This week's masthead pretty much sums up October, doesn't it? What a marvelous job by photographer Lisa Briand capturing the scene at Ridley Creek State Park. It just gave me a good feeling the minute I saw it and I'm happy it won Critics' Choice in the Nature's Colors category. Such is the power of art - a painting, a picture, a piece of music. They bring you up short and make you wistful as the youngster in Lisa's photograph.

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of note

Don't forget Thursday night at the Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works in Middletown. I happen to know that one of the door prizes is going to be a to-die-for chocolate cake on a vintage cake plate. Do gin and chocolate cake go together?

The first pour of TFB's special gin from Pennsylvania juniper berries will be auctioned at the event, with proceeds of the sale of the gin from whatever outlet coming to PPFF. Come on out from 5:00 until 7:00 and bring your coupon for a 20% donation of your bill to be directed to the Foundation.

The finishing touches are being placed on our Fall newsletter, Penn's Stewards - the last print newsletter of the year already - featuring scenic drives in Pennsylvania's public lands. Along with the suggestions we make, DCNR announced this week that additional miles of state forest roads, usually closed to motor vehicle traffic, will be open this fall for hunting season and other outdoor activities. Check out the interactive map on DCNR's website.

At work and play in the parks and forests

Festivals in the Spotlight

Such is October. The festivals come fast and furious now, so check out the regional listings for your Fest of Choice.

North

Sizerville State Park's 27th annual Autumn Festival happens tomorrow. Sunday at McCall's Dam State Park find out more about the practice of Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku. Visit the PPFF website for a fact sheet about this fascinating practice.

South

Speaking of long-running festivals, tomorrow is the Little Buffalo Festival (at Little Buff State Park) from noon until dusk. Sunday is for the birds at Codorus State Park - Passenger Pigeons and Bald Eagles.

East

Take a little time on Saturday to join the Friends of Ridley Creek for their regular First Saturday Trail Day, then come out to Frances Slocum State Park on Sunday for the Heritage Day and Fall Festival. You know the drill - music, food, and fun! And the Friends of White Clay Creek invite you to Art in the Preserve tomorrow.

West

I don't know how we managed to miss a Festival Weekend out here in the West (perhaps no one wanted to compete with Confluence's annual PumpkinFest) but Jennings Environmental Education Center IS a part of the Butler County Farm Tour, teaching all of us where our food comes from. Jennings will teach Backyard Maple Syruping as their part of the presentation. The tour goes on Saturday and Sunday.

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

This photo is actually a little late - and something I would never have expected to see. A tagged monarch from Parker Dam State Park. And I thought tagging hummingbirds was an amazement! (Click to the original.)

Take five for trivia

September was oh, so very long ago. Do you remember we asked what you should NEVER do to a snapping turtle? Kiss one was definitely a popular answer and I certainly could not argue with that. The answer I was seeking, however, was pick it up by the tail. This is true of all turtles. In the snapper's case, though, not only do you risk dislocating the animal's vertebrae but it could simply whip around and bite the hand that's trying to help it.

How far do monarchs migrate to their winter home?

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.

Photo by Gloria Benfer | Ravensburg State Park
Nature's Colors | 2017 Parks and Forests Through the Seasons

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.

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