For immediate release

   Michael McMenemy graciously offered to donate his boat, the
   Burma, and his time for a 4 hour trip sailing the islands of Penobscot
   Bay to show our keynote speaker, Bernd Heinrich,  some  of our
   costal wildlife before our annual meeting. The Burma is for hire and
   Michael would welcome any inquiry about the details of a trip. His
   telephone number is (650) 388-0537. We will conduct a lottery in the
   next few days for our volunteers to find 10 lucky winners to partake
   in this free trip. Stay tuned.

July

• Saturday, July 5 - Take the scenic route to the Orland River Day festivities –   join the annual Alewife Run paddle from Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery to Orland Village! Canoers and kayakers will leave the Alamoosook Lake beach at 8 am sharp for a leisurely 3.5-mile (less than two hour) paddle down the lovely Narramissic River, arriving in the village in time for the parade. One short portage around a dam is involved. For those wishing to leave a vehicle in the village, shuttle service from the village to the hatchery will be available, leaving from the FL Davis parking lot on Rte. 175 (next to the Post Office) at 7:30 am. A kayak safety demo courtesy of Castine Kayak will also be available at the hatchery beach prior to the paddle. Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery is located 1.3 miles off Rte. 1, on Hatchery Road in East Orland. For more information or to reserve a rental kayak from Castine Kayak Adventures, call Cheri at 469-2008 or e-mail cdomina@midmaine.com.
  
• Sunday, July 13 – GPMCT’s Annual Meeting at Orland’s Alamoosook Lakeside Inn will begin at 6:30 pm. Partake in a dessert potluck, vote for new board members and hear the latest GPMCT news; then enjoy a talk by best-selling author Bernd Heinrich. Among his best-known books are Bumblebee Economics, The Mind of the Raven, The Geese of Beaver Bog, Ravens in Winter and A Year in the Maine Woods. Of his beautifully-crafted books, the New York Times observed: “These passionate observations of a place ‘where the subtle matters and the spectacular detracts’ superbly mix memoir and science.”  The Washington Post stated: “He richly deserves the comparison to Thoreau.” Heinrich will base his July 13 talk on material from The Trees in My Forest. Heinrich’s forest is near Weld State Park here in Maine, and what he has observed there should apply in fascinating ways to the trees in our forest—the Wildlands. Daytime events will also be planned in the Wildlands. You must RSVP for the meeting, to greatpond@midmaine.com or 469-7190.
  
• Saturday, July 26 –  First annual Chainsaw Safety Workshop in the Wildlands will be conducted by a Stihl chainsaw instructor. This professional loggers’ chainsaw safety workshop will be adapted to the needs of volunteers and woodland owners. The workshop will be recognized by the Bureau of Public Lands as a valid safety workshop to qualify volunteers to work on Public Lands with chainsaws. The workshop is free of charge, but donations will be welcome.
  Please call Jake at 989-1403 or email j.m@jmforestry.com for registration information.

August

• Sunday August 17 – Two Peaks Hike in the Wildlands. Meet at South Gate at 9 am and join Scott Bennett for a hike across both Oak and Flag Hills. This moderately strenuous walk is a great introduction to our new trails. Those wishing for a shorter hike can skip Flag Hill and return to their cars via Flag Hill Trail. Bring water, snacks, and bug and sun protection. Call 825-4709 for more info.
  
  
• Saturday, August 23 – Join volunteers from Trout Unlimited for a stream habitat workday in two of our Wildlands brooks. Get wet and wild – help restore some native trout habitat!