Well, it's just really hard to even say anything about yesterday. Let's just call it a "mixed bag," shall we?

We all had to give a little extra when it came to mustering much enthusiasm for getting out of bed and today is the day to give a little extra extra for the ExtraGive which is now in full swing! Check our ExtraGive page to see how we're doing in our quest to raise $10,000 in this one day. Maybe it will be your contribution that takes us over the top!

Amanda was kind enough to pull the name of our Anonymous Photographer from last week's masthead out of our photo contest entries. Thanks to Emily Brioch for her hiking boots photo taken at Ricketts Glen State Park.

This week I decided to use Crystal Hunt's first place winner in the "Built Environment" category because Amanda and I agreed that we would much rather have feet of snow than ice and freezing rain. So if you happened to have been in a part of the state where you woke up looking at something like this, congratulations!

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of note

It was a busy week!

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The Wilderness Wheels scholarship fund gave students from Harrisburg Inspiring Connections Outdoors the transportation they needed to get to Pine Grove Furnace for a weekend camping program. They supplemented language arts and science classes with outdoor recreation, including map and compass reading, outdoor cooking, and the joy of pumpkin carving.

Another new playground came online this week thanks to the efforts of the Friends and staff of Black Moshannon State Park. It was a chilly and overcast day for a ribbon-cutting but it's great to know there's a new playground waiting for those sunny days ahead!

The Friends of Pine Grove Furnace commemorated Armistice Day on Sunday with a ringing of the bell in the small community church near the park.

At work and play in the parks and forests

In spite of the chaos that was Thursday and part of Friday, the weekend looks delightful in most parts of the Commonwealth. It probably wouldn't hurt to check with your park or forest to make sure they aren't dealing with the aftermath, however.

North

You're invited to Take a Hike at Little Pine - actually, you're invited to take two. A short hike suitable for the younger set steps off at 11:00 AM; a longer, more challenging one not suitable for little ones goes at 1:30 PM. 

South

The frosty Leonids meteor shower peaks this weekend so with clear skies there will be Meteor Madness at the (Cowans Gap) Beach on Saturday night; while you're at the park, stay around for a Thanksgiving Campfire Cooking demo on Sunday. This will be a treat!

East

A five-mile Guided Nature Hike at Ridley Creek State Park will be a great way to spend a Saturday morning. 

West

They'll be on the lookout for meteors at Raccoon Creek State Park tomorrow evening as well. However, registration is required by 2:00 today.

No matter what region of the commonwealth you want to visit, our website Events and the DCNR Calendar of Events are great sources for things to see and do. Bookmark them!

Picture of the week

While we're out at Black Moshannon, let's take a look at the lake on a frosty morning earlier this week, courtesy of the park's Facebook page.

Take five for trivia

Congratulations to those who knew (guessed?) that the picture is of Samuel L. Lewis, who in addition to serving in state government was president of the York Fair during WWII. While most fairs and the Farm Show closed during those years, Lewis kept the York Fair open and operating. It was a controversial decision but was not without precedent; the decision was repeated following the terrorist attacks of September 11th as well with the fair being cited as a showcase for American values.

With one successful Wilderness Wheels excursion funded, we thought it appropriate to include the program as part of our ExtraGive 2018 projects. What level of donation to today's big event will fund a student's transportation and educational experience?

All correct answers each week go into the hiking boot for a random drawing at the end of the month for something from the PPFF Prize Closet - be it a bandana, a book, or some other special goodie. Send your answer to my email address and we'll take it from there. One entry per person per week!

Save the Date - Have Some Fun - Give A Bit Extra

{The weather has played havoc with today's schedule. Our apologies! Please stay tuned to the Facebook page and our calendar of events to learn the fate of "Milkshakes" and "Sunset")

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 is a proud member of EarthShare and 1% for the Planet and is a Gold GuideStar Participant.