Feeling "Hektored"?

There was a pretty amazing satellite photograph on the NBC Nightly News on Wednesday showing a storm stretching from the east coast all the way across the Atlantic to western Europe. It was just a pleasant reminder, not unlike the photograph at Presque Isle above (by David Diffenderfer of Grove City), of what season we're in. 

Kind of makes you want to go on a picnic, doesn't it?

Thanks to you all for your kind words about the revamped Fridays with Pam. I'm feeling that we're on to something. So onward!

~ Pam Metzger
Membership & Volunteer Coordinator

News of Note.

The news this week is all about our annual award winners. It's a great time around the office when the committee gets together to review the award nominations and cast their ballots. The choices are ALWAYS difficult, but the stories are inspiring. Wow, the things you do to make the state parks and forests the wonderful places they are! This year's crop of inspirational individuals?

Cliff Jones Keystone Legacy Award: Linda McKenna Boxx

Government Award: Norm Lacasse 

President’s Award: Deloitte Consulting 

Park of the Year: Point State Park

Forest of the Year: Buchanan State Forest

Individual Volunteer of the Year: Helen Maurella 

Improvement Award: Warren Renninger 

Group Volunteer of the Year: Friends of Nolde Environmental Education Center

Education Award: Friends of Black Moshannon State Park

Young Volunteer Award: Kayce Bobnar 

We'll share their stories in the weeks ahead, culminating as ever in our banquet on May 5 at the West Shore Country Club. It will be the gala affair of the year - our very own cinco de Mayo - and we hope you can join us!

Silent auction donations are hereby solicited! Put together a basket, donate a gift certificate to your business, offer to lead the winner on an excursion to your favorite state park or forest! I think Marci and I should auction off the chance to bike with us on our {planned} century in September. What would you bid?!

Picture of the Week.

Park or Forest of the Week - The Inside Track.

One of the best things to come from the Great Pennsylvania Outdoor Challenge was new, fun people! Samantha Fordick hopped on board the thing and now never hesitates to share her adventures with us. She loves Gallitzin State Forest - it's close to home and the access roads are a little more passable than some in other state forests. She said that her visits to the state parks and forests are almost always motivated by the pictures she sees online, so she's only too happy to share hers in hopes of motivating you!

Gallitzin recently added the multi-use County Line Trail to its roster and Sam recommends it for a quick and not too strenuous winter hike. Here's a great little piece from theAlleghenies.com to give you the specifics, and this shot of the Skyline Drive overlook to be found right at the beginning of the trail pretty much speaks for itself!

The Great Pennsylvania Outdoor Challenge.

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At Work & Play in the Parks & Forests.

This being the Martin Luther King holiday weekend, may we suggest honoring Dr. King's memory on Monday's National Day of Service? While there may be nothing specifically scheduled in your local state park or forest, a little quiet contemplation along a forested trail simply clearing the path is a fine gesture!

North.

It's here! Fun in the Snow at Black Mo! The first "winter festival" to hit our list. But given the vagaries of weather, it's good to check the park's Facebook page for the latest information - January 31 is the "no snow" date.

South. 

Down at Kings Gap, they invite you to Hike Off the Holidays with a moderately paced, two-mile stroll. It will be bracing and a great way to shake out the kinks.

East.

Over at Nescopeck State Park, they've been running a daily cross-country ski and snowshoe loaner program. They started it at the beginning of the year and it's on through the end of February, conditions (weather and behavior) permitting. A free morning/early afternoon during this period just might teach you a new skill!

West.

And the Fests keep coming! The Friends of Oil Creek invite you to their cross-country ski-centric Winter Fest as well. With groomed trails and lots of instruction, OC is the place to be to try this wonderful winter sport. The Friends Facebook page is a good resource for knowing whether Fest is a go ("no snow" date is 1/24) and to see great images of the skiers in action. You'll be inspired!

Other Fests are on tap this weekend to entertain you - if you're in the neighborhood you could do worse than a visit to Moraine (chili cook-off!) or Hills Creek (visit WinterinTioga.com for additional details and updates).  

No matter what region you're looking to visit, our website Calendar of Events, the DCNR Calendar of Events and the ever-expanding Get Outdoors PA calendar are all great sources for things to do and see.

Take Five for Trivia.

I didn't fool hardly anybody with last week's trivia - you can, in fact, get your Foster on at Mount Pisgah State Park on Stephen Foster Lake and the Oh! Susanna Trail. Corning Gillian shared that Foster lived in nearby Towanda (her hometown) and that his "Camptown Races" was written about nearby Camptown. And here's the historical marker to prove it! Bill and I have been talking about paying a visit to Tunkhannock Viaduct this summer to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this railroad marvel. Lunch at Stephen Foster Lake sounds just about right.

Here's a game we haven't played in a while - who are these guys? This, to refresh your memory, is our hunt for a park or forest namesake from the annals of history. This park (I'll give you that much of a hint) is named for John and Mary, who might just as well have been a Revolutionary War Romeo and Juliet, since their Boston families were on opposite sides of the conflict. When all was said and done, he might have lost the war, but he gained a bride.

Send in your answer and we'll enter you, like all of last week's correct answers, 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.

This coming Wednesday (January 21) is National Hugging Day. Research shows that human contact, like a simple hug, is essential for our health and well-being. So. Find a friend and give him or her a smile and a hug on Wednesday - it'll boost the immune system and lower the blood pressure, 

And you have to love the fact that the Day's "official" website places their day in juxtaposition it with National Whiner's Day (December 26)!