I'm writing this on Thursday afternoon and a sound that fills me with fear and loathing rings through the neighborhood. It's the sound of chainsaws and our big Norway spruce coming down. It's been in bad shape for a couple of years; Bill said that as long as it stayed green on the side he sees from his window, it would stay. Back from Florida this spring and that green was gone. So down it comes. A sad day. Lots of birds have called it home in the 15 years we've lived here. Sigh.

It's fun to go back searching through the Book of Faces in parks or forests I haven't featured in a while and finding buried treasure. This week's masthead is a shot at Raccoon Creek State Park taken by Andrew Smith last November. Click to view the original stunner.

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of note

Big day next Monday for the Friends of Little Buffalo as we mark another new playground off the list! It's been open for a little while but the official dedication at the Shoaff's Mill area takes place at 3:00 PM and all are invited. This is only the beginning, however, as the Friends have plans to install a playground in both the park's pool area and campground. Let's all climb!

Large and lovely Tioga State Forest grew by another 132 acres recently with the addition of what's being called the Cavanaugh Access Tract along the Pine Creek Rail Trail near Ansonia. The new acreage provides access to the trail and Marsh Creek, where Tiadaghton Audubon Society recently counted 47 species of birds in a one-day count. Check out this really informative article and video from The Home Page Network.

Here's hoping I do not sound like a broken record BUT we are still pounding the pavement for donations to the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Shelters Fund. The mason is starting work on the next shelter area in the next week or two and we'll keep him working for as long as we have money to pay him. Find out more about the project and donate at our website. And please share the link and the story with any folks out there who love long-distance hiking. The LHHT is our in-state AT.

Our friends at REI are having a Sweaty, Dirty, Happy, Giveaway of a four-day, three-night adventure in New Hampshire. Sounds good!

Marci and I will be in Johnstown Monday evening for the opening of the photo gallery showcase at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County. Join us - but let me know so we have a slice of cheese and a cracker for you!

At work and play in the parks and forests

This weekend Bill and I will make another feeble attempt to enjoy an astronomical phenomenon with the annual Perseids meteor shower - never visible from wherever we are. Lots of other folk will be turning eyes skyward - here's some possibilities.

Festivals in the Spotlight

Get those toes tapping all weekend at Music at the Marina sponsored by our favorite FRoGs, the Friends of Goddard. Car cruise, too!

North

Chapman State Park is the place for a Photo Scavenger Hunt.

South

The Friends of Colonel Denning invite all to a volunteer day tomorrow morning. Meet at Pavilion #1 by the day use parking area at 9:00 AM. 

East

The CCC gets the focus at Promised Land's annual CCC and Local History Day on Saturday.

West

Trek Through the Trees at Forbes State Forest's Roaring Run Natural Area.

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

Blue Sky at Yellow Creek by Carla Povich. Click to the Book of Faces for the original. Nice!

Take five for trivia

It's a Baker's Dozen creeks in our state parks and forests. One state forest (Clear Creek) and 12 state parks (Canoe Creek, Clear Creek, French Creek, Hills Creek, Kettle Creek, Marsh Creek, Oil Creek, Raccoon Creek, Ridley Creek, White Clay Creek (yes, we count it!), and Yellow Creek). Ain't that great - we have a PPFF friends group in five of them!

Steven points out that the former Crooked Creek State Park is now managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. And that Goddard State Park WAS to be called Sandy Creek State Park but over Doc's objections it was named in his honor instead. 

And Steven gets credit for this week's trivia in follow-up on Doc Goddard: He famously advocated for a FREE state park within 25 miles of every Pennsylvanian. Of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania, how many are without a state park?

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 is a Gold GuideStar Participant.