Annual snowshoe run

ORLAND – Craving some winter fun? Grab your snowshoes and head for the sixth annual Great Pond Mountain Snowshoe Run, starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28 at Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery in East Orland.

The run follows a 2.2-mile course covering trails and dirt roads with some short climbs and descents. All ages are welcome to participate. Mile splits and water stops are included.

Registration starts at noon on event day; suggested minimum donation is $5, with proceeds benefiting Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust.

In case there is no snow, the event will be rescheduled for Feb. 10 or 17. For more information on the run, or the 2007 Maine Snowshoe Series, call Race Director Peter Keeney at 288-3909, or e-mail pktrldrt@midmaine.com.

Special Olympics Maine

SUGARLOAFUSA – Five hundred Special Olympics Maine athletes are spending the final days of January preparing for the 37th annual Special Olympics Maine winter games. Athletes, coaches, families and volunteers will meet at SugarloafUSA on Sunday, Jan. 28, for the event. The games will continue through Tuesday, Jan. 30.

What makes 2007 an extra special year is that it is the 25th anniversary of holding the games at SugarloafUSA.

Maine is credited with holding the first Special Olympics Winter Games in the world. In 1970 a handful of athletes joined together on a small hill in Gorham to show their skills in alpine and Nordic skiing. The following year the games had grown enough to move to Saddleback Mountain and by 1982 it was time to move again – this time to Sugarloaf.

The people of Carrabasset Valley go out of their way every year to make sure the athletes feel right at home. The entire community participates by preparing meals the first night for all 500 athletes and their coaches.

Upon arrival the athletes will check into condos and after settling in, head out to enjoy a fun-packed evening of moonlight skating and cross country skiing, karaoke, a bonfire and more. Competition begins Monday morning, Jan. 29.

Athletes will compete in alpine and Nordic skiing, speed skating, snow-shoeing and dual skiing. Monday evening the athletes get a chance to wind down while enjoying a Banquet of Champions sponsored by Kentucky Fried Chicken, a Torch Light Parade put on by Carrabasset Valley Academy, and a fireworks display before heading for the Victory Dance. Competition picks up again on Tuesday morning.

Special Olympics is a year-round athletic training and competition program for persons with intellectual disabilities of all ages. In Maine, more than 2,500 athletes participate. For more information on the Winter Games, or Special Olympics, call 879-0489 or www.specialolympicsmaine.org

Poker Run

MILFORD – The Pine Tree Snowmobile Club, Call Road, will hold a Poker Run, regardless of snow conditions, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Breakfast and light lunches will be available. For more information, call Kathy Carson at 827-7066.

Cheerleading program

ORONO – The Orono Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registrations for its recreation cheerleading program. Children will learn the basics of cheerleading and have chances to cheer at recreation department games. The program is open to children in grades four and five. Practice is 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays, beginning Jan. 22. The cost for the program is $25 and includes a T-shirt and shorts. For more information, call the recreation office at 866-5065.

Poker Run

ALTON – The L.A. Sledders Snowmobile Club will be the host for a Poker Run 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at the clubhouse, 3346 Bennoch Road. The cost is $5 per hand. Snow date is Saturday, Feb. 24.

The club’s kitchen is open for the season to the public 4:40-7:30 p.m. Fridays, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 394-3421 or 394-2751.

Ice fishing derby

HUDSON – The Pushaw Lake Snowmobile Club will hold its 27th annual Ice Fishing Derby sunrise-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 3-4, at Big Pushaw Lake. Prizes will be awarded for total poundage of pike each day; heaviest bass, pickerel and white perch overall and a $200 door prize. For more information, call Dale Pineo at 327-2226.

Glenburn Basketball Tournament

GLENBURN – The Glenburn Recreation Department has scheduled the Glenburn Basketball Tournament for grades five-six.

. Girls, March 10-11.

. Boys, March 17-18.

The tournaments will have a double elimination format, with ribbons awarded to all participants.

First- and second-place trophies will be awarded, with a maximum of 12 per team.

A foul-shooting contest will be held during halftimes.

There is a non-refundable fee of $100 per team.

To reserve a spot, mail fee and roster to Glenburn Recreation Department, 144 Lakeview Road, Glenburn, ME 04401. The deadline to register is Feb. 28.

For further information, contact the Glenburn recreation director, Carey Besse, 945-3119.