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


It was frosty coming over the mountains through western Maryland yesterday on my way home from Camp Hill. It would have made a nice picture if I wasn't just too anxious to get home to stop and click the camera. You know winter officially arrives tomorrow night at nearly midnight here on the east coast so be ready to dance in the snow (never mind that the forecast here in tropical Confluence is for 47 degrees tomorrow and 50 on Sunday.

That's okay as I will be packing the van tomorrow and heading south Sunday for Bill's and my annual snowbird migration, landing in lovely Panacea on Christmas Eve. Everyone at PPFF sends warmest wishes for a terrific holiday and we will pick up again next Friday from the sunny shores of Ochlockonee Bay.

In the meantime, enjoy a frosty moment from Prince Gallitzin State Park posted by the Friends on December 16 by photographer B. Kirsch. I can't seem to resist these "trees reflected in water" shots - in any season. Am I wrong?Check out the original.



Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of Note

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It may be cold right now, but our thoughts are on paddling and the beginning of TWO new ADA boat launch projects! Our goal of placing an accessible canoe/kayak launch at Gifford Pinchot State Park took a leap forward with a generous grant from the Memorial Health Fund, affiliated with York County Community Foundation. Add your support to the project at bit.ly/PinchotADADock.



A similar project is underway at Frances Slocum State Park thanks to a boost from the Overlook Estate Foundation, so if FraSlo is your perfect place you can get on board at bit.ly/FrancesSlocumADADock.


At Work and Play in the State Parks and Forests

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Take a break from shopping (please) with a little outdoor fun this weekend with a salute to the Winter Solstice.

NORTH SOUTH
Welcome the first day of winter with two Saturday hikes at BALD EAGLE STATE PARK, including Walk into Winter at 2:00 PM. The Little Buffalo Christmas Trail brought to you by the Friends of Little Buffalo in on this weekend, evenings from 6:00 until 9:00 (including tonight and Monday)




EAST
WEST
Tomorrow morning enjoy a Solstice Celebration Little Tyke Hike (and other fun stuff) at NOLDE FOREST ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER. The western parks and forests invite you to celebrate the solstice with a little independent activity. Click the link to see which parks make up the West and find one close to home.



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 festival).



Picture of the Week

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Winter has definitely arrived along the Susquehannock Trail in Clinton and Potter Counties as evidenced by this great shot by Curt Weinhold. Winter recreation at its best! (Click it to the original.) Did you know that thanks to donors and bidders in our annual banquet silent auction, cross country skis are available to borrow from the Susquehannock State Forest? Enjoy!



Take Five for Trivia

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Definitive answer to last week's trivia question on what kind of mill is McConnell's Mill? Well, EITHER a "rolling" mill (said to be among the first of this type in the country) or a "gristmill" would have been acceptable. Extra points awarded a few savvy readers who also answered the age old additional question of "how much wood could a woodchuck chuck;" for example:

"New York state wildlife expert Richard Thomas found that a woodchuck could (and does) chuck around 35 cubic feet of dirt in the course of digging a burrow. Thomas reasoned that if a woodchuck could chuck wood, he would chuck an amount equivalent to the weight of the dirt, or 700 pounds." Thanks, Timothy of New Columbia for that comprehensive explanation!

This week is for the birds (as it often is): DCNR's infographic featured below on keeping your feathered backyard friends healthy over the winter includes in its accompanying post from the Book of Faces that this number of bird species are generally found at PA feeders in the winter? How many is that?

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

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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.


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