WORCESTER, Mass. – A University of Maine student majoring in wildlife ecology was honored and two Maine outdoor writers received regional recognition for their work at the 64th annual meeting of the New England Outdoor Writers Association recently.

Colby Bruchs, a junior at the University of Maine in Orono, was one of six New England college students selected by the writers organization to receive $2,500 scholarships. A Vermont native who hopes to become a fisheries biologist after some postgraduate work, Bruchs was singled out among his scholarship peers to receive the coveted Founders Award, which is an additional scholarship.

Among a field of 200 outdoor writers who belong to the NEOWA, Hampden resident V. Paul Reynolds received two first-place awards in the annual outdoor writing competition, one for best humor in a magazine and one for best photograph in a magazine.

Rockwood outdoor writer Suzanne AuClair received a first-place award for best opinion in a magazine.

Schoodic Derby on tap

One of the state’s longest-running ice fishing derbies is a go for this weekend, with more than $12,000 in shore prizes up for grabs.

The 44th annual Schoodic Lake Ice Fishing Derby will take place Saturday and Sunday on Schoodic, Ebeemee and Seboeis lakes.

The grand prize is a 2006 Arctic Cat Z-370, and more than $7,000 in merchandise will be given out as shore prizes.

This is a free-fishing weekend in Maine, and participants in the derby need not buy a state license to take part.

For more information check the Web at www.trcmaine.org/fishingderby.

Derby to benefit Pine Tree Camp

Anglers looking to have some fun for a good cause may want to consider participating in an ice fishing derby to benefit the Pine Tree Camp.

The derby will take place in Rome on Feb. 25, and prizes will be handed out for the top three fish in seven categories: brown trout, pike, pickerel, white perch, crappie, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.

Fish caught in all water of the Belgrade Lakes region are eligible for prizes.