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FOR TWENTY YEARS
Our Mission: Inspire Stewardship of Pennsylvania's State Parks and Forests
Anyone Hungry?
Fran Bires - Goddard State Park
Thunderstorms and high humidity go together like the ice cream and lakes we talked about last week! So the theme for this week is boomers. I gave in and put the A/C unit into my office window, and my morning walk all but disappeared. Call me a wimp; I'll cop to it. But I am missing them and am grateful for tomorrow's predicted high of 80 here in the Valley of the Foot of the Turkey. 

Friends of Goddard's Fran Bires sent me this great shot from a visit to the park this week where a little snack was being delivered to the nest. Not nearly as dramatic were the baby house finches being fed in the decorative eagle above my garage door. 

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator
Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation
 

News of Note

Congratulations to ALL of us - the Great American Outdoors Act was passed on Wednesday by the US House of Representatives by a vote of 310 to 107. Fantastic news; bipartisan agreement on dedicated funding of public lands IS possible. 

With all of us busily cleaning out closets and reorganizing basements during our pandemic quarantines, the "neighborhood" selling website, NextDoor, is seeing a growth in participation. They've now added a sister app called "Sell for Good" that allows you to add a charitable donation of some of the proceeds of your sale to your favorite nonprofit.

Which is, OF COURSE, Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, right? 

A reminder that PPFF Sarah is leading a graffiti clean-up at Gifford Pinchot State Park on Tuesday. Find out more at the event link. Email Sarah if you'd like to participate or need even more info.

This week's safety tip video from PPFF Marci? Campfires! Marci's a champion fire-builder so you'd be well-advised to pay her heed on this one. 

She's thinking the next one will be on setting up camp. What has been the biggest mistake you've made in setting up your own? Do you have a question about a particular aspect that she could include? Email heretohelp@paparksandforests.org and let her know!

Pictures of the Week

Hurray for the return of #TrailTuesdays on the DCNR (State Forest trails) and PA State Parks (State Parks obviously) Facebook pages. Let's play catch up!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pictures of the Week, Part 2

With the Comet Neowise making itself seen most brightly this week, some of our lucky readers have found great views in the skies over Pennsylvania. The views will diminish now so those of us who were skunked in our attempts to even see it will get even less lucky. But isn't it wonderful to have these scenes to look back on in years to come? 
Fran Bires' night at Goddard State Park for comet watching was a lucky one. He didn't realize he'd caught a meteor in the shot as well!
Here's Curt Weinhold's look from a "Potter County hilltop." He has several others on his page. Gorgeous all!
Brad Kirsch got some lovely shots from Prince Gallitzin State Park. Here's just one. 
With this shot by Dustin McGrew from Moraine State Park comes a story. And it's a mind-blower. 

At Work and Play in the Parks and Forests

As noted previously, events (involving fewer than 25 people) are returning. 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.
REGION PLACE DATE TIME EVENT
North S.B. Eliott State Park 7/25/2020 2:00 PM  Tour the Pennsylvania House
South Cowans Gap State Park 7/25/2020 7:30 PM Campfire Tales: Samuel's (Cowan) Favorites
East Ricketts Glen State Park 7/25/2020 2:00 PM Discover Ricketts Hike
West Prince Gallitzin State Park 7/25/2020 6:00 PM Music at Muskrat Beach

A Look Ahead to Upcoming Events

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).

HELP US KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
SUPPORT PPFF THIS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH

Take Five for Trivia

Last week's question was pretty straightforward. Bicycle helmets are required in Pennsylvania for children under the age of 12. Because, as Bill always says, "The alphabet is a lot harder to learn the second time around."

This week? Is it okay to burn your camp trash in your campfire?

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.

In Closing

This is a lovely shot - and just muted enough to make the perfect FRUSTRATING jigsaw puzzle!

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.
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Copyright © 2020 | Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation | All rights reserved.

Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation
704 Lisburn Road | Suite 102 | Camp Hill, PA 17011 | 717.236.7644

   
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