I truly do NOT know where this week went. I did have a little time on the road but I sit here on Friday morning and for the life of me I cannot remember what I was doing on Monday. I do know that the office is quite chilly this morning - when we put my little sanctuary in the back of our garage I decided not to have heat installed to save money (given that we do the snowbird thing) and usually it's fine. I generally need to move into the house for a week or two before we leave and for a week or two when we get home in April but that migration indoors is probably going to be early this year - and for a little longer period. We are not heading south until the first of the year.

As for fall color, I don't imagine there are going to be too many more scenes like this one by Eric Bridges from Little Buffalo State Park. Leaves and lakes are a pretty amazing combination. Check out the original.

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of Note

We are two weeks away from the annual ExtraGive 24-hour donations blitz sponsored by Lancaster County Community Foundation. It's always a fun day with board members pitching in to place thank you calls nearly immediately to the generous folks who support us during the day. You needn't reside in Lancaster County to donate but your participation does give us a crack at the "stretch pool" provided by the event's sponsors. For example, if we were to bring in 20% of all donations, we would receive 20% of the $500,000 pool. And wouldn't that just be the living end? #ExtraGive

This year we are tickled to pieces to announce that KCI Technologies has generously agreed to match the first $1,000 in contributions we secure through ExtraGive!

If you've been following along with ExtraGive the past few years, you know we always schedule an outing or two in but we (Amanda and Marci) have had their share of uncooperative weather the past couple of years. But they are hardy women and thus are going to try again this year:

• 12:00 to 1:30: Bring a bag lunch and meet Marci and Amanda at the parking lot for Susquehannock State Park's Hawk Point Overlook at noon for a picnic and hike.

• 3:00 to 4:00: Join Marci and Amanda at Samuel S. Lewis State Park to see how your support of PPFF can help make projects happen. At Sam Lewis, PPFF is funding the repurposing of a concession stand into an Environmental Education Classroom. Meet at the parking lot for the Hilltop Pavilion at Sam Lewis State Park.

We added a few new hats this week - two designs of beanies and two of ball caps. Check them out!

At Work and Play in the State Parks and Forests

The calendar is definitely quieter now but events are still taking place.

NORTH	SOUTH
They're getting a leg up on a season of eating at BLACK MOSHANNON STATE PARK tomorrow with an Edible Plants session at 11:00 AM.	Calling all sophisticated ladies (and gents): the FRIENDS OF KINGS GAP host their annual jazz concert at the Mansion tomorrow evening with the Steve Rudolph Trio.
EAST	WEST
Tonight and tomorrow the Baird Ornithological Club presents Winter Birding at NOLDE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER. Birds don't hibernate and neither should you.	The FRIENDS OF OHIOPYLE sponsor a Trail Clean-Up Day tomorrow morning. It will be a great day to get moving!

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

One of the things that makes us so proud of our chapters is that their missions are so diverse: as diverse as the habitats and recreational opportunities that Pennsylvania boasts in abundance. The FRIENDS OF THE STATE LINE SERPENTINE BARRENS were formed to protect a unique habitat and the plants and critters that depend on it. A Public Outreach Coordinator would help them get their important message to a wider audience. This and other specific volunteers needs are outlined on their website. Click to find out more!

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

My call through trivia last week for pictures to illustrate the tension tamers you find in Pennsylvania's outdoors was ably and joyfully answered by Mary Jo Rodgers. This photograph from Ricketts Glen State Park taken in September is just the ticket. I want to hike with these women, don't you?

Take Five for Trivia

Thanks to everyone who contributed a photo to our Readers' Pix Google album. And don't forget that we also host an Exploring PA Parks & Forests Book of Faces for sharing your stories, adventures, and pictures. There are some great things there to inspire you to take a big deep breath and start planning an outing!

This week, we salute November's official "flower," the chrysanthemum. Friends know that I generally make a fuss when the first "hardy mums" signs appear in stores and at roadside stands. For some folks back to school ads always signify the end of summer; to me, it's Hardy Mums. And while they are not native they have been in the US for a long time. How long have they been here and by whom were they brought?

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

Wednesday, November 13th is Young Readers Day. Help create another one!

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.