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FOR TWENTY YEARS
Our Mission: Inspire Stewardship of Pennsylvania's State Parks and Forests

Little Chapel by the Falls - Hickory Run State Park
Photo by Fotography by Felicia

Happy Friday the 13th all you triskaidekaphobics and -philes (if any there be).

Not unlucky in the least is the masthead photo, posted by Fotography by Felicia in the Exploring PA Parks & Forests Book of Faces this week. You'll definitely want to give that one a click for a closer look. I think we'd all like to just walk right into that scene. And it makes a lovely jigsaw puzzle.

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator
Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation

News of Note

We are getting our ducks lined up once again for the big ExtraGive on November 20th. Prize giveaways will be associated with a livestream on our Facebook page and YouTube channel. We can't host an outdoor event this year, but we can have some fun anyway. Tune in, donate, win a prize, have some fun.

Heaven knows the COVID-19 pandemic is anything but amusing. However, given that masks now seem to be a rational fact of life, we might as well find some amusement with them, right? The PPFF store has come to the rescue with seven new masks to choose from. Available in limited (in some cases VERY limited) quantities, get yours now. Go the PPFF store with a click to the pic.

Just a reminder that the next three Sundays are open to hunting and that hunting is permissible in many state parks.

In addition, white-tailed deer season will open on Saturday, November 28, the Satuarday after Thanksgiving. This is the second consecutive year that the season will start on Saturday. Please wear orange - hunters are required to wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on shoulders, front, and back. Not a bad idea for you to do the same. In fact, if you venture onto Game Lands for recreation and are found not be wearing this required amount of orange you may be fined.

For our hunter friends, remember that purple painted posts means no hunting.

Pictures of the Week

Photographer Robin LaCicero captured this red-tailed hawk and its kestrel companion when she had the eerie feeling she was being watched. Posted to the PA Wildlife & Outdoors Facebook page, she notes it was taken in Clarks Summit, which we'll call Pinchot State Forest for our purposes! This was my first visit to that FB page and it's a wonderful place to spend some time.

Another new to me Facebook page is Pennsylvania Wildlife Photography where this gorgeous critter of Cook Forest State Park was posted courtesy of Steph Beichner. I was almost cruel enough to make this one this week's jigsaw but I took a deep breath and changed my mind. You can thank me with a click to the original.

Submitted by longtime PPFF member and friend Kathy Gates, this shot from the Shikellamy State Park Overlook was captured by husband Jim as they were out and about this week. We're always grateful for reader submissions - and clear blue skies! Kathy admonishes me to be kind to the many cold weather fans. Point well taken. As our Norwegian friends are wont to say, "There is no bad weather, only bad clothing."

And speaking of good PPFF members and friends, Doug Holscher sent in a little bundle of goodies from his visit to his favorite place, Cowans Gap State Park. It was tough to decide which one to include here but in the end this was my pick - it is really difficult to say that this isn't an alpine lake high among some craggy western peaks where lots of good clothing would be definitely be warranted!

At Work and Play in the Parks and Forests

Getting quieter on the calendar now and it's time to start thinking about the winter months to come. Of course, you'll still get out and play. Have you always wanted to try cross-country skiing but don't have the first clue?

Tune into our Lunch & Learn next Wednesday, November 18th with PPFF Sarah and Joe Triebesch of REI and get yourself some tips.

REGION	PLACE	DATE	TIME	EVENT
North	Sinnemahoning State Park	11/14/2020	1:00 PM	Wildlife Camera Trapping Series (Fishers)
South	Pine Grove Furnace State Park	11/14/2020	10:00 AM	Volunteer Day at the New Bridge
East	Ridley Creek State Park	11/14/2020	9:00 AM	Guided Nature Hike
West	Pymatuning State Park	11/14/2020	11:00 AM	Volunteer Tree Planting

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).

Take Five for Trivia

We are glad that so many of you know so many of the benefits of play and we certainly hope you are indulging in it as frequently as possible. For children and all of us, play provides the means for learning social skills and cooperation, promotes creativity, gets us fresh air and exercise, improves brain function, reduces stress, fosters a love of the outdoors ... well, you get the idea. It's important!

Thanks to Reader Ingrid for sharing another email she received on just this subject. In 2011, a Colorado couple, Aaron Wiggans and Rhonda Abeyta, came up with the idea to make the first Saturday of EVERY month National Play Outside Day. No agenda. No scheduled events. No obligation. Just a great habit to get into.

And quite often the opportunity make volunteering a part of that play. I know of at least two of our Friends groups (Friends of Ohiopyle and Friends of Ridley Creek) who have long established the first Saturday of the month as their regular volunteer day. Obviously that schedule's been a little shaky at the moment but hope lingers!

Check out this week's "In Closing" for additional inspiration.

My trivial work was done for me this week when I read the Morning Brew daily email on Wednesday. The current human population is 7.8 billion. If you had to estimate, how many trees are there worldwide?

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. Click it to see it bigger.

In Closing

SUPPORT PPFF

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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