It is getting to be that time of year in my household, and probably many others, when the wonderment of winter is starting to wear thin.
The days of sub-zero temperatures, and large amounts of snowfall do not seem to hold the same excitement factor for me once the Christmas holiday has passed. My mind always starts to wander and wonder just how much longer will it be until signs of spring start to pop up?
But then the reality starts to set in that there are still at least two or three more months of winter yet to go, so I might just as well try to make the most of it.
Moosestompers weekend is right around the corner and provides a perfect outlet for winter activities. This year’s event takes place Feb. 2-4 at Houlton Community Park and will feature a bundle of wintery activities to enjoy.
In addition, there are a wealth of sporting events going on to cover for the newspaper which always help pass the time. The high school basketball tournament also will be here in just four short weeks to provide an outlet for many to get away to the “big city” of Bangor.
Several local squads are having remarkable seasons, which should bode well for lengthy playoff appearances in Bangor.
For those who can’t wait that long to get away, the Houlton cheering squad competes in the Class C North cheering competition at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, starting at 1:45 p.m. Saturday.
To get ready for that event, the Houlton squad participated both Friday and Saturday in cheering competitions. On Friday night, the Shires traveled to Caribou, where the team placed second out of five squads in the Aroostook County championship.
The next morning, the team headed south to Mattanawcook Academy in Lincoln to compete in the Penobscot Valley Conference championship, finishing fifth in the combined C and D event for coaches Renae Foley and Julie Dunn.
And of course there is also the Super Bowl. I can think of no better way to beat the blahs than to host or attend a football party, complete with a wide array of tasty snacks. It certainly helps that the New England Patriots will be appearing in the big game for the second straight year (and 10th time overall).
This year, the Super Bowl will be held Sunday, Feb. 4, so that gives me two weeks to come up with some tasty treat ideas to feast upon while watching the big game.
Joseph Cyr is a staff writer for the Houlton Pioneer Times. He can be reached at 532-2281 or via email at jcyr@bangordailynews.com
