The results are in, and Sports Illustrated has put our state in the spotlight with their in-a-nutshell glimpse at sports in Maine.

Other than the fact that a map apparently shows that Newburgh’s own Ricky Craven grew up in the shadow of Katahdin, they did an OK job.

Well, maybe there was one other thing. (Remember, this is coming from the clearly biased mind of a born-and-bred native of The Other Maine): Portland is not Maine’s “Sportstown.”

Bangor is. Or Orono. Or heck, maybe it’s Jonesport or Beals. But Portland? Nope. The notion just offends my east-central Maine sensibilities … but since many folks down south still haven’t figured out that Bangor isn’t a part of “northern” Maine at all, I know I’m fighting a losing battle on this one.

Of particular interest, especially to one who makes his living by telling you fishing stories (along with other outdoor fare) three days a week, was this fact: Mainers told SI that their favorite sport to play is … fishing.

Now, I don’t exactly know how to “play” fishing … but I know exactly what they’re getting at.

Fishing … and hunting … and hiking … and skiing … are all huge parts of what makes Maine so attractive to so many.

And though SI’s graphics department may have misplaced our pal Ricky a bit, they did recognize those essential points.

Sugarloaf was listed in the magazine’s “Who and Where” list, as was Acadia National Park, Katahdin, Fort Kent (for the upcoming World Cup biathlon), and L.L. Bean. All reflect how much Mainers value our outdoor heritage and resources.

And fourth on the list of Favorite Sports to Watch (behind fishing, golf and swimming): Hiking.

Don’t just sit there. Get out and enjoy what we’re all about.

Final Polar Bear Dip Update: As you’ve heard (several times), a few hundred intrepid souls hopped into Passamaquoddy Bay last month as part of a fund-raiser for the Ronald McDonald House.

That event, sponsored by the Washington County Community College Student Senate, ended up raising more than $34,000, which will be given to representatives of the Ronald McDonald House on Feb. 10.

Before the dip, I asked readers to give what they could, and promised that I’d join the dippers if we raised $1,000. We didn’t reach that entirely arbitrary goal, but the outpouring of support and kind words from readers prompted me to join in anyway.

After a few weeks of conscientious record-keeping, I’m happy to report today that my own personal fund-raising drive is over. Stop sending mail to me (though, if you want to send checks directly to the Ronald McDonald House, I’m sure they’d be happy to cash them).

Our personal piece of the fund-raising pie: $521.02. Included in that total was money from all over our readership area. Millinocket was a particular hotspot, but readers from Houlton and Presque Isle, Bar Harbor and Orono, Lincolnville and Perry and Clayton Lake … to name just a few … came through. In addition, Mrs. Fickett’s fifth-grade class at Milbridge Elementary School sent not only a couple bucks in loose change (which they collected after lunch on the day I visited), but also a package of nice cards wishing me well in the dip.

Ever since I took the step from “writer” to “participant” – and “fund-raiser,” for that matter – I’ve been asked the same question: What are you thinking?

For the record, what I was thinking was this: I’m offered a unique opportunity here.

My editors give me a lot of freedom and let me tell stories I want to tell, and I’m able to do all that in a place I’m lucky to have called home for 39 years.

Giving back a little bit? Well, that ought to be part of the deal, I figure.

I’m glad many of you helped out in that regard. And you have my sincere thanks.

Coming up: The bear-hunting referendum is months away, but there are plenty of divergent opinions being expressed about an issue some sportsmen say may serve to define hunting’s future in Maine.

In the interest of furthering the reasonable debate of the issue – and not relying on the already tired rhetoric that we’ve been bombarded with – I’m visiting with a Master Maine Guide who doesn’t walk in lockstep with many of his peers.

In fact, this guide is speaking out against baited bear hunts in Maine.

I’ll catch up with him later this week, and will share his thoughts with you on Saturday. You may not like what he has to say … or you may agree wholeheartedly. Either way, hopefully, he’ll make you think.

Also on the docket: Many of the state’s outdoor writers will sit down with the Sportsman’s/Forest Landowners Alliance at a meeting in Brewer on Friday.

We’ll talk with leaders of the land-user groups and representatives of forest landowners, and I’ll keep you posted on access issues that may affect you, the outdoors enthusiast.

John Holyoke can be reached at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net or by calling 990-8214 or 1-800-310-8600.