The masthead photo is my salute to our friends in the world of geology. It was shared by the Friends of Ohiopyle and is quite a nice shot from the recent work day on Meadow Run Trail (where the natural water slides are, if you've been to the park). Its significance, however, goes beyond those wonderful volunteer efforts as it is with a heavy heart that I learned last week that one of two of my favorite DCNR bureau names will be changing from the Bureau of Topographic & Geologic Survey to just the Bureau of Geological Survey. Join with me, fellow baby boomers, in marking the passing of TopoGeo, our "little Italian mouse" of a bureau.

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of Note

Big thanks to all the good people who took advantage of the Amazon Smiles program during 2018 - PPFF netted $135 from your shopping last year in this painless way of sending a small donation our way with each Amazon purchase. Visit https://smile.amazon.com and choose "Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation" as your charity of choice. It doesn't add anything to your cost and, well, every little bit helps!

Silent auction donations are beginning to be received in the office, including this beautiful turned bowl by Jim Finley of Port Matilda. Our awards are also actually turned bowls by Bob Gochnauer of Lancaster so it's nice to also be able to offer a work of this kind of art through the silent auction.

All proceeds of the auction are used to remove barriers to accessing the state parks and forests - things like skis, kayaks, a beach wheelchair, and bikes have all been put into service thanks to generous donations to the auction and frenzied bidding on the night of. If you have something you'd like to contribute, please let us know. As noted above, every little bit helps.

At Work and Play in the State Parks and Forests

Input needed! A reader last week asked about the calendar listings here and noted that focusing on the things coming up on the weekend immediately ahead of Fridays means that planning is difficult. I responded that it's always hard to decide which audience to focus on - the planners or the spontaneous outdoor enthusiast.

I do include the links to both our calendar and DCNR's in hopes that you'll bookmark them and keep an eye on what might be coming up a little farther out but what do you think? Take my little Doodle poll and let me know. For this week, we'll focus still on This Week!

NORTH	SOUTH
How well do you know white-tailed deer? Learn a little and paint one of your own at BLACK MOSHANNON STATE PARK tomorrow morning.	Another chance to explore in FORBES STATE FOREST tomorrow morning includes a brisk walk on Laurel Mountain for tree identification. Then tea!

EAST	WEST
Get ready for boating season with a Basic Boating Course at NESCOPECK STATE PARK. Registration required.	Get your maple sugar fix beginning now at LAUREL HILL STATE PARK. Camp's open!

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY WITH A PPFF CHAPTER

The Friends of Beltzville are looking for fundraising assistance perhaps to form or serve on a committee for that purpose. Friends Chair Diane says they are looking for "doers." Get in touch with a click to the button.

Whatever region of the Commonwealth you want to visit or where you might wish to volunteer, our PPFF Events Calendar or the DCNR Calendar of Events are great sources for things to see and do. Bookmark them so you don't miss a thing.

Picture of the Week

I found another wonderful video this week that is, although not taken in a Pennsylvania state park or forest, absolutely mesmerizing. Click to breathe deep and watch a bubble freeze at sunrise.

Take Five for Trivia

Aw, you're all so sweet, with your answers to this week's question - although we definitely have a difference of opinion! My source said "sugar, black, and red" are the predominantly used varieties of tappables for syrup but others assert that it's sugar, SILVER, and red. So we'll accept any combo of those four. Regular reader Mary Ann says she's had birch syrup in Alaska which might be interesting.

And, oh goodness, the things you learn as you search for interesting trivia. Who has heard of or tried the maple syrup master cleanse? Ten days of nearly nothing but a mixture of lemon water, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper? I guess if it's good enough for Beyonce it should be good enough for me but ... someone online mentioned irritability and low energy. I should say so!

So let's stick to things a little more substantial for this week's question. Substantial like the rocks on which we lumber - or at the very least the geology that includes the rocks (and the lumber). TopoGeo created a story map for the DCNR website showcasing 30 outstanding geologic features of the Commonwealth. How many of those outstanding features are contained within a state park?

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

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.