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| Photo contributed by Joanne Worthen It was an afternoon filled with peanut butter pinecones at the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge in Limestone, as about 40 gathered to make winter birdfeeders for their feathered friends. About six families turned out for the event as well as members of Girl Scout Troop 1092, including, from left, Conner Spencer, Alexis Doreon, Samantha Tourk and Allison Schwartz. They’re shown here with Friends of the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge group member Marilyn King. Other Girl Scouts with Troop 1092 who attended the event were Sage Dubay, Hailey Holmquist, Scout Spencer, and Erin Kashian with Troop Leaders Shannon Plesniak, Nicole Spencer and Jacqui Tourk. |
Loring group makes about 70 birdfeeders to help wildlife
By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — About six families and a Girl Scout Troop attended the Second Saturday event at the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, but arguably no one enjoyed the event as much as the birds.
In addition to about 20 suet feeders, youths attending the Jan. 12 event made about 50 peanut butter pinecone feeders to help see their feathered friends through the winter.
President of the Friends of the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge group Betty Rinehart said that the feeders will attract the same birds normally found in backyards — like chickadees, nuthatches and woodpeckers. One member of the group even reported that a squirrel had gotten its paws on a fallen peanut butter pinecone and was having a ball nibbling at the nourishing treat.
While the birds and various lucky fauna are certainly enjoying the feeders, Rinehart and other members of the Friends group were happy to see such a good turnout.
“This is something that families can do together, at no cost to them, and it’s something they can do at home together,” Rinehart said, mentioning that a lot of the parents took a couple different suet recipes home with them so that their families could participate in the activity again down the road.
(Rinehart did want to remind the community that if they do make a few winter bird feeders at home, make sure to hang the peanut butter pinecones or suet feeders with some sort of natural fiber — like yarn or twine — instead of fishing line or wire.)
While last Saturday’s activity at the Refuge was a high spirited, fun activity, the next Second Saturday event will feature a bit of healthy competition — in a fun, family oriented way when the Friends group teams up with the Limestone Ski Club for the annual C-ME-Ski event on Saturday, Feb. 9.
Registration begins at noon with the youth race starting at 1 p.m and the adult race starting at 1:30 p.m. The event is free for youths and $5 for adults. Course lengths vary from half-K to 2K for skiers 12 and under, 7K for skiers 13-18 years old and 21K for adults.
Additional information can be obtained by visiting www.goaroostookoutdoors.com or by e-mailing coordinator Barb Gallagher at brgallagher@peoplepc.com.
