Our mission: To inspire stewardship of Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests.


What do we care about Friday the 13th? We couldn't have been luckier with this past week - wasn't it just what summer is really all about? Hot and sunny but not that humid equals PDP, pretty darned perfect. We hope you were able to go out and enjoy it, especially since we are in the middle of National Ice Cream Month. Oh, wait. Sunday is National Ice Cream DAY. Oh, boy!

Just before going to press with this week's issue, buddy Karen shared news that Pennsylvania has its first ever official ice cream trail. You lucky mid- and east-staters can get on the Pursue Your Scoops Ice Cream Trail and check off visits on a printable passport page to enjoy a farm to cone experience.  Oh, boy!

This week's masthead comes from Reader Carol of the view from Mount Davis, the Pennsylvania high point in Forbes State Forest. I told Carol that the racing cyclists of the Mount Davis Challenge won't be stopping up there to enjoy the view next Sunday as they race from Confluence around the high point and back. It's always a fun event here in Confluence; here's hoping for sunny weather on Race Day.



Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator


News of note
Header

We mentioned a few weeks ago that the remote and rustic cabin once belonging to late DCNR forester and conservationist Bob Webber and his wife Dotty would become a part of the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum and indeed on July 7 the cabin was dedicated with hundreds of Webber fans in attendance. Our CCC and other subjects historian John Eastlake shared this photo of some of the crowd, many of whom had been visitors to the cabin when it was still in the wilds of Penn's woods.

This week we welcome a new friends group under the PPFF umbrella. The Friends of Weiser-Roaring Creek Tract. Wait a minute, you say? Isn't there already a Friends of Weiser group? And you would be correct. They are the Friends of Weiser-Haldeman and Greenland Tracts. Big forest, lots of Friends! (Marci notes that May's Drive-In in Ashland near the forest district office in Aristes has a pretty nice selection of ice cream.)


At work and play in the parks and forests

Header

So. Do all of these things and then grab a cone.

North

Saturday evening at Shikellamy is a Nature at Night: Bat Count event. Fingers are crossed for thousands spotted.

South

Saturday is the annual Caledonia Arts and Crafts Fair at Caledonia State Park. I would wager there will be ice cream on site; certainly PPFF Marci and her Joe will be there showcasing his pottery skills in booth #44. Stop and say hello!

East

Spend a little pleasant time walking Lakeshore to Larch Tree at Frances Slocum on Saturday afternoon.

West

Looking to try camping and stand up paddleboarding? Here's your chance to do both on a Family Camping Weekend at Ryerson Station. Hopefully you've registered already but if not act now. You might get lucky!

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

Header

I admit to a soft spot for chipmunks. They are so much more industrious than I. This lovely shot from Phil Andraychak taken at Prince Gallitzin is matched only by one Facebook poster who commented, "Oh, I thought they all lived in my yard." Either that or trying to run across the trail in front of my bicycle.

Take five for trivia

Header

We had a lot of really good guesses on last week's trivia - the significance of "one lone pine" in the creation of a Pennsylvania state park. And while "Little Pine" seemed like a logical answer, in truth the park in question is Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center where Jacob Nolde, a local hosiery baron, spotted one lone pine growing in a meadow in the property he'd recently (early 1900s) acquired and set about planting a forest to rival that of his German homeland. As they say from little acorns (or pine nuts) do bigger dreams grow.

This week, since we're searching for ice cream tell me your favorite ice cream near a state park or forest. I think I started out once upon a time to assemble reader favorites into a little booklet of our own but time got away from me as it too often does. Let's try it again. Karen and I did a little hike at Kings Gap last Sunday afternoon and then dropped by Leo's Homemade Ice Cream on West High Street in Carlisle for a delicious treat. That's less than 15 miles from Kings Gap and less than 20 from Colonel Denning. That's "near," right? Oh, and Country Pines in Mount Jewett near Kinzua Bridge ... well, every time I see the sign for Perry's Ice Cream anywhere Bill will tell you I hit the brakes. Okay. Admit it. What's your vice?

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.

Quasquicentennial happenings
Header

Legacy of the CCC at Poe Valley takes place on Sunday afternoon at Poe Valley State Park. It may not be too late to reserve a space for lunch if you act quickly through the Centre County Historical Society (the event's sponsor) at 814.234.4779. But lunch or none, this will be a fascinating and rewarding experience.

Mark your calendar now for a 125th Anniversary Hike with PPFF Marci and Rob Shaw of the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace on Saturday, July 21.

In closing
Header




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.


This email was sent to pmetzger@paparksandforests.org. If you are having trouble viewing this email, you may also view it online. To opt out of all communications, click here.
Forward email. .
Email Marketing By