week on Feb. 11 beginning at 10 a.m. sponsored by Stronghearts.

Stronghearts is a Perry-based foundation established to support families caring for children with congenital heart defects.

Ftorek reminded me that it was Sue and Brian Duffy who started this event after losing a baby to a congenital heart disease several years ago. They felt the need to do something to keep the baby’s memory alive in a positive way and to bring awareness to others. They decided a day in the fresh air for everyone would be fun. Jim and Sandra Pottle generously opened their tree farm as a site for Stronghearts’ annual fundraiser. Jim died last year, but Sandra insisted that the event continue knowing that Jim would have wanted that.

In support of the many people who are affected by congenital heart defects, everyone is invited to The Pottle Tree Farm to enjoy a day of sporting activities no matter what the weather. Bring whatever equipment makes sense for the weather – cross country skis, snowshoes, skates, hiking boots, and sleds. The day will begin with a cross country ski race at 10:30 a.m. followed by open trails. Snowshoeing, sledding, and skating are also available. There will be a fireside potluck. Some cross country ski and snowshoe equipment will be available for use.

There is no charge. Event T-shirts are available for donations of $10. Donations will go toward Stronghearts in their effort to support families affected by congenital heart defects. Last year, Stronghearts raised more than $2,500 that was given to the Devon Nicole House in Boston and used to support three children and their families. For more information about Stronghearts and Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day, go to Stronghearts.org or contact Stronghearts, c/o Sue and Brian Duffy, PO Box 177, Perry 04667, or call 853-2774. You can e-mail them at stronghearts@ptc-me.net.

Film festival

Here’s a teaser. I’ll get more information for you later: The Banff Film Festival sponsored by Epic Sports in Bangor is coming up at 7 p.m., Feb. 13, at the Penobscot Theater Opera House. Tickets are available in advance at Epic Sports for $10. The touring show is a collection of mountain sport and mountain culture films that usually are shown here, in Ellsworth, and in the Camden area.

Jeff Strout’s column on outdoor recreation is published each Saturday. He can be reached at 990-8202 or by e-mail at jstrout@bangordailynews.net.