Thump.

Just before beginning work on this week's Take Five, I was on Skype with Marci back in Camp Hill and she said she "heard the cold arrive" with a thump at 3:00 in the morning. I believe it! 

We know it won't last. Still, I guess there are people who don't mind - and even enjoy - the winter and those who just don't. For both types, check out this recent article from Susquehanna Life on Eight Ways to Put the Fun Back in Winter. Aren't you inspired?

~ Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of Note.

Is that Christmas tree up and decorated? If not (or as you are putting it away for next year), you have an opportunity to recycle the old lights in exchange for a discount on LED replacements. HolidayLEDs, a Wisconsin-based online store, offers a 15% discount on new lights in exchange for your mailing the old ones. Their idea to gather up the old ones from your neighborhood to consolidate the shipping is a great one!

In the "learn something new every day" category comes announcement of applications for participation in the PA Master Naturalist program. I'd heard of the Master Gardeners (of which I could never quality) but not the Master Naturalists. I suspect I couldn't cut it with them either but I suspect many of you could and should! Concentrated for now in the eastern part of the state, the program nevertheless supports volunteer activities in the outdoors and that's reason enough to smile.

Oh, dear. Just as I was writing this we learned belatedly of the December 5th passing of Adda Free, a long-time volunteer with the Friends of Goddard. Adda's seemingly boundless energy and goodwill be sorely missed by the FroGs and indeed all in her community. What a kind and gentle lady!

Picture of the Week.

I do love this shot from Elk State Forest - the essence of winter.

At Work & Play in the Parks & Forests.

Wow! The DCNR Calendar of Events has undergone a little facelift. Just time for lots of winter festivals to begin appearing on its pages.

North.

This week's masthead is the lovely lobby of the Sinnemahoning State Park Wildlife Center where a holiday open house will take place on Saturday from 12 until 2.

South.

The Friends of Little Buffalo Christmas Trail is open for business! Celebrate all week from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM.

East.

Lest you doubt the Beauty of Botany, let this Saturday's seasonal walk at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center provide enlightenment!

West.

Keep an eye on all regions for the Christmas Bird Counts that will be taking place over the next few weeks. On Saturday, you can participate at either Moraine State Park or Jennings Environmental Education Center.

No matter what region you're looking to visit, our website Calendar of Events, and the DCNR Calendar of Events are great sources for things to do and see.

Take Five for Trivia.

It's right around the corner, of course, for us in Northern Hemisphere: the winter solstice that is. December 21 at 5:44 AM in Harrisburg and vicinity. June 21, 2017 "way down south." As you know, we think the important thing is to stay active and enjoy the season whatever it may be - and the DCNR Winter Report can help you do just that with up-to-the-minute (well, almost) reports on the conditions across the parks system.

Just the other night another meteor shower was obscured by a bright and beautiful moon. Which meteor shower was it?

Send in your answer and we'll enter your correct answer 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.

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.