Did you miss us? it's been a busy three weeks at PPFF as we hosted state park foundations from across the nation in Central Pennnsylvania. We'd like to thank Aramark for sponsoring our registration break, the Friends of Pine Grove for providing lunch at the Ironmasters Mansion, and to the following businesses for donating food for our Taste of Pennsylvania reception at Kings Gap.

Appalachian Brewing Company
Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses
Brick Kitchen & Bar
Brown’s Orchards & Farm Market
Butcher’s Farm Market
Comfort Suites/1794: The Whiskey Rebellion
Fisher’s Bakery
Karn’s Quality Foods
Market Cross Pub
Oak Grove Farms
Oakshire Mushroom Farm
Philly Pretzel Factory
Ploughman Farm Cider
Straub Brewery
Troeg’s Brewing Company
The Wicked Kitchen

We can attest to the deliciousness of all of the dishes. If you find yourself in the area, consider supporting them with your business.

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

Masthead photo taken by Crystal Hunt, one of our talented frequent contributors and a past photo contest winner, at the recent Pine Grove Furnace Fall Furnace Fest. Visit the Friends of PGF's Book of Faces for the original of these fabulous faces and a lot more!

News of note

Thank you to all who attended the happy hour and gin kickoff at Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works in Middletown. The gin is now available for purchase and makes a great holiday gift! Thank you to Graphics and Design for donating the design of the label.

Marci just finished three days of touting the economic benefits of state parks and forests, as well as community recreation at the annual Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Executives Conference in Clarion.

Did you know that Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the nation in regards to economic impacts? Click here to learn more. Nationally, outdoor recreation has almost TWICE the economic impact than the pharmaceutical industry!

We offer our sincere appreciation to Stackpole-Hall Foundation for awarding PPFF a grant to purchase a kayak fleet for programming at Bendigo and Elk state parks. The order has been placed--stay tuned for pictures!

Come winter, we hope to hear the swishing of skis and the joyous laughter of youth learning a new lifelong skill as part of a new cross country ski initiative supported by your participation in the annual PPFF silent auction. With your support, sets of cross country skis have been purchased for Susquehannock State Forest--can't wait to see the pictures of the skis in use!

At work and play in the parks and forests

Looks like it's going to be a spooky weekend out there!

North

Check out the Haunted Trail at Sinnemahoning tomorrow afternoon. 

South

A particularly busy region this weekend! The second annual Ghoulish Gallop from the Friends of Kings Gap will be fun for the whole family. That's tomorrow afternoon at 3:00. At nearby Pine Grove Furnace, the pups get in the picture with Canines in Costume at 1:30. Then Sunday afternoon, join the Friends of Canoe Creek for Spooky Stories & Ghostly Lights. 

East

Head to Washington Crossing for a Fall Brewfest tomorrow afternoon. Note: online ticket sales ONLY.

West

A unique opportunity to tour the Fort Pitt Museum at Point State Park at night comes with Fort Night on Saturday beginning at 5:30. 

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

No Halloween newsletter would be complete without a ghost story. Check out the terrific fable of the White Lady of Wopsonock Mountain by DCNR's Jeff Woleslagle courtesy of the Pennsylvania State Forests' Book of Faces. 

Take five for trivia

Obviously our last question was long ago and far away - almost as far as the answer to the question itself (How far do monarchs migrate to their winter home?) - as far as 3,000 miles from Canada and the northeastern US to Mexico.

To wrap up October, we'll try something a little different. This week the nation celebrated National Pumpkin Day. .We learned that Pennsylvania produces about $14.6 million worth of pumpkins. Share a photo of your carved pumpkin or pumpkin-based food for a random drawing to win something from the PPFF prize closet. 

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.