As I write this on Thursday, I have to wonder if this is going to be the theme for 2019? I said to Bill that I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out whether today was Tuesday or Wednesday. Oh, dear. Blink and it's September!

I know some friends back home wish that were the case. An ice storm? Three inches of snow on the ground and more to follow. And so Farm Show week lives up to its historic hype!

Seems fitting then that the masthead photo caught my eye today. I am perusing our various Friends' websites and Facebook pages for events to list in our Spring newsletter (Friends - if you're reading this, help a girl out, eh?) and found this shot on the Friends of Rothrock Book of Faces. I will assume photographer is Kyle Fawcett from the Friends and it is just a dazzler. Or a good old-fashioned sparkler!

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of note

Congratulations to the Friends of Big Pocono! Their signature project is restoration of the Cattell Cabin at the top of the mountain (a gorgeous little place with a lovely back-story). Raising the funds and doing the work themselves, the Friends have managed to bring this significant piece of the park back from its use as a storage shed to a life-size interpretive exhibit. And for that they will receive a PEP (Preserve Enhance Protect) Award from the Monroe County Historical Association at their dinner on February 24.

The cabin in snow was the masthead for our December 2018 issue of Explore PA. Makes you want to climb up that mountain, doesn't it?

If you are a parks and recreation professional or student, you will be interested in the annual PA Recreation & Park Society Conference and Expo. Coming up in April, registration is open now at the 2019 PRPS Conference website (https://prps.org/2019conference).

Looking ahead for winter fun - the Friends of Greenwood Furnace remind everyone that their SnowFest Five-Miler is part of a busy day next Saturday at Greenwood Furnace State Park. Online registration closes on Sunday so, runners, you'll need to race to catch up!

At work and play in the parks and forests

Weather dependent winter activities! Since the weather is offering a few challenges in forecasting, an indoor activity to consider for making successful change in your life is creation of a vision board. (Saturday is National Vision Board Day.) What's a "vision board?" Check out this article on what they are, why they work and how to make one.

North

Are you curious about winter recreation but not sure what equipment is required? Come out to PARKER DAM STATE PARK for a Winter Outdoor Recreation Primer Saturday afternoon.

South

Footprints in the snow can be an amazing sight, but whose paws or claws are they? At KINGS GAP ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER on Saturday afternoon these Tracks and Traces can be demystified.

East

I don't know about you but Birds and Beans (coffee) are two of my favorite things and they come together at NESCOPECK STATE PARK on Saturday morning. (Hot chocolate or tea available, too.)

West

Are you ready to give snowshoeing a try? It's lots of fun and there is snow in the Laurel Highlands. So head for OHIOPYLE STATE PARK Saturday morning for a Guided Snowshoe Hike. Register today.

No matter what region of the commonwealth you want to visit, our website Events and the DCNR Calendar of Events are great sources for things to see and do. Bookmark them!

Picture of the week

Last Friday was one of those "iffy" meteor shower nights. I don't know if they captured any actual meteors at Black Moshannon but it was a Black (Mo) Night for sure. I kicked the contrast just a little bit on this photo from the Book of Faces and there IS a twinkle in the sky!

Take five for trivia

Let's hear it for Farm Show! According to the website, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM is the busiest time of day to visit. I know. That surprised me as well. But if you're as determined as this young lad in the Youth Tractor Pull you can still get to the Show before it closes on Saturday night!

For this week's trivia question, what IS the history of the Cattell Cabin?

Send in your answer and we'll enter your correct response into our monthly prize drawing. All correct answers each week will go into the hat and at the end of the month we'll draw one lucky winner. The more correct answers you submit in a month (up to four or the occasional five depending on the month), the more chances you'll have to win.

In closing

Photo by Keli Dawn, Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Facebook group

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.

Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare and is a Gold GuideStar Participant.