With the new year fast approaching, outdoors enthusiasts must again make plans to purchase a variety of licenses before they head afield to enjoy their favorite activities. The state has made that process simple and is offering 2007 hunting and fishing licenses on the Internet… Read More
This time of year I tend to look back on memorable hikes of the preceding three seasons. One hike in particular stands out, mainly because it was one of the most recent. It was in October, so many weeks ago now it should have slipped my mind, but… Read More
The quiet, liquid call notes brought my attention to a white pine along the lake edge. Just by luck I happened to catch, out of the corner of my eye, the swift movement of a very small bird as it flew to another tree. I… Read More
The members of the University of Maine women’s basketball team are headed home for the holidays after taking final exams this week. Coach Ann McInerney is hoping a few days of rest and relaxation with family and friends might help the players get refreshed at… Read More
Time to dig through the Santa Sack for some last-minute stocking stuffers: . For the City of Bangor, artificial turf for Cameron Stadium. Think of the possibilities with a refurbished stadium. State-of-the-art facilities for the local kids and state championship games aplenty in all kinds… Read More
Amy Wadleigh is back playing for the Bangor High School girls basketball team. Wadleigh, who has been dealing with a right shoulder strain since this fall, made her first appearance for the Rams in Tuesday’s 47-46 loss to Nokomis of Newport. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Foxcroft Academy will host two alumni basketball games Saturday beginning at 6:30 p.m. as a fundraising event for the school’s freshman basketball program. The first game will feature graduates from the 1970s and 1980s against the current Foxcroft junior varsity team. The alumni… Read More
It was, to be sure, any mother’s worst nightmare: A vibrant 18-year-old girl shot and killed in her own backyard. If any mother has the right to grieve, to mourn … even to hate … it is Jeri Brown. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
The Husson College baseball team will hold its annual Hot Stove Banquet and Sports Memorabilia Auction on Jan. 14 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Dickerman Dining Commons on the Husson campus. The event, which is $20 for the general public, includes a spaghetti… Read More
After coaching the University of Maine women’s basketball team for five seasons, Sharon Versyp received an opportunity to return to her native Indiana to coach Indiana University last season. But when Kristy Curry left Purdue University for Texas Tech after leading the Boilermakers to seven… Read More
A point guard by nature is like a coach on the floor, scouting out openings in the opponent’s defense. But Central of Corinth point guard Danny Kane takes those responsibilities even more seriously, not only scouting out openings in opponents’ defenses while he’s on the… Read More
BANGOR – Bob Scott of Brewer bowled his second-career 300 game Monday night at Family Fun Lanes. Scott, 48, rolled a 236, 232 and 300 for a 768 series. Read More
Two months ago, with deer season looming like one of nature’s solemn promises, we walked not-so-lightly through the crunchy leaves and staked a claim for the coming weeks. This is the place, we told each other, eventually. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
If you follow this space – and I appreciate the number of you who do – then you know that I am not a big fan of the so-called Christmas Classics in a variety of sports. These holiday games bring high school teams together over… Read More
The Presque Isle girls basketball team accomplished two big things in picking up two wins this weekend. Not only did the Wildcats win their 33rd straight home game, but they also went a long way in reassuring coach Jeff Hudson that despite deep graduation losses,… Read More
The Red Sox have their star pitcher from the land of the rising sun and for about $105 million, including what Boston paid the Japanese team for negotiating rights, they have a No. 3 starter. He may become more than that once he has actually… Read More
In past columns I’ve shared the belief that current hunter safety education requirements create a barrier to participation for older first-time hunters that could be better dealt with through some sort of apprentice program. My thought: If the state isn’t requiring a 10- to 15-year-old… Read More
I love Christmas! I’m just as enthusiastic as when I was a kid about the holiday spirit, yard and house decorations, a tree glittering with garland, ornaments, and lots of lights, family gatherings, and oh, of course, the gifts. As I pull ribbons and rip paper, it’s still… Read More
Organizers of the second annual Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby are busily preparing for an expanded event this year that will not only offer plenty of fun and prizes, but will also disperse fishing pressure and allow anglers to enjoy other St. John Valley lakes. Read More
Tragedy throws light on survival Careful preparation of gear necessary before people become stranded
In the wake of a family tragedy in Grants Pass, Ore., a sad tale that unfolded during the first few days of this month, I got to thinking about what I might have done in the same situation. In that incident, four members of a… Read More
High school coaches generally have the best interests of their players at heart. Seeing their kids mature and succeed in the games they play now and in the larger game of life are driving motivations for those who enter the profession. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Bobby Wilder has spent virtually his entire football career as a dedicated player and coach at the University of Maine. It appears the Madison native is ready to take the next step as Wilder is among five finalists for the head coaching job at Idaho… Read More
PORTLAND – The Portland Pirates announced Thursday that the American Hockey League team will hold a “Coats for Kids” night at the Cumberland County Civic Center tonight when they play Manchester at 7:05. The event is part of the WSCH/WLBZ NewsCenter 2 and the Salvation… Read More
SAN DIEGO – Bangor native Marcus Davis defeated Shonie Carter by unanimous decision for his seventh straight victory Wednesday night in the Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight Night. The three-round bout was shown on the Spike TV network and took place at a Marine Corps Air… Read More
The Penquis of Milo boys basketball team has had to forfeit its season-opening 70-56 victory over Penobscot Valley of Howland because the Patriots inadvertently used an ineligible player. Russell Berry, a senior center for the Patriots, attended Penquis during the 2005-06 school year and lived… Read More
It’s too early to start talking about championships, but the record-tying start by the Bates College men’s basketball team has visions of playoffs dancing in Bobcats’ fans heads as they head into Christmas break. The Bobcats have matched their 8-0 start to the 2004-05 season… Read More
When word got out last week that a bald eagle had been caught in a coyote trap in southern Maine, it made sense to think the incident would ratchet up the debate over the effect of trapping on endangered species. And when the Department of… Read More
Charlie Katsiaficas’ tenure as boys varsity basketball coach at Ellsworth High School may have been brief – only five years – but it was legendary in its accomplishments. This son of Greek immigrants from Nashua, N.H., arrived in the city to teach and coach in… Read More
Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna has observed that there have been a lot of low-scoring games in the league this season so he decided to do some research. “So far, we have had 20 games in which neither team scored three goals,” said Bertagna. “Ten… Read More
ORONO – The Orono High School alumni basketball games scheduled for Dec. 26 will not be held due to conflicts with the high school game schedule and holiday schedule, Orono athletic director Mike Archer announced Monday. Read More
PORTLAND – The Boston Red Sox announced Tuesday that Arnie Beyeler has been named the manager of the Double-A affiliate Portland Sea Dogs for the 2007 season. Beyeler replaces Todd Claus and becomes the ninth manager in Sea Dogs history. The 2007 season will be… Read More
Last Friday was a very good day for Corey Dewitt. The Ellsworth High senior helped his school’s basketball team open its season with a 64-48 win at Hermon. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
The postseason honors keep on rolling in for University of Maine senior Matt King, as he earned two more football awards Tuesday. King was named a first-team All-American by both the American Football Coaches Association and Walter Camp committees while also being invited to play… Read More
Tips offered to Maine’s hoop fans Honoring America, supporting cheerleaders among spectator pointers
It was my privilege recently to speak to an eager group of varsity boys basketball players at Foxcroft Academy in Dover-Foxcroft. Under the direction of former Penquis Valley High of Milo hoop whiz David Carey, this polite gathering of young men was tuning into the… Read More
More topics worthier than ‘bush leagues’ So what Ron Brown is saying (BDN, Dec. 5) is that political correctness should preclude us from causing harm to the “real” bush leagues in using them as a metaphor for bad behavior in sport? googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
As the University of Maine women’s basketball team practiced Friday and prepared for its trip to Philadelphia and Sunday’s game against St. Joseph’s, its star player was on her way back to Maine. Senior Bracey Barker of Bar Harbor, who hurt her right wrist in… Read More
I don’t really quite know what to make of this. I had the chance to broadcast a game this week between the No. 1 and No. 2 high school boys basketball teams in the nation. They met in Atlanta on the campus of Georgia Tech in a sponsored… Read More
Have you taken a recent inventory of all your outdoor footwear, by chance? In the process of post-fall cleanup and storage, I made a special effort to consolidate all my hunting shoes, boots, chukkas, and Sorels in one area for easier access next autumn. Excluding several pair of… Read More
For the past 26 years, the Pushaw Lake Snowmobile Club has hosted a popular ice fishing derby that targets the lake’s plentiful warm-water species. When the club holds derby No. 27 this winter, participants will notice quite a change, thanks to a cooperative effort between… Read More
John Alsop of Cornville was recently elected president of the Maine Canoe and Kayak Racing Organization, a statewide gropu formed in 1986 in order to promote canoe and kayak racing throughout the state. MaCKRO is affiliated with other regional and national canoe-racing clubs. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
As promised last week I’ve forced myself to get out earlier this year and pester Brad Ryder at Epic Sports for ideas to help you shop this Christmas. Based on past years’ feedback, even this weekend may be pushing the shopping envelope for some. (Me?… Read More
And now time for a little prognostication. It’s always a precarious undertaking, particularly when the topic is Eastern Maine schoolboy basketball and even more so when the new season has yet to begin – that happens tonight. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
A written warning was issued to UMaine women’s basketball coach Ann McInerney from President Robert A. Kennedy, the Portland Press Herald reported Thursday after it received Kennedy’s letter to McInerney through a Freedom of Information request. McInerney received the letter on Nov. 30 after her… Read More
A week after being honored for his longevity as the University of Maine hockey team’s radio voice, Dan Hannigan will make the transition to television this weekend. He and business partner Eric Frede will begin the second season of the “America East on Campus,” a… Read More
High school swimming’s reach has extended to Washington County. Nine students at Washington Academy of East Machias are competing on the school’s varsity team, which is the only Downeast Athletic Conference school to offer the sport. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
While the regular firearms season on deer has been over for a couple of weeks, and we’re still waiting for a bit of snow and ice to kick off our winter season, that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been plenty of outdoorsy goings on. In fact,… Read More
The Sunrise Conference appears to be ready to grow again starting next year. Dr. Richard Cost, the president at the University of Maine-Fort Kent, was on a four-person team representing the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics on a recent visit to SUNY Canton to review… Read More
Coaching high school basketball isn’t for everyone. External pressures abound, only to be exceeded in most cases by the internal pressure within the coach to succeed. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for… Read More
Slow starts have been a bit of a sore subject this season with the upperclassmen on the Husson College basketball team. Almost to a man, each junior and senior on the roster has been using the same two numbers since preseason practice began: two and… Read More
BANGOR – Jack Eisentrager of Hermon bowled his fourth career 300 game during the Monday Night Men’s League at the Family Fun Bowling Center. The 300 game was the second of the season for Family Fun Bowling Center. Read More
Every so often, a co-worker or friend approaches me looking for help with a problem they’re sure I can solve. “You’re the outdoors guy,” they’ll say, pasting on an earnest smile. “Do you have any idea what I can get for my Uncle Buford this… Read More
Almost three weeks after he was fired from his position as the Greater Houlton Christian Academy girls basketball coach, Vaughn Farrar said he still has no idea why he was let go. “I need to move on,” he said Monday afternoon. “Yes, it was hurtful.”… Read More
Motivated by a recent conversation with a well-known Maine educator, basketball Commissioner Pete Webb, today’s thoughts turn to an overused sports expression that needs addressing. The gentleman in question told this writer that he tires of the overuse of the term “bush league,” used by… Read More
The North Atlantic Conference basketball season has barely begun, but already there is an important conference matchup on the schedule. Husson College of Bangor will find out where it stands in the NAC women’s basketball hierarchy when it travels to Castine for a key early… Read More
University of Maine women’s interim hockey coach Lauren Steblen has an interesting predicament. She has played all three goalies this season and she uses their performances in practice on Wednesday and Thursday to help her decide which of the three will start the next game. Read More
Did you know that University of Maine football is now a member of Division I in the NCAA? Hang on, there’s more. This is kind of like changing your phone number or your email – this is going to take a while to sink in… Read More
Cross country skiers across the state are still waiting for snow to fall, but the Rangeley Lakes XC Ski Club is already offering a few new incentives to those who might want to use its world-class facilities this winter. The club is offering a 10-ski… Read More
In keeping with the spirit of the season I have a couple of simple ideas you might consider for the hard-to-please outdoors person on your shopping list. (The annual big list will come later this month.) Actually, I have samples that I’ve been given to… Read More
It’s arguably collegiate hockey’s broadcast booth version of the Boston Red Sox left- field legacy. For more than three decades, the Sox had a line of greatness when it came to left fielders: Hall of Fame players Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski, and Hall of… Read More
Seniors Matt King and Manauris Arias of the University of Maine have been named to the New England Football Writers Division I-AA All-Star Team. The honor follows last week’s All-Atlantic 10 first-team accolades for both players. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
A few dozen interested citizens gathered at four locations for a video conference hearing held by the Allagash Wilderness Waterway working group. The topic: A draft report of the working group that made several recommendations, not the least of which was the formation of a… Read More
It has been a memorable 2006 for Katahdin High School girls basketball coach Dick Barstow. He was deservedly inducted into both the New England Sports Hall of Fame and the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
BOSTON – Hockey East officials announced Monday that tickets to the 2007 Hockey East Championship Tournament at the TD Banknorth Garden will go on sale Saturday at 11 a.m. The tournament semifinal games will take place on Friday, March 16 at 5 and 8 p.m. Read More
PORTLAND – The Portland Sea Dogs will be teaming up with the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots program and two local radio stations to collect toys for children. Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Sea Dogs’ office at Hadlock Field Monday through Friday,… Read More
There is an adage in sports that says “You are always remembered by your last performance.” Unfortunately for the Brewer High School hockey team, its Eastern Maine Class B championship was overshadowed by a 4-2 loss to Cape Elizabeth in the state game in which… Read More
I have never been a big fan of sports talk shows. Here’s why. The constant vilification of coaches at all levels has led to more than one dismissal of a qualified, trained professional. With the introduction of veteran broadcaster Jeff Solari’s 4-6 p.m. “Shootaround” program… Read More
If you’ve been keeping up on the ongoing Allagash Wilderness Waterway debate, you may want to take a few hours off this afternoon to attend a public hearing that will deal with many pertinent issues. The Allagash Wilderness Waterway working group will hold a meeting… Read More
ORONO – Confidence is a key component in the success of any basketball team. The University of Maine women are playing with plenty of it after winning the Dead River Co. Classic at Alfond Arena. Coach Ann McInerney’s Black Bears (4-1) are off to the… Read More
A couple years ago, David Wardwell sidled up at a rod and gun club function and began a conversation with the words outdoor writers love to hear. “I might have a story for you one of these days,” the Penobscot man said. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
May we do a bit of football meandering while pursuing the stuffing and turkey leftovers? Not only is it the holiday shopping season, but it’s time to once again enjoy the annual BCS bowl-bashing extravaganza. This is the yearly slamming of the current Division I-A… Read More
“You must love that boat,” a South Blue Hill lobsterman said to me Sunday afternoon as he checked out my kayak as I was getting ready to unload it from the car. “I do,” I said, “but the shorter days and dropping temperatures are testing… Read More
The latest results of a Guyette & Schmidt decoy auction may send Mainers scrambling to their garages and attics in search of buried treasure. The company, which is based in West Baldwin and St. Michaels, Md., conducted its fall decoy auction in Easton, Md., and… Read More
Most big game, waterfowl, and even upland bird seasons sadly come to an end this month or next. This means that except for varmint rifles and rabbit hunting guns, it’s time for most of our favorite firearms to be cleaned and stored until this cold spell is over. Read More
Hampden native Erin Campbell, a senior soccer player at the University of Maine-Farmington, has been named a 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American for the second time. A second-team selection this year, Campbell was also an Academic All-American following the 2004 season. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
It’s that time of year again: Thanksgiving Day is here, and there’s certainly plenty for each of us to be thankful for. Here’s my short list: I’m thankful to have great friends to help me enjoy the woods and waters of our state. One great… Read More
I have certainly had my differences of opinion with the Maine Principals’ Association on a variety of topics over the years. I will always feel that they should make Sundays available for make-up playoff games or meets rather than bump them to Monday when it… Read More
Vaughn Farrar, who coached the Greater Houlton Christian Academy girls basketball coach to its first Eastern Maine Class D semifinal appearance last season after knocking off defending state champion Lee in the quarterfinals, will not be back with the Eagles this winter. GHCA declined to… Read More
The University of Maine football team’s defensive unit, best in the nation against the run (63.9 yards per game) and second in total defense (229.9 ypg), placed seven players on the three All-Atlantic 10 Football defensive units. Defensive tackle Mike DeVito of Wellfleet, Mass. and… Read More
Daniel McCue has played in 56 straight games for the Hampden Academy boys basketball team and has seen the program through some of its greatest accomplishments, including the 2005 Class A state championship and two straight Eastern Maine titles. Still, there’s something special about the… Read More
After five seasons of deer hunting, I’m happy to report that finally, at long last, after plenty of tromping, hours of sitting and weeks of plotting and planning and wondering, I have had some tangible success. No, I didn’t get my deer. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Oh, my. It really is the beginning of the holiday season. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) {… Read More
After a terrific start, the University of Maine men’s hockey team finds itself mired in a 1-2-1 stretch capped by two straight home losses. The string has included squandering a 2-0 lead in a 2-2 tie at Boston University and an 8-2 drubbing at home… Read More
Important stuff first, happy Thanksgiving. Jeff Bowden is the offensive coach at Florida State where his dad, Bobby Bowden, is the head coach. Jeff resigned his position last week, effective Sunday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
I was barely into my teens when I began waterfowl hunting. What started out as another outdoor pastime soon grew into a regular habit, and once able to drive myself around, it escalated to addictive levels. Now, nearly 40 years later, I’ve traveled throughout the… Read More
Back a week or more ago, it was Election Day, I think, the weather was nice enough to take a walk. And then last Saturday the sun shone and the temperature rose into the upper 50s. That about sums up the good weather we’ve had… Read More
Recently I received a report of another uncommon bird seen along the Maine coast. Pat Curtis noticed what appeared to be a woodpecker visiting the water saucer and sunflower seed and suet feeders in her yard. She noted it had a brownish head, the pattern… Read More
The best examples of leadership often come through sacrifice. David White did have another motive for altering his football world a year ago – the opportunity for playing time. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
After scoring big with its broadcast of all three state championship high school football games last year, Bangor television station WABI (Channel 5) wasn’t about to fumble a chance to do so again. WABI will kick off a football tripleheader at 11 a.m. Saturday with… Read More
Daren Stone, a senior strong safety for the University of Maine football team, has been selected to play in the prestigious Hula Bowl All-Star Classic in Honolulu on Jan. 14. The annual game, which brings together some of the country’s top senior players, will be… Read More
Whenever an athletic program is started, the immediate goal is to build a solid foundation which will hopefully yield steady growth and improvement. The Husson College football program has followed that blueprint to the letter. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
It’s no surprise that Meghan Hunter is making her living coaching hockey. The first-year University of Maine women’s hockey assistant has three uncles, Dale, Dave, and Mark, who played in the National Hockey League. Her dad, Ron, played Major Junior A hockey. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
This may be baseball’s perfect storm. The Boston Red Sox have the rights to negotiate with pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Japan Pacific League’s Seibu Lions. The Sox have paid some $51 million to the Lions just for the right to talk with the pitcher. Read More
With its gut-wrenching 10-9 loss at Massachusetts having decimated its postseason hopes, the University of Maine football team is preparing for its annual rivalry with New Hampshire. The No. 22 Black Bears and 10th-ranked Wildcats meet Saturday at noon in Orono. UMaine looks to spoil… Read More
While Foxcroft has been the dominant team in the LTC football ranks in recent years, Mattanawcook Academy appears well positioned to challenge the Ponies for regional supremacy again next year. The Lynx graduate some key seniors, including Shey Gardner, Isaac Young, Dan Lifer, Steve Braley,… Read More
As the start of high school basketball season approaches – the college and the pro games are already under way – I couldn’t help thinking about all those basketball referees and the inherent abuses the sport brings upon them. High school hoops are big business… Read More
The University of Maine and Operation Community Support are offering free tickets to Saturday’s football game against New Hampshire for all military members and their families. Requests for tickets must be made by 5:00 p.m. Thursday, and can be obtained by calling the Family Assistance… Read More
Mahaney, Norris enjoyed time with Red What a wonderful article Andy Neff wrote on Red Auerbach (BDN, Oct. 30) and how much we enjoyed it. However, the article stated “the Celtics also trained in Ellsworth in the late 1950s.” It should have said in the… Read More
When Craig Beaulieu went hunting near Millinocket on Tuesday morning, a thin coat of snow still covered the ground and the air was chilly. It didn’t take long for the day to warm up … and for him to change his plans. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
More deer were bagged and tagged in an hour last Saturday morning than I ever would have imagined. A few hunters succeeded through sheer luck, by being in the right place at the right time, they admitted. Many a sportsman will readily assert that they would rather be… Read More
Hunting season rolls along, and even if you’re among those who have already filled their tag, that doesn’t mean you can’t eat like you’re still hunting. Among the hunters’ meals on tap: googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More