BANGOR Visitors can enjoy and celebrate beautiful outdoor resources in Bangor. The guide will lead a group out across the West Penjajawoc Grasslands to the Penjajawoc Marsh on Feb. 14 from 1 p.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m. If the Marsh is well frozen, participants will go all the way across the marsh, a wonderful adventure filled with cattail, alder, porcupine sign and muskrat dens.

ELLSWORTH - The Grand announces the first in a new series of high-definition simulcast performances from The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company a production of Shakespeare's classic 'The Winter's Tale,' starring Branagh and one of Britain's grande dames of the stage and screen, Judi Dench, presented in a special leap day screening on Monday, Feb. 29 at 2 p.m. General admission tickets for the screening are $18 for adults/seniors and $15 for Grand members and are available at The Grand Box Office, by phone (207) 667-9500 or online at www.grandonline.org.

BANGORThe Paul Bunyan Snocross, a snowmobile competition that premiered last year at Bangor's Bass Park, will return to Bangor on Jan. 30-31, 2016.

Inaugurated and hosted by the Eastern Maine Community College Foundation, in association with East Coast Snocross (ECS) and with support from Dysart's, the weekend competition will feature pro and semi-pro races, as well as trail class races for recreational sledders.

BANGOR American Airlines will start weekend summer service from Bangor International Airport to New York's LaGuardia Airport starting June 4. The service will be operated once daily on Saturdays and Sundays through Sep. 4.

Orono Community Theatre presents stage classic

ORONO One of the most touching and inspirational stories ever to grace the American stage has been brought to life in Orono.

Orono Community Theatre's production of 'The Miracle Worker' - written by William Gibson as an adaptation of Helen Keller's autobiography 'The Story of My Life' and directed by Angela Bonacasa is now playing at the Cyrus Pavilion Theatre on the University of Maine campus. The show runs through January 24.

'The Miracle Worker' tells the story of young Helen Keller (Sophia Mullins), a girl struck blind and deaf by an illness in her infancy. Despite the best efforts of her mother (Amy Moran) and father (Mark Bilyk), there doesn't seem to be any way to reach Helen, whose frustration and anger spill over into uncontrollable tantrums that dominate the household.

Editor's note: Wire reports contributed to parts of this story.

For a long time, this winter wasn't really acting like a winter. Balmy temperatures, not-so-white Christmas, open water just about everywhere. Well, now that it's mid-January things are starting to normalize. We've had a couple of decent-sized weather events and soon those who enjoy being out in the cold will be able to do so.

If you're one of those people, you probably know a fair thing about what the state has to offer in terms of outdoor winter activities. But if you're new, or made a resolution to get out and play in the snow, here's a few things you can try.

Caveat: Yes, we've had some snow and colder temperatures, but that doesn't mean waterways have frozen solid in that amount of time, or that all the snowmobile trails are open. If you aren't sure, check with your local clubs or state organization about your trip. It spoils everyone's fun if your Skidoo falls through the ice or bottoms out on a log. Be careful and have fun.

Snap into a felony

BANGOR An area woman is facing felony charges for allegedly shoplifting some smoked meat products from a convenience store.

Bangor Police Officer James Hassard responded to the One Stop on State Street for a reported shoplifting. He spoke with the employees who provided surveillance footage of Lybra Cousins, 26, of Bangor approaching a display of smoked meat products and take several and conceal them in her coat. The employee believed she took 'Big Mama Sausages' valued at $1.69 each.

Editor's Note: This story ran in January 2014; it has been updated.

For about half the year we have to drive in snowy, icy weather. But every year it seems like we have to relearn how to do it I think it really comes down to an intense desire to never have to drive in such a mess again, so we suppress the memories. Whatever the reason, tips about driving in icy conditions are always handy.

Slow down. The biggest issue with driving in snow is that the speed at which you can lose control of your vehicle is much lower than in nice conditions. Stopping takes more time, accelerating takes more time everything takes more time. So whether you're pulling out into traffic or following another vehicle, make sure you have plenty of room for the maneuver.

'Coloruid' is a challenging and unique color-based game. You have a certain number of moves depending on the level. You can select from five colors (blue, green, pink, yellow and orange) and use them to fill in other colors. What makes this game interesting is that there are physics at play, and the color blobs are not always static. They can ooze out of their designated spots, and when you fill in a color with a new one, each of the boxes shakes, and it can change up your playing field.

'Coloruid' is a challenging and unique color-based game. You have a certain number of moves depending on the level. You can select from five colors (blue, green, pink, yellow and orange) and use them to fill in other colors. What makes this game interesting is that there are physics at play, and the color blobs are not always static. They can ooze out of their designated spots, and when you fill in a color with a new one, each of the boxes shakes, and it can change up your playing field.