Good morning from Wakulla County, FL where "mi casa es su casa." Just be sure to make a reservation first!

This is a truncated Fridays to close the year. My plan is to resume in 2020 with a fresh look, acceding to reader wishes for "more pictures!" Message received! Feel free to submit yours as I do love to share stories of outdoor joy.

This one in the masthead was submitted by friend Larry Laird on Christmas Eve from Staley Road in Michaux State Forest. I don't know whether it was taken on Christmas Eve but it's a holiday shot for sure. Check out the original on our Exploring PA Parks and Forests Facebook page, where you are always welcome to share photos and stories.

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of Note

Just a quick reminder that if you are inclined to make a financial contribution to PPFF before the year runs out on charitable deduction opportunities for 2019, we are grateful for every single gift. You ARE the best!

A while back an order came in for a Pennsylvania State Parks & Forests Passport and there was something about the email address that piqued my curiosity. "ardorandforge.com" was the domain. Turns out Zack Radovan, owner of the domain and the business that it represents, has crafted a series of watches inspired by his love of the Rothrock State Forest. Zack is also a firm believer in giving back to the places that spark all that creativity. Check it out!

At Work and Play in the State Parks and Forests

Find your perfect New Year's Day (and maybe a New Year's EVE or two outing as well): http://bit.ly/383giR7

Picture of the Week

Speaking of stories, here's a picture of lovely little Fox, who lives with his Human Art in Hershey, taking a well-deserved rest. Fox set a goal of visiting 20 new Pennsylvania parks in 2019 and he made it - with a week left in the year! What amazing adventures will you and your favorite traveling buddy have in 2020?

Take Five for Trivia

First, a point of clarification comes to us from Reader Bob who had a bone to pick about the McConnells Mill question from two weeks ago. He advises that a "rolling" mill is used to work metal while a "roller" mill is what's used to process grains. So, color me educated! (And I have passed this distinction on to DCNR so that the History section of the park's website can be changed as well. Way to go, Bob!)

Nearly three dozen (35) birds can commonly be found at your backyard feeders each winter in Pennsylvania. How many do you see? The data is still being calculated for this year's Christmas Bird Count but the preliminary number on Audubon's webpage is 2,114,387 individual birds counted!

To wrap up 2019, in what year was the Delaware Canal completed?

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

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.