I am writing this on Thursday morning with the banquet afterglow keeping us all warm here in the office (or maybe it's just that it's a little humid today). No, I am sure it's warm feelings from last evening.

Again, we thank everyone who made the evening special - from our award winners, the sponsors who make it possible for us to provide complimentary tickets to the winners (and much more), and all of the attendees who carried on through a terrible traffic jam on Interstate 83 that made all of our best laid plans for an early start and expeditious program fall to pieces from the beginning. And people were still smiling!

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of Note

At last night's banquet we introduced our first-ever WishBoard (a creative little fundraising idea we got from Fundraiser Chad Barger). The idea is to put your name in a square marked 1-100, each representing the corresponding dollar amount. When all the squares are filled, a project gets a cash infusion of a little over $5,000. This is the perfect vehicle for raising money for the dog-friendly water fountain at dog-friendly Boyd Big Tree Conservation Area.

Between last night and Lappy Hour at Arooga's coming up on June 3 we hope to fill in those 100 squares but you can contribute to the project online as well.

A click to the photo will show you the squares still open. Just go to the Boyd Big Tree campaign and fill in an "other" amount. We'll physically mark you on the board with woofs of gratitude.

One of the great images from last night's banquet was this one of Former state parks directors John Norbeck and Bill Forrey and current occupant of the office John Hallas. We were honored to have these fine gentlemen with us for the evening.

For more great photos, visit our website and click on "Gallery" at the top of the home page.

At Work and Play in the State Parks and Forests

NORTH	SOUTH
Mother's Day Brunch and Hike with the Friends of Lyman Run (deadline to register today); Wildflower Walk at SIZERVILLE STATE PARK.	Perhaps Mom would like to shop for plants? If so, the Friends of Kings Gap have a Spring Plant Sale and Garden Days happening at the Cameron Mansion on Sunday.
EAST	WEST
Is your Mom creative? How about treating her to a Painting from Photography workshop at TYLER STATE PARK? Registration required.	The Constance Ranson Native Plant Sale at OHIOPYLE STATE PARK provides popular pollinators.

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Do you have an organizational bent? The Friends of Little Buffalo are looking for just such an individual to take care of their membership program. Find out what's involved from Chair Mike Weaver at a click of the blue button.

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

Jeff Frazier's Favorite Waterfall (at least right now) - Round Island Run in Sproul State Forest

Take Five for Trivia

No surprise in our selection of readers' favorite waterfall hike - Ricketts Glen seems to be the hands-down winner. My one visit there would seem to bear that out. There are many great resources for waterfall hikes in Pennsylvania - our good friend Jim Cheney of Uncovering Pennsylvania always seems to have a few hints.

Monday being a special day in the herpetological calendar (or at least the pseudo-calendar), let's devote today's trivia to frogs. How many of Pennsylvania 17 species (according to PAHerps) is found in every Pennsylvania county?

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

We don't have a Calveras County here in Pennsylvania but we can still celebrate National Frog Jumping Day on Monday.

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.