And so another seven days goes zipping by. We're already starting to schedule things into fall and thinking of year end stuff. I saw my first "back to school" advertisement the other night and, horror to end all horrors, Halloween decorations at the Giant Eagle supermarket in Irwin. It took a good bit of restraint to keep from making the faces the jack o'lantern pots were making.

There are lots of good things happening over on our new Exploring PA Parks and Forests Facebook page, including this gorgeous shot of Spruce Flats Bog at Laurel Summit State Park/Forbes State Forest by Bob Stough. Friend Cathy and I were just there last week when visiting with the PA Outdoor Corps kids at Linn Run State Park down the hill and it was a lovely day. Just NOT quite like this!

There are just some wonderful photographs being shared on the page. I daresay it's worth joining Facebook just to check in there! (Although I think in truth because it's set to "public," anyone can go look.)

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of Note

The first round of legislative tours wrapped up yesterday morning at Moraine - and we are happy to say we had good coverage from local press (like this from the Tribune-Review post Keystone tour), the support of just plain folk who love the parks we visited, and attentive legislators (or staffers) who listened and asked questions.

THAT is the goal of these tours - and we hope you will answer the call when we take on the next group. The schedule below is tentative (and lacking in complete detail) but you can begin to think in terms of being there to voice your support and keep an eye on the PPFF Calendar of Events for details as they are established.

Isn't technology wonderful (Part 2)? I had an email this week from Reader Kathy asking how she might submit photos from park visits and it occurred to me that others might wish to do the same. Of course, you should consider entering your gems in the annual photo contest (which is going to wrap up in a very few weeks - HARD to believe) but if you'd like to just share I've set up a shared Google photos folder you can upload to. Do that at https://photos.app.goo.gl/63zYMF2QnCU9JeWx7. Be sure to identify the place the photo was taken and your name so I can always give credit where due.

At Work and Play in the State Parks and Forests

It's Smokey Bear's birthday and there are celebrations galore! Visit the DCNR Calendar of Events and search for "Smokey." You'll find them!

And you'll get to meet the birthday boy - just like Amanda did.

Looking good!

NORTH	SOUTH
The Friends of Parker Dam invite you to Family Fun Day tomorrow afternoon. Smokey's birthday is only a part of all the good times to be had from noon until 7:00.	Combine the Friday Smokey parties on Friday at Cowans Gap, Gifford Pinchot, Greenwood Furnace, Kings Gap, and Prince Gallitzin with a Hike with a Ranger at BLUE KNOB STATE PARK on Saturday. It's a great way to thank Ranger Emily for all her hard work!
EAST	WEST
Bears of the World is the subject of a RIDLEY CREEK STATE PARK presentation on Friday Then relax with a little Yoga at RICKETTS GLEN STATE PARK or WORLDS END STATE PARK on Saturday morning. (The Ricketts Glen class will be followed by a Wellness Walk.)	A good way to thank Smokey Bear for his 75 years of service is to join in a service project of your own. The Laurel Mountain Volunteers of FORBES STATE FOREST will be on the job on Saturday morning near Hidden Valley Ski Resort.

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

The Friends of Lyman Run are interested in beginning serious fundraising efforts in support of the placement of a playground in the campground. If you have creative ideas on ways to get out this message (and lots of contacts to share the word), FOLR would love to hear from you. Contact Maxine Harrison.

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

Moth Night at Raccoon Creek State Park this week yielded 63 species - and six NEW at the park. Each one is beautiful but when it came time to choose a specimen for our photograph the choice was easy. This is Kent's Geometer (Selenia kentaria), chosen in honor of dear friend Kent Edwards, whose recent and all too soon passing has left a hole in many hearts here in Confluence (and in Pittsburgh, too). A talented architect with a taste for clean lines, I am afraid human Kent might have raised his eyebrow at the ruffles and flourishes exhibited by this little critter.

Take Five for Trivia

A big thank you to those who checked out the new "My DCNR Ranger" booklet. It's not going anywhere but will be found on our website until we no longer have a website. From it you learned the many things rangers do - from giving directions to helping with skinned knees and hurt feelings, constantly patrolling to make sure everything is Jim dandy, and putting a public face on the work of the parks. They have our thanks (even the one who made me move my tent many years ago to minimize soil compaction).

So today is a really big day in the world of trees because it's You Know Who's 75th birthday. So a little Smokey trivia, if you will. A depressing fact shared by Smokey is ... what percentage of 2018 wildfires were caused by humans? 

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

(Click the photo to see the original.)

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.