Welcome to February, "the shortest coldest month." And if that last doesn't give you pause. Actually, I'm reading that it's actually going to be spring in Pennsylvania early next week so don't listen to that groundhog tomorrow no matter what opinion he renders.

So if you're staying inside to do a little catching up on your social media, here's a time waster for you. I wish I had had the link for Squirrel Appreciation Day on the 21st. 

This week's masthead is another one that left me sans socks. Dave Woten shared to the McConnells Mill State Park Facebook page where it was also noted that the bitter cold may - MAY - do a little bit of damage to the woolly adelgids and other invasive pests. Bless Dave and the other photographers sharing their creativity for getting out there for beautiful pictures. 

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of note

In news to warm the cockles on a bitter cold afternoon, Nick Salkeld of Stick City Brewing Company in Mars surprised us with the message that tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 they'll be tapping a cask of their "best bitter" beer and donating a portion of the proceeds to PPFF through their partnership with 1% for the Planet. As a lifelong lover of all things English, I hate to admit that the "bitters" concept is more than a bit (er um) foreign. But I gather that they are essentially pale ales with a rating scale depending on color and alcohol by volume (ABV). A "best bitter" like Stick City's "Itchen" in question is somewhere in the middle of color, hoppiness, and ABV. Thus having exhausted my limited knowledge, I encourage you to instead try this out and report back. Nick has indicated they'll have to do a small event this summer and "invite us up." Sounds like a plan!

And speaking of plans, the planned release of the study on the scope of the parks and forests maintenance needs went off at the Capitol on Monday without a hitch. We'd like to thank PPFF Board members Tina (pictured here in her able capacity as event emcee) and Maria for lending their voices, as well as Katie Hess of the South Mountain Partnership, Richard Lewis of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, John Kline from the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen & Conservationists, and Andre Weltman of the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace. Marci relates that as luck would have it delivery of our report to the individual legislators coincided with the delivery of copies of Dr. Seuss's "The Lorax" by a passel of youngsters. A one-two punch of voices for the outdoors!

Please visit our website and click Preserving the Legacy on the homepage to sign up to join this important conversation about conservation.

Mid State Jenn wanted me to clarify from our Picture of the Week that the Mid State Trail Association is not celebrating its 50th anniversary this year BUT in fact the MSTA is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first clearing of trail for the Mid State. And Pete took a little bit of exception to my assertion that the ENTIRE trail is rock. I had to admit that it only felt that way in my limited exposure to the central PA portion. I have promised to take part in a Trail of the Year event so they can prove me wrong. I'll keep you posted!

At work and play in the parks and forests

Yes, warm weather is coming but it's going to be a cold start to the weekend so keep in touch with your favorite park to make sure these or other programs are not being shifted a bit. 

North

Pack a lunch and bundle up for a six-mile Erie Bluffs Trek at largely undeveloped ERIE BLUFFS STATE PARK on Saturday. It's a lovely spot so take advantage of this (by registration) rare opportunity to learn a bit more about it.

South

A family friendly (and recurring) Winter Walk is on the schedule for GIFFORD PINCHOT STATE PARK Saturday afternoons all month.

East

They'll be WinterFesting at NESCOPECK STATE PARK on Saturday afternoon so check out the dog sleds, snowshoes and hot chocolate. 

West

And speaking of Winterfests, the Friends of Ohiopyle's annual get together at Sugarloaf at OHIOPYLE STATE PARK is ON for Saturday. This is a don't miss!

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

Oh, my goodness. Last week's Forest Friday's from the Bureau of Forestry offered a two-fer of frozen frogs. The story is amazing; the pictures are too!

Take five for trivia

Round of applause to those readers who have been following the saga of the legislation to name the Eastern Hellbender our official state amphibian and clean water ambassador. (The hellbender can only live in clean, shallow water so it's a great barometer of the health of its stream home.) The competing amphibian, the Wehrle's salamander, is also a worthy creature and is named for Indiana (PA) native R.W. Wehrle. However, the hellbender is the more endangered and, well, if one of your nicknames happens to be "snot otter" I think you might need all the positive spin you can get.

Congratulations to Montoursville Nathan and his nature-loving daughter for being chosen our winner(s) for January. 

This week, there's really nothing like a wildflower to get us thinking about spring. Strange as it may seem, according to DCNR, there is a particular species of (what I always thought of frankly as a purely "hothouse" kind of plant) that has evolved to be winter-loving. (Which I guess goes to show that all of us can adapt!) What is this surprising flower?

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

Sorry. I just couldn't resist. Thank you, Phil Connors.

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 is a Gold GuideStar Participant.