Wintertime and the living is freezy! Brrr. But the sap is running and the pancakes are just waiting for that perfect sweet treat topping. Or, yes, waffles. Or salmon.

Oh, my. I'm writing this mightly close to lunch time. Couldn't you tell!

I'm dreaming of waffles and friend Ted is probably out running the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail again, taking another lovely picture like the one above.

Don't forget this Sunday morning the clocks go springing forward for the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. Unfortunately, this means that there will be one less hour on Sunday to celebrate Pennsylvania Charter Day - and the grant of the land that became Pennsylvania to William Penn in 1681 - with free admission to the State Museum of Pennsylvania and various other museum sites across the Commonwealth. Students of history will well note Mr. Penn's directive to settlers of his Woods to leave one acre of forest for every five acres cleared for settlement. Smart guy!

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of note

The Friends of Beltzville are undertaking a big and important project in their park - the restoration of the Buck/Harrity Covered Bridge. The bridge, built in 1841 and moved to its present site in 1970, shows significant signs of deterioration on the supporting beams of the structure. (Coincidentally, bridges in our state parks and forests are the feature story in the latest issue of Penn's Stewards, our thrice-yearly newsletter. Check it out at our website.)

This is one of several focused campaigns now being undertaken by PPFF Chapter friends groups. For example, the Friends of Nockamixon are working toward installation of an accessible boat dock, the Friends of Little Buffalo are working toward a new playground, the Friends of White Clay Creek are working toward restoration of the stone wall that surrounds the historic London Tract Meeting House at the center of their park and, of course, the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace have just completed their huge trail bridge replacement project. Taken together with the extraordinary "every day" projects these great groups have tackled, we're proud to see our chapter folks thinking strategically and dreaming big dreams!

This story from about six weeks ago just filtered its way into my inbox this week - the death of a female bald eagle in Carbon County as a result of her swallowing a portion of a lead bullet. Given that federal restrictions on the use of lead bullets and fishing tackle on national wildlife refuges were lifted earlier this week, the characterization of the bird's death as a "teaching moment" by one of the naturalists who tried to save her are especially poignant. Yes, hook and bullet aficionados, you have a choice in the purchase of your equipment. Please consider exercising that choice responsibly.

And in a further effront from the bad news front, an additional eastern/northeastern county is under quarantine as a result of discovery of the invasive spotted lanternfly. Please, if you are in the eastern half of the state be cognizant of this Bad Bug, potentially responsible for eradication of Pennsylvania grapes, apples, and (gasp) stone fruit. Yes, peaches. That's peaches, people. Kiss summer good-bye if there are no peaches.

Let's shift to a success story, shall we? Last week I mentioned that PPFF is hosting another Plein Air Day on Saturday afternoon, April 15, to showcase the great work of the Graffiti Busters crew at Hammonds Rocks. Now details have been mostly firmed up for the morning of the 15th to feature a Geology Day at the Rocks. One of the key reasons for the graffiti bustin' project was to restore the Rocks to its rightful place as a geology classroom so we are positively thrilled that the first official (as far as we're concerned) geology classroom event can now take place. Come out and enjoy this family-friendly hands-on learning experience. Check our calendar of events for details.

At work and play in the parks and forests

It would appear that there is some dangerously cold weather in the forecast for the days ahead so please do bundle up for your outdoor activities. Layer up!

North

With Maple Sugaring season in full swing now, the Friends of Mount Pisgah invite you to their annual Sugar on Snow day tomorrow from 10:00 until 2:00.

South

The Forbes State Forest invites you a fly tying workshop tomorrow morning beginning at 11:00. It will take place indoors!

East

Speaking of the Friends of Beltzville, their Beltzville on the Move hiking series begins Sunday afternoon at 2:00 with a two-mile walk on the Christman Trail.

West

Almost kitty-corner across Pennsylvania from Mount Pisgah, they'll be doing a maple sugaring workshop at Raccoon Creek tomorrow at 10:00. There is a cost and the registration deadline has passed but give the park a ring and see if there is room for you to squeeze in and tap their expertise!

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

The picture of the week is a two-fer and, admittedly they are about a month old now. But dramatic nonetheless. File it under "What a Difference a Week Makes." And I suspect we'll need another look next week!

Spotlight on the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community

It being our first year of participation in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community, PPFF is going all out to make our presence felt on May 20, and we'd love to have you join the party!

There are many ways you can support the PPFF team and have a good time. I mean, I know you've really always wanted to meet the PPFF crew and Saturday, May 20 will be your opportunity to come down to Harrisburg Area Community College and see us all in action. All right, I might not be there because MY team (Confloozies Walk, Confloozies Rock!) will be doing our thing on the Great Allegheny Passage in Confluence. Which just shows to go ya that you TOO can create a virtual team of walkers and still be a part of the fun even if you live in, say, Erie. Just go to the main PPFF Highmark Walk page and get started.

The beauty is that there is no registration fee but thanks to the people of Highmark Blue Shield locally in Harrisburg every single dime that you DO contribute or raise through asking your friends and family oh, so nicely for a contribution will go directly to PPFF. Highmark Blue Shield is taking no portion of the money raised by PPFF or any of the other 47 organizations for administrative services. Neat!

Quick things to know:

• Everyone who DOES raise $30 will receive an official Walk tee-shirt (remote walkers, too) in this year's color Kiwi.
• Thanks to PPFF sponsor CLIF Bar, every PPFF walker will receive a CLIF on the day of the walk - and chances to win COOL CLIF STUF in random drawings between now and May 20.
• Thanks to sponsor PPFF Eddie Bauer, there's a fabulous day pack on the line for a random drawing at a time yet to be determined but IF you are sign up, you WILL be eligible.
• Thanks to other sponsors there are going to be all kinds of incentives and prizes from us to sign up, and thanks to Highmark there will be lots of other incentives from the big pot as well.
  

So the only question we have for you at this point is what are you waiting for? Sign up already!

Take five for trivia

The osprey was our trivial feature to begin March and his unique diet the basis of the question. The osprey eats live fish almost exclusively, with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's description of this "fish eagle's" hunting skills typically Cornellian: "Hunting Ospreys are a picture of concentration, diving with feet outstretched and yellow eyes sighting straight along their talons." Cornell tells us also that it's an osprey's toes that make him such a great hunter; with a reversible outer toe that allows for two front and two behind for hanging on to the prey.

Many Pennsylvanians are particular about their maple syrup and it's really not just parochial. I was amused to read that our cousins to the North in Vermont got into a tussle with the golden arches a few years back over the "Fruit and Maple Oatmeal." Local law in the Green Mountain State prohibits the use of the word "maple" in promotion of a product if it isn't 100% pure. The ensuing settlement saw Vermont McD's customers given the option of obtaining the genuine article for their cereal.

In any event, maple trivia this week! How old must a tree be before it can safely be tapped for sap?

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

No, Japan. From my new favorite website/Facebook page, Atlas Obscura

But really, don't you remember winter this way, Boomer Buds?

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.