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FOR TWENTY YEARS
Our Mission: Inspire Stewardship of Pennsylvania's State Parks and Forests
Three Musketeerettes' Picnic Spot
Wendy Duchene - Ohiopyle State Park
This was a week I wish I could capture in a jar and preserve as examples of perfect summer days. The Three Musketeerettes (Wendy, Cathy, and I) took a Wednesday afternoon ride on the Great Allegheny Passage with some snacks at the beach where Middle Yough rafters generally take their break. Our timing was perfect, and so was the view.
I couldn't help but make one of Wendy's photos the masthead. There was even a deer over there in the bushes at lower right. We kept encouraging him to come down and take a drink but apparently he was not well-trained.
Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator
Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation
News of Note
We have a couple of videos to share this week, including the latest in Marci's series of getting acquainted with safety and good habits in our state parks and forests.
Also new on our YouTube channel are two videos starring our Board member George Fernandez. George is always on hand to help our Spanish friends learn more about recreation and issues surrounding state park use. We are grateful to him for helping us spread the word to our entire outdoor community! Here, we learn more general rules for park visits and about finding less busy places to recreate when over-crowding is an issue.
A request to spread the word comes from the Department of State about the need for pollworkers this Election Day. An active recruitment effort is underway with more information available at VotesPA.com. Be a champion of democracy!
You remember last week I mentioned Trail Mama Georgetta of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail? Well, didn't she turn up in my inbox again this week as spearheading a graffiti removal effort at Wolf Rocks in the Gallitzin State Forest! She and Luke Miney, who already does a stellar job staying on top of vandalism at Beam Rocks, are joining forces and have set up a Bonfire Tees fundraiser to fund supplies purchases. We've used Bonfire lots of times in the past for PPFF shirts so you know the drill. Order the shirts; Bonfire prints and ships them directs to you. Get yours at https://www.bonfire.com/wolf-and-beam-rocks-graffiti-removal160/. Stay tuned for when a graffiti removal day happens at Wolf Rocks!
Speaking of "remembering," do you remember a couple of weeks ago we shared a wonderful video of Curtis, the singing educator at Samuel S. Lewis State Park? We have been working on giving him a new home for programs at the park, renovating an unused concession stand into an education center. One of the last items on the To Do list is to scrape and paint the exterior. That work will take place next Saturday. Can you help? Sign up here.
Find other great pictures at the PA State Parks page as they celebrated World Photo Day on Thursday afternoon.
The Mighty Mid State at its point in Penn Roosevelt State Park and Rothrock State Forest. Be prepared to have this trail kick your butt.
Goodness, gracious. Last week I featured Chris Condello's sunrise at Moraine State Park in one of these boxes. Now here's a gorgeous sunset. Same park, same talent, nice jigsaw!
Intriguing photography by Cody and Micki Bartoo at Little Buffalo State Park. Bridge? Part of the mill race? (I swear that's the mill in the far left.)
Almost like glass is the lake at Colonel Denning State Park as captured by Beth Van Horn.
As noted previously, events (involving fewer than 25 people) have returned. In any instance, it is always wise to make a call to the appropriate park office or sponsoring organization to make sure an event is truly going to take place or that space is available.
These and other fun events and fulfilling volunteer opportunities can be found on the PPFF events calendar and DCNR Calendar of Events. Bookmark them and you'll never miss the boat (or hike or pedal).
Last week's look at the history of Greenwood Furnace State Park (where Marci's swimming video was filmed) revealed that it once was the home of the Greenwood Forest Tree Nursery, established to restore the forests depleted by the years of iron making. The nursery ceased operations in 1993.
However, this leads us to a second related trivia question! The Commonwealth does still manage a tree nursery and wood shop. Where is it located, and for whom was it named?
Send your answer to me and I'll enter you into the month's random drawing for a goodie from the prize closet if you answer correctly. Enter each week for more chances to win.
Where Are We?
Places boxed in red are from photos and calendar listings; the white boxes illustrate the "upcoming" events. Click it to see it bigger.
Watch for this poster in your favorite state park/forest kiosk. It gives you a direct link to contribute to the Camping Enhancements campaign for improvements throughout the system. But wait. You can do that from here as well! (Give it a click to copy and share in your own social media.)
"Buy" an amenity through our online store or, if you prefer, support our Charity Go Fund Me. Either way, the money will make happy campers even happier.
As we noted last week we invited RV dealers across the state to participate in the campaign on behalf of their customers. These additional dealers have heard the call:
If you're a customer of one of these dealers, please thank them! If your dealer is not on the list yet, you might encourage them to support the campaign.
Thank you!
In Closing
The Friends of White Clay Creek Preserve are forever sharing fascinating posts about the critters and plants you might find in the preserve and this week included a couple of dazzling images of moths and dragonflies. I truly thought this Halloween Pennant dragonfly was photo trickery of a fairy. Give a click to the Friends' page to learn much more!
Photo by Dan Sparks Brown
Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization - contributions to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. The official registration and financial information of PPFF may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling, toll-free within Pennsylvania, to 800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
We have a couple of videos to share this week, including the latest in Marci's series of getting acquainted with safety and good habits in our state parks and forests.
Also new on our YouTube channel are two videos starring our Board member George Fernandez. George is always on hand to help our Spanish friends learn more about recreation and issues surrounding state park use. We are grateful to him for helping us spread the word to our entire outdoor community! Here, we learn more 
A request to spread the word comes from the Department of State about the need for pollworkers this Election Day. An active recruitment effort is underway with more information available at 
Speaking of "remembering," do you remember a couple of weeks ago we shared a 
