 I am left to report another sad loss this week for the PPFF family - and indeed a great loss for all lovers of Pennsylvania history and outdoors - with the death of John Eastlake of Williamsport. Long-time readers of the thrice-yearly PPFF newsletter, "Penn's Stewards," may recall John's long-running regular features on CCC history. As we lose more and more CCC Boys each year, John would share and stories for our annual banquet slide show. Every year John also organized a tour of the CCC structures at Laurel Hill State Park with Kim Peck, the park's educator. I missed the last two and now I am doubly sorry other things got in the way.
His Williamsport Sun-Gazette obituary tells the story much better than I ever could. A graveside service is tomorrow for immediate family. Everyone will be wearing their favorite ball cap and the family invites everyone to do the same and then salute John with "a favorite take-me-out-to-the-ball game beer."
 Here's a sweet bit of good news. A contribution from Keystone RV has funded the purchase of an accessible swing (pictured left) for the Cowans Gap State Park campground. Installation to follow as the melting continues.
For restoration of a little serenity, Dee Marie shared a few snippet videos of her trek on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail this week. It was hard work, but this one in particular is a delight.
Next week is a big week in the Metzger household. First of all, Monday is Peanut Butter Lovers Day. I challenge all readers to match us for peanut butter consumption. Man may not live by bread alone but a spoonful of peanut butter is often lunch. Or a bedtime snack. Or a stress reliever. Do you have a favorite recipe featuring this "nectar of the gods" or is a spoon good enough for you as well? (The other day takes place on Thursday - the most encouraging day of the year. March forth.)
The February salute to #PAEnviroRights50 concludes on Sunday with Sarah drawing a winner in the six-word essays contest on Monday morning. If you haven't entered yet, drop a line to PAEnviroRights50@paparksandforests.org over the weekend - and begin to think of how you'll flex your creative muscles for March. Our challenge for the month is the "clean water" phrase of the Amendment - a gift that will, we hope inspire a cinquain.
 As we have cinquains, haikus, and acrostics coming up in the months ahead, here's a little chart I pulled together for the new website. Give it a click for a better view.
"Wait? What did you say? NEW website?" Yes, I did! Same URL (PAParksAndForests.org) but a lovely redesign. Please check it out; click around, find what's broken, is confusing, doesn't work, OR of course that you love. And let us know.
Big thanks to our friends at Cross & Crown in Chambersburg who were able to take our garbled instructions for what we'd like to change from the previous construct and turn them into something gorgeous.
Need another reason to go check it out? You'll find the Spring edition of our newsletter on the Publications page.
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