This picture pretty much sums up the week. Independence Day was not a jolly holiday in Confluence this year. We are grateful that no one was seriously hurt but the flavor of the town is changed for our lifetimes with the loss of many big beautiful trees - along the Youghiogheny and Casselman Rivers, in the town square, in back yards and alleys. Thank you to the linemen of Penelec who restored power so quickly and to neighbors who came together to help clear streets and side yards of the worst of the debris pending the inevitable and depressing sound of chain saws.

Big thanks also to the maintenance crews of Ohiopyle and Laurel Hill state parks and members of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps who cleared the Great Allegheny Passage between Confluence and Ohiopyle in record time. We had a lot of very frightened and shaken cyclists stuck in town having been on the trail when the storm/microburst blew through.

This week's masthead comes from the new Friends of Rothrock State Forest Facebook page where Chris Kurpiel Wakamiya's shot of the Kishacoquillas Valley is meant to be seen in full view.

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of note

Welcome aboard to new intern Casey Schneck, who'll be with us through the end of the year. Casey will be working on some research projects surrounding the infrastructure needs in our parks and forests, helping to coordinate a volunteer day or two, and doing what interns do.

One of the missions of the new Friends of Rothrock is assisting with the preparation and execution of a large-scale trail and recreation plan for the forest. Steps are underway for the plan to take shape, beginning with a public meeting on Tuesday evening at the Boalsburg Fire Company. Come by and share your ideas!

As noted last week, the Friends of Nockamixon celebrated their new accessible kayak dock with a ribbon cutting last Saturday. You can find a gallery of photos in video form on our Facebook page and a lovely story on the website for local Channel 69 WFMZ-TV. High fives all around!

At work and play in the parks and forests

Park and Recreation Month rolls on - with lots of both. 

North

The Friends of Lyman Run will put the kayaks in the water on Saturday evening for a tour of Lyman Lake. Space is limited; please register - and soon!

South

With a promised change in the temperature and my plan to be in the office in Camp Hill next Monday and Tuesday, Marci and I plan to give the Friends of Kings Gap's weekly Yoga on the Terrace a try this Sunday morning. Join us for a literal breath of fresh air!

East

On Saturday afternoon, staff from L.L. Bean will offer one in a series of Campground Clinics at French Creek State Park, this one sure to warm the cockled of Map Maker Metzger's heart: Map Fundamentals. Turn off that GPS and learn the beauty of reading a map! (The class is preceded by a knot-tying clinic as well.)

West

Laurel Hill State Park's Camp Tree Army is the setting for a talk by author Michael Schultz on his book From the Forest to the Battlefield, relating the fascinating stories of the CCC "boys" who went on to win the Congressional Medal of Honor in World War II. Incidentally, Mike's book is available for sale on our website and at the Laurel Hill Outpost.

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

Trees are much on my mind this week and the Bureau of Forestry's Forest Friday post on the Book of Faces from last Friday morning tells the fascinating story of the white pine, "The Tree That Made a Nation."

Take five for trivia

Last week we asked why the "funny roof" on the picnic pavilion at Mont Alto State Park and, yes, many of you knew (or figured out) that it was because the pavilion was once a carousel for the Iron Company's amusement park. Hmmm. I wonder if anyone, anywhere saved any of the horses. Old carousel horses are positively spectacular.

In any event, congratulations go out to Lewisburg's Tom who is our randomly-drawn prize winner for June.

To begin July, the white pine that "made a nation" can also be said to have "made a state park." Which park got its beginnings from one lone white pine?

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.

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.