We were rewarded with another beautiful week of low humidity and warm summer sunshine. "They" say it's probably coming to an end in this upcoming week but we'll take it while we can. The Middle Yough, that part of the Youghiogheny River between Confluence and Ohiopyle, was packed with boaters on Sunday when Bill and I headed out for a ride. An hour later we were at least as wet as the boaters when the rain hit. Bill said, "Lesson learned. When it starts to thunder, turn around."

This week's masthead comes to us from Cathie J. and the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace Facebook page. Laurel Lake after a rainstorm. Nice! Check it out on Saturday when there will not, I hope, be any rainstorms for the 125th Anniversary hike. (See Quasquicentennial Happenings below.)

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of note

We can always use a little good news - and I'm happy to report on check-in today with the purple martin nest cam, the three little eggs who hatched right on schedule on July 1st are now up and around and looking MUCH more like martins than they did as little alien creatures at hatching. According to the timeline on the YouTube comments, the little ones have been banded already and their nest cleaned a few times.

Are you a disc golfer - or a wannabe disc golfer? The Friends of Canoe Creek invite you to their fifth annual Canoe Creek Classic disc golf tournament next Sunday morning. With categories for newbies and experts alike (and on-site players who can show you the ropes), this is a great way to find a new sport and support an active and friendly group.

Marci paid an enjoyable visit this week to the Friends of Varden Conservation Area (busily planning for their annual Varden Conservation Day on Saturday, September 8) and the new Lackawanna State Park Trail Care Crew (busily planning all manner of trail updates at the park). The visit to Lackawanna was made even more enjoyable by the presence of a creative park concessionaire with a dazzling yummy menu. We always love when a concessionaire thinks outside the hot dog bun!

Applications are coming in for the Wilderness Wheels transportation scholarship program (available on a pilot program basis to central Pennsylvania schools/community groups/senior organizations); here's your reminder that if you fit into one of those categories (or think you might) you should check out the website for additional information. Are you a PPFF member living in central Pennsylvania? We'd love to have a member join the application review committee. Contact Marci if you would like to participate.

At work and play in the parks and forests

Relax. Take it easy!

North

Mellow is the order of the day on a summer Saturday; Morning Mellow Hike fills the bill at Sizerville tomorrow morning at 10:00.

South

There's hardly anything more relaxing than a Wildflower Walk. Take one at Codorus tomorrow morning at 9:00.

East

Relaxing? Family Yoga at Nolde Forest Environmental Education gives the young ones a way to stretch minds and limbs, tomorrow morning at 10:00.

West

Catching crayfish is a summer ritual. And even if you don't catch a single one, standing in a stream is a pretty cool way to spend a summer Sunday. So let's all do a Kids Crayfish Catch at Oil Creek this week. 

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

Many thanks to the youth group at South Mountain Bible Church who headed out with Amanda and intern Casey on Monday (a VERY hot day) to do a graffiti removal bust at Buzzard Rocks in the Michaux State Forest. Just stop it, people; stop it with the paint already. #nograffiti

Take five for trivia

We did receive a lot of good suggestions for ice cream places (and a few pizza, too) located near a state park or forest. I really do need to compile these into a little booklet. Hmmm. Maybe soon!

For this week's question, a little reading on Varden Conservation Area reveals that the land was a gift to the Commonwealth by Mead Shaffer and his family. Although marvelously generous and sincerely appreciated, the Shaffers' gift was not the first to result in a Pennsylvania state park. Who made the first gift of land and what did it become? 

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.

Don't forget the 125th Anniversary Hike with PPFF Marci and Rob Shaw of the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace tomorrow morning. Meet near the Fuller Lake snack bar by 10:00 AM. (And if you happen to be in the neighborhood, the Friends will be stacking firewood on Sunday morning at 9:00.)

At Parker Dam State Park on Saturday evening, a showing of Mira Lloyd Dock: A Beautiful Crusade, the documentary on this early and important conservationist caps off the day.

All this talk about relaxing can only mean one thing - Sunday is National Hammock Day! Shhh, there's a nap taking place somewhere.

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.