It's a little confusing. There is a bright yellow ball in the sky and I just can't quite figure out what it is. But it's a welcome sight! Let us be grateful for the definite LACK of drought in Pennsylvania this year. My bike would appreciate the opportunity to come out of the garage, however, and hop on the Passage. Maybe this weekend. (And my other goal for the weekend is to finally treat my hiking clothes with the permethrin that we started talking about earlier in the month.)

The status of next week's Take Five is somewhat in the air at the moment. The Camp Hill office of PPFF officially moves on Wednesday to our new home at 704 Lisburn Road, Suite 102 in Camp Hill. It's only a mile and a half from the current Market Street location but whether you move 100 miles or 100 feet, everything still has to go in a box and a truck. I will be in town to help make the magic happen and while the intent is to have everything up and running quickly it's entirely possible it won't be in time for Take Five. We may only be able to Take Two!

Our masthead this week speaks to the hope of sunshine ahead. Not the liquid variety (for all you spreaders of positive vibes), but the truly warm and bright kind! Thanks to the Gifford Pinchot State Park Book of Faces for the view from a bench. (And frankly as wacky as the weather has been, the "backward" nature of the lettering seemed symbolic too. Or is that just me?)

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of Note

A new story map on Pennsylvania's Forest Legacy has been posted to the PAConservationHeritage.org website. A collaborative effort among PPFF, Shippensburg University, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Conservation Heritage Project and the PA Forestry Association, the story map takes you on a journey through the creation of Pennsylvania's forests from the earliest inhabitants through the forests' place as a recreation powerhouse.

While you're at the site, check out our newest story as well - that of the Joint Legislative Air & Water Pollution Control & Conservation Committee. The Committee's mission and success is as long as its name - working in a bipartisan, independent, and transparent way to find solutions and compromise for over 50 years (even before the first Earth Day, celebrating its own 50th anniversary next year).

Calling all young people! The Renovo/St. Mary's crew of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is looking for young adults over the age of 21 for the summer crew leaders. This is a paid position designed to help this coterie learn leadership and supervisory skills, as well as construction and other practical skills. Interested leaders should contact Hannah Jo King of the Student Conservation Association as soon as possible.

Finally, it is time once again to weigh in with your opinions on outdoor recreational opportunities and shortcomings ahead of the five-year Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Take part in a ten-minute survey through Penn State at: https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ablcBG32tIkrX6Z.

At Work and Play in the State Parks and Forests

I am barely able to cope with the idea that next weekend is Memorial Day already. I think I suffer not from FOMO but FOMSE - Fear of Missing Summer Entirely.

The good people of the Mid State Trail Assosciation will be celebrating their designation as 2019 Trail of the Year at R.B. WINTER STATE PARK next Friday with hikes and food. Good deal (but sign up ahead, please).

NORTH	SOUTH
Wildflowers have been much on our minds lately but not so welcome plants are also a topic of interest now - this is the perfect time to remove invasive plants.Survey, identify, and help invasives removal at SINNEMAHONING STATE PARK on Saturday morning.	A full moon hike at PRINCE GALLITZIN STATE PARK will take your mind off invasive plants. (A Full Moon Paddle at CODORUS STATE PARK will do the same!)
EAST	WEST
Hiking and Yoga are on the menu at RIDLEY CREEK STATE PARK on Sunday morning. What a great combination!	The Friends of Cook Forest will tackle garlic mustard with a group pull Saturday morning.

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

The Friends of Pine Grove Furnace are staring the annual Iron Run Half Marathon/Charcoal Challenge 5k directly in the face. An army of volunteers, makes this great (and growing) event happen. Can you help? Contact Chair Andre Weltman with a click below and they will put you to work!

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 festival).

Picture of the Week

This shot from the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail group Facebook page made me laugh even as it filled me with horror.

Yes, snow at the Turnpike Shelters.

May 14.

Thank you, Thomas Crowe. It reminded me of that feeling I had as a little kid when our family would be driving back to Somerset County from wherever we were living and wondering what we would find On The Other Side of the Allegheny Tunnel. It didn't matter what the calendar said, we always figured there would be snow on the ground!

Take Five for Trivia

I had fun looking at the PA Herps website and trying to guess before the species click if it was going to be a statewide species. I guessed right maybe 20% of the time. Found all across Pennsylvania? The Eastern American toad, bullfrog (got that one), green frog, pickerel frog, northern spring peeper (hurray) for a total of five. Poor little wood frog came so close - none in Philadelphia County? Really? Not in Fairmount Park or ...

I think my new favorite is the eastern spadefoot. That is a face to fall in love with.

This week we pay a return visit to "who were these guys," our "how did a park or forest get its name." This one is unique among Pennsylvania's parks and forests because it honors TWO giants of Pennsylvania (nay, national and even world) history. Born 238 years apart, both men had an impact on conservation issues and the daily lives of their fellow citizens and this park that bears their names was originally a CCC Camp (which figures in its present-day name as well).

What is this place?

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

(Sunday is National Take Your Parents to the Playground Day.)

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 (PPFF) is a proud member of Earth Share and 1% for the Planet and is a Gold GuideStar participant.