The Maine State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation received an L.A. Dixon Memorial Chapter Award during the NWTF’s annual convention and sport show in Atlanta in February.

The Maine chapter was recognized as the 80-best chapter in the category for groups with fewer than 2,000 members.

The L.A. Dixon Memorial Awards are given each year in honor of a man who gave unselfishly during the NWTF’s early years. They are given to local, state and provincial chapters that excel in conservation fund-raising, education and outreach events.

Last year, 2,300 NWTF chapters hosted Hunting Heritage Super Fund banquets to raise funds for the NWTF’s conservation and outreach initiatives.

Bangor boat show on tap

If you’re looking for a way to start thinking seriously about spring and summer, you may want to head to the Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center this weekend.

The annual Boating & Marine Expo began on Friday, and runs through Sunday. The show will run from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. today, and from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

The admission price is $4, while children age 12 and under get in free.

Sugarloaf hosts nation’s best

The nation’s top skiers will again head to Sugarloaf/USA this month as the Carrabassett Valley resort plays host to the Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships.

Athletes will take downhill training runs on March 19 and 20, a FIS race will be held on March 21, and the championship events run from March 22-26.

The men’s and women’s downhill will be run on March 22, both super G races are set for March 23 and slalom will be contested on March 24. The men’s giant slalom will be the focus on March 25, with the women’s GS taking place on March 26.

Sugarloaf also hosted the U.S. championships in 1996, 1997 and 2006.

Olympic champions Ted Ligety and Julia Mancuso World Championships double- medalist Lindsey Kildow (Vail, CO) and emerging star Steven Nyman are among the skiers expected to compete.

According to a Sugarloaf press release, the U.S. Championships gives developing skiers a chance to measure themselves against U.S. Ski Team athletes while competing for national titles.

“Sugarloaf has been a great host for us and has a strong history of outstanding races,” U.S. Alpine Director Jesse Hunt said. “Sugarloaf gives us a great welcome, there’s so much enthusiasm – from the mountain and the community – and the venues are challenging, so it’s a great package. We, meaning the staff as well as the athletes, look forward to going back there for more exciting races and fun times with great crowds, who appreciate the racing.”

John Diller, president of Sugarloaf/USA said, “The entire Sugarloaf community is thrilled to once again welcome America’s best to Sugarloaf as they compete for the national championships.

“Sugarloaf’s proud racing heritage and unequalled commitment from Sugarloafers of all ages will no doubt make the championships a highlight of the 2008 winter season,” he said.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329.